Thursday, December 20, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 21st December 2012



Footsteps Foundation Assembly
On Tuesday 18th December we presented Ms Claire Morley, a representative of Footsteps Foundation, with a cheque for the magnificent sum of £420.00, the total collected from the sale of tickets for our Christmas productions this year. Ms Morley was delighted to receive our donation and thanked the pupils for this significant contribution. She gave talks to all pupils about the work of the Foundation, illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation showing the Footsteps Centre in action, giving the pupils opportunities to ask questions about their work and to handle some examples of the equipment used. Our pupils were fascinated to find out more about the work of the Footsteps Foundation and were very pleased to realise that our donation will help enable other children to have an opportunity to develop their mobility, independence and confidence.

Here is a viewpoint from two of our pupils:- “Ms Morley gave a fantastic presentation about the Footsteps Foundation in Dorchester. She told us about ‘the spider’ which helps the kids strengthen their leg and arm muscles which can help them to walk.” Benjamin Duke and Owen Cove

Thank you
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to parents and carers, the PTA, our Governing Body and all other members of the local community who have given us so much support in so many different ways over the last term. The lead-up to Christmas is always a particularly busy time of year and we would like to thank everyone involved for their support in helping to make all our Christmas events so successful.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all pupils and staff for their hard work and commitment to all our events. The Christmas season may be a very busy time of year for us but it is also a very special one!

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! Thank you to Mr Manzie for organising the sound system.

Transatlantic Thoughts
No-one can have escaped the tragic news of the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, USA, last Friday. As a close-knit school community, out thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who were so brutally killed.
On Monday we held a short period of reflection during which I shared the following prayer:-

This is our school,
Let peace dwell here.
Let the rooms be full of contentment,
Let love abide here.
Love of one another,
Love of mankind,
Love of life itself
and love of God.
Let us remember
That many hands build a house,
So many hearts make a school!


Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 2 pupils on Monday 14th January. They will have 3 more sessions on January 21st (not 28th as it is the Swimming Gala) followed by the 4th and 18th February. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to help with the transport costs to Berinsfield with a contribution of £2 per swimming session. Thank you to the parents/carers of pupils in Class 3, who made a contribution last term. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School, please.

After School Sports Clubs
Please see the School Website for reminders of the after-school clubs available in Term 3. Letters went home in book bags at the end of last week. Archery after-school club is now full.

School Meals
A reminder that school meals cost £2 per day. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council please with Stadhampton Primary School written on the back of the cheque. In order to reduce administration time spent on school meals we appreciate receiving orders and payments for school meals on the first morning of each school week. Thank you.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
We would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas; enjoy the rest and festivities. Thank you to everyone who has donated equipment and time to Little Bears over the year. It is very much appreciated by all of the team and the Little Bears.
We return on Tuesday the 8th January to the topic Elmer the Elephant.


DIARY DATES:
Friday 21st December End of year assembly at 9.05am. All parents/carers welcome.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3
Monday 14th January First swimming session for Class 2 pupils
Monday 28th January Swimming Gala for selected pupils


Happy Christmas from everyone at Stadhampton School!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 14th December 2012


Christmas Productions
I am sure you will all join me in congratulating all of our pupils and staff on two wonderful Christmas productions this year. The costumes, scenery, acting and singing were all fantastic; 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 are delighted to have raised £420 from ticket sales for the Foosteps Foundation. A representative from the Footsteps Foundation will be visiting school on Tuesday 18th December when we shall hand over our collection from the sale of tickets. During this visit we will have assemblies for the Foundation Stage/KS1 and KS2 children so that all pupils have a better understanding of the work of the Footsteps Foundation.
A photographer from the Oxford Mail took photographs of the cast of “Whoops a Daisy Angel” on Wednesday afternoon, which we believe will be included in their Nativity Supplement on Tuesday 18th December.

Reverend Caroline, a new school governor, sent this message which I would like to share with you all:
“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed today’s production, it really was of the highest quality, please pass on my congratulations and admiration to all involved. While I was in the White Hart in Dorchester I met a mother and her child who were using Footsteps, they were full of praise for the charity. Having spoken to her it was wonderful to realise that such a superb production was helping a local charity to do great things.”

Health and Safety: Vehicles accessing the school car park and Cratlands Close
At the start of this term, in the newsletter dated 7th September, we reminded parents/carers of the need to exercise caution when driving in the school car park and in Cratlands Close. We would like to reiterate this message again by respectfully reminding all car drivers that the speed limit within the car park is 5mph. Cars and children are not a good combination and both the school car park and the approach along Cratlands Close are potentially hazardous areas. We must also remind parents/carers to hold tightly onto young children so that they do not accidently run into the path of a car. All pupils should be met at the pedestrian gate. The thought of an accident involving any of our pupils, or their younger siblings, would be devastating to the whole school community and something we must endeavour to ensure never happens.

Enrichment Afternoon Sports Coach Provision
There have been some recent changes to the arrangements for our Thursday afternoon (Enrichment Afternoon) sports coaching sessions for pupils in Years 1 - 6. Until July we had used a company called Premier Sports Group to provide our specialist sports coaches. When this contract finished we took the opportunity to pursue and sample suitable alternative long-term provision, whilst Mr Michael Hopkins, a qualified sports coach already well-known to the school, provided our specialist sports coaching. Unfortunately, due to his academic commitments, the current short-term arrangement with Mr Hopkins finishes at the end of this term. We are grateful to Mr Hopkins for his contributions to our PE provision and wish him well in his studies and future career. We are pleased to inform parents that from January 2013 our specialist sports coach provision will be with a company called Oxford Active.

After School Sports Clubs
Mr Hopkins will continue to provide a Multisports Club on Wednesdays afternoons where the focus each week is on a different activity, such as javelin throwing, cricket, football, dodgeball, basketball, orienteering, dance, tennis etc and this will continue after Christmas. Between January and Easter, the Thursday after-school club will be run by Oxford Active and will be dance-based in both Terms 3 and 4. There will also be limited netball and tag rugby clubs run by students at Icknield Community College as there were this term and Archery sessions will also be available for a limited number of pupils in Class 3. Letters detailing all after school clubs for next term will be in book bags at the end of this week.

Thank you to Mr Roe
On behalf of all staff, parents and fellow governors, we would like to thank Mr Roe for his hard work and commitment to the school since his appointment as a parent governor in October 2007. During this time Mr Roe has been a real asset to the Governing Body leading projects such as the installation of the new BioMass boiler. He has also been the chair of the finance committee, which is an important role involving working closely with the school to manage the budget.

Messages from the Chair of Governors:
1. Parent Governor Vacancy
Dear Parent/Carer
Following the resignation of Mr Roe, from 1st January 2013 we will have one parent governor vacancy at Stadhampton Primary School for which we now invite nominations. For any who are unfamiliar with the role of a parent governor, here are some details of what parent governors do and who can serve as a parent governor:
The governing body consists of parent governors, staff governors, community governors and LA appointed governors, responsible for the strategic direction of the School, primarily through:
• setting aims and objectives for the School;
• adopting policies for achieving those aims and objectives; and
• setting targets and monitoring their implementation
Our school has four parent governors. Parent governors have all the same powers and duties as other governors and serve a similar four year term of office.

The full governing body meets every term, usually on a Monday evening. In addition every governor is encouraged to become actively involved in one aspect of the school such as Finance, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Special Needs or a link to a curriculum subject such as Literacy, Maths, ICT or Science.
To be eligible to stand for election as a parent governor you have to have parental responsibility for a pupil at the school. Having "parental responsibility" is not limited to biological parents, but will include you if you are a step-parent, foster parent, grandparent bringing up the child, or permanent partner of the child's biological parent. A few people cannot be school governors; those who have been made bankrupt or who have been in prison for certain offences may not serve for at least three years afterwards. School staff members are ineligible to stand as parent governors if they are employed for more than 500 hours per year. If you have any doubts as to your eligibility on any of these grounds, please contact the school office for further advice. Your child must be on the school roll at the time the election is held. However, parent governors do not have to resign if their children leave the school before their term of office has expired.
You do not need any educational experience or expertise, just a keen interest in the school and a desire to help it reach its full potential. While recognising that this is a role that requires commitment and energy, it is also very worthwhile and fulfilling work and vital to help guide the school both now and in the future. Governors work as a close team and support each other as much as possible. There is also fully funded training provided by OCC Governor Services to support all areas of governors’ work and all governors are encouraged to undertake basic induction training.
I do hope you will consider becoming a parent governor. If you need any further information or wish to put your name forward please contact Joy Hopkins, Business Manager on 01865 890370 or by e-mail to office.2455@stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk in the first instance. The closing date for applications is 3.15pm on Wednesday 9th January 2013.

2. Summary Results from the Parent Questionnaire:
• The responses we have received from you have been very positive, with 92% of all responses in Agree or Strongly Agree – a good indication that the school is meeting your children’s needs in an effective manner.
• Just over half of the responses (51%) Strongly Agree with the statements
• All 45 responses to the questions either Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements:
o There is a good standard of behaviour at this school
o My child feels safe at this school
• All bar one parent (44 out of 45 responses) either Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements:
o This school ensures my child is well looked after
o I would recommend this school to another parent
o My child is taught well at this school
o This school helps my child to develop skills in communication, reading, writing and mathematics
• There were no (0%) Strongly Disagree responses to any of the statements
• The proportion of all of the responses that were Disagree's has increased to 5% this year (2% in 2011, 0% in 2010)
• The results of the questionnaire and possible actions to address the opportunities for improvement you have identified will be discussed at the next Governing Body meeting and during a staff meeting in the New Year. The feedback will inform our choice of priorities for the next year.

PTA News
We raised £72.30 at the Bar following the wonderful performance of Alice the Musical this week. Thank you.

Wreath Making Evening - Monday 17th December
There are still some spaces left, let Diana Woodwards or Rowena Dobson know if you or your friends would like to come along and have a fun time catching up with friends and making a wreath at the same time. If you aren't able to come and would love a wreath we are taking orders.

Friday Cake Club
• Amy Matthews was the lucky winner of the cake last week, kindly donated by Mrs Woodwards.
• A reminder for Mrs Bowerman that she is on the rota for 21 December, the last one of the year.
• Mrs Gravett is on the rota for Friday 11 January, the first Friday Cake Club of 2013.

• You are welcome to pay in advance at any time - £1 per child for 5 weeks up to February Half Term, or £2 per child up to Easter - just see Rowena Dobson.


Website Additions

1. By the end of today we hope to have uploaded Maths Target information for each year group
within the section for each Class. Parents have already had a paper copy of these.
2. Photographs of both Christmas productions.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears are holding their annual festive event on Saturday 15th December at 2pm. This year we are doing a traditional nativity. Everyone is welcome to come along – there will be lots of stalls too – cakes, tombola, jewellery, pound in a bucket for a Crazy Bear Tea for Two, homemade hot water bottles and salt dough. We hope to see you there.
Next week we are putting the finishing touches to the Christmas surprises the children have been busy making. We will also be enjoying lots of Christmas-themed activities from ‘Hunt for Santa in the Garden’ to making snow! We will also be attending the School Nativity Service at the church on Wednesday.



DIARY DATES:

Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm. Pupils are welcome to bring party clothes to change into at lunchtime. School will provide all of the food and drinks.
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for this service.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch - £2 per person. Thank you to everyone who has already paid for this.
Friday 21st December End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3



Attachment:
• Panto at Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centre on 21st December.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 7th December 2012


Happy DECEMBER Birthday to: Elizabeth Marshall

During DECEMBER we are focusing on the core value of LOVE

Maths Challenge
Eleven members of Class 3 recently took part in the 2012 Primary Maths Challenge. This is a challenge test set by the Mathematical Association and is a national annual event. The questions are all rather tricky and require logic as well as mathematical knowledge! All children who took part did very well. Six children received awards for their performance - well done to Benjamin Duke and Georgia Valentine who received a Bronze award, Orla Fernie and Owen Cove both received a Silver award and congratulations to Annabel Roe and Jake Day who both got Silver awards last year and achieved Gold awards this year!
A pupil’s viewpoint: “When I was given the P.M.C. sheet my heart was pounding with nerves! I looked around me and I was the only Year 5 in the test. Some of the questions were easy(ish) but most of the questions were hard! After I was awarded Silver I was really glad I did it.”

Emergency Closure Procedures
If the weather is particularly bad or there are power cuts in the village and the decision is made to close the school, the information is given to parents through BBC Radio Oxford, Jack FM and Heart FM. Parents are advised to tune into these local radio stations and also check their websites if there is a possibility that the school could be closed. If it is possible we will also do our best to put a message onto the school website.

Thank you
Thank you to parents and carers for their support with providing costumes for the school Christmas productions. We look forward to sharing the performances with parents next week. Thank you also to all the staff who have been extremely busy recently designing and making costumes, masks and scenery for what promises to be great Christmas productions. Please remember to buy your tickets so that we know if we have any spares to offer for sale to the parents who have said they would like extra tickets if possible.

Thank you
Thank you also to Mr and Mrs Tuckwell who have very kindly supplied us with a beautiful Christmas tree again this year.

School Christmas Party
We are very aware of just how much we have asked of parents and carers this year and therefore the school will be pleased to provide the party food for this year’s school Christmas party on the afternoon of Tuesday 18th December. Children may bring party clothes to change into after lunch if they wish.

School Christmas Lunch
A reminder that we hope all pupils will join us for a special Christmas lunch with napkins and crackers on Thursday 20th December. Children will make their own special place mat in school during the morning (and one’s for staff too!). We have Christmas music playing and the staff serve the children with their lunch and it is a really fun and festive occasion which we hope all children will partipate in. The cost is £2 per child and the money may be sent into the office at any time to pay for it. Thank you.

PTA News:
Winter Fair
Thanks to everyone who supported us with; donations, helping set up, running a stall, clearing up.... it was greatly appreciated, and I am pleased to say we raised a fantastic £892.

We still have some unclaimed raffle prizes.
• Crazy Bear Chicken Dinner - orange ticket no 302
• Horseriding session - orange ticket no 319
• i-kids family session - orange ticket no 317
To claim your prize please see Mrs Hopkins in the School Office.

A full list of all the prize winners can be found on the PTA board outside Mrs Hopkins office.

Wreath Evening - Monday 17th November
Come and have a fun and creative evening, there are still spaces left for you to come along and create a beautiful Christmas wreath. Book your space with Diana Woodwards or Rowena Dobson.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Will Parkes for winning the cake last week, kindly donated by Mrs Hursey. A reminder to Mrs Payne that she is on the rota for 14 December.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we will be having our last rehearsals before the big play on Saturday. If anyone would like to join us for rehearsals who can't make it on the day please see your key person.
Little Bears are still collecting for our tombola and would appreciate any donations.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 11 December Matinee and evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12 December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production at 2.15pm. The Oxford Mail may take a photograph of this performance for their Christmas feature. Please let us know if you have any objections.
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Friday, November 30, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 30th November 2012



Annual Questionnaire for Parents and Carers,
A reminder that the deadline for returning completed forms is Friday 7th 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.

Winter Fair and Car Parking - Friday 30th November
The netball court will be opened up for use as a car park for the Winter Fair. We hope this will alleviate congestion in the school car park and in Cratlands Close. We respectfully remind families who need to drive to the event to be mindful of the needs of the residents of Cratlands Close and avoid blocking driveway access or parking on the pavement.

Maths Booklets
‘Support your child at home’ Maths booklets for pupils in Years 1 to 6 were sent home via book bags earlier this week. These booklets, which are year group specific, provide ideas for home-based activities that can help support your child’s learning in school. Pupils in Year 2 should have also received a second leaflet entitled ‘Helping your child with maths’, which gives ideas to use at home and also outlines some of the key methods currently used in mathematical calculations. This leaflet is routinely given to families of Year 2 pupils but can be a helpful reference from Year 2 up to Year 6. If any families of older children have misplaced their copy and would like another one, please ask your child’s class teacher. We hope you find these booklets helpful. Children in Reception received a separate leaflet earlier in the school year and haven’t been forgotten!

Tickets for the Christmas Performances
Tickets will be available from Monday onwards from the school office for the three Christmas performances priced at £2 each:
• Reception and Class 1’s production will be held on Wednesday 12th December, 2pm for a 2.15pm performance. Everyone is welcome to attend this performance and a maximum of 3 tickets per family are available. Tickets are not required for younger siblings.
• Class 2 and Class 3’s matinee production will be held on Tuesday 11th December, 1.30pm for a 1.40pm performance. Everyone is welcome to attend this performance and a maximum of 3 tickets per family are available. Tickets are not required for younger siblings.
• Class 2 and Class 3’s evening production will also be held on Tuesday 11th December 6pm for a 6.30pm performance. A maximum of 3 tickets per family are available for this performance. We respectfully request that parents do not bring children who are under school age to this performance please.
This year, the money raised through selling tickets for the school Christmas productions will be donated to Footsteps Foundation, a local charity based in Dorchester which offers intensive rehabilitation for children and young adults with neurological disorders. Refreshments will be served by the PTA after the evening performance on Tuesday 11th December, with any profits they make going to PTA funds!

