Thursday, December 15, 2011

Newsletter No 7 - 16th December 2011


Glitches in the system
We have been made aware that one or two families have not been receiving e-mailed newsletters recently. We apologise for this and have already rectified this with the familes we know of who have had this problem. We had a new admin computer installed recently and the distribution groups for e-mails appear not to have copied over completely in the upgrade to Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7. If you have not been receiving the newsletter electronically or know of a family who has not been, please tell us. Our newsletters are usually sent out weekly and we will let you know if there is not going to be one for any reason. Newsletters are also uploaded onto the school blog each week and there is a link to this on the school website www.stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk
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School Nativity Service
Thank you to all families who were able to join us for this service. It is always a special occasion and this year we received many comments on how wonderful the singing was – not to mention how angelic Reception pupils looked!


Pupil Premium Funding
Under the Government “Pupil Premium”, if your child is from a Service Family or you are entitled to free school meals, the school would be able to claim for additional funding.
• If either parent is a member of the Armed Services, please could you let Mrs Hopkins (School Business Manager) know as soon as possible.
• If you or your partner receive Income Support, Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) your child may be eligible for a free school meal. Please let Mrs Hopkins know as soon as possible if you think you may be eligible. Even if you do not wish your child to receive their free school meal allocation, the funding the school will be able to claim will benefit your child.


PTA Message -Thanks for your support

So far this year we have raised the fantastic total of £2053.29. With these funds we have paid for the swimming pool liner to be replaced and the food for the children's Christmas party.

To continue the fund raising next year we have a Quiz night in February, a Pizza and Bingo evening for the children in March, and more exciting events.

January Sales!
When you've all recovered from the Christmas festivities and start bagging those bargains in the Sales, don't forgot to help raise money for us by doing any on line bargain shopping through the www.thegivingmachine.co.uk.

Thank you and a Happy Christmas from the PTA.


Science Club for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils
We are delighted to be able to offer a free Science club to pupils in Years 5 and 6, in the first instance. Through our links with Science Oxford we have secured the services of Mr Heath-Whyte, a local STEM Ambassador (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Ambassador).
Mrs Turner will be working with Mr Heath-Whyte during the sessions, however, due to the practical nature of the club places will be limited to 12 pupils. Year 5 and 6 pupils have received a letter about this today. The topics planned to be covered during the sessions include melting and dissolving, electromagnetism, bridge building, heat-sensitive pigments and exploring the properties of a new material!

Christmas Crib Service
The Christmas Crib Service will take place at 5pm on Christmas Eve in Stadhampton Church.

School Meals
The price of a school meal will remain at £2.10 per day in January. We return to school on Week One of the 4-week menu. We would be grateful if money for school meals could be paid on the first day of the week please. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council with Stadhampton School written on the back. Thank you.

Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 2 pupils on Monday 16th January as the Partnership Swimming Gala is on Monday 9th January. They will have 5 sessions (16th, 23rd, 30th January, 6th & 20th February). Class 3 swimming sessions will begin on Monday 27th February. They will also have 5 sessions. We hope that all parents are willing to make a “voluntary donation” of £1 per pupil for each swimming session towards the cost of the transport. Cheques for swimming donations should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please.

Learning Platform
Some photographs from the Christmas productions have been uploaded onto the Learning Platform:
https://www.klp.rm.com/establishments/9312455/School%20Play%20Photographs/Forms/AllItems.aspx
If you are unsure of your access details to the Learning Platform please let Mrs Hopkins know.


Little Bears News

Happy Christmas! We look forward to seeing everyone again on Wednesday the 4th January.


DIARY DATES:


Tuesday 3rd January INSET Day – Only teachers & Mrs Hopkins in school
Wednesday 4th January Pupils return to school
Monday 9th January Partnership Swimming Gala for participating pupils
Tuesday 10th January Final after school cookery club for Year 5 pupils (owed from Term 2). Science Club for Class 3 pupils (5 weeks).
Thursday 12th January After school Football Club starts for 11 weeks for participating pupils
Friday 13th January Guitar lessons restart for participating pupils
Tuesday 17th January After-school cookery course begins for participating Year 4 pupils
Wednesday 25th January After school Netball & Multisports start for 9 weeks for participating pupils
Monday 30th January After school Hockey Club starts for 8 weeks for participating pupils



Happy Christmas to all of you from everyone at Stadhampton School!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Newsletter No 6 - 9th December 2011


Christmas Productions
I am sure you will all join me in congratulating pupils on two wonderful Christmas productions this year. The costumes, scenery, acting and singing were all fantastic and a treat to watch and many hidden talents emerged! Thank you also to parents who helped pupils with learning their lines, contributing props and costumes. We were pleased to raise £254 from ticket sales for the Stadhampton Community Building Fund.

