Newsletter No 2 - 14th January 2011

Happy belated birthday to Ewan Madry who we forgot to say Happy Birthday to in December. We sincerely apologise for this omission.

Topics/Areas of Study
A letter outlining the topics/areas of study for Terms 3 and 4 was sent home to each family in book bags earlier this week.

Oxfordshire County Music Service Lessons
As many parents will be aware, all pupils in Class 3 currently participate in the County VIP Programme and receive clarinet lessons in school. Unfortunately, this programme is only available to pupils in Class 3 and, in its existing format, only for the current school year. However, the County Music Service does offer music lessons for groups of children at key locations in the County and we have been advised that both woodwind (clarinet/flute) and classical guitar lessons are being offered to groups of pupils in the Thame area. All lessons will take place at Lord William’s Lower School, Thame; woodwind lessons will be at 4.00pm on Mondays, starting January 24th, and guitar lessons will be held at 5.00pm on Wednesdays, starting on January 26th. In both cases the first lesson will be a ‘come along and try’ taster session in which children can try the instruments before any commitment is made. There is a cost to these lessons and this varies depending on the number of pupils in the group. In the past we have been advised that these lessons are best suited to pupils in Year 3 and above.
If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, further information is available from the school office.

‘Muddy Playground’ protective clothing
We are very fortunate to have such extensive school grounds but, at this time of year especially, our field can be very muddy. In order for pupils to enjoy playing on the field wellies are necessary on ‘muddy’ days. Pupils without wellies are, of course, able to play on the tarmac but this is limited in size and in play potential. Pupils are welcome to bring in old jogging trousers to put on over their school trousers at playtime in an attempt to enable pupils to play football etc and keep their uniform clean!

Reading Support
Parents often ask us how they can best help their child/ren and regular reading together at home is highly beneficial. As children make progress with their reading skills the emphasis of these reading sessions’ changes. To provide parents and carers with further guidance, this week we have sent home ‘How can I help my child with reading?’ information sheets appropriate to the age of each child. We hope you find these useful.

We would also welcome any time that parents/carers may have to help hear readers in school. If you can help on a regular basis, even if only for a few weeks, please speak to your child’s teacher.

ParentMail
We are just waiting for the last few Data Capture Forms to be returned so that we can get
this new system up and running. Another copy of the form has been sent home via book bags this week to the families who have not yet returned completed forms.

Recorder Lessons
Due to other events happening on a number of Mondays this term, recorder lessons for pupils in Classes 2 and 3 will not start again until Monday 28th February. In the meantime pupils may like to continue to practice their recorder playing to maintain their ‘concert pitch’.

School Council
It’s come around to that time again and a new School Council has been elected. Many thanks to our previous School Council who achieved so much. Our Spring 2011 School Council consists of Benedict and Amy (Year 6), Megan and Ewan (Year 5), Bryce and Hannah (Year 4), Thea and Marcin (Year 3) and Betsy and Oliver (Year 2).

Lost Property
We currently have a large volume of un-named lost property in the lost property box that we keep in the Hall. We intend to have a cull of items in this box and any items remaining in it will be disposed of (unclaimed school uniform items in good condition will be donated to the PTA for re-sale as second-hand items) after school on Friday 21st January. We will put all items out on display in the Hall from 3pm on Friday 21st January, so that all items are clearly visible but, in the meantime, please also check in the Lost Property box for any missing items. If garments are clearly labelled with pupils names it is a great help with identification of missing items. Thank you.
Olivia Dallimore is missing a school shoe – black, Hush Puppy with a green insole. Has anyone seen this? It went missing following the school Christmas party.

Furniture – new and old
There has been much excitement in the Hall! In conjunction with the Parish Council and the Hall Management Committee, we have recently replaced the hall furniture. New tables, on casters for ease of setting-up, bench seating for school dinners and chairs for community use, have now arrived. They have been used by the school and members of the community and have been given the ‘thumbs up’ – especially by Mrs Shortman, our school cook! This replacement of this furniture has been made possible by the close collaboration of the School, Parish Council and Hall Management Committee all of whom have sought additional funding to finance this project. We hope the new furniture lasts as long as their predecessors!

Most of the old tables and chairs are now surplus to requirements and we will be disposing of them shortly. Some families have expressed an interest in acquiring some of the old furniture, especially chairs, for nostalgic reasons. We will be disposing of all the remaining furniture on Friday 21st January. If you are interested in any of the old furniture, they are currently available on a first come first served basis for a small cash donation towards our playground development funds, please speak to Mrs Hopkins or myself.


Please find attached to this Newsletter a flyer about a “Promoting Positive Behaviour” course, running at Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centre starting on Tuesday 18th January 2011 9.15am – 11.30am.


Little Bears
We will be exploring the topic hibernation, looking at hedgehogs and making hedgehog pictures, making bats and doing lots of messy activities.
We welcomed Mia Gravett to Little Bears this week and also wish Happy Birthday to Thomas West who was 3 last week.


P.T.A. News
After a hectic run up to Christmas, things have quietened down a bit for the P.T.A. - that doesn’t mean we are being lazy! We have our first meeting of 2011, next Tuesday 18th January in the school at 8.00pm.
All parents and carers are welcome to join us, when we will be discussing future fund raising events for the spring.
Every family should receive a letter in book bags this week, informing them about price changes to items of uniform that the P.T.A. sells. If you do not receive a copy please pick one up from Mrs Hopkins in the school office next week. If you have any queries regarding this letter please speak to Sarah Madry, Eimer Fernie or Tracy Perring who will be happy to answer any questions.

Visit from the Fire Officer – Report by Chloe B and Rhiannon
“On the 12th January 2011 Little Bears, the Foundation Stage, Classes 1, 2 & 3 had a visit from a fireman who came in to tell us all about his job. He also told us some funny stories, what to do and what not to do such as making prank calls and setting fire to things. Lastly he told us about his kit and let some people try it on!”

Visit from the author, John Kitchen – Report by Matt and Amber
“On Tuesday 11th January the author, John Kitchen came to school to give a lecture to the Foundation Stage and Class 1, and Classes 2 & 3, about his book Nicola’s Ghost. He also read extracts from the book and gave us tips about writing books. We enjoyed it very much and gained lots of story writing ideas”.


DIARY DATES for January 2011

Monday 24th January
Hockey club starts after school for participating pupils in Years 3-6, 3.15 – 4pm
Wednesday 26th January
Multi-sports club for participating pupils in Years 1 & 2, 3.15 – 4pm
Netball club for participating pupils in Years 3-6, 3.15 – 4pm
Monday 7th February –
Friday 11th February
Residential visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre, Glasbury-on-Wye – Years 5 & 6