Friday 24 February 2012

Newsletter 24.02.12

NEWSLETTER BLOG EDITION
24th February 2012

As you are aware we have had an inspection of the school this week. The outcomes are confidential until the full report is produced in about two week’s time but I can say that the inspection went very well.
The children behaved impeccably and the inspectors commented on how well they interacted with them and how courteous they were throughout the two days.
I would like to say a big thank you to all members of staff who work tirelessly and to the members of the Governing Body for their support.
Thank you for the overwhelming response from parents/carers and pupils to the survey, with many positive comments noted by the team.
I have always been proud to be Headteacher of such a wonderful school and this week we have truly seen a real sense of ‘High Beeches’ community spirit, with every member doing all they can to ensure positive outcomes are achieved.
Thank you.

The Year 1 class assembly will now be held next Friday 2nd March at 10.30am instead of Tuesday. Well done to all in Year 2 for an excellent assembly today with very little time for preparation.

I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.
Paul Driver
Headteacher


FoHBs News

High Beeches First Ever Comedy Night, Saturday 10th March doors open 7pm event starts 8pm. This promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment, with 3 excellent comedians performing throughout the course of the evening, and a bar available from 7pm, serving a wide variety of drinks and snacks. If you haven’t already, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible and support this exciting new event. Additional order forms are available in reception.

Don’t forget Infant and Junior Movie Night next Friday 2nd March


Pupil Success
Congratulations to the following pupils:
Rowan Robinson (Yr 6) who passed her Standard Three Cecchetti Ballet exam with Distinction (the highest pass achievable), a pass mark she has maintained for all her ballet exams to date
Daniel Clark (Yr 4) who was awarded the man of the match award for the U9 team at Harpenden Colts

Friday 10 February 2012

Newsletter 10.2.12

Newsletter 10.2.12 Blog Edition

Thank you to the number of parents who have passed on positive comments regarding the parking complaint letter which was sent with the newsletter last week. I have however; still received complaints this week about parents driving carelessly after dropping their children off in the morning. The new early drop off arrangements are a success but some parents do seem to simply drop their child off at the school gate and then speed away without a thought for the safety of others. The roads surrounding our school and The Crabtree schools are a 20mph limit. This limit is there for a reason.
After half term we will be publishing the licence plates of vehicles we witness parking inconsiderately or driving carelessly. I have resisted this final measure as had hoped parents/carers would pay attention to my previous pleas. Unfortunately they have not and I feel that we have no alternative in trying to resolve these issues in order to ensure the safety of our children.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the recent wintery weather. We always try to ensure a ‘common sense’ approach when making decisions around school opening and uniform. The snow was expected to freeze over Sunday night which is why a later opening was decided upon and a number of staff travel from outside of Harpenden to school. I believe that the children should be able to go outside and ‘enjoy’ the snow and being in non uniform enables the children to be warmer than in uniform. Please do ensure that all children have boots/wellies in school if the wintery conditions return.

Well done to the Learners of the Week, we are very proud of you all.
w/b 30th January 2012
EYFS Benjamin Crawford – trying new things to extend his learning

Yr 1 Jonas Michael –Cole – trying new things to extend his learning
Yr 2 Bethan Hancox – making a brilliant puppet for the first time
Yr 3 Ben Blackburn –trying any new maths topic with enthusiasm
Yr 4 Henry Huntley – trying new things enthusiastically
Yr 5 Ethan Cheung – knowing how to learn and always doing his best
Yr 6 Harry Faulkner – trying hard at new things


I hope that you have an enjoyable and safe half term break.
Paul Driver


Headteacher


Severe Weather
In the event of severe weather and the school is closed we will notify BBC Three Counties Radio (103.8fm / 95.5fm or 630mw/1161mw) and Heart Dunstable 97.6fm. The notifications will either be read on air or displayed on the radio station websites. We will also send out a text via our text messaging service. Alternatively the information for all schools will be linked to the home page of
www.hertsdirect.org.We will obviously use our best endeavours to ensure that the school remains open.

Dogs
Please ensure that all dogs are tied up to the tree by the staff car park gates. They must not be near the pedestrian entrances as they can scare some of the children. HCC does not allow dogs on school sites but I am willing to continue with the long standing arrangement as long as all dog owners abide by this.


FoHBs News
Thank you to all the children who took part in the Olympic Marathon wellie walk last Friday. Details of the total raised,
and of the prize winners, will follow shortly. Please return all sponsorship forms and money to the school office in a named envelope asap.
Date for your diaries:


High Beeches First Ever Comedy Night, Saturday 10th March –please order your tickets by Friday 24th February at the latest. Remember this event is not restricted to High Beeches parents only, please do encourage friends and family to come along too and enjoy this great night out. Additional order forms are available in the school reception area.

Infant and Junior Movie Night, Friday 2nd March– forms to be returned this Friday 10th February

Year 3 Cake Sale, Friday 24th February

Pupil Success
Congratulations to the following pupils:
George Kershaw (Yr 4) competed in a tennis tournament last Sunday and won the tournament
Daniel Thomas (Yr 1) who was awarded the ‘little kickers’ man of the match trophy at his football club

Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers.
Sainsbury’s are launching their Active Kids vouchers during half term. We have collected these vouchers for a number of years in school, often achieving over 15,000 in total. These are used to provide sports and playtime equipment for the children and are invaluable in enabling the school to resource these areas. Vouchers are available from Sainsbury’s stores, petrol stations and with online grocery orders between 15th February and 10th April. Collection boxes are near the school office. Please do bring in any tokens that you receive and encourage family members and friends to donate their tokens to the school.

Late Arrivals to School
If you arrive late, you must come via the school office to sign your child in. Children have been told not to open doors for people who are late and we respectfully ask adults to do the same




Class Assemblies
This year classes will hold assemblies when appropriate to the topics. Each class will hold one assembly.
Year 2 Friday 24th February 10.30am
Year 1 Tuesday 28th February 10.30am

Letters
Tues 7.2.12 – mini tennis club
Tues 7.2.12 – Year 2 church visit