Newsletter 1
6th September 2019
Dear Parents,
Welcome Back everyone, and a very warm welcome to the new children, parents and staff who
have joined our Countess Gytha school family. We are looking forward to getting to know you all
in the coming weeks. It was lovely to see the children with huge smiles and lots of enthusiasm to
be back at school. Everyone including the new reception children have settled well into their new
year groups, which is fantastic.
Our new morning routine where the children line up and are taken to class by their teacher has
worked very well, thank you for your support with this change.
As the teachers will be busy looking after their class during the morning routine they will not be
able to deal with any parent queries. It is requested that you continue to put messages for your
child’s class teacher in the class message book which is kept at the school reception.
The teachers have been very busy planning very exciting topics for the autumn term. Topic Maps
and Class Newsletters will be sent home next Friday providing more information about what the
children will be learning this term. There will also be specific class information to help you have a
better understanding of the routines in your child’s new class.
We have had a lovely start to the new school year and we are all looking forward to another super
year of learning!
Best Wishes
Mrs Goodland
School Uniform the children have started the new school year looking extremely smart in
their uniforms and shiney shoes. If you haven’t already labelled your child’s clothes please
can we ask that all items of clothing are labelled.
ATTENDANCE
As a school our expected attendance target is
96% for all children. Attendance becomes a
concern when it falls below this expected target.
Please remember to contact the school office by
9am if your child will not be attending school.
96
Please note that our School email address has changed to
Menus are now online to book until the end of October 2019.
Please book by Wednesday for the following week.
If you would prefer to pay at a Paypoint please ask the school office for a
barcoded letter.
If you have any enquires please speak to the office or email
Merlin Class
Welcome Merlin Class! Merlin class have had a fantastic start to the new school year. I have been so impressed with how confident and settled the children in Merlin class already are. The children have really enjoyed playing with their friends in their new classroom. We have started learning all about parts of our body, creating lovely artwork. On Wednesday, we had a fabulous time doing PE and music. I am very looking forward to our exciting year ahead! Miss Grant
Merlin Class - Healthy Eating Café
Parents and guardians of children in Merlin class, I would like to
invite you to join us on Wednesday 23rd October (3:15pm -
3:30pm) to come and visit us at school in our healthy eating café.
The café will be run and everything on the menu will be made and
prepared by your children. The café will take place in our classroom.
We hope you can join us and sample all the healthy food on offer.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Autumn Term 1
New Menus for September – October 2019 are now available to book
online via ParentPay
Wednesday 11th September Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
16th September
Thursday 12th September 12:30pm Reception Parents Reading Meeting in Merlin Classroom
Friday 13th September Year 6 Second Deposit Payment deadline for Kilve Court.
Tuesday 17th September –
Tuesday 22nd October
Lancelot Class Swimming (every Tuesday) - letter to follow
Wednesday 18th September Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
23rd September
Wednesday 25th September Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
30th September
Tuesday 1st October Parents evening sign up sheets in Reception
Wednesday 2nd October Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
7th October
Thursday 3rd October Harvest Service – 9.15am in the School Hall
Tuesday 9th October Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
14th October
Friday 11th October Deadline for full Pantomime payment
Tuesday 15th October Parent Meetings
Wednesday 16th October Deadline to book school meals on ParentPay for week commencing
21st October
Thursday 17th October Parent Meetings
Wednesday 23rd October 3.15pm – 3.30pm Reception Class Parents and Guardians invited to
Healthy Eating Café in Merlin Class.
Friday 25th October Last Day of Term
Monday 28th October –
Friday 1st November
Half Term
Tuesday 4th November Inset Day
School Uniform the children have started the new school year looking extremely smart in
their uniforms and shiney shoes. If you haven’t already labelled your child’s clothes please
can we ask that all items of clothing are labelled.
School Admissions 2020 School Admissions will not be sending letters to children due to start or transfer school for
September 2020.
For children due to start school for the first time or transfer to a junior or middle school the
closing date for applications is 15th January 2020 and the national offer day is 16 April 2020.
For children due to transfer to a secondary or upper school the closing date for applications
is 31 October 2019 and the national offer day is 2 March 2020.
The primary and secondary admission guides for the 2020 admissions process can be found
on our website www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions from the 16th September. Parent/carers are
advised to read the guide thoroughly before making an online application.
Safeguarding
As it is the start of a new school year I would like to remind parents that you are very
welcome to take your child/children onto the playground when the gates are open at 8.30am.
However, no child must be left unattended at this time as there is no adult
supervision. You are then able to leave your child at 8.45am when a member of staff will
be on duty in the playground. The bell will then ring at 8.50am for children to line up in
classes as per our new routine.
The gates leading to/from the playground are locked at 9am. Please can I ask that parents
are mindful of this when dropping children off and leave via the gates before they are locked.
Thank you for your support with this important safety matter.
A reminder that we do have a Breakfast Club running and you are welcome to book 8am –
8.30am for a charge of £2.20 and/or from 8.30am - 8.50am for a charge of £1.10. Booking
forms are available from reception.
Dropping off/ collection children
In order to keep our children who travel on the school bus safe, we politely request that
parents do not park at the end of the day in the area directly opposite the disabled parking
bays. This is so the school bus can safely park and collect our children.
Please can parents also be mindful that the car park is busy at peak times during the school
day and to park considerately.
Ansford Academy will be hosting an Open Evening on Thursday 26th September commencing at 6pm until 8.30pm. There will be a presentation at 6.30pm and again at 7.15pm on the evening.
Countess Gytha Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
young persons. We will ensure that the highest priority is given to following guidance and regulations to
safeguard children and young people. The school expects all staff and all visitors to fulfil this expectation.
Countess Gytha Primary School , West Camel Road, Queen Camel BA22 7FF
Tel: 01935 850345 email: [email protected]
Mrs L Goodland – Headteacher Mr Mike Lewis – Chair of Governors
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Newsletter
Below is a useful link from the SEND Team who provide schools and parents up to date
information about SEND. These newsletters are available weekly. Please click on the link
below and newsletters are displayed on the right hand side.
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-learning-and-schools/school-life/special-educational-
needs-sen/
Mrs Spike