Mellis Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

SIAMS Outstanding January, 2014

Mellis Church Of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Yaxley Road, Mellis, Nr Eye, Suffolk, IP23 8DY

Telephone: 01379 783376 Suffolk County Council FAX: 01379783382 http://www.mellis.suffolk.sch.uk/

Headteacher – Richard Cattermole M.A. Chairman of Governors – Mr Ben Makowiecki Senior Administrative Assistant – Mrs Sarah McLean Clerical Assistants – Mrs Gail Clay Mrs Jane Armstrong

Monday, 12th May 2014 Dear Parents,

New Appointment at Mellis School I am delighted to announce that we have made a new appointment to the teaching staff following Paul Ryle’s promotion to head teacher from September. Wendy Wyncoll, currently completing her teacher training placement with us, was appointed following interviews last week and will no doubt become a great asset to our school. I imagine there is great speculation as to who will be teaching where in the school next year. However, no decisions will be made until late June.

School Lending Library A quick reminder that this opens for business from next week. KS1 on a Tuesday and KS2 on a Thursday, both from 8.45am – 9.00am.

Top Soil The Gardening Club are in desperate need of a trailer load of top soil. If you have any, please let Millie Cork know as soon as possible.

Gymnastic Competition A very big ‘Well Done’ to both our Under 7 and Under 9 Gym Teams who achieved first places, both with Gold at the High Suffolk Gymnastic Competition in their respective categories. They now go forward to the County Finals in Bury St Edmunds in July.

Our Great War Centennial Commemoration Week The First World War broke out in August 1914 and was a conflict that arose out of the complex policies and alliances adopted by the great powers in the late 19th century, but had roots dating as far back as the mid-17th century. Our modern world, together with its great successes and failings is a direct and indirect outcome of this great conflict, the scale and horror of which shook nations and individuals to the core. Battlefields such as the Somme, Verdun, Ypres, Arras, Vimy Ridge and Gallipoli are now bywords for war on a massive scale. As we move towards the summer, children will be exposed to media coverage and I trust there will be opportunities for you to discuss with your child the various issues as they arise. We would like to have taken the school to the Imperial War Museum, but unfortunately it is closed until the Summer for refurbishment, no doubt to give maximum cover to the First World War, but will then be open if you are able to make a family trip over the holidays. During the course of next week the entire school will be learning about aspects of the war within the context of the whole conflict, suitably adapted to meet the needs of individual age and maturity groups. Reception – Life in the Forward Field Hospital for a Nurse, Model Making, Poppy Paintings, Flag Making. Year 1 – Animals in the First World War. Non-fiction Writing such as Reports, Secret Messages and Newspaper Articles. Primary Source Materials - Photographs – Then and Now, Maps and Painting. Year 2 – Battle of the Somme, Major Personalities, Art, Trench Life, Posters, Model Making, Year 3 – War Time Reporting, Poetry, a Typical Day for Tommy, Weaponry. Year 4 – The Dreaded Telegram, Propaganda, War Correspondents, War Time Poets. Year 5 – Letters Home (Censored), Technology and Communication, Recruitment, First World War Art, Music and Song. Year 6 – Poetry, Artillery Design and Effect, War Time Art Styles, Construction.

Whilst there are few alive today who may remember the First World War as children, it is entirely possible that in our homes we may have diaries, letters, medals, even artefacts, such as old shell cases made into brass ornaments etc. If so, please bring them in, even if only for a morning. Year 4 particularly need a working non-electric typewriter for sending telegrams, but it does not need to be 100 years old! The Reception class need old white sheets to cut up for bandages. On the Friday, we are going to re-enact much of what we have been covering over the week. If children would like to dress up in the style of the early 20th century or with a hint of military uniform or nursing uniform etc, then that would be superb. We would like the children to bring in a snack during the course of the afternoon in the style of a First World War Emergency Ration Pack: Bully Beef, Bread, Cheese, Bacon, Tea, Salt, Jam, Sugar, Vegetables, pepper, tobacco, mustard, chocolate. You may wish to avoid the tobacco and mustard!! Collection of Children from School We review all policies in school on a regular basis and have updated our Admissions Form to include details on how you would wish your child to be collected from school. We take great pride in the fact that we know all our parents extremely well and in many cases this includes grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. Whilst at Mellis School there has never been an unfortunate incident when a child has gone home with an adult that should not have collected him/her, we want to ensure all is in place to ensure this cannot happen. For those children who are already in school, we are requesting you complete the attached form and return it to the school by Friday 16th May. Please do not complete the sections on ‘Walking, Cycling, Meeting the Car’ until your child reaches an age of maturity you think is sufficient for them to perform the task safely. I would suggest no earlier than Year 5.

Yours, Richard Cattermole

News6.doc 2 Collection from School at any Time

Name of Child ……………………………………………. D.O.B …………. Please list below those adults authorised by you the parents to collect your child from school. We would request you include yourselves as the parents. Name Relationship Mobile Number Parent Parent

Your child’s teacher will only allow your child to leave school with the adults listed above. This list will be amended at your written request in person in the office. If on occasions your child is collected by someone other than on this list, then this will only be authorised if this is put in writing and handed in to the school office by you the parent in person. (Alternatively the school will contact you by phone on your mobile number before releasing the child.)

Hospital/Dentist/Clinic Appointments Please note: Children will only be released from school during the school day for a medical appointment at a hospital, Dentist or clinic on receipt of the appointment details

Walking/Cycling Home Unaccompanied To be completed by parents in due course as and when it is appropriate.

Name of Child ……………………………………………………… Age …………

My child is allowed to walk/cycle home from school unaccompanied by an adult. (Please delete as appropriate)

Signed…………………………………………….. Date: ……………

Walking to Parked Car Unaccompanied To be completed by parents in due course as and when it is appropriate.

Name of Child ……………………………………………………… Age …………

My child is allowed to walk to parked car unaccompanied by an adult. (Please delete as appropriate)

News6.doc 3 Signed…………………………………………….. Date: ……………

News6.doc 4