Dear Parents,

Welcome back to all children and parents. I hope you have all had an enjoyable summer holiday and are looking forward to the new term.

Staffing
We welcome back two teachers this term, Mr Powell, Deputy Head and Mrs Aitken in Year 4.  As you may be aware Mr Powell spent two terms as Acting Head at Barcombe Primary School and Mrs Aitken is returning from maternity leave. We welcome four new Individual Needs Assistants, Miss Sherry, Miss Waterton, Mrs Akehurst and Miss Dyke as well as Mrs Honisett as a Teaching Assistant in one of our reception classes.

We are looking for a cleaner.  If you know anyone who may be interested, please contact the school office as soon as possible.

New Pupils
Three new children have started the school this term, Lola and Robyn in Year 2 and Year 4, and Samuel in Year 6.

School Meals
The price for school dinners is £1.95 and drinks are 30p.

Pupil Absence in Term Time
We are being asked by the Local Education Authority to carefully monitor all pupil absence. This is done by an Educational Welfare Officer monitoring the school registers and discussing individual cases with school staff. As you are aware term time holidays for pupils in East Sussex schools are considered as unauthorised absences unless in exceptional circumstances. Each request will be considered individually keeping in mind compassionate grounds and parents’ working arrangements.
Parents will need to write a letter addressed to the Headteacher before a request can be considered. This way of dealing with requests was agreed by the Governing Body in April 2006. It is important to bear in mind that:

• Cost will not be deemed acceptable on compassionate grounds
• Parents unable to take time off during school holidays must back this up with a letter from the company/firm etc.

The Local Educational Authority will continue to operate the penalty system for dealing with unauthorised absences.

School/Sports Clubs
There will be a separate letter informing you of clubs etc.

Work to the school
During the holidays several projects were carried out.  We now have a:

• new outdoor area for Key Stage 1
• sun shade in the reception garden area
• new kitchenette area for Key Stage 1
• refurbished ICT suite
• new office area for Mrs Hobden, School Business Manager and Mr Powell, Deputy Head

Funding for all these works were part of additional money for special building projects given to the school over and above our budget. Thank you to all staff who helped to organise the work and a special thank you to Mr Murray, Caretaker and Mrs Hobden, School Business Manager for overseeing the projects during the holidays.

Resurfacing to road and roundabout in Laughton Road area
If you live locally you may be aware that the above road will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the works. Through traffic will be diverted via The Broyle. Half Mile Lane will temporarily become one way for northbound traffic only.  A local diversion route will be signed and maintained via the A22, Halland, Golden Cross and the B2124.

Waitrose Tokens
Ringmer Primary School is one of the charities accepted at Waitrose from 1 September until 30 September 2010. Tokens will go towards outdoor play equipment.  If you are shopping in Waitrose please remember to support the school.

Yours sincerely

Mrs J Warren
Headteacher

Dates for your diaries September – December 2010:

The following is not a complete list of dates and events.