Newsletter No 1 / 5th November 2010

Happy NOVEMBER Birthday to: Juliana Browning, Jake Day, Amy Freeman, Max Jones, Max Lansley, Lola Odell and Ella Perring

During November we are focusing on the core vale of PEACE

Children in Need, Friday 19th November
A reminder about that we will be participating in the BBC Children in Need Appeal by holding a non-uniform day on Friday 19th November. To take part children are expected to wear “something spotty” as part of their attire rather than normal school uniform and bring in £1 to school. We will then collect contributions at class registration time and send the proceeds to Children in Need. We are also planning other activities to take place during the day.

Menus for Winter & Spring
We have now uploaded the new Winter and Spring School Meals Menu onto the Learning Platform. We have also added a link to it on the school website.

NHS “Catch It, Bin It, Kill It” campaign
We have recently received a teaching resource pack from Kimberly-Clark, manufacturers of Kleenex, in support of the NHS “Catch It, Bin It, Kill It” campaign which raises public awareness of good hygiene practices to reduce the spread of cold and ‘flu’ germs. The pack includes a number of small packets of tissues which we have distributed to all pupils in the Foundatation Stage and Class 1. It is timely to remind everyone of the NHS guidelines:-
CATCH IT – Always use a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
BIN IT – Throw the tissue away immediately after use.
KILL IT – Wash your hands.
We will be promoting these guidelines in school, both in class and in assembly.

Little Cooks After School Club
The Little Cooks After School Club which has been offered to pupils in Years 3-6 is full and, unfortunately, no further places are available.

After School Dance Club
Following on from the success of the last After School Street Dance Club lead by Kerri Williams from Tanya’s School of Dance, we are pleased to give parents advance notice that this club will run again from Tuesday 11th January for at least 6 weeks. If it is as popular again as it was previously, then we shall probably continue with dance until Easter. This club will be open to all pupils.

Nit Alert
Please could everyone check their children’s hair this weekend as a parent has kindly reported that their child had nits, which have now been treated.

Five Star Food Hygiene Rating
Following a recent inspection of our kitchen by a South Oxfordshire District Council hygiene officer, I am delighted to inform you that we have been awarded five stars which means that this establishment has been rated as excellent. Congratulations to Mrs Shortman for achieving this excellent standard. Continuing to maintain this standard is, of course, a high priority and this involves not only school staff but also all hall users.

P.T.A. Message
Now that Halloween has been and gone and after tonight, the bonfire will be just embers and the sparklers have fizzled to darkness…..It’s time to think about Christmas! The P.T.A. is holding a Winter Fair on Friday 26th Nov at 6.00pm in the School Hall. Every family member is welcome to come and have a really great time playing games, drinking hot chocolates or mulled wine and searching for some cracking Christmas presents on our stalls! We will have a beautiful craft stall full of homemade items of all descriptions. There will be a Jewellery stall selling necklaces and other accessories. We also have a Virgin Vie stall, a Pampered Chef stall and Phoenix cards will also be attending. This is the perfect opportunity to start saving your pennies and come and find those special presents for your loved ones.
All families should find a note in book bags giving a more detailed description of items that we need to make this event a truly brilliant night. Please read through and see if you can donate anything to help us raise extra funds for the children at the school. Many thanks for your support.
P.S. There will be a very special visitor who will have his own “Winter Wonderland Grotto” outside Class 1! Come and tell him what you’d like for Christmas!

Little Bears News
The Little Bears and staff are back, looking refreshed and feeling energised for the 7 week countdown to Christmas! Fortunately we are not quite into the Christmas spirit yet, we are focused this week on bonfire night incorporating safety talks and beautiful firework art. We welcome Rafi Wilkinson this week to Little Bears, we hope he settles quickly and enjoys his time with us.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 9th November
Little Cooks starts for participating pupils
Wednesday 10th November
Maths Masterclass at ICC for participating pupils
Mon 15th November
Parents’ Evenings – 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 16th November
PTA Meeting at Rowena Dobson’s house
Wednesday 17th November
Parents’ Evenings – 3.30-6pm
Friday 19th November
Children in Need Day – non-uniform, pay £1 and wear something spotty
Monday 22nd November
Governing Body meeting at 7pm
Friday 26th November
PTA Winter Fair