5th February, 2010 www.witton.worcs.sch.uk
School Self-Evaluation
We are currently looking at our transfer arrangements from first to middle as part of our whole-school evaluation programme. At Parents’ Evenings, governors are conducting some consumer research and asking parents/carers about transfer arrangements and whether they are pleased with the way their children have settled into Witton. I am encouraged to report that responses have been overwhelmingly positive so far, with a few useful suggestions to consider for next year. Thank you to those who have already willingly given feedback. We are hoping to speak with other parents/carers at our second Parents’ Evening on the 9th February.
Parent/Pupil Questionnaires
Please look out for the Parent/Carer questionnaire This has been a regular feature of the school for three years and one of the most influential ways we gain feedback from yourselves and your children about the school. This year, we would be particularly interested in your views about school uniform, as this has been raised by pupils in their School Council meetings.
School Website
Thank you to the sample of parents/carers who have been evaluating our new Website. Your comments and suggestions have been very helpful. We look forward to going live after half term.
Buildings Update
The first phase (upstairs) including new classroom, meeting room and additional storage are almost complete and Class 6RS (and Mrs Scott) are eagerly anticipating their move in the next few days.
Bikeability Course
Congratulations to children from both Years 6 and 7 who have successfully completed the Bikeability Course taking place this week.
Museum on the Move
A group of Year 5 pupil had the opportunity to visit the ‘Museum on the Move’ and took part in library-based activities at Droitwich Library on Thursday 4th February. The theme of the event was ‘History of the Olympics’ and the children involved described the visit as “really interesting” and “fascinating”.
Inter-School Council
Next Wednesday, pupils from Witton join others in a Community Cohesion project to develop even stronger links between the Droitwich family of schools.
Fairtrade poster competition
Congratulations to Alice Wilson on winning the Fairtrade poster competition - we trust she enjoyed her chocolate bar!
Internet Safety Day - 9th February
Children will be bringing home an information leaflet next week and why not take a look at www.thinkuknow.co.uk?
Star of the Week Year 5: Hannah Murphy
Star of the Week Year 6: Alex Billington
Website of the Week: www.hmd.org.uk A website all about Holocaust Memorial Day - lots of interesting detail which links well with the article written for the January Newsletter by the children attending.
David Coll
Headteacher
6.30am. It was a bit of a surprise when I opened my front door this morning but the roads are ok and it seems to be thawing. The school will be open as usual.
Weekly Newletters
You will have noticed that Newsletters have become more frequent in 2010. We decided to revise the frequency and format of our information sharing following feedback from parents/carers. Weekly newsletters will appear each Friday, focussing on recent and forthcoming school activities, with a longer, more detailed newsletter at the end of each month. We would welcome your comments on this new arrangement.
School Website
We are currently re-designing our new website, to provide a wider range of information in a format that is easily accessible for most parents/carers. We will let you know when we ‘go live’, which is likely to be after half term.
Support for Learning
This term, we are offering additional support for identified children in mathematics and Literacy, as part of a Government initiative. This process involves identified children in ‘1 to 1’ after school tuition for 10 weeks. In addition, we are offering additional support in the form of Year 5 and 6 Booster Groups, ledby Mrs. Southall. All children involved in these initiatives have been contacted. Further ‘1 to 1’ sessions will take place in the Summer Term and the programme is likely to be extended to involve more children next year.
Effective Practice
We are pleased to hear that Witton has been recognised by Worcestershire Local Authority as being a model of Effective Practice in Mathematics and Literacy (Big Writing), Sustainable Education and School Governance. It is always good to receive external acknowledgement of good practice.
New Play Equipment
Pupils were excited to see the new fitness equipment being installed this week. This has been funded jointly by our annual Fun Run and partly through donations from our active School Association. Thank you all for your ongoing support.
Haiti Earthquake Collection
Many thanks to pupils and parents/carers for your kind donations towards this worthwhile fund. We have raised £370 so far and loose change/pocket money continues to flood in.
Holocaust Memorial Day
A group of children from Year 7,accompanied by Mrs. Owen and Mrs. Gallagher, are taking part in the Holocaust Memorial Day at County Hall during the morning of the 27th January. They will get the opportunity to participate in discussion groups and listen to a speaker from the Gypsy/Traveller community.
Worcestershire Schools’ Girls’ U11 Competition Finals
A squad are taking part in the above finals at Pershore High School during on 27th January - we wish them well.And finally …………
I hope you noticed the photo of some of our Year 5 children on the front of the Droitwich Advertiser this week - the children had a great day and the three remaining classes are looking forward to their turn in February. On the subject of news, we have been invited to take part in a new initiative by the Droitwich Advertiser so if you log on to their website, click on ‘news’, ‘Schoolscene’ then ‘Witton’, you can see some of the things that have been happening in school.
David Coll
Headteacher
Dear Parents/Carers
Extreme Weather
Thank you for your support and understanding over the last two weeks of extreme weather. The continuation of snow and freezing conditions has made travelling extremely hazardous for most. The decision to stay open or to close the school is never taken lightly and has to be a balancing act between lots of different local factors - the safety of our pupils, staff and parents/carers is always the first consideration.
Throughout the period of bad weather, we have worked hard to keep you informed of decisions to give as much notice as possible. We recognise that many parents/carers have difficult journeys and many have working commitments. Initial feedback suggests that our emergency arrangements have worked well for most parents/carers (the ‘emergency chain’, announcements on local radio, school and Worcestershire website updates and designated school ‘emergency number’ 01905 888328). Please let us know if you have any suggestions as to how we can improve communications.
Finally, I would like praise the brilliant effort of our committed teachers and support staff in keeping our school open every day this week, particularly as many staff live in outlying towns and villages. It really was a great team effort.
It is now ‘business as usual’ and we look forward to a more settled period in school.
Building Work – New Library, Classroom, Medical Room, Meeting Room and Disabled Toilet
Work has started in the old Library and medical room and is progressing well. School life has not been unnecessarily disturbed and we are eagerly awaiting the completion of this project, which will greatly enhance our facilities.
Parents’ Evenings
You should have received details on the copy of this Newsletter your child has been given. Please let the Office know if this is not the case, as it contains important information.
5JB
Unfortunately, Miss Barnard is still not well enough to return to school and we all wish her well in her absence. Her teaching and class responsibilities are being covered by Mrs. Collings and any reply slips should be forwarded to her. We look forward to Miss Barnard’s return and will keep you posted on any developments.
Emergency: Earthquake in Haiti
You will be aware of the major emergency that is unfolding for the people of Haiti following the disastrous earthquake which hit just south of the capital, Port-au-Prince. This is an incredibly poor country, which already suffers the effects of extreme poverty. Funds are urgently needed to provide immediate emergency care to families affected.
We are collecting in school for this charity and are asking pupils for ‘loose change’ and ‘pocket money’ donations for this worthwhile cause. We shall be pleased to receive any donations, large and small and will ensure that they reach the appropriate emergency agencies as a matter of urgency.
David Coll
Headteacher
6.30am. School is opening as usual. As the worst of the weather seems to be over, we will discontinue the daily updates.
7.05am. The main roads in Droitwich, including Old Coach Road, are reasonably clear and there doesn’t appear to be any reason for the school not to be open. This will be confirmed at around 7.30am.
7.30am. Confirmation that the school is open for normal lessons.
6.30am. Currently, the school is open but there will be a further bulletin at 7am.
7.00am. The current status is that we will try and have the school open for pupils who can get in safely. At this time, we do not know if we can provide meals.
7.30am. We will be open for pupils that can get in safely. There will be a school meal service.
11.55am. The school will be remaining open until 3pm. However, there will be no after-school clubs.
5.30pm. The next bulletin will be at 6.30am tomorrow.
12th January 2010 @ 7.15am. School is open as normal today.
Sunday 10th January 2010 @ 6:30pm:
The conditions do seem to have improved slightly and school will be open as usual on Monday 11th January. There will be further update on the Snowline 01905 888328 at 7am on Monday.
We were pleased to be able to re-open the school on Friday and thank parents/ carers for their understanding over the last few days.
We intend to open on Monday (11th) and look forward to receiving your child at the normal time. Please ensure that your child is appropriately dressed, as the severe weather and low temperatures are likely to continue next week. Once again, hot meals will be available.
A reminder that we have our own designated snowline which will be updated should conditions deteriorate and circumstances change 01905 888328.
David Coll
Headteacher