Mrs Sage would like to welcome everyone back for the new school year. There's lots to look forward to and many opportunities linked to additional provision to enrich our children's education.

We've highlighted below some practical information you'll need before the first day back. There is also lots more specific information for parents of our new reception children on our website: Starting School in 2024. Take a look also at www.saltfordschool.org.uk/the-office/#school-notices for tips for parents on having your child ready for school. These include what to do about absences, tips for healthy snacks in line with school policy and the procedure at the end of the school day. There is a wealth of information about about school routines and procedures in the prospectus here.

Your class letter will contain lots of practical information too. Copies of these can be found on the relevant class page of our website.

When do we start?

This year, school starts on Wednesday 4th September. Years 1 – 6 should arrive in school at 8.40am as usual, 

The split sessions for new Reception children are 8.40am – 11.45am and 1.00pm – 3.15pm.

What should we bring?

Children should bring their school book bags and be wearing the correct school uniform. Children are advised to bring their PE kit on the first day back. We like to encourage the children to take responsibility for remembering what they need to bring to school and packing it in good time. Please remember to name all items. If you wonder why, take a look at our overflowing lost property box!

Swimming starts on the first Monday back, 9th September. Willow, Elm and Apple classes are swimming that day. Please see the swimming timetable for all classes here.

Do keep your eye on the Clubs page for up-to-date information about clubs and their timetables.

School dinners

The current menu is on our website here: Saltford Primary - Zest Menu - 2024 (saltfordschool.org.uk).

Dinners must be ordered by, at the latest, midday of the day before the dinner is required. If your child will require a dinner on the first day back, the order will need to be placed before midday on Tuesday 3^rd September.

All the information you need about school dinners is on the 'school dinners' section of the website. Dinners for children in years 3 - 6 should be paid for in advance using MCAS.

Communications

During the first week of term, parents will receive a class letter and curriculum map that will detail class arrangements for terms 1 and 2, including PE and swimming times and arrivals and departures guidelines.

Do look out for our launch newsletter that will be emailed to every family on Thursday of the first week back. This website is frequently updated with news, pictures and practical information, so keep an eye on our news and sports reports pages. The weekly newsletter is emailed to all contacts every Thursday. Our school X (Twitter) account gives you instant access to pictures and news as we have so much going on in a typical week at Saltford School.

Welcome meetings

We strongly advise that you attend our welcome meetings in term 1. They provide an opportunity for parents to meet the staff and to talk through the year to come. It is the ideal time to clear up any questions you may have. You will also be invited to visit the classrooms after the meeting. Do look out for messages from school containing details of your meeting.

The only year groups not having their meetings next term will be the new Reception classes and the new Y3 classes because they have already had their meetings.

Wednesday 4^th September 5pm: Year 6 welcome meeting in hall

Thursday 5^th September 5pm: Year 5 welcome meeting in hall

Monday 9^th September 5pm: Year 2 Welcome meeting in hall

Tuesday 10^th September 5pm: Year 1 Welcome meeting in hall

Wednesday 11^th September 5pm: Year 4 Welcome meeting in hall

Mon 16^th September: EY literacy meeting

The presentations from the meetings, as well as the usual class letters and subject overviews, will all be available on your child's class page.

Get involved

We always encourage parents to be engaged in school life. Please take a look at our wonderful PTA pages and find out how you could get involved. It's rewarding and it's fun.

We also encourage children to be engaged in all that school has to offer. See our 'Children' section for details of all the opportunities available to them.

We always appreciate the help parents and extended families can give in the school day. Mrs Sage sends a letter to ask for help in the classroom each year. Please complete the form on the letter if you are able to hear children read, help with computers etc. Any offer of help via any means is welcome. 

The money raised from each cake sale goes to that class who can then choose the toys and games they would like for their classrooms, so please support your class. The PTA will also be selling nearly new school uniform at very attractive prices and there will be a free book swap available at the same time.

For the book swap, children can donate their pre-loved books anytime in the box outside the school office. On the cake sale days, children can come into the hall and help themselves to a new book of their choice for free. This is not a fundraising event, just a way to encourage the children to share books and encourage recycling.

Friday 20th September 2024: Year 1
Friday 11th October: Year 6
Friday 22nd November: Year 3
Friday 17th January 2025: Year 2
Friday 7th March: Year 4
Friday 2nd May: Reception
Friday 6th June: Year 5

Classes are paired in year groups for the sales which take place monthly on a Friday in the hall from 3.15 – 3.30 pm. The uniform sales and book swap take place in the hall at the same time.

Please bring in cakes on the morning of the sale. The children should leave them on the left hand library shelf. If you need your container back, please ensure it is labelled and collect it from the library the following Monday.

There are children in school with severe life-threatening nut, lentil and seed allergies so please do check your cakes carefully. If you are donating gluten free/ dairy free or vegetarian cakes, please ensure they are clearly labelled.

Please bring change if you are purchasing cakes and encourage older children to go along to the cake sale independently to keep the queues down to the minimum. Thank you for your support.