Newsletter for week ending 11 January 2013

Welcome back to everyone and Happy New Year!

We are pleased to welcome Eliza Gardner into our Reception class this term.

Happy JANUARY Birthday to: Elizabeth Bowerman, Bronte Buckner, Owen Cove, Thomas Cove, Myles Dobson, Matthew Ellis, Megan Green, Isabella Kenny, Tia Khan, Benjamin West and Thomas West.

During JANUARY we are focusing on the core value of FRIENDSHIP

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.

Advice for Parents/Carers from the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit
Thames Valley Health Protection Unit (TVHPU) have received reports of outbreaks of flu-like illness affecting children in schools. Some of these have been confirmed as being caused by a seasonal flu virus called Influenza B. Similar reports have been received by the Health Protection Agency from other parts of the country.
In order to minimise the spread of the virus, children, staff and visitors with flu-like symptoms (such as a raised temperature, a cough, runny nose, muscle and joint pains or headache) should not attend school until their symptoms have cleared up.
Reducing the spread of infection can be helped by remembering 'Catch It, Bin It, Kill It':
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a disposable paper tissue when possible;
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully;
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and clean hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product to kill the virus.

Most cases of flu can be managed at home and further advice can be found at NHS Direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ or telephone 0845 4647) but if you are concerned about any aspect of your child's health seek advice from your GP as rarely other severe illnesses could appear with similar flu like symptoms
Your GP may have invited your child for flu vaccination this year if they fall under one of the nationally identified risk groups already [chronic heart, lung disease; metabolic disorders (including severe asthma and diabetes); kidney problems or a lowered immune system due to treatment or disease]. If you believe your child falls into one of these categories and has not been able to attend an appointment previously for seasonal flu vaccination, please contact your GP. Children in these risk groups should also seek medical advice promptly if they develop signs of flu-like illness.
If you are the parents of a child who qualifies for flu vaccine due to an underlying medical condition but who has not be vaccinated AND you have been in contact with someone with flu, then you may need to get advice from your child's doctor about the need to use anti-viral medication to reduce the risk of transmitting infection.
If you need further advice about a specific incident or outbreak, you can also contact TVHPU at 0845 279 9879 or email tvhpu@hpa.org.uk.

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
Joshua Hursey won the cake donated by Mrs Payne on the 14th December. The last 'Cake' of the term was donated by Mrs Bowerman and won by Josh Matthews. Since September we have raised an amazing £160 - thanks to everyone for joining the club, and another thank you to all our cake donators!

The Friday Cake Club is running again this year, so make sure you see Rowena Dobson on Friday morning to be in with a chance of winning, or pay in advance at any time if you prefer. £1 per child up to half term or £2 per child up to Easter.

A reminder to Mrs Perring that she is on the cake donation rota for the 18th January.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Next week we are looking at the book ‘Elmer in the Snow’. We will also be finding out about season change and talking about dangers and how we keep ourselves safe.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 14 January First swimming session for Class 2 pupils
Year 5 pupils go to ICC for a Technology lesson
Friday 18 January Year 5/6 take part in Sports Hall Activities at ICC. Letter sent home this week.
Wednesday 23 January Mobile Library visits the school
Monday 28 January Swimming Gala for selected pupils
Meeting of the Governing Body at 7pm.
Friday 1 February UNICEF Day for Change – please start saving loose change!
Tuesday 5 February Class 2 visit to Sulgrave Manor. Letter to follow.
Friday 8 February Break up for the February Holiday at 3.15pm
Monday 18 February Return to school for the start of Term 4
Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March Class 3 Residential Visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre accompanied by Miss Shah, Mrs Scragg and Mr Hazeldine.


Attachment:
What’s on at the Children’s Centre in January and February 2013