Newsletter No 4 / 26th November 2010

We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Fair this evening which starts at 6pm!

Children in Need Appeal
A huge thank you for supporting this event. Everyone entered into the spirit of “wearing something spotty”–some very imaginatively! Many thanks to all who entered the School Council Pudsey Poster Competition and to those families who baked cakes and biscuits to sell after school. A grand total of £152.52 was raised, thank you. The competition winners were Ayisha Hall (Class 3), Thea Diment (Class 2), Darcy Crook (Class 1) and both Lawrence Wright and Thomas Cove in the Reception Class.
Primary schools are very special places to be at such times; listening to pupils’ conversations about how fortunate they are and how there are many others in the UK who are less fortunate than themselves, was enlightening and heartwarming.

Free Eye Tests
Following a routine visit by our school nurse I have been asked to remind parents that if you have any concerns regarding your child’s eyesight, all pupils are entitled to free eye checks at opticians. This is recommended for pupils in Year 1 and 6 in particular.

A Request from the Governing Body
The Governing Body are keen to hear parents/carers views about how well the school is meeting your expectations and sent a short “tick-box” questionnaire home to each family earlier this week for parents/carers to complete. Thank you for the responses received back so far. The deadline for returning the completed questionnaire is Friday 3rd December.

Emergency Closure Procedures
If the weather is particularly bad or there are power cuts in the village and the decision is made to close the school, the information is given to parents through BBC Radio Oxford, Jack FM and Heart FM. Parents are advised to tune into these local radio stations and also check their websites if there is a possibility that the school could be closed. Whenever it is possible, we also aim to put a message onto the school website.

Pupil knowledge of home phone number and address
Following a routine survey of pupils’ well-being, as part of our PSHCE lessons, it has become apparent that many children do not know their own home telephone number or address including postcode. This information is invaluable should a child ever be in a position to have to call emergency services. Pupils who are unable to remember their full address may be able to remember their post code and house number; this provides key information for emergency services.

Getting Active in South Oxfordshire
We have a small number of these booklets available in the foyer if any parents would like one.

Tickets on Sale for the School Christmas Productions
A reminder that tickets are now on sale at the school office for the KS1 and KS2 Christmas Productions.

Little Bears News
We have been practising our Christmas songs this week, the children have also been told which part they are in the Nativity on 11th December. The atmosphere will begin to heat up with excitement from next week as we begin our Christmas preparations. Be prepared to see lots of glue & glitter! A post box has been made for Christmas cards so the children can get busy writing if they wish. The children enjoyed making kites this week to end our theme of ‘Shapes’. Thank you to all who supported Children in Need, we made just over £40 on our Pudsey cake sale.



DIARY DATES:
Monday 29th November
Swimming Gala for participating pupils. No swimming today for other pupils in Class 3. Last Hockey 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.