Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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P1 Parent Information Evening
Mon 28 Sep 2015Reminder to P1 Parents.
This Information Evening begins at 7.00pm this evening and will last approximately one hour. Refreshments will be served afterwards by our PTA.
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Electronic Transfer of Pupil Data
Thu 10 Sep 201510th September 2015
ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF PUPILS’ DATA TO CHILD HEALTH SYSTEM
Dear Parent/Guardian
The Department of Education has requested that all schools should write to parents and guardians to explain that new arrangements are being put in place from September 2015 to transfer pupils’ information to the Child Health System (CHS).
Each school year the School Health Team carry out important child health programmes, such as Nurse Checks, Immunisations, Health Appraisal, Vision and Audiology screening, on children in schools throughout Northern Ireland. The regional Child Health System (CHS) is used to support the planning, preparation and delivery of these school health programmes.
When children start school their relevant school information is matched with the CHS records using name, date of birth, gender and address. Currently this is a paper and manual exercise. This matching, which takes place regularly, enables the specific information about the school and class your child attends to be recorded on the CHS to support the delivery of the Child Health Programme.
From October 2015, new arrangements mean that the current system for matching information will change from a manual to an electronic system. This will involve the transfer of pupil information from the Schools’ Information Management System (SIMS) to the CHS. School and class records will be matched electronically with CHS records, using name, date of birth, gender and address.
This letter is for information only and you do not need to take any action as all pupils’ records will be transferred. Should you not wish your child’s data to transfer then you should let the school know as soon as possible, but definitely before the 25th September as the data will be transferred on 1st October 2015 and the first of each month thereafter.
This secure electronic process will ensure that CHS’s records are up to date and will reduce the potential for errors or information gaps in your child’s health records. This is the sole purpose for providing the data and this information cannot be used for any other purpose by the Health and Social Care Trusts or the Public Health Agency. If you would like further information about the Child Health System you can contact the Public Health Agency at:
CHSinformation@hscni.net (email)
or
CHS Information
Public Health Agency
Tower Hill
Armagh
BT61 9DR
Yours faithfully
Mr I Gourley
Principal
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Information For Parents 2015 - 2016
Mon 07 Sep 2015PASTORAL CARE HEALTH AND SAFETY SAFEGUARDING
We place great emphasis on the importance of these areas. A number of policies are in place which are reviewed and revised regularly e.g. Bullying, Child Protection. These policies can be viewed on the school web site. A hard copy is available from the School Office.
SAFEGUARDING
Designated Teacher Mr Gourley
Deputy Designated Teacher Mrs McGlaughlin
Designated Governor Mr Simpson
If you have any concerns regarding any aspect of Safeguarding please report them immediately to any of the above named persons.
You will appreciate that the safety and wellbeing of your child is our paramount concern, and we were pleased that our recent Inspection Report (May 2013) acknowledged that “the school has comprehensive arrangements in place for safeguarding pupils”. We thank you in anticipation of your support for the measures below.
MORNING AND AFTERNOON SET DOWN/PICK UP TIMES
Morning and afternoon drop off/pick up times are exceptionally busy. Whilst continuing to maintain our school as a welcoming environment for all, we would encourage you to drop your child(ren) off at the school gate/door and allow them to come into school unaccompanied. FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY parents and other adults should not approach classrooms directly. If necessary, a brief message for your child’s teacher can be left with Mrs Monahan at the School Office, or a meeting can be requested. If you are collecting your child early, or bringing them late to school, please report to the School Office in the first instance. Parents should not go directly to classrooms.
Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time each morning and knows exactly what his/her home time arrangements are (e.g. being collected, travelling by bus) and are collected on time. We advise children to return to their teacher or the school office if for some reason they are not collected after school.
