14 December
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7th December 2007
NEWSLETTER 12

PA Christmas Fair
A very big thank you to everyone who came along to support the Christmas Fair on Saturday – there were many exciting things to do and Father Christmas was very busy too. Thank you to all the Parents who gave up their time to organise, set up and run the stalls on the day. It was all very successful and the fair raised over £2000 to add to the total funds in the PA account. Staff are now busy deciding what they would like this money to be used for!

Reception Nativity
On Wednesday and Thursday this week, the Reception Nativity was performed to parents, grandparents, carers and guests.  This was delightful and the singing was great!  Congratulations to Mr Etty-Leal, Mrs Mellar, Mrs Wilson and all Reception staff for enabling the children to perform in this way at such a young age.  We thank everyone who came to watch the Reception Nativity and support the children; this makes it very special for and heralds the start of the Christmas season for us all.

Reports
Your child’s report should be in an envelope with this letter.  If you have not received it please let the class teacher know as soon as possible.

PE Kit
This has been the last week for swimming and games lessons so all games kit should come home by today.
Fleece, tracksuit bottoms/over-trousers to come back into school for next week please.
Please check all items of clothing for names or loops that need replacing before the new term starts in January. 
We apologise for the muddy state of the outside play clothes (and some items of uniform). We have prolonged playing in the garden as long as possible but from next week, all children will be playing either on the ‘Playlawn’ or a hard surfaced area. They will still need their outside play clothes (fleece and over-trousers or tracksuit bottoms) to help keep their uniform clean, but will not be playing in the garden until further notice.

NEXT WEEK
No reading books or homework will be coming home from Monday 10th December.
Please send in children’s empty reading bags each day, for the children to bring “special things” home in next week.

Year 1
Please can all children in Year 1 bring their swimming bags to school next week, empty, to transport their uniform to Chapel on Wednesday 12th December.
Please note: there have been further cases of head lice in this year group, this week. Please check your families and treat any found over the weekend.
 
 ‘Childline’ collection
The cards and donations have been coming into classrooms very slowly this week and we only have £15 in the collection so far. We hope children will bring in a card for their class next week, with a donation for this very worthwhile charity. There will also be a collection taken at the end of the Christmas Service on Wednesday 12th December, to be put towards the final total for ‘Childline’. We will keep collecting right up to the last day of term and I will let you know the final total next term.

Christmas Lunch will be served to all children on Monday 10th December. The children will not have their original order for this day, unless special dietary requirements are in place.

CHRISTMAS SERVICE
This will be on Wednesday 12th December at 2.15pm in the School Chapel. Please see separate sheet for further information. Refreshments will be available in the Senior School Dining Hall after this service.
It will be a normal day for Nursery children. Please collect from the Pre-Prep School, as usual.  If you have an older child who will be at Chapel, and you are attending the service, please inform your child’s key worker that you will be late collecting your child or whether an alternative carer will be collecting your child.  Thank you.

Prep School PA Christmas Fair
This will take place in the Prep School from 3.30pm on Wednesday 12th December, following our Christmas Service.  They have invited Father Christmas along to their Christmas Fair. If any children wish to visit him at this fair, please collect a booking form from outside the office.
N.B. He will be coming back to our school for party day, on Thursday next week (see next item!)

PARTY DAY! – Thursday 13th December
All children should come to school in “party clothes”.  (Please bear in mind they will be playing outside at break and lunchtime.)  Father Christmas will be visiting the school during the afternoon - if any of the younger children have a problem with meeting him, please let the class teacher know!  He will be giving a large present to each class (already delivered and waiting by the fireplace in the reception hall) provided from PA fundraising.
Kindergarten children, attending from 1.00 – 3.00pm, should have lunch before they come.

School Shop
The School Shop will close from 5.00pm on Friday 14th December and will be closed all the following week for stock taking.
The School Shop will re-open on Wednesday 2nd January – Friday 4th January 2008, but close for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.00pm each day. Normal opening times will resume on Monday 7th January 2008, 9.30am – 5.20pm daily, including Saturdays.

END OF TERM - Collection times
Friday 14th December.
Nursery                                                  11.50 - 12 noon
Reception                                              12.10 p.m.
Year 1                                                     12.20 p.m.
Year 2                                                     12.30 p.m.
If you have children to collect in different year groups, please collect them all at the later time, with the eldest child.

Aftercare for Lent Term 2007
Please could all parents be aware that aftercare has to be booked each term, either by letter or the form provided by the School Office. Booking forms for aftercare will be sent out on January 8th, with the clubs booking form.
If you require aftercare in the first week of the Lent term, please complete a form  (outside school office) to let us know by the end of this term; 13th December.
It will not be presumed that the arrangements for the previous term will be carried over for either aftercare or bussing so please let the School Office know of the arrangements for your child for the new term.

POINTS TO NOTE:
School Bus Service
Please be aware there will be no bus service after the morning run on Friday 14th December. 
Sickness/Diarrhoea - Children should be kept at home for 48 hours after any episode of sickness and/or diarrhoea.  If your child is ill during the school day, parents will be contacted to collect the child from school as soon as possible.  We do not have a school nurse or facilities to look after sick children.  Please ensure contact numbers are up to date.
Meal booking forms
Please return any outstanding forms by Monday 10th December.
Pottery (Years 1 & 2)
Children who will be joining the first block of pottery sessions have now been notified.  If you have not received notification so far then your child will be in a later session of pottery and will be notified which session in the New Year.

Dates for the Diary – Lent Term
Christmas Service information sheet – Please keep for reference

30th November 2007
NEWSLETTER 11

Christmas has arrived at Pre-Prep! The trees arrived on Tuesday and the decorations are now up all around school – it will all look magical for the Christmas Fair tomorrow.

P.A. Children’s Shopping Event
The children were very excited choosing their presents and several used the “personal shopper” service provided by P.A. committee members. The presents should be secreted away until Christmas Day – though I know last year, several children couldn’t wait that long and gave their presents early! We hope you appreciate their choices!

Christmas Fair
The P.A. have been working very hard for this event and we hope as many of you as possible will come along tomorrow between 11.00am and 2.30pm.
All Parking will be in the field on Saturday – please ensure there is a gap by the tree (opposite the entrance gate) so cars can get onto and off the grass.
Father Christmas will be visiting us from 11.00am – he has specific appointment times so please do not join the queue until 10 minutes before your allotted time –the waiting area is in the Book Fair so you will be able to browse the books while you wait!

Advent Service
This service will be on Sunday 2nd December, starting at 6.15pm in the School Chapel. Due to the numbers (see letter from Mr Bowen, Deputy Head of senior school) only those families who have let me know they wish to attend will be able to be accommodated. There has been some confusion from parents but only Year 2 children have been asked to take part in this service. All year 1 and 2 children will be taking part in our own Christmas Service on Wednesday 12th December (see below for details).

Childline
Children may bring their Christmas card for the class, from Monday. Please remember our special charity “Childline” this Christmas.  There is a collection box outside the office for your donations.

After school Activities
This has been the last week for after school activities, except for Ballet (last session Friday 7th December). Please return all ballet registration forms for next term no later than Friday 7th December.

Collection of children after school
Please keep to the collection time for your child’s year group.  As clubs and activities have finished, more children will be going home at the end of school and the timing will be more important than usual. Please do NOT overtake on the drive at any time as this has caused some very near misses – we do not want any accidents between cars or to the children and other pedestrians. We know collection will take a little longer and can only thank you for your patience and good humour at this time of the day.

Reading Books
From Monday 10th December, reading books will not be coming home and there will be no homework for Year 1 or Year 2.  Please can children bring their reading bags each day in the last week of term, for other items to be carried to and from school.

Reception Nativity
Mr Etty-Leal has asked me to request that parents do not take flash photographs during the Nativity performances, as this is very distracting for the children.  There will be a photo call at the end of the performances. The performance will be videoed and details of how to order one, have been sent home. Please can all orders be returned to the office no later than 10.00am on Thursday 6th December.
Could parents ensure Reception children are in school by 8.40am on the performance days in order that the teachers can get them ready for the 9.15am performances!

