1. Art and Diseño

The Edale Times ~ January 2015
Dear Parents and Carers,
come.
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas break and are ready for the term to
Firstly, on behalf of the staff and myself, a big ‘thank you’ for all the kind cards and gifts
you gave to us for Christmas. They were very much appreciated.
Staffing news:
I am delighted to tell you that we have two new additions to the ‘Edale
family’. Mrs Ryan’s daughter, Evie and Miss Arnold’s daughter Georgie both
arrived safe and well before Christmas. Congratulations to all; we look forward
to seeing these babies (and their Mums!) in school soon.
A quick update on changes to staffing:
 We welcome back Mrs Sadecka, who will be working with Mr Rennie in Year 3.
 Mrs Ellis joins us as Year 1 teacher
 Mrs Fletcher will be returning to Year 1, joining Mrs Ellis
 Miss Orridge will be continuing as Deputy HeaTeacher
 We welcome Mr Crooks who replaces Miss Mancey in Year 5 this term
We were hoping to employ a new teacher this term to work in upper school with small groups of
children. Unfortunately, the person who accepted the post has, at the last minute, changed her
mind! We will be working hard to sort this out as a matter of urgency.
Homework:
At the end of last term, we had over 50 ‘Homework heroes’ This was a good improvement on the
first half term but there is still a long way to go in some classes! Please encourage your child to
take time over their homework and read every day, even for 10 minutes. It will make such a
difference! If you need some help with helping your child at home, please talk to your child’s
teacher. We will be very happy to advise you.
New website!
Arran Bilsbrough, our Technician, has been working hard to update our website and
we are hoping to launch the new version this week. We think it is good but we would
like your opinion too. Let us know if there are any changes you would like us to make
to improve it further.
Drugaware:
This term, the children will be learning about drug awareness at various levels. The school has also
just been re-accredited for the ‘Drugaware’ standard. We shall be having an assembly for the
award to be presented and for children to talk about their learning. It will be on the last day of
term (2nd April) and all parents are warmly invited to attend. We are also hoping to run a workshop
for parents interested in learning more about Drugs education in school (and increasing their own
knowledge, too!). Please let Zoe Wilkinson know if you would like to attend.
Can you help?
As part of our Citizenship curriculum, we are running a ‘World of Work’ programme for the Year 5
and 6 children. Every half term, we invite someone in to talk about their job. So far, we have had a
scientist, a hairdresser and a T shirt designer, to name a few. We would very much like to increase
the number of people we can call on, so if you have a job you would like to tell the children about or
know someone who could come and talk to the children, do let us know. It is such an important part
of our curriculum for children to have an idea of the range of jobs available to them.
Please see attached a list of diary dates for the coming weeks. I am sure there will be more added
as we go along – keep your eyes on the notice boards and website for updates!
Thank you
Mrs Jane Swingler, Head Teacher
Diary dates – Spring Term I
W/b 5th: Swimming starts for Years 1, 2 and 4
8th Life Education bus in school (activities and workshops for Foundation Stage, Years 1, 2 and 3)
12th: Change for Life – curriculum support in Y3 and 4 and After School Club starts
13th: New entry system being installed
16th: Safety in the Home Day
19th: 3.30 to 4.15 - Family story telling session in Foundation Stage
20th: Attendance breakfast – who will win?
26th: Governing Body Resources group meeting (4.00)
27th: Healthy School Audit
February:
4th: Robot Wars in Y4
9th: Full Governing Body meeting (4.00)
11th Road Safety quiz for Years 3,4,5 and 6
11th: Film club, Years 5 and 6
13th: INSET – school closed for staff training
16th to 20th: HALF TERM HOLIDAY
23rd: Chinese New Year assembly
w/b 23rd: Parents meetings – details to follow
March:
w/b 2nd Book Week
9th: Governing Body Standards group meeting (4.00)
16th: Mathletics Week
20th: Family assembly – Drugaware Award presentation
23rd: Full Governing Body meeting (4.00)
April:
2nd: Mathletics assembly and awards
2nd: End of term.
We return to school on Thursday 16th April
School Clubs this half term: Details from Zoe Wilkinson or
Office staff
Day
Monday
Time
3.30 to 4.30
Club
Football training
Year groups
KS2
Dates
Every week from 12th
January
12.30 to 1.00
Lunchtime ICT
Club
Year 5
Every week from 12th
January
3.30 to 4.30
Change for Life
group
Years 1 to 3
Every week from 12th
January
Keyboard
lessons
Mixed
Every week; starts 14th
January
3.30 to 4.30
‘Natty Knitters’
Mixed
Every week; starts 14th
January
3.30 to 4.30
‘Digismart’ group
Years 5 and 6
Every week; starts 8th
January
3.30 to 4.30
Gymnastics Club
Years 1 and 2
Starts 8th January
Tuesday
Wednesday 12.00 to 1.30
Thursday
Friday
Parent and Community groups:
Day
Time
Group
Venue
Start and end
dates
Tuesday
9.00 to 11.00
Wednesday
Thursday
9.30 to 11.30
Craft group
Oliver Hind Club
Every week
English for Speakers
Oliver Hind Club
of other Languages and
‘life skills’ class
Every week.
Friday
Family Assembly
Every week
Monday
9.00 to 9.30
Hall