The Paragraph
The Paragon School Parents' Newsletter: September 2008
A WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
Well the summer hols were soon over and we are now back into another term and the start of a new year. Over the summer the funds that we raised last year have been put to good use with some new play equipment installed which completes the development of the lower playground. Events took off to a flying start with a fantastic Barn Dance and although attendance was a little low we did have a great time and hope to have raised some funds for the purchase of new software for the school.
The next big event is the annual Christmas Bazaar, which takes place in November. Katie Borton and her team are leading the event this year and I'm sure it will be a big success. Before this years Bazaar takes place we need to find somebody to lead the 2009 event - I know it seems a long way off but we have to commit to running the event early to ensure that the stall holders book their stalls and don't commit elsewhere. It is a well-developed event, with an existing support team and just needs a nice person to take the lead. It is a lot of fun and brings in a large part of the school fundraising so please do consider stepping forward to help.
The Parents Committee has three objectives:To raise funds to benefit the whole school which are applied to projects chosen by the parents in along with the school management.To act as a conduit to the school management for ideas and feedback from parents relating to the continuous improvement of the school.A platform to create a good social atmosphere and to encourage goodwill with parents, children and supporters of the school.
Meetings are held about twice a term, the AGM is held at the start of each year (just last week) and each year there are lots of events such as school discos, quiz nights, the summer fete and every other year, a ball. The Secretary is Jane Jones and the Treasurer is Karen Young. About twice a term, The Paragraph Newsletter is issued, via the teachers’ emails, highlighting news, activity details and classifieds – anything that might be useful to parents.
Regards, Gavin Duckett, Chair of the Paragon Parents Committee
PPC MEETING:
The next Parent Committee meeting will be in the school hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st October. It is open to every parent and member of staff – you can come once, or every time if you like. Next time we will be discussing, amongst other things, the plans for the school disco, the upcoming Xmas bazaar, and the cookbook. A key topic will be new fundraising and social event ideas and we wish to elicit fresh suggestions, from 'old' and 'new' parents from their experiences at other schools and walks of life. So please come along and join in. And, if you have any other subjects that you would like to raise with parents or the school, you can do so on the night or chat to Gavin, Jane, or Karen.
CLASS REPS:
Just for reference, the reps are: 6C Jane Jones, 6A Alicia Caroll, 5M Tracey Stone, 5G Tracey Baker, 4B Sarah Bell, 4R Liz Matthews, 3W Sarah Kettlety, 3R Sue Ryder, 2L Charlotte Thursz, 2G David Walpole, 1J Nigel Redman, 1C Alison Miller, RG Jane Taylor, RE Anna Maria Heard and in Nursery, Mary Lewis and Emma Smith.
FIRST AID:
Are you interested in attending a First Aid course? This would be set this up for Paragon parents with focus on primary school aged children. If you would like to take part, please email theparagraph@hotmail.co.uk
PARAGON MUMS' HOCKEY:
If you're new to the school, you may not know about our hockey team...we meet every Wednesday at the Uni for some 'training' followed by lengthy post-match analysis in the pub. If you haven't picked up a stick in a while, and fancy giving it a go, call Jane on xxx. All levels welcome!
MUMS' SINGING GROUP:
NO you don't need any singing experience, NO you don't need to read music, and NO you don't need to audition. Our mums singing group is all about having great fun whilst singing some fab songs. Beatles, Abba, Simon & Garfunkel, show-tunes, classical, amongst others, and, of course, Christmas carols this term. We meet every Tuesday 9-10am in the Music room (small charge to cover costs). Don't be shy!
SCHOOL DISCO:
Friday 24th October. Nursery to Y3 from 5.30 to 7 pm and Y4 to Y6 from 7.30 to 9 pm. Children at the first disco need accompanying and all children must be escorted home by a responsible adult. Tickets £3 (includes drinks and hot dog) available on the door. Dressing up is encouraged! The tuck shop will be open – so pocket money required. NEW FOR ADULTS – wine and beer! A notice will appear shortly to ask for volunteers.
DAD’S FOOTBALL:
We are starting Dads' football on Thursday 6th November at the usual time of 7.15-8.30pm at Prior Park Astro. If you’d like to be involved in a football game, contact Titus Mills. All are welcome.
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP:
Telephone Annette Luck (mother of Poppy in Y6) on xxx or Natalie Jiggins (mother of Cosmo in Y5) on xxx or catch them at school as they normally carry their keys with them and can take you to the second hand uniform shop if they and the room are free. However, there is hardly any new style second hand uniform available at the moment so all donations would be gratefully received. Give them to Annette or Natalie or leave with reception, please. Second hand blazers are needed, too - these can be wholly donated or sold for a 50/50 split. A decent blazer will sell for £15 which is £7.50 to the Paragon Parents' Committee fund and £7.50 to the parent - please leave a note, with your details, pinned to the blazer if this is what you would like. Please do not donate any old style second hand uniform - give it to Oxfam, instead, who are good at making sure it will get to somewhere appropriate. All excess old style uniform from the second hand shop has or will be sent out to Romania via a well-organised Christian charity who supply schools, orphanages etc. If you are going to need any old style uniform before the end of the academic year, then you should get it ASAP please.
Please email your contributions to The Paragraph to Charlotte Thursz (Jemima, class 1J) at theparagraph@hotmail.co.uk or call me on 01225 466810. Happy to include notices, classified ads or other information for parents.
Click here to download this newsletter September 2008