School Christmas Lunch
Once a year, Mrs Shortman takes on the mammoth task of cooking a Christmas lunch for the whole school. We ask that all pupils and staff have a school dinner that day. This year the date is Thursday 20th December. We try to make it a special occasion with serviettes and crackers, each child makes their own place mat (in school) and the staff serve the children with their lunch. The cost is £2 (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 17th 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.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Poppy Appeal. We raised £39.05.

Footsteps road-safety awareness leaflets
Footsteps guides for parents have been sent home, via book bags, for all pupils in Years 1 and 2. These booklets, which are distributed on behalf of the Footsteps initiative, are designed to help parents help their children develop their road-safety awareness.

PTA NEWS
Winter Fair
We're all ready for a great evening and looking forward to seeing you there. Come and visit Santa for £2, have a go on the chocolate tombola for 30p, the toy tombola, have your nails painted for £1, and lots more.

Friday Cake Club
Last week’s lucky winner of the cake was Hannah Lansley, kindly donated by Mrs Holmes. Thomas Cove and Ellie Wiggins both had their names pulled first, but very kindly said to dip again as they had won before! A reminder to Mrs Woodwards that she is on the rota for 7th December.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we will be looking at the Jewish festival of lights Hanukkah. We are going to make a large Menorah and play with some Dreidels as well as looking at Hebrew writing.

DIARY DATES:
Friday 30 November TONIGHT! Winter Fair 6-8pm
Sunday 2 December Christingle Service at St John’s Church, Stadhampton at 9.30am
Wednesday 5 December Mobile Library
Tuesday 11 December Matinee and evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12 December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production at 2.15pm. The Oxford Mail may take a photograph of this performance for their Christmas feature. Please let us know if you have any objections.
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. Reception children will be actively involved in this service. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Friday, November 23, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 23rd November 2012


Annual Questionnaire for Parents and Carers
The annual questionnaire for parents and carers, compiled and analysed by the Governing Body, along with a covering letter, has been sent home via book bags today. In response to feedback from parents and carers last year, we have provided a form for each child rather than each family and an envelope for the return of each form.

Class 3 Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre Residential Visit
It was good to see so many parents at the presentations about the Woodlands Residential visit, to hear questions from pupils and parents and to be able to provide everyone with an opportunity to meet Mr Chris Pearce, Head of Centre. A leaflet summarising much of this information has been sent home via bookbags today – please see Miss Shah if you haven’t received one. Further information will be sent to families in the near future.

School Admission Appeal Panels
When the Local Authority has refused a child a place at the parents’ preferred school, the parents have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. In accordance with Regulations, OCC must make arrangements for parents to appeal and part of that duty is to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of people to serve on these appeal panels. If anyone is interested in being on an appeal panel please contact Mrs Sheila Sturgeon Education Appeals Officer on 01865 810180 or
e -mail schoolappeals@oxfordshire.gov.uk by Monday 10th December 2012.

Detoxing Childhood books available to parents and carers
Earlier this week Mrs Turner attended a training session entitled ‘21st Century Children: Language, Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum’. The session, which was both fascinating and constructive, was led by Sue Palmer. Sue Palmer is well known to teachers as a writer, broadcaster and consultant on child education, particularly literacy, and is an independent advisor to the Department of Education and the BBC. She may be known to some parents as the author of the book ‘Toxic Childhood’. More recently she has written another book ‘Detoxing Childhood’ in which she provides a guide on how parents can help today’s children grow up healthy, happy and resilient, despite the pressures of the ‘toxic’ world. We have bought two copies of this book for school and if any parents/carers are interested in borrowing a copy you would be most welcome to do so – please see either Mrs Turner or Mrs Hopkins.

Children in Need
It was wonderful to see so many children and school staff wearing ‘something spotty’ last Friday. Thank you to all parents and carers for helping their children by creating a range of spotty outfits and supporting this cause. We managed to raise an amazing £100 for this worthy cause. Thank you.

Seasonal Illness and School Absence
The colder, damper weather seems to have brought with it the usual seasonal illnesses with pupils, parents and staff succumbing to a range of conditions. In assembly we have reminded pupils about the NHS ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’ campaign and to help offer guidance to parents we have distributed a leaflet from Oxfordshire County Council about sickness absence which we hope you will find useful. This leaflet has also been uploaded onto the school website (Links section).

Bottle Tops Collection
Thank you for continuing to collect these for us. Mrs Leiper will be taking a huge parcel of them to the collection point in Swindon at the weekend to support the Thames Valley Air Ambulance collection. We have been advised that milk bottle tops, Robinsons and Innocent tops and anything with a triangle inside the top may be recycled but tops off fizzy drinks bottles cannot be recycled.

The Oxford Owl – www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Parents may already be aware of this useful website but, if not, this website is free and has been designed by teachers and parents specifically to help parents support their children’s reading and maths at home. We will also put a link to it on our own website.

Winter Fair – Friday 30th November

A reminder (for anyone who missed it!) that the PTA Winter Fair is in school next Friday, 30th November, from 6.00-8.00pm. This is a popular and major fund-raising event and we look forward to seeing you there!

PTA News

Raffle Tickets
Please return your raffle tickets (with your name on the back) and payment by next Thursday to be included in the raffle draw at the Winter Fair next Friday. Remember to keep the duplicate set of tickets for Friday.

Winter Fair
It's one week to the Winter Fair - and we would love any donations of good quality items that you can give us - 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.

Friday Cake Club
Well done Thomas Cove on winning the cake last Friday, donated by Mrs Duke. A reminder to Mrs Hursey who is on the rota for the 30th November.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we are looking at colours light and dark. We will also be looking at a colour wheel and talking about colour mixing.

DIARY DATES:
Friday 30 November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Sunday 2 December Christingle Service at St John’s Church, Stadhampton at 9.30am
Wednesday 5 December Mobile Library
Tuesday 11 December Matinee and evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12 December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production at 2.15pm. The Oxford Mail may take a photograph of this performance for their Christmas feature. Please let us know if you have any objections.
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Friday, November 9, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 9th November 2012



Happy NOVEMBER Birthday to: Juliana Browning, Beau Burnell, Jacob Day, Amy Freeman, Max Jones, Max Lansley, Lola Odell and Ella Perring.

During NOVEMBER we are focusing on the core value of PEACE

Act of Remembrance
We held our school Act of Remembrance at 11am on Friday 9th November. Prayers and poems were read by pupils in Class 3 which was particularly poignant as they have been studying the book War Horse as their Literacy text.

Book Fair

Thank you to everyone who supported our school Book Fair last week, purchasing books and stationery items. Sales totalled £438, which has enabled us to receive books to the value of £203 for the class libraries. Thank you to everyone who made a purchase.

Recorders
A reminder that recorders started this week for all pupils in Years 3-6 and will continue during terms 2, 4 and 6. For hygiene reasons, pupils should have their own named recorder. Recorder and books are available from the school office if anyone should need them. Recorders are on sale for £6.50 and books for £4.80 each (the price we pay for them). Apologies that the price of the recorder books was mis-typed in last week’s newsletter. The correct price for recorder books is £4.80, i.e.£11.30 for a recorder and a book. Children will have been advised which book is appropriate.

Parents’ Consultation Evenings
Slips giving details of the date and time of consultations were put in book bags earlier this week.

Class 2 Visit to Woodstock
A big thank you to all Class 2 pupils for being such a pleasure to take and to all families for providing the ‘evacuee outfits’ which helped to make this visit so meaningful. Some photographs taken before they set off, and of the visit, will shortly be on display in the classroom and on the school website.

Here is a report from Emily and Jamie:
“Class Two went on a trip to The Oxfordshire Museum, in Woodstock. We dressed up and even had a World War Two lunch. Class 2 made rag rugs. Most people said it was easy. We had a pretend air raid and wore gas marks. After that we went to the cemetery and looked at World War 1 and 2 soldiers’ graves. Class 2 thought it was an extremely amazing day and hope they can go again!.

