Dear Parents,

Welcome back after the half term break. I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and that your children are looking forward to the final half term of the year.

Swimming
I have some good news for you regarding our swimming sessions for this term. We have managed to secure a regular slot for our swimming on Wednesday and Thursday morning each week at the Golf Club. This means that swimming will go ahead this week at the same time as usual, and we have extended the swimming programme into the last week of term as well. So we look forward to six weeks of continuous swimming.

Review update
 We have just received the final version of the report from the review we had at the start of May. It is a very good report. The headlines read:
“Piasau School is a very good school which has a real focus on improving learning. Standards of learning are high and children make good progress. Children are happy in the school and have excellent relationships with each other and with their teachers. Teachers work hard in the school and their collaboration in teams is a real strength. The new leadership team has worked hard to gather information about the school’s performance and now has a clear vision for what needs to be celebrated and what needs to be improved to reach an even higher level. The leadership of the school has the capacity to make this school even better than it is now.” The full summary report will be accessed via the school website at www.piasauschool.com.
Your contributions to the review have been taken into account when formulating the report and as such we shall be addressing these recommendations over the next year.
In recent weeks the staff and I have been very busy planning ahead for the next three years, looking at where our priorities lie and pulling together a plan which will enhance the learning even more at our school. Each year there will be 3 to 4 priorities which will become our School Improvement Plan and, when this is finalised for 2009/10, we shall put it onto our website for you to view.

Staff news
Unfortunately over the half term break Mr Stuart, our P8 teacher, was taken ill. He is currently in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur and will not be able to return to Miri for at least another month. Miss Pip is also unwell and had to return to the UK for treatment. We have no news as to her return date yet, but I will keep you informed when I hear any further information. I am sure you will join me in wishing them both a speedy recovery.  In the meantime, Mr Nic and I will be taking over for Mr Stuart and Miss Pip until their return.

Leavers
Just a reminder that if you know you will be leaving us over the next few weeks, please liaise with your class teacher so that we can prepare the paperwork for your next school and set the date for your leaving assembly.

Music concert – 1st July
This year we are offering the opportunity for the older children to show off their musical talents in school. Originally we were inviting children to take part from P4-P8  who have music lessons at home, but several parents from P3 have also asked if this is possible for their children to participate. We shall be delighted to open it to P3 as well, so if your child would like to play at this concert then you have until the end of the week to return your slips which are available from the office.  The concert will take place from 12.45-1.45pm in the school hall and parents of children taking part are invited to attend.

PTA events
Two dates for diaries:
21st June – Kite festival, opposite the Boat Club from 3-5pm. Just come along with your kite!
15th July – End of term disco. More details to follow.

Reports
Reports will come out to you on Friday 3rd July and there will be opportunity for you to discuss these with your child’s class teacher on Tuesday 7th July.
As always, if you have any comments or concerns our doors are open to you.
Yvette