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