Welcome to Saint Anthony's Main School Prospectus
St. Anthony's is a Roman Catholic Independent School which was established in September 1960. It is conducted by the franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
Our AIM is to provide a throughly Christian education; to build on the foundations already established at home; to develop the spiritual, social, academic and physical potential of each child; to develop a habit of work, a desire for knowledge and good relationships with adults and other pupils.
School and home should be complimentary, helping each to grow into a well educated person.
SCHOOL HOURS:
9.00a.m. - 12.30 noon
1.15p.m. - 3.15p.m. for Infants
1.00p.m. - 3.30p.m. for Juniors
NURSERY
There is a full day Nursery from 8.50a.m. - 3.15p.m. or half day from 8.50a.m. - 12.00 noon, or 1.15p.m. - 3.15p.m. Children are accepted into the Nursery at the age of THREE.
COMMUNICATIONS
Parents are always welcome to discuss educational matters or problems with the Head Teacher during the day, preferably by appointment. Opportunities to meet the Class Teacher to discuss work and progress, are available by appointment at the end of the afternoon session. Parents are encouraged to supervise their child's homework.
SUPERVISION
The Head teacher and Staff are responsible for the supervision of children ten minutes before commencement of the school session, during school hours and ten minutes after the children are dismissed. Parents who leave their children in school before and after these stipulated times, do so at their own risk.
If in certain circumstances a parent cannot collect a child at the time of dismissal, he or she must contact the school, if possible, with a message to this effect. Parents also help with supervision during playtimes, lunchtimes etc. on a rota basis.
LUNCHES
The children bring their own packed lunches to school. They may have a choice of drinks, and chilled water is available in class all day.
SCHOOL FRIENDS
SAINT ANTHONY'S FRIENDS:
This group of parents meet at least once a term with the Head Teacher to discuss ideas for promoting the school. This is in order to keep the school in the forefront, to attract and encourage other parents to send their children to the school and so benefit from a good sound education.
The group also meet to discuss ideas in raising funds for the school. The funds are used for extra library books and equipment, as well as improving facilities and extra maintenance etc.
The functions are also a very important means for building the school community.
A number of parents help out with Playground Duty, Hearing of Reading, Unifrom Shop, Computer Studies etc.
The help of parents in school is invaluable. It helps to build up a good team spirit. Students from the Royal Forest of Dean College and Gloscat come into school for work experience as well as students from Secondary schools.
CURRICULUM
All subjects of the National Curriculum are taught. These comprise:
LANGUAGE:- (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension,
Literature composition.)
MATHEMATICS:- (Mechanical and Mental, Problem Solving, Times Tables.)
SCIENCE:- (Nature Study, Human Skeleton, Blood Cells, Electronics,
Solar System etc.)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:- (Instruction in Sacred Scripture, The Sacraments,
Commandments of God and Church, Weekly Mass, Assembly,
Celebrations of other faiths are also mentioned and children of all
faiths are welcome.)
ARTS & CRAFTS:- (Working with various materials and textures, modelling with clay,
balsa wood etc. sewing, embroidery.)
COMPUTER STUDIES; DESIGN TECHNOLOGY; MUSIC; PHYSICAL EDUCATION;
GYMNASTICS; GEOGRAPHY; SWIMMING; AND FRENCH.
EXTRA CURRICULAR SUBJECTS; (optional) during lunch break.
TAP DANCING; MUSIC - PIANO OR KEYBOARD; FOOTBALL (Boys & Girls)
SPORTS
The children compete against the local schools in the various tournaments which includes Athletics. They also enter the Country Dance Festival as well as the Gymnastics Competition along with other schools. The children also compete against the Gloucester City Schools in Netball, Football, Cricket etc.
Each year the children receive training in Cycling Proficiency. They are tested on completion of the course. They are trained by Road Safety Officers from Shire Hall in Gloucester.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
A medical inspection by the school doctor and nurse is given soon after admission to the Reception class. Parents are invited to attend.
There are periodic checks on hearing, vision and weight. Should there be serious difficulties with learning or behaviour, parental approval will be sought for a referral to the Educational Psychologist.
ILLNESSES
Children who have been ill should not return to school until they have fully recovered from their illness, i.e. until the need for a course of medication is over. If medication is necessary on account of chronic illness or where a child is recovering after a short-term illness, a doctor's note should be given to the Head Teacher, preferably by the parent, to the effect that it is necessary for the child to take medicine during school hours. The note should also give clear instructions concerning the required dosage.
ABSENCES
Parents must telephone the school as soon as a child is absent. A note of explanation is required if a child has been absent or has to leave earlier than the time of dismissal.
In the case of a child going on holiday during school time, permission must be granted by the Head Teacher. Such holidays must be the exception, as children miss so much work even in a few days. This can lead to all sorts of problems for the child as GAPS can appear in their education through lack of proper understanding which results in a lack of confidence.
Every year in Primary School is a very important year as so much work is covered. This prepares the child for Secondary Schooling and a good, well-balanced future life, - which all stems from the FOUNDATIONS.
SECURITY & SAFETY
All doors in the school are bolted for security reasons but are easily opened from the inside. Parents and all visitors to the school must therefore make an appointment through the Head Teacher, in order to enter the school and see the class teachers. Before entry to the school, all must report to reception and sign in, to collect and wear the appropriate badge before entry.
Jewellery such as ear-rings, bracelets and rings are dangerous when worn during play and P.E. Therefore parents should not allow these to be worn to school. Staff will not accept any responsibility for any accidents caused on account of such jewellery.
