Welcome to our first e-newsletter.

Thank you to everyone for signing up and downloading the school app (SZapp).  Whilst we have had a few teething problems in getting the new system up and running we are now finding that this new form of communication between school and parents is proving to be extremely beneficial.  Hopefully you have found that you are receiving lots more information about what's happening in school and that having these messages come directly to your phone/device means that you aren't missing out on important news and events.  If you don't think that our messages and information are reaching you then please pop to the office where staff will be happy to check for you.  The app is now our main form of communication and our only way of contacting all parents if school should be closed at very short notice.

Please make sure to regularly view the 'News Feed' tile on your app - staff are loading lots of great classroom, trips and special events reports for you to enjoy.

Instructions for installing SZapp on your device:

Apple devices - download from the app store, SZapp

Android devices - download from the Play store, SZapp

Select Europe

Search for Rendell

Sign up using the same email address that school has on file for you - if you have more than one email address please check with the office which one is linked to your child or children.  If you use a different email address you will NOT be linked to your child or children on SZapp and will NOT receive all of the messages.

When asked for a code enter: 3497

On the 'Manage' tab in the app select 'Push Notifications'

You MUST have the app in order to fully be aware of all school messages and information.  Please ask staff or come to the office if you need any help.

All classes will be holding an exhibition of their latest projects on Wednesday 11th December from 1:45pm.  Parents are invited to come in to school to see and hear about all of the great things that have been happening.  Year 1 have a short performance to share in the hall.  Please come in via the main entrance on Howard Street.

The children in Foundation and Year 1 really enjoyed visiting the annual Christmas Tree Festival at All Saints Church. Year 1 had decorated one of the trees with an ‘Under the Sea’ theme to match their current project. It was great to see our tree along with lots of other fantastic trees and the children had a lovely time admiring them all. We were even treated to a festive musical perfomance whilst we were there!

We would like to invite you to join the children and staff for our annual singing event at All Saints Church on Thursday 12th December at 2:00pm.  This is usally a very attended event with lots of songs for everyone to enjoy and join in with.   

Children in Foundation and Year 1 have joined together this year to perform a Nativity play for their parents.  There will be two performances: Monday 16th December at 2:00pm and Tuesday 17th December at 10:00am.  Space in the hall is limited and therefore we have had to restrict tickets to 2 per child.  You can apply for tickets for your preferred performance day/time via the school app.  

Most of our afterschool clubs have now finished for this year.  Lemon Jelly, Thursday football and coding are the only exceptions - please check if you're not sure when these finish.

In the Spring term football and coding clubs will be the only ones running - all children with allocated places for these clubs will be informed.  New after school clubs will run again after the Easter holidays when the nights are much lighter and hopefully the weather is warmer.  We will be running lots of new and different lunchtime clubs in the meantime for the children to enjoy which they will be able to sign up for in school.  

Sports competitions

We are always really proud to take Rendell children to enjoy and join in with a great range of sporting activities and competitions across the town.  The school has always tried where possible to provide the transport for these events to ensure that the children get involved and don't miss out on these experiences - most other schools do not provide any support for transport.  As you can imagine the hiring of a bus or taxi for these events is very expensive.  Unfortunately the school is no longer able to fund all of the transport and therefore we will be asking for your support in getting children to and from events in order for them to go ahead.