Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to you all! I hope you have all had a smashing summer break with your families and friends! It’s absolutely brilliant to be back and we are really excited and very much looking for the year ahead.
The parent calendar for all the key dates is on the school website. Please do take the time to read through it so that you are aware of when all our events are happening.
Reminder of new start and finish times
Just a reminder that the school gates are opening for everyone at 8:40am and will close at 8:50am. If there is a backlog of families waiting, please use the whole space in the pathway of the school so that there isn’t an overspill on the pavement. The end of the school day for everyone is now 3:15pm.
Wood Street Car Park
I also want to bring to your attention the news that Wood Street Car Park has now switched from a barrier car park where you had 20 minutes of free parking to a pay and display. The first we knew about this was last week and we are in the process of contacting Somerset County Council to see if they can support the school community at all with this matter as I am sure there are families that have used the free service over the years.
New members of the team at North Town
I am really pleased to welcome the following staff to North Town: Lisa Lonsdale is our new finance officer, Tracey Burke is our new part time SENDCo and will be working alongside Mrs Hampshire on a Monday. Clare Wallwork will be covering Year Three for the whole of the Autumn Term alongside Mr Hooper. We also have Maddy Govier and Kayleigh Joyce joining us as members of the support staff. Finally, Teagan Dare has permanently joined the nursery after being a volunteer and completing her training.
Summer work at the school
It has been a busy few weeks at the school with building work. As ever, Richard Huish Trust as week as our very own caretaker (Mr Reading) have been so supportive with the projects, ensuring the work runs smoothly.
We now have four new intervention rooms in our school library. We have new fencing in key areas of the school.
We have a new intercom which also means that parents collecting children from Wrap Around can buzz through from the front gates.
We have new windows along the back of the school.
Pupil Premium
We would like to remind you all to take the opportunity to apply for Free School Meals, as if entitled this will mean that you are eligible for pupil premium as well as the free meals. This also means that the school will receive additional funding.
Currently, at North Town we also offer a pupil premium grant for those who qualify as the children of service families or those entitled to free school meals and this can be used to spend on trips/residentials/music lessons or school uniform.
It can really make a difference to you and the school, please don’t delay – apply today!
Please click on the link below to apply online.
Free school meals (somerset.gov.uk)
Also remember that all children in Years R – 2 receive universal infant free school meals regardless of circumstance. This does not entitle you to the pupil premium grant unless you have already met the criteria assessed by applying.
Medication
Please could we remind you that if your child has any medication needed at school that you will need to bring this to the school office on their first day into school. This will need to be accompanied with a medicine form. This has been sent to you via Parentmail (where we were previously aware) and we will also have copies of this at the office for you to complete if needed. Please also remember to let the office know if your child has been diagnosed with any condition since they were last in school, it is really important.Please note that we can only administer prescribed medication within school.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please do not hesitate in contacting the school office.
School Uniform Policy
I also wanted to remind all parents and carers of our Uniform Policy which we sent out in July:
We know that many of you will be thinking ahead and buying new uniform for your children in readiness for their return to school in September, but may we remind you of the following included in our school uniform policy:
- School shoes should be black in colour – Boots are not permissible.
- Trouser/Shorts/Pinafores and Skirts should be grey in colour.
- Green school cardigan or jumper
- The children should wear white shirts not polo shirts, along with a school tie.
- Long hair should be tied back with hairbands and clips preferably in uniform colours.
- No jewellery is allowed other than stud earrings.
- No nail varnish.
Could we also remind you about the importance of naming your child’s belongings. If you see what ends up in lost property on a weekly basis you would be surprised. Anything unclaimed will be used as second-hand uniform or placed in the textile bank near our front entrance.
After School Sports Clubs
A reminder that if you have booked an after-school sports club, these start from next week 11th September 2023 and there will not be any this week after school.
KS2 Choir
Choir will start back in a few weeks’ time with further communications to follow. If your child has previously taken part, they will need to re-apply to join once the form has been sent on Parentmail.
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
AUTUMN 1
Monday 4th September 2023 – INSET Day – School Closed to Children
Tuesday 5th September 2023 – INSET Day – School Closed to Children
Wednesday 6th September 2023 – Start of the New School Year
Wednesday 6th September 2023 – Friday 8th September – Home Visits for new EYFS children.
Class Expectation Meetings – Tuesday 12th September – Years 1, 3 and 5
Class Expectation Meetings – Wednesday 13th September – Year 6
Class Expectation Meetings – Thursday 14th September – Years 2 and 4
Wednesday 13th September 2023 – Pippins in Full Time
Friday 15th September 2023 – Year 4 visit to the Museum of Somerset
Friday 22nd September 2023 – Whole
Wednesday 4th October – Friday 6th October Year 6 Residential
Friday 6th October 2023 – MUFTI Day & World Multiplication Day
Tuesday 17th October – Parents Evening – 3:30 pm – 6:15 pm
Friday 20th October 2023 – INSET Day School Closed to Children
Saturday 21st October to Sunday 29th October 2023 – Half Term Holiday
Please also see the Parent Calendar attached for the whole school year.