Wednesday rehearsal
Next Wednesday, 5th December, Years 1 & 2 will be rehearsing again at the Chapel between 1.45 – 2.45pm.  They will be brought back to school by coach, but due to coaches having to turn round, the roundabout system will not be in operation.  Please park on the field car park on this day - please ensure there is a gap by the tree (opposite the entrance gate) so cars can get onto and off the grass.

Pre-Prep Christmas Service
The children have been practising hard for our Christmas Service, which will be on Wednesday 12th December, 2.15pm in Bromsgrove School Chapel. Although Reception children will not be taking part in the service, they will all be going to Chapel to watch. Parents, grandparents and carers are invited and very welcome to attend this service.

Parking for this Service is in the Sports Hall car park. There will be attendants to guide you. From 3.30pm the Prep School Christmas Fair is taking place and parking will be at a premium as you leave the school site after the Service.

All children from Reception – Year 2 should be collected from outside the Chapel by 3.00pm on that day.

Coffee and mince pies will be served in the Senior School Dining Hall after the service for all who attend.  We hope as many of you as possible will join us; we are sure you will enjoy it!

We ask that alternative arrangements be made for any younger children, who will not be able to sit quietly during the service (for approximately 30 minutes). If this is not possible, we ask that they are taken out of Chapel if they become noisy or fretful. Their chatter can be very distracting for the Year 2 children with speaking parts and also make it very difficult for other members of the congregation to hear what is being said, even with the microphone, as the acoustics in chapel exaggerate the sounds from the back of chapel.  Your thoughtfulness in this will be much appreciated.

There will be aftercare as usual on Wednesday 12th December.  Please let the office know if you require aftercare on that day by Wednesday 5th December, as we will need to arrange transport back to school.

Last Aftercare will be on Thursday 13th December.

Meal Booking Forms
You should now have received a new meal booking form for January 2007. Please return these to school no later than Monday 3rd December.  Please put completed forms in the collection basket outside the office.

School Bus Service
This is advance notice that the last run will be the morning run on Friday 14th December.  Please make alternative arrangements for collecting children on that day. School closes at lunchtime on that day (see December calendar sent last week, for times).

Holiday Club
Today is the deadline for Holiday Club bookings. Please speak to Mrs Symonds if you have any further enquiries.

Swimming/P.E.
Swimming and P.E. will finish for this term on Friday 7th December when all P.E. kit will come home for the holidays.  Please keep fleece tops, tracksuit bottoms and trainers in school until the end of term.

E-mail of Newsletter
A final reminder for all families - from January 2008 we will move to sending all of our information by e-mail where possible, as is already done in both Prep and Senior School.  If you have not already done so, please send your e-mail address to preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk putting‘e-mail newsletter’ in the subject box. This is your last chance to send this information to us, in order to receive the news letter and other information from January.  If you have not got an e-mail account and are unable to do this, paper copies of all information will be available for you to collect from outside the office. We will not send letters and information home in bags from January 2008.

It was lovely to see Mrs. Cattell in school for the day on Tuesday this week.  She came in to cover for Mrs. Lockhart, who was on a course.  However, this seems to have caused some confusion among the children, which I would like to put straight – Mrs. Cattell does not have to return to school full-time until half term in the Summer Term 2008.  She will let us know in good time if she intends to return any sooner.  In the interim she may come in for odd days, as this week.

Lost Property
Kameron Bassi has the wrong coat with no name in.  His coat is brand new but smaller, also with no name.  Please can you check your child’s coat for size and name.

Phoebe Courtney’s hat is missing – we have searched school and checked all hats but to no avail.  Please check if your child has brought home Phoebe’s hat by mistake.

Louise Little has lost her pink Ballet top and blue tracksuit bottoms.

November 27th

Mr Richard Evans
The Governors are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Richard Evans as the new Headmaster of Bromsgrove Preparatory School to succeed Mr Peter Lee-Smith on his retirement at the end of the academic year.

Mr Evans is currently Headmaster of St Andrew’s School, a co-educational Prep School for over 300 pupils in Woking, Surrey. He joins Bromsgrove Preparatory School with his wife Carol and two children.

Mr Evans has worked in a number of reputable Prep Schools and is an Independent Schools Inspector. He is also a member of the IAPS Sports and Recreation Committee.

He has a keen interest in sport having played rugby and cricket at a high level. He also enjoys golf, fly fishing and skiing.

Mr Evans will be taking over the Headship at an exciting time in the School’s development. “I am delighted with my appointment as Headmaster of Bromsgrove Preparatory School. I’m particularly looking forward to working with excellent staff, both in and outside the classroom, to further enhance the School’s already superb reputation and build on the tremendous work that Peter Lee-Smith has done as Headmaster”.

Mr Evans was born in Worcester and looks forward to returning to his home county.

23rd November 2007
NEWSLETTER 10

Liaison
The Liaison meeting, due to be held on Monday 19th November, was cancelled as no issues had been raised. There will be an opportunity in the summer term, to raise any points for discussion at the next Liaison meeting scheduled to be held early in that term. In the interim period, we encourage parents to come forward and raise issues that concern them, with the class teachers or with Mrs Pickering directly, at any time, rather than wait until Liaison meetings. We would prefer to deal with issues or concerns quickly than have them develop into bigger issues over time.

E-mail of Newsletter
A further reminder for all families - from January 2008 we will move to sending all of our information by e-mail where possible, as is already done in both Prep and Senior School.  If you have not already done so, please send your e-mail address to preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk putting ‘e-mail newsletter’ in the subject box. We will need this to be done no later than Friday 30th November in order to receive all information from January.  If you have not got an e-mail account and are unable to do this, paper copies of all information will be available for you to collect from outside the office.

Christmas Calendar
All the preparations for Christmas are in full flow now and Christmas will “arrive” at Bromsgrove Pre-Preparatory and Nursery by the end of next week.  With this letter is a Calendar sheet for December to help you keep up with everything that will be happening in the last weeks of term.

Christmas Cards
We hope you will help us support “Childline” again this year by sending one card to the whole class (or each class in the year group) and donating the money you would have spent on cards to "Childline".  Cards can be brought into school from Monday 3rd December.  The children’s cards will be put on display in the class for everyone to see and enjoy.  Please give your donation to the class teacher in a sealed envelope.  This is a very worthwhile charity helping children in many difficult circumstances and we hope to be able to send a good donation at the end of term.  We have raised over £600 for “Childline” each year in this way.  We would like to exceed this total this year. 

The Reception Nativity
We are all looking forward to their performances on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th December 9.15am in the school hall. Please use all school car parking areas on these days.  Due to the number of children in the year group and the safe capacity of our hall, unfortunately we need to limit the number of seats per family in order that every child can have someone from their family to watch them.  We have now noted all requests for seats and tickets will be sent home shortly.

Christmas Party
Would all parents of Nursery children please return the reply slip re: the Christmas Party by Monday 27th November or we will assume they will not stay on that day.

Aftercare
Some parents are still ringing the door bell at Kindergarten entrance when collecting their child from the Pre-Prep aftercare between 3.45 and 4.30pm. Unless collecting Kindergarten or Preschool children, please do not use this door.
Please use the main front door to collect Pre-Prep children; the office is manned until 4.00pm and duty staff are around after this – though you may have to wait a short time if they are answering the telephone. If you are in a hurry to collect your child or do not get a reply at the front door, please walk round to the dining room via the Playlawn, where the children are often playing between these times. Aftercare staff will let you in at the Dining room door if they are playing inside.

PA News
Christmas Shopping for the children – Wednesday 28th November
This event was very successful last year and the children loved it! We ask you to donate any unwanted Christmas/Birthday presents you may have received (male and female) – (we’ve all got them stashed away somewhere!) Please leave your gift donations in the boxes provided in the Kindergarten Entrance. They will be emptied regularly and stored until 28th November. We hope everyone will be able to send in at least two small items for this event “Daddy” presents in particular would be gratefully received for next Wednesday’s Christmas Shopping event.

