Walk-in Wednesdays
On the last Wednesday of every term, Parents are invited into school to visit classes with their children. Although teachers will be on site, this is very much an opportunity for your child to show you around their classroom and share their work with you. Your child will be dropped off in the playground to you in the usual way and then you will have the opportunity for your child to bring you into their classroom to talk about what they are learning and to see their books, drawings or displayed work.
Walk-in-Wednesdays take place from 3:15 until 3:45 pm.
Family Liaison Officer
Message from the Family Liaison Officer
Hello,
I would like to introduce myself; I am the family liaison worker for parents, carers and families of children at Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. As a Mum of two grown up children and Nan to two gorgeous grandchildren, I know only too well how precious your child is and that parents are often best placed to make the right choice for their child, but most of us would admit to times in our lives when we need a helping hand or a friendly ear.
The role of the FLO is to assist in tackling underachievement by working in partnership with families, parents, carers and pupils in a school context, to enable pupils, particularly the most disadvantaged, to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation.
I am available to offer practical help and support to parents and carers in matters concerning your child’s education, development and well being. I work in partnership with you, the teachers and senior leadership team to help you support your child to learn and enjoy their school years, by providing information and guidance. I can meet you on a 1:1 basis – in school, on a home visit or over the phone, providing information on a range of issues and practical help, as well as offering a friendly listening ear.
I am available from 8.30 am until 4.00 pm Monday through to Thursday and can be contacted directly on 01322 242011 Option 3, via the school office or catch me in the playground at drop off and collection times. Please feel free to contact me for a chat and coffee if you have any worries or concerns – no matter how small!
Mrs. Sheena Williams | Family Liaison Officer
Some of the ways I can help
- Support for you with your child’s learning and school attendance
- Provide advice and support on ways to improve your child’s behaviour or refer to Early Help if required
- Provide support and signpost local and national services that can help you and your child eg housing, debt, welfare, abuse, bereavement etc
- Provide a listening ear to families and mediate between parents who have separated and find communication difficult, frequently with their children ‘in the middle’.
- Advise and offer assistance with financial difficulties for clubs, trips and activities
- Liaise with staff to overcome any difficulties that may arise
- Investigate concerns raised by parents, pupils or teachers to a positive conclusion
- Signposting for adult learning opportunities
- Attend CHIN (child in need) and CP (child protection) meetings to represent the school and identify actions to contribute to the CHIN/CP plan.
- Help with form filling or online applications relating to your child
If a child is happy and content in their home and school environment, this will have a positive effect on their learning and help them thrive to meet their full potential.
Parent Governor
Following the recent 2021 election, Mrs. Deborah Emmanuel has been duly elected to serve as a Parent Governor for Cherry Orchard on the Ebbsfleet Academies Board.
Our grateful thanks to both candidates that stood for election; its good to know there are parents willing to give up their time to support the Academy with its work. Mrs. Emmanuel will join the Academies Board for a four-year term; this requires attending a Board meeting three times a year and visits to the Academy as requested. Training will be made available and Mrs. Emmanuel will join additional sub-committees within the Academies Board.
She is currently a parent with a child in Year 2, so can be contacted in the playground should you wish to raise an issue.
Workshops and Presentations
Each term, one of our class teachers will present to Parents on a specific topic or subject. This is an opportunity for parents to get to know our class teachers and the methods we use to teach our children, so that they can support their own child’s learning. These usually take place in the school hall at 8:45 am followed by coffee and the opportunity to meet other parents and have a chat or ask questions and seek clarifications.
Family Learning Sessions 2023-24
Kent County Council also run Family Learning sessions free of charge, please contact Tracy on 03000 418992 to find out more or book a place. The timetable can be seen below, please click on the image to view the timetable as a PDF.
Parent-Teacher Association
Our PTA reformed in the academic year 2022/23. The key posts of Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Social Events Organiser have been filled.
Chair: Mr. Darren Mallett
You can contact the PTA on cherryorchardpta@hotmail.com
In addition a number of parents represent each of the classes as well as volunteers to help with events and fundraising. The PTA are a very important part of life at Cherry Orchard Primary Academy and welcome new or existing parents to be part of a team of volunteers. A number of parents have also volunteered as class representatives and as part of the volunteer team for future events.
Even if you are not able to afford the time to be actively involved with PTA meetings on a regular basis, you can still be part of the helping and support group – just speak to your class representative if you have any exciting fundraising ideas. It is hoped that a mixture of face to face and virtual meetings will be in place so this will not preclude any working parents.
Look forward to meeting with you in the near future.