Friday 13th December 2013

13th December 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

Thank you for all your support for the Friends of Dame Tipping Christmas Fayre, where £900 was raised. This does not include money for the raffle tickets (which are still on sale and can be obtained from the office!).

Next week will be a busy one, so here are the dates!

Monday 16th December

Classes 3 and 4 will perform a dress rehearsal for the older children to watch.

Tuesday 17th December

Class 3 and 4 Nativity play for parents and carers of the children in these classes - two performances - 9.30 am and 1.30 pm

Wednesday 18th December

Christmas Lunch

Thursday 19th December

Christmas Party in the afternoon

Friday 20th December

School closes at 1.30 pm. Please collect your child/ren and take them up to St. John’s Church for our family Christmas service which begins at 2.00 pm.

Following the service, the Friends of Dame Tipping will distribute Christmas gifts to the children.

Several children in Classes 2 and 3 have been diagnosed with “Slapped Cheek Syndrome”. This is not dangerous and as long as the children feel well, they can come to school. I attach an information sheet.

Best wishes,

V. A. Morris

Slapped Cheek Syndrome

Slapped cheek syndrome (also known as “fifth disease”) is a type of viral infection that is most common in children, although it can affect anyone of any age. 

Slapped cheek syndrome usually affects children aged between 6 and 10. Most cases develop during the late winter months or early spring.

In children, the most common symptom is the appearance of a distinctive bright red rash on the cheeks. This is how the condition got its name.

Most cases of slapped cheek syndrome can be diagnosed by examining the rash. Usually, no further testing is necessary in children.

 

What treatment will my child need?

Most children will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a very mild condition that passes in a few days. Occasionally it can last up to four or five weeks.

Symptoms such as headaches, high temperature or itchy skin can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and antihistamines.

Adults who develop joint pain can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, as painkillers.

You will probably only need to contact your GP if one or both of the following occurs:

·         your (or your child’s) temperature rises to 39C or above

·         your (or your child’s) symptoms suddenly worsen

What are the causes of slapped cheek syndrome?

Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 is an airborne virus that is spread in much the same way as the cold or flu viruses. It can be spread through coughs and sneezes that release tiny droplets of contaminated saliva which are then breathed in by another person.

It's very difficult to prevent the spread of the virus as people are most contagious before their symptoms begin, so they are unaware that they are infected.

Once you've been infected you should develop a lifelong immunity and not experience any further symptoms.

Fronter Letter (Years 1-6)

Dear Parents/Carers

Dame Tipping Primary School is introducing a Virtual Learning Environment to all our pupils which is called Fronter.  This website is a safe and secure area on the Internet where your child(ren) will have tools to support their learning in their own ‘Virtual Classroom’. It provides a unique ‘bridge’ between school and home. It is a secure website which can only be accessed by the use of a password and will only be seen by other children in the school and their families. 

To access Fronter:

1. Type www.dametipping.havering.sch.uk into the address bar
2. Enter their username and password (on the ID Card attached). The username and password can also be used to access other websites linked to Fronter.

Please keep the ID Card safe as you will need it to

access school work set during school closures e.g. on snow days.

One area we would like you to work with us on is in teaching the importance of safe and responsible use of the internet. We feel this is a key part of introducing Fronter. We would expect our younger learners to only be using the internet with a responsible adult.  As they move through the school, they will begin to use it more independently but always with an adult aware of what they are doing. Websites about e-safety you may be interested to look at with your child(ren) are:

www.thinkuknow.co.uk                  www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing

Please find attached a useful poster which displays the activities available on Fronter. We look forward to sharing this new learning experience with you. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr R Evans

revans31.311@lgflmail.org

Fronter Poster

Dear Parents/Carers of Class 1 and 2 (Year 3,4,5 and 6)

This Wednesday (4th December), Class 1 and 2 will be taking part in a carol service at:

Corpus Christi Church,

 Lowshoe Lane, Collier Row,  RM5 2AP.