ABSENCE
Please contact the Office to make us aware of a child’s absence. If no reason for absence has been given parents will be asked to complete an absentee note. We appreciate notification of any likely prolonged absences. Advance notice from parents is also required should pupils need to leave school during normal school hours. We would remind parents that holidays should be taken during school closures. It should be noted that if holidays are taken during term time, staff are unable to provide work for pupils in advance.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
As the children start back to school it is fantastic to see them looking so well in their school uniforms. We would seek to maintain these high standards of personal presentation throughout the year and ask you to ensure that proper school uniform is worn by your child(ren) at all times. This would include the wearing of completely black footwear which should be changed for PE. Please note that coloured trainers are not appropriate. Thank you in anticipation of your support.
HEALTH/MEDICINES
We are required to have written details signed by parents before any medicines are administered by staff or by the child themselves. We also need to know if children carry their own inhalers. Forms are available from the Office.
Parents are reminded to keep us informed of any changes in their child’s health. Please do not send your child to school if he/she is feeling unwell.
We have some pupils who can suffer a severe reaction to nuts or products containing nuts. We need your support in keeping our lunchboxes and snacks free from nuts and other such related products e.g. peanut butter, Nutella. Treats From Home – again because of the increasing number of children in school who can suffer a severe reaction to nuts or nut related products, we would ask you NOT to send treats in from home, such as cakes, buns or sweets.
JEWELLERY – Following a recent review of Health and Safety procedures by staff and Governors and in an effort to make our school environment as safe as possible for all our children, we would request that no child wears jewellery to school. Earrings, necklaces, rings and watches in particular pose a risk of injury if caught or pulled, both in the playground and during PE/games. Please do not get your child’s ears pierced between September and June. If your child has recently had their ears pierced we would ask you to inform the school and, if possible, cover their earrings with latex free sticking plaster until they can be removed. Children will not be able to participate in PE until earrings are removed. Your co-operation in this matter is very much appreciated.
PE - Please also note that pupils should not wear loose items of clothing which would cause injury if caught on apparatus. For PE lessons we feel from P4 upwards a white polo shirt with shorts (any colour) and gym shoes would be most appropriate.
For PE lessons a change of footwear is essential. School shoes must be worn on PE days and trainers or gym shoes put on for PE.
At key times during the school year (Harvest, Christmas etc) the school hall is used for rehearsal. This may cause some disruption to PE lessons.
From time to time parents alert us to an instance of head lice in the family. Please continue to check regularly and, if necessary, treat accordingly. The Health Authority no longer issue class letters to parents - if parents have a concern they should contact the school nurse at their health centre. Advice leaflets are available on request from the Office.
Antrim Primary School operates a non-smoking policy throughout the school premises and grounds. We would ask adults to please support us as we encourage the children not to smoke in later years – No Smoking Please.
TRAFFIC/PARKING
We appreciate that traffic congestion on Station Road is a serious problem at school times. Please exercise extreme caution if driving or a pedestrian. As part of a general safety audit, we asked Health and Safety Officers from the Education Authority to review parking in the school grounds. In the interest of children’s safety, they recommended that NO PARKING be allowed within the school grounds at set down and pick up. Whilst I am aware that this may cause inconvenience, I’m sure you will agree that children’s safety must take precedence.
Please do not park in the Social Services car park – this is a private car park. Parking on the Tesco side of Station Road is prohibited and can cause danger to families/children crossing the road. Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Due to the heavy traffic, cycling to/from School can be very dangerous for pupils. In the interests of pupils’ safety we would strongly advise that bicycles and scooters be left at home unless children are accompanied by an adult. If they are brought into school, children should dismount outside the school gates and walk down the path. The school is unable to accept any responsibility for loss, damage, or injury.
DOGS – In the interests of children’s safety dogs are not permitted in the school grounds.
PUPIL BEHAVIOUR
In Antrim Primary School the vast majority of pupils are well behaved at all times - a fact which greatly enhances the family atmosphere within our school. In fact our recent inspection report (May 2013) described the children’s behaviour as ‘exemplary’. Please reinforce the importance of good behaviour at home. Classroom Rules have been drawn up with the children and they are made aware of the Reward system in use in their class. Should any child give cause for concern we will continue our policy of contacting parents and together we can hopefully reverse such a situation as quickly as possible. A system of detention at playtimes will operate for occasions when behaviour is causing problems. Parents will be notified if this does not bring about an improvement. Bullying of any description is not tolerated and all staff work closely with the children to prevent it.