There has been a steady collection of items for the Christmas Fair and “Children’s Christmas Shopping” events.  Please keep them coming in! On Wednesday 28th November please remember to send in £3 per child (£1.50 per gift, maximum two gifts) in a named purse. There will be “personal shoppers” to assist the children and a gift wrapping service so that they can bring the presents home to put under the Christmas tree.  If parents of younger children, who are not normally in school on a Wednesday, would like their child to take part, please bring them along to the School Hall between 10.00 – 11.00am on that day.

This week, you should have received a plate and a request from the PA for a homemade cake to be brought in on Friday 1st December.  We hope as many of you as possible will come along to the Christmas Fair between 11am and 2.30pm on Saturday 1st  December, to support the PA Committee and raise funds for this year. These will be used to provide the children with the “extras” they have all enjoyed in previous years.

PA QUIZ NIGHT
Please note that Friday’s quiz night will be held at Cobham Hall and not Pre-Prep.

Book Fair
The Book Fair this year will be available at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 1st December. It will be in one of the Preschool classrooms where you can browse while waiting to see Father Christmas. We hope you will come and choose some book presents on that day.

Pre-Prep Christmas Service Reminder
This will take place on Wednesday 12th December at 2.15pm in Bromsgrove School Chapel. Details will be in next week’s letter.

Wednesday rehearsals
For the next two Wednesdays (28th November and 5th December) Years 1 & 2 will be rehearsing at the Chapel between 1.30 - 3.00pm.  They will be brought back to school by coach but due to coaches having to turn round, the roundabout system will not be in operation on these two Wednesdays. If collecting at 3.20/3.30pm, please park on the car park and use the staff car park.

After School Activities
Next week will be the last session for all after school activities. All clubs will finish by Friday 30th November except for Recorders (lunchtime) which will finish on Wednesday 5th December and Ballet which will finish on Friday 7th December.  If you require aftercare in place of the club, please contact the office as soon as possible as places are limited.   Please return any outstanding ballet forms and payments for next term by Friday 7th December.

Deadline for Holiday Club bookings – Friday 30th November

Finally, please note that the Fire Alarm bells will be tested every Monday from next week, between 7.30am and 8.00am. We have had two fire drill practices in the last two weeks, one during clubs and aftercare, one during the school day. I am happy to report the children were all evacuated from the school within three minutes each time and all remembered the routines and rules of such practices, which we hold each term.

16th November, 2007
NEWSLETTER 9

Operation Christmas Child
The amazing pile of boxes we had in the fireplace was collected earlier this week and some of the children were very excited to help load them into the car.  Thank you to everyone who has supported this charity.  If anyone still wishes to send in a box you can take them directly to the Baptist Church in Bromsgrove, which is the local collecting point for this area.
               

E-mail of Newsletter
We have now set this up and it is running successfully.  From January 2008 we will move to sending all of our information by e-mail where possible, as is already done in both Prep and Senior School.  If you have not already done so, please send your e-mail address to preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk putting ‘e-mail newsletter’ in the subject box. We will need this to be done no later than Friday 30th November in order to receive all information from January.  If you have not got an e-mail account and are unable to do this, paper copies of all information will be available for you to collect from outside the office.

Plea from Aftercare
If you have any messages for aftercare can you please ring them on:-
07930 751587 -  after 4.00pm
It is most important that they know when a parent is going to be late collecting their child, particularly if they are not going to be picked up by 4.30pm as this causes problems regarding the number of teas ordered if your child has not been booked in after this time.

Performance programme 2007-2008
Following much discussion with staff, we have made some adjustment to the programme of performances to parents across the year, to allow more time for curriculum teaching and to maximise the learning opportunities in each year group.
Reception Nativity will remain as now. Year 1 and Year 2 will combine for the Christmas Service in Chapel with Year 1 taking on the performance roles in the Nativity and Year 2 taking the readings. Preschool will hold a brief Musical Review with songs and poems in March (end of Lent term) and Year 2 will put on their big end of Year / end of Key Stage performance in the penultimate week of the Summer term. We feel these changes give a better balance to the teaching and performance commitments across the school.
Staff Absence
I am sorry to tell you that Mrs Western (Head of Year 2) has been absent from school since half term with a severe back problem. She had hoped to return next week but this is not to be. We all wish her well and thank Mrs Taylor for stepping in to cover her class teaching during this absence. Mrs Taylor has been working closely with the other Year 2 teachers to ensure the children are all working as they should be. Mrs Western will be writing the reports for her class this term.
Mrs Bowditch, class assistant with Mrs Wilson in Reception, has also been absent this term with a back problem. Unfortunately she will not now be returning until January next year at the earliest but we thank Mrs Stokes and Mrs Butt for covering her position this term.

Playtime
The children need to wear their over trousers or tracksuit bottoms when they go out to play, mainly to keep their uniform clean but also for an added layer of warmth. Please can you ensure these items are in school.

Sickness + diarrhoea
Would parents please be aware that we have had a number of children absent from school/being sent home from school with an upset tummy and/or high temperature.  Please keep your child off school for at least 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea, to help minimise the spread of infection.

Feedback to Parents
At the end of this term all parents will receive a written report, in letter format.  This will report on progress in Literacy, Mathematics, your child’s general settling in to their new year-group and their Personal and Social development.  These reports will be sent out on Friday 7th December in children’s reading bags. This will give parents the opportunity to speak to staff about the report before the end of term, if they wish to do so. Kindergarten and Preschool reports will be posted on this day if your child does not usually attend school on Friday.

Christmas Holiday Club
Christmas Holiday Club forms are now available from outside the office.  The deadline for bookings is Friday 30th November.  Please note - no bookings will be accepted after this date.

Menus
Thank you to everyone who has returned their menus already.  It is of great help to our catering department if the forms can returned quickly and no later than Friday 3rd December, to ensure your child gets the meals they would like next term. (Spare menus are available outside the office.)

Reception Nativity
Thank you to everyone from Reception who has returned their ticket applications so far.  If you have not replied already, please hand into the office no later than 9.00am on Wednesday 21st November.  (Spare letters are available outside the office.)

Nursery Christmas Party – Thursday 13th December
You should by now all have received a letter (Kindergarten and Pre-School) asking you to indicate if your child will be attending.  Please return your replies as soon as possible, but no later than Monday 26th November so that we are able to complete arrangements.  Spare letters are available from outside the office.

Finally, I have noted several children leaving School not wearing their hats, or taking them off as soon as they get outside.  I remind all parents that children should wear full, correct uniform at least until they are in the car to go home.  We expect all children to wear their School uniform smartly and with pride.

PA News

Christmas Shopping for the children  (Wednesday 28th November)
This event is very successful each year and the children loved it! We ask you to donate any unwanted Christmas/Birthday presents you may have received (male and female) – (we’ve all got them stashed away somewhere!) Please leave your gift donations in the boxes provided in the Kindergarten Entrance. They will be emptied regularly and stored until 28th November. We hope everyone will be able to send in at least two small items for this event; male presents are in short supply so these will be particularly welcome!

Class photographs
Thank you to everyone who has sent in the £3.50 for the class photograph received. Please can any monies still outstanding be returned to the PA box outside the office by Wednesday 21st November, or the photograph returned if not wanted.

Christmas Cards
There will be hand made Christmas cards, specifically for teachers, available at the Christmas Fair this year on Saturday 1st December.

Pantomime Information Letter
Santa Invitation

9th November 2007
NEWSLETTER 8

We hope you all had an enjoyable half term break - welcome back to a very busy half term! Please read the newsletter carefully each week as there will be regular updates on what is happening.

This week in assemblies we have taken the theme ‘Remembering’ to explain in a simple and understandable way the meaning of Remembrance Day and the Poppies. As part of their history curriculum, Year 2 have been studying World War 1 and, in particular, an old Bromsgrovian – Eustace Jotham. He was a Captain serving in India who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915.

