Hello All! The sun is shining! What’s going on? Is it spring or is it false promise? Who knows?

Anyway, I trust this newsletter finds you well and that life is good for you at the minute.

Keeping You InformedKeeping You InformedKeeping You InformedKeeping You Informed

I’m going to take the opportunity over the next few newsletters to share some information with you all about various aspects of school life and the goings-on behind the scenes of Blandford St Mary Pri-mary School that you might not always get to hear about. In the latest parents survey a small percentage of those who responded suggested that we didn’t keep parents in-formed enough about school—so this is an effort to put that right.

Progress At SchoolProgress At SchoolProgress At SchoolProgress At School

For those of you who attended our Par-ent’s Workshop in the Autumn Term or indeed anyone who has spent time discuss-ing their child’s learning in school—you will remember the emphasis that we put on ‘next steps’ and children working towards targets set for them.

These targets are set in what’s called: The The The The Zone of Proximal Development!Zone of Proximal Development!Zone of Proximal Development!Zone of Proximal Development!

Look at the triangle below—the tip of the triangle is where we want the chil-dren to go—the base of the triangle is your child’s existing knowledge and skill. If we keep moving our children into the tip of the triangle then they will make excellent progress.

This requires an attitude that accepts that learning is a challenge though and we are working on developing the mindsets of our children so that they are always ready for this challenge.

I’m pleased to report that 100% of the parents who answered the most recent survey said that they agreed (or strongly agreed) that their children were making such progress at our school.

Teaching & LearningTeaching & LearningTeaching & LearningTeaching & Learning

The figures mentioned above also complement the results of the part of the survey relating to the quality of teaching at school. 100% of parents who answered the survey either agreed (or strongly agreed) that their children are taught well at Blandford St Mary Primary School. We agree—over the past 2 years here, the vast majority of lessons we have observed have been adjudged ‘good’ or better.

I look forward to sharing more infor-mation over the coming months.

Dear ParentsDear ParentsDear ParentsDear Parents

Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter

March 2012

Volume 4, Issue 18

Headteacher: Mr Paul Lavis Deputy Headteacher (on secondment): Mrs Lauren Houlston

Celebration

Assembly Dates

9th March - Year 4

16th March - Year 3

23rd March - Enterprise

whole school

30th March - Year 2

Contents: Book Day 2 Wellington Boots 2 School Nurse Drop In 2 Dogs 2 Lost Property 2 Bake Sale 3 Parent Carer Council Event 3 Vacancy 3 Local Vacancy 4

Page 2 Volume 4, I ssue 18 Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter

School Nurse DropSchool Nurse DropSchool Nurse DropSchool Nurse Drop----InInInIn

The next School Nurse drop in is on Monday 19th March at 8.50am. Please let the office or one of the class teachers know if you would like to make an appointment to see Sarah. You can also just pop in on the day.

Notice BoardNotice BoardNotice BoardNotice Board

On Wednesday 7th March, we are having our very own “Book Day” To celebrate the completion of the set up of the school library. We have Kath-ryn White, a well known children's author, coming in to perform the opening ceremony. Kathryn will also be conducting workshops with the children throughout the day. We are inviting the children to dress up as a character from their favourite book. With this in mind, can we please ask you all to have a good look at home to see if you have any of our books lurking in dark corners, under beds or indeed on your bookshelves? We would like to say a big thank you to Claire Manners, Denise Legg, Sharon Upward, Claire Wright, Sheila Robertson and the many others who have helped with the library, we couldn’t have done it without you or in-deed, our lovely Mrs Burge!

Library Launch ~ Book DayLibrary Launch ~ Book DayLibrary Launch ~ Book DayLibrary Launch ~ Book Day

Wellington BootsWellington BootsWellington BootsWellington Boots

Due to the nature of some of the activities at lunch time, we would like the children to each bring in a pair of wellington boots in a named carrier bag. These will remain in school during the week and could be taken home for the weekend. Please inform either your child’s class teacher, or the office if this is not possible. Thank you

Please can we remind you that for health and safety reasons, under no circum-stances should any dogs be brought into the school grounds. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this.

DogsDogsDogsDogs Lost propertyLost propertyLost propertyLost property

There will be a display of lost property items in the hall after school on Wednesday. Any items which are not collected will be recycled.

Easter LunchEaster LunchEaster LunchEaster Lunch

There is an Easter lunch of roast turkey, roast vegetables followed by an Easter nest cake, on the hot school meals menu for the 28th March. If you would like your child to have this then please submit your order either on line or through the school of-fice no later than the 20th March.

Page 3 Volume 4, I ssue 18 Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter

VacancyVacancyVacancyVacancy

Notice BoardNotice BoardNotice BoardNotice Board

We are looking for a friendly, capable and enthusiastic Childcare Supervisor to start ASAP for our Breakfast Club. Recent experience of working with children is essential. Part-time hours: 7.45 am to 8.30 am daily. Term time only. Childcare Supervisor Job description: XS3.10 Pay scale JE Grade 6 £8.52 to £ 8.90 per hour. Please contact the school office for an application form. Closing date for applications: 12th March 2012. Interview date: 16th March 2012. This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will require a criminal record bureau check via the CRB.

Blandford St Mary Primary SchoolBlandford St Mary Primary SchoolBlandford St Mary Primary SchoolBlandford St Mary Primary School Birch Avenue

Blandford St Mary, Dorset DT11 9QD

Phone: 01258-453331 Fax: 01258-455865

Blandford St Mary Primary School Newsletter

Website : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.ukWebsite : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.ukWebsite : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.ukWebsite : www.blandfordstmary.dorset.sch.uk

School Diary Dates:School Diary Dates:School Diary Dates:School Diary Dates:

Wednesday 7th March ~ Book Day Monday 12th March ~ School Photographer - Class Photo’s Monday 19th March - Friday 23rd March ~ Enterprise Week Friday 23rd March ~ FOS School Disco Friday 30th March ~ Children break up for Easter holidays Monday 16th April ~ Children back to school Monday 7th May ~ May bank holiday Monday 4th June - Friday 8th June ~ Half term Monday 2nd July ~ Staff training day

Local VacancyLocal VacancyLocal VacancyLocal Vacancy