As you all probably know now I am not going to be in for the next two weeks as I am having a minor operation on Monday and then will need 2 weeks off to recover from the operation. I am feeling very strange about it all as I have never been off work for this length of time but I am going to make sure that I follow the doctor’s advice because I do not want to return too quickly and then have to be off again. In my absence Mr Gradwell will be in charge so if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact him.

Today is a day a lot of children dread because the annual school reports have been sent home for Years 1- 6.  I have read all the reports and I do not think that any of the children have anything too serious to worry about although I do hope that they pay attention to the teachers’ comments –if they follow their advice they cannot help but be successful in their learning. Please remember to sign into Arbor so that we know you have received it.

Even though I am not going to be in there are still going to be exciting things happening in school. The big event for next week is going to be World Book Day which is on Thursday. We have not made a big deal about children getting dressed up this year as book characters which is why we are allowing them to wear their pyjamas if they want to. This is because these are difficult times and we do not want anybody having to spend unnecessary money on costumes that are only worn once. I know of some schools that just allow the children to wear their uniform on World Book Day because of this reason. I know that the teachers have planned lots of fun activities to do with books on this day. 

On Friday 3rd March, Jennifer Bell will be visiting the school to hold an assembly with all the children, and then carry out some writing activities with Yrs 4, 5 and 6. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure her for World Book Day but I know the children will be excited to meet her the following day. 

I hope you all have a good weekend. There is great excitement in my house because Newcastle are in the Carabao Cup final and I have family joining me as they are going to watch it on Sunday –let us hope they are not too disappointed with the result. I look forward to seeing you all again in 2 weeks.

We are all recovering in school from a heavy party night in school last night. The PTA held discos for all the children and they proved to be very popular –thank goodness that we have a holiday to look forward to as I think that all who attended need a rest – there were a few tired looking children coming through the gates today. It is great that we can hold events like this again because they do help bring fun into school life. I would like to thank the PTA for organising this for all the children -especially Emily Taylor who co-ordinated the whole event.

The party theme has continued today because the PTA have also organised a ‘Love Yourself No Uniform’ day so the children have dressed to please themselves. It certainly creates a different atmosphere in school and the children are always happy to express themselves. We really appreciate all these fund raising events that the PTA organise for Little Heath because it does ensure that we have plenty of resources to enhance the provision that we provide for the children. The next project that we are planning to do with the money provided by the PTA is to update our Infant Library and add a substantial amount of books to both libraries. Reading is very important and if the children have high quality books to use it does make them want to read more.

As I am sure you all aware, half-term is upon us and although it has only been a short half term I think we will all enjoy our break. I hope you all have a fabulous holiday and we look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday, 20^TH February. Let us hope that the spring weather starts to arrive on our return because I am getting rather tired of this winter weather.

 I wonder if many of you are feeling like me in that you cannot believe that it is half term next week. It really does not feel like 2 minutes since we were coming back after Christmas –in fact I have to admit that I am still eating my way through my left over Christmas chocolate at home (the healthy new year diet is starting tomorrow). Let us hope that the next half term passes as quickly and the spring will be upon us with the warmer weather that it brings. I am over the cold weather now –especially since the blue skies appear to have gone and we have just been left with the grey and the cold.

 I am afraid I am going to have to have a little moan. I have noticed recently whist I am on the gate in the morning that some parents are driving their cars up to the school entrance to drop their children off. We have asked that you keep the area in front of the school a car free area and in fact we do have yellow zig-zag lines next to the school which you cannot park on between 8.00am – 5.00pm to ensure that we remain car free. However, some people are pulling up in front of the school to allow their children to run in whilst they reverse the car around. I would ask that you respect our wishes and please park away from the school. I know some people do not want to be late but it only means that you have to leave the house 5 minutes earlier to ensure you have time to park up and drop your child off at school. We do not want there to be a horrible accident before parents comply with our wishes.

On a cheerier note we have some good things to look forward to in school next week. On Monday we have a Sharing Assembly and if your child is taking part you will have been notified by letter. We also have our Open Afternoon where parents can come into the school to look at all the learning their children have covered since Christmas. I know the children love to do this and so we look forward to welcoming you between3.00pm -4.30pm on Wednesday.

The big highlight of the week for the children will be the Disco on Thursday night. I know that the PTA has sent you notification of this so if you have not already done so please make sure that you purchase your tickets for your child. A professional DJ has been booked and I know that he has great gimmicks to use with the children such as a bubble and a snow machine. The foundation and KS1 disco starts at 5.30pm and the KS2 disco starts at 7.00pm.

I look forward to seeing many of you at these events next week.