Newsletter No 7 - 18th February 2011

School Term and Holiday Dates for 2011-2012 academic year
Each family has been provided with a colour copy of the term and holiday dates which begin in September 2011 (via book bags). We have also posted these onto the school website and Learning Platform for future reference.

Food with Thought- Questionnaire
Food with Thought, our school meals provider, would like parents to complete and return the questionnaire they have drawn up about the school meals provided at Stadhampton Primary School. It would therefore seem appropriate timing to remind parents that we send a copy of the menu to each family each time a new menu is received, display a copy in the entrance foyer and also provide a link to a copy on the Learning Platform for parents.

Grounds Development & Premises Maintenance
During the February holiday we are having the tarmac area extended to increase our all-weather play surface. Our little netball court is simply too small for over 80 pupils! We are also having our drainage improved so that the huge puddle which develops following periods of heavy rain should be a thing of the past!
Now we have our new Hall furniture, over the February holiday we are also having the Hall re-painted to freshen it up.

Climbing Frame access after school
We should remind all parents that our climbing frame should not be accessed by pupils after the end of the school day. Our insurance policy for this facility only covers us for pupil access during school hours, therefore we cannot be responsible for any before or after–school use or use by children who are not school pupils.
We would also like to remind all parents and carers of pupls in Class R that their children should be under close supervision at all times. Thank you.

The Great Daffodil Appeal
Daffodils to support Marie Curie Cancer Care are now on sale in the school hall. Every donation made for a daffodil will help to nurse patients with terminal cancer and provide support for families. The suggested donation is £1 for each daffodil purchased.

First Aid Workshops – 28th February & 7th March
We have been successful in securing another opportunity to provide a one-off training session for the 14 pupils who missed out on the first opportunity on 28th February. The next session will be held on Monday 7th March from after school until 5.30pm.

Pupils enrolled on the first session on 28th February are: Chloe Hindmarch, Ben Drake, Chloe Brown, Andrew Oakley, Benedict Diment, Lola Odell, Jake Day, Rhys Brown, Amber Tomkins, Ella Perring, Abby Wright & Amy Akers.

Pupils enrolled on the second session on 7th March are: Millie Birtles, Bryce Dobson, Georgia Valentine, Ella Mae White, Matt Green, Ayisha Hall, Hannah Tombling, Annabel Roe, Maisie Matthews, Alice & Ewan Madry, Owen Cove, Megan Green & Chloe Scragg.
If any pupil is unable to make the session, please let the school office know as we have a pupil on “stand-by” who would like to take part if a space becomes available.


Recorders
We remind pupils in Years 3-6 that recorder lessons will begin again on Monday 28th February and that all pupils should, for hygiene reasons, provide their own recorder. We have a small supply of recorders available from the school office priced at £6.50 each.

World Book Day – March 3rd 2011
To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday March 3rd, pupils (and staff!) are invited to bring a copy of their favourite book into school and be prepared to read a short passage from it. Pupils are welcome to come to school dressed up as a character from their book. We will also be giving each pupil a £1 book token, sponsored by National Book Tokens, which is valid until 27th March 2011.

Staff Vacancies at Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centre
Please see attached flyer.

Little Bears
We are continuing to look at things that grow in the garden this week. When we return after the February Holiday, we shall be celebrating St David’s Day by making crafts and also making soup. Please could everyone bring in a container to take their soup home. Little Bears will also be celebrating World Book Day on 3rd March and would like everyone to bring in their favourite book to share. Also Little Bears would be pleased to receive a few more clean jam jars if anyone has any that they could bring in. Thank you.

DIARY DATES for January 2011

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
Monday 7th March
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. 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