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Reporting pupil absences TELEPHONE: 0845 3570159 or TEXT: 076248 12166*

Welcome to Linslade School

We are a thriving academy, delivering a broad curriculum, wide range of extra curricular activities and challenging expectations to our motivated, well behaved pupils.

We hold a traditional belief in the importance of strong values:  our children are expected to be polite, considerate, self motivated and hard working.  At the same time, we offer an innovative curriculum which seeks to develop the whole child, leading to high rates of progress and strong levels of achievement.  We place a focus on sports (we hold specialist status in sport), drama, arts and music in order to motivate children in all aspects of school, especially in their academic studies.  This philosophy, soundly grounded in research and successful experience, is supported by the extensive use of setting by ability and small classes (usually between 16 and 24) to ensure that appropriate challenge can be given to every child.  We are firm believers in the importance of competition. Our House System routinely provides pupils with opportunities to compete in activities such as sport, drama, music and art. We also run an extensive fixture list, with matches in a number of sports at all age and ability levels. Residential and day trips, visitors and curriculum enrichment days complete our broad curriculum.

Newsletter:   Week Ending 10 May   2013

Our current value is: PERSEVERANCE

Dear Pupils, Parents and Carers,

Although we have only been at school for four days, we have managed to pack in a considerable amount, mainly because we are now in the throes of our final preparations for next week’s SATs.  Thank you to all of the English and Maths staff who have put in so much to ensuring that our Year 6 pupils are as prepared as they can be.  Thank you also to other colleagues who have also supported via additional booster classes.  Finally, good luck to all our Year 6 pupils. You have worked hard and have done all you can to make sure you are ready. Make sure you have a relaxing weekend, with plenty of sleep. Have a good breakfast before you come to school next week, but above all, don’t worry– all we ask of you is that you do your very best.

Now that summer has indicated it may be about to arrive after all!

Please would you ensure that your child comes to school suitably equipped for play outside should the sunshine return with the force it did last weekend.  Sun hats/caps should be named. Any sun cream should be named and be for use by your son/daughter only. Whilst the children love playing outside in the full sun, we will ensure that they are aware of areas around the school site that provide suitable shade.  Each pupil should also have a water bottle which is named clearly. These can be refilled in the dining Room before school, at break and at lunchtime. Mrs Grimwood and her team can also provide bottled water at a cost of 50p should it be required.

Leighton-Linslade’s Year of Reading:

As you will see from the logo at the top of our newsletter, we are continuing to support the Year of Reading in Leighton -Linslade.   A range of activities is taking place across the town, details of which can be found by following the links below which will take you to the Year of Reading website and Facebook pages.

www.facebook.com/lc2yearofreading

www.lc2yearofreading.co.uk

Advanced Notice: E – Safety Evening 18 June at 7.00p.m.

Ms Smyth would like to welcome parents and carers to an E-Safety evening on 18 June at 7.00p.m. in the school hall. This will be an opportunity for families to learn about developments in the IT and social networking world and how to protect their children – and themselves – as technology moves on at an amazing pace.  We look forward to seeing you there!

A request from Mrs Grimwood:

Where families are paying dinner money on a daily basis and using cash, please could you ensure the money is sent into school in an envelope that is labelled clearly with your child’s name and form. Many thanks!

Congratulations to our Catering Team!

This week Mrs Grimwood and her team were visited by environmental health inspectors. We are delighted to hear that they received a maximum rating of 5 stars!

Important letter issued on Thursday 2 May: Changes to the end of the school year: (Repeated from last week).

All families should have received a hard copy of a letter issued recently in which we announced an early closure at the end of this term. This is to accommodate the moving required as we revert from a Year 8 Block to a Year 5 Block as of September. Term will now finish at 3.30p.m. on Tuesday 23 July.  Please see the website for further details.

Linslade School Bags for September 2013:

Thank you to those families who have taken the time to respond to our item on the proposed new school book bags to be used by pupils to carry books and equipment between lessons. The feedback has been very positive and, as a result, we will be placing an order for a consignment of bags which will be available direct from the school towards the end of this term, with a view to them being used from September onwards. We will be writing to families to explain how to place an order once the bags have arrived.

