The Grove Primary School Newsletter

13th January 2012

Dear Parents

Happy New Year
Happy New Year to everyone and welcome back. It’s going to be a busy year with lots happening. 2012 see the Olympic Games coming to London. You may have read in the Melton Times that The Grove will be leading some Olympic activities. We have lots of events for the children to take part in. It will be a great experience.

It is also the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We shall also be celebrating this event in the summer term.

There are 3 residential visits this term for children from Year 2 – 6. As usual we try to enrich the curriculum with plenty of visits. 2 classes have already enjoyed a great visit to Coventry Transport Museum this week.

Parents Evening
These will be held at the beginning of March. In the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to speak to staff.

There was also an article before Christmas regarding SAT results in the Melton Times. It commented on the improved scores for the school which we are very pleased with.

What wasn’t reported was the excellent progress scores our children achieved. They were above local and national averages.

We will continue to strive for quality progress from all our children as they move through the school.

Your support is vital.

Lateness
There are still children arriving late for school. The whistle goes at 8.50am. Sessions and group activities take place from 9.00am.

It is important that children are in school on time.

Car Park
Please do NOT use the school car park for dropping off your children.

Parent Helpers
We are looking to set up some reading groups based in the school library during some afternoons. If you can help with this please let the office know. We will be looking to set this up soon, so if you can spare a few hours a week, we’d love to hear from you.

Free School Meals
If you are entitled to free school meals please contact the school office.

Qualifying benefits include:
• Income support
• Income based jobseekers allowance
• Employment and support allowance
• Child tax credit provided the annual taxable income as assessed by the Inland Revenue is not in excess of £16040. Families who also receive an award of Working Tax Credit do not qualify to claim for free school meals
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Children who receive Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals

Swimming
Mrs Jeal’s and Mrs Kotarba’s classes start swimming on Monday 16th January for 7 weeks until Monday 5th March.

Mr Weller’s and Mrs Humm’s classes start swimming on Thursday 19th January for 7 weeks until Thursday 8th March.

Letters have been sent out. The cost is 60p per session or £4.20.

Holidays During Term Time
We actively encourage families to not take holidays during term time. We have become concerned about the increasing number of holiday requests.

School policy : leave of absence is only allowed at the discretion of the headteacher in accordance with school policy as agreed by the governing body.

Any holiday absence during term time will no longer be authorised.

We are aiming to improve attendance. Any questions please come and see Mr Owen.

Term Dates

Spring Term
Half Term	Monday 13th to Friday 17th February
School Closes	Friday 30th March
Summer Term
School Opens	Monday 16th April
May Day	Monday 7th May
Half Term	Friday 1st June to Friday 8th June
School Closes	Friday 13th July

D M Owen
Headteacher