Issue – 21.10.21 MESSAGE FROM MRS FORD, HEADTEACHER Dear Parents/Carers It seems impossible that it is half term already – where the weeks go?! It has been a great start to the new school year and I am delighted the children, and parents, have been able to participate in a range of exciting activities, including our Macmillan Coffee Morning, Jeans For Genes Day, ‘Meet the Teacher’ Meetings, Parent ‘Drop-in’ Sessions and, of course, the FOSS Halloween Infant/Junior Disco which was a huge success Learning and Growing Together Stepgates Community School I would like to thank all the children in Kites Class who were outstanding ambassadors for the school during our Prospective Parents Open Morning held on Tuesday of this week Our Year children welcomed our visitors and conducted tours of the school The feedback we received was very positive, the parents were very impressed with how well behaved, friendly and polite all the children were Well done Kites! (We are also holding two further Open Mornings on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th November as well as our Open Evening for prospective parents on Tuesday 9th November between 5pm and 7pm - Please see Page for further details as places must be booked in advance) STAFFING I am sad to announce that Mrs Caminarides will be leaving Stepgates Community School after half term; as many of you will be aware Mrs Caminarides returned in September to support the Early Years Team with transition I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks for the dedication and commitment she has shown to Stepgates Community School since 2008 I am also sad to announce that Ms Lamberth, who has been part of Stepgates team since May 2012, will also be leaving after half term Whilst we are very sad to be losing Ms Lamberth, we are delighted that she has secured a new, very exciting, role and would like to congratulate her on this wonderful opportunity Both Mrs Caminarides and Ms Lamberth are highly valued members of staff and will be greatly missed by staff and children If you would like you to join our inclusive, caring and friendly school as a Learning Support Assistant (Hours: Monday to Friday - 8.40am-3.15/3.20pm), please follow the link below for further details: https://www.eteach.com/job/learning-support-assistant-1182334 AMENDMENT TO INSET DAY - JUNE 2022 Please note: The date for our INSET Day in June 2022 will be Monday 20th June 2022, NOT the provisional date of Monday 6th June 2022, as stated in previous correspondence PARENT QUESTIONNAIRES Parent Questionnaires will be sent home electronically after half term Your feedback is always valued and I would be most grateful if you could complete and return this to your child’s class teacher, preferably by email Finally, I would like to say thank you to the parents, children, governors and staff who continue to show their support, commitment and dedication to Stepgates I hope that you and your families are able to have a restful half term and I look forward to seeing you on Monday 1st November 2021 Mrs T Ford Headteacher WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Congratulations to Hawks and Ladybirds Classes for the best attendance in the last two weeks Ladybirds Butterflies Grasshoppers Falcons Hawks Owls Kites 4th-8th October 11th-15th October 91.9% 96.0% 91.2% 94.7% 90.1% 82.0% 89.6% 92.5% 92.4% 99.7% 87.0% 96.0% 93.4% 91.2% 83.0% 93.6% HEADTEACHER AWARDS Well done to the following children who have been presented with Learning and Growing Together Stepgates Community School Headteacher Awards: Charley Mees Edward Howson Callum Wooding Alfie Selway Ollie Perry Diego Cavaco Katarina Fliszta Fernandes Dylan Kittle Chloe Keary Aneesa Budaly Well done to: Jackson Stone - Beaver of the Month Woggle Aleesha Ahmed - Abbey Rangers Football Trophy Edward Howson - Rugby Tournament Medal Annie Cutting - x Dance Competitions (4th and 1st) Ollie Perry - Thai boxing shorts for excellent attitude to training Harry Pope ) Max Pope ) Aaron Warner ) Fundraiser for Little Minds Charity Phoebe Scorer ) Dance Show at The Sophie Nelson ) Beck Theatre Leksiy Arslan ) Thank you for sharing your success with the children at our Whole School Assembly On Sunday 17th October, Encore Theatre Arts (who use our school hall for their weekly dance lessons) held a choreography competition in New Haw We are delighted to announce that some of the winners were our very own Stepgates children: Alannah Brough - 1st place Ava Edwards - 2nd place Wonuola Osiyemi - 2nd place Learning and Growing Together Stepgates Community School Football Match Report Football Match Report