BOOKS
Please help us by returning library books promptly. Reading or text books which may have been borrowed in previous years should be returned to the class teacher.
NAMING BELONGINGS
As many children are wearing jumpers/cardigans with Antrim Primary School’s logo, it is essential that these are clearly labelled. P.E. kit and other possessions such as lunch boxes, purses, wallets etc. should also be clearly named.
BREAK TIME
Children have a break mid-morning. We encourage children to bring fresh fruit and other healthy snacks such as wheaten bread or other bread products and milk or water to drink. Toast is available to purchase two mornings per week.
FIZZY DRINKS
In the past books and clothing have been damaged from leaking or spraying drinks. Please do not send fizzy drinks or glass bottles to school. Children may bring plastic bottles of water to class if desired. Drinks should be kept separate from books etc.
INFORMATION
Check book bags for notes every day and retain information notes. Our web site also contains extensive information about school life - www.antrimprimary.co.uk
STAFF AND PUPIL PHOTOGRAPHS
These are used only with the permission of staff and/or parents. A permission slip is sent out annually. Photographs taken by staff on school cameras are retained in school.
Photographs of school and classroom events may be uploaded onto the school website without names or any form of identification.
The school does not take responsibility for photographs/videos film taken at school events such as sports days.
MOBILE PHONES
Pupils should not use mobile phones AT ANY TIME during the school day. If phones are brought to school they should be switched off at all times and kept securely in schoolbags. School is not liable for any mobile phone brought onto school premises.
Parents are advised to monitor all phone calls/texts/emails etc in the best interest of their child’s safety.
INTERNET
Internet access during the school day will be supervised by teaching staff. A strict policy is in place and all families will be asked to sign an agreement. Advice to pupils and staff regarding internet policy is given periodically. Parents are strongly advised to supervise home internet use by children at all times and are reminded that social networking sites such as Facebook usually have an age limit in order to register and use the site (13 years old in the case of Facebook). If instances of inappropriate use of social networking sites or ‘cyber bullying’ come to the attention of staff, the school has a duty of care to investigate these allegations and may seek advice/assistance from the PSNI. There is no access to social networking sites via school computers.
CURRICULUM INFORMATION
This will be made available on the school website. If desired, parents may request a hard copy from the school office.
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Milk Money 2015 - 2016
Thu 03 Sep 2015School milk will be available from Monday 14th September. Pupils may pay for milk each month, or make a one-off payment for the year.
ONE OFF PAYMENT - £34.80 (until 30th June 2016) – due by Monday 7th September.
MONTHLY payments will be due the week prior to the next month’s milk order starting. Unfortunately Dale Farm has tightened the deadline for orders, so we are unable to accept late monies. Please therefore ensure that milk money is sent in by the dates below, in an envelope with the child’s name and room number clearly marked.
Reminders will not be sent home each month, but will be posted on the school website.
MONTHLY PAYMENT DUE
AMOUNT
COVERS PERIOD
Monday 7th September 2015
£5.00
14/09/15 – 16/10/15
Monday 12th October 2015
£4.60
19/10/15 – 27/11/15
Monday 23rd November 2015
£4.80
30/11/15 – 15/01/16
Monday 11th January 2016
£5.60
18/01/16 – 26/02/16
Monday 22nd February 2016
£5.00
29/02/16 – 15/04/16
Monday 11th April 2016
£5.40
18/04/16 – 27/05/16
Monday 23rd May 2016
£4.40
01/06/16 – 30/06/16
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September Circular
Wed 02 Sep 20152nd September 2015
As we commence the new school year I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone – staff, pupils and parents. I would especially welcome our new pupils. We hope they will be happy in Antrim Primary School. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know you all in the coming weeks and months.
Contact/Health Information
In order to ensure we have the most up to date information re contacts etc. for each child we would ask you please to complete the yellow data capture form and return it to the class teacher as soon as possible. It is vital that we have contact numbers and up to date health information. Please inform us immediately of any changes during the School Year.
