Dear Parents/Friends/Guardians 28^th April 2006

Welcome to the new children who have joined the Nursery and the Infant School this term.

Front Door – Infant School

The new entry system is working well. I hope you find it easier to enter the lobby and speak to the office staff if you require anything.

Some parents have asked if they can come into the school and bring in bags (PE/book, etc) or other items on behalf of their children. We prefer the children to do this themselves to encourage a sense of responsibility and independence, so please give all items to your child when the bell rings.

Some parents are also walking in with their child after the bell rings. Again, I would ask that you do not do this but leave your child to enter the school in line with the teacher on their own (the new Reception children may need a little more time to settle in). If you require anything, please wait until the children have entered and then talk to the office staff.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Infant School Children - absences

A reminder (particularly to our new parents in Reception) that days off for holiday need to be requested at least a month in advance by completing a form available from the office. Nursery staff need to be informed when children are absent but the form is not necessary. We ask that you avoid taking holiday during term time.

If your child needs to be absent for any other reason and you know in advance, eg, funeral, ballet exam, doctor’s appointment, etc, a letter or email will be sufficient. For all other absences that occur without warning, eg, illness, please complete an absence form, copies of which are available at the office, when your child returns to school. Alternatively you may prefer to send an email explaining the absence.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to ask the office staff. Mrs O’Connor is responsible for recording absences.

Barn Dance

There are still some tickets available for the Barn Dance which is taking place on 13^th May at Upper Bottom Farm, Bottom House Farm Lane, Chalfont St Giles. The PTA has booked the same live band as last year. Chilli and a jacket potato and pudding are included in the ticket price and there will be a licensed bar. For a fantastic fun-filled evening, please call Julia Shorthouse on 01494 870813 or Yolanda Gillam on 01494 870264. Tickets are £20 each.

Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival

The festival runs from 19^th to 21^st May. Leaflets detailing what’s on are in the entrance hall of the Infant School but the organisers asked us to draw your attention to two talks being held in the library by children’s authors: Saturday 20^th May, 3-4pm, Shoo Rayner on “Journey into Scaredy Places” and Sunday 21^st May, Geoff Waring on “Oscar”. Tickets only £1.

Children at the Infant School have also entered writing competitions as part of the Literary Festival. They have written poems, short stories and character descriptions. Some of these will be displayed during the festival in the Memorial Hall, along with entries from the Junior School. Prizes will be awarded on Friday 19^th May during assembly for each of the categories.

Premier Sports – Wednesdays

Children taking part in the Premier Sports activities should get changed in Diamond and Amethyst classes please. This is a permanent arrangement for the rest of the term.

Wet Weather

We are happy for parents and children to enter the school if it is raining heavily in the morning. If this situation arises we will inform you and the main doors will be open. If they are shut, please wait until the bell rings as usual.

Dates for your Diary (amendments/additions in bold)

5^th May Ruby Assembly in Memorial Hall

12^th May Emerald Assembly in Memorial Hall

18^th May Year 1 trip to National Gallery

22^nd May Arts Week

26^th May Foundation Stage Assembly (Pearl Class) To be re-arranged in second half of the term.

School closes for half-term 3.15pm

5^th June Training Day

6^th June School re-opens

16^th June Foundation Stage Assembly (Sapphire Class)

24^th June Strawberry Fayre

29^th June Nursery open day for existing parents

30^th June Foundation Stage Assembly (Nursery AM)

Infant Sports Day – 10.30am (not 29^th June)

4^th July Induction day for Y2 to Juniors and new Reception children/all children visit new classes

5^th July Foundation Stage Assembly (Nursery PM)

Infant parents evening – 5.30pm – 8.00pm

7^th July Reserve Infant Sports Day – 10.30am

Reports out

10^th July Nursery Consultation Day for parents of children about to start Reception in September

13^th July Leavers Assembly for Y2 parents – 9.30am

14^th July Nursery Sports day – 10.30am

17^th July Year 2 School Trip to Mop End

20^th July Flower Festival at St Giles Church – 9.15am (not 18^th)

19^th July Last day of term for Nursery

20^th/21^st July Nursery visits to new parents

21^st July End of term - 2.00pm

Term dates 2006/07

6^th September School starts (except Nursery) (4^th/5^th Training Days)

New Nursery children visit

20^th October School closes for half-term 3.15pm

30^th October School re-opens

20^th December End of term 2pm

4^th January School starts (except Nursery) (3^rd Training Day)

New Nursery children visit

9^th February School closes for half-term 3.15pm

19^th February School re-opens

30^th March End of term 2pm

17^th April School starts (except Nursery) (16^th Training Day)

New Nursery children visit

25^th May School closes for half-term 3.15pm

5^th June School re-opens (4^th Training Day)

20^th July End of term 2pm

Yours Sincerely

Mrs K. Whittington

Headteacher

A copy of this letter is available on our website 'www.csg-school.co.uk'

Please remember to walk to school if possible, and not to park in School Lane or Staff car park.

'Our school is a happy, caring place where we work together to learn and succeed by doing our best'