Gibson News - September 2025

KEY DATES

Monday 27 – Friday 31 October                     – Hallowe’en Holidays

Friday 19 December                                        – School closes at 12.30pm for Y1-4 & 1pm for Y5-7

Monday 22 December – Monday 5 January (inclusive) – Christmas Holiday  

All key dates are available on the school website (www.gibsonps.co.uk – under Parents - School Closures)

School Communication with Parents – Once again we will be sending letters, newsletters and information via e-mail. It is essential that all parents regularly check their nominated email account to receive up to date information.  If your details have changed or you need further assistance, please contact the school.  We will also be putting our monthly Gibson News and letters on our school website.

Year Group Meeting – All classes are planning a meeting for all parents to outline what you and your child can expect this year including what topics will be covered etc.  This does give both teachers and parents an opportunity to meet face to face.  Your attendance at these meetings would be appreciated:

The meetings are on the following dates:

·         Language Unit Classes – Friday 19 September at 9.30am

·         Year 1 – Individual parent meetings with teacher (Monday 8 Sept – Thursday 11 Sept)

·         Year 2 – Wednesday 10 September at 2.30pm

·         Year 3 – Wednesday 17 September at 2.30pm

·         Year 4 – Wednesday 10 September at 3.15pm

·         Year 5 – Monday 8 September at 3.15pm

·         Year 6 – Mrs Baird’s class on Tuesday 9 September at 3.15pm

·         Year 6/7Jobb & Year 7 Irwin – Monday 15 September at 3.15pm

Additional Activities – As usual we will be running a series of Additional Activities for our pupils. They are always very popular and normally all activities are over-subscribed.  Details regarding these will be sent home next week.  These will begin from:

o    Year 2 & 3                    Friday 26 September from 2.00 – 3.00pm

o    Year 4 – 7                     Friday 26 September from 2.00 – 3.00pm.

Breakfast & Afternoon Clubs – School opens at 8.30am every morning.  Children can be left off any time up until school starts at 9.00am sharp. Please note NO pupils are allowed past the pupils’ gates before 8.30am.  If you require supervision for your children before this time or after school, we offer the following:

o    Breakfast Club – Runs every school day from 8.00am costing £1.50 per day or £6 per week – no advance booking required.

o    Late Class – For pupils in Y1-3 who wish to stay until 3.00pm to ease collection.  Costs £1 per day, no booking is required, and money should be sent to class teacher.

o    Busy Bees Club – This runs from 3.00 – 5.00pm every school day. Costing £8 per day this needs to be booked and paid for in advance via the Eduspot online payment portal.

Please note Busy Bees have moved rooms this year. Parents who are collecting children from this club should use the steps and walkway at the side of the school to walk to the large playground and use the entrance door at the side of this playground as it is beside the new room.  If you need to contact Busy Bees after 3.00pm please call 07359 710943.

Free School Meals & Uniform Grant – Any parent who thinks they may be entitled to free school meals should apply straight away.  While lots have already applied, please note that until we are notified by the EA you will still be charged for dinners.  Given the delay in the application process it is VITAL that applications are submitted ASAP.  If you need any assistance with this, please contact me at school.

Allergies – We continue to have a significant number of children who have severe allergies and are required to have Epi-pens.  Please note no NUT products can be sent into school.  Thank you for your help with this.

Car Park – Our car park (especially at specific times) is incredibly busy.  IT IS ESSENTIAL that parents use it properly and do not try and use the bus & taxi lane for drop off.  THIS IS UNSAFE!

We simply cannot have a child hurt because parents are rushing to get out. I will be monitoring closely this in the coming weeks!

Curriculum Focus – This year we are focusing on developing our key skills in Literacy and Numeracy.  We will be running sessions on Paired Reading, Phonics training for parents and more.  We will keep you updated regarding this.

PTA – We hope to hold our first PTA Meeting of the year towards the end of September.  We are always looking for new members.  It is a great way to become involved in school life and there is no obligation to sign up for any specific roles or hours.  The more members we have the more opportunities we will be able to provide for our pupils.

Wreath Making – Our PTA have organised a Christmas themed Wreath Making session on Tuesday 18 November in school from 7.00 – 8.30pm. This is the perfect opportunity to create your own real Christmas Wreath.

This costs £50 and can be booked by emailing Mrs Irwin on wirwin595@c2kni.net

Please note places are limited and will be provided on a first come basis.

Storage Units – Thanks to PTA funding we have been able to purchase two new storage sheds which will be used to store outdoor playground equipment for the pupils.  We are still finalising shelving etc and hope to fill them full of resources for our pupils to use in the coming weeks.

Basketball Court – Our basketball court remains out of use due to a dangerous tree which is at risk of falling.  This has been reported to EA, assessed and we are awaiting it actioned.  Until it is removed no-one is permitted to use this space.

School Grounds – I am sure many of you know about the sad events in July when a valued member of our local EA Grounds Maintenance Team died as a result of an accident while at work.  EA are reviewing their practices following this incident which is having an impact on our school grounds and grass areas.  We are actively investigating ways of ensuring our school grounds are maintained to allow our pupils to fully utilise them.

Allergies & Special Diets – School Canteen provides special diets because of medical needs, religious preferences or allergies. We will be in contact with those small number of pupils that this applies to.  If your child has a special diet because of a medical need or allergy, please contact school next week to discuss this with the School Cook.

Voluntary Contribution – We will be sending information home in the coming weeks about the family voluntary contribution.  This year we are requesting £30 per family and this money will be used to re-paint our playground and purchase new equipment for use in the playgrounds.  We deeply appreciate your support and could not fund this without it.

iPads – We have recently purchased 30 new iPads which will be used throughout Key Stage 2.  This was funded by an incredibly generous donation.  A huge thank you to them for supporting our school and pupils this way!

Year 7 SEAG work – Additional sessions for our Y7 pupils sitting the SEAG test will begin on Wednesday morning from 8.30 – 9.00am and on Thursday afternoons from 3.00 – 4.00pm.  These sessions are optional, but we would strongly encourage attendance. 

Choir – Our Y5 – 7 choir will be starting on Tuesday.  Please speak to your child about this as it is a great opportunity and lots of fun; however, it does require lots of commitment and practice!

Year 1 Brighter Breakfast – As always, we are planning on having a special breakfast for our Year 1 pupils and their parents on Friday 19 September.  This will run from 8.00 – 8.4am and is a great opportunity to spend some time with your child in school, meet the teachers, see where they have lunch and chat with other parents. More details to follow.