School Council and Children in Need “Show your spots, let’s raise lots!”
Friday 16th November is “Children in Need” day and this year the School Council are planning the findraising for this charity. Pupils may pay £1 to wear non-uniform but should make sure that their outfit includes something spotty!



Mr Jamie Hazeldine
We welcome Mr Jamie Hazeldine, a local youth leader and sports coach, as a volunteer in school over the next few months. Mr Hazeldine is intending to train to be a teacher and will be a regular visitor, gaining experience throughout the school.

Christmas Events – Dates for your Diary!
Dates of the Christmas plays, Nativity Service in Church, and other festive activities, are all in the Diary Dates section of this newsletter.

PTA News
Winter Fair - Friday 30th November
We would be very grateful for donations of items for the Winter Fair; bottles, tins, jars and chocolate for the tombola’s, raffle prizes, toys, books, CDs & DVDs. Please drop your donations into school the week commencing the 19th November or give them to a member of the PTA for safe-keeping. Thank you.
Friday Cake Club
Hannah Tombling was the lucky winner of the cake on the Friday before half term, kindly donated by Mrs Jones. A reminder to Mrs Duke that she is on the rota for 16 November.

Fund raising amounts
A spookily great time was had by all the children at the Halloween Disco - we raised a fantastic £250.01.
Thanks to everyone who paid for their coaster and placed orders with Funmats - we've raised another £121.45.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we are celebrating Divali at Little Bears. We will be making small clay candle holders and tasting some of the foods that would be enjoyed during this Hindu festival.
Thank you to Lucy Ellis who donated some great books to Little Bears.

DIARY DATES:
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Friday 16th November Children in Need Day. Pupils may pay £1 to come to school in their own clothes, but must be wearing something spotty!
Netball and Rugby tournaments at ICC for participating pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 30th November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 26th October 2012



Cycling Safety Training
Congratulations to the following Year 6 children who have successfully passed their cycle safety training: Millie Birtles, Bryce Dobson, Benjamin Duke, Matthew Ellis, Orla Fernie, Molly Howard and Georgia Valentine. We hope to be able to organise another opportunity for a re-test and cycle sessions for Year 6’s and 5’s in the spring. We are very grateful to Mrs Scragg, Mrs Green, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Birtles and particularly to Mrs Leighfield, who no longer has a child at Stadhampton School, for providing this opportunity for us.

Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 3 pupils on Monday 5th November (the first day back at school after the October Holiday). They will have 7 sessions. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to help with the transport and lifeguard costs by contributing £2 a week towards this. Thank you to the parents/carers of pupils in Class 2, who all paid last term. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School, please.

Recorders
A reminder that recorders wll be starting on Monday 5th November for all pupils in Years 3-6 and that for hygiene reasons pupils should provide their own named recorder. Recorder and books are available from the school office; recorders are on sale for £6.50 and books for £3.80 each (the price we pay for them).

Archery Club
We are delighted to be able to trial an after-school archery club. The club will take place in the Hall on Tuesdays from 3.20 – 4.20pm. The club is limited to pupils aged 8 and over and there are strict restrictions on the maximum number of pupils who can take part. During Term 2 this club is being offered to pupils in Year 4 in the first instance; if there are places available these will be offered to Year 3 pupils who are already 8 years old (as Class 3 pupils are currently having Science Club on Tuesdays). We hope to be able to offer the archery club to Class 3 pupils in the New Year. The club will be run by an experienced local qualified archery instructor and further details will be circulated to ‘target’ groups when dates have been arranged.

After-School Clubs in Term 2
Letters about other After-School Clubs running next term were sent in book bags earlier this week. Please note that there will not be a multi-skills club specifically for pupils in Class 1 next term. There will, however, be a singing club for pupils on Class 1 after-school on Wednesdays. Details to follow. Mr Hopkins will again run an after –school multiskills club for pupils in Years 3-6 and if there are spaces available, this club may be opened up to Year 1 and 2 pupils. Please let Mrs Hopkins know if this is of interest so that she can keep you informed about whether there are spaces available.

Complimentary Meals for Reception Children
Following the success of previous years, Food with Thought are offering all Reception Class children a week’s free school lunches during the week of 19th – 23rd November 2012. Hopefully this will encourage them all to try a hot school meal this winter. Letters are in book bags, so please don’t forget to reply.



Missing Sweatshirt
Please could parents of Class 1 pupils check to see if by any chance they have Lawrence Wright’s sweatshirt which is named? An un-named one has been returned to school by Mr and Mrs Wright.

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Buddy Halliday. Thanks to Mrs Dickens for the cake. A reminder to Mrs Manzie who is on the rota for 9th November after half term.

If you would like to join the Friday Cake Club and want to pay in advance for next term, 7 weeks from 9th November to 22nd December, it will be £1.40 per child.

Halloween Disco
We're ready to party!

To keep children safe, they will need to be signed in and out of the disco by parents, via Class 1. Halloween bangles, at 50p for 2, will be available for sale outside Class 1.

Clothes Recycling
Thanks to everyone who brought in bags for recycling. There were 90 bags! Somebody donated a lovely large beige bear with a couple of patches on, and we would like to use it at the Winter Fair, would the previous owner of said bear please speak to Rowena or Diana.

Winter Fair
If you are having a clear out over the Half Term, please remember that we have Winter Fair coming up on 30 November. We will be looking for CDs, DVDs, toys, books etc, raffle prizes, sweets, chocolate and bottles for the tombolas. Items can be left in the PTA box in the hall.



LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Poppy Eliott will be running a creche (games, mini disco, chill out time) at Little Bears on Friday 26 October for siblings of children attending the PTA Halloween Disco. Open from 5.45 until 8pm. £5 per child (includes drink and snacks)

We are also holding a Stay & Play during half term for 2-5 year olds - Wednesday 31 October, 9-11.30am. Please speak to Debbie Bradford, pop into Little Bears or call to book or find out more. Little Bears telephone number is 01865 400033.

And finally a WANTED! Does anyone have a hoover they would like to donate to the Preschool, if so, please speak to the supervisor Gemma Austin.

We return to Preschool on Monday 5 November and our topic for the week will be Light & Dark.

DIARY DATES:
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Tuesday 6th November NO Science Club today
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 30th November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Stadhampton Bonfire and Firework Display -Monday 5th November 2012 -Stadhampton Village Green – Message from Sue White
Volunteers are needed to help at the Firework Display. We need ‘bucket shakers’ to collect donations from our many visitors. We provide the buckets and high ‘vis’ tabards for you to wear and would be extremely grateful for YOUR help. If this doesn’t appeal we can offer you a place serving customers in our refreshment tent. The evening starts at 5.30 p.m. We light the bonfire at 6.30 p.m. and the Firework Display begins at 7.00 p.m. If you can help in any way please contact Sue White, 01865 8908880 or e-mail Suzanne.white11@btinternet.com

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Newsletter week ending 19th October 2012

Book Fair
We are holding a Children’s Book Fair in school from Tuesday 23rd October until Friday 26th October inclusive. The Book Fair will be open from 8.30 to 9.00am each morning and from 3.00 until 3.30pm each afternoon. Parents are welcome to come in during these times to browse for books with or without their children! The commission from sales at the fair enables us to buy books to update our individual class libraries and our non-fiction library. There are hundreds of exciting books to choose from with prices from just £1. A leaflet showing some examples of the books available and an order form was sent home in book bags earlier this week.

Website Additions
This week we have added a link which parents with young children may be interested to have a look at, to the Foundation Class page. The document is entitled ‘Families in the Foundation Years’ and the report was produced in July 2011 by the Department of Education. Some additions have also been added to the Calendar.

Food with Thought new Winter/Spring 2012 Menu
This week, each family should have received, via book bags, a copy of the new three–week Winter/Spring 2012 menu which begins on 5th November 2012. A copy has also been uploaded onto the school website (Parents section).

PTA NEWS

Plant Orders
Thanks to everyone who ordered plants - we raised £57.

Plant orders will be arriving in school on 22nd October and will be ready for pick up after school at 3.15pm. Can we remind parents who are bringing cars, to allow other parents/carers to vacate the car park first before picking up their order from in front of the school. Thank you!

Clothes Recycling - 9am, Tuesday 23rd October
Last chance for a clear out over the weekend of all those unwanted old clothes, shoes, belts, bedding (no pillows or duvets), towels and cuddly toys.

To avoid congestion on Tuesday morning, please bring all bags in after school on Monday 22nd October. Please only bring them in on Tuesday morning if you are walking in.

