We are intending to resurface the outdoor play area by the end of March, covering it with tarmac to make the surface even and therefore accessible to all pupils.
Prior to this, however, there is more maintenance work required to dig out the tree stumps and remove any remaining soil so that the resurfacing work can go ahead without further hindrance. We have therefore decided to hold two more maintenance days on Saturday 8th and Saturday 15th February from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
We had a marvellous response to our appeal for help in clearing the area of weeds back in September. Now we need a similar army of volunteers with plenty of muscle (and picks, shovels, bow saws, chainsaws and grab bags) to clear the area so that we can keep this project moving and fulfil statutory requirements for an outdoor play area.
If you are able to help even for a short period of time on either of those dates, please let us know via the school office or by email (exams@hopehouseschool.org.uk).
Many thanks in anticipation!
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Thursday, 16 January 2014
New year, new meetings!
The next FHHS meeting will be on Monday 20th January at 7:30 p.m. at school. We do hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend the meeting where we will be discussing the outdoor play area and how to raise funds during the spring term.
We have been busy over Christmas getting quotations for the outdoor play area and we need to move on this as quickly as possible if we are to fulfil statutory requirements to have this area 'fit for use' by the end of March.
Do contact the school office if you have any suggestions for fund-raising or events you would like to see us hold.
We have been busy over Christmas getting quotations for the outdoor play area and we need to move on this as quickly as possible if we are to fulfil statutory requirements to have this area 'fit for use' by the end of March.
Do contact the school office if you have any suggestions for fund-raising or events you would like to see us hold.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Update on outdoor play area
Many thanks for all your support during the autumn term. As we are about to break up for Christmas, I thought I would update you on the outdoor play area.
Because an outdoor play area is a statutory requirement for schools, making this area fit for purpose has long been our aim. Following the inspection in October, we have been told this needs to be completed sooner rather than later and because of this, plans will have to be scaled back initially so that the first phase is completed in spring 2014. We may well then go on to develop the area further to include rendered walls and other areas, but for now, the primary objective is to ensure a safe, even floor surface on which children can play.
We had a quote from a company (run by a former pupil) which specialises in play surfaces like Aquapour, but unfortunately, this is very expensive and we could not afford this in the timescales required. We are currently therefore looking at alternative materials such as concrete, tarmac or flagstones. The disadvantages of concrete or tarmac is access to the area.
As soon as definite costings are available, we will be able to move forward with plans and hope this area will soon be available to pupils.
The next FHHS meeting will be on Monday 20th January at 7:30 p.m. and we look forward to seeing you there. Those of you with technical expertise in the building world would be particularly welcome!
Because an outdoor play area is a statutory requirement for schools, making this area fit for purpose has long been our aim. Following the inspection in October, we have been told this needs to be completed sooner rather than later and because of this, plans will have to be scaled back initially so that the first phase is completed in spring 2014. We may well then go on to develop the area further to include rendered walls and other areas, but for now, the primary objective is to ensure a safe, even floor surface on which children can play.
We had a quote from a company (run by a former pupil) which specialises in play surfaces like Aquapour, but unfortunately, this is very expensive and we could not afford this in the timescales required. We are currently therefore looking at alternative materials such as concrete, tarmac or flagstones. The disadvantages of concrete or tarmac is access to the area.
As soon as definite costings are available, we will be able to move forward with plans and hope this area will soon be available to pupils.
The next FHHS meeting will be on Monday 20th January at 7:30 p.m. and we look forward to seeing you there. Those of you with technical expertise in the building world would be particularly welcome!
Friday, 29 November 2013
Christmas fun
Friends of Hope House School exists as the fund-raising arm of the school, but that is not our only aim. One of our aims is to foster the school's family atmosphere, and judging by these photographs, both our aims were fulfilled today. Certainly, in the current economic climate, it is important that we raise funds to enable projects to go ahead, but it is also important to stress the importance of working together and fostering good relationships in everything we do.
Staff and pupils:
Our thanks go to all who helped, including the many willing pupil helpers, and to all who supported this event through their creativity and generosity. We are thrilled to announce that we also have been given a generous donation of £1000 towards the outdoor play area and so hopefully further work on this project will begin in the very near future.
Staff and pupils:
Our thanks go to all who helped, including the many willing pupil helpers, and to all who supported this event through their creativity and generosity. We are thrilled to announce that we also have been given a generous donation of £1000 towards the outdoor play area and so hopefully further work on this project will begin in the very near future.