On Tuesday next week, Year 2 will visit the School Chapel, which is known as the Memorial Chapel, built to remember Old Bromsgrovians who did not return from the First World War. The children will be allowed to explore the Chapel and to look for evidence of the Victoria Crosses awarded to Captain Jotham and other Old Bromsgrovians. (There is a booklet available from the school, which tells the stories of all the Bromsgrovian Victoria Cross holders. Please ask if you are interested) They will also visit the Senior School Library to see Captain Jotham’s Victoria Cross, which is on display there.

After School Clubs
All after school clubs restarted this week and will continue until Friday 30th November. There will be no clubs after this date (other than Ballet which finishes on 7th December). Some children did not attend their club or activity this week – they will continue in the same activity all term so please let the teacher know if a child has been withdrawn for any reason.
If you require aftercare in December instead of club, this will need to be booked with the office to ensure a place. Please inform the office as soon as possible as places are limited.

Lent term
Forms for the teachers clubs in the Lent term will be sent out on the first day of term (Jan 7th 2008)
All clubs will commence the second week of the Lent term.

School Link Books
If you ordered books last half term they should have come home this week. We have two orders with no name – if you are waiting for your order please speak to the ladies in the office.

Operation Christmas Child
Thank you to everyone who has brought in a box – we have an amazing collection of boxes, which has caused great excitement, particularly with the Pre-school children!  We have now arranged to have the boxes collected but we will continue to accept boxes until they are picked up by Samaritans Purse.

Bromsgrove Choral Society – note from Jonathan Kingston (Director of Music)
Choral Society’s first practice is on Tuesday 13th November from 6.00pm to 7.30pm in Routh Hall at the Senior School. ALL are very welcome and there is no need to audition! Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Te Deum are the featured works. The performance will take place in Pershore Abbey on 1st March 2008. Rehearsals will be informal and exciting – a big sound is needed, the more the merrier!

Pre-school
If children have borrowed school clothes please can they be returned to school. If any one has any spare clothes – (trousers, skirts, underwear) children have grown out of would be appreciated to use on children if they have an accident in school.
Preschool children will be introduced to the topic of the Nativity by thinking about baby Jesus. Please can we encourage every child to bring in a baby photograph to display, as the teachers will be discussing ‘ourselves as babies and what babies need’ in the coming weeks.

Traffic flow and Parking
Please do not stop on the drive at any time – particularly to talk to other drivers moving in the opposite direction as this blocks other traffic.  Our system, using the “roundabout” for dropping off and collecting children, works well if all drivers are considerate of others.  If you wish to park to bring your child into school in the morning and there is a space in the car park – please use the field car park not the staff car park.  If there are no parking places, please continue into the roundabout area and drop of your child/ren with me at the front door.
It has been brought to my attention that some parents have been seen using their mobile phone whilst driving in the school grounds. This is not only illegal but very dangerous and could cause a serious accident. Please do not use or answer your phone when driving in the school grounds.

Jewellery
Finally – we do not encourage children at Pre-Prep to have pierced ears but if they have, the earrings should be removed on PE and swimming days for health and safety reasons; they cannot be worn for these activities. This also applies to religious bracelets.
If children are wearing earrings on the days when these activities take place, they will not be allowed to take part. Staff are not allowed to do this for children.

S. Pickering

19th October
NEWSLETTER 7
Firstly, we wish you all a happy and restful half term break.  The children have been working hard since the beginning of term and are ready for this holiday - as are the staff!

I am delighted to tell you the total raised for NSPCC this half term is £2,693.55. Thank you to everyone who sponsored this charity. If anyone has any further monies to return to school for NSPCC, please send it into school after half term.

If there is anyone else who wishes to receive the newsletter by email please forward your email address to: preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk with “email newsletter” in subject box.  We are hoping to start this after half term.

We have received a thank you letter from Acorn’s Children’s Hospice for our recent donation from the Harvest Service.  This is displayed on the charities notice board, near the main front door.

Head Lice
There have been further cases of head lice reported throughout the school in the last two weeks so we feel this half term is the ideal time to have a concerted campaign to try and clear everyone of this unpleasant pest! If everyone checks their child/ren’s hair this weekend (parents and siblings need to be checked too!) and treat any head lice found then check again each weekend during half term to clear any further lice which may have hatched. Hopefully we can come back to school on 5th November, all clear for the new half term.

Tempest Photographs
Thank you to everyone who has now returned their orders.  These will be collected shortly and completed orders will be with us before Christmas.  If your child was absent for the photographs and you would like them to attend the next session on Wednesday 7th November, please let the office know if you have not already done so.

Menus
If you have not yet returned your menu for next half term, please return it directly to:  Sarah Twigg, Catering, Bromsgrove School, Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 7DU, in order for your child to be able to have their choice of food.

PA Tea Towel Orders
Any last minute orders for tea towels should be passed on to Sue Pantall-Burgess via phone – 07799 625 027 or e-mail sue@asheating.co.uk  by Tuesday 23rd October

Changes to Term Dates (2009)
It has been necessary to change these dates due to the very late Easter that year (April 12th) and to changes in the exam timetables at the Senior School.
The changes are set out on the sheet with this letter (Highlighted)
It means:
One week more on the Lent term – one week less in Easter Holiday
Lent half term also changes to coincide with local state HT, giving a 5week/5week split to the term
School will finish one week earlier in the Summer term, to make up for the loss of one week Easter Holiday.
These changes are being made with much reluctance at this stage, but are necessary. Please destroy any previous information you may have, to avoid confusion. 

The School Shop (on the Senior School campus) will be closed during the first week of half term (week commencing 22nd October) for further refurbishment of the shop. They will be open the second week, Monday 29th Oct. to Friday 2nd November, between 10.00am and 4.00pm each day.

NEXT HALF TERM
Bromsgrove School Choral Society
Rehearsals commence on Tuesday 13th November from 6.00 – 7.30pm in Routh Hall at the Senior School. This year they will be singing Haydn’s ‘Te Deum’ and Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and will perform these in the majestic Pershore Abbey in March 2008. If any parents (or grand parents) have not sung in a Choral Society but are interested I commend it to you; it is a wonderful experience and this music is particularly moving. Just come along to Routh Hall – Mrs Deval-Reed and Mrs Pickering will be there to welcome you as part of this chorus.

Christmas Cards
We will be supporting ‘Child Line’ again this year by asking children to bring one Christmas card for their whole class and donating the money that would have been spent on cards, to ‘Child Line’.  Christmas cards can be brought into school from 1st December and there will be a collection box outside the office for donations (in a sealed envelope please). The school has had a close association with this charity for many years. Please help us to support this very worthwhile cause again this year.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal
This is the other cause we support annually during this term and we have already received a few boxes!  Thank you.  If you intend to put together a shoebox with gifts over half term, please bring them into school by Monday 5th November and stack them in the main reception hall fireplace where they will wait until collected sometime from that week

Uniform
Reception to Year 2
Now that the colder weather is upon us, the children need to have their school jumper and fleece in school each day.  
All children should have a pair of white socks in their PE bag to wear for PE lessons, particularly girls who wear tights!
All Year Groups
Please ensure all items of clothing and footwear that children bring into school are NAMED securely in the designated positions (as on the uniform lists).
Loops on tracksuits and overalls are vital if they are to stay on the child’s peg and should be separate to name tapes. Please check the loops are still intact over the half term break.

All P.E kit and overalls should be coming home by tonight to be washed over the holiday.  Please also check trainers for size – some children are already having difficulty getting their trainers on.

Medicines – (NB: Kindergarten has medicines and forms in their own room.)
The school requires parents’ written permission to give a dose of medicine to a child.  If you wish your child to be given medicine please come to the office to hand in the medicine and completed forms.  The forms are available from outside the office.  The member of staff who administers the medicine will sign the form.
Without this paper work we cannot give any medicine. If your child has a course of medicine to take over several days, please take enough forms for each day.
ALL MEDICINES MUST COME INTO THE OFFICE for safety reasons.

Holiday Club
If you have any queries regarding Holiday Club (29th October – 2nd November) Please contact them on the school mobile telephone  - 07930 751587
We return to school on Monday 5th November

12th October 2007
NEWSLETTER 6

If there is anyone else who wishes to receive the newsletter by email please forward your email address to: preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk with “email newsletter” in subject box.