Please be aware that on Monday there will be people collecting plants, dropping off clothes recycling bags, and Class 3's school trip bus will be due back at 3.15pm, so when parking please be considerate of pedestrians and the residents of Cratlands Close. Thank you.

Personalised Gifts - Thursday 25th October
You should have received a lovely looking coaster with a picture your child/children has drawn of themselves. You can place orders for any of the other items on the order sheet, and their picture will be printed on to it. There is no obligation to buy the coaster you have received.

If you wish to order further items - please ensure you return the order form, the original artwork and payment.
• If you just wish to purchase the coaster sent home - please return the order form and payment of £2.50
• If you do not wish to keep the coaster sent home - please ensure that you return the coaster
All orders, payment and original artowrk, and unwanted coasters need to be in by Thursday 25th October.

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Ella Fulker. Thanks to Mrs Valentine (and Georgia!) for the cake.
A reminder to Mrs K Jones who is on the rota for 26th Oct.


Little Bears News

Next we are continuing with our theme of ‘Our Families’. We will be assembling our family tree too. We are also welcoming in Laila Burnell, Oliver Parkes and Ellie Payne to Little Bears.
Happy belated birthday to Mia Gravett who turned 4 and a happy birthday to Rafi Wilkinson who turns 4 next week.
Crèche tickets are still available from Gemma.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 22nd October Plant orders due to arrive
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Reception and Class 1 pupils Autumn Walk if not raining (if wet will be Weds 24th October)
Wednesday 24th October 9.00am ‘I Love Phonics’ workshop for parents of pupils in the Foundation Stage (Reception) and Class 1
Thursday 25th October French Day and After-School Café from 3.15-3.45pm.
After school football club for participating pupils who wish to attend
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production


Friday, October 12, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 12th October 2012



School Website
This week we have added the following items onto the new school website; some photographs taken of displays in classrooms, a list of useful reminders for pupils in Classes 1, 2 and 3 and some dates of events onto the calendar.

Bottles for the Greenhouse
A huge thank you to everyone for collecting clear plastic bottles for us to make a ‘green’ greenhouse with. Mrs Tombling and Mrs Birtles have reported that we have more than enough bottles now, so there is no need for them to be saved for school anymore.

Harvest Service
Thank you to parents for generously donating wonderful Harvest gifts and for coming along to our Harvest Service in school. We had many comments from parents and carers saying how much they had enjoyed the occasion, however, we also received one or two complaints from parents saing they were unable to hear pupils speaking due to background noise from the audience. May we respectfully suggest to parents that if they have a younger sibling with them who might be a little noisy that they seat themselves so that they can leave the hall and either go into Class 1 or the entrance area with the younger sibling, should the need arise. Hopefully this will enable the majority of parents to be able to hear what is being said. We are grateful to the parents who already do this, and thank all parents for their cooperation in this matter in the future.

Leaflet about Taking Holidays during Term Time from the OCC Attendance and Engagement Team
Each family should have received a leaflet this week from the Attendance and Engagement Team at the Local Authority about taking holidays during term time. The leaflet clarifies what are ‘exceptional circumstances’, what the Law says and issues that parents need to be aware of.

School Photographs
Each family should have now received proof sets of the photographs taken last week. If you wish to place an order, The School Photography Company will be collecting orders from school week beginning 22nd October. There is no requirement to return the proofs if you do not wish to place an order. Thank you.

PTA News

Christmas Cards - Monday 15th October
All designs, payment and orders need to be in by 9am on Monday 15th October.

Halloween Disco
Tickets are now on sale in the school hall every morning.

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Ellie Wiggins. Thanks to Mrs Burnell for the cake.
A reminder to Mrs Dickens who is on the rota for 19th Oct.


French Day, Parent Presentation and After School Caf̩ Р25.10.2012
On Thursday 25th October we are planning to have a whole-school French Day organised by Madam Church. During the day pupils will take part in a number of activities that link French with their class topics this term. At 3pm pupils will give a short presentation to parents in the Hall, showcasing some of the work that has been carried out during the day and from 3.15 to 3.45pm pupils, parents and staff are invited to a French-themed café in the Hall. This will give parents an opportunity to meet Madam Church and all of us to sample some home-made French cuisine! Everyone is most welcome, but if you do intend to come it would be most helpful if you could let the office know so that we can cater appropriately.

After-school football club will still run on that day and pupils who normally attend are free to attend or may, of course, go to the French café instead!


Little Bears News
Next week we looking at families and making a big family tree. Can we remind all parents to please bring in their photo leaf please?
Tickets are still available for the crèche and ‘Stay and Play’ too.


DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 16th October Science Club begins for participating pupils
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.
Cycling Safety Test for participating pupils
Monday 22nd October Plant orders due to arrive
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Michael Hopkins
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 5th October 2012


Happy OCTOBER Birthday to: Edison Buckner, Wyatt Bullock, Benjamin Duke, Ella Fulker, Sophie Hector, Oliver Lowman, Lewis Payne, Marcin Skwarek and Ellie Walker.

During OCTOBER we are focusing on the core value of APPRECIATION

School Website
We have added several new items onto the new school website this week; our Key Achievements in 2011-2012 and an Equality Objectives Plan. We have made a small change to the Pupil Premium Report and added some information about the Governing Body.
Please have a look at it; www.stadhamptonschool.org
We would love to hear what you think of our new website and welcome suggestions for what else parents/carers would find useful to have online.
We hope that in the event of very bad weather and the possibility that the school will be closed that we will be able to add this information onto the school website early in the morning.

Swimming contributions
Thank you to the many families in Class 2 who have already made voluntary contributions towards the swimming costs this term.
Any further contributions from families who have not yet made a contribution, and are willing to do so, would be most welcome. Thank you.

PTA News
Wine and Nibbles Evening, incorporating the PTA Annual General Meeting (AGM) - 8th November 2012, 8pm, School Hall

Formal notice that the AGM of the Stadhampton Primary School PTA, will be held on the 8th November 2012. The evening will commence at 8.00pm with the PTA Annual General Meeting, followed by a Wine and Nibbles evening in the school hall. We anticipate that the AGM should last approximately 15 minutes.

The PTA plays a vital part in the school community and all parents, as members of the PTA, are invited to support the AGM. This is your chance to hear and see how the funds you have helped to raise last year have been used for the benefit of the children/students at our school.

The AGM is also an opportunity for you to elect the PTA Committee (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary), to represent the association throughout the forthcoming academic year. Nominations should be sent in advance of the AGM, for existing committee members willing to stand for re-election and for anyone wishing to stand as an Officer or Ordinary Committee Member, for the first time. Nomination forms are available in the PTA box in the School Office.

If you would like any further information about what is involved in being a Committee Member, please speak to Diana Woodwards.

We look forward to seeing you on 8 November 2012.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to last weeks winner - Benjamin West, who won the cake donated by Mrs Buckner.

A reminder to Mrs Valentine that she is on the rota for 13th October.

Christmas Cards - orders in by Monday 15th October

You may have seen some lovely Christmas card designs coming home with your child/children this week. If you wish you can add to this design (or even create another one!) but please refer to the guidance notes.

The first pack of 12 cards is £5.50, each additional pack of 12 cards is £4.50. You can order as many packs as you like.
A pack of 12 gift tags is £2.50 (and has to be with a card order).

All completed artwork, orders and payment, need to be in by the 15th October. Any queries please see Charlotte Hector or Rowena Dobson.


Little Bears News
Next week we will be talking about heathy eating . We will be making some exotic fruit kebabs and making heathy eating collage paper plates.

Little Bears would also like to say a huge thank you to Thea and Jenny Diment who donated lots of lovely toys to the Little Bears and also to thank the Eatons for donating some phones.

Little Bears Preschool will be running a creche during the PTA Halloween Disco on Friday 26 October. Parents can drop off siblings not attending the disco from 5.45pm onwards. £5 for the full two hours, which will include drinks and snacks.
Consent Forms & further details are available from the supervisor, Gemma Austin at Little Bears or you can email her at supervisor@little-bears.co.uk.

Halloween Stay & Play
Little Bears Preschool are having a Halloween Stay & Play session on Wednesday 31 October (same date as the SPS Sports course).
From 9 - 11.30am. Tickets £2.50 for Little Bears, £1 for any pals/siblings.
For more information speak to Debbie Bradford or Mel Gravett or visit Little Bears during school hours.


DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 16th October Science Club begins for participating pupils
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.
Cycling Safety Test for participating pupils
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production

Friday, September 28, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 28th September 2012


Enforced School Closure
We were approached by SODC some months ago about using the school as a polling station for Police Commissioner Elections on 15th November and requested that they seek alternative premises for this. We received a letter from them this week informing us that they have no choice but to use the school for the election. The school will therefore be closed to pupils on Thursday 15th November. Staff will either work as usual in school or take the opportunity to attend the School’s ICT Conference at the Kassam Stadium on that day.

Parking and congestion in Cratlands Close and the use of the school car park

Message from the Governing Body:

On Tuesday a meeting was held between members of the PTA, Little Bears, the School and the Governing Body to discuss the issues we face in the parking/dropping children off in the morning and collecting them at the end of the school day.

We recently wrote about the issues in the school newsletter and the issues have also been mentioned in our entry in October’s Parish Magazine. It is vital that we work with the residents in Cratlands Close, you, the parents and carers, and our pupils to minimise disruption, congestion, poor parking and risks of injury to residents, parents and carers, staff and our pupils .

Following Tuesday's well attended meeting we have received some strong feedback and it is clear that we need to hear more parent views. For example:
• if we could make an arrangement for parents to use The Crown car park at the beginning and/or the end of the day, how many parents would be willing to use it?
• Are there any parents who currently drive to school who would be willing to try walking instead?
• How many parents would appreciate the opportunity to drop their children off from 8.30am if we could find a means of safely supervising them until they are allowed into school and then be clear of the car park before the majority of parents start arriving at 8.45am?
• How many parents live close to the school and would be willing to offer a friend shared use of their driveway to alleviate the need to come into Cratlands Close with a car at all?

There is no easy solution to this problem and we need everyone’s help to take small steps which may begin to make a difference.

Walk to School Month
Walk to School is a campaign run by national charity Living Streets which has existed since 1995. Its aim is simple – to encourage all parents and children to make walking to school part of their daily routine.
Walking to school has a wide range of benefits:
• It keeps children (and parents!) healthy
• It reduces traffic, congestion and carbon emission on the roads as well as pollution at the school gate
• It provides quality time before school for parents and children


• It is an opportunity for children to play, socialise and exercise before school
• It engages children with their local communities and environments
• It can take less time than driving

In October, 2012 we will be participating in Strider’s International Walking Challenge. This month-long activity encourages pupils to walk at least once a week, although we are aware that a lot of families walk to school and back everyday.
October is a great time for walking. It’s often quicker and less stressful than taking the car. It also provides an opportunity for spending quality time with your child. So if it is possible, why not give it a try?

Congratulations to all our pupils!
The photographer from The School Photography Company requested that all pupils should be congratulated on their very sensible behaviour while waiting for, and having, their photographs taken in school on Thursday. She said that in the 10 years she has been taking photographs in schools, she had never come across such a well-behaved and well-mannered group of children. We promote high standards of behavour and positive attitudes towards others in school, so it is particularly rewarding to have these values acknowledged and appreciated by a visitor. Congratulations to all our pupils!

PTA News
Please look out for our calender of events in your book bags this week - a handy reminder of what is happening when this term.

Friday Cake Club
Thanks to everyone who has joined the Friday Cake Club. The lucky winner last week was Elizabeth Marshall in Class R, and the cake was kindly donated by Mrs Ellis.

Mrs Buckner will be donating the cake this Friday, and a reminder to Mrs Burnell that she is on the rota for 5th October. We will try to put a reminder in the newsletter each week.

Plant Orders - need to be in by Monday 1st October

Halloween Disco
After the huge success of the End of Term Disco – which raised a fantastic £223.04 - we are planning a Halloween-themed Disco on Friday 26th October (last day before Half Term). More details to follow, but get your imaginations working on a ‘spooky’ outfit.

Other amounts raised for events at the end of last term included: Pampered Chef Evening - £181.34, Cake Sale - £28.05 and Sports Night -£586.98. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making these events so successful.

Winter Fair
It’s almost time to start thinking about Christmas, so if you have: any ideas for stalls we could run; or external vendors who might like to attend the Winter Fair; or know any organisations or companies that could donate prizes for the raffle, please let a PTA committee member know.

Holiday Course at Stadhampton School

Michael Hopkins, our sports coach, will be running a one-day holiday course here at Stadhampton School on Wednesday 31st October between 9 and 3pm. All pupils of primary school age are welcome to attend. The cost will be £10 for the day. The emphasis is on having fun and will include playing a variety of sports, games and mini-tournaments. There will be Halloween prizes! Bookings may be made directly with Mr Hopkins (see flyer attached) or via Mrs Hopkins in the school office.


Little Bears News
Next week at Little Bears we are looking at physical activity and the effect it has on our bodies. We will also be making an obstacle course in our garden.
If anyone has a working Hoover they no longer want, we would be very pleased to make use of it. Thank you.

DIARY DATES:

Monday 1st October Final day for PTA Plant Orders
Friday 5th October Harvest Festival School Service at 9.05am. All welcome. Please could every child bring a Harvest Gift if possible.
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Michael Hopkins
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production

Friday, September 21, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 21st September 2012



Harvest Gifts
Our annual Harvest Festival will take place in the Hall at 9.05am on Friday 5th October and families are most welcome to join us. Once again we will be supporting Stepping Stones, an organisation for homeless people in Oxford, with our Harvest Gifts. We hope that each child will be able to bring a small contribution into school before our service. All Harvest gifts bought into school will be taken to the village church and put on display for the Harvest Service there on Sunday 9th October, before being taken on to Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones prefer to receive non-perishable items such as packets of pasta, tins of beans, bars of chocolate, packets of biscuits, tins of tomatoes, tins of spaghetti, etc rather than fresh produce. This year they are also intending to make chutney, as an enterprise, so gifts of vinegar and sugar would also be greatly appreciated. However, ‘traditional’ Harvest Gifts are also welcome. Thank you.

Advance Notice of other Key Events and Dates
Please make a note of key dates taking place in the autumn term:

Our annual Parents and Carers Consultation Evening with teachers will take place in November as follows:

Monday 19th November: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3

Wednesday 21st November: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes

We hope that by giving advanced notice of these arrangements that parents and carers will be able to arrange to attend one or other of these dates.

Our annual Christmas productions (yet to revealed!) will take place as follows:

KS2 (Classes 2 & 3) Tuesday 11th December, both matinee and evening performances (times to be confirmed)

FS/KS1 (Reception & Class 1) Wednesday 12 December, matinee performance only (time to be confirmed).

Our annual Nativity Service is expected to take place in the village church during the last week of
Term 2. We will circulate details of this event once we have confirmed arrangements with the new
vicar, Rev Caroline King.


Starting School
Parents with a child born between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009 must apply for a school place for entry in the academic year beginning September 2013. The closing date for applications is 15th January 2013. You may apply on-line at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions or by completing a paper CAP form which should be available shortly from the school office, if you have not already received one from the Local Authority.

Year 6 Secondary School Applications
Families of Year 6 pupils should have received a letter from the Admissions Team at Oxfordshire County Council explaining the process for applying for a place at their chosen secondary school. You can apply on-line at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions. A limited number of application booklets containing an application form for completion are available from the school office if you are unable to apply on line. The closing date for on-time applications is 31st October 2012.

PTA News
Thanks to everyone who came to our first meeting of the school year on Tuesday. There were lots of good ideas for raising funds, and these will be communicated via the school website shortly.

Friday Cake Club – This starts on 21st September, and costs 20p per child per week if they would like to enter the raffle, to be drawn in Assembly. If you would prefer to pay up front for the rest of the half term, or even the term, you are very welcome to do so. We will then ensure your child’s name is entered each week. Rowena, Diana & Lucy will be outside Class 1 on Friday morning with the tickets. Thank you to everyone who has offered to donate cakes so far – these are on a rota which Rowena has. If you would like to add your name, please contact Rowena.

Clothes Recycling 23 October – Bags and a letter provided by Bag2School will be put into bookbags shortly, but you can also use black bin bags. Donations of clothes, shoes, bedding (not pillows and duvets), cuddly toys are all very welcome. The collection will take place by 9am on Tuesday 23rd October.

Plant Orders – Order forms and information regarding plant orders should be in bookbags on Friday. All order forms and payment should be returned to the School Office by Monday 1st October, and the plants will be delivered on Monday 22 October.


