28th April 2009

Apologies for the delay in welcoming you all back for the summer term, but I wanted to be able to include staff news updates as part of this letter.

After the latest return to work meeting held last week, I am now in a position to advise you all that Mrs Collinson will be returning to Ridgmont Lower School on Wednesday 29th April.

It is good practice to offer employees who have had an extended period of ill health a graduated return to work programme. This has now been organised. Mrs Collinson will therefore be sharing the teaching commitment in class 1 with Mrs Spearing and they will continue to be supported by Mrs Abbey, Mrs Templeman and Mrs Barnard.

New Staff:
Interviews were held on Friday 24th April for the new Early Years / Reception Class teacher. We had a very good response to our advert, 12 teachers came to visit the school and 10 application packs were received by the deadline date. The standard of applications was extremely high. After the short listing process 4 candidates were invited to interview. The interview panel made the unanimous decision to offer the permanent post to Mrs Maria Spearing. The Governors, staff and I are looking forward to her joining the team in a permanent capacity as full time Reception class teacher from September 2009.

Summer Theme:
Our Theme this term is ‘We Are An Eco School.’ We will be teaching the children the importance of recycling, conserving energy, sustainability, composting and growing their own food crops.

Ground Force Day:
Part of our theme is improving the school environment by planting the tubs and gardens around the school grounds. The children have really enjoyed this activity in the past. Please will you all send your children into school with at least two or three bedding plants on Tuesday 5th May. If you are able to help with the planting and organisation of the project during that week we would really appreciate your support and I am sure you will find it an enjoyable experience. Together we can make a really big impact on the schools environment. Please contact the office, myself or any member of staff if you would like to help.

A Celebration:
We are hosting a BBQ at the school on Friday 10th July to say farewell to Mrs Higgs. Invitations will be going out to parents, teacher and governors both past and present to invite them to join Mrs Higgs in celebrating her retirement. Please RSVP by 22nd May if you would like to join her in an evening to commemorate her exceptional contribution to the education of the pupils at Ridgmont Lower School for more years than she is willing to admit to. The governors, staff and I also invite you to contribute to her leaving gift. Please place any contributions in a sealed envelope and send to the school office directly or via your child’s book bag.

Sickness Bugs:
Please remember that after an episode of vomiting and / or diarrhoea children should not return to school until a period of 48 hours has elapsed since the last episode. This is the time scale which is recommended by health officials at County Hall and I am sure that you will appreciate how important this is to insure the health of all the pupils and staff.

Uniform:
There is a new style sweat shirt type school cardigan with the school logo and a new style polo shirt with a blue stripe on the collar and the school logo, which can be viewed in the school office.
There is also a range of second hand uniform available.

School Summer Trip: (full time children)
See attached letter with details of the costing of the summer school trip and the permission slips for you to return. The PTA has kindly agreed to subsidise the trip again this year in order to keep the cost at an affordable level for parents.

Diary dates for your information are as follows:

As you know we are sometimes invited to take part in sports / other Lower school activities at short notice. You will be informed of any additional dates should they arise.

Lynda Clark
Headteacher