Newsletter for week ending 20th January 2012

Newsletter for week ending 20th January 2012

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

The start of the School Day
We maintain an ‘open door’ policy which provides parents and carers with ready access to teachers to facilitate on-going collaboration. We recognise that there will be some information that is essential for us to be aware of at the beginning of the school day. However, the start of the school day is a very busy time for teaching staff and we respectfully request that, whenever possible, parents and carers try to talk to staff after school or make an appointment to meet at a mutually convenient time.
Thank you for your co-operation.

UNICEF Day for Change – 03.02.2012
Each year we support the charitable work of UNICEF by taking part in their Day for Change. This year Day for Change focuses on UNICEF’s Education through Sport programme in Uganda, where sport and play is used as a route to improve the health and happiness of vulnerable children including orphans, children with disabilities, child refugees, former child soldiers and children left homeless by conflict.

By donating any loose change you may have at home you will be helping to change the lives of children in Uganda. Please support us. Pupils can bring any contributions into school on the day.
Thank you.

Further information about the work of UNICEF is available on their website: www.unicef.org.uk

Storytelling Workshops – 16.01.12Pupils were captivated by the storytelling of Mr Adam Guillain on Monday. Pupils from different classes listened to different stories from his extensive repertoire. They included; “The Black Prince”, “The Clever Wish” and “The Land of Strange Names” (Class 2 and 3), “The Gingerbread Man” and “The Duck and the Gold” (Class 1) and “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Three Giants (Reception).
The children learnt about the main elements of story plots and those in Classes 1, 2 and 3, learnt the process of how to; listen to an oral story, map the story, step the story (with a partner), speak the story (with a partner), re-tell the story for themselves and ultimately to write part of the story independently.

Why storytelling?
The value of storytelling was acknowledged in the Rose Report 2009. “The powerful, not to say, unique, contribution to children’s enjoyment and comprehension of language – and to their emotional development – from deep engagement with story telling and regular exposure to excellent literature is recognised throughout early years and primary education”.

Mr Guillain works with The Story Museum in Oxford and although their premises are not yet open to the public they have a website which is well worth looking at. There is a section on stories at home and a number of stories are available to read or listen to. Their website is www.storymuseum.org.uk Here are some recounts from the children:

Report by Rhiannon Amery and Bryce Dobson (Class 3)
“On 16th January, Mr Guillain visited us and did some storytelling with the whole school. We all really enjoyed it. The stories were interactive and fun. Some of us have decided to write our own stories as a result! He taught us how to write a good story and inspired us to write more!”

Report by Ella Perring and Max Lansley (Class 2)
“On Monday a man called Adam Guillain from The Story Museum came into school and told us stories. They were “The Black Prince, The Clever Wish and a Silly Story”. We wrote our own version of the Black Prince and everyone thought it was an exciting day. And if you want to go on the website it is www.storymuseum.or.uk”

Report by Buddy and Ollie (Class 1)
“It was fun and we loved the music. The Gingerbread Man was fun and we had to run as fast as we could. We made a map of the story. We liked the stepping and remembering the story”.


Little Bears News
Next week we will be starting to make our fishes in a bottle and collaging our giant octopus. We still need some bottles please.
We will also be celebrating Chinese New Year and Burns Night.


Icknield Community College – Temporary Staff Vacancy
Job Role: Junior ICT Technician
Start Date: 2 February
Contract type: Temporary
Hours: 20 hours per week, working hours to be decided at interview
Salary: Grade 5 Pt 14
We are seeking to appoint as soon as possible a part-time Junior ICT Technician. If you have:
• Good ‘people’ skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office
• Hardware troubleshooting, configuration and repair skills
Plus other relevant experience or skills you may just be the person to join our friendly and supportive school.

Further details are available from Gill Ward, PA to the Headteacher, by emailing gillward@ocnmail.net.

Icknield Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced CRB Disclosure.

DIARY DATES:

Wednesday 25th January After school Netball & Multisports start for 9 weeks for participating pupils. Multisports Club is now full.
Maths Masterclass at ICC for participating pupils.
Thursday 26th January Visit from the Roald Dahl Museum for Class 2 pupils.
Monday 30th January After school Hockey Club starts for 8 weeks for participating pupils
Friday 3rd February UNICEF Day for Change – please start collecting your small change to bring change to the lives of Ugandan children
Friday 10th February Term 3 finishes at 3.15pm

Monday 20th February Pupils return to school for the start of Term 4
Monday 12th March Work-viewing evening