Headteacher’s Newsletter

December 2009

Already we are approaching the end of Term 2 and are well into Christmas celebration preparations.  The annual cycle of school events includes a lot of forward planning and this Newsletter outlines a few key issues we will be addressing over the coming year.  Successful schools are constantly self-evaluating and adapting to changing circumstances and our revised School Plan reflects this approach.

1.  School Improvement
A few key items in our planning include:

• Developing children’s investigative science and preparing for national science assessment changes;
• Developing children’s writing through grant funded work from May 2010 with a “creative practitioner” who will run a small-scale project based on animation, video and photography, leading to story-telling;
• Developing the outside area for our Early Years Foundation Stage children to create more challenging activities;
• Involvement in a pilot project that will enable us to develop much greater use of internet-based learning and improve electronic communication between home and school.
• Working towards being a “Sustainable School”, i.e. examining how we best use our resources;
• Conducting a feasibility study, aiming to improve playground facilities;
• Expanding our extended school services, in partnership with KCC;
• Looking at the proposed changes to the National Curriculum and trialling different timetable models.

2.  e-Safety Policy                           (Your response requested – see below)
We already make great use of information technology to support children’s learning.  All classrooms have interactive whiteboards which have proved to be a fantastic teaching tool.  We have new notebook computers and are trialling the use of Nintendo DS consoles to promote mental maths in Year 5.  Further developments will lead us to the use of a virtual learning environment (VLE); a government target which some schools already meet.  In short, we are immersed in information technology and will be even more so in the future.

We are all aware of both the potential benefits and risks associated with children’s access to all kinds of developing technologies, and we want our children to reap the benefits safely.  Before the end of the last academic year our governors agreed the attached “eSafety Policy”.  This, and a number of other important policies, will be posted on our website before the Christmas holiday.  However, we advise parents to read the attached policy and request that you and your child sign the e-Safety Rules, to indicate you are in agreement, and return this to us.  The policy/rules are based on a model available to all Kent schools.  Clearly, we have been accessing the internet for many years.  However, this agreement is now an important reminder to all of us to keep children’s safety uppermost, particularly as the use of internet-based learning will increase.

3. School Successes

• Tuesday 1st Dec - 41 choir members took part in the “Young Voices” concert at the O2 Arena. This was an unforgettable experience as we formed part of a choir of over 8000 children who accompanied a range of professional musicians and dancers.
• 4 Year 6 boys (Luke Savill, Ted Harland-Smith, Lee Blundell and Josh Baker) recently won their round of the National School Team Table Tennis competition, and so now progress to the next stage.  Well done – this is a first for Borough Green.
• Thanks to all who donated to the “Shoebox Appeal” – 86 boxes were collected.
• Parents’ Association – Xmas Fair raised about £950.  Many thanks.
• Steps to School Baby Room opened by Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Cllr Sue Murray.

4. Dinner Money
A note recently went out to parents concerning an increase in dinner money from January.  Any decision to make such an increase is taken by governors after consideration of a range of factors.  We are very aware of the economic climate and governors asked that parents be made aware of the following information, supplied by KCC, that has applied to contract caterers in Kent schools since September:
(Kent) School meal prices will increase in September (2009) in line with the RPI Food & Catering indices increase of 6.7%. The new selling prices for each contractor will be as follows:

Contractor	Primary Pupil Paid	Secondary Pupil Paid
Chartwells	£2.03	£2.09
Eden Food Service	£2.00	£2.20
Principals	£1.90	n/a
Total Catering	£1.95	£2.10
Whole School Meals	£2.00	£2.10

The information above gives no indication of the quality of meals, or whether or not they are cooked on school premises.  We believe that the meals provided at our school are superior in quality to those supplied by contract caterers as we spend more on the food content and our kitchen staff aim for the highest quality.  Our school meals are also cooked fresh each day and are served direct from our kitchen.

5. Primary School Admissions – Important Date
We recently held two Open Mornings for parents with young children due to start next September.  All parents in this position need to be aware that the closing date for admission applications is Friday 8th January 2010.

6. Severe Weather
Just a reminder to parents about arrangements in the case of severe weather:

• If severe weather occurs, and the decision to close the school is taken before 7.00 a.m., then a message will go out on local radio:

BBC Radio Kent                   Invicta FM                  KMFM

• On the rare occasion the school closes during the school day we will inform local radio stations as above and also leave a recorded message on our telephone system.
• Late opening or early closure are possibilities in poor weather conditions.
• If weather conditions worsen during the school day, and you feel it absolutely necessary to collect your child, every effort should be made to contact us prior to collection.  We will only release children to known individuals.
• You should inform the school if your child is absent due to bad weather.

Please bear in mind that severe weather can be quite localised and if a significant number of staff cannot travel safely then it could be safer for all if the school is closed.  However, this is always a last resort.

All at Borough Green want to thank our parents and children for their continued support and hope you enjoy a happy and safe Christmas.