Friday, June 27, 2008

Newsletter No 4

Chair of Governors
At our Governors’ Meeting this week, Steve Brigden confirmed his intention to leave the Governing Body at the end of Term 6. Mr Brigden has been a member of the Governing Body for 9 years and Chair since September 2004. I am sure all parents will join me in thanking Mr Brigden for his tireless commitment to the school during this time. His final duty will be to present the certificates at our end of year assembly on Wednesday 23rd July.

The Governing Body are pleased to announce that Carl Mannering will take over as the new Chair of Governors from 24th July 2008.

Class Arrangements for next academic year
Next year our class arrangements will be as follows:
· Class 1 (Reception/Year 1) with Mrs Manzie – initially approximately 13 pupils rising to approximately 23 pupils in January 2009
· Class 2 (Years 2 & 3) with Mrs Garrard and Mrs Turner – approximately 22 pupils
· Class 3 (Years 4, 5 & 6) with Mrs Sutton – approximately 24 pupils.

One of the advantages of being a small school is that, where appropriate, we can apply a “flexible” approach to our class structure. Following careful consideration and assessment of pupil progress this may mean that, in English and/or Maths, the needs of a small number of pupils are best met by learning alongside pupils who are not in the same year group. For a very few pupils this may, inevitably involve movement between classes for these subjects. Progress is, of course, carefully monitored and reviewed.

On Wednesday 9th July most of our current Year 6 pupils will be visiting Icknield Community College for the day. (Please remember to take PE kit). All other pupils at Stadhampton School will effectively move up a year group that day for a “taster day” in the classes they will be in September (i.e. current Year 1 pupils will be in Class 2 and current Year 3 pupils in Class 3).

Oxfordshire Design a Meal Competition
Congratulations to Hannah Gibbs in Year 6 who was the runner-up in her age group in the final of the Design a Meal Competition held in Oxford this week.
Hannah reports: “I had great fun at the competition final. We each had a section in the kitchen, our own stove, fridge and oven. We were each assigned to a “buddy” to help us out a bit. You would have been happy to eat any of the meals in a 5-star restaurant! I came 2nd in my category. There were 2 categories, and Carl (aged 12) won the training day at Le Manoir!”

School Council Event - Sponsored Run
We would be grateful to receive any further School Council sponsorship money on Monday so that the final total raised can be announced and decisions made as to what it will be spent on.

Extended Services
Thank you for the responses received so far to the extended services questionnaire sent out with last week’s newsletter. We would be grateful if all parents/carers could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire so that we can ascertain whether parents would support a breakfast club/after school club/holiday playscheme at Stadhampton School. We can only proceed with this possibility if there is sufficient interest.

Message from the PTA Committee
Please could any outstanding “Chiltern Chase” sponsorship money be now sent into school as soon as possible so that the total raised can be confirmed.

Sports Evening – Friday 18th July
The usual PTA tradition of doing a BBQ and bar at the Sports Day event will take place again this year (weather permitting). If you think you will fancy a snack after watching all that sport, all we ask is that you buy tickets for your sausages and burgers in advance so that we do not over order. Tickets are on sale via Mrs Hopkins at School – please give an envelope with your name on and the correct amount of money in, stating how many sausages & burgers you wish to buy to. Hot dogs are £2 and Burgers are £2. Food will not be available to purchase on the day if it has not been pre-ordered. Drinks and crisps however will be available to purchase on the day. Tickets for food are on sale from 1st July – last date for purchasing tickets is 16th July.

School Uniform
Mrs Howlett has asked us to let everyone know that the delivery of uniform, which had been on order for a while, has now arrived and available to purchase!

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have been busy making sandwiches and colouring in pictures of the seaside. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our Mini Fair last Saturday. We are pleased to announce that this event raised £400. Tickets are now on sale for the Autumn Ball and are available through Nikki or Sharon. A £25 deposit per ticket is required at the time of ordering.

DIARY DATES:
Weds 9th July - Year 6 pupils visit ICC for Induction Day (New Class Taster Day at Stadhampton School) Mobile Library
Friday 18th July - Sports Evening

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Post-Ofsted Developments

Dear Parents/Carers,

Following our recent Ofsted inspection, in which we were judged to be a good school with outstanding features, I felt it was now appropriate to update you on school developments.

We are, of course, delighted with the report and there is much to celebrate and be proud of. However, we are not complacent and the two areas for development we are asked to focus on, which were already on our agenda, will be addressed. These two areas are:

- To ensure that development planning is sufficiently detailed to help managers to evaluate the impact of actions
- To find ways to improve communications to parents on pupils’ progress

This is the time of year when our School Improvement and Development Plans are drawn up by myself, in conjunction with staff and the Governing Body. The two items above will be included in these plans, along with other priorities we have identified within our own self-evaluation process. This is an on-going process, which is reviewed annually to ensure that we continue to provide pupils at Stadhampton Primary School with the best educational opportunities we can offer.

