Dear Families,
EXTENDED HOURS
As you know after the February holidays we will be opening After School Club until 6pm every day, and that there will be no increase in fees until after the Easter holidays.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to fill out the questionnaire. We went through everyone’s comments and opinions, and discussed them at length during a committee meeting.
About 75% of families using the ASC responded and 80% requested extending the ASC to 6pm.
If anyone is worried about their child getting hungry with the later finish time, you are welcome to a packed tea. We will set up a table each day at 5pm for packed teas- please just let us know so we can make sure your child eats it!
Please note that the finish time for Holiday Club will still be 5.30pm. Please ensure you pick your children up promptly.
WEBSITE
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for bearing with us whilst we were working on our website. We are really pleased with the end result, and we hope you find it useful. We would also like to thank Beth from the management committee for the time she spent working on it.
CANCELLING HOLIDAY CLUB PLACES
Please note that once booked, Holiday Club places cannot be cancelled. In exceptional circumstances we will consider cancelling a booked place, but not on a regular basis.
MAKING COMPOST
Hopefully some of you will remember that last Spring we started making compost with the children, using the left over fruit waste from snack time. (Orange peel, apple cores etc.) The compost is coming along nicely and will soon be ready for the children to use. Watch this space!
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
It has been a busy term at After School Club. The cold weather hasn’t slowed the children down at all, with lots of them choosing to play outside every day. The children have enjoyed lots of different games including football, tennis, capture the flag, chase and climbing.
Inside, the children have participated in a huge range of craft activities from unicorn masks, to jewellery making, painting and clay modelling. The children have also made a lot of dens, and some of our Year 6s have been choosing to do their homework before going out to play!
STAFF NEWS
We would like to welcome Hollie to our team. She is working on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at after school club, and she will be working in the holidays too.
We currently have five volunteers completing work experience placements with us. They are all 14 years old and all came to Holiday or After School Club when they were younger. It is always helpful for us to have an extra pair of hands, and they are enjoying getting stuck in and playing with the children, as well as helping us out with jobs such as the washing up and tidying.
NO NUTS
Please remember we are a nut free scheme. When making snacks or packed lunches please do not include any nuts or nut products, including Nutella, marzipan and ‘Tracker’ style bars that have nuts in. We have children who are severely allergic to nuts and sending your child in with nut products can risk their health.
ABSENCE
Please let us know on 07847479626 if your child won’t be attending After School Club. This is especially important if your child is in the Junior School because we do not see their teachers. Please also let us know as soon as possible if your child won’t be attending Holiday Club.
WHO’S WHO
Emma W is one of our Senior Playworkers, and has been working with us since September. Emma is a qualified teacher, and is currently working in the Junior School as a Learning Support Assistant.
Emma works at After School Club every Friday, and works during holiday clubs too. Emma has completed lots of training courses including Fist Aid, Safeguarding, Fire Safety and Food Hygiene.
Emma’s favourite part of the job is making arts and crafts with our children and in her free time she likes to catch up on sleep after a busy week working!
Next time you are in, please stop and say hello!
YOU SAID, WE DID
Each newsletter we will share with you how we have responded to feedback from either an adult or a child. Your feedback is very important to us, and we welcome your comments.
YOU SAID: The children have asked for more food activities.
WE DID: We have canvassed the children for their ideas and have planned lots of exciting food activities over the next few months.
We are always keen to hear your views. There is a suggestions box at the back of the dining hall or pop in for a chat. THANK YOU for your continued support!