School Christmas Lunch
Once a year, we ask that all pupils and staff sit down together for a Christmas lunch and that no-one has a packed lunch on Tuesday 13th December. The cost is £2.10 (the same price as a normal school meal) and the menu will be roast turkey and all the trimmings or cheese and vegetable goujons with vegetarian sausages. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to OCC with Stadhampton School written on the back of the cheque please.

Maths Challenge
This November ten Class 3 pupils took part in the “Primary Maths Challenge”, which is a national maths-problem solving test, set up by the Mathematical Association. Well done to Rhiannon, Florence, Maisie, Ewan, Matt and Megan who all received a Bronze award for their attainment. Jake, Annabel and Joe all received a great score resulting in a Silver award. Finally congratulations to Ella-Mae who received the highest award – Gold!


Little Bears News
Children are welcome to bring in Christmas themed books, dvd's or music and any game they would like to share. We will be making and baking lots of yummy treats next week. Forest schools will go ahead as usual on Friday finishing at 3.00pm.
The Little Bears team would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and hope that you all enjoy the break. We look forward to seeing everyone again on Wednesday the 4th January.

Also Happy Birthday to Elizabeth, Jess and Emily who all have birthdays in December.


DIARY DATES:


Monday 12th December PTA wreath making evening
Tuesday 13th December Whole-school Christmas Lunch
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

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Newsletter No 5 - 2nd December 2011

Happy DECEMBER Birthday to Mikka Haskins-Hall and Ewan Madry.


During DECEMBER we are focusing on the core value of LOVE


Parent Questionnaire from the Governing Body
A reminder that the deadline for returning completed forms is Friday 9th December. Thank you to the families who have already completed and returned the annual parents questionnaire, recently distributed by the Governing Body, back to the school office. The Governing Body are keen to hear your views of how well the school is meeting your expectations. The questionnaire is confidential. Thank you.

Afterschool Clubs

Hockey, Netball and Multisports after-school clubs have now finished for this term. Premier Sports will be continuing to run their after-school football club on Thursday 8th and 15th December.

School Council

The School Council are delighted to announce that their Toy Tombola at the Winter Fair last Friday raised £110.91.Thank you to everyone who donated items.

School Christmas Lunch

Once a year, we ask that all pupils and staff sit down together for a Christmas lunch and that no-one has a packed lunch on that day. The date this year is Tuesday 13th December – the same day as the Christmas parties. We try to make it special with serviettes and crackers and the children make their own place mat (in school) and the staff serve the children with their lunch rather than pupils queue to collect their lunch. The cost is £2.10 (the same price as a normal school meal) and the menu will be roast turkey and all the trimmings or cheese and vegetable goujons with vegetarian sausages. There is no requirement to pay for the meal before Monday 12th December, although you may do so if you wish. Cheques for school meals are made payable to OCC with Stadhampton School written on the back of the cheque please.

PTA News
Winter Fair
The Winter Fair raised an amazing £1236.89. That's a fantastic amount of money to add to our funds, and the PTA would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Fair, either by coming along and spending money, or through their help and donations. It was a brilliant evening and everyone had a great time and enjoyed themselves.

Wreath Evening
Advent has started, and it's now a countdown to Christmas. Here's your chance to get ready for the festivities and be creative at the same time. There are still some places available on the 12 Dec to come along and make your own wreath for just £20. If you can't make it on the evening then you can always order a wreath to be made for you. Please speak to Fiona Stewart to book your space or order a wreath.

School Play Bar
The PTA bar will be open to sell mulled wine, wine and beer, after the evening performance of the play on 6th December.

Waitrose Tokens
A reminder to please collect your Waitrose tokens and either drop them into school (container on top of the piano) or Waitrose at Thame.

The Giving Machine
Apparently this week is predicted to be the peak period for people doing their Christmas shopping online. Please remember to shop via the Giving machine, and raise money without having to spend anything extra. Here's how:
1. www.thegivingmachine.co.uk
2. enter Stadhampton (school search box)
3. choose our School and save
4. enter your details and create your account
5. click on your shops logo to go shopping as normal

Little Bears News
Next week we will be reading the book “The Smallest Reindeer” and looking at variations in size. We will also be making reindeer decorations and reindeer food for the big night.


DIARY DATES:



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 Christmas Lunch
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