Walton-le-Dale

Wednesday Weekly Newsletter

Through working together, the best is yet to come
www.wldps.com
Issue 3 21st September 2016

Dear Parents,
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
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Year 6 children in BISON Class require a bicycle for their Bikeability training next Tuesday on the 27 September.
This is small but essential feature of our PE offer to children and helps teach valuable skills such as on road training
preparing them for the future. The sessions will continue each afternoon until Friday. Children will be welcome to
leave their bikes at school overnight or ride them to home and school each day. All children must have a helmet
and a bicycle in good working order.
SWIMMING POOL - PLEASE READ
I am writing to request that contributions are made towards school swimming lessons as it is evident that the vast
majority of parents have not yet paid. As you are aware, we ask parents of children that swim for a small contribution
of 1 each week which should amount to 36 each year. We hope that this serves our parents and above all, helps
them financially as their children learn this valuable life skill. Contributions from parents with children that swim
should result in a total of 8,640 collected each year. The actual cost of running our pool is around 3,100 each
month which the school budget supports as it recognises the importance of swimming for our children and for
children in our local community. I am sure that when you see this level of detail, it emphasises the level of
commitment needed from our parents. As you are aware, we have recently had to rethink the age groups that swim
each week within the school which has caused some disappointment for many of our nursery parents who have
previously enjoyed their children receiving swimming lessons. I am sure that you will appreciate that this is not an
easy or a sustainable situation.
Previous funds raised by myself, our Vice-Chair of Governors and the children themselves have been spent on
essential works including making new and safe pathways to the pool and improving the water quality for our children
through the installation of Ultra-Violet technology. The pool currently requires approximately 10,000 to repaint the
sides of the pool with a non-slip surface and to refurbish the changing and toilet facilities. The outer cover, which is
unsightly but presently functional, will cost around 100,000 possibly.
To protect the swimming pool for the future, I am always willing to hear your views and ideas as many avenues have
been tried already. With the school raising income from an external swimming provider, we are able to keep the pool
open presently. Without this essential income however, the future of this valuable community facility is at risk.
INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
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Tempest Photography will be here with us next week on Monday 26 September to take individual and family
portraits.
Family groups involving children NOT in school i.e. toddlers/High School, or children with brothers or sisters in our
Nursery will be taken from 8.15 a.m. 9.15 a.m. in the INFANT HALL. Please bring your children to the hall from 8.15
onwards. We shall try and get you snapped and away as soon as possible. All children will have an individual
photograph taken in school.
Please return the slip from the letter already sent to let us know if you wish for your children at the school to have a
family group photo. These will take place during the school day.
PTFA BEETLE BUG & BINGO NIGHT MONDAY 26

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SEPTEMBER 6PM

The PTFA would love to see you for a fun night next Monday playing Bingo for prizes (including cash prizes) and a
Beetle Bug Drive. Its all very good fun and we would love to see you there. It will finish at approximately 7.15pm.
MEET THE TEACHER MEETINGS PLEASE COME
We would like to make an invitation to all parents to come to a meeting to meet with your childs teacher over the
next two weeks. The meetings will be short and are intended to allow you to meet your childs teacher. Hopefully this

will help you become familiar with your childs class routines which always help school life run more smoothly for both
our staff and for you, our parents. More importantly, it will be a good way in which to discover more about what your
children will be learning this year and the expectations for their learning and homework. Please attend if you are able
to. You will, however, be most welcome to speak to our staff if you make an appointment through the school office or
by email using the school website.
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Year 1 Wednesday 21 September 5.00pm in the Year 1 classroom

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Reception Tuesday 4 October 6pm followed by consecutive Mondays (10 , 17 & 24 October)
APPLICATIONS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PLACES
If you have a child applying for a Primary place (Reception Class) or a Secondary place (Year 7) next September please
ensure you apply for a school or academy place online at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools or call 01772 532190.
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You must apply if your child has a 4 birthday between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 and/or if your child is
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in his or her last year of primary school from 1 September 2016. Its important that you apply even if an older
brother or sister is already attending your preferred school or academy.
The closing dates for applications for September 2017 are:
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SECONDARY SCHOOLS 31 October 2016

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PRIMARY SCHOOLS 15 January 2017

