Newsletter No 4 / 30th January 2009

We are pleased to welcome Precious Mehche as a new Foundation Stage pupil in Class 1.

Parent Governor Election
Thank you to everyone who voted for a candidate in the recent Parent Governor Election. The voting between both candidates was extremely close with less than 10 votes separating them. The person with the most votes and therefore appointed to the Governing Body with immediate effect, was Mr Jason Hector.

Parking in the School Car Park
We encourage parents to walk with their children to/from school whenever possible but realise that this is not an option for some families. Increased use of the car park has led to an increase in potential hazards and we ask all parents to be especially vigilant when using the car park. Please could parents who do us the car park only use the designated parking bays and NOT PARK in front of the large gate which leads onto the netball court. Not only is this the access point for grounds maintenance and emergency vehicles but it is also causing a significant problem for pedestrians with pushchairs entering and exiting Little Bears. It would be acceptable for one car to park briefly on the left hand side nearest to the school but the main problem arises when two cars park in that area as parents with pushchairs are being forced onto the muddy grassed area rather than being able to use the path and dropped- kerb access point. We would be grateful for all parents’ assistance in this matter and thank you, in advance, for your co-operation.

UNICEF Day for Change
We are taking part once again this year in the UNICEF Day for Change on Friday 6th February which, this year is focusing on improving children’s lives in Papua New Guinea. It would be wonderful if all pupils could bring in some 1p and 2p coins so that they can participate in this charity event. Every penny really does make a difference. £2 buys a watering can, £92 buys a set of health supplies for a health centre and £184 would buy a standing water tap.

PTA News from the PTA Chair
The ‘official’ AGM was held this week to sign off the accounts for the school year ending 2008 and confirm the continuation of the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and other key members of the PTA. We managed to raise over £5000 last year and have a healthy bank balance of £4000. However we did discuss that it may become increasingly difficult to raise funds in the current economic climate, hence the importance of the banked cash and to think of creative ways of raising funds this year. Your support as parents is therefore even more important and I
would like to thank you for your continued efforts.

Message from the School Council
On Friday 13th February we will be holding a “Monarch Dressing-Up Day.” Pupils can dress up as a real or imaginary monarch and it can be full costume or just a crown. Any pupil can enter by paying £1 on the day. All money raised will go towards buying frames for our 4 Monarch Painting Competition winners.
We will also be holding a cake sale on 31.03.2009 and an Easter puzzle too. More information will be provided nearer the time.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year by making a Chinese dragon for our display, making Chinese lanterns and a Chinese ring. We have also had great fun eating our fruit with chopsticks! Thank you to everyone who came to the Foundation Stage meeting this week and for letting us know that you found it informative. If anyone has a good condition, upright fridge that they no longer need, we would be grateful if you would consider donating it to Little Bears.

DIARY DATES:

Sunday 1st February Christingle Service at 4.30pm St John the Baptist Church Stadhampton
Tuesday 3rd February Year 5 Writer’s Workshop 1.15-3pm for participating pupils

Friday 6th February UNICEF - DAY FOR CHANGE
Friday 13th February School finishes at 3.15pm for the February Holiday
Monday 23rd February Return to school
Tuesday 17th March Maths Evening for Parents 6.30-8pm
Thursday 4th June School closed for Parliamentary and County Council Elections