Manor Sporting Heroes 

In the week before half term we had two teams competing in Tamworth schools sports events. First was Tag Rugby at Tamworth Rugby Club where our Year 5/6 girl (Evie!) and boys played brilliantly. They comfortably beat every other team in our group apart from St Gabriel's who just shaded a very tight game by 2 tries to 1. St Gabriel's then went on to win the final. The team worked hard for each other and listened to instructions so they certainly deserved the free chips in the clubhouse after the game! Thank you to parents for supporting the children in this and to Tamworth Rugby Club for the warmth of their hospitality.

A few days later Mr Lloyd took a team of Owls to a Dodgeball competition at Rawlett where the children again competed at a high standard, winning most of their games and finishing a very creditable 3rd (we think!) overall. Thank you again to parents for support in transporting the children.

Well done to all those who represented the school and displayed our MANOR values throughout.

Inset Days

Our Inset days for next school year have been set and are on our website calendar and on the 'Parents > Day and Term Dates' page. These are important to note in case you wish to use them for holidays. 

Our INSET Days for 2024-25 are:

Monday 2nd September 2024

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Monday 6th January 2025

Friday 23rd May 2025

Monday 21st July 2025

From September 2024 the fixed penalty notice is increasing significantly for taking unauthorised leave of absence (holidays) in term time. There will be further information on this nearer the time but it is worth noting if you are planning holidays.

Parking

As you will be aware, the Village Club have been forced to close their car park. This is due to the cost of public liability insurance for its use by non-members of the club. The club committee are trying to find a way to fund this and have been meeting with the users of the car park and the parish council to try and find a way forward. As a school, we have always been grateful for the club's generosity in allowing staff and parents to park there but are unable to help directly with any funding.  We would be willing to support them in any fundraising activities by encouraging parents to get involved. Hopefully the matter can be resolved quickly as the lack of a car park adds pressure to an already congested time at the beginning and end of the school day.

We would ask parents to help the situation by:

• walking to school if you live in the village and it is safe to do so.
• parking on the roads a bit further from school and walking from there.
• Exercising patience and showing consideration for others.
• Not causing an obstruction to driveways or entrances to properties.
• Sharing transport where possible to reduce the number of vehicles.

Thank you for your support in making the drop off and pick up of children from our school as safe and organised as possible.

Mrs Pearce

Staff at Manor tend to arrive and stay for far longer than at most schools so it is always a surprise when someone moves on. We have had a little flurry of staff retiring or moving on over this year and the latest to bid a fond farewell is Mrs Pearce who works as a TA and as a lunchtime supervisor. 

Mrs Pearce has been at Manor for over a decade and has always been a friendly face who gets the best out of the children she works with. Recently she has turned her hand to supporting early reading and phonics in EYFS and Swans as well as supporting children in KS2. 

Mrs Pearce's home life has evolved, so she has taken up a new post which allows her to work 3 full days instead of being in every day, and she doesn't have to stick to term time for her holidays now her daughter has grown up (I hear some long weekends on caravan holidays may be in order!). Her final day at Manor will be on Tuesday 18th June.

I'm sure you will join us in wishing Mrs Pearce well in her new adventures and challenges.

Other Staff!

Since the last newsletter our trainee teacher in EYFS Miss Roberts completed her placement with us and we now have Miss Gill who has started a placement in EYFS. We have also had Miss Archer back to volunteer for the week in Penguins this week and of course Mrs Turner has started working mornings in EYFS as well as having taken on the role of lunchtime supervisor.

Magic of Writing Festival

In the penultimate week of term we are taking part in the Fierté 'Magic of Writing' Festival. We already have a team of parent volunteers prepared to help us with some of the (secret!) plans for setting this up. Mrs Armstrong would like to request the donation or loan of items such as:

• bean bags
• cushions
• fairy lights
• red and/or white sheets
• bunting
• blankets/throws

If you are able to help with any of these items, please drop Mrs Armstrong an email on rarmstrong@manor.fierte.org or speak to her on the playground.