PIANO LESSONS
I have been approached by an excellent piano teacher that I know through our links with the Blackburn Cathedral
Choir Concerts. He is keen to offer piano lessons in school for parents and pupils if there is any interest. Please
contact the school
INFANT SIZED BICYCLES PLEASE
If you have small infant-sized bicycles in good condition which are no longer required, please would you consider
donating these to our Early Year Classes and Nursery. We already offer coaching for balance bikes and bicycles each
year in our Reception classes and they would be much appreciated for use throughout the rest of the year to allow our
children to develop strength, coordination and skill in this area.
HOLIDAY CHILD CARE CLUB THE NEST
The school would like to make parents aware of a child care holiday club known as The Nest which will be available
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at Walton le Dale Primary School over the half term holiday break for parents that require it. It will run from the 31
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October to 4 November. The charge for a full day from 8am to 5pm would be 22. The cost of a standard day from
8.30am to 4.30pm would be slightly less at 20. There will be a definite autumn/Halloween theme running through
this week. Information flyers are available from the main office or you can email any queries to
Thenesthc@gmail.com or call 07889040411. Places may be limited, so please book promptly if you are interested. If
this facility is a popular one at Walton le Dale, future holiday clubs will be available.
CURRENT TRIPS AVAILABLE TO PAY ON PARENTPAY
The following items can be paid on Parentpay
China Trip in April 2017
Boreatton Park Year 6- 50 deposit
Clitheroe Castle Year 5- 9.20
Nursery Fees
Swimming lessons- Reception to Year 3 12.00 per term/ 36 for the year
SENDING MONEY INTO SCHOOL
We would prefer all parents to make any payment to school by Parentpay. If you do not have your details for setting
up an account on Parentpay, please email aarmstrong@wldps.com and your details will be emailed to you.
If you do have to send in cash or cheques, please make sure it is in a named envelope stating what the money is for
(i.e. Dinner Money). Envelopes are available to purchase from the school office. This should then be posted in one of

the many secure boxes we have around the school, including outside the office. Please avoid handing cash over to
office staff and teaching staff.

MEDICAL INFORMATION FORMS

Please can all Medical Information forms be returned to school as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
C. Shields
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11am KS2 Nippon UK Assembly

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Tempest Individual & Family Photos Starting at 8.15am hopefully!

21 September
26 September

PTFA Beetle Bug & Bingo 6pm

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27 September

Bikeability BISON Class (Tuesday to Friday PM)

KS2 Inclusion Event (Brownedge St Marys)
Hutton Grammar School Open Evening 5.45 8.30pm (new date added)

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28 September
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4 October

11am KS1 Nippon UK Assembly

Bikeability MANATEE Class (Tuesday to Friday PM)
Early Years Curriculum Evening 6 7pm

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5 October

Mad Science Club starts Year 4

OPEN DAY

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6 October

OPEN DAY

10th October

Early Years Curriculum Evening 6 7pm in the Reception Classroom

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Year 5 visit to Clitheroe Castle

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Early Years Curriculum Evening 6 7pm in the Reception Classroom

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24 October

Early Years Curriculum Evening 6 7pm in the Reception Classroom

25th October

Adrian Bowdens Science Shows for Infants & Juniors (new date added)

12 October
17 October

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26 October

Parents Evening

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28 October
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Halloween Disco KS1 5.15 & KS2 6.30pm

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31 October -4 November

Half Term

7th November

Governors Meetings - Resources 5pm & Curriculum 6pm

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8 November

Y6 Football Qualifier Brownedge St Marys

Early Years Stay & Play for Parents

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15 November

KS1 Inclusion Event WLDHS

16th November

Y4 Robinwood Parents meeting 5pm

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29 November

Year 6 Sports Hall Athletics Lostock Hall Academy

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Y4 depart for Robinwood - 11am

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3 December

Y4 Depart Robinwood - Collected by their parents at 12.30pm

5th December

PTFA Christmas Craft- 3.15-4.30pm

2 December

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8 December

Early Years Nativity

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Christmas Fair 12-2.30pm

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12 December

Full Governors Meeting- 6pm

13th December

Christmas Pantomime Blackpool Grand Theatre

10 December

Early lunch 11am Depart 12pm Performance 1.30pm Finish 4pm Return
to school by 5pm
14th December

St Marys Church - Junior Carol Service 6pm (Provisional date to be

confirmed)
Early Years Stay & Make Day for Parents

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15 December

Y4 Brass Assembly -11am

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PTFA Breakfast with Santa 8am

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PTFA Breakfast with Santa 8am

16 December
19 December

Whole School Assembly 9.30am

KS1 Party 10.30 11.30am KS1 Hall
KS2 Party 1.30 3.00pm KS2 Hall
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20 December

Hobgoblin Theatre Company Treasure Island

9.15 10.15am KS1 in the KS2 Hall
10.30 11.30am KS2 in the KS2 Hall
END OF TERM 1.15pm - Close of school for the Christmas break

SUPER PUPILS
Congratulations to our Super Pupils from last week:
Bison Class Caitlin
Manatee Class- Joe
Falcon Class - Christopher
Eagle Class - Matthew
Jaguar Class Alesha
Leopard Class- Emilia
Loris Class- Theo
Kakapo Class- Thomas
Gorilla Class- Lukasz
Orangutan Class- Kady
Elephant Class- Holly
Rhinoceros Class- Harvey