Morning Set Down
You may wish to accompany your child into school for the first few days until they are comfortable and familiar with their new classroom. From Monday 7th September we would ask you to drop your child off at the school gate/door and allow them to come into school unaccompanied.
Parking
As part of a general safety audit, we asked Health and Safety Officers from the Education Authority to review parking in the school grounds. In the interest of children’s safety, they recommended that NO PARKING be allowed within the school grounds at set down and pick up. Whilst I am aware that this may cause inconvenience, I’m sure you will agree that children’s safety must take precedence. Thank you in anticipation of your support.
School Meals
The cost of School Meals is £2.50 per day. Forms for free school meals are available in the School Office. If you feel you may be entitled please make application as soon as possible. The funding which the school receives is directly affected by the number of pupils registered to receive free school meals. The more pupils registered, the more funding the school receives. If your child is eligible for free school meals, even if they do not intend to take them, please ensure that you register them as such.
School Milk
This will commence on Monday 14th September (note home this week). Payment can be made for the year or per month.
Child Protection Procedures
Our prospectus and information letters to parents give details re many aspects of our school’s approaches to child protection. Detailed policies are in place for Child Protection, Positive Behaviour, The Internet, Anti-Bullying, Pastoral Care, Health Education etc. and are available to parents on request. Some Policies can also be found on our website.
If a parent should have a concern about the safety of any child this can be brought to the attention of the Class Teacher and to the Principal, Mr Gourley, who is the designated teacher for Child Protection. Alternatively an approach may be made to the deputy designated teacher, Mrs McGlaughlin. If parents are still concerned they can talk/write to the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Ven. Dr S McBride. At any time parents can talk to Social Services or the Police. Should we in school have any concerns about a child we have an obligation by law to speak with Social Services.
Photographs of Pupils (still and video)
From time to time our pupils have photographs taken for local newspapers and/or our web site e.g. concerts, fairs, achievements, sports. We respect the right of parents for children not to be photographed. If this is your wish please write this on the attached information sheet. Please note that we cannot be responsible for photographs taken by other parents at special school events e.g. sports days, concerts etc.
Attendance at School
Many parents ring school or call at the Office to inform us of children’s absences. Please continue to alert us on the first day of absence. Our phone is ‘manned’ from 8.30 am each morning (02894 428226). Class teachers will be informed accordingly.
The attendance target set for schools by NEELB is 96%. Please continue to ensure your child attends school unless when ill or in exceptional circumstances.
This School year we will again issue certificates to all pupils whose attendance is on or above 96% at the end of June. This will credit pupils who have had full attendance and also those who have missed only short periods. In line with new DENI Guidelines we will be recording unauthorised family holidays, lateness in mornings and afternoon absences. If families take holidays during term time, not only do pupils miss important learning time but these unauthorised absences also reduce our overall attendance percentage. Please help by taking holidays during school closures and ensuring pupils arrive in school promptly in the mornings. We have to record attendance for both morning and afternoon as separate sessions.
Road Safety
We again remind drivers and pedestrians of the need for extreme caution at the front of the school at home times. Please drive very slowly and cross with care. Please use our Patrolman at all times.
PE Kit/Musical Instruments
Office staff will only be phoning home in exceptional circumstances when children have forgotten PE kit, instruments etc. Many children arrive at the office with this request, so we ask that you help your child to remember the days when these items are required – thank you.
School Website
We are aiming to reduce the amount of paper used in school. As well as being kinder to the environment this would enable us to direct our financial resources to the benefit of educational attainment. As soon as they are available, school letters and circulars will be uploaded to the ‘Parents’ page on our school website -
We are also considering using an emailing service this year.
We will continue to relay urgent and important information via text message, so please ensure that we have an up to date mobile number for this purpose. In the coming months we are hoping to also offer email communication.
Any personal and confidential letters will still be printed and hand delivered, or posted as appropriate.
Mr I Gourley
Principal