As part of our self-evaluation process the Governing Body plan to provide parents, and the wider community, with an opportunity to contribute to a “Where would you like to see your school in three years time?” suggestions board which will be accessible at Sports Evening.

Yours sincerely

Kathryn Turner, Headteacher

Steve Brigden, Chair of Governors

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Newsletter No 3

20th June 2008

School Closure
A reminder that the school will be used as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary By-Election on Thursday 26th June so school will be closed to all pupils on that day.

TA support in Class 3
We are pleased to welcome Clare Hopkins as a temporary TA in Class 3 until the end of Term 6.

School Council Sunflower Painting Competition
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the recent School Council Sunflower Painting Competition. The standard was very high and there was an impressive range of styles. I understand it was a difficult competition to judge! The winners were: 1st Kezia Lawson, 2nd Megan Barber, 3rd Tamara Collins and both Andrew Oakley and Rory Pattisson were Highly Commended.

Design a Meal Competition
Congratulations to Hannah Gibbs (Y6) who has been shortlisted to take part in the final stage of the Design a Meal Competition. This takes the form of a “cook off” on 24th June which will be judged by a panel of food experts along with the Lord Mayor of Oxford. Good luck Hannah!

School Pool
Please remember to bring in swimming kit each day now that the school pool is in use.

Brazil Week
We have had a fascinating and enjoyable week finding out about the geography, history and culture of Brazil. Much has been learnt in class lessons but we have also had outside visitors. Ann Fisher from Action Aid gave separate audio-visual talks to KS1 and KS2 pupils and on Friday, Jully Brookes, a professional dancer from Brazil, visited and told us about her childhood in Brazil. She also demonstrated some martial arts linked to tribal traditions as well as dances more associated with carnivals.

School Council Event - Sponsored Run
The recent Sponsored Run in school organised by the School Council was very well supported and seems to have raised a substantial amount of money for School Council funds. We are still receiving sponsorship money and when we have received it all we will be able to announce the total amount raised. Thank you.

Extended Services
Please find attached to this newsletter:
1. Details of some free local summer taster sessions
2. Survey of interest in extended services provision at Stadhampton School – we hope everyone will find time to complete this questionnaire for us

Message from the PTA Committee
Race Night – A huge thank you to Graham & Sam at the Crown for organising a really good fun Race Night held on Saturday 14th June. For those few parents that did attend, the evening was well organised and enjoyable with a percentage of the winnings going to PTA funds and Little Bears. In all £280 was raised, which will be split 50:50.

Stadhampton Steamers – please would you ensure all sponsorship money is returned by 27 June. Any last minute sponsorship from parents who would like to sponsor the team would be gratefully received.

Little Bears News
Everyone is welcome to come along to our Mini Fair this Saturday between 11 and 2pm. There will be a bouncy castle, coconut shy, lots of games and things to do as well as a barbecue and other refreshments to enjoy.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 23rd June
Class 3 swimming sessions begin at Abbey Sports Centre. They will have a total of 5 sessions.
Governors Meeting – 8pm

Wednesday 25th June
Year 5 pupils visit ICC for a Creative Arts lesson
Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – weather permitting!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Newsletter No 2

13th June 2008

Mrs Drummond
We say a sad farewell to Mrs Drummond who leaves us today. I’m sure all pupils, parents and staff will join with me in sending Mrs Drummond our very best wishes for the future. We will all miss her!

School Closure
We have received notification from South Oxford District Council that the school will be used as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary By-Election on Thursday 26th June so school will be closed to all pupils on that day.

Art Gallery
Thank you to everyone who came along to see our art displays last Saturday. We were also very grateful to Mrs Shortman, our school cook, for providing a wonderful selection of cakes and biscuits for the refreshments.

School Pool
We hope that the school pool will be available for use early next week. We are currently awaiting the results of the bacteriological water test sample sent to the JR Hospital.

School Council Event - Sponsored Run – report by Katie Barcoe
Classes 1, 2 and 3 all did well at the sponsored run on Wednesday. Thank you to Michael Hopkins for leading us round the 3- mile maximum course. Well done to everyone who took part. Please could all sponsor money be collected and brought into school as soon as possible. Thank you.

Cricket Tournament – Report by Cameron Cruickshank
Some Year 5 and Year 6 pupils participated in the partnerships cricket tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Ewelme School. We got through all the group stages and played in the final against Watlington. Unfortunately we lost and finished in 2nd place. Everyone played very well and worked hard together. Thank you to Mrs Manzie and to the parents who helped with the transport.

