December 2013

During the past few weeks pupils and staff at Lea Forest Primary Academy have been involved in raising money.

For the Philippines victims the pupils spent an afternoon purchasing items such as books and toys and have raised an impressive £120.47 for the Oxfam appeal. Our Anti-Bullying Week appeal raised money by purchasing blue anti-bullying bands and have raised a wonderful £155.00. This money has gone towards the Academy Council Fund and will help to improve the grounds and academy. We've also raised over £150.00 for the Royal Legion Poppy Appeal by selling poppies in the academy.

We've raised £485.00 for Movember and £327.00 for Children in Need and Mrs Hudson's delicious staff cake sale have raised £50.00

Overall this term we have raised an incredible £1282.00 for charities and good causes.

Thank you for your support

Semi-Finals: Monday 16 December

Grande Final: Friday 20 December - 2pm Parents of semi-final winners will be invited to the final

Please see posters around the academy for more information.

At the end of this term we will be saying farewell to Mrs Garratt, who will be leaving us to have her first child, after serving as a delightful teacher for 6 wonderful years. She has been a pleasure to have around and we wish her well for the future.

In addition, Miss Hamilton has been fortunate in securing a teaching post closer to her home and will be leaving us too. We'd like to thank her for her time at the academy.

Mrs Wilkes, who has been with us for 9 years, and has served as a Teaching Assistant, Parent Governor, Breakfast Club Supervisor and Lunchtime Supervisor will also be leaving us to take a career change as manager of wrap around care. We'd also like to thank her for her invaluable contribution and wish her the best in her new post.

As a result of a number of staff leaving us at the end of this term it has been necessary for the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body to review the provision of teaching and leadership within the academy, to ensure the best opportunities are provided to all pupils.

We have explored a number of options to ensure consistency and continuity of teaching and learning for the remainder of the academic year and have decided upon the following changes:

Mrs Newton, who has joined us in September to support the progress and development of Early Years & Foundation Stage, will now also teach a Reception class.

We are delighted to confirm Mr Haw, who is already familiar to our pupils as a P.E. Co-ordinator, will join the Early Years & Foundation Stage, also as a Reception teacher.

Mrs Hopkins, our experienced Teaching Assistant will move into Reception and support both Reception classes.

We also welcome Mrs Bevan who has joined us as a Nursery teacher, for Bears, Parrots and Tigers.

We appreciate there is a significant change however we are confident all pupils will continue to receive the best possible provision at Lea Forest Primary Academy.

Please ensure all pupils bring their full PE kit, including a plain/academy red top and black shorts, and trousers in case we can go outside.

Extra-Curricular Clubs:

There are limited places available for Year 3/4 Yoga on Mondays, and Year 5/6 Street Dance on Wednesdays. Please collect a letter from the office to give consent for your child. You will be notified if your child does have a place.

Year 5 Football Tournament:

Last Thursday, a group of pupils from Year 5 made their parent's and the whole academy proud by reaching the quarter finals out of 14 teams. They only missed out on a semi-final place on penalties 9-8! Thanks to all the parents and families who came to support us, some of whom weren't even playing!

Yr5 Parents:

We have an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative learning project that will see every child in Yr5 have access to an IPad 2 for home and school use. The aim of this project is to support our children and help them to develop their literacy and numeracy skills as well as supporting learning across the broader curriculum.

We will be hosting a meeting with the BeLF to explain how the scheme will work on November the 29th at 3:20pm in the Key Stage 2 Hall for all Yr5 Parents who are interested in the scheme.

Please see the letter sent home last Friday for more information.