Parents

New School Mini-Netbooks!

We pride ourselves at Starcross Primary School on our ICT, and the way in which we use computers and other technology to enhance learning.

We were delighted recently to be taken on as an early adopter for the South West Grid For Learning’s MERLIN Learning Platform. Having this in school means that we are now able to allow every child to have their own online learning space, and allow every parent or carer, like their child, to access learning materials and information to support learning. We are one of very few Devon schools to be chosen for this, and we are really looking forward to trialling the software.

In order to support the children’s learning, alongside our existing computer suite and other hardware, we have recently invested in a set of mini Netbooks. These enable each child to work independently on pieces of work, and in a few weeks, we are going to be able to use them wirelessly in school from anywhere in the building. It is also our intention that as soon as children have been trained on using them safely, and as soon as wireless broadband is made available for the new machines, the children will be able to take the mini notebooks home in order to complete work and research from home.

Year Six have already been using these notebooks in class, and as you can see from the pictures, they have thoroughly enjoyed using them to support their learning.

Click to enlarge

Fair Processing

At Starcross Primary School we sometimes collect data for our own purposes, and also for use in County and National statistics. Please read the following letter which explains how we deal with this information.

• Fair Processing

 

Year 6 Morfa Bay Residential 2009

We are delighted to announce that we will be running a residential trip for Year 6 to Morfa Bay Adventure Centre, Pendine, during the week of the 7th-11th June inclusive. We had a very successful trip two years ago, and are really happy to be offering this week-long trip to our eldest children.

If any parents would like to visit the Morfa Bay website for more information about the centre and its activities, please follow the following link.

http://www.morfabaywales.co.uk/

Also, if you would like a copy of the initial letter of interest, which outlines the trip and its cost, and the personal details slip to be returned with the deposit, then please follow the links to those documents.

 

SATS ADVICE FOR PARENTS

As you may or may not know, the children are required to sit statutory assessment tests in Year 6. These results are compulsory and all children in England and Wales, unless under special circumstances, are required to sit these tests.

At Starcross Primary School, we allow the children every opportunity to prepare for these tests, by exposing them to the format, by allowing them to practice sample questions, and by providing them with sound advice through their normal day-to-day lessons and learning experiences.

These tests are important to us, as they help us review our performance, inform secondary schools of the ability of the children in readiness for Year Seven, and also allow us to track the pupils’ progress accurately. However, we pride ourselves here in the way we treat every child as an individual, and look to develop the whole child, not just their ability to sit a test.

Although we give the children every opportunity to do this, it is still important that you have the opportunity to support your child at home with their preparation.

Please find attached a presentation for parents, which includes a breakdown of what the tests entail, and also some useful hints on how you as parents and carers can help.

SATs Presentation (Power Point)

 

Communications with Parents

Great importance is placed on communication between home and school. Newsletters are sent to parents on an extremely regular basis, usually weekly. Detailed progress reports are written and issued from school every year, and parents are invited in the Autumn and Summer to discuss their child's progress. We at school will not hesitate to contact parents or carers if there is a problem, and likewise parents may make appointments to discuss issues if they arise. If the governing body wished to communicate with parents or carers, then they will do so either in writing or via the parent governors, of which there are five.

We pride ourselves on our communication here, and we are always open to suggestions as to how we can improve the way in which we relay information to anyone outside school. If you feel that we can improve this part of our service, then please do not hesitate to contact us here at school with your suggestions.

Documents

• Child friendly websites and internet safety guidance

• Parent Survey Results 2007 (PDF)

• Latest OFSTED Report (PDF)

 

Feedback

If there are any comments that you would like to make, then please feel free to use the following feedback form. We are happy to receive your comments, and your comments are useful to us in improving our service.

	Feedback Form - PDF
	Feedback Form - Word

 

Starcross School Parents, Teachers and Friends Association

Registered Charity No: 1037669

What is the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)?

The PTFA is a small group of parents, teachers and friends all of whom give up their time to organise and run different fund raising events. Everyone gives their time voluntarily and all the money raised is used to benefit the children at school.

Our Aims

The aim of the PTFA is to advance the education of pupils in the School in particular by developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the School by engaging in activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the School and advance the education of the pupils.

How do we raise money?

We raise money through many different events throughout the year such as summer fayres, quizzes, discos and chocolate bingo evenings.

We raise a significant amount of money each year, well in excess of £2000.00. From this money we have a commitment to each class of £200 per year towards outings.

If you would like to join the PTFA, or would like further information, please contact Emma Husband, chairperson, on 07917 885685 or email emmah@starcross-primary.devon.sch.uk . New members are always welcome and even if you are unable to attend meetings on a regular basis, we are grateful for help at events - even if you can only spare an hour.

 

Future Events & News

 

Yellow Moon

If you are interested in purchasing some fun resources for your children, them please follow the link to Yellow Moon below. Not only will you be able to purchase some wonderful resources for your children, but earn money for the school in the process, as up to 25% of all money spent comes back to the PTFA.

Voluntary Parent Helpers

We are really grateful to any parents or carers who willingly give up their time to help the school. Often, parent helpers assist in listening to readers, providing resources, supervising children on outings, coaching, and transporting pupils to name a few areas. Any parents interested can of course contact their child's teacher. If working with children in school, all parent helpers are asked to fill out the relevant Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checking forms.

 

What parents have said about the school

Coming soon!

 

Holidays During Term Time

We do not condone holidays during term time, as your child can miss valuable work and other opportunities to develop their understanding.

Any parents or carers wishing their child to be absent for a holiday during term time must fill in the appropriate form and either email it to the school office, or drop it in as early as possible, in order that the Head Teacher can decide whether it is possible to authorise the absence or not.

Repeated absences which are not authorised can result in involvement of the County's Educational Welfare Officer, and in the worst cases can result in penalty fines being imposed by Devon County Council.

A copy of this form is available here. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the form as it is in PDF format.

 

Disability Equality Duty

	Disability Equality Duty Summary Of Results From Questionnaires
	Childrens Disability Survey Questionnaire
	Disability Adult Survey Questionnaire
	Involving You