Little Bears News
Next week we are looking at our bones and we will be reading ‘Funny Bones’ and learning the song "Those Bones". We will also be making collage skeletons and drawing around each other.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 25th September Meeting about parking/car park/congestion at 2.45pm in the Hall.
Thursday 27th September All pupils have their photographs taken in school uniform. Each child is photographed individually and also with any siblings in school. Families are welcome to come into the Hall before school at 8.30am to have family groups photographed together.

Icknield Community College Open Evening for new students – 6pm

Friday 5th October Harvest Festival School Service at 9.05am. All welcome.
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 14th September 2012



Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears
Stadhampton Primary School and Little Bears Pre-School will be holding a joint Open Morning on Wednesday 17th October between 9.00am and 11.30am. Parents and other visitors are most welcome to come and see the school at work during this morning.

Information for parents and carers of children due to transfer to secondary school in September 2013
Parents of children born between 1 September and 31 August 2002 (inclusive) need to apply for a secondary school place for their children. The closing date for on time applications is 31 October 2012. The main means of application is to apply on line at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions
If you are unable to apply on line please ask Mrs Hopkins for a paper copy of the Common Application Form (CAF).

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield
Cheques for swimming should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School. A big ‘thank you’ to those families who have already contributed towards this term’s swimming costs.

After School Clubs
There are still one or two places remaining on all after-school clubs running on Wednesdays (Multisports for Years 1&2, Multisports for Years 3-6) and Thursdays (Football for Years 3-6). Please contact Mrs Hopkins if you would like a place for your child. A reminder that all clubs finish promptly at 4.15pm.

Clarinet Lessons
County Music Service Clarinet lessons for all Year 5 pupils will commence on Tuesday 18 September. There are normally 10 weekly lessons each long term but further details will be circulated by Miss Howell, the new clarinet teacher, next week. Clarinets are provided as part of the programme.

We are still unclear of the situation regarding the continuation of clarinet lessons for Year 6 pupils as, unfortunately, there may be an insufficient number of pupils to make this viable. We are currently working with the County Music Service to facilitate this and will be in contact with the families concerned to clarify this as soon as we can. In the meantime, if there are any Year 6 pupils who would like to continue with clarinet lessons it’s not too late to apply. Application forms are available in school.

Our Olympic Experience – by Georgia and Millie
Georgia: I came into the hall and sat down with my fingers crossed. Mrs Turner stood with the hat in her hand and a smile on her face. Everyone turned their faces to her and wished that it would be them. She put her hand in the hat, and pulled out a small piece of paper. “the lucky winners are Georgia Valentine, Millie Birtles and Georgia’s dad”. I cried out in excitement.
Millie: Georgia approached me later on in the day, she shouted out, “we won the tickets, we won the tickets!” I thought she was joking but when the next day came everyone came up to me and said “congratulations”. I felt like I needed to cry, so instead I hugged her.

“We saw the 100 metres and the 400 metres with Usain Bolt running. Also we say Jessica Ennis do the pole voult, long jump and javeline. The atmosphere was amazing. Our favourite bit was the steeple chase and Jessica Ennis doing the long jump. It made us feel like we were very lucky people and we will never get this opportunity again. Watching the Olympics has changed how we feel about sports. This will be a story which we can tell our children and grandchildren.”

School Council
Congratulations to the following pupils who were elected by pupils on to the School Council for Terms 1 & 2:
Year 6: Matthew Ellis and Orla Fernie; Year 5: Ollie Jones and Thea Diment; Year 4: Greg Madry and Cora White; Year 3: Charlie Ball and Georgia Day; Year 2: Will Parkes and Isabella Dickens.

School Website - Class Topics/Areas of Study
Each class teacher has now uploaded information specific to their class about the projects and areas of study they are focusing on in Terms 1 and 2.
A paper copy of these was also sent home earlier this week via book bags.

Headlice
A parent has kindly let us know that their child has had headlice this week which has been treated. Please could all parents check their children’s hair this weekend and treat if necessary. Thank you.

Recorders and Recorder Books
Recorders are now available from the school office, priced at £6.50. Recorder Books 1 and 2 are also available at £4.85 each (sorry, price increase – the school makes no profit from selling these items).

Water/Juice Bottles
To avoid confusion in the classroom and at lunchtime, please could water bottles which are being re-used be labelled.


PTA
School Uniform: Order forms have been put into book bags earlier this week. The e-mail address for uniform orders is stadhamptonpta@gmail.com

PTA Meeting - Tuesday 18 Sep, 7.45pm, School Hall
We're holding our first meeting of the year and anyone is welcome to come along and join in, give us ideas etc. If you can't make the meeting but want to let us know anything then you can email us on: stadhamptonpta@gmail.com, or just speak to Diana Woodwards, Rowena Dobson, Charlotte Hector or any member of the PTA.

Friday Cake Club
Introducing our new Friday Cake Club - watch out for full details in book bags next week. Very simply – you pay 20p on Fridays to be in with a chance to win a lovely cake!


Little Bears News
Next week we are learning all about feelings and Little Bears rules. We will be making some self-portraits and drawing around each other. We will also be doing lots of music and movement.


DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 18th September Clarinets begin for participating pupils
PTA Meeting 7.45pm. All welcome.
Wednesday 19th September Young Leaders Award – Year 5 and 6 pupils
Friday 21st September Guitar lessons begin for participating pupils
Thursday 27th September All pupils have their photographs taken in school uniform. Each child is photographed individually and also with any siblings in school. Families are welcome to come into the Hall before school at 8.30am to have family groups photographed together.

Icknield Community College Open Evening for new students – 6pm
Friday 5th October Harvest Festival in School at 9.05am. All welcome.
Monday 19th November Parents Evening – more details to follow – please put the date in your diary.




Icknield Community College Open Evening
Icknield Community College are holding their annual Open Evening for new pupils on Thursday 27th September starting at 6pm – flyer attached to this newsletter.


Friday, September 7, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 7th September 2012
Welcome back!
Welcome back to everyone returning to school after the summer holidays. We hope everyone is refreshed and renewed and has been excited and inspired by all the Olympic events.

An especially warm welcome to our new pupils: Jack Austin, Jem Burnell, Freya Clapton, Archie Dickens, Ella Fulker, Joshua Hursey, Olivia Kenny, Mya Khan, Elizabeth Marshall, Lewis Payne, Daniel Robinson, Phoebe Watkins, Thomas West and Ellie Wiggins in our Foundation Class and Edison (Y2) and Bronte (Y1) Buckner in Class 1. We also welcome Mr Simon Short and Mrs Justine Gonzalez, both new TA’s on our staff team. We hope everyone enjoys being part of the Stadhampton School community. Mrs Gonzalez joins us in place of Mrs Davis Peckham who was unable to take up her post as previously arranged.

Happy Belated Birthdays in August to: Millie Birtles, Rhys Brown, Cora White and Abigail Wright.

Happy SEPTEMBER Birthday to: Charles Austin, Isabella Dickens, Bryce Dobson, Phoebe Hindmarch, Alfie Howard, Annabel Roe, Pheobe Watkins and Lawrence Wright.

During SEPTEMBER we are focusing on the core value of RESPECT

Cars, Pedestrians and the School Car Park
The use of the school car park by parents regularly raises significant issues and concerns relating to both the safety of our pupils and the respect of local residents and the beginning of a new school year is a timely opportunity to re-visit this matter. The school car park is primarily for the use of school staff, Little Bears staff and visitors to the site, as well, of course, by users of the Community Hall after school hours. We currently open up the school park as a drop-off and pick-up point for parents in an attempt to help alleviate congestion in Cratlands Close. The number of parking spaces available is very limited but the pressure on these spaces has noticeably increased.
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. We also thank the many families who regularly walk to school.

Cars and children are not a good combination and both the school car park and the approach along Cratlands Close are potentially hazardous areas. We have received recent reports of several ‘near-misses’ between cars and children and we respectfully request that both car drivers and parents/carers accompanying children are vigilant and mindful of their responsibilities – both as drivers and pedestrians. The thought of an accident involving any of our pupils, or their younger siblings, is particularly horrifying. The reality would be devastating.
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 also causes 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.


Families may be able to alleviate this congestion by parking elsewhere in the village and walking the rest of the way to school and we thank those families who already do this.

October is International Walk to School Month and, as a school, we shall be participating in this event. Further details will be circulated nearer the time.


