Recent letters shared with parents and carers.
28 November 2019
Dear Parents
Tapestry Learning Journals
As part of the Foundation stage curriculum, the teachers and early year’s practitioners frequently undertake observations of your child. These take place during child initiated learning (CHIL) and during adult led activities and help us tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of your children. Currently these are written in a paper learning journal kept in school.
During the next few months we will be transferring to an online learning journal called Tapestry. By logging on with a secure username and password you will be able to view all of your child’s observations, photographs and even video from their time at Nursery and Reception. You will even receive an email telling you when a new observation or piece of work is available for you to view. This will enable you to follow your child’s individual progress closely and you can reflect upon their achievements with your child. You can add comments so that we as a staff find out about which activities your child really enjoyed and the learning they get up to at home. We hope that staff will start to use the online system from Friday 24th January. We hope that parents will be able to view your child’s online journal from Monday 27th January at the latest. Just like you read your child’s observations and see photographs of your child in their paper learning journal, you will be able to see the same when you view it online.
E-safety is extremely important to us at Galley Hill, therefore we ask you to provide us with the following information below and to sign the agreement and other information overleaf to show that you understand and will agree with our guidelines. We do need permission from you to be able to upload your child’s photos into their online learning journal. If your child’s image is on another photo that we want to upload into another child’s online journal, we also need your permission. Only you will be able to view your child’s online journal. Please ensure this agreement is signed and handed back to the class teacher by Friday 20th December.
When this online system is successfully installed you will be able to view your child’s online journal using the Tapestry app which can be accessed via the Apple store or Android store. If you click on your APP store app and then search ‘Tapestry Journal’. You will see it come up like the logo above. Then you can click to download. On an android App store, when you search it will come up as ‘Tapestry Mobile’.
To enable you to access your child’s journal we will require an email address. Can you please write clearly on the form overleaf. You will receive a password via email to access your child’s account from Tapestry. To be able to alert you when a new observation has been uploaded for your child, Tapestry will hold your name and email address. They will also hold some information about your child including their name and date of birth.
We will be holding a Parent Information Session on Friday 13th December at 2.45- 3.10pm in the main hall. We will be explaining to you how to use the APP and how you can add your own photographs to your child’s learning journal. Please arrive at the school office by 2.40pm.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Parsons
Reception Teacher and Computing Lead
Tapestry Learning Journals
Child’s Name: ......................................................................Team: …………………………….
Agreed guidelines for accessing and using Tapestry ‘Online Learning Journeys’
As a parent I will…
I give permission…
I agree to the guidelines:
Signature: .............................................................................................................. (Parent/Carer)
Parent’s Name (PRINT name) …………………………..…………………………………………….
My Email Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………
Date: ………………………………………..
If you do not have access to e-mail please tick this box and you will be able to view your child’s learning Journey using school equipment during specific times throughout the year.
PLEASE NOTE:
The email detailing your set up for Tapestry will come from Tapestry and not the school email. Please ensure you check your junk mail.
25 September 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
We have arranged to take the Year 3 children on a trip to Celtic Harmony, Brickendon. This will take place on Monday 25 November 2019. In class, we are learning about The Stone Age. We feel that this trip will enrich their learning about this topic and really bring it to life. Please look at the web link below to see some of the amazing activities they will take part in during the day; there is information, pictures and videos to watch. https://www.celticharmony.org/day-trips/stone-age-day/
All children must be dressed in school uniform.
The coach will be leaving the school at 9.15am and aims to return at approx. 3.00pm. We will keep you fully informed regarding the return journey.
The children will need a packed lunch on the day. However, they can bring their lunches in a rucksack as this will be easier to carry around all day. NO GLASS BOTTLES, CANS OR SWEETS PLEASE.
Those children who receive Free School Meals, can pre-order one via the School Gateway app.
The cost of this trip will be £21.50 per child, this can be paid in x2 instalments – this covers the cost of entrance and the coach. Please note that the school have subsidised this trip to help with the cost.
This can be paid online via the School Gateway payment system along with giving parental consent. If you require assistance downloading the app, please see below or pop into the office.
Cash or cheque are also accepted. Please can cheques be made payable to Galley Hill Primary School.
Please can we make you aware that when trips are arranged, the cost is based on the total number of children in that particular year/class group. Depending on venue, we usually have to pay in advance. If for any reason your child is not in school on the day of the trip, unfortunately, we will not be able to refund you as payment to the venue and transport will have already been paid for.
Thank you for your support in this matter.
Unfortunately, if insufficient funds are received, the trip will have to be cancelled. If you have any queries or difficulties paying this, please contact the office.
We may require some parent/carer helpers for the trip. They will be asked to lead a small group of around 5 to 6 children. If you feel you are able to do this, please indicate when giving permission on school gateway.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Higgs Mrs Spooner Mrs Brooks-Smith
Year 3
Dear Parents / Carers
As you may already know, next week is the start of this year's BBC Children in Need Appeal. Galley Hill School is excited to be joining in with many others around the UK to participate in the fundraising programme, the Big BBC Children in Need, Together We Can change Young Lives.
The Together We Can change Young Lives, will help your child learn about the lives of disadvantaged children across the whole of the UK, whilst developing skills like communication, teamwork and decision-making. Friday 15th November is also the end of our anti-bullying week. So the School Council have decided to combine both special events, with Wear Something Spotty, a Colouring Competition and a Bake sale.
You can help us make this a memorable event that raises as much money as possible, by supporting the fundraising activities in our school. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, firstly by sending in a donation on Friday 15th November to take part in “WEAR SOMETHING SPOTTY”.
Secondly by sending in donations of cakes and biscuits (large or small) for the Bake Sale on Friday afternoon. These may be brought in all week from Monday 11th to Friday 15th November.
Colouring Competition
Finally by taking part in the colouring competition. Produce a picture containing Pudsey Bear or Spots. The sheets can be collected from your child’s class teacher (from Friday 8th November) for a donation of 50p. All entries must be returned by Thursday 14th November. There will be a prize for each winner selected by the School Council from EYFS, KS1 and KS2. So get creating.
We are aiming to raise even more this year to support disadvantaged young people across the UK.
Let’s make a big difference to the lives of children in the UK.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Higgs
The School Council
5th November 2019
Dear Parents / Carers,
As you will have noticed, Dr Inglis has sadly not returned after the half term break. He continues to be unwell and although we still have no definite timeframe for his absence, at this stage, it does not look likely that he will be back with us before Christmas.
Mrs Huscroft will continue to be the main class teacher for Topaz class for as long as Dr Inglis is absent. She will teach the class Monday to Thursday. Mrs Brooks-Smith (one of the Ruby class teachers) has offered to take the class on the vast majority of Fridays to ensure consistency.
Miss Duggan has now returned to school fully recovered from her operation. Miss Duggan and Mrs Huscroft continue to work closely together to ensure consistency for both Year 6 classes.
The two teachers will also be holding parent consultations for the children in Year 6 next week. The meetings will take place on Wednesday 13 November and there will be appointments 8:50 – 9:30am or 2:10 – 5:30pm. The usual system for booking appointments through the school website will be set up today.
If it is impossible for you to attend an appointment on this day, please speak to your child’s class teacher or send them an email via admin@galleyhill.herts.sch.uk and they will endeavour to find a suitable alternative.
I would like to thank you all for your patience and support during this difficult period.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs E. Birch
Head Teacher