Newsletter No 2 - 17th June 2011

Industrial Action by Teachers
You may be aware that teachers in some schools are planning to strike on Thursday 30th June. We would like to inform you that, on this occasion, teachers at Stadhampton School will not be taking industrial action and school will function as normal.

Drumming Workshop and Parent Presentation – Friday 24th June
As part of the international activities carried out in the primary schools within the Watlington Partnership, Extended Services are funding a Samba Drumming Workshop for each school. This ‘Latin American’ theme links with our partnership connection with schools in Buenos Aires. Each class will have their own workshop and from 2.45 to 3.00pm there will be a short presentation in the Hall for parents and carers. We do hope you will be able to join us!

Partnership Tennis Tournament – Wednesday 22nd June at Watlington Tennis Club
The annual Icknield Partnership Tennis Tournament is an open tournament. This means that anyone in Year 4, 5 or 6 can enter. They do not need to go with a partner as these will be sorted on arrival. If they would like to play with a certain partner, then they can arrange this beforehand and let Mrs Manzie know. To enter, please would parents see Mrs Manzie by Monday 20th June, so that she can send the names to the Icknield PE Department. There is no transport for this event, parents must arrange this for themselves and I would encourage you to share where possible. The pupils will need to leave our school a little early and have permission to leave at 3pm.

Parking in the School Car Park
We encourage parents to walk with their children to/from school whenever possible but realise that this is not an option for some families. Increased use of the school car park has led to an increase in potential hazards and frequent congestion, and we ask all parents to show consideration to others, as well as be mindful of safety when using the car park and parking in Cratlands Close.

Please could parents only use the designated parking bays and NOT PARK in front of the large gate which leads onto the netball court. Not only is this the access point for grounds maintenance and emergency vehicles but it is also causing a significant problem for pedestrians with pushchairs entering and exiting Little Bears. It would be acceptable for one car to park briefly on the left hand side nearest to the school but the main problem arises when two cars park in that area as parents with pushchairs are being forced onto the muddy grassed area rather than being able to use the path or dropped-kerb access point.

Please do not park alongside the kerb directly outside school at the end of the school day as this is the area where taxis wait to collect children. We must ensure that the right children go into the right taxis and that children being transported are wearing their seatbelts; this is very difficult to monitor if the taxi drivers are not able to park right outside school and are forced to wait further up in Cratlands Close.

Some families may be able to alleviate this congestion by parking elsewhere in the village and walking the rest of the way to school.

We would be grateful for all parents’ assistance in this matter and thank you, in advance, for your co-operation.

Little Bears News
Next week we are going down to the jungle and we will be making monkeys and parrots.
We are continuing with our good behaviour reward chart, Elmer elephant is starting to get lots of patches!
Little Bears Pre-school will be holding their hugely popular Strawberry Fair once again on THURSDAY 7 JULY from 3pm onwards. There will be lots to do - tombola, lucky dip, craft stalls and more, plus lots to eat and drink as well as goodies to win.
Please join us and support Little Bears in the process - we're fundraising towards improvements for our garden area too!

Sainsbury Vouchers
Thank you so much for collecting these for us. The last opportunity for bringing in your Sainsbury vouchers is on Monday morning. We will be sending off our order for Sports Equipment at lunchtime on Monday.

P.T.A. News
The P.T.A. would like to ask if anybody has any cake knives, cake stands or table cloths that they would be willing to lend for the Great Stadhampton Bake Off on Saturday 25th June, 2.30pm.

Little Bears News
Next week we are going down to the jungle and we will be making monkeys and parrots. We are continuing with our good behaviour reward chart, Elmer elephant is starting to get lots of patches!
Little Bears Pre-school will be holding their hugely popular Strawberry Fair once again on THURSDAY 7 JULY from 3pm onwards. There will be lots to do - tombola, lucky dip, craft stalls and more, plus lots to eat and drink as well as goodies to win.
Please join us and support Little Bears in the process - we're fundraising towards improvements for our garden area too!

Extended Services Opportunities
Please find attached the summer activity programme for 10 years + being hosted at Icknield this summer.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 21st June Class 2 visit to Sulgrave Manor
Wednesday 22nd June Y5 Students visiting ICC – Creative Arts lesson
Mobile library visit
Saturday 25th June PTA Bake off at 2.30pm
Tuesday 28th June Cycling Safety Test – Year 6 pupils
Thursday 30th June Reception and Class 1 pupil visit to Outdoor Discovery Post
Wednesday6th July, Thursday 7th July, Friday 8th July Transition days for all pupils
Wednesday 13th June Class 3 visit to Banbury Museum
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
25th – 29th July Holiday course run by Premier Sports Group

Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th September Teacher INSET Days
Wednesday 7th September Pupils return to school
Wednesday 21st September School photographs