Newsletter No 3 20th November 2009

Swimming Gala – Report by Lucy Banting
On 12th November 6 pupils from Stadhampton School swam in the Partnership Swimming Gala: Lucy, Issy, Alex, Benedict, Robbie and Florence. We all swam our best until the results were called out. It turned out that we had drawn with Watlington and so we had a swim-off. This was a relay and two people did back-stroke, two breaststroke and two front-crawl. But finally we beat them; we had won the trophy for 3 years running; it was victory again for Stadhampton!

Miss Heather Mould
We are pleased to announce that we have recruited a teacher for our new Foundation Stage class which starts in January 2010. Miss Heather Mould has been teaching Foundation Stage children in Bicester for the last year. She will join us for the day on Friday 4th December and meet our new Foundation Stage pupils and their parents.

James Carter, Poet-in residence, 25th November and 2nd December 2009
We are delighted to have James Carter, a local poet, in school on both Wednesday 25th November and Wednesday 2nd December. He will be reading his poetry to us and leading poetry workshops in all classes. On Wednesday 25th November he is running a Fun Family Poetry Workshop in the hall from 3.15 to 4.15pm. This is a one-off free opportunity, financed by Extended Services for pupils and parents to participate in this fun event. Please be reminded that pupils must be accompanied by an adult. There will be no after school sports clubs that day but pupils attending our after-school fun club will participate in the event with Mrs Howlett and Mrs Hopkins. On Wednesday 2nd December there will be a pupil poetry presentation to parents for approximately 20 minutes at 2.50pm. All welcome! You may like to access James Carter’s website www.jamescarterpoet.co.uk

List of Events for November and December
A list of events in school taking place in November and December has been posted onto the school web-site and onto the “What’s On” section of the Learning Platform.

Message from PTA Committee:
PTA News – hopefully this week you will have received some raffle tickets for the Christmas Bazaar. Please return your ticket stubs to school with the money by 3rd Dec to be entered into the raffle on the 4th. Please contact Sara Wright if you are missing your tickets or would like some more.

We are now receiving donations for the Christmas Bazaar as detailed on the letter emailed to you recently. Please bring all donations to school week commencing 30th Nov or give them to an active member of PTA for safekeeping.

Christmas Wreath making – Julie Pattisson has kindly offered to run this fun and creative evening on 10th Dec. Anyone interested to contact Julie direct.

If you would like to receive your school newsletter by e-mail each week, please
e-mail the office at office.2455@stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk
School web-site http://www.stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk

DIARY DATES:
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 Hopkinsbringing pupils over to/from school for the poetry workshop.

Monday 30th November Last After School Hockey Club

Tuesday 1st December ICC production of Stones in his Pockets – Year 6 pupils.

Friday 4th December Miss Mould in school. Christmas Bazaar at 6pm.

Tuesday 8th December Dress Rehearsal of Christmas Production at 10am. Matinee performance at 2pm.

Wednesday 9th December Evening performance at 6.30pm of Christmas Production.

Thursday 10th December PTA Wreath Making Evening

Tuesday 15th December Nativity Service in Church at 9.30am. All welcome.

Wednesday 16th December Christmas parties pm

Thursday 17th December Christmas Challenges for all pupils! Whole-school Christmas Lunch - £2
Last After School Football Club

Friday 18th December End of term assembly at 9.00am. All welcome. Break up at 1.30pm.

*** NEW YEAR ***

Monday 4th January Staff INSET Day

Tuesday 5th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have enjoyed making spaceships out of tissue paper, spaceships with 5 little aliens in (from the song Five Little Men in a Flying Saucer) and paper planets. They also had fun icing biscuits and making mince pies.

Christmas Production
This year the school’s Christmas production is “Through the Wardrobe”. There will be the following performances:
1. Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday 8th December at 10am. This performance is aimed at parents who would like to bring along pre-school aged children to see the play. Little Bears Pre-School pupils will come across to see this performance.
2. Matinee Performance on Tuesday 8th December at 2pm. This performance is open to villagers,
grandparents, parents and other relatives. No limits on numbers, but no pre-school aged children please. There will be a bucket collection for Oxfam Unwrapped with a suggested donation of £1 per person.
3. Evening Performance on Wednesday 9th December at 6.30pm. Entrance to this performance is by ticket only which must be bought in advance. Tickets cost £2 each and will be limited to 2 per family in the first instance. No pre-school aged children at this performance please. Tickets (2 per family) will be available from the school office from Monday 23rd November until Friday 4th December. If there are any surplus tickets available, not already taken up by parents by the end of school on Friday 4th December, they will be made available from Monday 7th December. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to help improve the school’s drama resources, although the Oxfam Unwrapped bucket will be available on the evening should anyone wish to make a donation to this.

Whole-School Christmas Lunch
We hope that all pupils will be able to take part in a whole school special Christmas Lunch on Thursday 17th December. The price will be £2 and money for this lunch should be sent into school on any Monday morning from Monday 23rd November until Monday 14th December. A flyer will be sent home today with details of the menu. If anyone would like the vegetarian option but would like something different, Mrs Shortman will do her best to offer an alternative, such as macaroni cheese.