Parking
The weather has really changed for the worse this week and the ground is getting wet and muddy. Because of this:
From Monday 15th October, the grass area of the field will be closed for parking.
Parking for parents will be on the hardcore area only, until further notice.
We ask all parents (except for Kindergarten) to use the ‘roundabout’ to drop children off in the morning as often as possible. I will be at the front door between 8.15am and 8.45am, to ensure children come into school safely.
We also ask all parents of children in Year 1 and Year 2 to use the ‘roundabout’ for collection in the evening.
Please will all parents who need to park, use the field. There are still some parents who are parking in the STAFF car park in the morning when staff are trying to get into work.
If you do park, please leave promptly when you have collected your child so parents of children in the next year group can use the parking area.
I have noted several parents of nursery children are allowing them to play in the field area before they go home – we would prefer this to stop as some children run off and there is a danger with moving cars.
Some parents are parking in the Avoncroft Arts Centre car park. This is not our car park and has caused several complaints to be made to the school from personnel at the Centre. Please do not park in that area.
My thanks to all parents who have read and acted on my request to drive right round to the front in the turning circle area, to enable more children to be dropped off or collected at one time – it has made a big difference.

There have been at least two vehicles (Registration Numbers: LS04 XVK and X277 VBW) driven out of the field via the IN ONLY gate. Please will all parents use the correct route when in our school grounds. This is for the safety of everyone.

Uniform
All children should now be wearing their Navy School coat, with their hat/cap if they are in Year 1/2. They do not need to wear the blazer. I have noticed that some children are squeezing themselves into very small coats, some with a logo that the school no longer uses. We have worked with the school shop and Prep School to bring many items of uniform in line and all coats are now plain navy and can be worn throughout Bromsgrove School. This means a new coat bought now for a Year 2 child will be able to be worn as they go through the Prep School.

Class Photographs
The PA have arranged for Class photographs to be taken on Monday 15th October. Information on how to obtain copies of this are with this letter.

Childcare Vouchers
We have been notified by the Finance office that the terms of Childcare voucher schemes only apply to Nursery provision, Aftercare and Holiday club fees.
This form of payment cannot be used against term-time school fees when your child moves into Reception year or above.
It is the parent’s responsibility to notify their employers when their child/ren cease to qualify.

Behaviour Focus
We continue to work on table manners in the dining room and on “good listening” in the classroom. This week we have reminded children about Manners and Politeness. Mr Lee-Smith gave an amusing assembly on this theme, which made the point to children really well.
We have focused on the rule “Walk inside – run outside school” as there have been a few near misses due to children running inside school, particularly around corners! Please help us by reminding your children of this rule when in school.

Please return all menus no later than 15th October

Bromsgrove School Golf Society
The next meeting of the Bromsgrove School Golf Society (for all parents, staff and pupils who are reasonably competent) will be at the Kenilworth Golf Club (Crewe Lane, Kenilworth, Warks, CV8 2EA) on Wednesday 24th October. They will play 18 holes from 11.00am at a cost of £25 for adults and £10 for juniors. If you are interested in playing, please contact Mr Pickering – (cpickering@bromsgroveschool.co.uk.) as soon as possible but definitely by Monday 15th October.

Absence from school
If your child is ill and will not be coming to school, please contact the school office by 8.30am and leave a message for your child’s teacher. Absence for illness is recorded as such – if we are not informed the absence is recorded as unauthorised. Please help us to record the correct reason for any absence from school by keeping us informed. Requests for absence during term time should be made, in writing, to the Headmistress. Requests to attend major family events such as weddings, significant family birthday or anniversary celebrations, would be granted and the absence recorded as authorised.

After School Clubs
The clubs and activities will all continue into the last week of this half term, up to Thursday 18th October. There will be no Ballet on Friday 19th October - School closes at 3.30pm on that day.
Clubs will resume week beginning Monday 5th November.

School finishes for Half Term Friday 19th October at the normal finishing times:
2.50 - 3.00pm Nursery
3.10pm Reception
3.20pm Year 1
3.30pm Year 2
There will be no ballet and no aftercare on this day
There will be no buses to take children home on the afternoon or evening of Friday 19th October.  Please make alternative arrangements if your child uses school transport.
We return to school on Monday 5th November.

5th October 2007
NEWSLETTER 5

Harvest
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the wonderful display in Chapel for the Harvest Service last Friday. Thanks must also go to the PA Committee members who helped to transport the produce and flowers to chapel and arrange it for us, as well as taking the produce to the Primrose Hospice on Tuesday this week.  

All the school children were well behaved during the service and sang their hearts out! The children who read and said prayers during the service are to be congratulated in particular. The retiring collection at the Harvest Service last week totalled £395, which has been donated to ‘Acorns Children’s Hospice’ in Worcester.

Nursery Harvest
Kindergarten and Pre-school children celebrated Harvest on Monday this week, with a special event in the School Hall. Mrs Symonds talked to the children about food and other things linked to the word ‘Harvest’. All the children sat and listened very well and sang their songs with great enthusiasm. It was a very enjoyable occasion. The baby food donated by Nursery parents has been taken to the Home Start programme in Redditch, to help families with under-five year olds, who need support.

Parents’ Evenings
The class teachers and nursery assistants were pleased to meet with all parents this week to discuss how children have settled into the school and some of the targets we feel they now need to be working towards. If parents have any concerns regarding their child/ren at any time, please come and speak to the Class Teacher, Head of Year or Mrs Pickering. We would rather know and deal with these concerns as soon as possible, than leave them to grow and become major problems. Equally, any good news, thanks and praise is always appreciated!

Photographs
You should by now have received an order form for your child’s photograph.  Please follow the instructions given in the letter that accompanied it.  You can now order photographs on line at: www.tempest -schools.co.uk.
The deadline for photographs being sent on by the school is 9.00 a.m. Friday 12th October - all cheques made payable to ‘H. Tempest Ltd.’.  If anyone was absent on the day that photographs were taken (Wednesday 3rd October) please contact the office to let them know.

Traffic reminders
PLEASE
Do not leave your child/ren in the car, in the car park with keys in the ignition. There was an accident in the car park this week, which could have been much more serious than it was if any children had been between the cars when one was driven in reverse by a child. Fortunately no one was hurt but cars were damaged.
Reduce your speed to 10mph when on the school site. Some cars are still travelling too fast.
If using the roundabout to drop off or collect children:
Do not let children out of the car until you are in the turning circle, for their safety.
Please drive as far round the circle as you can before stopping to drop/pick up children.
Do not stop to chat to other parents on the roundabout, as you hold everyone else up!

Charities 2007-2008
Following discussions with the staff and the PA committee last term, we have decided to limit the number of charity appeals via this school to three. The charities the school will support this year are: NSPCC/Childline (they have amalgamated), Acorns Children’s Hospice and the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal with Samaritans Purse. We hope you will help us to support these very worthwhile charities this year.

NSPCC/Childline
The children had a talk from the NSPCC/Childline representative last Wednesday and should have all come home with an activity leaflet specific to each Key Stage. Preschool and Reception (Foundation Stage) have to find ‘Will stop’ in the picture – Year 1 and Year 2 (Key Stage 1) had some simple spellings to learn for a sponsored test! They were told which spelling list to learn but encouraged to learn any of the others if they wished.

The tests have been held this week and now all children should be bringing home the sponsor forms to collect any monies for which they have been sponsored. Please can all envelopes be returned to school by Tuesday 9th October at the latest, as the representative will come back to school to collect them on that morning.

Operation Christmas Child
It is the time of year when we ask families if they would be interested in taking part in the “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox appeal. We have had a great response to this in previous years.  If you would like to contribute to this scheme please read the accompanying leaflet and return the boxes to school no later than Monday 5th November (The first Monday after Half term) Many families spend time over half term preparing a shoebox with the children to make it more meaningful for them.  The children will be shown a video about this scheme and where the shoeboxes go. We will collect the boxes in the main reception hall.  Gift aid donations allow an extra 56p to go to this worthwhile charity.  The charity can also reduce its overheads and speed up processing donations if parents donate “online” via their website.  It is easy and secure.  Visit their website – www.samaritanspurse.uk.com

Behaviour focus
The focus has continued to be on “good listening” this week. Your help and reinforcement with this skill at home would really benefit the children. Please refer to the sheet sent home in September.
We have also talked about hand washing this week. This is important at all times but particularly as we come into the ‘coughs and colds’ season. It has been proved that hand washing is the best defence to help stop the spread of these sort of infections.

