18 26 01 12

							                        The Willows North, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9QN
                                   Tel: 01789 205811    Fax: 01789 294726
                                        e-mail: admin3204@we-learn.com
                                   website: www.willows.warwickshire.sch.uk
                     temporary website: http://thewillowsprimary.webs.com/
                                           No 18     26 January 2012
Parents’ Evenings
Parents’ Evenings will continue next week. All parents should have received their appointment times. Please
let the office know if you have to rearrange your visit. Parents are also respectfully reminded that the
appointment is for 10 minutes. If longer is needed, a follow up appointment should be made with the teacher.
The School Extension
The school can now confirm planning permission has been granted for a further extension to the school.
Building work is due to start in May and is likely to continue for approximately a year. Further details will be
printed in this newsletter as they become available.
Attendance Rewards!
Last week Shire Horses and Mountain Goats won the prize for the best attendance in the previous week.
Shire Horses are now looking after Ted, the bear and Mountain Goats are looking after Willow, the ladybird!
Well done!
Charities
The Royal British Legion
Thanks to the kind donations of everyone who bought a poppy, the school raised £147.84 for the Royal
British Legion.
Scout Christmas Post
1st Shottery Scout Group has sent their thanks to the school for helping them to raise over £900!
Holiday Folder
Parents are invited to look at the folder in the entrance area for details of holiday activities over the coming
half term break.
ParentPay
School Dinners - Parents are invited to log on to www.parentpay.com and ensure payment is made in advance
for the week / half or full term. Parents who would like to pay by cash at a PayPoint outlet, should request a
separate PayPoint letter.
Music Tuition - There are still spaces available for the following musical instruments. Please contact the
office or Mrs Parish to discuss this further.
1 x Drums
2 x Woodwind
Isle of Wight Visit - Please log on to ParentPay and make your payment either in full or in instalments.
There are still 8 weeks to go to make payment in full. The deadline for payment is 18th March 2012.
If there are any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Bursar via the messaging service on
ParentPay or visit the School Office.
News from The Willows’ Friends
Pantomime - Tickets are now on sale for the fantastic Willows School Pantomime, ‘Cinderella’. Parents will be
able to buy tickets from the playground next week. If any parents can lend a helping hand at any of the
shows, serving refreshments, setting up or clearing away, they should speak to Sherron Guise or leave their
details at the office.
                    (Cheques should be made payable to 'The Willows’ Friends Association')
                                       The Willows C of E Primary School
                                        Parents’ Forum Meeting Minutes
                                     Date: Tuesday 17th January 2012 2.15pm

1. Attendees:
Janis McBride            – Head Teacher
Lena Horton              – Non-teaching governor
Emma Patchett            – Parent governor
Sarah Greenslade         – Parent

2. Letters to Forum:
One letter received asking whether it would be possible for the school to provide children with napkins during
lunch. Whilst the school does not provide children with napkins due to littering problems JM confirmed children
are allowed to bring their own napkins/tissues into school. Children are also encouraged to wash their hands (and
face if necessary) before and after eating. Paper towels are available in the toilets and tissues in the classrooms.
Another letter was received regarding the accident that took place on Alcester Road asking parents for any ideas
or suggestions on how to make Alcester Road a safer route to and from school. Whilst road safety remains the
council’s responsibility LH and JM confirmed that a parent governor has volunteered to co-ordinate a school
community wide effort in tackling this issue. She will inform parents of the most effective proposed action after
her investigations. JM also confirmed that the school take this issue very seriously, they have been investigating
staggering school leaving times with the High School and also would like to hear from any parents interested in
setting up a ‘Walking Bus’ scheme. The school already operates a ‘Kerb Safety’ program for Year 1 children.
Meanwhile if anyone has any suggestions or ideas the Parents’ Forum is happy to pass them on (just leave a note
in our box).

3. Contributions to the Parents’ Forum:

We are always here to listen and respond to your comments, questions or feedback, good or bad!

We would like to encourage more parents to contribute to the Parents’ Forum. It was agreed that there could be
three levels of involvement:

i) Post comments and suggestions through our post-box (located in the entrance foyer).
ii) Attend occasional meetings – parents need not stay for the whole meeting and they can bring small children
with them if they wish.
iii) Become a Representative – attend one meeting per half term and become actively involved in the running of
the Forum (essentially communicating Forum news to the wider school community and receiving comments).
Ideally we would like one representative per year group.
It was decided that a poster be prominently displayed on the notice board and flyer on the school questionnaire
(which is to be distributed Parents’ Evening) would be the best way to communicate this message (Action LH).
Meanwhile everyone agreed on the importance of continuing to distribute our meeting minutes and comments
slips in the school newsletter in order to raise our profile and encourage more involvement.

4. Fundraising Idea:
EP suggested that the school may like to investigate involving the children in producing school Christmas cards in
order to raise funds for the school. It was agreed by all that this idea would be worth investigating and should be
raised with the PTA. (Action - EP to liaise with PTA).

5. School Visits:
SG recently accompanied her son’s class on the trip to Snibston Museum. She confirms all had a fantastic time,
the children were really interested in the exhibits, many wanted to go back and look at them again. She felt the
visit was a good introduction to the class topics which covered fashion and technology, the children also enjoyed
playing together after lunch in the adventure playground and showed great team work in encouraging each other
on the apparatus.

6. Next Meeting:
                          Tuesday 28th February 2012 - 2.15pm at The Willows School.

All are welcome. If you cannot attend, you are welcome to post your comments in the Parents’ Forum post-box
for discussion at the meeting.