Summer Fete

Thank you to all parents, friends and pupils who supported this event and gave us the best yet financial result, £1,700.

We hope everyone enjoyed the fun and activities on the glorious June day.

Newsletter Summer Term 2010      

Dear Parents, 

Welcome to all parents and children who have joined our family since the last newsletter.

Please read all the information in this newsletter making a note of relevant dates etc for your child’s group or class. Information is also updated on our website. Please check school bags daily for letters, information etc, which is for you to read and probably make a response. News is also posted on notice boards/doors/windows in an attempt to keep you informed about activities during the year.

Thank you for the support you continue to show, and recently in fund-raising events such as the Swimathon and Family Fun Night.

A timely reminder for all children to have a sunhat/cap (named) and sun cream on the premises. ALL CHILDREN (REGARDLESS OF AGE) MUST HAVE SUN CREAM APPLIED BEFORE COMING TO LONGWOOD EACH MORNING. You can imagine how long it takes to cream the children, especially in the Nursery. School aged pupils will be assisted to apply their own sun cream but not before morning playtime.

We continue to increase our use of technology by all ages from Oak to UKS2 purchasing new hardware and software as appropriate. Our hall was recently totally refurbished with a new floor, covering and painting. The Secret Garden planned for our older children has taken a step further with visits from professional advisers. Enhancements to our Nursery outdoor areas will take shape during the summer.

Longwood has now had six cohorts of Year 6 pupils since opening the Key Stage 2 department in 2001. By September 2010 former pupils will be attending Watford Grammar (boys and girls), Chesham High, Aldenham, Parmiters, Berkhamstead Collegiate, Northwood College, Marlborough, Haberdashers’, St. Albans High, JFS, Queens, City Academy, Bushey Hall, Bushey Meads, Hemel Hempstead Schools, St. Michael’s, Merchant Taylor’s, Kings Langley, Mill Hill and ACS International. We continue to make links with an increasing number of local schools who appreciate the all-round abilities of Longwood pupils.

In addition to regular day courses, twenty members of staff continue with extended NVQ qualifications whilst a further five recently commenced level 2 study. We now have eleven fully trained first-aiders on site.

Thursday 1st July 7pm. -  An evening for Parents of children in the Nursery and School classes.

All Parents of children in the Nursery and Foundation Stage are urged to attend this evening which will give an insight into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework for all children from birth until the end of the Reception year, when they are five years old. The evening will also provide information regarding moving into pre-school and give all parents the opportunity to visit school classrooms.

We would encourage parents of children in FA & KS1 to come along to view KS2 building and at 7.30pm attend a question and answer session whilst all other parents will meet in the hall.

Leaving Longwood?

It is a statutory requirement for schools to keep a record of the new school to which pupils transfer. If your child is leaving Longwood at the end of this term, please ensure the office has the name of their new school. This also applies to Nursery aged children.

Medicine

Unlike some settings, Longwood does administer medicines in line with our procedures, however, we need to request that antibiotics (including eye and ear drops) are taken home each Friday and returned, if necessary, the following Monday. Antibiotics left on the premises at 7pm on Fridays, will be thrown away. If your child is six or older, please supply Six Plus Calpol to replace medicine suitable for younger children.

School lessons in FT, FL, FA & KS1 start at 9am and KS2 at 8.30am. If a child is late they feel embarrassed at disturbing the class or assembly. Please do all you can to arrive before the start of the school day. If assembly has already started when you arrive, please wait with your child outside of the hall until the pupils return to their classrooms.

School Assemblies are held each week on Thursday or Friday at 9.05-9.30am. You are most welcome to attend your child’s class assembly:   

July 1 -  FT, July 2 - LKS2, July 8 - FL, July 9 - Yr 6 parents only  NB 2.15pm

Term Ends on Friday 9th July.

Extra-Curricular Clubs, Autumn Term.

Lists are put up on the ‘Clubs notice board’ in the main corridor for parents to add their child’s name. When choosing clubs, please check on which days they are held and the age of your child. If the club is full, please DO NOT add another line to include your child. We can only accommodate a certain number of children in each activity. Ballet & Music club fees are paid directly to Mrs Henderson.

Please make all adults who come to Longwood with your child aware of the following:

Car Parking

Please do not park your car at any time of the day in the yellow-hatched area; this is for emergency use only or dropping off older children who can be watched as they walk into school. When entering the car park, please remember to look left at the waste bins and proceed with care, children and cars may be moving from your left hand side. Please drive slowly in the car park at all times. Valuables should not be left on view when leaving your car empty, Longwood does not take any responsibility for theft, or damage to vehicles left in the car park even for short periods.

Mobile phones

It would be much appreciated if parents could refrain from using their mobile phones whilst in any part of the building. Story times have been interrupted, children have been left wandering around and your public conversations cause disruption to others. Please help us with this matter. 

Front Door

The new entry/exit system was installed to protect children. Please do not allow your child to push the button to open the door as this defeats the object.

Please take the time to close the door behind you on entry or exit.

Your child’s belongings may be identical to 200 others! PLEASE LABEL ALL their clothes and personal property. When your child leaves Longwood at the end of each day, please check you are taking home everything you brought. We try to keep track of every piece of uniform and property but this can take up too much time. Children are being taught to look after their own belongings, please encourage this goal. However, we do not want personal belongings such as toys, to be brought to school unless requested to do so. Regardless of their age, please dress your child appropriately for their day in nursery or school.  Nursery children can get very messy whilst experiencing age-related challenges whether in the room or outside in the garden. School children need to conform to our uniform list (a copy is on the notice board) which includes proper school shoes not open-toed sandals. Long hair should be tied back. If your child stays for After School Care please keep a spare set of clothes in school.

PLEASE check with the timetables to ensure your child has the correct PE kit etc on the appropriate days.

You should have received information from each group or classroom regarding topics and other information relating to this term.