Extend Services Survey
Helen Rints, the Watlington Partnership of schools Extended Services Manager has asked us to distribute the attached survey. Your responses will help us to best develop Partnership Extended Services Provision. Please return the completed surveys (it should only take a minute or two!) to the school office by Friday 20th June.
Thank you.

Message from the PTA Committee
There has been so much fundraising activity for PTA over the last few months which has generated significant funds for the school – thank you to all those people who have helped, run or sold/bought tickets for various things. The next event is at The Crown, Stadhampton on Saturday night (tomorrow) 14th June so why not come along and treat yourself to a night out at your local in good company. This event will be a RACE NIGHT to generate funds for the school and Little Bears. There is no entrance fee, just bet as much or as little as you wish and have a drink with friends. Hope to see you there!

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears enjoyed the sunshine earlier in the week and spent lots of time outdoors. They have also been making spiders and painting pictures of bumble bees. They also enjoyed making scones and Father’s Day cards. A successful parents’ evening was held on Tuesday. Please see attached flyer for details of the Mini-Fair.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 16th June
Brazil Week begins in school
Final swim for Class 2 pupils

Monday 23rd June
Class 3 swimming sessions begin at Abbey Sports Centre
Governors Meeting – 8pm
Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – weather permitting!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Newsletter No.1

6th June 2008

Happy JUNE Birthday:
Megan Barber, Olivia Dallimore, Chloe Hindmarch, Joshua Matthews and Georgia Valentine

Core Values:
During JUNE we are focusing on the core value of PATIENCE

Possible date for School Closure
We have received notification from South Oxford District Council that the school may be used for a Parliamentary By-Election on Thursday 26th June. We will, of course, let everyone know whether this is the case or not as soon as we receive more information.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco Vouchers
Thank you to everyone for collecting these vouchers for us. As it is now time to start placing our orders, we would be grateful if all remaining vouchers could please be sent into school.

“Art Gallery” Open Morning
A reminder that we are holding an Open Morning in school from 10am –12noon on Saturday 7th June where pupils artwork will be on display in the hall and in Class 2. This includes our whole-school exhibit for the county “My” art project. The exhibit is shortly to be dismantled but will be on display at the Museum of Modern Art in the autumn. The winners of the School Council Sunflower Painting competition will also be revealed! Refreshments will be available including some tasty morsels supplied by Food with Thought, our school caterers. Families and other members of our village community are all welcome.

Brazil Week
During 16th to 20th June 2008 we are having a whole-school cross-curricular week studying Brazil. Each class will gain an insight into the geography and culture of Brazil and we have invited guest speakers to talk to us about life in Brazil. Denise Shortman, our school cook, is also planning a menu for the week which will include opportunities to sample a “taste of Brazil” each day. Pupils are welcome to bring in any books, pictures or artifacts into school where we hope to display them.

Partnership Minibus – Drivers Needed
The Watlington Partnership of Schools now has a 17-seater minibus available for school use. This could be a tremendous asset to us, providing transport to local venues, but we need volunteer drivers. County regulations require that minibus drivers have a minibus driver’s permit. This is obtained by taking a minibus test. If you are interested in taking this test, or are already a permit holder, please contact the office.

Message from the PTA Committee
Many thanks and congratulations to all those who took part in the Chiltern Chase on 4th June. It was perfect weather (not too hot!) and a good time was had by all! Now we need to get the sponsorship money rolling into the school by 27th June please so that we can announce the winner of the 'Up and Running' prize of goodies for the most sponsorship collected. Also it is not too late to still sponsor the whole team by sending a donation into the office.

Advert - Ice Skating Gala at Oxford Ice Rink
Oxford Figure and Free Ice Skating Club are presenting their summer show “ Around the World in 80 Minutes” at 5.30pm on Sat 21st & Sun 22nd June at Oxford Ice Rink. If you go along you may catch sight of one of our Year 4 pupils who is taking part this year. Further details are attached to this newsletter.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have been busy baking apple muffins and painting lots of pictures of ladybirds, caterpillars and butterflies for their mini-beast display. They would be pleased to receive quantities of old newspapers and any spare rolls of wallpaper.

DIARY DATES:

Saturday 7th June
Art Gallery in school from 10-12am. All welcome.
Tuesday 10th June
PTA meeting – 8pm
Saturday 14th June
Charity performance of “Caravan” on Stadhampton Green – please let us know if you would like to enter a draw for some free tickets that may be available
Monday 16th June
Final swim for Class 2 pupils
Monday 23rd June
Class 3 swimming sessions begin at Abbey Sports Centre
Governors Meeting – 8pm

Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – weather permitting! More details to follow.

Attachments:
Letter about Mrs Drummond
Ice skating gala flyer
Premier Sports summer coaching session