COLLECTING CHILDREN
Parents are advised to come directly to the school gates to collect their children in order to prevent them playing near, or walking out, unaccompanied, beyond the school gates.
PARKING
Cars must not be parked on the side of the school gates or in front of driveways. Parents are also asked to avoid standing in front of the school gates to allow free access for the children and other parents.
SENIOR SCHOOLS
Our children sit entrance exams for other Independent Schools and Grammar Schools. The schools to which our children have gone in recent years are:-
ST. PETER'S HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM COLLEGE, GLOS.
MONMOUTH BOYS SCHOOL; MONMOUTH GIRLS SCHOOL
MONMOUTH COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
THE KING'S CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, GLOS.
CHEETHAM SCHOOL OF MUSIC MANCHESTER
DENMARK ROAD HIGH SCHOOL GRAMMAR FOR GIRLS
RIBSTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
SIR THOMAS RICH'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
THE CRYPT GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Over the years and at present, we have a very high sucess rate in all exams taken.
Parents throughtout the school receive a monthly report on their child's progress. Parents also have the opportunity to comment on the monthly report. Parents are also encouraged to supervise their child's homework to ensure that it is well presented.
DISCIPLINE
Bad behaviour, verbal and physical bullying, swearing and misconduct of any kind in school is not allowed. Children who are guilty of such will be punished. The punishment may consist of:
a) Detention - during school hours only.
b) The writing out of an exercise or extra homework.
c) Deprivation of some enjoyable activity.
Children are encouraged to be well mannered and courteous and they receive certificates for efforts made.
Parents are expected to support the school in all matters of discipline, as we are both working towards the child's good, healthy and happy development.
TUITION FEES
REGISTRATION FEE: (Non returnable) £30.00
TUITION FEES: MAIN SCHOOL (throughout)... ... ... ... ... ... ... . £1,380.00 per term
(PAID MONTHLY IN FOUR INSTALMENTS BY DIRECT DEBIT)
TUITION FEES: NURSERY - 15 HOURS FREE PER WEEK
EXTRA HOURS £4.00 per hour
An account which covers books, stationery, craft, equipment, photocopying, BBC pamphlets, drinks etc is issued each term.
OPTIONAL EXTRA CURRICULAR SUBJECTS DURING LUNCHTIME
TAP DANCING ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £25.00 per term
MUSIC (Piano or Keyboard) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... (See Teacher)
FOOTBALL (Boys & Girls) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £10.00 per term
ORCHESTRA...............................................................................................................................£10.00 Per term
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB EACH EVENING UNTIL 6.00P.M. @ £6.50 PER SESSION WITH 20% DISCOUNT
FOR SIBLINGS.
NOTES:
1. All tuition fees are paid monthly by direct debit. The forms can be obtained from the school.
2. The books/sundries bill is sent out at the beginning of term and must be paid by half term.
3. Extra curricular subjects are paid with the return slip at the beginning of term.
4. Cheques for the registration fee of £30.00 - made payable to "St. Anthony's School" should be sent, together with the completed registration form to the Head Teacher, Saint Anthony's Convent School, 93 Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, Glos. GL14 2AA.
5. In the event of withdrawal of a child from the school, or discontinuance of an extra subject, a term's notice must be given in writing, or the appropriate fees paid in lieu of such notice.
6. Fees may be paid in instalments, so long as these are completed by the appropriate time.
7. Gymnastics and Swimming are part of the school curriculum and the cost of these, as well as the coach fares, are reflected in the school fees.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
BOYS
Dark brown trousers (shorts in summer) /// Pale blue shirt /// Dark brown tie with blue diagonal stripes /// Dark brown pullover, knee socks, coat, blazer in summer, cap, gloves and shoes - black or burgundy shoes if brown cannot be found.
GIRLS
Dark brown pinafore, - pleated skirts for the girls in Year 6 only (no slits in skirts please) /// Dark brown tie with stripes, cardigan, knee socks or dark brown tights in winter, white knee socks in summer /// Dark brown shoes, coat, blazer, hat and gloves /// Pale blue blouse, pale blue dress in summer /// Pale blue cardigan in summer (not white) Straw boater hat in summer and white or blue flat heeled sandals.
The school uniform can be obtained from "Clothes Plus" in Cinderford, "The Famous" in Cheltenham or our own Second-Hand Uniform Shop in school beside the Nursery. This shop is open every afternoon from 3.00p.m. and every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.50a.m. The parents run this shop.
Parents may send in items of uniform to the shop with a price tag. When the article is sold, the parent will receive 75% of the price and the school receives the remaining 25%.
Caps and hats must always be worn to and from school. All clothing must be marked with the child's name. Children must have daps or sandals for indoors.
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The promise of parents at enrolment to keep their child in school uniform must be adhered to throughout the school years. The uniform is DARK brown and therefore the colours fawn and tan are not acceptable. If some difficulty arises with regard to obtaining the correct uniform, the Head Teacher should be notified and she will make allowances until proper uniform can be obtained.
Good manners and behaviour are expected of the children both inside and outside of school .... especially when wearing school uniform.
CONCLUSION
This prospectus is by no means a complete guide to the school routines and educational aims. If it proves helpful, prompting parents to take a closer interest, then its function will have been served.
The atmosphere of a Catholic School is readily identified. Time spent within it should not only provide sound opportunities for learning and for enjoyable activities, but equip the child with a knowledge of the faith, good moral standards and respect for each person and property.
Our children throughly enjoy school and are guaranteed a good, sound education which gives them a solid foundation for the future. It is so important to get the right start in education in order to avoid problems in the future. Children enjoy learning when they are HAPPY as they grow continually in confidence.