15 May 2003 - NEWSLETTER MAY 2003 Spring 8
As you may know by now the LEA does not intend to go ahead with siting a nursery at the school. I would like to thank everyone who supported the proposal; whilst it is disappointing that a golden opportunity for pre-school children has been missed, it is reassuring that we were considered in the first place.
If any parents need to contact me, I can now be reached by e-mailing:
headteacher@princerock.plymouth.sch.uk
At the end of last term, we said goodbye to Natalie Russell. Natalie had worked with us for a couple of years but unfortunately had to leave after one of our specially funded pupils moved to another school.
Starting after half term, Mrs Huxtable will be working part-time for three days a week. We did advertise for a teacher to job share with Mrs Huxtable, but unfortunately we then received our new budget, which because it was low, meant that we had to have a re-think. We have now decided that Miss Pethick will move from Year 6 to job share with Mrs Huxtable in Year 4. This arrangement will start on 3rd June.
Mrs Frost and I have both been successful in applying to the Department for Education for a sabbatical each. Mrs Frost will be away from 3rd June until 14th July. During her sabbatical she will be carrying out research into key skills and how we can develop them within our curriculum. During this time, Ms Sharon Vickers will teach 3F. My sabbatical will run from 3rd June until 7th July. I will be working on electronic portfolios for the children?s work. Whilst I am away Mr Wallace will be the Acting Headteacher and Mr Clooke will take on the role of Acting Deputy Headteacher.
As I am sure you are aware, from the local press, nearly every school in Plymouth is suffering from very poor budget settlements. Even though more money has been found for our area, it is still not enough. The following is a list of what these budget cuts mean in reality:
?« Reduction in staffing
?« Severely reduced supply cover in teacher absence
?« Classes may be split when teachers are absent
?« Very little money to buy new resources
?« No contingency fund for any emergency
?« Severely reduced funds to subsidise school trips
?« Very little money to carry the government's own initiative
?« Teachers and teaching assistants taking on more workload
The following may occur in the future if the government do not have another look at the new formula:
?« Further staff losses
?« Increases in class sizes
?« Even more workload for teachers and teaching assistants
We would encourage all parents to take the time and trouble to write to their local M.P.ဠ You should ask your M.P. to look at the formula for funding schools because the very low settlement is, and will in the future, affect the education of your children.
Could I please remind you that your child?s report folder needs to be handed in to Mrs Smith?s office no later than Friday 6th June. Thank you.
headteacher@princerock.plymouth.sch.uk
At the end of last term, we said goodbye to Natalie Russell. Natalie had worked with us for a couple of years but unfortunately had to leave after one of our specially funded pupils moved to another school.
Starting after half term, Mrs Huxtable will be working part-time for three days a week. We did advertise for a teacher to job share with Mrs Huxtable, but unfortunately we then received our new budget, which because it was low, meant that we had to have a re-think. We have now decided that Miss Pethick will move from Year 6 to job share with Mrs Huxtable in Year 4. This arrangement will start on 3rd June.
Mrs Frost and I have both been successful in applying to the Department for Education for a sabbatical each. Mrs Frost will be away from 3rd June until 14th July. During her sabbatical she will be carrying out research into key skills and how we can develop them within our curriculum. During this time, Ms Sharon Vickers will teach 3F. My sabbatical will run from 3rd June until 7th July. I will be working on electronic portfolios for the children?s work. Whilst I am away Mr Wallace will be the Acting Headteacher and Mr Clooke will take on the role of Acting Deputy Headteacher.
As I am sure you are aware, from the local press, nearly every school in Plymouth is suffering from very poor budget settlements. Even though more money has been found for our area, it is still not enough. The following is a list of what these budget cuts mean in reality:
?« Reduction in staffing
?« Severely reduced supply cover in teacher absence
?« Classes may be split when teachers are absent
?« Very little money to buy new resources
?« No contingency fund for any emergency
?« Severely reduced funds to subsidise school trips
?« Very little money to carry the government's own initiative
?« Teachers and teaching assistants taking on more workload
The following may occur in the future if the government do not have another look at the new formula:
?« Further staff losses
?« Increases in class sizes
?« Even more workload for teachers and teaching assistants
We would encourage all parents to take the time and trouble to write to their local M.P.ဠ You should ask your M.P. to look at the formula for funding schools because the very low settlement is, and will in the future, affect the education of your children.
Could I please remind you that your child?s report folder needs to be handed in to Mrs Smith?s office no later than Friday 6th June. Thank you.