Newsletter 7 - 24th October 2014

Dear Parents/ Carers,

Welcome to a Bumper Edition of the newsletter. It’s been all ‘go’ this week at Dame Tipping. Today we have had African Drumming Workshops and school photographs and earlier in the week we had more Year 6 assemblies, a library assembly and a ‘Parent Voice’ event.

NEWS FLASH: MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER IS AN INSET DAY. THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED TO CHILDREN.

African Drumming Workshops

Mrs Bimpong kindly came into school today to run African Drumming Workshops with all of the children. They all had a great time learning to drum. The workshops were part of our celebrations for Black History Month. Please read the posters around the school for more information on Black History Month and why it is so important.

   

Library Assembly

On Tuesday, we had a special library assembly with Jackie from Collier Row library. Please check out their special half term activities and take the opportunity to join a library if you haven’t already.

Parent Voice

Thank you to all of you who attended the Parent Voice event and who spoke to me about their views afterwards. I will be looking through your comments carefully and will let you know what actions we will be taking in due course.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

We have extended the date for the Christmas Shoe Box appeal so that families can make up their gifts over the half term holiday. Please go to www.samaritans-purse.org.uk for more details of how to fill your box. There is a suggested donation of £3 in addition to the gifts, which will pay for transport of your shoebox. Please support this appeal if you can, so that our children can help those less fortunate that themselves. Boxes should be returned the week after half term.

Lunch Menu

The school lunch menu will remain the same until February. You should have received a menu leaflet today. Please do encourage your child to have school lunch. I can vouch for how delicious they are!

Bug Club

Our Bug Club online reading scheme is up and running and more books will be allocated over the coming weeks. If you have any technical issues, please call the digital helpline on 0845 313 8888.

Uniform

Please send your children in winter uniform after half term. Children will also need tracksuit trousers/jogging bottoms and trainers for outside PE.

Reception Places for 2015

Do you have a child born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011?  

If so you must apply for them to start school online before the 15th January 2015. You can apply via www.havering.gov.uk/eadmissions. Even if your child has a brother or sister that attends the school or your child attends the nursery / playgroup attached to the school you will still need to apply for a place. 

For more information please contact the School Admissions Team on 01708 434600 or visit us in the Public Advice & Service Centre (PASC) based in the Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning (09:30 – 12:30).

Secondary School Applications

Have you completed an on-line application for your child to transfer to secondary school in September 2015? 

If not you should apply online now, and no later than 31 October 2014 otherwise your application will be late which could result in you not being offered a school of your preference. You can apply via www.havering.gov.uk/eadmissions.  Even if your child has a brother or sister that attends the school you will still need to apply for a place. 

For more information please contact the School Admissions Team on 01708 434600 or visit us in the Public Advice & Service Centre (PASC) based in the Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning (09:30 – 12:30).

PLEASE NOTE PASC IS CLOSED FOR TRAINING ON WEDNESDAY 29.10.2014. 

Friends of Dame Tipping

We now have a Facebook page:  ‘Friends of Dame Tipping’. Please look on this page for updates about Friends’ events and meetings.

We have also registered Dame Tipping with easy fundraising.org.uk

To raise funds all you have to do is go on to the easy fundraising website, search for Dame Tipping, follow the instructions and install the toolbar. This will help prompt a reminder every time you shop online. It costs us absolutely nothing.

The School Curriculum

Our Curriculum Overview for this academic year is on the school website: just follow the link. More information will be added over the coming months, so please check for updates.

British Legion Fundraising

As well as poppies this year, there are wristbands and other items for sale to raise money for the British legion. All items are £1 or under and are available from the Y6 helpers after half term.

Fruit and Vegetables for Reception and KS1

After half term, a fruit or vegetable snack will be provided for Reception and KS1 children. Please let Mrs Wakeman or Mrs Potts know if you do not wish your child to have fruit or vegetables at break time, or if they have any allergies which you have not previously informed us of.

We will be reintroducing Fruity Fridays for KS2 and are looking into having daily fruit for all the children in future. Further details will follow.

