Newsletter - w/c 07/12/20
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please find below some important notices about school life:
New Deputy Headteacher
In October 2020, Mr Short (Headteacher) and the Governors hired a new Deputy Headteacher. Her name is Mrs Forrest and she will start working at Hurst Drive Primary School in January 2021. Mrs Forrest brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with her, everything from working for the BBC to working as an Early Years adviser for the London Borough of Islington. She very much looks forward to meeting the children, staff and parents/carers and to help us continue our journey to further improve the school.
Parent Governor - A Message from the Chair of Governors, Mrs Emma Kight
Dear Parents/Carers,
The Governing Body is comprised of 2 Parent, 3 Co-opted and 1 Local Authority Governor as well as a Staff Governor and the Headteacher. We meet twice a term, currently remotely, but normally at school, which enables us to meet teachers and children as well as walk around the school to see what may be taking place. Our role is to act as a critical friend to the school, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all, as well as checking the budget, school development plan and the academic results. A Governor's terms of office last for 4 years, and the role takes up approximately 8 hours of time per term and is entirely voluntary.
The Governing Body currently has a vacancy for a Parent Governor and I very much hope that there is a current parent who may be interested in the role. No previous experience is necessary, just an interest in the workings of the school and education as well as an enquiring mind!
If you are interested in joining us, please e-mail admin@hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk and your e-mail will be forwarded to me.
I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcoming you to the Governing Body.
Kind regards,
Emma Kight
Chair of GovernorsPraise Postcards
We have recently purchased postcards that display our five school values. If your child takes one home, it will be because they've showcased one of our values in school through what they have done or what they have said. We wanted to increase the number of ways we may share good news with parents and carers so we hope your child achieves a postcard or two in the coming weeks!
One-way System
We introduced a one-way system to put parents and carers' minds at ease but the general consensus appears to be that parents and carers wish to take the direct route to collect their child/ren. We are concerned that deliveries and taxis continue to arrive between 3:00-3:30pm and where parents and carers are not following the one-way system, we have children in the car park at the same time as moving vehicles. Therefore, we will return to parents and carers dropping off and collecting their children as before.
We continue to advise parents and carers to wear face coverings, to use our hand sanitiser and to keep a safe distance from one another to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Christmas Jumper Day - Friday 11 December 2020
Your child is invited to wear non-school uniform to school, preferably including a Christmas jumper, on Friday 11 December 2020. We are seeking donations of £1 (or whatever you can spare) for the charity Save the Children.
Friends of Hurst Drive - Christmas Sale - Friday 11 December 2020
Mrs Lloyd (Safeguarding Coordinator) and the Friends of Hurst Drive have determined a way to run our annual Christmas Sale safely on Friday 11 December 2020.
For those of you who don't know, this is a sale that happens during the school day, whereby children with their teacher and teaching assistant visit the hall to purchase gifts for friends and family.
The price of items starts at £1. We recommend a parent/carer give their child £5 or £10. On Friday 11 December 2020, you should place your child's money in a named envelope or container and, for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, be sure to hand this to the teacher or teaching assistant to avoid it going missing.
Please note, there are no refunds. This is because the FoHD are splitting the items into year groups to avoid items being handled by children/staff from different 'bubbles'.
All money raised goes towards funding the school.
Hurst Drive's 12 Days of Christmas
Knowing we would not be able to hold any concerts or productions this year, we have decided to have each class perform a Christmas-themed song in the lead up to the Christmas Holidays. Starting today, and every day till Friday 18 December 2020, check out the Hurst Drive Primary School Facebook page to see the children performing their song. They've only had a little time to rehearse but we know our lovely parents/carers will be appreciative of the children's efforts.
Christmas Dinner Day - Wednesday 16 December 2020
This is advance notice that this year's Christmas Dinner will be served on Wednesday 16 December 2020. You may book your child's meal using School Grid.
We will serve roast turkey and all the trimmings or a vegetarian wellington (a vegetarian version of a beef wellington) and all the trimmings. Of course, there will be Christmas crackers and decorations to really bring the festive spirit alive!
Remember, if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they qualify for Universal Free School Meals so you do not pay for any school dinner. If your child is in Years 3-6, and they do not qualify for Free School Meals, you will need to pay £2.60 for their Christmas dinner, which includes their dessert.
Coffee Morning
Starting Wednesday 9 December 2020, at 9:00am under the canopy on the front playground, Mrs Bye (Family Support Worker) is restarting the Coffee Morning. We hope to see some parents/carers there for a general catch-up but also so you may continue sharing your thoughts and opinions of the school to help us make further improvements.
Kind regards,
01992 624099
The School Office Team
Hurst Drive Primary School
admin@hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk