Updated PTA page

The PTA page has been updated and now includes all events planned up until Christmas. Please take a look.Click here:  PTA page

 

Expansion update

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we end this half term I thought I’d take the opportunity of writing to update you of developments in school and in particular the expansion project.

On the 8^th of October I met with the expansion team from the council and Wates to discuss the project so far and how it is progressing. As part of this meeting I highlighted a number of key areas that we wanted the team to action. These were:

1. Putting in a path that runs across the grass to the middle playground. We are aware with the heavy rain that this has become muddy and therefore needs a solution.
2. Giving us a clear date for when the new path onto Park Hill Lane will be completed and can be used. Wates were able to explain that whilst the path is almost complete we will have a further wait of three to four weeks before we can access this route because a range of heavy machinery need to carry masonry to the new extension and this is the only route.
3. Lighting, we are aware that with the nights drawing in the access route to Reception and Nursery is becoming difficult to see as light levels drop. This was especially evident during parents evening last night and I’d like to thank all parents who navigated this route for their patience.

Today, I met with the site manager, David Mossdale, to reiterate the urgency of points 1 and 3 being completed as soon as possible to reduce impact upon parents and children and I was assured that the work would be carried out over half term.

I have no doubt that when the building is completed it will be a real credit to the school and provide enhanced learning opportunities for our pupils.

Finally, can I please remind all parents that on Friday (24^th October) we have a teacher training day (this is taking place at Warwick University) which will mean that Thursday is the final day of term.

Thank you for your support and have a good half term.

Kind regards

Steve Taylor

Headteacher

 

Reception weekly information

The Reception weekly information has been added to the Reception page of this blog.

 

The end of the week…

Dear Parents/Carers,

So far this term we have launched a number of new initiatives for the children including ‘Language for Learning’. Today Tony Aston and Dominic Kerr (two of our school Governors) visited to see how this is being used by the children. The Governors and I are pleased at the start that has been made and how articulate our children are in relation to their learning – if you have the opportunity please ask your child about how their learning was today and whether they were ‘sinking’, ‘treading water’ or ‘swimming’. The next stage of this process is helping the children to understand that it is ok to be ‘sinking’ as long as you understand why and what you need to do next to help you improve. This strategy ultimately links in with a ‘Growth Mindset’ which is explained below.

The other initiative that has been introduced is the enhanced use of Twitter to showcase children’s learning. If you would like to know more about this concept then please feel free to drop in to a workshop held on Tuesday evening during parents evening. Workshops will be held at 4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm. 5:30pm, 6pm and 6:30pm and will focus on how to use Twitter – a top tips booklet will also be available. If you are confident on Twitter then you may wish to follow @ParkHillPrimary @ParkHillEYFS @ParkHillLower @ParkHillMiddle @ParkhillUpper or if you’d like to see the breadth of learning across the school you can search for #ParkHillPrimary.

We have now fixed our class assembly dates and they are displayed on this blog in the tab ‘class assemblies’.

As we move towards November we are moving into the period where germs and colds are easily spread amongst the children. Within school we are encouraging children to wash their hands thoroughly and to take care not to pass germs on. I would like to especially highlight our school policy for sickness bugs – if your child has been sick then please ensure they are off for 48 hours from the last time they were sick. This approach helps us to minimise the impact of sickness bugs being spread across school.

Finally, I’d like to finish on a real positive, I have been really impressed with the children’s hunger and enthusiasm for learning across the school. I am very proud to see so many of our children who are self motivated to learn – this is our end goal – children who are aware of how they learn and have a real thirst for learning.

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your support.

Steve Taylor

Headteacher

 

Finham Park 2

The Deputy Head of Finham Park Secondary School has asked for the following information to be passed onto parents and particularly those with children in the current Y6. Below are details.

1. OPEN MORNING AT FINHAM PARK SCHOOL– We will be holding an Open Morning at Finham Park School, Green Lane, CV3 6EA on 22 October. Tours will be available at 9.15am, 10.15am; and 11.30am. The tour will last about 30 minutes and will be followed by a brief talk. This will give parents an idea of the ethos behind Finham Park 2 and will be especially useful for any interested parents/ carers who have never visited us before. Prospectuses and application forms will be available. If parents would like to book a place on one of the tours they should call the school on 02476 418135 and ask For Lesley Rose or email her onl.rose@finhampark.co.uk .

