This page outlines everyday routines at Monkfrith, but if you have a question that is not covered here, please ask at the school office.
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Parents receive a weekly newsletter each Monday by email. Please let us know if you don’t receive it.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
Newsletters, trip letters and all key school information can be found on this website.
IN APP MESSENGING SERVICE
We use Arbor as our primary means of communicating with parents. Information about how to download the app and how we send messages will be shared before your child joins the school. If you have any questions, just contact the Office.
THE SCHOOL DAY
Breakfast Club is available from 7.45am and After School Club runs until 6pm. Years 1 to 6 work on a ‘soft start’ to the school day. The gates are opened by a member of the Leadership Team at 8.30am. Children are able to start their day anytime between 8.30am and 8.55am when the bell is rung in the playground. Each class is supervised by an adult during this time. For Years 1 and 2 the end of the day is 3.20 and all of Key Stage 2 finish at 3.30pm. Reception start the day at 8.45am and finish at 3.15pm.
ILLNESS/ABSENCE
If your child is unable to attend school, please phone us (020 8368 6020), email office@monkfrith.barnetmail.net or send an Arbor message by 9.30am on the first day of absence. Unreported absence will be marked as “unauthorised” and may be followed up by the Education Welfare Officer who visits school each term. The school is penalised for absences that are not authorised, so please help us by reporting absences in the correct way.
LATENESS
Punctuality is an important part of our day and our weekly class Punctuality Awards encourage this. However, if your child is late (arriving after 8.55am) you must accompany them to the school office via the main entrance in Knoll Drive and sign the late book. A member of staff will then take your child to their class.
COLLECTING AT THE END OF THE DAY
For your child’s safety please let us know if they are going home with someone who doesn’t usually collect them – even if this is another Monkfrith parent.
KEEPING US UPDATED
It is extremely important that we always have up to date contact details (especially mobile numbers) in case we need to get in touch. Please also tell us of any changes to emergency contact details. You can update your personal information via the Arbor app.
APPOINTMENTS DURING SCHOOL TIME
Where possible, we appreciate knowing in advance if your child has an appointment during school time so that we can make sure he/she is ready for you to collect. It is also helpful to know if they will not be having a school lunch if leaving early/coming in late.
HOLIDAYS DURING SCHOOL TIME
Children are not allowed to take holidays in school time. If they do, it is marked as unauthorised absence and may incur a fine. If you need to take your child out of school during term time because of an emergency or exceptional circumstances, please complete an Authorised Absence Request form (available from the school office or download here), to request leave.
SCHOOL LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS
Children can bring a packed lunch or have a school dinner. One weeks notice in writing is required if you want to change your child from packed lunch to school dinner, or vice versa. This does not apply to Reception class children during their first half term; please speak to the office (not the class teacher) if you want your child to swap. If you don’t let the office know about changes, any school meals ordered will be charged. At the moment School Meals are provided for free.
CHARGING FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The school policy is to ask parents to make a voluntary donation towards the costs for those activities where a direct charge is not permitted. Children will not be excluded from activities because their parents cannot or will not make a contribution but an activity may be cancelled if insufficient voluntary contributions are collected.
Direct charges can be made for:
• Board and lodging on residential visits
• Musical instrumental tuition
• Activities which normally take place outside of school hours
• Wilful loss or damage to school property
• Some ingredients and craft materials
SCHOOL UNIFORM
School uniform can be purchase from either Smiths Schoolwear or Mapac. Only the jumper, fleece and PE top need to have a school logo.
FIRST AID/WELFARE
If your child needs prescribed medicine in school, please complete an authorisation form at the school office. We cannot give medicines without this. PLEASE NOTE, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADMINISTER NON-PRESCRIBED MEDICINES (IE CALPOL ETC.).
Please keep your child at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness/diarrhoea, or if they are suffering from eye, throat or ear infections. This will avoid other children and staff becoming ill.
Children will be sent home if they have a high temperature, have been sick or have an upset tummy.
ASTHMA/ALLERGIES
We are advised by the Clinic nurse that it is the parents’ responsibility to check expiry dates on asthma pumps, epipens etc. Please therefore ensure that you keep all medication held at school up to date and notify us of any changes to long-term medication/allergies etc. Please contact the Office regarding all long-term/allergy medication.
PAYMENTS
All money (for trips, dinners, after school club etc.) should be paid via Arbor unless there is a specific request not to.
SCHOOL SECURITY
If you need to visit school for any reason, please use the main entrance in Knoll Drive and do not enter from the playground.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Teaching staff always accompany children on trips, but occasionally we need parent help. Requests for help will be on individual class trip letters.
We have a system for Volunteer Readers. Please see our Volunteer Policy for details.
FRIENDS OF MONKFRITH SCHOOL (FOMS)
This is run and supported by Monkfrith parents and without their fundraising we would not have wonderful things like new books for the library, theatre shows for the whole school or the Year 6 Leavers Disco. There is always something to buy, renew or repair, which is why we need as much support as possible. For more information please visit the FoMS page.