WILSHERE-DACRE JUNIOR ACADEMY ‘Learn today, achieve tomorrow’ www.wilshere.herts.sch.uk FRIDAY NEWSLETTER: 16 MAY 2014 Dear Parents/Carers I attended the inaugural Governors meeting this week for the transitional Governing Body (TGB) which was led by Mrs Gill Ellyard the newly appointed Executive Principle of REAch2. Mrs Gill Ellyard is currently acting as Chair of the TGB. The TGB is formed of the parent governors from the previous Governing Body namely, Lisa Brothers, Donna Spanyol and Simon Blackford; as well as the previous Chair and additional Governor, Dave Standing. The TGB is planning to reinstate the regular governor’s newsletter so look out for this soon. Since converting to Academy status in March, the contact with REAch2 personnel has slowly increased. Years 3 and 4 received weekly support last half term from one of REAch2’s outstanding teacher mentors. He worked with teachers on improving Teaching & Learning within their classroom practice. A number of staff have attended a variety of investment courses aimed at providing good continuous professional development (CPD). Mrs Smith and I have attended 3 days training regarding school leadership and management, data analysis and preparing the school’s Self Evaluation Form (SEF). Mrs Alexander and Mr Amoss visited Hilyfield Academy, Walthamstow to participate in a Games and PE conference. In addition Miss Nugent and Miss Callard are two of 50 people who have been successful in applying to join a prolonged course “Inspiring New Leaders” which aims to develop leadership qualities to impact school improvement. The course has already begun and will run over the duration of the next academic year. Miss Nugent and Miss Callard, subject leaders for Literacy and Numeracy respectfully, and I will be attending an investment course soon on developing and improving processes and systems for monitoring and evaluating these subjects. You will know that New Zealand class have been preparing a “response” to the theatre production of ‘Millie & The Minotaur’. They, and three other REAch2 academies will be performing their response at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch next Friday. The office staff has undergone rigorous training to up skill their knowledge in administration and the new financial procedures required of academies. Two governors and I attended a Governors leadership course where the quest speaker was Lord Nash and during which the revamped REAch2 website was launch (www.reach2.org). One of the directors, Cathie Paine, whom many of you met when she led the presentation evening earlier in the year, is planning to visit Wilshere-Dacre next half term; we await confirmation of the date. Some dates have also been agreed with Mr Gray (Executive Head designate) for him to visit the school next half term to meet the staff and children and begin the process of handover. We are looking for an opportunity for Mr Gray to introduce himself to parents and will inform you of this once these arrangements have been finalised. Mr Chris Kronda Headteacher RAINBOW STARS ATTENDANCE This week we have presented many ‘Rainbow Star’ certificates to children who have been consistently placed on ‘Praise 3’ throughout the week. In each class the following numbers of certificates have been awarded:  England – Five  Scotland – Two  France – Two  Spain – Three  New Zealand – One Following on from our newsletter dated 2 May, we have sent out the following number of letters this week: NUMBER LETTER TYPE 6 First Letters 9 FPN1 – Warning letters 5 FPN2 – In breach of warning letters Please read the back of the newsletter which gives information about how attendance effects your child’s learning. SATS & OPTIONAL SATS Well done to Year 6 for their sterling efforts and patience throughout the week as they completed their end of Key Stage SATs. MAY FAYRE Do try and come along to the WilshereDacre May Fayre “Rio Carnival” on Saturday 17th May from 12.00noon 3.00pm Please remember that Years 3, 4 & 5 will be sitting their Optional SATs next week. Please ensure your child has a good night’s sleep and arrives at school on time. RECYCLING LETTERS SENT HOME THIS WEEK      Calculation Workshop for Parents’ Year 6 – Crucial Crew Year 4 – Wymondley Wood reply chase Term Dates Year 6 – Water Party WEBSITE We will be launching the new WilshereDacre website shortly and would like to upload some photographs on there. If you DO NOT want your child’s photograph appearing on the website, please let the rd school office know by Friday 23 May. YEAR 6 - LEAVERS BOOKS & PHOTOGRAPHS Please remember that all Year Books must either be returned to the school unused or th paid for by Friday 16 May. Please also remember to send in all orders th for photographs by Friday 16 May. Remember you can also order online at: www.kittleorders.com. TWITTER Please remember you can now follow Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy on TWITTER. Follow us @WilshereDacre. nd FOWDS On Wednesday each child was given a blue Bag2School collection bag. If mislaid, please use a large bin bag, labelled Bag2School. Please give good quality, clean clothes, belts, handbags and shoes (shoes tied together, please) and help us raise funds for the School. The heavier, the better! All bags need to be in school for collection at 9.00am on th Wednesday 4 June. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES th Football courses at The Arena, Baldock - Tuesday, 27 , th th Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May from 9.30am3.30pm. th Multi-Activities at The Priory School – Wednesday 28 May from 9.30am to 3.30pm. For more information or to book please call 01462 720088 or email [email protected]. SUMMER STAGE SCHOOL There will be a ‘Summer Stage School’ held at Wilshere-Dacre Juinior Academy for childrendren aged 5 to 11 years. All abilities welcome to join the singing and acting. The course th th will run from Monday 4 to Friday 8 August , 9.30am – 3.00pm. The cost for the full week is is £139, (2 siblings £259). For more information and to book your place please contact Alex on 07903 058 568 [email protected] SUMMER TERM 2014 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 19th May Optional SATs - Year 3, 4 & 5 Scotland - Swimming 20th May Optional SATs - Year 3, 4 & 5 21st May Optional SATs - Year 3, 4 & 5 22nd May Optional SATs - Year 3, 4 & 5 Year 5 – Young Enterprise Day 23rd May Optional SATs - Year 3, 4 & 5 Year 6 – Young Enterprise Day England Swimming New Zealand – Theatre Trip 26th May 27th May 28th May 29th May 30th May HALF-TERM nd 2 June Scotland - Swimming 3 June 4th June 9th June Scotland – Swimming Maths Evening 6.00-7.00pm 10th June 11th June Whipsnade Trip 16th June Scotland – Swimming rd 17th June E-Safety Evening at Strathmore 18th June Year 6 – Height & Weight measuring Film Premier - TBC 5th June Years 5 & 6 – Potions Workshop 6th June England Swimming 9.00am - Australia - Class Assembly 12th June Year 3 – Stockwood Park 13th June England Swimming 19th June DETAILS TO FOLLOW ON SOME OF THE ABOVE EVENTS 20th June England Swimming 9.00am - New Zealand - Class Assembly Year 5 & 6 – Childline Assembly Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy Every School Day Counts Your child deserves an education 365 DAYS IN EACH YEAR Equals To 190 Days at School & 175 Non School Days 190 School days Opportunities for learning 10 days absence 190 180 SCHOOL DAY IN EACH YEAR DAYS OF EDUCATION 19 days absence 171 29 days absence DAYS OF EDUCATION 161 38 days absence DAYS OF EDUCATION 152 190 days for your child’s education Excellent Good Poor Very Poor 100% 95% 90% 85% This is the best chance of success Gets your child off to a flying start. You should be aiming for 96% and above 175 NON SCHOOL DAYS A YEARS Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy Fishponds Road Hitchin Herts SG5 1NS Telephone: 01462 459215 Email: [email protected] DAYS OF EDUCATION 80% WORRYING 47 days absence 143 DAYS OF EDUCATION 75% SERIOUS CONCERN Less chance of success. Not fair on your child. Makes it harder to make progress. Could lead to Court Action or FPN! 175 days to spend on family time, visits, holidays, shopping, household jobs and other appointments Please help us to help you. If you are worried about your child’s school attendance, then staff are available at school and with the local authority who can help and support you. Gaps in education can mean your child will not reach their full potential.