Summer term events:

Workshops: you should have received our Coffee Morning schedule for the term. We look forward to seeing you in school over the next few weeks. If your child is in year 11 or above (15 years old or above), please come to our two transport sessions. The criteria for transport for children aged 16 to 19 is changing from September 2025, and it is imperative you are aware of this and able to complete the new transport application form.

Term dates: the Summer term always flies by, and before we know it half term will be upon us. The school will be closed for the May bank holiday on 5th May and half term is from 26th to 30th May

Friday 11th July - ‘Star of the Term’: If your child is the recipient of a Star of the Term certificate, their teacher will invite you to attend. It will be taking place at 11am on the main site, and at 2pm at Copthall.

Thursday 18th July - Leavers’ Graduation ceremony: There will be two events on the day as we have a large number of leavers again this year, at 10:30am and 1:45pm. The Mayor of Barnet or their representative will be in attendance too. 

Donations:

Each term we ask for a voluntary contribution for the children’s snacks, drinks, additional cooking ingredients and messy play activities. We would greatly appreciate it if you could send in a donation of £15 for the whole term. This really helps us to carry out some really fabulous activities with our classes which they all really love, and provides additional snacks to encourage more choice making. This can be done via our virtual platform, and is completely voluntary. 

Organisation: 

To help us keep track of belongings please could you ensure that your child’s clothes, coats, equipment, etc are clearly labelled; this really helps us to take care of your child’s belongings. 

Health and Wellbeing:

If your child becomes unwell at school, we will contact you and ask you to collect them. 

If your child has diarrhoea, or is vomiting, we ask that they remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have ceased to ensure a full recovery and prevent further contagion.

If your child has a raised temperature or is clearly too unwell to attend school, we ask that they remain at home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have ceased.

If your child is on a course of antibiotics and unwell, we ask that they remain at home for the first 48 hours or until recovered. 

If your child is on antibiotics, and/or other medication but has no obvious symptoms, school should be informed regarding the medication and for what purpose it is being taken. Parents should make themselves available to be contacted during this time if needed. If it is necessary to send in medication for a pupil, please ensure it is sent into school in the original container, labelled with the Pharmacist’s instructions, the child’s name and a clear expiry date. The medicine needs to be accompanied by a consent form. These are available from the school nurse. Please hand the medication to your child’s transport PA who will take it directly to the school office. 

Please let the school know if your child has been given paracetamol (or any other pain relief or other medication) at home before being sent in. 

If your child has a severe epileptic seizure or medical treatment prior to coming to school, please be sure that she/he will be able to cope in a busy classroom before you send her/him in. A day at home is often beneficial after a hospital admission for illness, but not after tests or checkups.

If there are any changes with your child’s health, medical condition or medication, please inform the school nurses immediately so that they can update your child’s health care plan. 

Please note that our school nurse Lisa Lewington is sadly on bereavement leave at the moment. Mili Nangla continues to be in school each day, and the school nursing service are working towards establishing some cover whilst Lisa is away.

FOM is a parent staff association and a charity. Over the years we have advanced the education of our students by providing vital facilities and experiences not funded by the Local Authority. We need your support and would be delighted if you would consider joining the volunteers at FOM. You could make a real difference in the lives of our students. If you would like to arrange an informal chat about how you might help us, please contact the office for more information or our acting Chair Pete (peterkorniczky@btinternet.com).

Parent Governors: We are recruiting one parent governor. We need an enthusiastic and committed parent or carer to join our Governing body.  You do not need leadership or education experience; just a desire to give back to the school and its community, and a proactive approach to becoming involved as a member of a team. If you are interested in finding out more, or to nominate yourself, please contact Sue O’Halloran, Chair of Governors at suemohalloran@gmail.com or our Vice Chair Pete Korniczky (who is also a Parent Governor) at peterkorniczky@btinternet.com or me at head@mapledown.barnet.sch.uk for an informal chat. 

Thank you in advance for all you do to support your child and to work with us. We really value the partnership we have with our families. 

Take care and best wishes, 

Sandra Chaaya

Headteacher