Newsletter No 3 / 19th November 2010

Christmas Olympic Sports Holiday Course at Stadhampton School
For the first time ever, we are hosting a holiday course here at Stadhampton School on Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd December, run by the Premier Sports Group, our Thursday afternoon PPA provider. The course will be led by Michael Hopkins (a qualified sports coach) and at least one other coach, and will run from 9am until 3pm each day. It is open to all pupils who attend Stadhampton School, and also to the other primary schools in the Watlington Partnership. During the day each child will participate in at least 4 different sports. The sessions will provide a fun way to develop relevant skills in a safe environment and allow pupils to explore, without pressure, each sport and activity. The cost for one day is £12, 2 days £24, 3 days £36 and 4 days £40. Each child who attends will be given a medal and a certificate and there is a free gift for each child who attends for 2 or more days. Bookings may be made through Mrs Hopkins or directly with the Premier Sports Group.

Christmas Productions – please read carefully!
KS2 Production – “Twelve Days of Christmas” – Pupils in Classes 2 & 3
Tuesday 7th December – Dress Rehearsal at 2pm. Little Bears children are invited to watch this performance along with pupils in the Foundation Stage and Class 1. Other visitors are also welcome, including babies and pre-school aged children.There will be no charge for this performance but there will be a collection bucket available for donations towards our grounds development projects.
Wednesday 8th December – Performance at 2pm. Admission will be by ticket only and limited to 3 tickets per family. No babies or pre-school aged children at this performance please.
Wednesday 8th December – Performance at 6.30pm. Admission will be by ticket only and limited to 3 tickets per family. No babies or pre-school aged children at this performance please.

KS1 Production – “Simply Nativity” – Reception (Foundation Stage) Pupils & Class 1 Pupils
Thursday 9th December – Dress Rehearsal at 10am. Little Bears children are invited to watch this performance along with pupils in Classes 2 & 3. Other visitors are also welcome, including pre-school aged children and babies.
There will be no charge for this performance but there will be a collection bucket available for donations towards our grounds development projects.
Friday 10th December – Performance at 2pm. Admission will be by ticket only and limited to 3 tickets per family.

Tickets for all performances are now on sale from the school office, priced at £1 each.

P.T.A. Message - Winter Fair. Friday 26th November 6.00pm School Hall –
Winter Fair – One week till Santa Claus comes to town! The final preparations are underway to make sure the final P.T.A. event of 2010 is a really good one! We have received some donations from parents/carers already but we are now desperately in need of more items to help make the evening truly great for the children. Please, please, please, read the list below and see if you could provide anything for some of the stalls we would like to run! Keep an eye out when shopping - why not take advantage of the “two for one” offers in the supermarkets?
Please bring any items into school and leave in the red box in the hall labelled “P.T.A. DONATIONS” A.S.A.P! We need:
· Good quality, unwanted presents and gifts for the Raffle.
· Unopened bottles, jars & tins for the Tombola – Wine, spirits, squash, bubble bath, sauces, jams & marmalade, tinned fruit, soup etc.
· Books – New and read, adult and children’s, fact or fiction!
· DVD’s and CD’s – New and second hand are welcome.
· Anything to do with chocolate! – Biscuits, boxes of truffles, chocolate advent calendars, hot chocolate kits, packets of buttons, fondues.
· Good quality, unbroken toys for various stalls - No matter the size, they will all go to a good home!
· Bags of all descriptions! – Hand bags, rucksacks, bath bags, evening bags, sports bags, children’s bags. (We even need some plastic carrier bags!)
· We are trying a Homemade Crafts Stall this year. If you have a hobby that involves making gifts then why not donate a few items for our stall. – Photo frames, knitted or crocheted scarves, hats & gloves, tissue box covers, jewellery, homemade confectionary, jams & preserves, paintings & watercolours! Any items are welcome.
· Continuing with the homemade theme – We also need some homemade biscuits, cupcakes and tray bakes to sell with our teas, coffees and hot chocolates! Please bring any cakes and biscuits into school on the morning of the fair.
We are also looking for willing volunteers to help run some of our great stalls and games. If you would like to lend a hand, even for half an hour and help us to raise some extra funds for the children at the school, please speak to a member of the P.T.A. Committee.

Stalls will include: Raffle, Bar – selling alcoholic & non alcoholic drinks, Cakes & biscuits, Homemade Craft Stall, Adult Tombola, Christmas Tree Raffle, Books, DVD’s, CD’s, Chocolate Tombola, Children’s Toy Tombola, Nails and Face Painting, Jewellery, Bag Stall – selling hand bags, rucksacks, children’s bags etc, Plant Stall, Lots of new games for children (and adults!) to play. Outside vendors now confirmed are: Baban jewellery, The Pampered Chef, Virgin Vie, and Phoenix Cards. Not forgetting - SANTA’S GROTTO!

Raffle Ticket Reminder:
Just a quick reminder that all raffle tickets (sold or unsold) and money need to be returned to the school office by Wednesday 24th November. Thank you.

The P.T.A. are always grateful for the contributions that parents give and would like to remind them that the money raised is going towards some wonderful equipment outside in the grounds of the school – Watch this space for more information in the new year. We should hopefully be able to show you the rewards very soon! Thank You.

Christmas Wreath Making Evening:
The P.T.A. along with Little Bears would like to remind parents and carers about the Christmas Wreath Making Evening that Fiona Stewart (Ollie’s Mum!) has offered to organise and run. It will take place on Thursday 16th December 7.30 - 9.00pm in the Community (School) Hall, Stadhampton. Tickets are £20.00 per person. All materials needed to make and decorate a beautiful wreath will be provided on the evening along with tea, coffee, wine and mince pies. There are a limited number of places and we are asking for a deposit of £10.00 to be submitted by Monday 22nd November. All proceeds will go to the school P.T.A. and Little Bears Pre-school. If you would like more information please contact Fi Stewart on fistewart@hotmail.co.uk

The Giving Machine:
Finally, now that we are all in the process of buying Christmas presents for loved ones, can the P.T.A. remind parents/carers about our affinity website The Giving Machine? If you shop online – Did you know that at no extra cost to you or the P.T.A., if you access your online supplier through www.thegivingmachine.co.uk , then a donation is made to the P.T.A.? Over 100+ top online retailers are listed including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, Boden, Next, Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, M&S etc. All details of how this works are available on The Giving machine web site. No pressure, of course, but you might like to consider this option - think of us before you shop! Thank you.

Little Bears News
We are continuing with shapes this week, the children have made some beautiful stained glass windows. We have made Pudsey Bear cakes which were on sale Friday morning, we will let you know how much was raised. Thank you in advance for supporting this event.
Whilst on the subject of thanks we would like to thank Sarah Madry for the donation of toys. The children are really enjoying using them all!



DIARY DATES:
Monday 22nd November
School Governors’ Meeting at 7pm
Friday 26th November
Quicksticks Hockey Tournament for participating pupils
PTA Winter Fair at 6pm in the School Hall
Monday 29th November
Swimming Gala for participating pupils. No swimming today for other pupils in Class 3. Last Hockey Club this term
Wednesday 24th November
Last Multisports Club this term; Last after-school Netball Club this term
Wednesday 15th December
Carol Service in the Church at 2pm. Everyone welcome to join us for this service.
Thursday 16th December
Last after-school Football Club