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Newsletter

16 September 2016 Back to School Picnic Due to the unpredictable weather, it has been decided to cancel tomorrow’s planned picnic on the school field. This will be rearranged, the date to be confirmed. Little John’s th Our Tuesday toddler group restarts on Tuesday 27 September from 2.00-3.15pm. Toddlers and carers are welcome to come any Tuesday and enjoy playing and socialising together in the school hall with Mrs Jane Smith. Parenting Drop in – supporting your child at home and in school Every Thursday morning between 9.00 and 10.00 Mrs Jane Smith will holding her coffee drop to meet and chat with parents. You can bring questions or concerns on parenting or simply come along to enjoy adult company after the school run. Meetings will be held in the playground gazebo in good weather or in the staffroom as winter approaches. School Dog After research and much discussion I am delighted to inform you that Mrs Jane Smith is going to bring her dog to school 2 days a week as a new member on the school roll. Buzz is a very well behaved cockapoo, a hypoallergenic breed that does not moult or trigger allergies. Cockapoos are known to be naturally friendly, the ideal breed for sharing as a school dog. Mrs Smith and Buzz will both be providing play therapy this year to our pupils who benefit so much from this intervention. Therapy dogs are known to build self-esteem as well as providing calm affection and comfort. We have a detailed Reading and Therapy Dog Policy which will be uploaded to the website next week. Buzz will be with Mrs Smith at all times on his school days. If you have any concerns regarding this new initiative, please come and speak to me. 11+ Test Congratulations to the Year 6 who sat the 11+ test last week. The group all performed with excellent attitude. They showed refreshing calmness and genuine support for each other. Whatever the outcome of the test they can all be proud that they have worked hard and given their best. Office Communication If you have a message that needs action the same day, please telephone the office rather than rely on email. Office staff do not all work every day of the week so emails have been unread and we have had two incidents of urgent messages not reaching school in time. Collection Thank you for your punctuality at collection times. It is important that you notify your child’s teacher or the office if your child is being collected by somebody other than immediate family members.

Issue No 58 st

Meet the Teacher Wednesday 21 September This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and hear about the class routines and expectations for the new academic year. Parents and carers have found this very useful in the past. Teachers will produce bullet point paperwork to accompany the meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting the notes will be sent home with your child. 2:15 – 2:30 Year 1 and Year 6 2:30 – 2:45 Year 4 2:45 – 3:00 Year 2 and Year 5 3:00 – 3:15 Year 3 Parent Forum These meetings with parents, Mr Oatley and myself are held six times a year, one in each short term. Please come along and give us feedback about life at St John’s. I always point out we are happy to hear about the positive as well, of course, as welcoming suggestions for improvement. th Tuesday 19 October 2.30pm th Monday 12 December 2.30pm th Thursday 9 February 6.00pm th Wednesday 24 May 2.30pm Knives and Forks I know Mrs Temp has asked that her Year 1s are given time at home to practise using a knife and fork. I would like to, please, extend that request to all children. We are keen to improve our table manners and ask that children conform to using a knife in their right hand and fork in the left and are taught to cut and eat food politely. This is particularly important for Year 6 who, as part of their buddy role, will soon be offering help to our Reception children at lunchtime. rd

Jeans for Genes Day Friday 23 September Children can wear jeans instead of their normal school trousers or skirt in return for bringing in a donation (suggested £2) for this very worthwhile charity. Verse for the Year Every school year we learn a new bible verse and use this to remind us of desired behaviour traits. Many of our pupils already know it by heart and have been able to apply the message to everyday situations. The verse for this year is from 1 Peter 3 v 8 Live in harmony with one another Be sympathetic Love as brothers and sisters Be compassionate and humble.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES When Fri 16th Sept - all night! Mon 19th Sept

What A Night at the Museum Rocks and Fossil Trip

Who Group from Years 5 and 6 Year 3

Wed 21st Sept 2.15pm – 3.15pm TBC Thu 22nd Sept Fri 23rd Sept Mon 26th Sept 9.15am

Meet the Teachers

Years 1-6 parents

Where Science museum Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve School Hall

River Trip Jeans for Genes Day New Reception Welcome Assembly Visit to London River Trip Literary Festival Harvest Festival Open Morning

4P All school New Reception Parents

Horton Kirby At school School Hall

Year 2 4C Years 5 and 6 Whole school 2017 Reception intake

London Horton Kirby Sevenoaks Primary St John’s church School Hall

Aqua Splash Great Storm Trip Flintstones Day

Team from Years 3 and 4 Year 1 Year 3

Sevenoaks School The Vine, Sevenoaks At school

Thu 29th Sept Thu 29th Sept Mon 3rd Oct - morning Thu 6th Oct 9.15am Tues 11th Oct 9.15am – 11am Mon 17th Oct 9.15am – 11am Tues 18th Oct Thu 20th Oct Thurs 20th Oct