Week beginning 28th October 2024
Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn term. We hope you have enjoyed a restful half term break. Monday 28th is an INSET day for staff training. The children will be welcomed back to school on Tuesday 29th at normal time.
Thank you to all those who supported our Spooktacular bake sale on the 18th. I am delighted to report that we raised a staggering £500.22 for MacMillan Cancer Care. We are very grateful to all those who baked, donated and purchased cakes in support of this charity and continue to send our best wishes to Mrs Rich during her treatment.
On the last day of term, we bid farewell to Mrs O’Shea, a member of our support staff team. Mrs O’Shea has worked at The Hayes during the last year but is leaving to take up a role in the family business and to spend more time with family members. We thank her for all that she has done for the children in our school and wish her all the best for her new role. We are currently recruiting for a replacement TA and will keep you informed as soon as there is an update to share.
We are delighted to report that we have appointed a new School Business Manager who will take up her post this week. Mrs Bittar will be working in school three days a week and her role will involve budget management, premises, health and safety and HR matters. I know that you will make her feel welcome when you see her in the office. Mrs Bittar has a wealth of experience and skills that we know will make her a valuable member of our team. We are also pleased to welcome back Mrs Kikidis in the office this week and thank Mrs Scola who has been covering during her absence.
We are also very much looking forward to welcoming back Mrs Duckett to school this week who has had some time away from school whilst recovering from shoulder surgery. Mrs Duckett will resume her job-share role as Safari class teacher on a Thursday and Friday. She will be in school this week with Mrs Farr on Tuesday to get to know the children a little better ahead of Thursday. We are extremely grateful to Mrs Farr for teaching the children full time for their first half term. She has provided great consistency and helped the children to settle really well.
Now that we are in Autumn 2, the children in Reception will begin swimming lessons (every other week) on a Wednesday morning starting with Safari this week. Please ensure that the children have a plain, dark coloured swimming costume or trunks, a towel, goggles and a Hayes swim hat (This can be purchased on ParentPay and collected from the school office). Please do help us by ensuring that all items provided are clearly named. Rainforest will swim the following week. This week even numbered classes will be swimming across the rest of the school.
A premises update: I am pleased to report that the works to the school roof have been completed (with the exception of 2 outstanding skylights which will be fitted during the next school holidays). The scaffolding has been removed and the contractors have left the site. On Monday, new playground markings (chosen by the children) are being installed. We hope they will enjoy playing some of these new games during their break and lunchtimes.
Please can we remind parents of children in Year 6 that the closing date for the secondary school applications is Thursday 31st October. Please do not miss this deadline. If you require support with the application process, let us know and we will be more than happy to help you.
November and December are busy and exciting months with lots planned for the children. Further details of upcoming events shall be included in the November newsletter. However, we would like to remind you that our Parent evenings will be taking place on the 12th and 14th of November. Appointments can be booked on line and we will be sending an email link to the booking system this week. Booking will go live at 5pm on Friday 1st November.
Lastly, to all those celebrating Diwali at the end of the week, we wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous celebration.