2 March 2010

Dear Parents

I wish to inform you that I have decided to retire at the end of this academic year. Although being the Headteacher has demanded much hard work, it has been one of the most fulfilling times in my career.

However, I know that the success of the school has not been achieved through my efforts alone but through a very effective, collaborative relationship with you, the governors, and a very committed staff.

Our vision that children matter and children come first has established a culture where everything is made possible to help the children achieve to their full potential. As a result, Clifton Green is a well respected school and, indeed, is recognised as one of the most effective schools in York and in the country.

You may ask why leave at this successful time? I leave with an assurance that there are very good systems in place to sustain high standards for the children and, with the right appointment, the school will continue to thrive, develop and respond personally to the needs of the children and the community it serves.

I feel humbled and so very honoured to have given the children in Clifton the chance to develop their aspirations and their love of learning which, it is hoped, will increase their life chances in the future.

The Chair, Mrs Comer, and the Governing Body are presently making arrangements to advertise the post and to hold interviews towards the end of April. You will be informed when the appointment has been made.

Food to Share evening

was a great success last Thursday. Thank you to all those who came along to share their food.

THANK YOU

£178.90 was raised for UNICEF on our non uniform day 5 February.

Dates of other events

World Book Day
Thursday 4 March – A chance for the children to dress up as a character from their favourite book!

Maths in the Community
Week beginning 8 March. Children are visiting local businesses during the week to learn about the type of Maths being used in the work place.

Annual Drama Festival
Saturday 20 March at York University. The school’s Drama Club, Mrs. Hobson and Miss Holdsworth are busily rehearsing a drama sketch to make sure they give a splendid performance on the day!

Easter Egg Competition
Monday 29 March

Easter Hat Competition
Tuesday 30 March

Easter Service
Wednesday 31 March at St Luke’s Church – 9.30 – all welcome

Last day of the term
Thursday 1 April

New term
starts on Tuesday 20 April.
(19 April is a training day for the staff)

Good wishes,

Sheila Audsley

OFSTED English Outstanding 2010

Experienced piano teacher has one vacancy in the Clifton area on a Tuesday afternoon, for further details please contact Mrs Nicholson on 07714104567

School Telephone – 627270. Attendance hotline – 627059.

Parents’ Forum met Friday 12 February 2010

Parent’s Forum is a good opportunity for you to have your say.

At the last meeting the following items were discussed:-

Qu – 1, What are the rules governing when a child is allowed out of school on their own without handing them to a parent? What is the official school policy?

Response: - There isn't any law about what age a child can walk to and from school on their own. The school recommends children up to the age of 7 to be collected by a member of the family or by a relative, carer or friend of the family. If there are any safeguarding concerns about a child then Children's Services should be contacted. 01904 551900.

Qu 2 – Concern about child welfare in the home?

Issues raised: What should friends and neighbours do if they suspect or know of abuse? Parents asked to raise awareness of contact numbers, posters to be displayed around school and in local medical surgeries.

Response: - Safeguarding of children is the responsibility of everyone in the community. School follows very clear rules regarding the safeguarding of its pupils. This includes CRB checks of staff, volunteers and regular visitors. In January, the teaching and support staff underwent child protection training. If any parent suspects there is abuse in a home then please report concerns to school or Children and Family Services tel: (01904) 551900. Outside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays contact the emergency duty team tel: (0845) 0349417. Alternatively, write/call in: Referral and Assessment Team, Ashbank, 1 Shipton Road, York, YO30 5RE (Monday to Friday from 8.30am - 5.00pm).

Qu 3 – In the light of the school’s excellent OFSTED report how can we highlight the need to read at home. What happened to our Reading Club? How can we make everyone aware that reading is important for the child’s future?

Response – The school regularly promotes the importance of reading. We have a superb library to endorse reading matters. However, we know that some children do not read as often at home as we would like. We will talk to the parent about our concern and usually we plan how we can help the family. At the moment, we have a small group of children who come for early morning reading and they are helped by some older pupils who are the school’s Learning Mentors. We also have numerous volunteers who help with individual reading through the week. We have stickers, visiting authors and run competitions to promote reading. This Thursday, for example, we are celebrating World Book Day and we are paying for an author to visit the school to talk about her books. Our Reading Club is now called Library Club and club members meet every Wednesday. Reading is a strength of the school but I agree with the parents who raised this, we must keep promoting the importance of reading at home. Thanks.