Students in School
We have several students in school this term, for work experience.
One student is from North East Worcester College – she is on placement with us for the rest of this year on Thursday and Friday each week, working towards the Childcare Diploma. This term she is in Preschool.
Starting this week, we also have eight students from Bromsgrove School every Tuesday from 3.15 to 4.30pm. They will be helping in aftercare, both the nursery and Pre-Prep, and in the after school clubs that evening.
All students work under the close supervision of the class teachers or nursery staff and we have usually found them to be an asset in the classroom – the students this year are no exception.
We will have two year 11 girls from Bromsgrove North High School, who will spend a full week in school from 15th October, working in different year groups.

Parent Information
There is a parent’s information board in the nursery entrance as well as outside the school office so parents can access weekly and termly information more easily.

Lost coat
Elizabeth Michell, in Preschool has mislaid her coat, please check at home in case it has come home by mistake

27th September 2007
NEWSLETTER 4

Parents’ Association A.G.M.
This meeting was held in the school hall on Monday 24th September, when the current committee members introduced themselves and new members were enlisted. On behalf of the staff I would like to thank all the outgoing committee members for their support and contributions of time and expertise in various guises. All the events organised last year were thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended (children and parents) and fund-raising has been magnificent over the last few years and last year was no exception. Staff and children in school have all really appreciated the many items purchased for the school. We welcome the new committee members and hope they will quickly make themselves known to you all. All the staff look forward to working closely with the new committee in the coming year.

Reminder: All Christmas card art work should be returned to the PA box outside the office, by 1st October

‘Yellow Moon’ catalogues are available for parents to take from outside the office.

The PA will be in school on the morning of Monday 15th October to take the annual Class Photographs. Copies of these will be sent out for purchase as soon as they are available.

Macmillan Coffee Morning
We are not holding a coffee morning at Pre-Prep this year as it clashes with the preparations for our Harvest Service but there will be a special event at the Prep School in Maple Hall on the morning of 28th September. This will be hosted by the Prep School PA committee - please support this very worthy cause if you can.

Harvest Service
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our service on Friday (tomorrow) at 2.15pm.

Parking for this event is in the Senior School sports hall car park. Please park as directed by the staff who will be on duty in this car park.

All children in Years 1 and 2 should wear Blazers and hats for this event.
Reception may wear their Blazer and hat if they have one, if not they should wear the school coat.
All children should have their red jumper (or sweatshirt) in school on Friday morning, to wear for the service.

No Reading Bags in school on Friday – all letters and homework for the weekend have come home today (Thursday).

There is no Ballet or Aftercare for Reception to Year 2 tomorrow, after the service.
Children in these year groups should be collected from outside the Chapel between 2.45pm to 3.00pm

Year 1 & 2 Girls
If possible, please can Year 1 and Year 2 girls wear socks on Friday for swimming not tights, it takes a long time to get tights on when you are damp from swimming!

Individual Photographs
A photographer from ‘Tempest’ will be in school on Wednesday 3rd October to take individual and family group photographs. If you would like younger siblings, not currently in school, to be included in the family photograph, please be in the school hall from 8.30am for these photographs to be taken first. All other family groups will be taken during the school day

The School Shop (on the Senior School campus) will be closed during the first week of half term (week commencing 22nd October) for further refurbishment of the shop. They will be open the second week, Monday 29th Oct. to Friday 2nd Nov., between 10.00am and 4.00pm each day.

After School Clubs
There will be no teacher led clubs next week due to Parents’ Evenings.  All external clubs will run as normal.  Teacher led clubs will resume week beginning 8th October until half term.
NB - Children cannot be left in aftercare while parents speak to staff at Parents evenings, due to the strict staffing ratio we need to maintain.

Behaviour focus
We are continuing to work on all the points introduced so far this term – particularly listening!
Next week we will continue to reinforce our focus on table manners.  We have been encouraging all children to remember how to behave at the table and most children can tell you the “rules”:
Use your knife and fork correctly when you eat.
Don’t speak when food is in your mouth.
Keep your mouth closed when you eat.
Elbows off table.
Ask someone to pass the water – don’t reach across the table, or other people’s trays.
However – in practice they are not as good.  Eating using a knife and fork is a skill even some children in Years 1 and 2 have yet to master!  Please help us by practising these rules at home to help us establish them firmly in the children’s behaviour.

Reminder: please e-mail preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk  and put in the subject box e-mail newsletter if you wish to receive our newsletter and other information via e-mail. We hope to reduce the quantity of paper we send home if possible!

21st  September 2007
NEWSLETTER 3

I thank all parents/carers who abide by our one way traffic system, which was put in place following parental suggestions to resolve the traffic problems we used to have and is there for the safety of everyone. Unfortunately, someone driving a fawn car is still leaving the field car park via the IN gate – nearly causing an accident this week. Please can parents inform any person who brings their child to school to use the one way system correctly at all times.

If different people collect your child on a regular basis, please can you write to the class teacher to give permission for the child to go with the other person for the rest of this year.  We require a new letter at the beginning of each year so the current class teacher is made aware of any changes to your arrangements

Open Morning
We are holding our first Open Morning for this academic year tomorrow, Saturday 22nd September between 10.00am. and 12.00noon.  If you know of any family, friends or neighbours who may be interested in their child joining our school in future years please invite them to come along, meet the staff and look around the classrooms.

Parents’ Association A.G.M.
This meeting will be held in the school hall on Monday 24th September at 7.30pm. Please come along to this friendly, informal evening; elect and meet the new committee so you know who they are and find out what they achieved in the last year. We are also hoping you may have some ideas to contribute to the plans for the coming year.

Formal Parents’ Evenings
Teachers will be holding the first Formal Parents’ Evenings of the year, in the week beginning 1st October
(details in separate letter sent last week). Please note: we only allocate 10 minutes per appointment, but your child’s work so far this term will be available to look at and staff will discuss how they have settled into their new class. A brief written report on each child will be sent home at the end of the Michaelmas Term.
The lists will be up on Monday morning 24th September. Please sign up for a time on the lists you will find
on class room doors (Nursery and Reception) or on Year Group notice boards in the cloakroom (Yr 1 and Yr 2).
(Please note Kindergarten Parents’ Evenings will be held in the summer term)

There will be no teacher run clubs during the week of 1st October but Pottery, Gymnastics, French, Spanish, Football and Ballet will continue.
If you require aftercare during this week please book with the office. Children can not be left in aftercare while you meet staff as we are restricted in numbers.

E-Mail Addresses
If you would prefer to have the school newsletter and other information sent to you by e-mail please e-mail to preprep@bromsgrove-school.co.uk  and put ‘e-mail newsletter’ in the subject box. We can then set up a comprehensive distribution list and reduce our carbon footprint a little!
NB. The newsletter next week will come home on Thursday 27th September

No Reading Bags in school on Friday 28th Sept, as the children will be in chapel.

Harvest Service
Our Harvest Service for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will take place Friday, 28th September at 2.15pm in Bromsgrove School Chapel.  (Please see attached orange sheet for details)  We welcome all parents, grandparents and carers of children in these Year Groups to join us for this joyful service. The service will finish at approximately 2.45pm. All children should be collected from outside chapel by 3.00pm. 

Pre-school children, with their parents, are most welcome to attend the Harvest Service. Please let Mrs Symonds know if you wish to attend (3 seats maximum per family).

There will be no aftercare or ballet that evening for Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.  Please make alternative arrangements for that evening if necessary.

