May 2016

Downsell News
L E A R N I N G T O D AY, L E A D I N G T O M O R R O W

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 27th May
NSPCC Big Board Game Day.
School Closes at 3:20 pm for Half
Term
Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd
June School closed for Half
Term holiday

Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Mays edition of Downsell News. As we slowly build
our way towards the end of the school year, please note the
important dates section. As you can see there are many different
activities taking place between now and July.
Please look out for the letters giving you more information,
which will be sent nearer the time of each event.

Friday 10th June

Queens Birthday Celebrations and
Funday
Friday 17th June
PODS Bingo Evening
Thursday 23rd June
School closed for EU elections.
School Trips
Taking Place in June and July

DINNER MONEY
You have received a letter advising you that the price of a school
meal has now increased to 2-05 per day or 10-25 per week.
This will take effect as of Monday 6th June 2016.
School meals must be paid for in advance of a meal being taken

Friday 8th July

Key stage 1 Sports Day
Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th
July Visitors from China
Tuesday 12th July
One Drum, details to follow
Thursday 14th July
Year 6 Junior Citizens

GATE OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES

Friday 15th July

Key Stage 2 Sports Day
Saturday 16th July
PODS Summer Funday
Monday 18th July
Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 130pm to 2-30pm
Wednesday 20th July
School closes at 2-30 pm for
Summer Holidays.

Please remember that

School Starts at 8.55am.
We will be conducting late
gates at regular intervals,
so dont be caught out!

In

keeping with our safe guarding policy and to ensure the

childrens safety whilst they are in school we would like to
remind you of the times the that the school gates will be opened
and closed. If you Wish to enter the school at any other time
please come to the main gate in Downsell Road, where you will
be allowed access to the office by a member of staff. The times
are as follows:
MAIN GATE/GLOBE GATE :
Morning: Open at 7-55 am
Close at 9-05 am
Afternoon: Open at 3-10 pm
Close at 4-40 pm
OTHER GATES:
Morning:
Open at 8-40 am
Close at 9-05 am
Afternoon: Open at 3-10 pm
Close at 3-40 pm

L E A R N I N G T O D AY, L E A D I N G T O M O R R O W
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
CLUBS

NSPCC BIG BOARD GAME

DAY

The new clubs for this term are

as follows:
Monday
Years 1&2 Athletics
Tuesday Year 3
Athletics
Wednesday Year 4
Athletics
Thursday Year 5
Cricket
Friday
Year 6
Tennis .

On Friday 27th May we will be

fundraising by taking part in the Big
Board Game Day.
All children will be asked to bring in
a 50 pence donation and will
spend the day creating and playing
Maths based board games. All
proceeds will go to the NSPCC.

These will end week beginning

23rd May 2016.

PHONICS SCREENING
CHECKS
Week commencing 13th June the
children in year 1will take part in
Phonics Screening. This is designed
to give us information on how your
child is progressing in phonics.
They will be given weekly phonics
homework , which will include real
words and nonsense words.
Please ensure that your child is
practising these words at home.
Further information will be sent
nearer the time.

ATTENDANCE

PODSParents of Downsell
School
PODS, meet every Friday from
9:00 to 9:30 am, in the school
hall, please feel free to come
along and join them.
There are 2 dates for your diary:
Friday 17th JuneBINGO
Evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm.
Saturday 16th JulySummer
Funday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
More information will be sent
nearer the time.
Free School Meals
If your entitlement to free school
meals has changed, please
bring your letter to the school
office, so that we can update our
records.

We would like to remind parents that if your child has any kind of
official appointment, we would expect them to attend school in the
morning if the appointment is for the afternoon and vice versa. We
understand that this is not always possible, especially if you live a long
distance from school and the appointment is local to where you live.
We would request that you try to obtain appointments, wherever
possible, outside of the school day.
Please note, that we would also expect your child to be in school on
their birthday and ask that any treats/parties be arranged for outside
of school hours. As a parent you have a legal responsibility to make
sure that your child attends school and does not incur an
un-authorised absence, as this could possibly lead to a fine.
PUPIL PREMIUM
THE QUEENS 90TH BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS AND FUNDAY If your child is entitled to Free
School Meals, then the school is
On Friday 10th June we will be
able to claim extra funding
holding our Annual Funday and
through Pupil Premium Grant. In
having a Special Box Themed
2016/2017 the grant is 1,320 per
Packed Lunch to celebrate HRH pupil from Reception to Year 6.
Queen Elizabeths 90th Birthday.
The funds are used to purchase
Please look for the letter which will resources and support pupil
Progress.
follow shortly
If you are entitled to free school
meals please apply for it. If you
need any support in doing this,
please call the school office
where one of the staff, will be able
to help you.

Best wishes from the Downsell team.