News

Dear parents, carers and families of children at Primrose Hill,

As the festive season approaches, we wanted to reassure you that we’re aware of the additional financial difficulties that many of you are facing.
To support all of our families this holiday season, we’re doing everything we can to reduce financial pressures around our festive celebrations. As always, our aim is to make sure that no child has to miss out because they can’t afford to join in.

All events taking place in school linked to the festive season will be free for all children.
Unlike some other schools who may charge for events such as Nativity performances and EYFS Singalongs etc, we will once again offer these completely free of charge.
Other things, such as next week’s Rock N Roll Bingo, will also be free. We hope that special events like this helps bring us together – the aim is not to profit.

All after-school clubs will remain FREE and our free uniform shop will remain stocked. (Please do not go and buy new school uniform when we have some excellent second-hand items available for FREE).
The daily charge for Breakfast Club will be held at £2. Sadly we cannot reduce this any further as we do have staffing costs to pay. We do however feel that this is still a very competitive daily charge and this offers good value for money.

Once again we will be putting out our special Father Christmas mailbox from December 1st. Every child who writes a letter will get a personal reply, along with a small gift. This will be a free service open to all children who believe. All children will also get a small present from us on the last day of term. Again, there will be no charge for this. The money you have helped us raise over the last 12 months pays for these things.

Like many of you, we are having to tighten our belts financially. This year we have had to make a couple of cut-backs to our usual Christmas timetable. For instance, we really could not afford to book a pantomime performance due to increased wage and travelling costs. This does not however mean that our children will miss out. Our Christmas preparations will be just as merry and bright as every other year!

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to eliminate all possible costs from festive events. Because we understand that it’s important for families to have as much notice as possible of any upcoming additional costs at this time of year, please do take note of the following information:

1. Over the next two weeks we will be holding special Non-Uniform Days. These are days where children can bring in an item from home to donate for use in our forthcoming Christmas Box Raffle. I must stress the importance OF NOT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE ITEMS. Many of us have things stuck in the back of the wardrobe which we were given but don’t need – or a little item from Poundland is just as good. It really is the thought that counts.
2. One of our non-uniform days has been purposely timed to fall on the same day as Christmas Jumper Day. Please DO NOT go out and buy a jumper just for this. It is a waste of money. Instead, we encourage children to wear their own clothes – this is just as much fun! We will not be asking for money on this day as again we would like donations for our Christmas Prize Box – however, if you do want to give some loose change to the Save The Children charity and you feel able to donate, a bucket will be in our front office on this day. Pennies add up.
3. Christmas Dinner Day is on Friday December 16th. These dinners are provided by Citywide. Children who currently do not have a FREE school dinner, or who bring a packed lunch, will have to pay £2.10 in advance if they would like to join in on this day.
4. We will be selling tickets for our Christmas Prize Boxes. This raises money for our school and not for any other charity. PLEASE DO NOT feel under any pressure to buy tickets if you cannot afford them. We will not judge.

Please reach out to myself or ANY member of my school team if you have any concerns about costs to do with school events. Please GET IN TOUCH and let us know if you need some help; we will do everything we can to support you and also seek out further assistance for you. We will always listen and try our best. We will not pry.

I hope that this letter has been reassuring to you; please do not worry about school or any costs here. Instead, concentrate on your nearest and dearest. This is the best way we can all celebrate this wonderful time of the year!

Warm wishes,

Mr L Ashton
Headteacher