Newsletter No 3 21st November 2008

Book Fair in School from 17th – 21st November
Thank you to everyone who has purchased items from our Book Fair this week. We shall let you know our total sales and school commission in next week’s newsletter.

Out-of-School Childcare Meeting on Tuesday 18th November
Many thanks to the parents and other members of the community who came along to the consultation meeting on 18th November. Minutes of the meeting were taken by the LEA and will be made available, when received, to all parents. At the meeting it became apparent that the statistics collected during June/July are now out of date. Changes in family circumstances, new families both at Stadhampton School and Little Bears Pre-School indicate that there could be a greater need for this provision than was initially recorded. In order to quantify the current need for out of school childcare provision it would now be appropriate to re-survey local families and a shortened survey is attached to this newsletter. Mrs Oakley and Mrs Madry have also kindly offered to facilitate completion of survey forms with parents at the school gate, if parents would find this preferable to completing them at home.
We are in the very fortunate position of having the potential to be able to offer some out-of-school provision as we have both a suitable venue for this (i.e. the school room in the portacabin) and have appropriately qualified staff willing to run these sessions (initially Mrs Nikki Howlett and Mrs Joy Hopkins), subject to the usual regulations. As this facility would be “Extended Services” provided by Stadhampton School we must follow OCC procedures and regulations and prove to have sustainable numbers. Any new childcare facilities resulting from this survey would take several months to set up but could be eligible for start-up funding to ensure that the facility was secure for the first year but after that would be dependent on income from fees. The scale of the fees is stipulated by OCC, however, we would endeavour to keep our fees set at the lower end of the scale.

To help us to help you to best meet your current and future childcare needs we now ask you to complete the attached questionnaire and return it to school by the end of next week (28th November.) Thank you.

Message from the PTA Committee
Thank you to all those who managed to clear out unwanted clothes for recycling; we will confirm the amount raised once we know it.

Christmas Bazaar (Friday 5th December) – Please continue to look for items for the Christmas Bazaar; we need, bottles (full) and chocolate for the tombola’s, raffle prizes, white elephant goods, good condition toys, cuddly teddy bear (excellent condition or new) and cakes to be made and brought in on the day. Please drop your donations into school week commencing the 1st Dec or hand them over to a member of the PTA for safe-keeping.

Christmas Wreaths – there are still a few places left for this event on Tuesday 16th Dec. Please contact Julie Pattison to book your place (01865 400807.)

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears enjoyed making shortbread cookies. They also had fun making puppets and then producing a puppet show, and talking about people who can help them. Little Bears were delighted to raise £64.50 for Children in Need and are very grateful to Shirley Bateman for making wonderful “Pudsey Bear” biscuits to sell. The final total raised at the recent Ball is now confirmed as an amazing £5298.71. Thank you to everyone who supported this event.

School Council Competition
Please find attached to this newsletter details of the School Council’s Santa Sleigh Competition. The sleighs will be tested and judged on Thursday 18th December. £1 to enter for School Council funds.

Change of clothes for outside play
As we are now entering the “muddy” season it would be advisable for pupils wishing to play football (or other energetic team games) at break time to bring in an old pair of tracksuit trousers/sweatshirt to wear over/instead of school uniform in order to keep uniform clean!

DIARY DATES:

Monday 24th November
Governors’ Meeting at 7pm
Wednesday 26th November
Mobile Library
Wednesday 3rd December
Museum visit for Y2, 3 & 4 pupils.
Visit to ICC to see their Christmas production for Y5 & Y6 pupils.
ALL PUPILS IN YEARS 2-6 WILL NEED A PACKED LUNCH TODAY
Friday 5th December
Christmas Bazaar at 6pm
Tuesday 9th December
Dress rehearsal and Matinee performance of the Christmas Production 2pm
Wednesday 10th December
Evening performance of the Christmas Production 6.30pm
Wednesday 17th December
Nativity performance in school at 9.00am. Parents welcome.
Children’s party (pm) – details to follow
Thursday 18th December
School Council Sleigh Competition
Friday 19th December
End of term assembly at 9.00am. Parents welcome.
School finishes at 1.30pm
Monday 5th January 2009
INSET TRAINING FOR TEACHERS. School closed for pupils.
Tuesday 6th January
Pupils return to school