The service starts at 2pm and lasts around 30 to 40 minutes. Parents are welcome to attend. The children may be collected after the service or they may return with the staff on the coach to be collected at 3pm as usual if you are unable to attend the service.

If your child is being collected by another adult, please notify us in writing before the service.  Please find the consent form attached, which needs to be returned tomorrow. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr R Evans

revans31.311@lgflmail.org

13th November 2013

13th November 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

Thank you to all families who contributed to our Shoebox Appeal for Christmas. It was so kind of you.

We have two “walkabout afternoons” on

Years 2, 4 and 6	Wednesday 27th November 2013
Years 1, 3 and 5	Thursday 28th November 2013

which will be an opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom and see your child’s work. These are not parental interview afternoons but if you do ever wish to speak to your child/ren’s teacher, please contact the office and we will be happy to arrange a convenient time.

This half of the autumn term is usually a busy one, so here are some more dates for your diary.

(Clubs will finish on week ending 22nd November.)

With thanks,

V.  Morris

,

Award-winning children’s author ! (Years 3,4,5,6)

BILLY BOB BUTTONS

will be visiting Dame Tipping on:

Thursday 14th November
To run FREE Literacy Workshops 

Children are also able to buy a signed  copy (Discounted) of  I Think I Murdered Miss or any of his books on the day. 
Please send in any money in a named envelope.

Author Introduction and Chapter 1 preview - Click Here

           All Books Price List - Click Here            

Interview with Billy Bob - Click Here

11th November 2013

Dickens World - Class 1 (Year 5/6)

As part of our studies on the Victorian era, we visit Dickens World to have a realistic experience of what life was like at the time.  This visit is taking place this Thursday (7^th November).  The children will be registered at school as usual and then we will depart via coach to the attraction.

All pupils are to be dressed in their usual school attire.  Time permitting, the children may be allowed to visit the gift shop, so they may wish to bring up to £10 spending money in a named envelope.  They may also bring along an inexpensive camera for the day. Our coach will return to school in time for 3:00pm.

Please find the lunch option slip below and consent form attached, which both need to be returned tomorrow to secure your child’s place.  Please note we can only accept consent forms fully completed. If your child is due to be away on the day, please notify the office.

Yours sincerely,

Mr R Evans

revans31.311@lgflmail.org

23rd October 2013

23rd October 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

Every year, Dame Tipping School participate in “Operation Christmas Child” also known as the “Shoebox Appeal”. The children are asked - if possible - to pack a wrapped shoebox with gifts to be given to a child who, in many instances, has never received a “gift” before, especially not a toy. Full details are attached.

The boxes need to be returned to school by:

Friday, November 8th 2013

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse UK, a Christian relief and development charity working amongst communities in need across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Find out more about at:

www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/who-we-are

The list of items that can be put in a box are listed on the attached leaflet. Also listed are items which cannot be put in a box. If there is an item you are not sure about remember that all shoeboxes are checked and if there was something that was unsuitable it would be removed. However, it would still be used for the good of the charity. Your donation would not be wasted.

22nd October 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

 *Harvest Festival*

You are warmly invited to attend our Harvest Festival which will be held at St. John’s Church on the village green in Havering-ate-Bower on:

Thursday, 24th October 2013

Please bring your children (and any Harvest gifts!) to the church for a 9.00 am start, as we will begin our day with the Harvest Service. The children will then be walked back to school by the staff to start their school day. The older children will then distribute your gifts to senior residents in the village later in the day.

Since the building of the covered way, we are able to admit the children who wish to skip from 8.30 am. However, some children are arriving well before 8.30 and are being left alone at the front of the school. Please could you ensure that there is an adult supervising your child before you leave as the road can be quite busy at that time in the morning.

Lastly, a quick reminder that next week (28th October to 1st November) is half term and the children get an extra day off on the Monday following (4th November) as it is a staff training day, so the children will return to school on Tuesday 5th November.

