Dear Parents          May 2008

I trust you all enjoyed the long bank holiday weekend which I hope now signals the beginning of more pleasant early summer weather.  The weeks ahead are some of the most important and enjoyable of the school calendar.  It is a time when all children should be achieving their full potential.

SATs tests

Monday 12th May is the start of the Year 6 tests.  Please ensure your child is well prepared and attends school on time.  If there is any reason why they are not in school please contact the school office immediately.  I cannot stress how important these tests are to the children.  The staff and children have worked terrifically hard throughout the year; let’s hope their efforts are rewarded.  Similarly Year 2 children are currently taking their statutory tests. They are equally important but there is more emphasis on teacher assessment and the tests are spread throughout the month of May. All tests allow the school to analyse achievements, measure value added and compare our performance with other schools.
Y3, Y4 and Y5 will have a ‘testing’ week from May 19th – 23rd.  These tests are the optional SATs and the results are analysed to ensure all pupils are on the right learning track. Please make every effort to ensure your childs full attendance that week.

Army shoebox appeal

Last Friday we had a visit from the Army.  Ably co-ordinated by Mrs Binns (a parent) we were told during assembly of how troops in Afghanistan and Iraq receive the boxes. The gifts brighten up their day and allow a few home comforts to be enjoyed. I believe this is a really worthwhile project to support.  We have approximately 100 shoe boxes at school ready to collect.  The attached list of items and instructions should be of help.

Eco-council

The Waterloo Eco-council is now up and running.  The council, made up of children in Year 4, 5 and 6 will be checking each classroom on a daily basis to ensure children (and teachers!) are being environmentally friendly.  Points will be awarded in various categories and the classes with the highest scores at the end of the year will receive a prize.

Children can also earn points by bringing healthy snacks and lunches and also by reducing the waste that they produce in their lunchbox, for example by using reusable plastic containers rather than cling film.  Please be assured that your child’s lunch will not be inspected or interfered with by the Eco-council.  The team will simply visit each table in the dining hall at least once a week and ask children if they wish to show their lunchbox to receive points.

Reception/Nursery 2008

We are now planning visit dates and parents meetings for our new intake. Details will follow soon. In September we will be full in reception but we do have a few places still available in our nursery.   

School patrol crossing

Highways Department have contacted the school to advise us that we will have a new crossing person on Ansdell Road, week commencing 12th May.
Can we also remind all parents not to park on the zigzag lines by the school gates.  It is against the law and also a danger to the children crossing the roads.

Blackpool Youth Games 2008

On Tuesday 6th May, Miss Chapman took some children to take part in the Gymnastics Event at Stanley Park.  The competition included Vault, Body management and Floor sequence.  The children were very successful and came in at 3rd place overall (only 0.4 point behind joint 1st) we won 5 out of the 9 individual medals and Miss Chapman is extremely proud.
The children involved were: Jessica Wallace-Mills, Connor Slade, Abbi Footman, Ali Tredinnick, Tommy Mason and Oceana Carr.

Summer weather

Now that the weather has warmed up we would like children to have a summer hat for school which should be named.  I would also recommend that sun cream is applied daily before they come into school.  We are not able to apply any sun creams to children throughout the day. 
Children are also welcome to bring a bottle of water to school (preferably with sports caps), this should also be named.

Important forthcoming dates

• Y6 SATs week 12th – 16th May
• School closes for May half-term on Friday 23rd May at normal time
• School opens on Tuesday 3rd June
• New website launch day – Friday 6th June
• Class Photographs – Wednesday 11th June
• School Fair – Wednesday 9th July
• Fitness Week – W/C Monday 14th July
• Sports Day – Friday 11th July

Hello and goodbye

At half-term we say goodbye (temporarily) to Miss Peers and Mrs Rathbone, both for a maternity break.  Best wishes to both.
Mrs Shaw returns to school after her maternity break to take over the reins in YRDP.  Miss Harper, who knows Waterloo very well, takes over in Y6 from Mrs Rathbone.  Mr May assumes the post of year leader in Mrs Rathbone’s absence, in the same way as Mr Fox has after Mrs Cropper’s leave. Confused? Don’t be, I am very confident that the changes we have made will ensure we continue to deliver a high quality service.
Enjoy the month ahead and look out next week for sporting Waterloo pupils in the Gazette!

Yours sincerely

Mark Gray
HEAD TEACHER