Headmaster's Newsletter

A man was walking along the beach one day. Ahead he noticed another, older man picking up a starfish that had become stranded on the sand and throwing it back into the sea.

“Why do you bother?” the man asked him. “The beach goes on for miles and countless starfish get stranded every day. You can’t really make a difference.”

The old man looked at the starfish in his hand and then he threw it to safety among the waves. “I can make a difference to this one,” he replied.

Countless children feel stranded at school. For some Calder House can make a real difference.

Calder House Magazine

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Headmaster's Newsletter - January 2010

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:00

Dear Parents

A belated Happy New Year to all!

I hope all the children enjoyed an excellent extended Christmas break and made the most of the snow which fell heavily prior to them returning to school.

What an incredibly busy end we had to the Autumn Term. The inaugural Carol Concert in the local Church, the Science Dome and Hip Hop dancing were all followed by the end of term party where a number of ex students came to back to school to share their experiences of their new schools. It was a great way to end the term.

Swimming:
Swimming will take place as usual on Friday afternoons. The Gold, Green and Brown classes will swim on Friday 15th and 22nd of January. The Blue, Yellow and Purple classes will swim on the final three Fridays of the half term January 29th, February 5th and 12th. The Swimming Gala will take place after half term on Friday 19th March.

Please remember to provide a swimming hat for any girls/boys with long hair and a verruca sock if your child has a verruca.

Assemblies:
The dates for the class/house assemblies are as follows:
Blue Class: January 15th
Yellow Class: January 22nd
Purple Class: January 29th
Brown Class: February 5th
Green Class: February 12th
Gold Class: February 26th

Breeden House: March 5th
Hodge House: March 12th
Kent House: March 19th
Stallard House: March 26th

Once again you are more than welcome to come and watch your child’s assembly on the appropriate date. Each assembly will begin at 0850 and end at approximately 0910.

Congratulations:
Congratulations must go to Stallard House for winning the House Cup last term. In a keenly contested term they managed to just keep in front of the other houses to win by only four housepoints from Hodge who were second. As a reward all Stallard children will be allowed to come to school in their own clothes on Friday January 15th.

Congratulations must also go to the Green Class for winning the most class points last term. In light of the fact that many of the Gold Class were part of the Green class for most of last term both the Gold and Green class will be allowed to come to school in their own clothes also on Friday January 15th.

Diary Dates:
Please find attached the list of important dates for the forthcoming term. On it are included all important dates, fixtures, school trips as well as Parent Evenings, Curriculum days and assemblies.

School Absence:
We publish our term dates well in advance and expect children to be present throughout the school term. Whilst we understand that there are times when exceptions have to be made, we would be grateful if you would request authorised leave of absence, in writing, well in advance of when your child is going to be absent from school.

From time to time, a child may become unwell at school, and it may be necessary for us to contact you to arrange for them to be taken home early. Accordingly, please ensure that we have up to date emergency contact information for you.

Clothing:
Can you please ensure that your child arrives in school with the correct uniform. There have been far too many occasions where children have been turning up not wearing the correct school uniform. You should also ensure that the school uniform is clearly named with your child’s name to ensure that we can return any lost items.

Also, bearing in mind that we have four or five inches of snow on the ground, can you insist that your child arrives at school wearing a coat, hat and gloves. Your child will also need to bring to school a spare pair of trainers and a pair of wellington boots.

Healthier Lunchboxes:
At Calder House we are trying to maintain our Healthy School status. Staff have noticed that the contents of the children’s lunchboxes is not as healthy as it could be. There are instances of chocolate bars and sweets being brought into school as well as daily packets of crisps. During our Science and Activity Lessons we are trying to educate the children of the importance of a healthy diet. Please try to include healthy options in their lunch boxes. We would appreciate your support in this matter.

During morning break the tuck shop will be open. This offers a range of healthier cereal bars and dried fruit that the children can buy at a cost of 30p each.

Booster Seats:
In light of recent national recommendations we do require your children, if they are under 135cm, to bring in a booster seat for various trips and outings. We would also be very happy to take any booster seats no longer needed to help us on the occasions that some children forget to bring in theirs.

Football Matches:
You will note from the diary dates that we have three home and away football matches this term. If selected the children will need to have their own football boots and shin pads. We will endeavour to give as many of the children who want it an opportunity to represent the school.

The girls will also take part in two netball fixtures, which will take place at Calder House.

School Lunchtime Clubs:
•    The following lunchtime clubs have been organised for your children:
•    Monday Break – Chess
•    Monday Lunch – Chess
•    Monday Lunch - Football
•    Tuesday Lunch – Touch Rugby
•    Tuesday Lunch - Gardening
•    Thursday Break – Touch Rugby
•    Thursday Break - Lego
•    Thursday Lunch - Choir
•    Friday Lunch - Football

The usual reminders:
•    When travelling to and from school do not use the private roads through the Thickwood housing estate, but use Thickwood Lane.
•    For pupil safety and the convenience of all drivers, please do not park in the area of the turning circle or near to the arrival/dismissal gate.
•    Kindly observe the 5mph speed limit on the school drive
•    If you arrive at school before 8.30am, please keep your child with you in your car until Mr Agombar arrives.
•    At the end of the day, once your child has been dismissed from the Pavilion, please make sure they remain under your complete care and control in your car, and are not permitted to play in any part of the field.
•    Please ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead. This is important as a public footpath runs through the field.
•    If you arrive after Mr Agombar has left the gate at 0850, please bring your child to the main office.

Can I take this opportunity on behalf of all at Calder House School to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Yours Sincerely,

Andrew Day

Headmaster

Calder House is an independent Specialist School for children with Specific Learning Difficulties.

Approved by The Secretary of State for Education under Education Act 1996 S347(1)

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it : phone/fax 01225 742329

Diary Dates:Term Dates 2010

Spring Term 2010

Pupils return Wednesday 6th Jan
Half-term Mon 15 – Tuesday 23rd Feb incl
Break up for Easter 12 noon Fri 26th March

Summer Term 2010

Pupils return Thursday 15th April
Half-term Mon 31 May – Tuesday 8th June incl
Summer Term 2010 ends 12 noon Fri 23 July
Pupils return for Autumn term 2010 Wednesday 8th September 2010.