Becoming Independent

As the children have settled in so well to school, after half term, all children (including Reception) should be left at the door or gate to come in independently. Please leave any messages with the staff on duty.

Commendations

This week’s commendations go to:

Frankie Shanahan, Spencer Murrell, Kitty Jerrett, Taylor Moss, Devon Lees, Alfie Colton, Daniel Davis, Deborah Ajayi, Chidi Emechebe, Scarlett Kedadi.

Well done, everyone!

Pen Licences

Congratulations to Annaliese Bimpong and Tiegan Allen-Guinane for being the first to receive their pen licences. This is awarded for consistently neat, joined handwriting.

Attendance

Well done to class 1- Years 5 and 6 for having the highest attendance this week at 99.3%. Almost perfect!

Dates for the diary:

·     Monday 3rd November INSET DAY. The school will be closed to children.

·     Thursday 6th November- Friends of Dame Tipping AGM 1.45pm.

·     Sunday 9th November- Remembrance Service at St John the Evangelist 10am

·     Monday 17th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 1, 3 and 5. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·     Tuesday 18th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 2 and 4. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·     Wednesday 19th November- Parents’ open afternoon Year 6. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·     Monday 8th December- ‘Aladdin’ pantomime in school.

·     Thursday 11th December-‘Danny, Champion of the World’ at Brentwood Theatre 9.15am

·     Tuesday 16th December- Reception and KS1 Nativity 9.30am and 1.30pm

·     Friday 19th December- Christmas Church Service 1.30pm

·     Tuesday 10th February 2015- Parent consultation evening 2pm-6.30pm

Have a relaxing holiday. We will see you back here on Tuesday 4th November.

Mrs Kathryn Waters

New School Menu

Please click on the right hand link 

to view the November to February menu >

Newsletter 6: 17th October 2014

Dear Parents/ Carers,

Year 6 had a wonderful day out this week as they completed their village survey.

Amelia wrote a recount of the day. Here is an extract:

On Wednesday 15^th October, Years five and six went for a trip around Havering. We started the day by walking through Havering Country Park and we saw some ruins of Havering Palace. After that, we visited Bower House and we walked around the beautiful gardens whilst doing a fact sheet; that was lots of fun...

Parent Voice

Don’t forget to join me at 9.30am or 4.30pm on Tuesday 21^st October to discuss your child’s school life. If you are not able to make the event, I will ask for written feedback at a later date.

Attendance Matters

The new Attendance and Punctuality policy is now on the school website. Please take the time to read and digest the new procedures, which were agreed by governors this week.

All of us need to work together to improve our attendance, as we are currently in the lowest 20% of schools in the whole country.

Sadly, 3 out of 4 classes did not reach the Borough’s target of 96% this week.

On a happier note: I would like to offer huge congratulations to class 4- Reception class for having 100% attendance this week. You should all be really proud of yourselves!

Please note: If you have spoken to Mrs Wakeman on the phone about your child’s absence, you no longer need to send a note.

Punctuality

Please ensure that your child arrives to school at between 8.30 and 8.55 so that they can have a calm start to the day, rather than feeling rushed.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

You may be aware that we are going to take part in the Samaritan’s Purse ‘Operation Christmas Child’ shoebox appeal again this year. Please go to www.samaritans-purse.org.uk for details of how to fill your box. There is a suggested donation of £3 in addition to the gifts, which will pay for transport of your shoebox. Please support this appeal if you can, so that our children can help those less fortunate that themselves. Boxes should be returned before half term.

Remembrance Service

Please let Mrs Waters know if your child is able to do a reading at St John’s special centenary Remembrance Service on 9^th November at 10am. The readings would be most suitable for Year 5 and 6 children. Other families, of course, are welcome to attend.

Friends AGM

The Friends of Dame Tipping (PTA) will have their AGM on Thursday 6^th November at 1.45pm. Please come along, as they will be voting in the committee, as well as organising events to fundraise for the school.

Christmas Fayre

The Christmas Fayre will be run by the Friends on Friday 5^th December, 3pm-5pm at St John’s Church hall. The friends will need lots of support running the event, including clearing away after, as well as everybody turning up to spend their money to support the school. More information will follow.

