Newsletter for week ending 22 February 2013

OFSTED
As you will be aware, we had an Ofsted inspection earlier this week. We cannot disclose the result or any details at this time as the official outcome is confidential until the final report is published by Ofsted in approximately 15 days time. However, following this very vigorous process, we are able to convey that we are pleased with the outcome.

Swimming for Class 2
Due to Class 3 being away for their residential next week, Class 2 will be swimming in their place on Monday 25th February. We will not make a request for a contribution towards the transport for this extra session, but please remember swimming kit!

Recorders
Recorder lessons will begin for all Key Stage 2 pupils on Monday 4th March.

Message from the Governing Body:

Breakfast & After-School Club Provision
As a Governing Body it is important for us to understand your requirements for childcare provision, ie, breakfast clubs and after school childcare. In order for us to assess whether providing childcare before and after school hours is a viable option, we need to understand the needs of parents and carers. We would therefore appreciate it if you would complete an online questionnaire to help us record your needs. Once we have collated your responses we will be able to contact some professional providers of these services. The survey results will allow them to assess whether there are enough children needing either breakfast club and/or after-school childcare and the details of the provision.

At this stage we cannot assure parents that there will definitely be childcare provision in the village, or who will provide it. The club will not be located on school premises as we do not have the necessary space available, nor will it be managed by school personnel.

The survey can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMHDN2F

We would appreciate all responses by Friday 8th March. Thank you.

Governing Body

Message from Food with Thought
We recognise concerns over beef supply and that many parents would simply prefer their children not to eat beef at the moment. In light of this we are temporarily taking beef off the menu.

Carillion stands by its reassurances that the food provided through its Food With Thought catering service has the highest level of quality and hygiene. At the time of this letter, our suppliers have confirmed that they have not supplied us with any products or ingredients that have been sourced from any of the meat suppliers cited by the Food Standards Agency and that no meat products supplied contain the DNA of any species other than that declared on the packaging.

However, given the ongoing concern around horse meat contamination across the UK and Europe we have taken the decision to remove all beef from lunchtime menus. We feel this precautionary approach is the most sensible course of action in the current situation.

In the three weekly Food With Thought lunch cycle, beef appears five times. The menu changes are as follows:

Week One, Thursday. Cottage Pie to Shepherds Pie.
Week Two, Monday. Aberdeen Angus beef burger to breaded chicken portion.
Week Two, Thursday. Pasta Bolognaise to Cooked Chicken Strips.
Week Three, Tuesday. Lasagne to Moussaka
Week Three, Wednesday. Roast Beef to Roast Chicken.

Woodlands Reminders
Medicines and medical requirements
All medication and medical requirements must be brought to Miss Shah’s attention and all requests for the administration of any medication require completion of our school medical request form. All medication must be clearly labelled and given to Miss Shah on the morning of departure.


Shop and money
There is a small shop on site which stocks a variety of souvenirs and this will be open on the last evening. The maximum amount of pocket money will be £5.00 and this should be put in a named purse or wallet and handed into Miss Shah on arrival at school on the day of departure. Additionally, if anyone would like to buy a T-shirt, a further £5.50 (cash or cheque made payable to ‘Woodlands Shop’) should be put in a sealed, named envelope with ‘T-shirt’ written on it. This should also be handed in to Miss Shah on arrival at school on the day of departure.


Departure
Collection time for us is 7.30am on Monday 25th February. The school will be open from 7.15am so that everyone can assemble in the hall. Please be aware when parking that the coach will need access to the school car park. I understand that there is usually a brief toilet stop at Ross on Wye services but, apart from stopping to pick up the group from North Kidlington, this is the only scheduled stop. On arrival at Woodlands the children will be provided with a packed lunch before going out on activities.

We would like to wish everyone a fantastic trip and will post updates onto the front page of the school website at regular intervals.


PTA News
Children's Bingo - Friday 22nd March
Just to reassure all those who bought tickets for the Bingo, that no tickets are required - children will be let in after signing in.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Darcy Crook on winning the cake before half term, and thank you to Mrs Fernie for donating it. A reminder to Angela Malley that she is on the rota for 2 March.
For those wanting to pay in advance up to Easter, it's £1 per child.

Adults Boogie Bingo Night - Friday 8th March, 7.30pm
Tickets are now on sale for this event. Please see Diana Woodwards & Rowena Dobson in the school hall in the mornings.
• £7 for entry to Boogie Bingo and Fish & Chip supper - these need to be ordered by Monday 4th March.
• £2.50 for entry to Boogie Bingo only.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Little Bears are looking at the topic Superheroes.
Next week we will learning how to become a superhero. We will be talking about how a superhero might dress, making eye masks and capes (so as not to reveal our true identities.) Please do feel free to wear your pants over your trousers just like the heroes do!

DIARY DATES:
Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March Class 3 Residential Visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre accompanied by Miss Shah, Mrs Scragg and Mr Hazeldine.
Extra swimming opportunity at Abbey Sports Centre for Class 2 pupils on Monday 25 February.
Monday 4 March Mid-Year Summary Reports sent home this week
Friday 8 March Adult Boogie Bingo at 7.30pm
Monday 11 March Work Viewing Evening (all classes) 3.15-6.00pm
Wednesday 13th March World Book Day event – West End Theatre in school all day
8th -12th April Holiday Course at Stadhampton School
Friday 13th April Junior Citizen event for Class 3 pupils
Thursday 2 May School closed to pupils for County Council Elections