Stepgates V Pyrcroft Grange Stepgates V Thorpe Lea Friday 15th October 2021 Monday 18th October 2021 Reported by Dylan and Harry Reported by Dylan and Harry We played very well, but unfortunately, we lost 10 – 1, which we didn’t deserve but they had the advantage of some very good players Let’s focus on the positives though! We were strong in defence, we pressed quite well and we made some very good passes, which led to lots of chances Well done to Olly Boulton for scoring our goal and well done to Max and Millie for making some incredible saves The score was 7– to Thorpe Lea, but we were unlucky not to win It must’ve been frustrating for the players but we kept our heads high and we are sure the parents will agree that we worked our socks off! Again, Thorpe Lea had some good players and they played very well, but we put up a very good fight and would be deserving of the points from that game! We would also like to make a special mention to Mr Williams for refereeing and all of the children, teachers and parents for coming to support us Thank you to everyone who came along to support us Mrs Brough would like to add that she is incredibly proud of the entire football squad (these two matches being the first time we have ever played as teams) for demonstrating so many of our school values during both matches, in particular: showing collaboration in their teamwork and resilience to continue to push through the final whistle We look forward to our next match! FOSS HALLOWEEN DISCO Thank you to all those who helped with the Halloween Disco on Monday, which was a huge success, raising approximately £781.61 We would also like to say a very big thank you to Emma Stoica and family for their very generous donation of sweets towards the Halloween Disco Well done and thank you to all involved! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Is your child in Year 6? If your child was born between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 you will need to apply for a secondary school place by 31st October 2021 Apply online at www.surreycc.gov.uk/admissions Is your child starting school in September 2022? If your child was born between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018 you will need to apply for a school place between 1st November 2021 and 15th January 2022 Learning and Growing Together Stepgates Community School Apply online at www.surreycc.gov.uk/admissions OPEN MORNINGS AND OPEN EVENING FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS From September 2021, we are delighted to be able to welcome visitors back to our site and welcome all prospective parents to come and see our wonderful school Our Open Morning and Open Evening tours will be held on the following dates: Tuesday 19th October Tuesday 9th November Wednesday 10th November Tours at 9.30am and 11.00am Tuesday 9th November between 5pm and 7pm Please contact the school office either by telephone (01932 563022) or email (events@stepgates.surrey.sch.uk) to book a slot, specifying which day and time All visits must be booked in advance IMPORTANT REMINDER If your child has a new continuous cough or a high temperature (above 38C), or a loss of (or change in) their normal sense of taste or smell, they must get a PCR TEST before they can return to school Where symptoms are present, negative lateral flow tests are not acceptable DATES - 2021/2022 Autumn Term 2021 Fri 22nd to Fri 29th October Half Term Monday 1st November Children return to school Monday 6th December INSET Day - School closed Friday 17th December Last day of Autumn Term - Children finish at 1:00pm Mon 20th Dec to Mon 3rd Jan Christmas holidays Learning and Growing Together Stepgates Community School Spring Term 2022 Tuesday 4th January INSET Day - School closed Wednesday 5th January Children return to school Friday 11th February Last day of term - Children finish at normal time Mon 14th to Fri 18th February Half Term Monday 21st February INSET Day - School closed Tuesday 22nd February Children return to school Friday 1st April Last day of Spring Term - Children finish at 1:00pm Mon 4th to Mon 18th April Easter holidays Summer Term 2022 ASSESSMENTS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING MAY; THEREFORE NO AUTHORISED ABSENCES WILL BE GRANTED DURING THIS TIME Tuesday 19th April Children return to school Monday 2nd May Bank Holiday - School closed Friday 27th May Last day of term - Children finish at normal time Mon 30th May to Fri 3rd June Half Term Monday 20th June INSET Day - School closed Tuesday 7th June Children return to school Friday 22nd July Last day of Summer term - Children finish at 1:00pm