March 2019 newsletter

Dear parents and carers, recently we have celebrated Pancake Day (the children made & ate pancakes), World Book Day (1 BFG, 2 Batmen, 3 princesses …) and last Friday, Red Nose/Pants on head Day. Lots of fun & lots of learning about measuring & counting, stories and rhymes and those less fortunate than ourselves. The children are now listening to different types of music, have started their makes for Mother’s Day & Easter & learning the songs for the Spring Play: it will be alright on the night! Below you will find the details of upcoming events, how ti keep your child safe online, playing rugby, reading, shopping and lots more  Lastly, an apology for any inconvenience caused by the recent on-off plumbing work: the heating, boiler and plumbing work will now take place over the Easter break (fingers crossed).

Maria

Dates for your diary – on our website www.stlukespre-school.co.uk the ‘Calendar’ feature is now activated; it has the ‘Dates for your diary’ & if you click on the event date, all the details (when, where & what) about the event.

Tues 26th Mar – Spring Play dress rehearsal

Tues 2nd Apr – Spring Play

Mon 8th to Mon 22nd Apr – Easter Break

Tues 23rd Apr – pre-school re-opens for pm children

Wed 24th Apr – pre-school re-opens for am children – breakfast & lunch clubs re-start

Thurs 23^rd May – Parent Consultations from 12.30 – no lunch club

Tues 11th June – Sports Day

Thurs 11^th July – outing to Kent Life

Thurs 18th July – Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Graduation and end of term

Puzzle project reminder – All pieces must be returned by midday Wednesday 20th March. Parents/carers, teachers and children (past and present) are invited to pay £1 to decorate a puzzle piece (just one side) in a way that is reflective of their personality. You may stick on a photo, just write your name or initials, re-create the Sistine Chapel … be as simple or creative as you want. Buy a piece or pieces now. Buy your £1 puzzle piece(s) now, get decorating with your child, help create a wonderful piece of art, be part of the pre-school’s history and help raise funds for some local charities.

T-shirts decoration – wanted plain t-shirts, shirts or blouses that the children can decorate this week.

The Parent Rota – dates for parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles or carers to enjoy some quality time with their child at pre-school and see who and what he or she plays with. If you can’t remember your day to come in or want to come in again, please ask a member of staff.

Lunchbox & drink bottle rules – No nuts! This is an allergy issue. We don’t want to have to call an ambulance. This includes Nutella, nakd bars, etc. And please can you only put water (healthy & cheap choice for quenching your child’s thirst & no calories & no sugars that can damage teeth) in your child’s drink bottle and not squash: no calories, sugars etc but like bees to honey, it only attracts other children to drink from your child’s bottle with the consequent tears, spread of germs etc.

Keeping under-fives safe online – Ofcom’s latest research has shown that 86% of 3-4 year olds have access to a tablet at home & 21% have their own tablet. * top tips to keep your youngest safe online can be found @ www.childnet.com/ufiles/Keeping-Under-Fives-Safe-Online2.pdf

The importance of reading – With the recent ‘World Book Day,’ a reminder that your child is not too young to learn to read & how you can set them off in the right direction. Make sure that your child is familiar with language & books so that they can see how enjoyable reading is. Some of the things you can do include:

• Reading aloud to your child, talking about the words and pictures, & sharing ideas about the book
• Reading yourself: Children who see adults reading, & enjoying reading, are much more likely to want to read themselves
• Making sure your child is surrounded by books: You don’t need hundreds of books at home, but make regular trips to the library or bookshop, not just to borrow books but to spend time together browsing & learning to make choices. In this way, reading becomes a habit.
• Most importantly, talk to your child. Spend time with them, doing simple activities (cooking, making something, building a model). As you talk about what you’re doing, you are helping them to learn new words. Later, when they see words written down, they have already heard them & know what they mean.

The importance of sport – 7 reasons your child must play Rugby League at Medway Dragons with Mr B, on Saturdays from 10 at Lordswood Sports club

1. Your child needs to move- for his/her physical development (muscles, control and coordination …), mental development (confidence, understanding instructions, concentration …), and future health and wellbeing. For the thrill, for the buzz, for the way it makes his/her body feel.
2. Your child needs good role models in his/her life – The role models sports clubs provide can be an absolute godsend. Whether your child’s dad is away a lot of the time and they love and need those strong, firm but fair coaches they see twice a week, or whether your child just needs to be reminded about how to manage their behaviour.
3. Your child needs to lose – Disappointment at a try being denied, a tackle missed, a match lost … it will happen. Your child will get over it, learn to manage his/her feelings and be bigger and stronger.
4. Your child needs to win – There are rewards for Player of the Day, individual end of season awards and team trophies to be won at festivals … It’s bonding and it feels good.
5. Your child needs to be part of a team – Together Everyone Achieves More. Children play co-operatively, take turns with others, take account of one another’s ideas and needs and form positive relationships with adults and other children. Their teammates are there to help, forgive their mistakes and share in their successes too.
6. Your child needs your rapt attention – It fills your child’s soul up to see mum and dad staring hard, taking their photo, following each thundering, speedy footstep. It proves you love them more than you love your phone!
7. Your child needs community, and so do you – Medway Dragons’ maxim? Bringing people in our community together and enriching their lives through rugby league & handball. So much work and love by so many volunteers is poured into such a community club, and really all for the sake of the children. It’s a very pure goodwill that we see and feel, week in and week out.

Quick reminders – New pm sessions – 1pm to 3pm, on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you wish your child to attend, please see a member of staff. Breakfast Club – from 8am on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays – encouraging healthy eating, supporting social development … please ask a member of staff if you wish your child to join.

Holidays with Easyfundraising – Get money off and fundraise whilst you shop online for your holidays. NO COST, NO CATCH. YOU GET DISCOUNTS AND RAISE FREE DONATIONS FOR US EVERY TIME YOU SHOP ONLINE @ easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stlukesrochester/ 

Collect free donations for us every time you buy something online.

1. Join – It’s easy to get started.
2. Shop – From travel to toasters, every time you shop, do it the easyfundraising way.
3. Collect

Help out when you check out – it doesn’t cost you a penny extra. You can make a big difference on everything from groceries to getaways. For example, get £150 per booking on summer holidays whilst raising a 2% donation for the pre-school. THANK YOU.

Your pre-school – We value your contributions to improving your child’s education and care whilst at St. Luke’s. If you or your son/daughter, have any concerns or worries, or any comments or suggestions, you are welcome to come in to chat with a member of staff: an appointment may be necessary. Remember, if we don’t know, we can’t help …

Keep in touch.

tel: 01634 819809
email:office@stlukespre-school.co.uk
Website www.stlukespre-school.co.uk– The ‘Calendar’ feature is now activated; it has the ‘Dates for your diary’ & if you click on the event date, all the details (when, where & what) about the event.