Newsletter No 1 - 7th November 2008

Book Fair in School from 17th – 21st November
We have decided to try a new company for our only book fair in this academic year and it will be in school the week after next. We are promised hundreds of exiting books to choose from and the enclosed leaflet shows a small selection of the titles that will be available. The Book fair will be open for parents from 2.45pm each afternoon so that they have an opportunity to purchase items without their children being present, as well as the usual before and after school shopping opportunities for pupils. Commission gained from the book fair will be used to purchase new books for class libraries and the non-fiction library. Pupils may like to have a look at the website at home as there are pictures to colour, wallpapers to download and some excellent competitions to enter www.travellingbooks.co.uk

Notes of Harmony – Comenius Visit to Germany
Mrs Garrard and I had a very hectic but fascinating five-day visit to our partner school in Kunzell, Germany. We met teachers from the other three partner schools, exchanged information about the education system in each country, discussed project developments, visited a number of local places of interest – including Bach’s birthplace, and spent time in our German partner school meeting the pupils and staff and joining in with a music lesson!
This week a group of pupils and teachers from our Polish partner school will arrive for a five-day visit. As you know, we hope to be kite-flying at Wittenham Clumps between 3and 4pm on Sunday 9th November and you are welcome to join us there, weather permitting. We look forward to welcoming our guests to Stadhampton School for the day on Monday 10th November.

Royal British Legion Poppies
Royal British Legion poppies were delivered to school during the October Holiday and are available for sale in the hall.

Maths Evening – Term 3
Many thanks for the positive responses to the proposed maths evenings. We are currently persuing arrangements with an advisor from the LEA maths team and will advise you of dates and other details when we have had these confirmed.

Out-of-School Childcare Meeting on Tuesday 18th November
A reminder that there is a consultation meeting regarding the feasibility of out-of-school childcare in the hall from 6.30 to 7.30pm on Tuesday 18th November. This meeting is of particular significance, as the views expressed will inform the formal planning for future provision. The Local Education Authority will be leading this meeting and would be pleased to welcome as many parents of children attending school and/or Little Bears as possible, so that at the end of the meeting there is a clear understanding of what our parents would like, or would not like in the future in the way of breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday playschemes, etc. Please do come along, if at all possible, and let them know your views so that they are fully informed.

Partnership Netball and Tag Rugby Tournaments
Year 6 and Year 4 pupils represented Stadhampton School at the annual Partnership netball and rugby tournaments, respectively, this week. We came first in the exciting netball tournament and third (after Chalgrove and Watlington) in the rugby tournament. All pupils played their best and worked well together in their teams. Their successes were well-deserved.

Tag Rugby Tournament – report by Benedict Diment
On the 5th of November Year 4’s went to a Tag Rugby Tournament at Icknield Community College and came 3rd. Every person who played really enjoyed it. Thank you to Mr Pattisson who coached the team and took us there and to Mrs Madry who also took some of the team and supported us.

Icknield Partnership High Five Netball Tournament – report by Daniel Green
On the 5th November the “High Five” netball tournament took place at Icknield Community College. Despite the rain we beat Lewknor 1-0, RAF Benson 3-2 and Watlington 3-2 and we won the tournament! Many thanks to Mrs Thorp for teaching us and Mrs Green and Mrs Vale for transporting and supporting us.

School Council Monarch Painting Competition – Update by Joshua Drake
The School Council Monarch Painting Competition has raised £7 for School Council funds. Some of the entries have been made to look like a professional artist’s work. The judging will take place next week. Thank you to all who have entered.

Message from the PTA Committee
Clothes collection – please start bringing in bags from Thursday 13th November after school for collection on Monday 17th November at 10.30am.

Christmas Cards
The PTA would like everyone to know that they will be selling School Christmas cards again this year and ask that parents bear this in mind when they think about buying their Christmas cards. Please address any queries to Emma Vale, who is leading this fundraising initiative again on behalf of the PTA.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have enjoyed baking apple muffins and had fun creating firework pictures using glitter and paint. We also all had our photographs taken this week when the photographer came. We are pleased to welcome Sophie Amico, who is working with us at the moment as part of her National Diploma in Health and Social Care. A very successful Coffee Morning was held last Friday, which raised £43 for our funds.
Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Ball. Although we are waiting to hear what the final total is, we are delighted to announce that we know already that we raised over £4000, which is fantastic!

DIARY DATES:
Sunday 9th November
Kite workshop 11-1pm. Kite flying at Wittenham Clumps 3-4pm.
Monday 10th November
Polish visitors in school
Thursday 13th November
After school – please start bringing in bags of clothing for the clothes collection
Monday 17th November
Travelling Book Fair in school
Clothes Collection scheduled for 10am.
Tuesday 18th November
Parents Consultation Evening with LEA – 6.30-7.30pm. All welcome
Monday 24th November
Governors’ Meeting
Wednesday 26th November
Mobile Library
Tuesday 9th December
Dress rehearsal and Matinee performance of the Christmas Production
Wednesday 10th December
Evening performance of the Christmas Production