Newsletter No 1 / 24th April 2009

Learning Platform
Thank you to everyone who’s e-mailed the office this week with their e-mail address. So far we have approximately 50% of families who are willing to receive the weekly newsletter electronically. We hope to significantly increase this percentage over the next few weeks. If you haven’t done so already please e-mail the school office at office.2455@stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk so that we have an e-mail address for as many families as possible.

Class Topics/Areas of Study
Please find attached to this newsletter a letter from the class teacher/s outlining the topics/areas of study that pupils will be covering in Terms 5 and 6.

Mrs Rosemary Wells
After nearly 24 years as a Teaching Assistant at Stadhampton Primary School, Mrs Wells has decided it is time to hang up her painting apron and reading folder and retire. Mrs Wells has dedicated herself to the pupils and staff at school and has witnessed many changes. A number of former pupils, who have benefited from Mrs Wells’ support over the years, are now parents themselves and have children who are currently pupils at school, who in turn are being supported by Mrs Wells. She will be greatly missed by everyone. We shall say a formal “farewell” to Mrs Wells at the end of year assembly, but, fortunately, it will not be a complete ‘goodbye’ as she is planning to visit school and support pupils in a voluntary capacity, on a regular, but less frequent, basis.

Key Stage 2 SATs
A reminder that all pupils in Year 6 will be taking their end of Key Stage 2 SATs throughout the week beginning Monday 11th May. Year 6 pupils have been well-prepared by Mrs Sutton but experience has shown that they would also benefit from a sensible amount of sleep prior to, and during, that week! These papers are marked externally and we expect the results to be received at school before the end of Term 6.

SATs for Years 2 – 5
Pupils in Years 2 to 5 will also be completing SATs papers during the week beginning Monday 11th May. The timetable is less rigid but logistics dictate a similar format to the Y6 timetable. The Year 2 activities (end of Key Stage 1 SATs) may continue into the following week. All pupils will have had experience in class lessons of tackling similar SATs questions. The Year 2-5 SATs are marked by school staff using national mark schemes. Results are also subject to LEA moderation procedures. The results of these tests/activities complement the on-going Teacher Assessments carried out on each pupil.

Advanced Notice of SATs 2010 Dates!
We have been advised by QCA that 2010 KS2 SATs will take place during the week 10–14 May and respectfully request that holidays are avoided at that time.

Guinness Book of Records Skipping Attempt
At 11am on Thursday 30th April we are participating in an attempt to break the world record for skipping! This involves as many pupils as possible skipping simultaneously for 3 minutes. We hope everyone will take part so please could all pupils have suitable footwear in school. Pupils may also like to bring in a skipping rope from home that day but it is not essential as we have many ropes in school. The record attempt is being promoted and organised by Edventure, who are also using the event to support Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Donations to this worthy cause (50p suggested) would be welcome on the day. We have to register all participants’ names with Edventure immediately after the event so please advise us before the event if you do not wish your child/ren to participate. Thank you.

Visit by pupils and staff from Arcos, Spain
On Thursday 23rd March we welcomed 20 pupils and 4 teachers from a primary school in Arcos de la Frontiera, in Spain. This school was a former partner in a previous Comenius project but we continue to maintain links. Most years the oldest year group (aged 12) spend a week in England which includes a day visit to Stadhampton School and Oxford. This year their visit to school included a tour of both the school and Little Bears, a short concert by our pupils and a joint playtime. We managed to win the inevitable football match 1-0!

After-School Club in the Portacabin
Our After-School Club is now ‘up and running’ and is open to all school pupils and children attending Little Bears (who are over 3 years old) from 3.15 to 5.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The children who have been attending have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and so have Mrs Howlett and Mrs Hopkins! Currently, Mondays are the most popular sessions but we do still have vacancies every day. Please talk to Mrs Howlett or Mrs Hopkins if you are interested in a place, even if it is at short notice or not on a regular basis.

School Improvements
During the Easter holiday we have had a number of improvements made to the school building. Class 3 has been redecorated, cloakrooms in each classroom have been repainted and the cloakrooms and ladies toilet have also been re-floored. We have also had improvements made to the heating system, including thermostats fitted to all radiators to help us be more energy efficient.

PTA News
Easter Chocolate Raffle – thank you to everyone who donated prizes and bought tickets – this event was hugely successful with an astonishing £183 raised and lots of chocolate eaten! All prizes have now been claimed.

Car Boot Sale 4th May – we will be running the Car Boot in conjunction with villagers on this date as well as having a refreshment tent, therefore more helpers required if possible please. We also need cakes, muffins, biscuits, tray bakes, etc. to sell on the day. Any not sold will be sold at a cake sale at school on the following Tuesday. Please bring your cakes into school on Friday 1st May or bring along to the car boot sale nice and early on Monday 4th May (by 8.30am at the latest please)

Cookery Books – we still have a small number remaining to be sold. They will be on sale at the Car Boot on Monday 4th May, and also from Sarah Madry or Mrs Hopkins.

Please find attached the Watlington Partnership Information Sheet.

Little Bears News
We have been enjoying the lovely weather playing outside with the sand and water, talking about growing plants and what they need to grow. We have been making pictures of flowers using hand prints for the petals. Thank you to all those who attended our recent coffee morning which raised £50. We would like to welcome Amanda Lavene and Helen Buckley to our staff.

DIARY DATES:

Tuesday 28th April PTA meeting – 8pm
11th – 15th May SATs tests week
Wednesday 13th May Mobile Library visit
Maths lesson for Year 5 pupils at ICC
Friday 22nd May Break up 3.15pm for May Holiday
Monday 1st June Final swimming session for Class 2
Thursday 4th June School closed for Parliamentary and County Council Elections. Please note the error on the after school football letter – no football club on this day!
Monday 8th June Class 3 start 6 sessions of swimming