START OF THE DAY
School starts promptly at 8.55am for all children in Years R to 6.
Children can enter the building via their classroom door from 8.45am.
It is important that children arrive on time.
Being late, even by a few minutes is unsettling for your child and the rest of the class.
END OF THE DAY
School ends at 3.20pm for all children in Reception and Years 1 and 2, and 3.25pm for all children in Years 3 to 6.
Children in Reception and Years 1 to 4 must be collected by an adult. For the safety of your child you are required to complete a form detailing who is allowed to collect them. We will not let your child go home with someone not recorded on the form.
If the arrangements change, please complete a new form which is available from the school office. Children in Years 5 and 6 are permitted to walk home unsupervised as long a parent or carer has provided written permission for this arrangement.
BREAK TIME
St Matthew’s Primary School is fortunate to have three separate playgrounds.
Children in Reception have their own playground. Outside play is very important for the learning and development of young children. They have opportunities to play outside throughout the day. The playground has a wide variety of high quality equipment.
Children in Years 1 and 2 have their own playtime in the morning and share a playground for part of their lunchtime.
The school timetable enables each year group from Year 3 to 6 to have separate playtimes which means that the children have plenty of space to play and our playgrounds do not become overcrowded.
On Friday mornings, all six classes from Year 1 to 6 in each family group (Birds, Flowers, Mammals, Trees) join together for their morning playtime on the North Street playground. This gives the children a regular opportunity to play with children from different classes and different year groups.
WATER / MILK / FRUIT
Reception
Milk is available each day; it is free of charge to children in the Foundation Stage. If children dislike milk they can help themselves to water. In order to promote healthy eating a piece of fruit is provided free of charge each day.
The children enjoy the fruit break and the variety of fruits available. If your child is allergic to any fruit please inform the class teacher (a letter from a doctor is required).
Years 1 / 2 / 3
Children have a free snack of fruit during the morning. This is a popular part of the school day. If your child has a diagnosed allergy to fruit please let us know. We encourage children to bring a ‘sports’ bottle of water to school each day.
It is important that children have good levels of hydration, water is a healthy drink. There is access to water machines.
Years 4 / 5 / 6
Children have a free snack of fruit during the morning. This is a popular part of the school day. If your child has a diagnosed allergy to fruit please let us know. We encourage children to bring a ‘sports’ bottle of water to school each day.
It is important that children have good levels of hydration, water is a healthy drink. There is access to drinking water in all classrooms.
CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BRING SWEETS OR SNACKS TO SCHOOL. IF IT IS YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN A TIN OR BAG OF SWEETS TO SHARE WITH THEIR CLASS, THAT IS PERMISSIBLE. THE CLASS TEACHER WILL KEEP THE SWEETS SAFELY IN A CUPBOARD UNTIL AN THERE IS APPROPRIATE TIME FOR SHARING THESE. BIRTHDAY SWEETS MUST ALWAYS BE NUT-FREE AND PREFERABLY FREE FROM ANIMAL PRODUCTS (USUALLY GELATIN).
LUNCHTIME
School meals
School meals are cooked on the premises by an outside company whom we contract. The kitchen manager offers a choice of food at lunchtimes.
The kitchen manager is able to provide special meals for children who require them because of religious beliefs or medical conditions (a doctor’s letter is required). Please speak to her if your child requires special meals.
School meals must be paid for in advance. We use the Scopay online payments system. If you do not yet have a Scopay account, please ask for details at the school office.
If you think your child may be entitled to free school meals please enquire at the school office or contact Education Welfare at Unity House.
Packed lunches
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have dinners free, paid for by the school. If your child is in Year 3, 4, 5 or 6 and would prefer to have a packed lunch please send it in a box clearly marked with your child’s name and class name. Children must be provided with a lunch that is healthy and of an adequate size.
Please do not send jelly, fizzy drinks or sweets. Water will be provided. All uneaten food will be kept in the box so that you will be able to see how much food has been eaten. Advice about packed lunches is available from our Family Workers.
One week’s notice, in writing, is required if the lunchtime arrangements for your child change.