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

Rev. Caroline King
Some of you may already know that Rev. Caroline King, our newly appointed vicar, has unfortunately had an accident which resulted in her being unable to take up her post until late October. In the meantime Rev. David Cleugh will continue to fulfil the role. We wish Rev Caroline a speedy recovery and look forward to working with her later in the term.

School Meals
A reminder that school meals from 1st September are offered at the slightly reduced cost of £2 per day. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council please with Stadhampton Primary School written on the back of the cheque. In order to reduce administration time spent on school meals we appreciate receiving orders and payments for school meals on the first morning of each school week. Thank you.

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield
Class 2 will start their swimming sessions at the Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield on Monday 10th September. They will have 7 sessions between September and December.

For families new to swimming sessions at Berinsfield, pupils need to bring their own swimming trunks or costume, a swimming hat and a towel on Monday mornings.

As always, we appreciate a voluntary contribution towards the transportation costs and the costs associated with swimming at Berinsfield. Each weekly visit currently costs the school £75.

Due to pressures on the school budget and our strategic decision to provide additional support to all pupils through an increase in the level of teaching assistant provision, we have therefore made the decision to increase the cost of the suggested voluntary contributions to £2, per child, per session from 1st September. Swimming is a compulsory part of the national PE curriculum. The cost to parents for swimming at Berinsfield will still be significantly lower than other local schools charge who also rely on coach transport to get there and back.
Cheques for swimming should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School. Thank you to the families who have already contributed in advance towards this term’s swimming costs.

School Website
As you may remember from last term, we are in the process of creating a new school website: www.stadhamptonschool.org The old website will soon cease to be active. Do go and have a look at the new one! We already have the new school prospectus on it which includes term and holiday dates, the school meals menu and lots of other information. We shall continue to add to it, particularly updating the school calendar over the next few weeks. Each class teacher will also shortly upload information specific to their class such as the projects they are covering.

Piano Tuition
Mrs Trudy Drake will be offering piano lessons during the school day on Wednesday afternoons for any child in Class 2 or 3. (You may be aware that Mrs Drake already provides piano tuition in the local area). If you are interested in your children learning to play the piano in school, please contact Mrs Drake directly (mob. 07918188519) for more details. There are only a few places available at this time.


PTA
Welcome back everyone, and a warm welcome to all new families from the PTA. We have lots of exciting things planned for this year, and as usual we will keep you informed via the newsletter, so please keep a look out for dates and information on how you can support us.

Meeting - Tuesday 18th September, 7.45pm, School Hall
An invitiation to come along to our first meeting of the year and help us plan our year of fundraising activities. We would love to welcome any new people to our small and friendly team, so please come and join us.


Little Bears News
Next week as we continue with our topic and learn all about ourselves we will be looking at our names and designing our own name labels. We will also be enjoying some circle games as we continue to all learn each others names.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 10th September Class 2 swimming starts at Berinsfield. “Voluntary donation” requested please towards the transport costs of £2 per week.
Wednesday 12th September First cycle safety training for participating Year 6 pupils at 1pm

Year 5 assembly with Mr Hunter, Headteacher of ICC at 2.45pm. Parents are encouraged to attend this assembly where they will also have an opportunity to ask questions directly to Mr Hunter and accompanying prefects.

Multi-sports clubs begin for participating pupils in Years 1-6.

Thursday 13th September After-school football club for participating pupils
Friday 14th September Year 5 visit to ICC for an English lesson
Friday 21st September Guitar lessons begin for participating pupils
Thursday 27th September All pupils have their photographs taken in school uniform. Each child is photographed individually and also with any siblings in school. Families are welcome to come into the Hall before school at 8.30am to have family groups photographed together.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Newsletter for week ending 20th July 2012



Farewells
We would like to say goodbye and good luck to our Year 6 leavers; Florence Amery, Rhiannon Amery, Megan Barber, Olivia Dallimore, Matthew Green, Chloe Hindmarch, Ewan Madry, Maisie Matthews, Joe Mercer, Chloe Scragg and Ella Mae White. We are proud of all of them and wish them every success in their secondary school and in the future.
We also say thank you, and goodbye and good luck to Mrs Hargrave as she begins her teaching career and to Reverend David Cleugh as he moves on in his career.

School Meals
School meals from 1st September will be offered at a slightly reduced cost of £2 per day. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council please with Stadhampton Primary School written on the back of the cheque. In order to reduce administration time spent on school meals we appreciate receiving orders and payments for school meals on the first morning of each school week. Thank you.

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield
Class 2 will start their swimming sessions at the Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield on Monday 10th September. They will have 7 sessions between September and December.

For families new to swimming sessions at Berinsfield, pupils need to bring their own swimming trunks or costume, a swimming hat and a towel on Monday mornings.

As always, we appreciate a voluntary contribution towards the transportation costs and the costs associated with swimming at Berinsfield. Each weekly visit currently costs the school £75. For the last 5 years or so we have requested voluntary contributions of £1 towards the costs.
For the academic year which has just ended, our total expenses for taking pupils to swim at Berinsfield were 37 weeks @ £75 per week = £2775.
Our income from the £1 voluntary contributions for the year amounted to £633.

Thank you to the parents who make regular voluntary contributions towards the costs.

Due to pressures on the school budget and our strategic decision to provide additional support to all pupils through an increase in the level of teaching assistant provision we have therefore made the decision to increase the cost of the suggested voluntary contributions to £2, per child, per session from 1st September. This should increase our total income from the voluntary contributions to £1266 which is still less than half of the cost of providing swimming at Berinsfield.

We hope that parents understand that this decision was not taken lightly; we need to continue to manage our limited budget wisely in order to provide the best possible outcomes for the pupils. Swimming is a compulsory part of the national PE curriculum. The cost to parents for swimming at Berinsfield will still be significantly lower than other local schools who rely on coach transport to get there and back.
Cheques for swimming should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School. Thank you.

Unnamed Uniform
We have some items of uniform which are unnamed on display outside Class 1. Please take away any items which you believe may be yours before they are disposed of at the end of school tomorrow.


Sports Evening

A big thank you to everyone – pupils, parents, staff, PTA, governors, Little Bears, former pupils and extended families for making this event the special occasion that it is.

PTA NEWS
Sports Night BBQ
What a relief that the rain held off for sports night. It was a good evening and we raised £586. Our thanks to Stephen Dawson, Nikki Howlett, Joy Hopkins & Alan Manzie for running the BBQ and bar.

End of Term Disco - Thursday 19th July
With almost the whole school coming the disco promises to be a great evening, and tickets are still available. In advance of the final count up - we anticipate that approximately £183 will be raised.

School Uniform
After many years of ordering and supplying the school uniform, Tracy Perring has decided it's time to hand it on - we'd like to say a heartfelt thanks to Tracy for all her time and effort doing this over the years.

Sue Bowerman is taking up the baton, and will now be dealing with the school uniform. You can order uniform items from Sue via email:stadhamptonpta@gmail.com

Thank you from all the PTA
Just to say a huge thank you from all the PTA to everyone who has helped and supported our fund raising efforts throughout the year. Our first meeting back is on Tuesday 18th September at 7.45pm in the school hall. Happy holidays to everyone.


Little Bears News
We are so proud of all our big children who enjoyed 3 days in "big school" and it sounds like they had a great time.
We are hoping for finer weather for our sports day to go ahead as planned at 11.15 on Friday followed by Forest Schools until 3pm.
We are saying a sad farewell to all our children moving on at the end of this term and wish them lots of luck.
Also a fond farewell to Tracy Perring who leaves us at the end of term, we wish her lots of luck.


DIARY DATES:
Friday 20th July 9.05am - Leavers assembly. Everyone welcome to attend.
1.30pm school ends
Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th September Staff INSET Days
Wednesday 5th September Pupils return to school for the start of the new academic year.

Finally, thank you to everyone as we come to the end of this school year. We are always very grateful for the support of all parents. Special thanks are due to Mrs Duke for auditing the Special Purposes and Hall Accounts, to the parents who help regularly with hearing readers, help on school trips and bake cakes for a variety of purposes, to the parents who helped with cycle safety training, to those who run lunchtime and after-school clubs, to those who have helped with jobs around the school and, of course, to the PTA committee who work tirelessly to fundraise so that pupils can enjoy excellent facilities, learn French and provide additional resources and opportunities. Thank you to Mrs Hawley and Mrs Wells who still regularly return to school to help us. Finally, thank you also to the Governing Body who give their time freely to both support the school and challenge the staff!

We wish you all a very happy summer break and look forward to welcoming those who are coming back to school on Wednesday 5th September.