Newsletter for week ending 2nd March 2012

During March the school is focusing on the core value of TRUST

Happy March Birthday to: Darcy Crook, Emily Drake, Daniel Ellis, Hannah Lansley, Greg Madry, Hannah Tombling and Naomi Woodwards.

Visit by John Howell MP
We were pleased to invite John Howell, local MP for Henley, to school today to meet pupils, staff and governors and have a tour of our school. Members of the Governing Body showed him around the school including the new boiler, and took the opportunity to ask him questions on funding for small schools and future government policy.

World Book Day - 01.03.2012
A big thank you to all families who supported this event. We appreciate the amount of effort and organisation this takes; the children looked fantastic and the event helps bring literature to life. Thank you for the contributions already received – we will announce the total raised next week once we have had all contributions in.

Opening Ceremony of our Biomass Boiler
As you may know we are the first school in Oxfordshire to have a biomass boiler installed and there is much interest in this within Oxfordshire County Council and other schools. We are holding an official opening ceremony on Wednesday 7th March and during this time Councillor Lindsay-Gale of OCC will cut the ribbon. The event will be attended by other County Councillors, a number of representatives of Oxfordshire County Council, other headteachers, representatives of organisations involved in the installation, our own School Governors and, of course, ourselves.

‘Transition’ Day’s 2012
We would like to give you advance notice that Year 6 pupils will be attending their Transition Days at Icknield Community College on Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th July 2012. During these three days all pupils at Stadhampton School will effectively ‘move up’ a year-group and have an opportunity to experience school life as it will be in September. Our new Foundation Stage pupils will also be invited to attend the three days in our Reception Class.

Brookes Science Bazaar 2012
As part of the 2012 Oxfordshire Science Festival, Oxford Brookes University will be holding their annual Brookes Science Bazaar on Saturday 17th March, 11am – 4pm, at their Gipsy Lane campus. Come along to the Main Reception for a range of drop-in sessions and competitions. This free day of fun-filled science activities is designed to encourage children aged 5-15 years and families to engage with science.
Discover the secret behind a dinosaur’s speed….
Explore gruesome boils and diseases….
Take part in the Insect Olympics….
Please note: no parking is available at this event.


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.

Sibling Rivalry – Workshop
To be held at the Chalgrove Children’s Centre on Tuesday 13th March 9.30am–11.30am. An informal workshop discussing coping stragegies, offering practical advice and support.

International Jian-Zi Competition – Headteacher’s Report
During my visit to Hazlach School in Poland I attended the annual Jian-Zi tournament there. It was a very tense situation as they were very nervous and so was I! I knew our score but refrained from revealing it until after their tournament was over. In the end both Lukaz Weglarzy and Szymon Najetny managed to score 22, just beating Joe Mercer’s score of 19! We will have the trophy engraved and sent to Hazlach – until next year……

PTA News
Bingo & Hot Dog Evening – 23rd March
Tickets for this are now all sold out. With the way the orders came in thick and fast, this promises to be a great evening.

Next PTA Meeting – 13th March, 8pm, The Crown
We will be discussing fundraising activites for the rest of the school year, and you are all welcome to join us and discuss any fundraising ideas you have. All suggestions are gratefully received. If you can't attend but have any ideas or comments, please speak to one of the PTA members.


Little Bears News
We will be continuing with our topic of “occupations” and making a vets surgery at Little Bears. Children may bring in a cuddly soft toy pet and a photo of their pet.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 5th March School nurse weighing and measuring Reception and Year 6 pupils
Wednesday 7th March Mobile Library
Year 5 pupils visit ICC for an English lesson
Boiler opening ceremony with Cllr Lindsay-Gale and Cllr Ann Purse, headteachers from other schools, governors and personnel from OCC and Mouchel. We anticipate that there will be press coverage of this event.
Monday 12th March Science Week begins
Work-viewing evening
Friday 23rd March Sports Relief activities
Children’s Bingo and Hot Dog Evening
Wednesday 28th March Maths Masterclass for participating pupils at ICC
Friday 30th March End of term assembly at 9.05am. All parents/carers welcome to attend.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 16th April Pupils and staff return to school for the start of Term 5