Parking (again)

I was shocked to hear that one of our parents was parked on the pavement again, causing an obstruction and putting other parents and children in danger. I am sure we would all agree that it is not acceptable for people to have to push their baby’s buggy in the road, as a car is parked on the pavement. Please be considerate towards others at all times.

Commendations

This week’s commendations go to:

Kaci Peart, Louise Stafford, Taylor Moss, Louise Gordon, Matthew Hick, Jack Percival, Kai Boorman, Tami Quadri and Caleb Chen.

Well done, everyone!

Dates for the diary:

·         Tuesday 21^st October- Parent Voice Event 9.30am and 4.30pm

·         Friday 24^th October- Individual photographs. Younger siblings from 8.30am.

·         Friday 24^th October- African Drumming and Dancing with Mrs Bimpong

·         Thursday 6^th November- Friends of Dame Tipping AGM 1.45pm.

·         Sunday 9^th November- Remembrance Service at St John the Evangelist 10am

·         Monday 17^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 1, 3 and 5. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Tuesday 18^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 2 and 4. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Wednesday 19^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Year 6. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Monday 8^th December- ‘Aladdin’ pantomime in school.

·         Thursday 11^th December-‘Danny, Champion of the World’ at Brentwood Theatre 9.15am

·         Tuesday 16^th December- Reception and KS1 Nativity 9.30am and 1.30pm

·         Friday 19^th December- Christmas Church Service 1.30pm

·         Tuesday 10^th February 2015- Parent consultation evening 2pm-6.30pm

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Kathryn Waters

Newsletter 5: 10th October 2014

Dear Parents/ Carers,

We have had a very busy week at Dame Tipping, with a special assembly and our Harvest Festival.

Black History Month

October is Black History Month and as part of our celebrations, some Year 6s led an assembly about Nelson Mandela. They wrote and presented the whole assembly, along with a Power point presentation.

Harvest Festival

Our Harvest Festival was a great success, with lots of parents joining in the service, children reading and singing beautifully, and generous gifts for pensioners in the village. Reverend Marshall spoke and the Interns provided us with fun and games. Thank you to all of those who attended and contributed.        

              

 Parent Voice

Don’t forget to join me at 9.30am or 4.30pm on Tuesday 21^st October to discuss your child’s school life. If you are not able to make the event, I will ask for written feedback at a later date.

Bug Club

Your child will soon be receiving their ‘Bug Club’ bookmark, containing their log in details. Bug Club works best with Chrome or Firefox browsers. It can be accessed on an iPad.

Remembrance Service

Please let Mrs Waters know if your child is able to do a reading at St John’s special centenary Remembrance Service on 9^th November at 10am. The readings would be most suitable for Year 5 and 6 children. Other families, of course, are welcome to attend.

PTA Meeting

I was thrilled that so many parents and carers attended the PTA meeting last Friday. I am confident that we will have enough people to have an excellent committee and plenty of support for events. Please come to a meeting at the school on Thursday 16^th October at 9.15am if you would like to be involved. If you could email me (office@dametipping.havering.sch.uk)

which roles you are interested in taking on beforehand, it would save time at the meeting.

Commendations

We have lots of commendations this week, as so many children have made positive contributions to the school.

Henry Simmonett, Freddie French, Finlay McKeown, Charlotte Woods, Annaliese Bimpong (x2), Amelia Stanley, Louisa Gordon, Kerys Walton, Spencer Murrell (x2), Kiitan Bayode,

Sidonie Holmes, Tiegan Allen-Guinane, Poppy Whitcombe, Max Rider, Scarlett Clarke,

Elena Marshall, Sidney Turrell, Archie Jerrett.

Well done, everyone!

Attendance

Well done to Class 3 for having the highest attendance in the school at 97%.            

Dates for the diary:

·         Monday 13^th October- School Nurse Drop ins. 8.30am onwards

·         Wednesday 15^th October- Class 1 Village Survey (all day) CHANGE OF DATE

·         Tuesday 21^st October- Parent Voice Event 9.30am and 4.30pm

·         Friday 24^th October- Individual photographs. Younger siblings from 8.30am.