Kindergarten and Preschool children not attending the service should be collected from school at the usual times. There will be aftercare on this day for Kindergarten and Preschool only. The Nursery classes will celebrate Harvest in school on Monday 1st October. For the Nursery Harvest celebration we ask families to donate baby food in tins/packets. This will go to ‘Home Start’ in Redditch

Year 1 and Year 2 children will not swim on Friday 28th September due to the Harvest Service in the afternoon. However, Year 2 will still go to the Prep School Sports Hall for PE.

The PA Committee would be very grateful for any volunteers to help transport the produce to the Chapel and decorate the altar on Friday morning.  If you would be interested in doing this please let me, or the PA Committee members know. The arrangements this year we hope will maximise our families’ generosity and avoid waste.  Please could parents donate only dried, tinned and non-perishable foods and fresh flowers by the morning of Friday 28th September.  The Parents’ Association will take the produce to the Chapel, where it will be on display for all the School Services until 2nd October.

School Uniform
Please note:  All children should be in full winter uniform from week beginning Monday 24th September.
Girls should wear long red socks or tights with winter uniform.
Children in Years 1 and 2 should wear their sweater with their Blazer and hat/cap, for the Harvest service. Reception children should all be wearing their sweatshirt (boys with ties on) and school coat. 
Reception children do not need to have blazer or hat until the summer term but if they have them, may wear them for the Harvest and Christmas services.
Please can all children have their school jumper or sweatshirt and their playtime fleece in school each day; it is necessary to be worn for playtimes as weather gets colder. 
From October 1st, all children should wear their winter coat; the blazer will be worn for special occasions such as the Christmas Service and throughout the summer term.

I am aware that some parents have concerns about sewing their child’s name on the front of their PE kit. We have done this to come in line with the rest of the school and to ensure children are reunited with lost kit more easily, but realise we will not be able to ask the children to wear their PE kit when we take them out of school on trips in future. We have discussed this as a staff; please be reassured we are fully aware of the safety aspects.

Preschool
Please can parents return any clothes/underwear that have been borrowed from school, as supplies are very low and they will soon not have any spares to change children into if they have an accident.

14th September 2007

NEWSLETTER 2
This has been the first week of the full timetable of lessons, after school clubs and activities and the full P.E. timetable, including swimming.  With so much to do alongside learning the new routines and expectations of their new year group and teachers, the children are very tired by today.  The children have started practising the Harvest songs with the Year 2 teachers and Mrs. Bayliss, Head of Music at the Prep School, ready for our Harvest Service in Bromsgrove School Chapel on Friday 28th September at 2.15pm.  Mrs Bayliss teaches music to Years 1 and 2 each week.

We welcome all the new staff in Nursery - Miss Banks, Miss Draycott and Miss Waldron have all settled in well and seem to be enjoying their new roles.

Mr Lee-Smith, Headmaster of the Prep School, was welcomed back to our school for the first time this term. He will be taking our assembly on alternate Thursdays throughout the year. Mrs Leather, Head of Year 3 at the Prep School, also comes to take an assembly once each half term throughout the year. Her first visit will be on Tuesday 2nd October and we look forward to welcoming her. We will also have regular visits from the School Chaplain, Rev. Paul Hedworth. He came to introduce himself to some of the classes on Wednesday this week and is looking forward to our Harvest Service, when he will meet you all.

Collecting Children
Some points to note:
Children should stay with their parents once dismissed into their care by the teachers. The children have been told they are not allowed to play in the Forest School area, which could be damaged by children playing there unsupervised, at collection time. This is a curriculum teaching area and Mrs Mellar has given much of her time creating an exciting learning environment, which we wish to conserve.
Please walk to and from the car park via the path through the wooded area NOT on the drive through the traffic. We are trying to establish a safety conscious environment for your children and walking through the traffic does not set a good example. Please let all adults who collect your children know this rule.
Please use the roundabout system for collecting children in Years 1 and 2 and after clubs at 4.30p

One Way Traffic
I have been informed a parent has been leaving the field car park via the ‘way in only’ gate. I remind all parents we have a one-way system on this site and the only exit for cars from the field is through the gate nearest the Staff car park. Leaving from the wrong gate not only holds up the traffic flow but causes bad feeling with other parents – please can you remind any parent you see going in the wrong direction! Thank you.

Head Lice
There have been several cases of had lice this week, reported in different year groups. Please can all families check your child/ren’s hair this weekend and treat any you may find. If everyone does this at the weekend we may be able to stop the spread of this unpleasant problem

Star Pupil of the Week
This title was awarded to the first group of children in assembly last Friday morning; one from each class from Reception to Year 2. They each received a certificate to bring home, which states why they have been awarded the honour for the week and a badge to wear in school until next Friday. Their photographs will be displayed on the notice board in the corridor outside the hall until next Friday, when they will hand the special badge over to the next child chosen from their class. Please congratulate any child you see wearing a badge stating ’Star Pupil’, to help make this honour even more special – it could be your child next time!

Behaviour and Courtesies
We have continued to practice ‘good sitting’ and ‘good listening’ this week - this will take some time to establish with a few children! We have also reinforced speaking/replying politely when greeted or spoken to and most children are very good at this, with few exceptions.
This week we have been working on table manners at lunchtimes; using a knife and fork correctly and not fingers! particularly in Reception year. If you could reinforce this at home the children will soon improve in these skills.

P.A. NEWS
The PA Committee held their first meeting of the Year on Monday 10th September and an outline calendar of events for the year was drawn up.  Some of the responsibilities within the committee will be changing hands when the new committee is elected at the AGM on Monday 24th September. Please come along to this evening if you can, parents from all year groups, including Kindergarten and Preschool, are all very welcome. It is very informal and an excellent opportunity to meet other parents for a drink and a chat, find out where the money raised last year has been spent and put forward your thoughts and ideas for future fundraising (and spending!) to the newly elected committee. Those who attend will have the advantage of knowing just who this hardworking team are!

A Uniform Exchange is run by members of the P.A. Committee and is based within our school. They are open for business every Wednesday morning between 8.30 and 9.00/9.30 a.m. or by appointment made for a particular time convenient to you and the ladies concerned.  We ask parents NOT to go into the Uniform exchange unless a member of the P.A Committee is available. They will do all they can to help you but ask that you respect this request. Please ask in the school office if you cannot get to the regular opening time on Wednesday mornings.

Uniform
We ask that all children are wearing full winter uniform from the week beginning Monday 24th September, ready for the Harvest Service on Friday 28th September. Years 1 and 2 should wear their Blazer with their uniform for this occasion and boys in Reception should wear their tie for this occasion.

Holiday Club
Booking forms for October Half Term are available from outside the office. The Holiday Club will run between 29th October and 2nd November inclusive.  School will be closed for the first week of the half term. The deadline for October half term bookings is Friday 12th October. 

Please note:
School will close at 3.30pm on Friday 19th October for Half term.  There will be no aftercare, ballet or school transport on that evening.  Please make alternative arrangements.
If anyone wishes to register young children into Kindergarten for September 2008 onwards, please collect a form from the office to ensure your place. We will be holding an Open Morning on Saturday 22nd September from 10.00am to 12noon, to recruit pupils for this year group.

On a final note, several parents have asked for their child to leave school early to attend swimming lessons.  These are private lessons and children will not be given permission to attend in school time.

7th September, 2007
NEWSLETTER 1

This week children in all year groups have been settling into their new classes, getting used to new routines and revising and relearning things they have forgotten over the summer break!  The revising and relearning will probably be necessary for the next week or two but the children will then be ready to move forward again.  Please bear this in mind with reading books and any work they bring home.

Medical Forms
We are still awaiting several blue information forms, which give vital information to the school office. It is important that these forms are returned no later than Monday 10th September. We cannot bring our contact numbers or dietary/medical information up to date until the last form is received. If you have lost your form please collect from the school office and return as soon as possible. Many thanks.

Staff News
We welcome all our new staff members this term – Miss Draycott and Miss Banks in Pre-school; Miss Waldron in Kindergarten. They all seem to have settled into the routines of our school very quickly this week.
Mr Etty-Leal is the new Head of Year for Reception and Mrs Lockhart is acting Head of Year for Year 1 this year, while Mrs Cattell is on maternity leave. A list of all the staff and their role in school is on each Year Group information boards. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 boards are in the cloakroom; Preschool and Kindergarten outside their class rooms. 

