Whitley Abbey Primary School

1. Newsletter No 15 12 June 2009 Traffic – Ashington Grove We have had a couple of complaints from concerned parents regarding erratic and dangerous driving in and around Ashington Grove when children are being dropped and collected from school. Please can we ask that you keep your speed well within and if possible below the required speed limit at all times especially during the morning and afternoon when school starts and ends. Can I remind you that vehicles are not permitted on school grounds at the start or at the end of the school day. Thank you for your co-operation. The Summer Fete is set….. Put a note in your diary for this important annual school event, FRIDAY 3rd JULY. Further details will follow later in the term however the PTA are looking for volunteers to help with the event. If you can spare some time during the morning of the 3rd July to help set up or if you can help in the afternoon manning a stall please contact Mrs McGrath in the School Office or a member of the PTA. It has been decided to hold a dress down day on the day of the fete, in exchange for a contribution for the fete’s tombola stall. Further information will follow. Whitley Abbey Primary School Important Dates for your Diary 24th June – Y6 Heights & Weights 2nd July – Uniform Shop 3.30pm 3rd July – Summer Fete 7th July – Final Acorns Session 8th July – Open Morning YR Sept 2009 13th July – Final Share Session 16th July – Final Supertots Session 17th July – Y6 Leavers Event 20th July – School finishes for Summer! 21st July – School Closed ‘Teacher Day’ Please note changes/cancellations below to any After School activities due to other school commitments:- w/c 13th July – No School Clubs this week Y6 Dol Y Moch Educational Visit 31st May – 4th June We welcomed back our Year 6 children from their residential visit to Dol Y’Mochlast week and they returned to us full of their experiences. They had a superb time and learned so much about working together and bonding as a team. The centre staff were delighted with the children and reported that they were a credit to the school. Well done Year 6. Thanks to Miss Rowe, Mr. Woods and Ms. Phillips (parent helper) for going with the children and providing the help and security that the children need when away from home.

2. Healthy Heart Week What a brilliant week we have had despite the weather not being brilliant! The children have really enjoyed the range of activities each day and both our staff and the other professionals we invited in to work with the children had a great time. The staff are now exhausted and will need to spend the weekend lying down! One of the best activities from my point of view was on Wednesday when so many parents/ carers came and joined in. What a fantastic turnout and I know both the children and staff enjoyed having you participate. The One Body One Life instructors said that it was the best turnout from the parent body that they had ever had. Well done Mums and Dads and of course friends and relatives. Thanks again to ASDA for providing the healthy snacks for Wednesday. Donations to school A big thanks to the Friends of Whitley Abbey for the lovely garden benches they bought for us. They are to be part of the Sensory garden that Mrs. Sewell and the Eco Warriors are working on. We have instructed our Grounds Maintenance contractors to do the heavy work in terracing the quadrangle area (Behind the year 2 classroom) and then the club members can go ahead and get planting! I would also a big thank you to Mr and Mrs Mc Laren for their kind donation of a number of benches, tables and chairs for the children to use outside. These would be great if we got the weather to use them! Darren is going to be busy with the sand paper and stain. Any offers of help much appreciated. Coventry Cathedral Choir Next Wednesday Kerry Beaumont the Director of the choir is visiting school to talk about being in the Cathedral Choir and to hear children who are interested in joining the Choir sing. This is an opportunity for those children who may be gifted in this area to realize their talent. If your child is interested and shows an aptitude then you will obviously be informed and then you can make your choice. 'Extra help for families with children' Do you get child benefit? If YES - you could have the opportunity to get a few extra pounds help towards your council tax, and rent if you pay it. If you have a child, or children, and you receive child benefit for them, then you may be entitled to housing and council tax benefit. A change to the housing and council tax benefit rules in October 2009 means that we will not take into account any of the money you receive for child benefit, regardless of how many children you have! Coventry Benefits Service is able to take applications in July ready for when the rules change in October – don't delay, make that claim now!“ You may think this doesn't apply to you – maybe you've never claimed benefits before or have been turned down in the past. I would urge you to get in touch and find out – you've got nothing to lose." To find out if you could qualify please call 024 7683 1800 or email benefits@coventry.gov.uk or visit Spire House, New Union Street, Coventry, Cv1 2PW. Whitley Abbey Primary School Happy Birthdayto all our children who celebrate their birthday during July Year R – Ethan, Amiilah, Wojciech Year 1 – Owen,.Eleanor, Casey Year 3/4R – Adrian Year 5/6E – Sophie Year 5/6W – Adam, Daisy, Beth M, Rebecca T, Lee Family Fitness Day Thank you to all those who took part in the fitness events. I am looking at the possibility of running a One Body One Life family event after school club in September. The winner of the Family Pass to Esporta was Slyvia Njoki from Year 6. Yours sincerely Mrs N A Starritt Head Teacher