Quiz Night
Thank you to everyone who attended the quiz night last Friday. I hope you had a good night, I know I did! Once again we had a brilliant response to an event organised by our Friends of Rodings. We haven't spent much of the Friends money recently, but that is because we are saving up for a big project. We are hoping to refurbish the school hall and make it a really effective multifunctional space. We want to replace the sound and audio equipment making productions and other events sound and look even better. We couldn't even think about doing this project without the wonderful support of the Friends and your contributions when you attend Friends events. We appreciate it very much!
Update on next week's industrial action by the NEU
There will be two days of industrial action next week. Strikes are planned for the 15th and 16th March. At the moment I am assuming that the same teachers will be striking as last time. Consequently, the following classes will be closed:
- Goslings: Miss Birch
- Kingfishers
- Kookaburras
- Toucans
- Parrots
If anything should change I will let you know as soon as possible. Recently, I have had the following queries which I thought would be good to share here.
Attendance - If I have to close a class the child's attendance is not affected. It is recorded as a strike day closure similar to when we have to close for snow. However, if a class is open and a parent decides to keep a sibling off as well it has to be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Prestige sports club will go ahead as Nick and Holly are not affected by strike action. You are welcome to bring children in for their after school activity.
Bikeability for parrots will be affected, and we are currently working with the organisation to find alternative arrangements.
A message from Essex County Council regarding attendance
Important Information - Term time holidays
Improving school attendance is a key priority for all schools across Essex. Where families choose to take a family holiday during term time, this can detrimentally impact a pupil's progress and can prevent them from fulling their true potential. Rodings school attendance policy, available via their website, clearly sets out the process that parents should follow if they wish to apply for leave during term time. Please note that applications should only be made, if you feel that there are exceptional circumstances which means that the leave cannot be taken during the school holidays. We would ask all parents to note that, where families choose to go on holiday during term time and the absences are coded as unauthorised, Essex County Council may not issue penalty notices and may instead process to prosecution and place the case directly before the Magistrates for their consideration in court. If found guilty, parents could face a fine of up to £2,500 and/or 3 months imprisonment.
Have a lovely weekend!
Mr Raraty
