21 Dec 2007 - Broadgate Newsletter - Christmas 2007

Dear Parents,

 

I shouldn't have worried!..... Throughout the summer holidays I was concerned that our children would find the disruption caused by the building work too much for them. I was wrong, of course. Apart from the fact that we now have only one Hall for P.E. and assemblies, most of the children haven’t even noticed. To be fair, the staff have been fantastic too! Admittedly, Mrs. Devlin has had to use the new portacabin for her classroom, the staffroom now resembles a tip because of all the resources that are stored in there (including Mrs. Scholes's desk and filing cabinets), and several teachers were required to change classrooms the day before we returned to school in September, but everyone appreciates that the end is now is sight.

 

Because of the very dry weather this Autumn, the roofers and builders have been able to make really good progress. As a result, we anticipate that everything will be completed before the end of February, and children and staff will be able to return to their own classrooms -- which in the case of the Nursery and Reception will look very different.

 

More Children's Centre News

 

This will very probably be one of the last times that I write to you about the Children's Centre. In November, we were extremely pleased to appoint a new manager for this facility, Helen Higgins, who I know will want to communicate with you in future. Helen is a very warm and approachable woman who will be a great asset to this school. She starts work here at the beginning of the Spring term, a full two months before the Children's Centre opens.

 

Joining Helen in the Children's Centre will be someone who I think everyone reading this newsletter will know extremely well. Vicky Garside has been promoted to the post of Family Outreach Worker and Assistant Manager, also from 1st January 2008. What a catch! Vicky will work very closely alongside Helen to turn "Horsforth Chldren's Centre" into the best facility of its kind in Leeds.

 

"Why Horsforth Children's Centre?" I hear you ask. Quite simply, the answer is that it will benefit everyone in the Horsforth area. In future the sign at the top of our drive will read, "Broadgate Primary School, home of Horsforth Children's Centre".

 

Incidentally, the building costs, including a fantastic new car park, have risen to something approaching £750,000, the "Magical Garden" will cost up to £50,000, we have been allocated £30,000 to equip the Children's Centre, and the best news of all is that none of this money will come from the school budget. The Government will foot the bill for the whole project, and continue to pay staffing costs etc. for the foreseeable future. Now that is a real Christmas present!

 

Staffing News

 

Before parents prepare to invade my office to ask about staffing for our Nursery and Integrated Childcare facility now that Vicky Garside is leaving, perhaps I ought to explain what the future holds for this very important department.

 

Starting in January, a new Nursery Nurse will join the team of staff led by Camille Wilkinson. In future, instead of having a Nursery Teacher and Nursery Nurse plus three other staff working in "Butterflies", there will be one Nursery Teacher and four Nursery Nurses who will all share the responsibility for delivering the curriculum to every child. This will be of huge benefit to the children, because the combined experience of five members of staff will be utilised at all times.

 

A favourite member of staff returns to us in January. Lisa Dyer had baby Joel in August, and is now looking forward to teaching her Y1 class.

 

Lisa will replace Sue Lawson, who has done a fantastic job and will be very much missed by us all. We wish her well in her future career.

 

In October we were surprised to discover that Ian Harris, our Superintendent, had decided to move on to pastures new. Ian had devoted 14 years to Broadgate School, keeping it clean, tidy and extremely well cared for, and everyone here is very grateful for all the work he did.

 

Replacing Ian is a person familiar to many of you, Gary Wade. Gary has helped out at many events over the years and, following a rigorous selection procedure, his appointment was welcomed by all. He has been given the new title of "Site Manager" in recognition of the extra roles he will fulfil once the Children's Centre is open. Look out for him and say hello when you are in school!

 

Earlier this term, one of our most popular Governors resigned after devoting very nearly 20 years to Broadgate School.  Dot Chagger has given so much to our children during that time and she will be sorely missed. On behalf of everyone connected with this school may I express our sincere gratitude.

 

Replacing Dot will be Helen Turner, who won a close fought election recently. Helen will have two children in school in January, Anna in Y1 and Lauren in the Nursery. I feel sure you will make her feel very welcome.

 

The School Buildings

 

Over the next twelve months you will notice huge changes to our school buildings. Although some of the refurbishment work around our school has been put on hold until a new fire alarm is installed later in the year, one area that will look different quite soon is the Dining Room. I have received a grant of £1,800 to make improvements to this room, and they will go ahead during the Spring term.

