Newsletter - 4th November 2022

As you may be aware there is a huge demand for boxes and support from the local food banks and they do an amazing job in helping people in our community.  We continue to be fortunate enough to receive donations from Rapid Relief Team who provide boxes with food that has a long shelf life for people to access.  If you, or anyone you know, could do with support from this charity, please contact Mrs Armistead direct to arrange – head@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk OR 01524 65445.

We are having our first face to face parent’s evenings since Autumn 2019.  You will shortly receive information about signing up to see you child/ children’s class teacher on either Monday 14^th November or Thursday 17^th November.  We are all excited about being able to meet face to face again and ask that you stick to the 10 minute allotted appointment time for the meetings.  Should you require a more in depth meeting with the teacher or SENCO please make an appointment separate to these parents’ evenings.

Due to illness, we had to postpone the planned Parents Introduction to Phonics for those whose children started in Reception this year.  This will now be in school at 6.00pm on Tuesday 15^th November.  We urge you to come along and find out about how and why phonics is taught in school.

If your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, you must inform the school office. You can do this by Parent App, telephone call or telephone answer message. Please do not send absence messages to Teachers/TA’s through Class Dojo.

Friday 18^th November is Children In Need and the theme this year is ‘Be SPOTacular’.  Children can come to school dressed in their most spotacular outfits.  Please bring a small donation if you can.

• Join in Friends of Skerton St Luke’s (FOSSL) activities.  All parents of pupils at the school are automatically members of FOSSL so anyone can come along to meetings and join in with all fundraising etc.  Keep an eye out for the up-coming Christmas events Newsletter. For more information email friends of skertonstlukes@gmail.com or DM on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendsofstlukesschool
• Become a School Governor.  School governors are volunteers who work together with the Headteacher and the local authority to improve education and other outcomes for all pupils.  The governors meet as a full governing body three times per year.  If you would like to know more about this role please contact Mrs Armistead on 01524 65445 or email contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk.
• Volunteer to listen to children read.  If you have some time to spare, a good grasp of written English, and if you enjoy spending time with children, you could become a school reader. For more information please contact Mrs Goodwin on 01524 65445 or email contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk.
• Offer to lead an after school club/ lunch time club in the Spring or Summer Term.  We love offering different extra-curricular activities to the children in school.  If you have a particular skill that you would like to share with children then consider offering to lead a club in school. Some examples might be gardening, sewing or cooking.  For information please contact Miss Garnett on 01524 65445 or email contact-us@skertonstlukes.lancs.sch.uk.
• Join Drop In on Wednesday straight after school.  Parents can join their child in the classroom to chat about and see what they have been learning.  No need to book, just turn up.

Children arriving late, after 8.55am, should be accompanied by an adult to the School Office at the front of school.  Parents and visitors must sign in and enter school through the secure entrance at the front of school. If your child arrives between 8.55am and 9.15am, they will be marked as late. If your child arrives after 9:15am they will be marked in the register as unauthorised 'late after registers closed’.  

You may be subject to a penalty notice if your child is consistently late for school.  

Smoking and Dogs

We are a smoke-free premises and site. Parents are also reminded that when on the school premises (including passage from Vale Road and pedestrian driveway) dogs are not allowed.

Appointments

We cannot allow children to leave school e.g. for a dental or medical appointment before the end of day, unless collected by a parent or responsible adult.   We ask all parents in KS1 at the beginning of every year to provide school with a list of adults who have permission to collect their child.  The list must be kept up to date at all times.  If an adult attempts to collect a child and their name does not appear on the list, we will refuse them.

Parking

When dropping off or collecting your child, please park with consideration.  Do not park across resident’s drives or park on the grass embankment across from school.  We suggest you park at the community centre which in itself is safer as you do not have to cross the main road.  Do not ‘stop’ or ‘park’ on the yellow zig zag lines outside school – this is dangerous and illegal.  Penalty tickets have recently been issued.

 Uniform

Children MUST wear full uniform including black school shoes, except on PE days.  On PE days we encourage children to come to school in PE clothes (school t-shirt, track pants or shorts and trainers)

No rucksacks or other bags.  Book bags, lunch boxes and water bottles only please.  Long hair MUST be tied back and all jewellery must be removed.

Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name.

Primary School applications are open

Apply now at www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools

Closing date  - 15^th January 2023