Newsletter for week ending 2 May 2014

Happy May Birthday to: Hannah Bradford, Billy Bowerman, Leo Burnell, Ruby Dallimore, Lorenzo Elliott, Gene Green, Buddy Halliday, Isabel Hector, Joshua Hursey, Olivia Kenny and Ella Lavene.

During MAY we are focusing on the core value of TOLERANCE

We say goodbye and good luck to Sasha Campbell, who has only been with us for a few weeks and is now moving to a school in Canada.

Year 6 Maths Booster Group
The Year 6’s who usually attend a ‘Booster’ session on Tuesday morning will now attend on Wednesday morning instead (for the final session). This will give both Booster groups an opportunity to work together and support each other.

Termly Outline Plans
Termly Outline Plans giving parents and carers an overview of the key areas of teaching and learning in each class have been uploaded onto the school website. If anyone would like a paper copy please ask in the school office for one.

Swimming at Berinsfield
After 13 years as our swimming coach at Berinsfield we said a sad goodbye to Mrs Heather Selwood this week. Our new coaches are Mrs Georgie Boddy and Mr Anton Bishop. Over the years many pupils will have Mrs Selwood to thank for their achievements in the pool and we wish her well in her new job.

Safeguarding of pupils
We take all safeguarding issues very seriously and pupil welfare is a high concern for all of us. There have been recent occasions when, unknown to us, well-meaning parents have taken ‘uncollected’ pupils with them at the end of the school day. In the interest of safeguarding we have procedures in place that all pupils are aware of. This is an opportunity to remind everyone of these procedures. If a pupil finds that the person whom they are expecting to collect them is not at the gate they should come into Class 1 and inform Mrs Manzie or the teacher in there that no-one has arrived to collect them. A member of school staff will then phone the parents/carer of the child to clarify the arrangements for their safe collection. Thank you for your cooperation in this highly important matter.

Governing Body Update
Changes in Governors; Jo Evelyn has sadly stepped down from the Governing Body. We welcome Finbar McGaughey to the Governing Body as a Local Authority Governor.
We still have one vacancy for a Community Governor. Community governors are appointed by the governing body to help to represent community interests. They can be individuals who

• live or work in the community served by the school
• are committed to the good governance and success of the school even though they do not work or live close to it.

The definition of a community governor is wide. People from a business or professional background and minor authority representatives can be appointed as community governors. If anyone knows someone who may be interested in this role, please let them know that we have a vacancy and ask them to make contact with the school. Thank you.

PTA News
Boogie Bingo Friday 16th May - tickets are on sale for this very popular event each morning outside Class 1, priced at £8 to include fish and chips or £3 without. Please buy your tickets as soon as possible as tickets including fish and chips must be purchased by Friday 9th May, so we can sort out final numbers before the night.

We need donations for the raffle so please, if you can spare any wine, chocolates, gift sets etc it would be very much appreciated. All donations to go in the PTA box in the hall.

Bags2School Clothes Recycling Thursday 22nd May – clothes recycling bags will be put into book bags shortly. In the meantime have a sort out at home - all adult and/or children’s clothes, paired shoes, cuddly toys, bags, scarves, hats are gratefully received. All bags will be collected before 9am on Thursday 22nd May so you will be able to leave bags in the undercover area outside Class 1 from 3.15pm on Wednesday 21st May ready for the recycling truck.

Our next PTA meeting is on Tuesday 3rd June 8pm at The Crown. Everyone welcome. Thank you for your continued support of the PTA.

Cake Club
Congratulations to Amy Matthews, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs Gravett. A reminder to Charlie Constable that she is on the rota for 9th May.

Summer Sports Course at Stadhampton School
Michael Hopkins will be leading a Summer Sports Course for all children aged 4-11 at Stadhampton School for five days during the Summer Holiday from Monday 11 to Friday 15 August inclusive. The cost is £10 per day or £40 for children attending on all five days. Jordan Piper, who is well known to pupils having spent two weeks at Stadhampton School on work experience from Henley College, will be assisting on the course as usual. Booking details are on the attached flyer or may be made directly with the school office.

DIARY DATES:
Thursday 8 May Vision screening for Reception pupils
Monday 12 May Start of SATs week for Year 6 pupils. Please note that many other year groups will also be having their annual tests and tasks during this week and the following week. Please avoid making routine doctor and dental appointments during this time if at all possible.
Tuesday 20 May Class 2 visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu Temple
Friday 9 May, 16 May,
23 May, 6 June
Friday 13 June
Friday 20 June Cycling sessions for Year 6 pupils

Cycle Theory Test
Cycle Test
Monday 11 – Friday 15 August Summer Sports Course at Stadhampton School. Please see posters on each classroom door and in the entrance foyer for details of how to book.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Next week at Little Bears we will be talking about rainbows and how they are made; we will be making our own hand print rainbow exploring the colours and colour mixing.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Ladies Supper Night last week – to everyone who came along, made some of the amazing food and / or helped us to clear up at the end. Everyone had a great evening and there has been talk of a repeat performance at some stage so watch this space! Thank you again for your support – it was very much appreciated.
On Saturday 10th May from 2pm-4pm Little Bears will be holding a Table Top sale in the School Community Hall- please see Debbie Bradford or Melanie Gravett to book your table.

Community News:
• Cream Teas in the Village Hall at St. Johns on Monday 5th May 2.30 - 4.30 p.m. in aid of Village Hall funds.
• Also we would like to invite parents to WI on Tuesday 13th May at 7.30 p.m. when Dr Chintha Dissanayake will be our speaker, her talk 'The Teenage Brain - Still under Construction'. Everyone welcome.