Newsletter No 3 - 18th November 2011

Children in Need
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our school collection for Children in Need by wearing “something spotty” and/or purchasing a Pudsey key ring. We shall let you know how much was collected once all donations have been received.

Industrial Action on 30th November 2011
As you will be aware from the media, the combined Teacher and School Leadership Trade Unions will be taking Industrial Action on 30th November 2011. The action ( a one day strike) will result in class or whole school closures across the country. Although staff are not legally required to give more than two days notice of their intention to strike, having talked to the staff about this issue, I believe that there will be sufficient staff in school on 30th November to keep the school open. If this situation changes I will, of course, let you know.

Netball & Rugby Tournament Reports
Rugby Report by Marcin and Ella:
“On Friday 11th November, eight Year 4’s played at the Partnership Rugby Tournament. Our first match was against RAF Benson 1 and we won 25-0; our second was against Ewelme and we won 15-10; our third was against Lewknor and we won 15-10; our fourth was against Chalgrove and we lost 15-20; our fifth was against RAF Benson 2 and we won 45-0; our sixth was against Watlington and we lost 10-20; our last match was against Watlington in the final but unfortunately we lost 20-15. We came second and we enjoyed taking part”.

Netball Report by Rhiannon and Megan:
“All the Years 6’s participated in the Partnership Netball Tournament on Friday 11th November. Unfortunately we didn’t win but we tried our hardest and we came 3rd out of five teams. The tournament was at Icknield Community College and was a fun experience!”

Outdoor Clothing
We have been fortunate to have had the benefit of unusually warm weather this autumn however, with the forecast of colder weather we would like to remind families that all children should now bring a coat into school each day to keep warm during outdoor playtimes and class activities.
We have also had the benefit of a relatively mud free playing field this autumn, but with the approach of the ‘muddy season’ we would like to remind families that wellies should be brought in for playing on the grass (trainers are still required for the climbing equipment). We also suggest that pupils who like to play football at lunchtime bring in an old pair of tracksuit/jogging – style trousers to play in so that school trousers remain clean!

University of Oxford Research Study
Thank you to all Year 5 pupils who were involved in the children’s writing research study carried out by researchers from the University of Oxford Department of Education over the last few weeks. The researchers have finished working with our pupils for the moment and now need to analyse their findings. We expect to hear from them again early in the New Year regarding working with Year 4 pupils and any other follow-up work.

School Productions
Parents are respectfully reminded that they may take photographs or record videos of school productions as long as it is on the understanding that it is for personal use only. Mrs Turner will ask before each performance begins if any parents object to photographs or videos being taken and if there are objections then, unfortunately, it will not be possible to allow them to be taken.

Whilst we welcome younger than school-age siblings to the matinee performances we would like to remind parents with young children that sometimes it is difficult to hear what our pupils are saying over the background noises coming from the audience. This can affect the experiences of others in the audience so we therefore suggest that, if necessary, parents retreat into Class 2’s classroom. We thank parents in advance for their co-operation in this matter.

Sun Dome
On Friday 25th November Class 3 will receive a visit from the Sun Dome courtesy of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). The Sun Dome is a portable, inflatable dome (which will take up much of the hall space) and will be used to introduce the science occurring in the sun and also how scientists are using these processes to create fusion electricity for the future.

Class 3 will learn through interactive role play as well as watching movies inside the dome. This links with Class 3’s current science topic “The Earth and Beyond.”

School Closures
If the weather is particularly bad and there is a possibility that the school might be closed, parents are advised to listen to the following local radio stations for announcements;-

BBC Radio Oxford - VHF/FM 95.2
Heart FM (Thames Valley) – VHF/FM 102.6
Jack FM – VHF/FM 106.8

We will also try out best to post a message onto the school website www.stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk

PTA News
"Phil the Bag" - We are still gratefully accepting any good quality items for our Winter Fair - how about you "Phil a bag" over the weekend with any of the following: chocolates, sweets, biscuits, cakes, mince pies, books, CDs & DVDs, beauty products, toys or bottles, unwanted gifts or any other items that may be suitable for the raffle - and put it in our red box in the hall on Monday.

Winter Fair : Don't forget to return your raffle tickets and payment to the school office by next Thursday. Can anyone spare half an hour to run a stall on the night? We're looking for a few more volunteers to help us - please speak to Diana, Rowena or Charlotte if you can help.

Wreath-making Evening: If you fancy making your own wreath for Christmas, or having one made for you - then book your space early to avoid disappointment. Booking forms have been sent home in book bags - if you have not received one please see Fiona Stewart.

Summer Fete June 2012: We are still looking for a volunteer who would be able to join the Summer Fete organising committee on behalf of the school. You would need to be able to attend 6 meetings prior to the fete, and would act as the link between the Fete committee and the PTA. Please speak to Diana to find out more.

Little Bears News
Next week the tiger is coming to tea!!
We will be making tiger masks and having a tea party, we will also be making a big tin of tiger food.

DIARY DATES:
Friday 25th November Sun Dome – Class 3
Winter Fair – 6pm start

Monday 5th December KS2 children and Little Bears will form the audience of the Class R/KS1 dress rehearsal
Tuesday 6th December Class R/KS1 children and Little Bears will form the audience of the KS2 dress rehearsal

Tuesday 6th December
Class R & Class 1 Performance 2.30pm, in the Hall All welcome, but tickets will be required
Class 2 & Class 3 Performance 6.30pm, in the Hall (Ticket only – no babies or young children please at this performance)

Wednesday 7th December Class 2 & Class 3 Performance 1.45pm, in the Hall All welcome, but tickets will be required

Monday 12th December PTA wreath making evening
Tuesday 13th December Whole School Party - 1.45pm in the Hall. Children may bring party clothes to change into after lunch if they wish.
Wednesday 14th December Whole school Nativity Service at 2.15pm at St John’s Church
Friday 16th December End of Term Assembly at 9.05am, in the Hall
School finishes at 1.30pm

Tuesday 3rd January INSET Day – teachers only in school
Wednesday 4th January Pupils return to school