·         Friday 24^th October- African Drumming and Dancing with Mrs Bimpong

·         Sunday 9^th November- Remembrance Service at St John the Evangelist 10am

·         Monday 17^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 1, 3 and 5. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Tuesday 18^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 2 and 4. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Wednesday 19^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Year 6. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Monday 8^th December- ‘Aladdin’ pantomime in school.

·         Thursday 11^th December-‘Danny, Champion of the World’ at Brentwood Theatre 9.15am (KS2)

·         Tuesday 16^th December- Reception and KS1 Nativity 9.30am and 1.30pm

·         Friday 19^th December- Christmas Church Service 1.30pm

·         Tuesday 10^th February 2015- Parent consultation evening 2pm-6.30pm

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Kathryn Waters

School Photographer 

10th October

CANCELLED

Newsletter 4: 3rd October 2014

Dear Parents/ Carers,

We have had another fun week at Dame Tipping. It was lovely to see the children in non-uniform yesterday, having a great time and taking part in special activities. Lots of us ate and enjoyed the special school lunch and we had fun singing along to ‘Happy’ in assembly.

Well Done, Year 6

Year 6 organised, advertised and ran a book sale yesterday. It raised £61.60 for the school. This will go towards buying new books and equipment. I was very impressed by their organisational skills and their enthusiasm.

New Books

We have recently bought new ‘Bug Club’ books for your children to read at home. I am sure you and your children will find them engaging and attractive. All of the books are also available on- line. Watch this space for information on how to log on. We will also run a parents’ event later in the term to explain more.

Harvest Festival

Next Thursday is our Harvest Festival at St John the Evangelist Church. Please bring your Harvest food gifts to the back of the church, where they will be organised and later distributed to the elderly and needy in the village. Please arrive at the church at 9am for registration.

Parent Voice

I am keen to hear your opinions about your child’s school life and am therefore going to run a ‘Parent Voice’ event. You will be able to discuss issues in groups and feed back to me. I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join me at 9.30am or 4.30pm on Tuesday 21^st October.

If you are not able to make the event, I will ask for written feedback at a later date.

Polite Request

The school office is very busy and Mrs Wakeman has many jobs to do throughout the day. Although she would never complain herself, I have noticed that a lot of her time is taken up answering questions from parents. Please make sure you check the newsletters, website and check days for clubs and trips etc... before calling the office. If you cannot find the information elsewhere, of course it is fine to call. Thank you for your co-operation.

Commendations

Max Rider, Taylor Moss, Albert Gilbert, Kerys Walton, George Torres-Blanks, Elaina Goodison, Sapphire Hagon, Kai Boorman, Hermione McCormack, Kai Davis.

Well done, everyone!

Attendance

Well done to Class 2- Mr Drury’s class for achieving 99% attendance, the highest in the school and a very impressive percentage.

It would be great if we could all have 100% attendance next week. We can do it!

                       

Email of Newsletters

We are still working on email newsletters. Sorry for the delay.

Dates for the diary:

·         1^st October- Start of Black History Month

·         Thursday 9^th October- Harvest festival at the church. 9am

·         Friday 10^th October- Individual and Sibling school photographs. 8.30am onwards

·         Monday 13^th October- School Nurse Drop ins. 8.30am onwards

·         Monday 13^th October- Class 1 Village Survey (all day)

·         Tuesday 21^st October- Parent Voice Event 9.30am and 4.30pm

·         Monday 17^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 1, 3 and 5. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Tuesday 18^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Years 2 and 4. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Wednesday 19^th November- Parents’ open afternoon Year 6. 1.15pm-3.00pm

·         Monday 8^th December- ‘Aladdin’ pantomime in school.

·         Thursday 11^th December-‘Danny, Champion of the World’ at Brentwood Theatre 9.15am (KS2)

·         Tuesday 16^th December- Reception and KS1 Nativity 9.30am and 1.30pm

·         Friday 19^th December- Christmas Church Service 1.30pm

·         Tuesday 10^th February 2015- Parent consultation evening 2pm-6.30pm

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Kathryn Waters