A message from the Headteacher

As we approach the half term break, I am amazed at how quickly time has flown since we returned in September! It has been lovely to see so many of you at school events including the Harvest Assemblies, Family Learning events and the MacMillan Coffee morning and the children have enjoyed a chance for a dance at the first discos in over two years.

We are on a constant journey of school improvement. We have four priorities this year –

  • To continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning in reading, writing and maths so that all children achieve their potential.
  • To continue to raise standards in Science and the Foundation Subjects
  • To further enhance SEN provision to help children who face barriers to learning to overcome them
  • To help children become resilient, active learners by developing learning behaviours

As part of our focus on the foundation subjects we have recently reviewed how we enhance the children’s learning. Whist we love taking the children on visits, we recognise how expensive they can be so we are keen to develop our visits in the local area but also extend the range of visitors coming into school. This is where parents and carers can come in.  We want to put together a list of people that we can call on occasionally to share their interest with the children, both to share knowledge but also to awaken them to the range of possibilities open to them in the future.

Do you have an interest which may inspire our children? Are you (or someone you know) a member of a local ornithologist club or have an interest in local history? Do you own an allotment or are you a keen artist? Are you an engineer who makes use of maths in your everyday work?  Do you belong to a faith community and would be willing to tell the children about a festival you may celebrate? Perhaps you know of a local club or society that would be interested in sharing their passion with the children or maybe you have canoed down the Amazon! If so, we would love to hear from you! Please let us know about your hobbies, interests, job or experience and we would love to invite you to share it with the children in a way that you feel comfortable with.

Please drop us an email with your name and what it is you may be able to offer. (info@ridge.dudley.sch.uk)

I hope that your children have a wonderful half term break. We send our congratulations to Miss Syner, who gets married over the holiday and hope that she and her fiancé have an amazing day. Miss Syner will be known as Mrs Thomas after her marriage.

Kind regards

Mrs D Hudson

Headteacher

Going Live Soon - Cashless Catering and More

 

This week we have had our terminal and training for the new system for ordering lunches and online payments. Initially this will be for food orders and payments but there will then be a phased roll out of the system for other payments: for example OSCAR Fees, uniform and school visits.

The first step is for everyone (even if your child does not currently have school meals) to register for an account. You should have received a letter with instructions of how to complete this process. If not, please contact the school office. Registration for an account needs to be completed by Tuesday 1st November. After this, there will be a period of verification before the system goes live for ordering lunches  (and paying where appropriate) hopefully from Monday 28th November.

Attendance and Punctuality - Dental and Medical Appointments

This Weeks attendance 

Reception - 86.00%

Year 1 – 92.41%

Year 2 – 98.00%

Year 3 – 93.21%

Year 4 – 96.33%

Year 5 – 94.48%

Year 6 – 95.00%

Well done Year 2!

 

In promoting good attendance please be advised that parents/carers should make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the child should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised absence as long as the child’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance of the appointment and provides evidence of the appointment. We would not expect this to be a frequent occurrence unless there are on-going medical needs that the school has been made aware of.

Thank you for your support.

This Half Terms attendance 

Reception - 94.85%

Year 1 – 95.72%

Year 2 – 97.98%

Year 3 – 96.16%

Year 4 – 96.67%

Year 5 – 96.24%

Year 6 – 95.05%

Well done Year 2!

Meet A Governor

Introduction

As well as governors elected by the parents of the school, ‘co-opted governors’ also serve on the school’s Governing Body. These are people who are invited by the governors because they have knowledge or skills which can contribute to the strategic direction of the school. Pol Watson is one of our Co-opted Governors

How long have you been a governor?

I joined as a Parent Governor in 2014 when my son was in year 1 and I am now a Co-Opted Governor as my son has moved to High School.

How does your experience in the workplace helps as a governor ?

I am Operations Director for a fund management company in the centre of Birmingham.  Amongst other things, I am responsible for managing the finances of the company so I feel this stands me in good stead to assist with the many and varied budget decisions and restraints the school faces.

Why did you become a governor and what do you  enjoy about being a governor ?

I became a governor as it’s important to me to volunteer in my local community and this opportunity gave me a chance to try and gain an understanding of ‘behind the scenes’ workings of a school.  After seven years, these two reasons are still valid and contribute to my enjoyment of the governor role.  I’ve also met some great people and I’m pleased to be able to keep my link with The Ridge, even though my son has left. 

 

What have you learnt about the Ridge since becoming a governor?

I’ve learnt that teaching is very definitely a vocation and passion; there are so many demands on our teaching and ancillary staff that simply don’t start or end in the classroom!

Safeguarding - Keeping safe online

 

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Mrs Hudson is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and any concerns should be shared with her or the Deputy Safeguarding Leads – Mrs Hadley, Miss Beddoes and Mrs Burley.

Sports for Champions

Recently your child attended an assembly with Mr Lamb about an upcoming visit to school by a sporting champion, and brought home a sponsorship form.

We will be hosting a workshop with England International Decathlete Matthew Lee on Wednesday 23rd November. Matthew needs your help to raise funds for vital training, medical and competition costs. This money will also help our school and other athletes across the country.

The sponsorship form can be completed on-line here.. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ridge , or on the paper form given out.  If you are completing it on paper and sending money into school this MUST be returned to us by 15th November.  Thank you.

What's Happening Week Commencing 31st October 2022

Monday • Loudmouth workshops for Years 4 and 6
Tuesday • Please make sure that you have registered for your online ordering and payment account
• Forest School for Years 2 and 5
• Year 4 Clarinet Whole Class Lesson
Wednesday
Thursday • School Tour for Potential Reception Class - Sept 2023
• Choir
Friday • Year 4 Swimming

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