Recent letters shared with parents and carers.
20 December
Dear Parents/Carers
I hope your child has enjoyed their Autumn Term in Year 1 and your child has settled into their new routines.
Now that your child has become more independent, we would like to ask your support with drop off and collection arrangements. At the end of the day, please wait at the top of the pathway, when your class teacher sees you your child will be sent out. Please do not wait at the class door; it can be very challenging when sending the children out with so many parents surrounding the door and we would like to ensure that your child is safely sent home.
If you require to speak to the class teacher, please waiting until all of the children are sent to their parent or carer, then the staff member can talk to you without any distractions. Alternatively you can write a note for the class teacher or arrange another meeting time if you cannot wait.
In the mornings, the classroom door is open from 8.45am until 8.55am, the class teacher or teaching assistant will be waiting at the door during this time. They will be able to briefly speak to you or arrange an alternative time if longer is needed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to have long conversations at this time in the morning as the register needs to be taken and lessons started on time. Staff use the time before 8.45am to set up and prepare for the days’ lessons. If you would a conversation with the teacher before 8.45am one morning, please arrange this with the teacher in advance.
Just a reminder that homework is on the website on a Friday and the green spelling book needs to be returned to your child’s class teacher on a Thursday. It is also expected that children read at least 3 x weekly and this is recorded in their reading records. Children are able to change their reading books as often as they would like if they have read at home. There is a box in the classroom that your child can put their book in which lets the teacher know they would like it changed. The Curriculum Overview and additional homework opportunities have already been sent home but they are also on the Year 1 class page on the Galley hill website, for your convenience.
I hope you have a lovely break and Team Year 1 wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Yours sincerely
Miss Penning
Year 1
11th November 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
Reception Christmas Concert
The Reception production of ‘The Nativity’ will take place in the main school hall on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 December at 2.15pm on both days.
Due to limited seating, we are only able to offer a maximum of 4 tickets total per child but we may not be able to issue all 4 for the same performance if the demand is high.
You can request tickets using the school gateway system. To do this, please select the Christmas Production option for your Reception child, state how many tickets you require and for which date in the comment box and then checkout as normal (free of charge event).
This will be available from Monday 18 November and will close on Friday 6 December.
Once requests have been made, the Reception staff will give you tickets for the requested performance. Staff will start giving out tickets from the 3rd of December.
We will be issuing numbered tickets for all performances and we would like to make it very clear that every member of the audience, whether they are 1 month or 101 years old, will need to have and bring their own ticket! This is so that we do not break Health and Safety or Fire regulations.
For the same reasons we are unable to allow any buggies to come into the hall for the performances, unfortunately we cannot make any exceptions.
On Monday 9th December we will write a notice on the board outside the Reception classes to notify you if there are any spare tickets. You will then be able to ask the Reception class staff for any extra tickets.
We supply the costumes for the children, for a few parts, we might ask you to provide trousers, tights or a top of a certain colour. If we do require you to send in an item of clothing for your child, we will give you plenty of notice.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Parsons
Reception Teacher
13 November 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
Key Stage One Christmas Concert
Our Christmas Concert will take place in the main school hall on Wednesday 11 December at 6.00pm and Thursday 12 December at 6.00pm.
There will also be a dress rehearsal on Tuesday 11 December at 1.30pm, a limited number of seats at this performance are being offered to parents with toddlers only.
The children will need to be back in school at 5.30pm for the evening performances to allow time to get dressed.
Due to fire regulations, we are only able to offer 2 tickets per family. You can request tickets on the School Gateway system. To do this, please select the Christmas Production option for your Key Stage One child, state how many tickets you require and for which date in the comment box and then checkout as normal (free of charge event).
This will be available from 18 November and close on the 27 November. Once requests have been made the Key Stage One staff will give out tickets for the performances. Staff will be start giving these tickets out from the 25 November. We would like to make it clear that every seated member of the audience will need to have and bring their own ticket!
On 3rd December, we will send a text message home if we have any spare tickets, you will then be able to ask your child’s class teacher for any extra tickets but this will be first come first served basis. Due to a high demand, these will only be one extra ticket per family.
Even those toddlers who sit on their parents/carers laps throughout the performance must have their own ticket. This is because we need to be very sure that we are not breaking any Health and Safety or Fire regulations.
For the same Health and Safety and Fire reasons we are unable to allow any buggies into the hall for the performances, unfortunately we cannot make any exceptions.