Qu 4 – The role of the Staff Parent Association?

Response: - It is agreed that the SPA is not a legal body but an informal group of willing volunteers who give their time to meet and plan fund raising activities. The school is a member of The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) which is a national charity. The school has elected to be a member of this charity to keep up to date on news and to have chance to access grants.

Qu 5 – I have heard that arts funding in schools has been cut by the Council. Will this effect the activities our children get to do, and how?

Response:– The school promotes the Arts. We have a Gold Arts Award from the Arts Council. We were saddened to hear about the cuts, as were other schools in York, so the Headteachers voiced their concerns. In response, the Council are continuing with the scheme until the end of 2011 but the schools have to pay a fee to keep the service running. Clifton Green has agreed to do this. The Council will decide how they propose to run the service from 1 April 2011.

I received a letter about the need for all pupils being treated equally and fairly. I was disappointed to

receive this letter. The school works hard to ensure equality of opportunity for all pupils. We teach pupils about world wide diversity of society and cultures beyond their local community, and develop their understanding of their place in it. We encourage self respect, positive self-images, and attitude towards issues of gender, race, disability and disadvantage. We teach the children to recognize and avoid stereotyping. We do not run a two tier system, as the letter stated, but respond very personally to the needs of each individual child, recognising that at times some of our children need more pastoral support than others. It is a pity that the parent had to write this concern but I hope this has explained the school’s position sufficiently for the parent to feel satisfied. Please, if there remains a concern, then perhaps the parent can meet me with me to talk about it. Thank you.

28 January 2010

Dear Parent

The School, with the help of the Staff/Parent Association (SPA), is arranging a Games Night for families next week, THURSDAY 4 February from 6.00 – 7.00pm.

The evening should be fun for you and your family. We will be playing Bingo, running a Beetle Drive and testing our brain power with a Quiz. Refreshments will be available.

We need prizes for the games, so if you have anything suitable, could you please send them to the School Office. Perhaps you may have some very nice unwanted Christmas presents, which can be donated for this evening? We do hope you are able to support this social event. Entry fee is 50p per family.

Dates of other events

Non uniform day Friday 5 February.

This is to support “Day for a Change” to raise funds for UNICEF’s work to help children in parts of the world to achieve their right to health and well-being.

In 2010, we are going to help improve children’s health and education in Mozambique (South East Africa) by taking part in Day for Change.

“Every day in Mozambique, about 400 children under the age five die, mainly of preventable causes. One in two children lack safe drinking water and around one in three girls do not get the chance to attend primary school. UNICEF is changing children’s lives in Mozambique, but we need your help to do more.”

A donation of 50p for taking part in the event.

OFSTED OUTSTANDING GRADE FOR ENGLISH

Big Party Wednesday 10 February at 3.15pm

We are really looking forward to welcoming you all as well as other important visitors and governors, to join in our celebration. This is a fantastic achievement and we are very pleased that so many VIPs are wanting to join us in our celebration party.

On this day the school and the Nursery will close at 3.05pm
so that we can be ready to welcome our visitors.

We do hope that as many families as possible are able to come to our party to enable the children to feel very special and rightly proud of their school.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that The Press will come to take photographs of this memorable event.

Car Park
We need to keep the car park as clear as possible on Wednesday afternoon so may I ask parents arriving by car to pick up their children to avoid using the car park. This is to enable the VIPs to be able to park on the site. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Times Table Math’s Challenge – Friday 12 February.

A school competition to improve your child’s ability to work out mathematics in their head.

Details to follow.

Parents’ Forum

Friday 12 February at 2.00pm

Food to share evening

Thursday 25 February.

Details to follow.

World Book Day

Thursday 4 March.

A day of fun with a Fancy Dress Competition, a visiting children’s author and a book fair. Details to follow.

Annual Drama Festival

Saturday 20 March. Details to follow.

Good wishes,

Sheila Audsley

School Telephone – 627270. Attendance hotline – 627059.