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
<

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!