Homework for the Summer Term: (Repeated from last week)

Further to our review of homework earlier in the year, we have decided to continue with the current allocations of homework until the end of the school year with a view to introducing a new programme as of September 2013, when we will be making other changes to our schemes of work and arrangements for the school day. In short, it makes more sense for us to introduce a suite of changes rather than implementing piecemeal change at this stage in the school year.

Therefore, arrangements for homework will remain as follows:

In Years 5 and 6: Each child will receive homework in English and Maths on a weekly basis. They will also receive either Science or French homework, which is set in rotation.  All pupils have a reading log and should spenda minimum of 30 minutes reading each evening.

In Years 7 and 8:Homework will be set in the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and French on a weekly basis.  Pupils then complete a homework task in one additional foundation subject, which will be allocated according to the rota below.

Current Vacancies:

We will shortly be advertising for the following posts:

·         A full time teacher of PE (the ability to offer English/Science would be an advantage) to cover a maternity leave from September 1 2013 – 31 May 2014.  Details of this post will be available on the school website as of next week.

·         A Lead First Aider. This will be 30 hours per week (term time only) and will involve a range of duties including:

o   Acting as Designated First Aider with responsibility for record keeping and updating pupil records, devising a rota to ensure coverage at all time and in case of absence and leading on aspects of Health and Safety relating to pupil health and well-being.

o   Organisation of medical appointments and vaccinations. Liaison with school nursing team. 

o   Preparation  & monitoring of first aid packs for departments/trips/mini buses

o   Maintenance & analysis of accident logs and records

o   Liaison with families re: health related matters.

o   Leading initiatives linked to Healthy Schools.

o   Leading initiatives linked to Healthy Schools’ Status.

This post will be advertised in the local press in the next week or so. Details will also be available on the school website.

Parents’ Forum: Tuesday 21 May (Repeated from last week)

The next Parents’ Forum will take place on Tuesday 21 May at 7.30p.m. The topics for discussion will be:

-          The school’s Behaviour Policy

-          The school’s Anti Bullying Policy.

If you would like to attend this evening, please would you register your interest using the ‘Parents’ Forum’ Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   It is helpful to us if parents/carers can register in this way as it enables us to book accommodation of an appropriate size.

Fancy a pamper?

Mentmore Road Under Fives are holding a pamper and shopping evening on the 7^th of June from 6.30pm to 10pm at Linslade Middle School.

Tickets are £3 and are available from Mentmore Road Under Fives, The Pavilion, Mentmore Road and Linslade School.

There will be a range of lovely different stalls selling gifts and treatments for you to indulge in.

So come and enjoy, relax and unwind and help us raise funds for Mentmore Road Under Fives Preschool registered charity number 1022404.

If you are interested in a stall they are £20 plus a donation for a raffle.

To pre-book your treatment or to book a stall call Arran 07975 602603 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sports News:

Year 7 Rugby: Mr Jones.

The Year 7 Rugby team finally played their County Cup semi-final match against Marston Vale after several months of cancellations.  In a sparkling performance, Captain Will Roberts led the forwards superbly ably supported by Max Jones.   John Fudge, Sam Scott and Callum Campbell ran in first half tries and, with a conversion from Craig Rattray, the team led 17-0 at half-time.  Although Marston were very competitive at the breakdown, further tries came from Jake Sanders, Finlay Brazier and Callum Campbell with a conversion from Sam Scott to give a final score of 34-0

Although the competition is well behind schedule, it is hoped to play the final against Robert Bloomfield this coming Monday. Good luck lads!

Celebration Assembly:

Last week’s winners of the Bucketful of Joy were:

Erin McKay                       Year 5

Alexia Lee                        Year 6

Callum Campbell              Year 7

Reece Payne                    Year 8

 Our Values Champions were:

Sofie Bjelobaba                 5HM

Owen Merrington               6LJ

Alisha Smith                      7EH

Alex Warren                      8PG

All of whom have shown tremendous perseverance over the past week.

Eating toast this week were:  6JT

Well done to everybody!

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard this week. Here’s to a successful week next week with the SATs and that all important County Cup Rugby Final. Good luck to everyone!

Best wishes

Kate Smith

Headteacher