Houses / Rewards
Each child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is in a school house. We put children from the same family in the same house to avoid any division of loyalty or arguments at home!
Malvern House - green
Lickey House   - blue
Clent House     - red
Several children could tell me that they are all hills around Bromsgrove!  Hopefully Reception children will quickly remember the house they are in. To help them, all children new to school and all Reception children should have been given a badge the colour of the house they are in, to wear. Please read the sheet with this letter for details of the reward scheme.

This week we have been working on ‘Good sitting’ and ‘Good listening’.

Next week we will be focusing on one of our important school rules– “Walk inside (the building) run outside”
Also on Courtesy with: Answering politely with a ‘Good morning/afternoon’ when greeted by staff/adult/child or when spoken to.  Not to ignore a greeting. Children saying “Good Afternoon” to staff as they leave school at the end of the day. We ask for your help and support in reinforcing these courtesies with you at home.

Forest School
Mrs Mellar is looking for offers of help from parents who could spend Monday, Tuesday  or Wednesday afternoons with Reception from January 2008. The role would be a supervisory one, there is no experience in forestry skills needed!! Please speak to Mrs Mellar directly if you would like to help.

After School Clubs
Ballet has started today - All other clubs begin next week. (Please see the lists of who is in each club with this letter) If you cannot remember which teachers club your child is in please see the lists on the Year Group notice boards.

Football places are all taken for this term.  This activity will take place outside throughout the year so children should bring suitable clothing to wear for cold and wet weather.

All clubs (except Ballet) start at 3.30pm and children should be collected at 4.30pm from the main front door, unless they are booked into aftercare.

Parking
The field will be open for parking until the weather turns wet – when the weather changes for the worse, we ask parents to pick up/drop off promptly and vacate the car park to allow others to park.
Parents should park in the field only between 8.00am and 12noon. 
The other car park is for staff.

Dropping off and collecting
Year 1 and Year 2 should be using the roundabout system if possible please, for dropping off and collecting.
I am on duty at the front door from 8.15am to 8.45am each morning to ensure the children come into school safely. For further information, please read the Parent Information given out last term, on dropping off and collecting children.

Please collect children at the time stated in the ‘Parent’s Information’ booklet, for their year group.
If you have children in different year groups, collect at the later time for the eldest child/ren, but let the class teacher know you intend to do this so they can forewarn the child.
Please tell the class teacher or the office if anyone different or unknown is collecting your child. We will not allow your child to go with any one unless we have your permission.
If there is a regular day when you cannot collect at the correct time please book into aftercare – places in this facility are limited so it is advisable to book at the beginning of term.
If you are delayed for any reason please try to inform the office as soon as possible as children become distressed if not collected when expected. Children will be with the class teacher until 3.30pm (you may have to look in the classroom) then they will be taken and booked into aftercare and you will be charged for the first session (and any subsequent sessions they remain in school).

Mobile Phone
If you need to contact school after 4.00pm and wish to speak to staff, please use the mobile phone number –
07930 - 751587. You can leave a message on the usual phone number for Bromsgrove Pre-Prep but this will only be picked up at 5.15pm by the staff on duty.

Uniform
Please Note:
Some boys are in need of a haircut after the holiday. The school rule is off the collar and over the ears neatly please.
Girls should have their hair neatly tied back off the face for school.
I have asked all boys in Year 1 and Year 2 to be wearing their ties by Monday.
It is optional for Reception boys to wear a tie, but we would like them to have a tie to wear for the Harvest and Christmas Service this term.
All children should be in full winter uniform from the week beginning 24th September in time for our Harvest Service in Chapel on 28th September.
Winter uniform should be worn with the school coat.  However, all children in Years 1 and 2 should wear their blazer on Friday 28th September for the Harvest Service, (also for the Christmas Service in December.)
The PE kit is changing from the navy track suit tops to the same red sweat shirt tops currently worn in Nursery and Reception. This change is being phased in, starting with Reception this year. Years 1 and 2 should keep the Navy tops they have. I know some parents in Reception are not happy for their child to wear the same top in the classroom as for PE. If parents wish, their child can have a school sweater to wear in the class (V-neck for boys/crew neck for girls) and keep the sweatshirt top for PE.
Kit Check
All classes had the P.E. kit checked this week and some tracksuits (tops and trousers) were found to need loops sewing in so they can be hung securely on a hook. Also some items did not have nametapes sewn on the outside, as requested on the new uniform lists (See below for details – also Uniform sheets on year group notice boards) If so, these items will be sent home this weekend for loops/name tapes to be sewn on. 
The following items should be named on the outside using extra large name tapes
Play fleece - bottom left side of outside pocket
Tracksuit bottoms – vertically down left leg, 10cm below waistband
Tracksuit top – left front, above waist ribbing

Using small name tapes
Navy polo T-shirt - left front under logo
Navy shorts – front hem of left leg
Trainers – name tape glued to tongue

ALL OTHER ITEMS OF UNIFORM
Should be named in the back neck under the garment label. Please do not use the name tape as a loop to hang the garment as this is easily pulled off.

Jewellery
If children have pierced ears, plain gold studs only to be worn.  Children should not wear any other jewellery to school.  Children should not wear any jewellery at all on P.E. and swimming days for reasons of safety.  If there are any queries regarding this please speak to the Class teacher or to Mrs Pickering.

Swimming
We would please ask if children would not wear their swimming costumes and trunks under their school uniforms to come to school on Fridays. It is important that the children practise getting dressed and undressed fully at the swimming pool.  Please provide a plastic bag to put the wet costume and towel into after the lesson.

Parent Football
A group of fathers meet at the Senior School Sports hall every Wednesday evening at 8.15pm to play football. Please go along next week if you are interested in joining this activity, they would be pleased to welcome you.

S Pickering

3rd September 2007

BEGINNING OF TERM INFORMATION

Welcome to all new families joining Bromsgrove Pre-Preparatory and Nursery School and welcome back to everyone returning this term.  We look forward to a busy and productive year.

The staff have been busy and were in school last week for a training day including Child Protection procedures, maths and literacy training and class preparation days.  We are all ready to welcome the children and get the term off to a good start.

For the benefit of new families - we send out a newsletter every Friday which will give details of what has been happening in school, reminders to parents, information on school policy and information on forthcoming events.  We hope this will be useful to you.  Please look out for this letter each Friday in your child’s reading bag.  This letter has some important information for this week so please read carefully.

PLEASE NOTE: 
Swimming for Years 1 and 2 begins on Friday 7th September.

P.E. and Games begin this week - All P.E. kit should be in school this week
Kit Check on Wednesday 5th September (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2).

Please return the blue Information/Medical forms by Tuesday 4th September at the latest.  If you are unable to find your information/medical form please collect a new one from outside the office.  This information is of vital importance in case of emergencies.

Afterschool Activities (Years 1 and 2)

All clubs start in the week beginning 10th  September, except Ballet, which will be starting this Friday, 7th September.

Please note French starts on Tuesday 11th September, Spanish on Wednesday 12th September and Football and Thursday 13th September.

Football – please can all Football Club children have a warm top to wear over their football kit each week. As the weather gets colder, footballers will need a warm top and bottoms!
Footballers are not expected to change back into uniform to go home at 4.30 p.m.

Aftercare - please complete an aftercare form (available from outside the office) and return to the office if you have not already done so by Tuesday 4th September.  This is for regular aftercare provision, even if it is only for one or two afternoons a week. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All parents/carers are required to sign the register when they collect their child from aftercare and note the time of collection, for billing at the end of term.

If your child is to be collected by someone other than yourself, please inform the class teacher, by letter preferably.  We will not let any child go home with someone else if we have not been so informed.

Reading bags (£4.00) and Water bottles (£1.50) – can be purchased from the office or from the Uniform Exchange (Wednesday mornings 8.30 – 9.00am.  The exact money is helpful.

S. Pickering

Clikc this link for News Highlights from last term.