More Christmas Fayre photos
The Primary department opened the Christmas Fayre in style, singing a medley of Christmas carols:
The musical theme was continued, with members of the Barnsley Youth Choir eager to sell their CD to raise money for Barnsley Hospice:
There were games and competitions:
The Pirates' treasure (a.k.a. as a box of Maltesers) was won by Vicky Davis:
Christmas decorations abounded and there was the opportunity to visit Santa in his grotto:
Jo and her fantastic team of volunteers from Hope House Cafe provided refreshments galore:
Both hampers were won by current pupils of the school. Lydia and Stuti shared the beauty hamper and Amber won the food and drinks hamper!
The musical theme was continued, with members of the Barnsley Youth Choir eager to sell their CD to raise money for Barnsley Hospice:
There were games and competitions:
The Pirates' treasure (a.k.a. as a box of Maltesers) was won by Vicky Davis:
Christmas decorations abounded and there was the opportunity to visit Santa in his grotto:
Jo and her fantastic team of volunteers from Hope House Cafe provided refreshments galore:
Both hampers were won by current pupils of the school. Lydia and Stuti shared the beauty hamper and Amber won the food and drinks hamper!
Christmas Fayre news
Today's Christmas Fayre was extremely successful, raising £452.69 towards the outdoor play area. Many thanks to all who contributed, either by bringing things or by helping or by attending and spending all this money!
Today's photographs were taken by this Y10 pupil (though not this one, obviously!):
Setting up beforehand:
A range of stalls on offer:
Today's photographs were taken by this Y10 pupil (though not this one, obviously!):
Setting up beforehand:
A range of stalls on offer:
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Christmas Fayre coming soon!
Just a quick reminder about the Christmas Fayre which is THIS FRIDAY (29th November). Home baking should be brought into school that morning. We still need bottles for the Lucky Dip stall; these can be brought in this week until Friday morning.
The Fayre will start at 3 p.m. with pupils from the Primary Department singing Christmas Carols. The Fayre will run until 5 p.m. Prize winners will be announced at 4.45 p.m.
There will be a number of stalls and activities to do, including:
• Guess the Value of the Food & Drink hamper competition (£1 per guess)
• Guess the Value of the Beauty Hamper competition (£1 per guess)
• Treasure Map game
• Roll-a-penny game
• Connect 4 game
• Home produce & home baking
• Christmas tree decorations to make and buy
• Face painting
• Nail painting
• Jewellery & craft stall
• Christmas candles & crockery stall
• Lucky Dip bottle stall
• Lucky Dip bran tub
• Christmas cards & crafts
Jo will be running the Hope House Cafe for us and has agreed to donate any profit from this afternoon to FHHS. Hot sandwiches and jacket potatoes will be available to eat as well as a range of drinks to buy. We ask that all food is consumed in the cafe area.
There is a rumour that Father Christmas may also be visiting us, but as yet this is unconfirmed. You will have to come along and find out for yourselves!
Looking forward to seeing lots of people on Friday and hoping we will raise a lot of money towards the outdoor play area.
The Fayre will start at 3 p.m. with pupils from the Primary Department singing Christmas Carols. The Fayre will run until 5 p.m. Prize winners will be announced at 4.45 p.m.
There will be a number of stalls and activities to do, including:
• Guess the Value of the Food & Drink hamper competition (£1 per guess)
• Guess the Value of the Beauty Hamper competition (£1 per guess)
• Treasure Map game
• Roll-a-penny game
• Connect 4 game
• Home produce & home baking
• Christmas tree decorations to make and buy
• Face painting
• Nail painting
• Jewellery & craft stall
• Christmas candles & crockery stall
• Lucky Dip bottle stall
• Lucky Dip bran tub
• Christmas cards & crafts
Jo will be running the Hope House Cafe for us and has agreed to donate any profit from this afternoon to FHHS. Hot sandwiches and jacket potatoes will be available to eat as well as a range of drinks to buy. We ask that all food is consumed in the cafe area.
There is a rumour that Father Christmas may also be visiting us, but as yet this is unconfirmed. You will have to come along and find out for yourselves!
Looking forward to seeing lots of people on Friday and hoping we will raise a lot of money towards the outdoor play area.
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