Dear parents and carers,

Welcome back to school and the start of the autumn term. It is lovely that the sun is shining (although it would have been nicer if it had shone in August!) and everyone at Straits is looking forward to the year ahead.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to families who have joined us at Straits Primary School this September. I have been ‘visiting’ classrooms during the last two days and have been impressed with the children’s positive start to the school year: they all seem to have settled successfully and look so smart!

We have been busy during the holidays and I hope you have noticed some of the changes to the school grounds. The improvements are part of our premises development plans and ‘phase 1’ has now been completed. Phase 2 (removal of the tyre area) is scheduled for October half term and Phase 3 will happen next summer (budget allowing).  We have also been making some improvements to the inside of the building so look out for these when you next visit.

You will also recall that we shared information with you regarding our ‘healthy breaktimes’ policy. From September, we will be asking that children eat a healthy snack at breaktime. This could be a piece of fruit or vegetable, a cereal bar, a yoghurt or crackers and cheese. The items we will be asking our children not to eat at breaktimes are crisps or chocolate bars; please do not send these into school as your child’s breaktime snack.

We are busy preparing a range of exciting activities and events and will soon be issuing our autumn term calendar as well as our autumn term curriculum newsletters and knowledge organisers for each year group.  Please also remember to check the parent hub app, the school website and follow our Facebook page – this will ensure that you are able to take an active role in school life and plan busy family lives.

Here’s to a great term.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. P. Freear

Head Teacher

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Best of British’ and will include the music of Elton John, Take That, Coldplay, Queen and the Spice Girls!

The festival will take place on the field and we will aim to start around 9:30am as the children will need to get changed into their costumes when they get into school. To ensure we are able to keep everyone safe we will only open our gates on Longfellow Road and Milton Crescent after 9.00am.

The festival will start with Foundation's dance and then work our way through the year groups up to Year 6. It should all be finished around 11:00am. 

You are welcome to bring a camping chair and you will be able to take photographs for your family album at this event; please note these photos are for your own personal use and not to be shared on social media.

Your child’s class teacher will inform you of any costume/clothing required

We will be holding a transition day on Tuesday 4^th July and all children will spend a day with their new teacher, in their new classroom, on this day.

The children will be dropped off and collected from their new classroom and will be expected to wear their normal school uniform and will need a water bottle and their lunch (if not provided by school). This will also provide you with an opportunity to say an informal hello to your child’s new teacher and supporting adults.

Sports Day (for Foundation, KS1 and KS2) will take place on our school field and you are welcome to join us to support this event. To ensure we are able to keep everyone safe we will only open our gates on Longfellow Road and Milton Crescent after 9.00am.

Timings are as follows:

• 9.15am for Foundation and Key Stage 1
• 10.30am for Key Stage 2

You are welcome to bring a camping chair and you will be able to take photographs for your family album at this event, please note these photos are for your own personal use and not to be shared on social media.

We will send the children home with their PE kits on Tuesday 27^th June and we are asking all children to come to school wearing their PE kits including pumps or trainers on Wednesday 28th June. The children can stay in their PE kit all day but please make sure this is returned to school as soon as possible after Sports Day. Your child could also bring or wear jogging trousers and please ensure your child brings a school sweatshirt/cardigan.

Depending on the weather, we would ask that you apply sun cream before school and perhaps supply a named hat or cap. Children will be allowed to have their water bottles with them during the morning; please ensure these are clearly labelled. If the weather is unsuitable for Sports Day to be held on the Wednesday, we will let you know as soon as possible and the reserve day will be Thursday 29th June.

Our May newsletter has been shared via parenthub and on our Newsletters page.

Our year group newsletters are now available on each year group page.

We've also made our Knowledge Organisers available under the 'curriculum' tab.

Dear parents/carers

On Friday 5^th May, we will be hosting a Coronation picnic to celebrate this significant and historical event.

The children may wear 'red, white or blue' clothes on this day and have the option of bringing a packed lunch from home or ordering a picnic box from our school meals service, via our wisepay system.

The picnic will start at 12.30pm and you are welcome to join your child (bringing your own picnic and picnic blanket with you). At the end of the event, the children can leave with you or return to class until the end of the day.

Key points

1. At the start of the event (12.30pm) you may enter via any of the three school entrances, however when leaving the site at the end of the event (it is likely to last about an hour) we will all exit via the main gate, this will ensure the safety of all pupils and that no pupil can leave unaccompanied.
2. If the weather is wet then we will continue to hold the picnic in school, but due to the size of our classrooms we will not be able to invite parents to join us.
3. The picnic will involve a 'Coronation Quiz' and 'Royal Family treasure hunt' - all children will have the opportunity to participate in this either with yourselves or with a staff member.
4. Toilet facilities will be available in our Annex building, but children must be accompanied to use these.

Our March newsletter has now been issued

Our Easter Discos will be held on Thursday 30th March at the following times:

1. Reception, Years 1 and 2 from 4.00pm – 5.00pm
2. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 from 5.30pm – 6.30pm

No tickets are required for this event as children will pay on the door as they enter. They can enter through the main entrance or through the Year 2 door (for the younger children) or the main entrance or Year 5/6 door (for the older children). The price of entry will be £3.00 and this will include refreshments. All children will be dismissed from the back of the hall.