Newsletter No 3 - 21st January 2011

First Aid Training for pupils in KS2
We are very fortunate to be able to offer a one-off opportunity for pupils in KS2 to receive First Aid training in a free workshop after school on Monday 28th February. The workshop, which will be run by Mr Alan Mew of Richmond Gate Training, will take place in the Hall from 3.15 to 5pm. Places are limited to 12 and we will take names on a first come first – served basis. Further details of this opportunity, funded by Extended Services, have been sent home today to all KS2 pupils. Please book via the school office.

UNICEF Day for Change – 4th February 2011
Once again we will be supporting this annual event. Unicef Day for Change is a charity event we support as it is carried out by children for children. Day for Change makes a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s most vunerable children. Last year we raised £175.82 which went to help provide polio vaccines and mosquito nets for over 2 million children in Mozambique. This year Unicef Day for Change is raising money for children who are affected by climate change in Guyana. Climate change has meant more floods, droughts and higher temperatures increasing the number of children going hungry and catching diseases. Our pupils will find out more about the lives of children in Guyana, and the work of Uhicef, during class lessons and school assemblies in the lead up to February 4th. On the day we hope that pupils will being in some spare loose change for our event. Thank you.

P.T.A. News
Many thanks to all parents who came to the P.T.A. meeting on Tuesday night. The new tables and benches were tried out and we can give them the “thumbs up!”
After the meeting, the P.T.A. can now confirm some fund raising events that will take place over the rest of the school year. The money raised is put towards the upkeep of the swimming pool, Madame Church, our great new French teacher, visitors to the school who educate and entertain the children and of course, hopefully replacing the playground equipment and building a new outdoor learning area. We still have a long way to go before we can achieve our goal of replacing the climbing equipment and erecting a covered learning area for the children, so we are hoping that parents will continue to support us in any way they can to help us reach our target.

In March we hope to run a Bingo and Pizza evening for the children. Consent forms will be sent home at a later date to give more information about ticket prices, dates and times etc.
April is a good time to think about getting outside in the garden and we are offering our plant ordering service again, with hanging baskets and bedding plants hopefully arriving at the end of April in time for planting out in the beginning of May.
Over the Easter Holiday’s we would like to ask parents to have a sort out of good quality, clean clothes, bedding, towels etc. for the clothes recycling collection that will take place on May 10th. We are also planning a second hand uniform sale of all items, including white school tops, summer dresses, shorts, trousers and any blue tops that your child has outgrown. We hope to hold this after the first May Bank holiday.
Along side the uniform sale we hope to do a cake sale, so get ready for requests for cupcakes at the beginning of May!
At present, we are looking into organising a pamper evening in June – But! This is still in the planning stages and we may have to alter our ideas! – Watch this space and we will let you know.
Finally, the P.T.A. will be running a bar at the Sports evening at the end of term in July. (The date has yet to be confirmed) We will be looking into offering food of some sort and are in the process of discussing different options.

We will be able to give more information about these events nearer the time each is due to occur. Please look out for information in newsletters and our P.T.A. blackboard that will be hanging on the fence outside Class 1.

Can we remind parent/carers that if they wish to contact us with fund raising ideas and comments they may contact us using the P.T.A. email address stadhamptonpta@gmail.com

Final Note:
It’s good to hear that the children have been doing their own “mini performances” for one another in break times on the mosaic, with “audiences” using the new seating that has been installed. If you haven’t already, please wander round behind the swimming pool to take a look after school pick up (if weather allows!). Let’s wish for some sunny days over the year so our budding actors can continue to perform for one another and maybe for parents too!
The new seating and drape poles have been the first part of the new playground/outdoor learning area project that the P.T.A. is helping to raise funds for. They have been purchased using the funds that parents and carers and their families have donated to the P.T.A. On behalf of the children we would like to say a huge THANK YOU!

Little Bears
We will be following the “Big Garden Bird Watch.” We have put lots of bird feeders out to encourage birds to come in, and have been making binoculas to spot some birds and checking them against our list of birds to watch out for. We will be making fat balls to go home so you can get involved too. We would like to say a big congratulations to Mia Gravitt and Jam Burnell – who have settled so well making lots of new friends and enjoying their time at Little Bears – Well done!

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