Newsletter No 3 / 19th June 2009

Appointment of a new teacher for Class 3
Following a full day of interviews earlier this week, the Governing Body are pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Hema Shah as the new teacher for Class 3 from 1st September 2009. Miss Shah is currently teaching at a school on the outskirts of London and demonstrated through a teaching activity, a formal interview and a written exercise that she has the skills and qualities that the Governing Body was looking for. We are hoping to facilitate Miss Shah being released by her current school so that she can spend a day in school before the summer break.

“Healthy Week”
We have had a very active week! During this week we have participated in Skip-Hop workshops, an athletics tournament (the results of which are entered in the Intra School Athletics Competition for South Oxfordshire), talks on healthy food, a sponsored basketball skills event (organised by Premier Sports) and pupils have been challenged to design a healthy lunchbox. Here are some reports of the events:

Skip Hop Visit – report by Isobel Mathews and Alex Birtles:
On Tuesday 16th June, we had a visit from one of the leaders from Skip Hop, a company that helps children learn how to skip and learn new skills for skipping. After he had taught us how to skip, and taught us some new skills, we had a show. Aidan chose the best person for each new skill and the people he chose did the skill in front of the whole school and the adults that had time to come and watch. Skipping ropes were available for children to buy. It was really good fun.

Premier Sports Sponsored Basketball Event – report by Peter Roe and Jordan Lafford:
Last Friday all the children took a sponsor form home to fill in, then everyone had a week to fill it in and bring it back to school on Thursday. During the event a Premier Sports coach came in and taught us 5 different skills for basketball. We all had lots of fun and we have learnt how to play basketball.

Thank you to all the families who have supported this event. We shall be able to tell you the total amount raised next week. Pupils who have returned their sponsorship forms have had them signed by the Premier Sports coach and will receive a certificate. Any mislaid/forgotten forms can still be brought into school for signature next Thursday - however we should remind you that all sponsorship money should be brought in by Thursday 25th June.
Thank you in anticipation!

Message from the PTA Committee
Sports Night BBQ – There will be a BBQ & bar run by PTA at the Sports Evening. The bar will sell Pimms, bottled beers, wine, crisps and soft drinks. Sausages & burgers can be pre-ordered from the BBQ at £2 each. Tickets are available from PTA members or Mrs Hopkins at school from Monday 22nd June until Wednesday 8th July. Tickets must be purchased in advance as there will be no cash sales of food on the night.

Advanced warning – school meal price increase
Please note that we have received notification this week from Food with Thought that they are increasing the cost of a school meal from £1.95 to £2 from 1st September 2009.

Little Bears News
As part of our “Healthy Week”, Little Bears have enjoyed making a pasta salad. They have also enjoyed doing some bubble paintings. A very successful Sports Day was held last Saturday which raised £135 and Little Bears pupils will help to choose the new outside pay equipment which this is spent on. Tickets are on sale for Race Night on 27th June and then a Strawberry Fayre is planned for 15th July. More details to follow.

DIARY DATES:

Tuesday 23rd June “Orinoco” Family Learning Workshop 3.15-4.15pm
Tuesday 30th June Class 1 visit to Beale Park
Class 2 visit to the Reading Museum
Wednesday 1st July Mobile Library
Tuesday 7th July Concert for Classes 2 & 3 at Harris Manchester College
Friday 10th July Sports Evening – weather permitting!
Tuesday 14th July Daylight Theatre performance
Friday 17th July End of school year assembly at 9.00am
School finishes at 1.30pm for the summer break
1st & 2nd September Staff INSET Days
Thursday 3rd September Pupils return to school
Price of a school meal increases to £2 per day