Newsletter No 4 - 27th May 2011

Swimming in the School Pool
We are grateful to Mrs Leiper for preparing the school swimming pool so that it is ready for use. Water samples have been taken away for analysis this week to ensure that the pool is microbiologically safe and Oxfordshire County Council have visited the school and confirmed that the pool meets their health and safety standards. Once the sample test results have been received back, we shall switch on the water heaters and the pool should be ready for use from around the 8th June. Please could all parents (including the Foundation Stage) ensure that their child(ren) has swimming kit in school every day from 8th June onwards. ALL pupils need a hat (boys and girls) and a towel; girls need a one-piece swimming costume (no bikinis/tankinis please) and boys need swimming trunks – not too baggy please as they can impede swimming. Goggles should not be required in the school pool.

After School Cookery Club for Class 1 pupils
The following pupils were successful at securing a place at the Extended Services after school cookery club sessions which begin on Thursday 9th June: Oliver Stewart, Max Jones, Cora White, Olivia Shannon, Darcy Crook, Megan Green, Oliver Lowman, James Lowman, Greg Madry, Leo Burnell, Charles Ball and Zara Hopkins. The club is now full. We would be grateful to receive £5 (in total), which covers the cost of the ingredients, for all 5 sessions from those families who have not yet paid.

Big Science Event
For the third year in a row a group of children from Class 3 have been selected to represent Stadhampton Primary School at the final of the Oxfordshire Big Science Event. Their science investigation won the in-school judging and then was further judged by a representative from the Big Science Event. Next month they will present their investigation to a larger audience competing with finalists from other schools across the county. Well done to Matt Green, Ewan Madry, Chloe Hindmarch and Chloe Scragg who have planned and carried out an investigation to see if age had an effect on heart rate.

P.T.A. News
We are all looking forward to the May holidays this week and will be returning refreshed and eager to continue with our fundraising events again in June. The P.T.A. would like to invite anyone interested in joining the committee to our next meeting which will be on Thursday 9th May at 8.00pm in The Crown Pub. We would be very happy to welcome all parents or carers who have children at the school – the more the merrier! We have a wonderful group of volunteers that help raise extra funds for the children and are always willing to receive new ideas and support. We look forward to seeing you then!

Recorders for pupils in Classes 2 and 3
Recorder lessons will take place on a regular basis every Monday during Term 6. Please would all pupils in Classes 2 and 3 ensure that they have their recorders in school every Monday. Thank you.

Playground Developments
Our well-used, much loved but very tired old climbing frame has now been dismantled and removed. The bark chippings and surrounding timbers will be removed during the half term holiday. We are all very excited about receiving the new equipment supplied by Playforce and we expect installation to start on Monday 13th June. The plan is that it will be fully installed and tested ready for pupils to use during the week starting Monday 20th June. They can’t wait!


Spanish Visit – Report by Rhiannon in Year 5
“On Friday 20th May Stadhampton School had a very exciting visit from our friends from Arcos, a small town in Spain. There were 34 children and 6 teachers. It was a very interesting experience. Our Year 6 pupils took them on a tour of the school. Amber, aged 10 said “I thought it was a bit scary because they didn’t understand some of our English, but they were interested in the school.” We all had fun with each other at breaktime. There was a big football match and some of them played skipping games with us. It was an experience we’ll never forget.”

Extended Services Flyers
Please find attached four flyers from Extended Services which outline the range of activities available in the Children’s Centres over the next couple of months.

Can you help? An appeal from the School Library
Does anyone have a copy of the Guiness Book of World Records which they would be willing to donate to the school library? Currently each class has a waiting list of children who would like to borrow it!

Little Bears News
Thank you to everyone who took part in the “pedal push” – this was a great success! Next term we have lots of fun activities planned relating to our theme of “The Jungle.”We shall tell you more about this after the May Holiday.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 6th June INSET Day – teachers only at school
Tuesday 7th June Pupils return to school for the start of Term 6
Friday 17th June Spring Concert in aid of Save the Children Japan Appeal
Wednesday 22nd June Y5 Students visiting ICC – Creative Arts lesson
Mobile library visit
Tuesday 28th June Cycling Safety Test – Year 6 pupils
Wednesday6th July, Thursday 7th July, Friday 8th July Transition days for all pupils
Friday 15th July Sports evening (weather permitting)
Wednesday 20th July Mobile Library
Friday 22nd July End of school year assembly at 9.05am in hall. All welcome.
Term 6 ends at 1.30pm

Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th September Teacher INSET Days
Wednesday 7th September Pupils return to school