grasmereprimaryschool.org.uk

Dear Parents and Carers,

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced a national strike taking place on Thursday 24th April 2008. Union members did not have to inform the school until 14th April of their decision to strike or not. Unfortunately this is during the 2-week holiday and has meant that this gives the school limited opportunity to contact parents to make arrangements for child care on that day.

Grasmere Primary School has a number of Union members, some of whom have decided to support the strike. This means that we will not have full complement of teaching staff on that day and some children in classes will not be able to attend school on that day. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Classes closed are as follows:

Fortunately we will be able to open some classes. All junior Classes (Years 3 to 6) will remain open as usual.

Registers for children unable to attend school on 24th April due to the strike will be recorded as absent for “exceptional circumstances”.

Parents will be written to on Monday 21st April giving them further information.

Thanks you for your support,

Mark Derrington

Headteacher

Vicky Jassy has places available on a Monday from 4.30 – 5.30 for beginner drummers. Sessions cost £4.00. Please speak with Mark for further details.

The Grasmere Cricket team came 3rd in the London finals at Lords last week. Well done to the following children who represented the school so effectively: Asa, Ellie, Sam, Livvy, Rahmar, Maisie, Max, Rajan, Ebony, Matty, Weyland, Savannah, Esme, Dexter H and Dexter G.

I am pleased to announce that our new Parent Governor is Diane Tuckey. Diane has 3 children in school Mia, Alex and Charlie. Diane has also been an active member of FROGS and the SEN and Diverse Heritage parents’ groups.

Parents will have received letters this week detailing the allocation of Secondary School places for their children. If you have not heard about your child’s application or you are unhappy with the place offered please contact Ian or Mark for further advice. Deadlines for appeals procedures close shortly.

Stoke Newington Media Arts and Science College Year 7 Dates

Stoke Newington have announced dates for parents and carers of pupils starting the school in September.

Monday 19 & Wednesday 21 May

Interviews for Year 6 pupils and parents/carers 8.00am – 1.00pm. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes. Times to be allocated shortly.

Monday 14 July

Induction Day with taster lessons, meeting tutors and the Head of Year 7.

We are pleased to announce exciting changes to the school meals provided at Grasmere Primary School. The school has decided to terminate the contract with Sunway Catering, who currently provide school meals. During May Ashlyn Organics will become the school meal providers. Changes will include:

• * Improved quality of ingredients and food produced
• * New menus
• * In depth training for staff creating meals
• * Use of organic and locally sourced fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products
• * No increase in price of meals

Simon Owen from Ashlyn’s Organics will be coming to the Parents Mile Stone Meeting on 26 March to explain changes. We will shortly be announcing the date of a free taster session for parents and children.

We are positive that you will see a big improvement in the quality of food provided.

We will be starting Netball training for girls in Years 4 to 6 each Wednesday starting W/C 3rd March, starting at 3.45 – 4.45pm at Stoke Newington Arts & Media College. Children will need to be collected by parents or make their way home. Grasmere staff will escort children to training sessions.

HALF TERM HOLIDAY

• Monday 18th – Friday 22nd February
• Return to school Monday 25th February
• Bank Holiday Friday 21st March
• Bank Holiday Monday 25th March

EASTER HOLIDAY

• Monday 7th – Friday 18th April
• Return to school 21st April

HALF TERM HOLIDAY

• Monday 26th – 30th May
• Return to school Monday 2nd June
• Break up Friday 18th July for Summer Holidays

Well done to the Grasmere Primary School Chess Club who narrowly missed out in in going forward to the Under 9’s and Under 11’s Chess finals by only _ point!

Congratulations to James, Gabby, Jack, Rosie, Alex, Ellie H, Ricco, Emily, Fraser, Marla, Sol and Arthur. Many thanks to Henry for his coaching of the children.

Well done to the Girls Basketball team who came second in last week’s Stoke Newington Cluster Competition. Thanks go to Daniel for his coaching of children.