The price of greatness is ‘Responsibility’ (Winston Churchill) We have really missed the Year 6s this week but they haven’t had much time to miss us! Daily.

The price of greatness is ‘Responsibility’ (Winston Churchill)

We have really missed the Year 6s this week but they haven’t had much time to miss us! Daily reports from Mrs Axford tell of the wonderful time they are having with mountain biking, archery, abseiling, etc. The class are early risers (on Tuesday they were up at 6.45am) but I’m sure by the time you receive this newsletter that might have changed due to an action packed week. Well done Year 6 and a big thank you to Mrs Axford, Mr Franklin andMrs Smiles for making it such a fun time. 

Meet the Leadership Team!This month I’d like to introduce you to Stephen Atkins who you may know as a former parent. Stephen is highly skilled on many fronts, and I value his financial eye on school accounts!

Stephen says, ‘I chair the Resources committee for the Governing Body. We deal with money coming into and going out of the school, buildings, grounds, security and polices and procedures. We plan for the future. We support but also challenge the Headteacher about the running of Pixies.

The best part is visiting the classrooms, which is year 3 for me. I have enjoyed seeing all of them grow up since year R!’

Stephen Atkins | Community Governor

Value of the month

Our value of the month is Responsibility. We have explored this through looking at pets and I introduced the children to Derek, my British Shorthair cat. Following on from this, we looked at responsibilities we have around school and at home. Jean Garner will be coming in after half term to do an assembly on the anniversary of the Queen’s 60th Coronation and will link this to the Queen’s specific responsibilities.

Martin Smith, Headteacher

Upcoming events

Thur 6th JuneReception Assembly

Tues 11th JuneY4 trip to Hidnall Park and Maths workshop (from 5pm)

Fri 14th JuneY3 trip to Boxmoor Trust

Mon 17th JuneReception trip to Boxmoor Trust and open classrooms (3.30pm)

Tues 18th JuneParent/Teacher Consultations 3.30-6pm

Wed 18th June | 5-8pmParent/Teacher Consultations

Thurs 20th JuneYear 5 Assembly

Wed 26th JuneSports day

Thurs 27th JuneYear 3 Assembly

Mathletics/SpellodromeThank you to all those who attended the workshop we ran on Mathletics and Spellodrome. This software is very exciting and is proven to raise standards in maths and spelling. If your child has not yet received a username or password then please see their class teacher for further details and a demonstration of how this is being used in school.

ISSUE 9 | May 2013

Fundraising thank youA big thank you for raising £218 for St Rose’s School which will help school mum, Natalie.

£106 was also raised for The Peace Hospice in memory of Avril Mitchell.

Year 6 at the Frontier Centre

Week of 03/05/13

Reception: Jayden HarryYear 1: Bhavan WaliaYear 2: Adam SteelYear 3: Sophie WilesYear 4: Millie Kelly Year 5: Oliver HoganYear 6: Hannah Scrivener Week of 10/05/13

Reception: Louie RaymentYear 1: Verity FayYear 2: Aron BelsonYear 3: Libbe HoulihanYear 4: Charlie HyderYear 5: Oliver MarchantYear 6: Joel Amos Week of 17/05/13

Reception: Dorian ScamardellaYear 1: Francesco OliverYear 2: Matthew ConlonYear 3: Sophie WilesYear 4: Tristan FluryYear 5: Oliver PleeceYear 6: Year 6 Week of 24/05/13

Reception: Year 1: xYear 2: xYear 3: xYear 4: xYear 5: xYear 6: x     

Stars ofthe week

All rise for the Mayor!We were all very pleased to welcome theMayor of Dacorum to the school after we had to abandon plans for the first visit due to traffic issues.

The Mayor opened our new courtyard garden area and was shown around the garden by the school council whilst live pictures were beamed back to the hall courtesy of my iPad to very excited but respectful children.

When the Mayor returned to the hall, he was asked questions about his role. He explained how his job is never the same from day to day, why he dresses in specific regalia, what a mace is and why there is a different mayor each year.

We were joined on the day by the local newspaper (The Hemel Gazette) who published a story of the special occasion.

to everyone!Well done

New Behaviour PolicyA new Behaviour Policy has been uploaded to our school website under the ‘policies’ tab. Within the policy, we hope all members of the school community will find the rewards clear, the sanctions appropriately structured and a positive ethos running throughout the document which now links to our Values Education Policy.

As part of the appendix, there is now a ‘guide to the law’ section which clearly details out what schools can and cannot do within this area of school life.

I have agreed with the governors that the policy be piloted this term and fully implemented by September 2013.

Insert daysAs we come towards the end of this academic year, our attention is already turning towards next year’s plans. We do our best to tag Inset days on to the beginning or end of a holiday to make child care arrangements more straight forward rather than having odd days in the middle of a regular term time week.

Each academic year gives a five day Inset entitlement and Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September will be the first of those Inset days. We will be looking at children’s thinking skills, teaming up with Micklem school to host the event. We will also be training staff to use software for educational visits and reviewing this school year.

Safety in the school grounds

I am appalled to find several cases of irresponsible dog owners who have allowed their dogs to foul in the school grounds. On one occasion, a young child picked up a soiled bag at the end of the field and had a member of staff not been near by, it could’ve posed a serious health issue. Please can I ask all parents and children to remain vigilant and if you see anything untoward please contact the school office.

Can I also remind all parents that whilst we encourage your child to ride a bikes or scooters to school, children should not be using them in the confined space of the school playground.