Many thanks,

V. Morris

Tuck Shop

The Friends of Dame Tipping School will be holding their Tuck Shop after school at 3.00 pm tomorrow (Friday 4th October)!

We are happy to tell you that the boilers have now been repaired or replaced and clubs can begin next week!

27th September 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

We were hoping to begin the after school clubs on Monday next. You will be receiving a note telling you which club/s your child/ren has/have been allocated.

However, work on the boilers is still not complete, and for health and safety reasons, we will have to defer the start of the clubs
until week beginning

Monday 7th October.

A reminder that Sue, the school photographer, will be visiting next Tuesday (October 1st). She will be here from 8.30 am to
photograph brothers and sisters of children in the school, and to take family photographs. These make excellent Christmas gifts!

With thanks,

V. A. Morris

Dear Parents/Carers of Class 1 and 2

Bedfords Park Visitor Centre is running special Harvest Festival activities on the Tuesday 24^th of September, between 10 am and 12 pm.  The children will be registered at school as usual and then will take a short walk to the visitor centre. 

Parts of the morning may be outdoors, and uniform must be worn.  Time permitting, the children may be allowed to visit the gift shop, so they may wish to bring up to £10 spending money in a named envelope.  After having lunch at the centre, we will return to school to resume afternoon lessons.

Please select your child’s lunch option below and complete the consent form attached, which needs to be returned to secure your child’s place.  Please note we can only accept consent forms fully completed.

Yours sincerely,

Mr R Evans

revans31.311@lgflmail.org

6th September 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to the new school term. We hope that you all had a pleasant holiday.

This is always a busy term, and already we have some dates for you:

Please could the children wear something *green* for Wednesday and Thursday next week. This will be the theme for our *WOW* days.

We are having the boilers repaired very soon - thankfully, just in time for winter! It will mean that parts of the playground may be cordoned off for extended periods of time. As soon as this disruption has finished, we will send home information, start dates and permission slips about the after school clubs.

Don’t forget that for just £2.05 per day your child can enjoy one of our (gold award winning!) school lunches.

Children do not have to “stay to dinners” for a complete week.

SCHOOL MEALS ORDER LINE - 01708 433119 - 9am-5pm daily. 

The menu and the school dates (attached) can be seen on the blogspot:

http://dametipping.blogspot.co.uk/

With thanks,

V. A. Morris

Dates for the next school year

Here are the dates for the coming school year. 

Please click here for a larger version!

23rd July 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are delighted to inform you that our K.S.2 S.A.T.s scores for this year have hit a record level for the number of Level 6 scores achieved both in the formal testing and the teacher assessments.

A very high proportion of the current year 6 are working within Level 6, and have thus achieved a very high Level 5 - which in itself is outstanding.

As ever, the most pleasing aspect of the scores is that every single child - whatever the number against their name - tried their very best and worked so hard.

Autumn term begins on Tuesday 3rd September which the borough has designated an In Service Training Day for the staff. The children then return on:

Wednesday, 4th September 2013

Classes are arranged as follows:

We wish you all a very pleasant summer break. Thank you for your continued support!

Reminder for September

New regulations are in place for September 2013 regarding authorised absences in the future. This is the letter sent earlier on the term:

5th June 2013

Dear Parents/Carers,

I have been asked to inform you of recent Amendments to the 2006 regulations in the

Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, and the Education (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2007.

These amendments will come into force on 1 September 2013.

Term-time holiday

The current regulations states that headteachers can grant requests from parents to take their child on family holiday during term time in “special” circumstances.

Amendments to the regulations now remove references to ‘family holiday’ and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that schools

‘may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional

circumstances’.

Head teachers must take into account the circumstances, such as: the nature of the event for which leave is sought; the frequency of the request; whether the parent gave advance notice; and the pupil’s attainment, attendance and ability to catch up on missed schooling. 

Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

“The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any application for leave must be in exceptional circumstances and the headteacher must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant the granting of leave.

Parents can be fined for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.” 

Yours sincerely,

V. A. Morris