Newsletter No 5 / 2nd October 2009

Happy OCTOBER Birthday to: Benjamin Duke, Sophie Hector, Oliver Lowman and Marcin Skwarek.

We are focusing on the core value of RESPONSIBILITY in the month of October

School Closure on Wednesday 30th September
Following a break in the water supply to Stadhampton and a number of surrounding villages, we had no option but to close the school on Health and Safety grounds. Unfortunately the situation was not apparent until just before the beginning of the school day, and, consequently, we were unable to give any notice of the situation. I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Swine Flu Action Plan
All families should have received yesterday a letter about our Swine Flu Action Plan.

Year 6 Assembly for Parents and Pupils with Mr Hudson, Headteacher of Icknield Community College
As the school had to close on Wednesday the 30th September, we have rearranged the assembly for Year 6 pupils and their parents to now take place at 9.00am on Wednesday 7th October. It is envisaged that this will last for about half an hour and we hope that as many parents as possible will be able to attend. If any Year 5 parents would also like to attend, they would be most welcome.

Harvest Gifts
Thank you to everyone who donated such a wonderful array of Harvest gifts. They will be taken to the church today to form part of the village Harvest Service on Sunday.

Supporting your child at home with Mathematics
This week, every child should have brought home a booklet relating to the Mathematics they will be learning about in their particular year-group. These booklets were introduced last year, following our Maths Evenings for parents, and as all pupils have moved up a year-group, it is an appropriate time of year to distribute the ‘sequels’. If, for any reason, you have not received one please contact your child’s class teacher.

Icknield Community College Open Evening
Icknield Community College in Watlington will be holding their Open Evening on Thursday 8th October between 6 and 8 pm. Please do go along, if possible.

After School Fun Club
Thank you for the donations which have been sent in so far for the fundraising stall which the After School Fun Club would like to have at this year’s school Christmas Bazaar. We would be pleased to collect a few more items such as any unwanted birthday and Christmas presents suitable for our “Gifts Stall”. Small toiletry items would also be most welcome, which pupils would enjoy making up into gift baskets.

Presentation of our Comenius Project at the British Council, London
On Thursday 1st October I gave a presentation on our ‘Notes of Harmony’ Comenius Project to a large audience of delegates at the British Council in London. I was invited to do this as the British Council, who manage Comenius Projects in the UK on behalf of the European Union, have recognized the “excellent progress” of our project. This could not be achieved without the full co-operation and participation of staff, governors, PTA, our partner schools and of course, our pupils. Thank you all, it is wonderful to have our project acknowledged in this way and to know that a small school can take a lead in educational developments.

PTA NEWS:
Christmas Cards – The proof for your child’s personalised Christmas card is now ready and you will have received your proof and order form this week. The cards are £5 for a pack of 10. Orders must be made by 9th October as we have to do a bulk order for everyone at the same time within a very tight 10 day turnaround. Please ensure you return your order forms to school by this date as late orders cannot be accepted or will incur a significant charge to individual parents by the printing company. If anyone has not received their card proof please contact Charlotte Hector. Don’t forget to ask the grandparents if they would like some cards!

Clothes Recycling – the collection date has now been confirmed as Friday 20th November.

Music Quiz – tickets are selling well for the 16th October Quiz. Please buy your tickets that include a fish and chip supper from Mrs Hopkins at school.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears enjoyed making flapjack. They have also been on a nature trail finding leaves and have made some lovely pictures. Children also enjoyed weeding the garden in the lovely sunshine this week and have planted some bulbs. A highlight of the week was joining Class 1 for a “Harvest Song” in the school’s Harvest Service.

DIARY DATES:
Wednesday 14th October Open Morning in School and at Little Bears – All welcome – 9.00-11.30am
Wednesday 21st October School finishes at 3.15pm for the October Holiday. After school sports clubs and after school fun club still operate as normal today.
Monday 2nd November Return to school after the October Holiday. Swimming starts for Class 3 pupils.
Wednesday 25th November Family Poetry Workshop 3.15-.4.15pm. No after school SPORTS Clubs, - After School Fun Club in the portacabin will run as normal with Mrs Howlett and Mrs Hopkins bringing pupils over to/from school for the poetry workshop.