 

2. PROSPECTUS– please find attached our Finham Park 2 prospectus which will give you and parents some idea of our plans for the new school:http://www.dialhouse.co.uk/ebooks/finhampark2

 

3. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN– I have attached an application form for year 6 parents, which can be filled in and returned to Finham Park School at the above address (they are also available from www.finhamparkacademy.co.uk )- closing date 28 November 3pm. It is important for parents to remember that they can apply for 3 local authority schools as well as Finham Park 2; they will then receive an offer of an LA school and possibly a place at Finham Park 2. They won’t have to decide which place to accept until March.

 

If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for the positive support we have received from so many of you so far.

 

Kind regards
Russell

 

Russell Plester

Deputy Headteacher

 

Reception information

This week’s Reception information has been updated.

 

Next week…

School will be open next week on the 14th of October. There is national strike action by the union UNISON however we will be, for the most part unaffected, with all classes and class teachers in.

 

Finham Park 2

Dear Parents/Carers,

Russell Plester (Finham Park 2) has been in touch with school to say that they have had their free school application accepted. They will be running two parents events, one is at the Standard Triumph (see letter below) and the other is being held at Limbrick Wood on October 15th at 4pm. This is open to all parents especially Y6 parents.

Below is the letter from Russell Plester:

Finham Park 2 open evening

 

Dear Parent/ Carer

We have pleasure in inviting you to our first open event for Finham Park 2 on 13th October at The Standard Triumph Club, Herald Avenue, CV5 6UB. 

Talks will take place at 6.30 and 7.30pm (you only need to attend one!)- please arrive early to allow time to park and get seated. Plenty of parking is available at the club as well as in the Ofqual car park.

Application forms and prospectuses will be available on the night. Mark Bailie (Executive Headteacher) and I will inform prospective parents about how to apply, our admissions policy and other information about the new school.

Further events will be taking place at Finham Park School, Green Lane over the next few weeks. We will keep you informed of these.

 

About the site and applications:

 

I know parents want to know exactly where the site for the new school is going to be, as of course do we- that is only natural. However, currently we simply do not know! The moment we know any details we will let you know straight away. 

What we can tell you is that it is most likely to be between Broad Lane and Charter Avenue, West of the A45. There are several high quality buildings there that would make a superb school.

Regarding applications, parents are in a ‘win-win’ situation: 

– parents can apply to 3 local authority (LA) schools and will be given a place at one of them (this is via the LA application form)
– parents can ALSO apply to Finham Park 2 directly
– parents could be offered a place in TWO schools- one from the LA and FP2
– parents would then choose which school in March 2015

 

Kind regards and thank you for your continued support

 

Russell Plester

Deputy Headteacher

Finham Park School

 

Reception

The weekly Reception information has been added. Click on the tab at the top of the screen.

 

The week ahead…

Dear Parents/Carers,

This term is beginning to pass by at a very quick rate and there is a lot to celebrate and look forward to over the next few weeks at school. Today we had rewards assembly and I was delighted to see so many pupils receive awards for their perseverance and determination – we are working hard as a school to help promote these qualities with the children. As part of this we have looked at the image below which I think really highlights to all of use the need to be determined to succeed.

If you are following the school on Twitter then you may have noticed that we have begun to trial further work in this area. We have now created @ParkHillEYFS @ParkHillLower @ParkHillMiddle and @ParkHillUpper. The focus of this is for greater home school links and where children produce a brilliant piece of work this will be placed onto Twitter along with a sentence about the work and the child’s first name (no surnames will be used). If you are unsure of how to use Twitter or would like further guidance then you might like to come along to a workshop being held on parents evening (Tuesday 21^st October). The plan is to run a half an hour workshop at regular intervals so that when you have finished seeing your child’s teacher or if you arrive early you can drop into a short session on Twitter. These will be held in the ICT suite at the following times 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm and 6:30pm. Further information will follow and supported documentation. As part of this, we will be running a number of assemblies for the children which will focus of staying safe on the internet.

Finally, the expansion is now progressing at the expected rate and, as I am sure that many of you will have noticed, the extension is really starting to take shape.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Steve Taylor

Headteacher