Welcome To
Regents Park Community Primary School
Believe in Yourself - Anything is Possible!
Dear Parents/ Carers,
With only 3 weeks to go before the end of the school year, there is lots to do and some changes to tell you about.
Change in School Leadership for September 2024
The first change to let you know about is that from September 2024, I will be reducing my working week from 5 days to 4 days a week. This was agreed by the Governing Board earlier this term. Most weeks I will be working from Tuesday to Friday, although there may be some times when I am working on a Monday. The intention is that this arrangement is in place for 12 months and I see it as being partly a preparation for my eventual retirement, possibly in Summer 2025.
During this period, I remain committed to ensuring that the children of Regents Park receive the highest quality teaching and learning, that they are happy and successful and that the school continues to go forward from strength to strength
I do not feel that my decision will have a huge impact on the day to day running of the school - Miss Paddem will be stepping up to become Acting Head Teacher one day a week and we have a large group of senior leaders in the school, including Miss Turner, Miss Khan, Mrs Vara and Mrs McDonald, who will continue to support Miss Paddem and myself.
Changes in Teaching Staff for September 2024
It is very sad that we will be saying goodbye at the end of term to two members of the teaching staff who, between them, have 31 years of experience of working at Regents Park.
Mrs Higby joined Regents Park in 2006 and many of you will know her for the work she has done in EYFS although recently she has been teaching in Year 3.
Mrs Halbert joined Regents Park in 2011 and has taught across KS2 including currently in Year 5.
Obviously, it is going to be very sad to lose two very experienced members of staff; however, we do wish them well in their new positions in schools in Solihull.
As a result of Mrs Higby and Mrs Halbert leaving Regents Park, we will be welcoming two new members of staff who will join us in September. Miss Ashraf will join us in Year 1 in September and Miss Akhlaq (who is currently working with Mrs Hemraj in 3VH) will join us in Year 2. They are looking forward to meeting with their new classes on Wednesday 3rd July during our transition day in school.
School closures - Thursday 4th July for Election Day and on Friday 19th July
We have sent out lots of messages to remind you that school will be CLOSED on Thursday 4th July due to the General Election. Staff will organise work for children to complete at home. School reopens as normal at 8.40am on Friday 5th July.
Governors have also given permission for school to be CLOSED on Friday 19th July. This is because of a large amount of work that needs to be done this year in school to prepare for the start of next term. We are moving the Nursery into the main building and we are reorganising where a number of classes will be in school next year. Because of the amount of movement taking place, Governors have given permission for school to close for pupils at 3.00pm on Thursday 18th July. Again, staff will organise some work for children to complete at home on Friday 19th July.
School Transition Day - Wednesday 3rd July 2024
This Wednesday 3rd July is Transition Day in school. Children from Year 6 will be out of school on this day visiting their new secondary schools. As a result, we will use this as an opportunity for children from Reception to Year 5, to also visit their new year groups and meet their new teachers for next year and spend the day in class with them. It's always very exciting for the children but can also be a little daunting, but I'm sure it will help the children get themselves ready for the new school year.
Children should come in as normal on Wednesday and, once registered, they will go to their new classes. They will also be collected from their usual locations.
Reports and Parents Afternoon - Wednesday 10th July 3.15pm to 5.45pm
It is nearly time to share with you your child's school report for 2023-24. These will be sent out to parents in the week beginning Monday 8th July.
On Wednesday 10th July we will be holding a Parents Afternoon from 3.15 to 5.45pm. Unlike in the Autumn and Spring term, this will just be held on one day so it does mean that teachers will not be able to meet every parent for an appointment. Appointments will be booked on a first come, first served basis and, as you will already have your child's report, they are available if you have a concern or an issue that you wish to discuss with your child's class teacher. Staff may also contact you if they feel it would be helpful to speak to you about your child's progress and how you can support them.
A link will be sent out this week so you can book appointments if you would like to.
Dixon Road closure for Active Wellbeing activities on Friday 12th July from 2pm to 4pm
On Friday 12th July, we will be working with the Active Wellbeing Society to organise a street closure and activities for parents, children and the community to take part in on Dixon Road. We have done something similar before and it has been very successful.
As well as encouraging families to take part in community activities, one of the reasons for doing this is to encourage everyone to help make the streets around our school safer. As such, on Friday 12th July, Dixon Road will be closed to all traffic. We hope this will encourage parents to leave their cars behind at home and encourage children and families to walk to and from school instead.
We would love for parents to join us for a fun afternoon of activities and look forward to seeing you on the afternoon of Friday 12th July!
Last week of term
Here are some of the events taking place in the last week of term:
INSET days in September and school reopens on Wednesday 4th September at 8.40am
Just a reminder then that school closes to pupils on Thursday 18th July at 3.00pm. We then REOPEN for pupils on Wednesday 4th September at 8.40am. School will be open for staff training days on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September. If you need to contact school before then you can email at enquiry@rgntpark.bham.sch.uk or leave a voicemail on 0121 4646746 (please note that voicemails may not be picked up until September).
We hope you all have a good summer when it comes and look forward to seeing you for the next school year in September!
Yours faithfully,
Mr A Beale