Great Coates Primary School

Newsletter

Friday 6th October 2023

Message from the Vice Principal

Here is this week's newsletter. We have an exciting term coming up so please look at the dates of upcoming events.

The children are generally coming to school dressed very smartly. Please remember that children will be challenged if are not wearing appropriate school uniform, including the wrong shoes. The weather is very changable so please make sure your child has a waterproof coat.

We hope everyone has a great weekend.

Lynn Deans

Vice Principal

Star Of The Week

Mrs Watson – Bobby B

Miss Coulman and Miss Baxter - Luna S

Mrs Pollard - Lyndon E

Miss Woolliss – Leo B

Miss O'Neill - Louie C

Mrs Wood - Isaac O

Miss Baxter - Evie W

Mr Roberts - Rocco B

Mrs Cox - Summer K

Mrs Bradley - Jj R

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.

Pupil Voice Survey Result

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

News

Student Ambassadors

The pupils have voted for their new student ambassadors. The student ambassadors allow the pupils in school to have a say on many issues and make an impact on school life. This week they have already been thinking about ways to improve playtimes and lunchtimes.

Communication with staff

We welcome our parents to communicate with our staff all of the time. We pride ourselves on the fact that parents feel they can come and speak to staff about whatever issues they wish. Sadly, we have recently had a number of parents who have shown aggression towards members of our staff. This is not acceptable. Please can parents consider their manner when making telephone calls or speaking in person to staff.

Hello Yellow - Tuesday

On Tuesday 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/

New Attendance Mascot

We would like to say a big 'Hello', to our new attendance mascot, Harold. Harold will visit classrooms in the school when they have great attendance. Children who improve their attendance will have a chance to visit Harold.

Guidance from NELC

What to do if you have a positive COVID-19 test (Children and young people)

It is not recommended that children and young people (under 18 years of age) are tested for COVID-19. If, however, they do test, the advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days from the date of the positive test, with the day of the test being day 0. The covid test has to be seen by school to validate the absence. Children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults. A child or young person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should continue to attend their education setting as normal.

Respiratory infections are common in children and young people and for most will not be serious. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.

Internet Safety

Children of all ages are accessing online content. Follow the link for advice about how to keep young children safe online.

https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/0-5/online-safety-video-guides-early-years/

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

Below are our expectations for uniform.

Please label all clothing including coats.

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.