Newsletter No 12 - 30th April 2010

Thank you for your patience and understanding last week. The main priority was to continue to run school, as normally as possible under the circumstances, for the pupils. I would like to say a particular thank you to Mrs Manzie and the rest of the staff for all their extra work, during this time, and to governors for their additional support.

Madame Brookes
Unfortunately, Madame Brookes is still unwell and is unable to come into school to teach French for a few weeks. We wish her a speedy recovery. Madame Brookes, however, has prepared a series of French lessons for us to use in the meantime and pupils will still receive French sessions on Thursday afternoons.

“SATs” Tests
As you may well be aware, there have been teaching union ballots to boycott the Year 6 SATs this year. Some schools have made the decision not to conduct the SATs but Year 6 SATs will be carried out, as usual, here at Stadhampton School. SATs “week” is 10th to 14th May and Year 6 pupils will take their Literacy and Maths tests in the Hall. There are no Science tests this year for us; they have been discontinued although some schools have been selected at random, as sample schools.
The SATs for pupils in Years 2-5 are not affected and will take place in class in the normal way.
Parents of pupils in Year 6 should receive a separate letter from Miss Shah today, outlining SATs arrangements.

Paying for School Meals
A further reminder that cheques for school meals should be made payable to “Oxfordshire County Council” and that they should have “Stadhampton Primary School” written on the back of the cheque, please.


New Tree Seat
I hope you are able to benefit from the new tree seat which we have installed in our waiting area. This is not the bench that Mrs Wells generously gave to school on her retirement – this is elsewhere in the school grounds. The waiting area and tree seat have been provided through a school travel fund grant which is aimed at providing facilities to encourage families to walk to school.

PTA Message
Car Boot 3rd May – Helpers & Cakes needed! PTA is responsible for the car boot sale on 3rd May and if this nice weather continues we will be busy. We need helpers on the day please from 0730 – 1130 for 30 minutess or one-hour stints to help out at the refreshment stall.
Cakes - We would really appreciate it if parents would make cakes, tray bakes or biscuits for the stall and bring them along on the day by 0900. Alternatively ask an active member of PTA to bring your goodies along on the day if you are unable to help or bring them yourself.
Chiltern Chase 13th June – sponsorship forms for the Chiltern Chase are now available to pick up from school. If you are planning to run and be part of the Stadhampton Steamers please ensure you register on the Chiltern Chase website and let Sara Wright know via sara.wright@tiscali.co.uk. Sara can also email you a sponsorship form if you prefer.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 3rd May
School closed for Bank Holiday
PTA – Boot Sale on the Green – volunteers and cakes needed please
Wednesday 5th May
Y5 pupils visit to ICC for a Maths lesson will not take place on this day. This session has now been rescheduled by ICC for Wednesday 30th June.
Thursday 6th May
School Closed – Election Day
Wednesday 12th May
Mobile Library
Sunday 13th June
Chiltern Chase

Little Bears News
The Little Bears continue to enjoy the wonderful weather, making great use of our wonderful outside area. Free flow play to indoors and the patio area continues to be a great success. Once again the children enjoyed assembly with FS1 & class 1 on Monday and singing with FS1 on Thursday morning. The 'big club' children planted potatoes on Wednesday afternoon.