Great Coates Primary School

Newsletter

Friday 22nd September 2023

Message from the Principal

Welcome to our first newsletter of the term. We have of course communicated with you lots over the last few weeks and you'll have seen our letter regarding attendance. As you can appreciate, attendance is really important and we now have a much more robust system for targeting persistently low attendance as we are looking at this from the previous year.

All of the children have settled well and are working so hard already.

Can I just remind people about the interchangeable weather - children really do need jumpers and coats now. We like to get outside as much as possible so it is important children have a coat in case we're caught by a shower or two!

We have lots of dates for your diaries so please take a look - even Christmas has made an appearance!

As usual if there is something you need to talk to us about you'll find us on the playground and gates but as ever you can call the office to make an appointment.

Have a great weekend.

Emma Emson

Principal

Star Of The Week

Mrs Watson – Oban L

Miss Coulman and Miss Baxter - Archer M

Mrs Pollard - Keegan H

Miss Woolliss – Jacob T

Miss O'Neill - Alicja G

Mrs Brown – Roman W

Miss Baxter - Klay S

Mrs Brown - Roman W

Mr Roberts - Andi B

Mrs Cox - Jake A

Mrs Bradley - Rio V

Mr Baxter - Hayden G

Reading

Reading Scores

All pupils are expected to read three times a week. This table shows the percentage of children in each class who have read three times this week at home. Most classes have got off to a slow start with reading this year but well done Mrs Bradley's class who are top this week. Come on everyone else.

Pupil Voice Survey Result

92% of our children would recommend our school to their friends!

News

Reading Ambassadors and Reading Shed

This week, Mrs Wood chose new reading ambassadors to support pupils throughout the school with reading. The reading ambassadors visited the new reading shed which is located near the playground. The children will be using the reading shed to enjoy reading during lunchtime and playtime.

Hello Yellow

On Wednesday October 10th, the school will be celebrating World Mental Health Day. Children are invited to come to school wearing something yellow. It can be any item of yellow clothing or an accessory added to their school uniform.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/helloyellow/

Welcome New Staff

We would like to say a fond welcome to our new staff this term. We are pleased to have Mr Micheal Walker joining us, as our new caretaker. Mrs Lesley White is now working in our office. We have Miss Jasmin Woolliss joining our Year 1 and 2 teaching team. Miss Katie Wright, Miss Daniella Gould and Miss Rosie Norvock have also joined us as teaching assistants. In Year 3/4 Miss Chloe Williams is joining us as our trainee teacher. Welcome and good luck to all of them.

Pupil Voice Survey Result

90% of our pupils are happy in school.

Term Dates for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years can now be found on the school website.

gca.harbourlearningtrust.com/our-academy/term-dates/

Uniform

Some children are coming to school not dressed in uniform, especially wearing trainers. Below are our expectations for uniform.

SWEATSHIRT: Logo sweatshirt or a plain red sweatshirt or cardigan.

SKIRT/TROUSERS: Black or dark grey skirts/pinafore or trousers/shorts/ red check summer dress

SHIRT White polo shirts underneath sweatshirts. No red shirts please.

SHOES: Black flat school shoes – no trainers.

PE KIT

● Plain white t shirt / black shorts/ Plimsolls or trainers for inside P.E.

● Trainers for outdoor games.

● Jogging bottoms or dark coloured track suits may be worn in cold weather. (Please make sure your child has outdoor PE kit as they will be doing PE outside, in the cold, unless it is raining)

Please note very large bows and other large hair accessories are not to be worn in school.

Digital watches and Analogue watches only allowed in school – No Smart watches or Fitbits please.

Earrings

Whilst earrings (studs) can be worn to school, it is important that they are removed on PE days. If your child can remove them on their own, this can be done at school, however, children cannot wear earrings or any other jewelry for PE. Adults cannot remove them for the children. If your child cannot take them out independently, we ask that they are not worn on PE days. Please speak to the school office if you are having difficulty affording school uniform. We will be happy to help if we can.

Nail Varnish and Make up

It is school policy that nail polish and make up are not allowed. If your child comes to school wearing make up they will be asked to wash it off. If they come to school wearing nail varnish we have nail varnish remover in school to remove it.

Attendance

Please read the posters below to see the effect of poor attendance.