Hamer Community Primary School

A big welcome back to all for the start of the new term; it was lovely to see so many smiling faces (as always) at the school gate this week.

Staffing changes:

We are delighted to welcome some new staff to the Hamer family:

• Mrs Sultana – School Business Manager
• Mr Rushton – Teaching in Year 4
• Mr Knowles – Teaching and supporting across UKS2

We also have some temporary changes to the leadership structure:

• Mrs Terry – Acting Headteacher
• Mr Nadin – Acting Deputy Headteacher

Celebration assemblies for ‘Star of the Week’, ‘Citizens of the Week’, Attendance Awards and other successes will begin again next Friday 14 September at 9.05am.  In addition, Thursday class assemblies will begin every other week from Thursday 20 September.  It was brilliant to see so many parents every week during the last academic year and we look forward the support again this year.  Remember – parents are welcome to any of these assemblies, even if your child is not directly involved. 

Thank you to parents who have returned your child’s Health Care/Asthma plans. If you have not returned these yet, then please could you do so ASAP.

Flu vaccination consent forms for Reception to Y5 have been sent out Please read these carefully and ensure that they are returned before Monday 17 September. If you have any questions, please see Hazel.

Year 6 can now begin to apply for their chosen High Schools for next year. This is an online application process only and will need to be completed by Wednesday 31 October at the very latest. School will offer drop in sessions at the beginning of October for any parent who needs assistance with this and more details will follow.

Please get those applications in early, as if you forget or miss the deadline, it will be very unlikely that you get your first choice and may even be left without a school in your area. 

We have decided to offer weekly swimming lessons to our children in Year 4, as we believe that this is such an important life skill. We have switched providers in order to facilitate sessions in smaller groups and lessons start next Tuesday. Letters have already gone out to the children in the relevant year group.

Places are available for children across the whole of school in our Breakfast Club.  This facility is open from 8:00am and children must wait with an adult until this time, as there are no school staff available to look after them until this time.  The price remains the same as last year at only £1 per day, this is exceptional value in comparison to other providers in the area.  Payment needs to be made in advance for the half term to secure your child’s place, please see the school office for further details.

School Dinners

These are free for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children.  The price for all other children in school is now £10.75 per week.  Please pay this on a Monday in your child’s classroom, thank you.  There are still quite a few children in school who we don’t know whether they are having a school dinner or not.  Please can parents let the class know if there are on Packed Lunch, if parents think that their child/children are entitled to Free School Meals they need to collect a form from the School Office.  Thank You. 

Reminders for parents

• Punctuality is essential.  Children must be inside their classrooms at 8.50am if vital learning time is not to be lost.
• Breakfast club children may arrive from 8.00am – no earlier please as there are no staff to supervise them before this time.
• Children must be collected at 3.15pm – school cannot look after children later than this. School has a late collection policy (see website/school office) and lateness may incur a fine.
• Uniform.  The children are looking very smart; to ensure high standards, please keep in line with the expectations set out on the website and Parents Handbook.  Please take particular note of the guidelines relating to shoes, jewellery, make up and haircuts (No lines or patterns in hair at any time).
• PE kit. Please also ensure that children have the correct PE kit in school, as last year we spent an awful lot of time sorting out spares for children to borrow. Spare kits are available as a one off but should not be relied upon. It is part of our duty to ensure that the children of Hamer grow up as well prepared, organised and responsible individuals and you can help us with this by ensuring that they come to school fully equipped for their learning.
• Coats. The weather is on the change so please ensure that children bring coats into school as we do go out onto the yard, even if it is cold or raining.
• Parking.  The disabled parking spaces are strictly for blue badge holders only and these must be clearly on display.  These bays are not to be used to drop children off at school.  Thank you.