Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back!
Very sad news: it is with such sadness that I start my newsletter with the news that Jeena, who worked in wrap around care, was a midday meals supervisor and sometimes helped in early phase classes passed away this summer. Her caring nature and her can-do attitude will be sorely missed around the school. Whilst she had been unwell, her death was sudden. We have plans for a memorial, such as a tree. Once we have made a final decision, we will share ways for you to donate, should you wish to.
It was so lovely to see how happy the children are to be back; the school has felt calm and focused – what a great start to what I hope will be a fantastic year.
We also have some new staff faces and warmly welcome them to our Kilmorie community.
On Wednesday, we held assemblies in which we took the children through our updated behaviour policy. We also outlined how we are expanding our school council to form a Kilmorie Pupil Parliament. There will be 5 committees: Behaviour, Teaching & Learning, Eco, Health & Wellbeing and Diversity. We are changing our approach, in order to promote pupil leadership and to develop and build communication. This enables all pupils to get involved in school improvement on differing levels.
This week we had our new nursery and reception children in school for a 'stay and play' session. Next week, they will be transitioning in to school life beginning with half days. Our reception children will build up to a full day by the end of the week. I am sure you will join me in welcoming all our new families to the Kilmorie community.
New systems:
Over the summer we have been moving over to a management information system (a school database), Arbor. It will enable us to streamline our current procedures by bringing lots of different systems together and will make things quicker and easier for both the office staff and parents. As with all systems, there will be a transition period where you will learn about changes as we move through the term. We will make sure we give everyone plenty of notice of any forthcoming changes.
Firstly, personalised emails: you will notice that the system will include your name at the top and will likely include your child/ren’s name within the message, our logo and address will also be included within the footer. If you receive an email and are unsure if it has come from school, please do check the ‘sender’s email address’. If you are in any doubt – please do not click on any links.
We have also updated our first aid process - parents and carers will now receive a head bump/minor injury notification via text message. We will only telephone parents and carers if the child needs to be collected from school i.e. the injury is severe/if they are very unwell (e.g. high temperature). You will still receive the green head bump slip in your child’s bag.
Huge Congratulations:
We were notified at the start of this term that we have achieved the Gold School Games Mark award for our commitment and engagement in the School Games for 2022/23. The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme launched in 2012. It is facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition, across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success. A special thanks to Jane C and Conor.
Kilmorie conquers the Big Half!
A huge well done and thank you to all the Kilmorie parents and staff (Conor, Kate M and Leela) who took part in the Big Half last Sunday (3rd) – a huge achievement at the best of times, but even more impressive given the high temperatures! Between them, they have raised an incredible £4,600 for the school – and that’s before Gift Aid and some further corporate matched funding. FoK will let us know once they have the final figure. Thank you to everyone who kindly sponsored the team.
Reminders:
- Most information can be found on our website: Your child’s PE days have been updated on their year group page (within parents and carers area) and what they will be covering this term will be uploaded by next Friday 15th September.
- Before and after school. No children are permitted to be on any of the playground equipment outside of school hours (unless they are with Wrap staff).
- Neither parents nor children are permitted to be on bicycles or scooters when on school grounds.
- Should you wish to catch up with friends when dropping off or picking up children, could we kindly ask you to do this outside the grounds as the use of the playground in the morning is delayed and Wrap is unable to begin until all parents and carers have left.
Thank you for your support in this matter.
A massive thank you to Friends of Kilmorie (FoK) for their donations – here's an update:
Over the summer, a couple of FoK funded projects finally came to fruition. Firstly, they donated £7,239 to resurface Susan’s circle by the Music Room and install some musical play equipment from Pentagon Play: a musical triad, an outdoor batonka and some drum seats. We hope the children have lots of fun using them!
In the Lower Hall, the first stage of work to improve the acoustic and audiovisual experience was completed over the holidays. So far, FoK has donated £8,370 for the installation of sound proofing by The Woolly Shepherd. The panels have significantly improved the acoustics in the hall, and they are made from recycled wood and natural wool felt, needing minimum upkeep (which Gary is most happy about). They look lovely too as they are shaped like clouds!
A big thank you to Alex, a Kilmorie parent, for providing Jo R in the office with invaluable expertise, support and advice on this project.
Have a lovely weekend, do enjoy the sunshine.
Kind Regards
Julie
Lost Property - please ensure all items have your child's full name (and ideally year group too) on them. This will enable us to reunite lost items and avoid a full lost property shed.
