Newsletter no 4 - 25th March 2011

From the Governing Body:
Although we are not aware of any issues at the present time, the staff and Governing Body of Stadhampton Primary School recognise that from time to time, parents may have concerns about their child or the school. We feel that it is our responsibility to remind parents at least annually that if they do have any concerns to please let us know by making an appointment with your child’s teacher or the Headteacher. In the unlikely event that informal discussion does not resolve the issue, complaints should be referred to the Governing Body and finally to the Local Authority (LA). We recognise that parents have statutory rights of complaint and the applicable school policy, along with the school’s 68 other policies, is available from the school office.

Used printer ink cartridges
Many thanks for bringing in your used/unwanted printer ink cartridges. We have, on this occasion, donated them to a charity called Lunch 4 Learning. This is a charity that works with Ugandan Primary Schools to provide lunch for pupils who presently go hungry. The aim is to increase their attendance and improve their learning by helping schools to establish sustainable ways of providing a regular midday meal. At present many children set off to school without a meal and return home without having eaten. Further details of this charity are available from the school office.

Grounds Development
As many of you will be aware, recent developments in our school grounds have included the creation of an outdoor performance area, the building of a safe, off-road waiting area and the extension of the tarmac area. We are now in the process of having an outdoor covered area constructed providing an outdoor classroom for use by pupils and staff. It is also envisaged that this will provide a quiet area for pupils during playtimes and a covered area in which parents of Reception Class pupils can wait if it’s raining. These developments form part of our planned on-going school improvements to provide a range of stimulating facilities at Stadhampton School. We are very grateful to the PTA for their financial support of some of these developments. We are currently in the process of planning to replace the climbing frame area and, along with our pupils and the PTA, are investigating a number of options. Watch this space!

Dentist in School
We have accepted an offer for a dentist based at the Bury Knowle Health Centre in Headington to come into school on Tuesday 29th March and deliver an assembly and slide show to all pupils on the importance of dental hygiene. A letter from them, explaining that as part of this visit there will also be an opportunity for pupils to be checked by the dentist, was put into book bags earlier this week. If you would like your child to be examined by the dentist, please complete the form and return to school before 29th March.

Japan Emergency Appeal
One of the most powerful earthquakes in history, an enormous tsunami, a nuclear power station crisis and sub-zero temperatures – it is almost impossible to comprehend the extend of this disaster. More than 440,000 people have been forced from their homes by the disaster, including up to 100,000 children. The situation in the affected areas has been made more difficult by shortages of food, water and fuel, and a drop in temperature with snowfall across some of the worst-affected areas.

You have already generously supported our recent fund-raising events for Children in Need and Comic Relief, as well as PTA – organized events, however, pupils and staff are also keen to help Japanese victims in some way. After looking at the work of a number of charities, we have decided to support the Save the Children Japan Emergency Appeal. They have a team in Sendai, one of the worst affected areas, who have set up an operations base to help the most vulnerable children and their families. We will be working with the School Council to organise a specific fund-raising event in the near future which we hope you will support. In the meantime we do have a collection jar in school which you are very welcome to contribute to if you wish. Further information regarding the appeal can be found on
www.savethechildren.or.uk/en/japan-earquake-and-tsunami-appeal

Springtime at the Wittenham Clumps - Easter Clumps Club 2011
We have been notified by Earth Trust that they are running Easter Clumps Clubs for children aged between 8-12 yr olds, 10am – 3pm £25 per child per day. For further information please contact 01865 407792.
Monday 11th April – Wild Survival Day
Have you got what it takes to survive in the wild? Practice shelter building and learn to light fires without matches. Survival games and challenges throughout the day!
Tuesday 12th April – An Eggsellent Eggstravaganza
It’s all about eggs. Craft, games and activities to do with eggs: Egg painting, egg camouflage, wild bird eggs, and the final great egg rolling challenge!

Louisa Kevis
We are delighted to welcome Louisa Kevis, a student at Oxford and Cherwell College, on placement in our Reception Class until July 2011.

Comic Relief
Thank you to everyone who paid £1 or more to “wear something red” last Friday for Comic Relief. All children participated in a series of “Red Nose Races” organised by the staff and we are pleased to report that Stadhampton School was able to add £122 to the national collection.

Little Bears
Next week we are getting ready for Mothers Day – so look out for some lovely surprises! Our beans are progressing nicely, please feel free to pop in and take a look.

DIARY DATES for March 2011 onwards

Tuesday 29th March
PTA Meeting at 8pm in the School Hall. All welcome
Friday 1st April
Plant Order Form return deadline
Monday 4th April
Last Hockey after school club
Tuesday 5th april
Class 2 visit to Bekonscot
Wednesday 6th April
Mobile Library
Last Netball and Multiskills after school club
Thursday 7th April
Last Football after-school club
Friday 8th April
End of Term Assembly at 9.05 All welcome.
1.30pm finish for pupils
Tuesday 26th April
Staff INSET Day. No pupils at school
Wenesday 27th & Thursday 28th April
Pupils in school
Friday 29th April
Bank Holiday – Royal Wedding
Monday 2nd May
Bank Holiday
Thursday 5th May
Confirmation that school is closed to pupils due to elections being held in the School Hall