Charlton School

19^th December 2023

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we move ever closer to the end of term, I would just like to thank our wonderful community for the incredibly generous donations to our Christmas collection that we advertised in my last letter.  Your donations have made a significant contribution to some of our families being able to celebrate Christmas, without your donations this simply would not have been possible.  I would also like to publicly thank Mrs Cunningham on behalf of our families for her work on this project, your efforts are very much appreciated by us all.

At the end of term, we are losing a really valued member of our school community, Miss Wheat – Head of Expressive Arts.  Miss Wheat has made the decision to have a change of lifestyle and location, she is moving to France to teach skiing and English as an additional language.

I cannot thank her enough on behalf of our school community for all the amazing opportunities she has provided with her team for our students (and staff!) to show their creative flair.  Our Expressive Arts Department has gone from strength to strength under her guidance and we have large numbers of students taking part in our showcase events.  Some students have chosen to pursue further studies at college in the performing arts due to the opportunities she has given them at Charlton.  We wish Miss Wheat the very best for the future.

We are also saying goodbye to Mrs Tye, she has been covering in Food Technology since Mrs Peel left on maternity leave, we are very grateful for her hard work during her time with this. 

From January we are fortunate to have joining us Mrs Newman, who will be taking over the teaching of Food Technology and other lessons in the DT Department and Mr McKoy joining us to teach Music.  Please make them both feel very welcome in the new year.

Please can I remind you of the arrangements for the end of term:

Last Day of Term - Friday 22^nd December 2023 – 1:30pm finish

Non-Uniform Day - Friday 22^nd December 2023

Christmas Lunch – Thursday 21^st December 2023

On the last day of term, Friday 22^nd December, we will be finishing at the earlier time of 1:30pm, all students will need to leave site at this time.  A full food service for break and lunch will be available to students during the day.  The 103 and 104 bus routes will be replaced by two A-Star Transport coaches who have agreed to take students from our rural community home at this time to prevent them having to wait until after our normal school closure time. These coaches will be in the Layby on Whitchurch Road and not the public service layby on Apley Avenue.

On Friday 22^nd December we will be holding a non-uniform day for the cost of £1; students can wear their own clothes.  We encourage students to wear something Christmassy! Money raised will be split between Save The Children and the Learning Community Trust Food Bank.  Students are reminded that their clothing should be appropriate for a school environment.  Any students who arrive in clothing that is deemed inappropriate will be asked to return home to change.  This includes outfits that are too revealing or that contain inappropriate wording or represent political messages.

On Thursday 21^st December we will be holding our Christmas lunch, there will also be pizza on offer. The cost is £2.55 for a main course and pudding. Children who wish to take up this option will need to ensure that their canteen account has had funds added to it prior to this date.

Over the last two days of term, we will be holding celebration assemblies to honour those students who have shown exceptional attendance and effort.  I would like to congratulate award winners and thank all students for the commitment shown to their studies at Charlton.

We start back to school on Tuesday 9^th January 2024, all students need to be onsite for 8:40am for when the doors open to make their way into the building.  A reminder please, lessons (not form time) start promptly at 8:45am.  We have noticed in the last few weeks an increase in lateness to school and consequently a small number of students are missing the start of first lesson.  It is vital all students are in their classrooms and ready to learn by 8:45am.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.

Yours faithfully,

Mr A McNaughton

Principal