Fielding Primary — Autumn Newsletter

Fielding Primary Autumn newsletter · for parents and carers From the head teacher The term began with 214 children, 23 of them new, and a boiler that waited until the first cold morning to make its opinion known. Both situations are now stable. This letter is longer than usual because there is a lot in it: the trip to the coast, the reading scheme, and the question of phones, which the governors have now settled. Please read the phone section even if you read nothing else. Dates for the term 14 Oct Parents' evening, years 3 to 6 21 Oct Harvest assembly, 9:15, hall 28 Oct Half term begins 11 Nov Coast trip, year 5 Fielding Primary · autumn newsletter · page 1

Phones: what the governors decided From January, phones brought to school go into the classroom box at 8:50 and come out at 15:20. They are not banned from the building, and children who walk home alone can still carry one. We consulted 141 families. 96 supported a box, 28 wanted a full ban, and 17 wanted nothing to change. We have gone with the majority, and we will review it at Easter with the same question and the same method. Two things we were asked and should answer here. If your child needs a phone during the day for a medical reason, speak to Mrs Ahmed and it will be arranged, quietly. And if you need to reach your child urgently, the office number still works and always will. The coast trip Year 5 goes to Whitcombe Bay on 11 November. Coaches leave at 8:30 and return by 16:45. Bring a coat that means it; we will be on the beach whatever the sky is doing. Cost is 14.50, and as always, if that is difficult, say so and it will be covered — no forms, no questions.

Reading, and one small mountain The new reading scheme has been running for six weeks. The short version: children take a book home on Tuesday and bring it back on Monday, and the book is chosen by them, not by a level. Teachers still steer, but they steer quietly. Early signs are good — book bag returns are at 88 per cent, up from about 60 — but six weeks is six weeks and we are not claiming anything yet. Lost property There are now 63 unnamed jumpers in the hall. On the last Friday of term they go to the uniform swap. Until then, they are in the crate by the side door and you are very welcome to rummage. Small notices Breakfast club Opens at 07:45 and now has space again on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 2.50 a morning, toast included, and free if you are on the fund. Parking Two neighbours have written to us this term, politely. Please do not turn in the entrance to Cavell Road between 08:30 and 08:55. Two minutes further along there is always space. The bell Repaired. It is louder than it was. We are told this will settle. Governors One parent vacancy from January. It is about six evenings a year and no prior experience of anything is required — several of the current governors would like that recorded. Thank you To the 31 families who came to the autumn clear-up, and to the one who brought the wheelbarrow that did most of the work. Fielding Primary · office 01234 555 018 · office@fielding.example