Newsletter No 6 - 11th February 2011

Message from the Governing Body
Before Christmas a questionnaire was sent to all families. We received 31 responses and the results were tabulated and analysed by the Governing Body. All responses to the questions that were received were in the ‘strongly agree’ and ‘agree’ boxes, which is very positive.The Governing Body identified the question that attracted the least proportion of 'strongly agree' as "The school takes account of my suggestions and concerns". This feedback and future communication from the Governing Body in the Newsletter is an effort to partially address this issue. The Governing Body will continue to consider how best to engage more fully with families. Further comments recorded on the questionnaire have also been noted. The information has been shared and discussed at a staff meeting and Governing Body meeting and will contribute to our improvement plans. Thank you.
Regards, Jason Hector (Chair of Governors)

UNICEF Day for Change
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our collection for UNICEF – Day for Change. We were pleased to send a cheque for £80.55 this week to the national collection.

Tesco Vouchers
We shall be collecting Tesco vouchers once again this year. There is a collection box in the hall. Vouchers will be issued between 28th February and 8th May 2011. Thank you.

Oxfordshire Primary X- Country Championships
The 5th Oxfordshire Primary School Championships will take place at Chiltern Edge School, near Reading on Saturday 5th March, 9.30 for 10am start. There are events for interested Year 3-6 pupils.Please see Mrs Manzie if you would like more details.

PTA Message
Our first fundraising event of 2011 is now being organised and it promises to be very special – It’s just for the children! On Friday 11th March, 5.30 - 7.00pm in the School Hall we will hold a Kids Bingo and Pizza Night. Mrs Shirley Bateman has very kindly agreed to be our Bingo caller for the event and hopes to complete four games. There will be prizes for the “first line” and a “full house” in each game, so everyone stands a good chance of being a winner. The P.T.A. will offer pizza, salad, cakes and squash for refreshment.
There are 40 tickets on offer at £3.00 per child and they are only available to pupils at the school. (Sorry - no older or younger siblings please!)
If your child/children are interested in attending, the P.T.A. requests that all parents/carers complete the permission slip that will be sent home in book bags at the beginning of next week and return it with payment to the school office or Sarah Madry A.S.A.P. Tickets will be dispatched on a first come first served basis, so do not delay in returning the permission slips!

The P.T.A. can now confirm that the date for our spring clothes recycling collection will be Tuesday May 10th. We would like to ask parents/carers and their families to have a sort out of good quality, clean clothes, bedding, towels, soft toys, shoes and bags. Recycling bags will
be handed out before the Easter Holidays but you can donate items in black bin bags too.

While sorting through your children’s clothes, you may wish to consider donating items of school uniform to the P.T.A. We plan to have a second hand uniform sale at the beginning of May and would be willing to take clean white tops, P.E. tee shirts, trousers, shorts, summer and winter dresses, skirts and blue cardigans and sweatshirts. The items will be on sale in school before the recycling collection date and any items not sold would then be donated to this cause and help raise additional funds for the P.T.A. Please keep these items separate from the recycling bags!

Our next P.T.A. meeting will be on Tuesday 15th February at 8.00pm in the school hall. Anyone is welcome to join us and discuss fundraising ideas. All suggestions are gratefully received.

Little Bears
We will be looking at the weather and climate next week and hopefully also spending lots of time in the garden! We would be pleased to receive suitable items for junk modelling and also some jars. After the February Holiday we will be looking at gardens, mini-beasts and finding out how things grow.

DIARY DATES for January 2011

Friday 18th February
Dance Show at ICC for Class 2 pupils. Letters sent home earlier this week.
February Holiday begins at 3.15pm
Monday 28th February
Pupils return to school for the start of Term 4.
Class 3 begin the first of their six swimming sessions
First Aid Training for participating pupils in KS2 3.15 – 5pm
Wednesday 9th March
Maths Masterclass at ICC for participating pupils
Mobile Library visit
Friday 11th March
PTA Children’s Event – Pizza and Bingo
Monday 14th March
Bookfeast visits. Letters in book bags next week – all pupils involved except Foundation Stage.
Friday 18th March
Red Nose Day – watch this space!
Monday 21st March
Work Viewing Evening – 3.30 – 6.00pm