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