Lane End Primary School

February - Newsletter 15 (15th February 2017)

Dear Parents/Carers,

Lane End Primary School is 50 Years Old (1967 – 2017)

Information for the whole school community about our 50^th Anniversary and how children, parents, past pupils, staff and the community can get involved in the celebrations:

 Lane End Primary School is 50 years old this year.  The school opened its doors to pupils on 4^th April 1967 and had its official opening on 23^rd June 1967. To celebrate its Golden Anniversary we are planning a week of events starting on 27^th March 2017 (4^th April is in the Easter holidays so this is as close as possible to the exact anniversary) as well as a celebration day on 23^rd June 2017 to mark 50 years since the school was officially opened.

During the 50^th Anniversary Theme Week in March the children will be creating a time capsule which will then be buried (for 50 years) in an official ceremony on 23^rd June. They will be learning about the history of the school over the last 50 years and comparing 1967 to 2017 and thinking ahead to the world in 2067 – 50 years from now!

To give you plenty of notice we will also be having a special dressing up day on Monday 27^th March – children should come dressed up to look like they come from the 1960s - that could be the fashions of the time, a notable person from the 1960s or a character from 1960s culture (e.g. books, films, TV). Use your imagination and have a look on the internet and in books for ideas with your child – there will be a prize for the best costume in each class!

On Thursday March 30^th Tempest Photographers will be in school to take a whole school photograph – you will be able to buy a copy of this special 50^th Anniversary photo. Children should look smart in their full school uniform on this day.

On Monday 27^th March the school is putting together a physical timeline of artefacts and photographs which will help to tell the story of 50 years of Lane End – it will stretch around the hall for all of the children to see. Parents and the community are then invited to come and have a look after school that day (from 3:20pm).

As part of the theme week we would also love to get in touch with past pupils and staff and get them involved in the celebrations.

 If you were a pupil or member of staff at the school and have any artefacts or photographs you could contribute (an old school jumper, class photo, programme from a school event etc.) then please contact the school by email - admin@laneend.stockport.sch.uk  or phone 0161 485 8071.   All items would need to be named so they can be returned and the date they relate to given so that they can be placed in the right place on the time line!

Additionally, if you are a past pupil or member of staff and would be able to come in to school to talk to the children about Lane End when you were there then you are also invited to a special assembly on Tuesday 28^th March and to spend time talking to the children in class that morning. You will need to contact school by Monday 13^th March so that this event can be timetabled. If you can’t make that date but would like to share some stories about school with the children another time that week then please let us know and we will see if we can fit you in! When you email school please let us know when you were at Lane End and give a brief outline of any special memories you could share.

Finally, on 23^rd June at the Lane End Celebration Day the time capsule will be buried and past pupils and staff as well as current parents, relatives and friends of the school are invited to watch at the official ceremony. There will then be a sponsored community jog – school staff will be marshalling this and all visitors and the community of Cheadle Hulme are invited to cheer the children along as they complete the sponsored event! (More details about this will come home with a sponsorship form nearer the time.) The children will be having a street party in the afternoon and then Lane End PTA are holding our picnic on the school field that evening which the whole school community are invited to – we’d love to see as many of you there as possible so please put the date in your diary.

There’s lots to get involved with so please contact school in the ways outlined above to let us know if you are interested and can help.

Governing Board – I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Mrs Sue Hulme who has been our Chair of Governors for the last 5 years and on our Governing Board for 20 years since having children at the school herself – Sue is a great supporter of the school and has given a great deal in her role as governor and chair. She is stepping down from this role at Easter and Mr Jonny Downing has been elected as chair (stepping up from vice-chair) with Mr Mark Kambites having been elected as vice-chair. One of our parent governors, Mrs Carla Seed, finishes her term in March and so we will be having an election for a new parent governor. Thank you very much to Carla for all of her work as governor and if you are interested in the role please don’t hesitate to come and talk to me about it – nomination paper work will be coming home after the half term holidays.

Non-uniform Day – If you remember from my last newsletter we have a non-uniform day on Friday to help raise money for the PTA’s funding to upgrade Seesaw. As mentioned, instead of bringing in money on Friday this is now available on ParentPay for your donations – thank you for your support.

Parents Evenings – Our parents evenings are on Monday 13^th and Wednesday 15^th March for all year groups except Year 3 which are on Wednesday 8^th and Wednesday 15^th March. A sign-up sheet will be available from Tuesday 28^th February at 8am. If you are unable to come in to school you can phone to arrange an appointment from 8am on this day. We would like to see all parents/carers at an appointment – thank you.

World book Day – Another opportunity for the children to dress up is during World Book Day which is on Thursday 2^nd March. Children can come dressed up as one of their favourite book characters. We will be taking part in book related activities and giving children their £1 World Book Day Book tokens to spend on the special World Book Day Books at participating book shops. Go to the World Book Day website to find out more: http://www.worldbookday.com/

Robinwood – our Year 6 are currently enjoying their residential at Robinwood Activity Centre; taking part in adventurous and challenging activities and having lots of fun! They are due back at 5pm on Wednesday.

Guide to Staying Safe - Mrs Love has produced a booklet for parents/carers which gives details of some of the important messages we give the children in assemblies about staying safe – this has gone home this week and is also available on our website in the ‘parents’ section.

We break up after school on Friday 17^th February and the children are due back in on Monday 27^th February – we hope you all have a lovely half term week.

Yours sincerely,  

James Twigg