 

Another improvement which will affect us all, is the installation of a completely new heating system. When unfortunately we had to close the school due to severe flooding recently, I was not too surprised to learn that the pipe-work throughout our entire building is in desperate need of replacement. It appears that after 53 years most of it is too corroded to repair, and as a result it will need replacing during the summer months next year. The cost to Education Leeds? Well over £100,000!

 

Outside in the school grounds other changes will take place during 2008. An important one is improvements to safety around the school drive and car parking areas. Approximate cost -- £20,000. Additionally, the bushes around the former Superintendent's bungalow will be pruned immediately after Christmas, and the bungalow itself will be transformed into an office suite with additional meeting rooms. Approximate costs -- £50,000.

 

In total therefore, a sum of money not far short of £1,000,000 will have been spent on our school by this time next year. Amazing!!!

 

Christmas

 

Christmas is everyone's favourite time of year at Broadgate. For this first time this year, we arranged a Christmas production where every child in the school had the opportunity to contribute. Despite the fact that rehearsals were extremely difficult to arrange because of the building disruptions, I think you will agree that "Our Christmas Annual" was a great success. A special thank you to Brian Scholes our compere, Vicki Madeley who stepped in to play the piano at the last minute, our Governors who served the refreshments and, of course, every member of staff.

 

Sometimes, parents ask where the proceeds from our productions are spent -- this year it was over £500. Well, you only have to look at the quality of the outfits that everyone wore to know that at Broadgate we believe children should be given the opportunity to perform wearing the best costumes available.

 

Our Carol Service was very well attended as usual. It is always a pleasure to see St. James Church packed to the rafters for this popular event.

 

The "Christmas Cracker" was another successful event, attended by a large group of parents, children and friends. The £860 we raised will be put towards a state of the art whiteboard and projector for the Hall, which will have amazing surround sound.

 

And Finally......

 

If you are receiving a new computer for Christmas, or if you already have one, please log onto our "School Profile" site on schoolprofile.parentscentre.gov.uk. Lots of interesting information about our school is included on this site. Additionally, you may wish to visit our website at www.broadgate.ik.org.

 

Another very successful "Children in Need" day resulted in £247.41 being raised by our children. A big thank you to everyone who supported this event.

 

Our Harvest Festival was well attended once again, and your generous gifts of food were donated to "Live at Home", a Horsforth based charity.

 

I have just been informed that a second Family Outreach Worker will join our Children's Centre team in April. More good news!

 

May I remind you that it is an offence to park your car in front of the driveways of houses. Whilst the police realise that there have been problems recently due to roadworks on Broadgate Lane and the construction of our Children's Centre, they will issue a "ticket" to anyone who parks their cars illegally -- including those stopping or parking on the zig-zag yellow lines outside school!

 

Over the last few months I have been carrying out my annual survey of the views of children and their parents about all matters concerning Broadgate School. If you have been one of those people who have contributed to one of these surveys, thank you so much for your involvement. All results of surveys are always analysed carefully and responded to by staff at this school. If you have not had the opportunity to contribute, your views are always welcome. A "Comments Book" is held in my office and, of course, you may visit school at any convenient time. P.S. Please let me know what you think about the way we distributed the school photographs this year.

 

Please be aware that this year we break up for Easter on a THURSDAY. This is because Easter in 2008 falls very early in the year, and consequently we shall be working right up to the day before Good Friday, Maundy Thursday.

 

Our SATs tests in 2008 take place during the week commencing 12th May.

 

Have you noticed how many clubs, coaching sessions, visitors to school and visits out of school have taken place this term? In my opinion this has been the busiest term ever for these activities and, when added to all the workshops and courses various members of staff have arranged for parents, it’s no wonder we are all ready for a break!

 

For the first time, we are introducing an award to be presented to all children who have completed their homework on time throughout the term, "The Bronze Homework Award". At the end of the Easter term, all children who have continued to complete their homework will then receive "The Silver Homework Award", followed by the ultimate accolade, "The Gold Homework Award" at the end of the Summer term.

 

Please do not forget to send a note into school for every time that your child is absent. This is a legal requirement!

 

Do you know when you child should be doing his/her homework? Do you check that he/she has handed it in on time? Let’s hope these awards will inspire children to always complete their homework!

 

If at all possible, will you please avoid taking your child to see "Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium" at the cinema. We are intending taking the whole school (except Nursery, and those children who attend detention too many times!) to see this film soon after Christmas as a "privilege".

 

School closes at 3:05 p.m. today and re-opens on Monday 7th January 2008 at 8:50 a.m. Have a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Alan Tootill