MALIN BRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Only seven weeks till the end of term and this is the busiest time of year with parents’ evenings, sports

days, day trips and residentials. Please refer to the previously issued term dates for information.

1. SATs (Y2 & Y6):

Well done to the pupils in Y2 and Y6 who have completed their Standardised Attainment Tests or

SATs. Pupils in Y2 are teacher assessed, with marking and moderation internally in school, whereas the

Y6 SATs are sent away for external moderation. Relevant parents will receive their child’s results shortly.

2. End of Year Reports and Parents’ Evenings:

a) This year the reports will be available at the end of term to collect on the forthcoming parents’ evenings. Just to remind you that, for the majority of the school, they are held on Thursday 26 June and Tuesday 1

July from 3.30pm. 

b) Please note parents of pupils in Miss Undrell’s and Mrs Hughes’ classes that there have been

slight changes to the parents’ evening dates, (please see below). I hope these changes will not

 inconvenience any families.

Miss Undrell – Wednesday 25 June & Tuesday 1 July

Mrs Hughes – Wednesday 25 June & Thursday 26 June                                   

c) A few reminders:

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If your child accompanies you on the evening this will be an ideal time to read the report together, before

your appointment time, as this document will form the main focus of the discussion with your child’s class teacher.

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Also please can your child have a book, PSP or other entertaining item with them to keep them occupied, and not running around school, when you are meeting with staff, (please note that all items brought to

school are at your own risk).

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·         If after reading the report you would like any advice on how to help your child at home with their target(s) please see your child’s class or set teacher.

We look forward to as many parents as possible attending the parents’ evening and having an

informative discussion with staff to review the year and your child’s progress.

3. New Classes and Teachers for September 2008:

We are currently looking at the staffing arrangements for next academic year and the finalised information

will be made available to you by this term’s parents’ evenings.

I am pleased to announce that we have an Assistant Head Teacher joining Malin Bridge Primary. This is a new post in school to support the Head and Deputy Head Teacher in the developments to raise pupil achievement. Mrs Jackie McDermott is leaving Longley School, where she is currently an Assistant Head Teacher, to join us in September to teach Y6.

Recently there have been several new teaching appointments made as some of our existing staff are moving to new positions this September.

Mr Lomas is moving to broaden his teaching experience after 13 years here. Additionally Mrs Hughes,

Mrs Monach and Miss Wragg will be teaching in new schools next term. Mr Israel will be also leaving at the end of term. I wish all of these staff a bright future in their new schools and thank them for the combined 31 years of teaching at Malin Bridge School. We pride our self on the professional development opportunities given to all staff and as a consequence of this teachers are equipped to take on fresh challenges in new jobs, hence the departure of some staff.

New teaching staff appointed are Miss Hall to be Y3 & Y4 Team Leader plus teaching a Y3 class, Miss Jaram, Miss Haywood and Miss Lord. We are looking forward to welcoming these new staff to Malin Bridge in September.

We gained Investors in People (IIP) status in 2005 and have been re-assessed against the standards. I am pleased to announce we have passed the assessment and can keep our IIP status, with the recognition that the aspect of continuing professional development as a real strength at Malin Bridge.

4. Citizenship / Race Equality Working Party:

Are you a parent/grandparent/carer interested in ensuring that Malin Bridge remains an inclusive school that looks after every pupil by ensuring we are non discriminatory and actively promoting citizenship?  If so, and you have approximately half an hour a term to spare to meet with a small group of parents, staff and Governors then please enquire in the office about the Citizenship Working Party. We are very informal and would like new blood to discuss improving school practice in this area. Additionally, there is an informal coffee afternoon at 2.45pm on Thursday June 12th in the staffroom, (junior building) to meet with the current Citizenship Working Party and find out more.  Do join us if you can.

5. Family Day at Wisewood Secondary School (Saturday 5 July - 10am to 3pm):

Please come along to this day to have some fun and find about your locality and what it has to offer. All the local primary schools, (Marlcliffe, Wisewood and Sacred Heart) are supporting this day – look out for fliers coming home later this month with details.

6. Passport Sports ‘Fair’ 2008 – Wed 16 July (1.30pm to 3.00pm approx):

This year’s family sports afternoon is on the last Wednesday of term. The children will be placed in teams/‘houses’ and experience different fun sporting activities to collect points for their ‘house’. This is a family day and we welcome parents to support their children in the various games organised on both school yards. The finale is the relay race before awarding the winning house the cup. Please put this date in your diary; there will be more information to follow this term.

7. Toys brought into School from Home:

This is optional and any toys brought in are at the owners’ own risk; school does not advocate this practice. Anything brought in from home for use on the playground should be inexpensive and discrete, (so it can be stored in a pocket when not in use). 

8. School Uniform:

Reminder – please can all clothing in school be named, suitable (eg no flip flops, revealing tops etc) and follow the school’s dress code in colour (grey, blue & white). Thank you.

9. Holidays:

2008-09

 (Parents please note the last day of term for July 2009 is Monday 20 July and not Friday 17 July).

2009-10 term dates are also available in the office. Please can I ask that parents or relatives do not book holidays for the beginning of September (ie first two weeks of term) or during SATs time, (i.e. May & early June). Also, please can holiday request forms for next academic year be submitted after the school summer holiday.

With best wishes                                                                                       

 Ann England - Head teacher