Can we politely ask you to remember that the children performing are very young and easily distracted, so please do not feel embarrassed to take your toddler out to calm them down if they should become upset or unsettled during the performance.
We would like to request that toddlers must remain on their parent’s lap throughout the performance and the aisles must be kept clear as the ‘performers’ will be moving through these areas.
We supply the main costume but we may ask if you have trousers, tights or a top of a certain colour. If this is the case, we will give you plenty of notice.
Yours sincerely
Miss Penning, Miss Keal, Miss Walmsley, Mrs Ewer
Key Stage 1
10th December 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
We have arranged to take the Year 6 children on a trip to Bletchley Park. This will take place on Tuesday 21 January 2020.
In class, we are learning about World War 2 and this trip will focus on the code breaking work that took place at Bletchley during the war.
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 £15.00 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.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Huscroft Miss Duggan
Year 6
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PAYING ONLINE VIA SCHOOL GATEWAY
If you have not already activated your School Gateway account. It’s quick and easy to do. All you need is your email address and mobile number that school holds on record for you.
Download the app: If you have a smartphone, please download School Gateway from your app store (Android and iPhone).
OR
Visit the website: www.schoolgateway.com and click on ‘New User’. You’ll receive a text message with a PIN number. Then use this PIN number and your email address to log into School Gateway.
10 December 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
We have arranged to take the Year 6 children on a trip to Highclere Castle. This will take place on Tuesday 3 December 2019. In class, we are learning about the River Nile and Ancient Egypt.
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 £17.00 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 Huscroft Dr Inglis Miss Duggan
Year 6
17 September 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
On Monday 9 December 2019 we have arranged to take Year 2 Diamond and Pearl Class on a trip to Windsor Castle.
This trip will be relating to our History topic ‘Castles and Coronations’. We will be having a workshop to learn all about the Queen Elizabeth ll. We will also be exploring the castle, which will relate to our Art and Design and Technology subject this term.
All children should be dressed in school uniform. The coach will be leaving the school at 9.15am and aims to return at approx. 4.00pm.
The children will need a packed lunch from home or we can supply a school lunch providing this has been ordered in advance. NO glass bottles, cans, fizzy drinks, chocolate or sweets please.
The cost of this trip will be £16.00 per child, which covers the transport and entrance fees.
*You are more than welcome to pay in instalments if this is more suitable, School Gateway will show a reducing balance allowing a number of instalments to be made, however the full balance must be paid by Monday 25th November 2019.
Please log into your child’s school gateway account to give parent consent and make payment by Monday 25 November 2019. If you would like to order a school packed lunch, please ensure to order this in the comments section. School packed lunch MUST be ordered in advance, cannot be ordered on the day.
We will require parent volunteers to help out on this school trip, if you are available on this day and would like to help, please advise us in the comments section or speak to the class teacher. We will confirm with you nearer the time is your help is required.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Ewer Miss Keal
Year 2
15 November
Dear Parents/Carers
On Thursday 5 December in the afternoon children will be taking part in a sponsored ‘Elf Run’. We will be raising money for the Peace Hospice. Children will be running or walking whilst wearing elf hats! These hats will be provided by the hospice.
Foundation and Key Stage 1 will be running ½ mile and Key Stage 2 will be running a mile.
On the 21 November, a representative from the Peace Hospice will be coming in to talk to children about their charity and how their sponsorship can make a difference.
Please ensure on this day that children have warm clothing they can change into for the run, spare shoes and a water bottle.
Please find attached a sponsorship form and please can this be returned by the 13th December if you choose your child to be sponsored.
We are looking forward to hosting their brand new event. After school, we will also be having our annual FROGs Christmas Fair. We are excited about seeing all the children getting in the festive spirit!
Yours sincerely
Miss Penning
PE Leader
25 September 2019
Dear Parents/Carers
We have arranged to take the Year 4 children on a trip to Cadbury World, Birmingham. This will take place on Tuesday 3 December 2019. We will be having a special talk and a tour of the Museum.
In class we are learning about Chocolate and the Mayans.
The children can bring an optional £5.00 to spend in the souvenir shop.
All children must be dressed in school uniform.
The coach will be leaving the school at 9.15am and aims to return at approx. 5.30pm. 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 £21.00 per child (this can be paid in 2 instalments), which will cover the cost of entrance and the coach. 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 and assist them to complete their workbook. If you feel you are able to do this, please indicate when giving permission on school gateway.
Yours sincerely
Mr Kain Miss Hosein
Year 4