Newsletter for week ending 24 October 2014

Parent Governor Vacancy
Unfortunately we did not receive any applications from parents/carers for the parent governor vacancy by the deadline of Monday 20th October. We have, therefore, decided to extend the closing date for applications to Monday 3rd November at 3.15pm and warmly encourage interested parents to put their names forward.

Food With Thought
Food with Thought have asked us to let parents know that after the October Holiday we will continue on Week 3 of the current menu. The new menu is apparently held up at the printers and should be in place to start from week commencing 10th November 2014.

Cloakroom Renovations
Please could parents and students ensure that everything is removed from the classroom cloakrooms at the end of today as work is taking place during half-term to replace toilets and flooring. Any items not collected will be put into the lost property box in the school hall in the short term. Thank you.

Swimming at Berinsfield Pool
Swimming lessons at the Abbey Sports Centre will begin on Monday 3rd November for Class 3 pupils. They will have 7 sessions in total on Monday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November and Monday 1st, 8th, 15th December. As always, we are very grateful to receive a ‘voluntary contribution’ from parents/carers of £2 per week towards the cost of the transport to Berinsfield. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please.

Recorder Lessons
A reminder that recorder lessons for all pupils in Years 3-6 take place on Mondays in terms 2, 4 and 6. Lessons will start on Monday 3rd November and, for hygiene reasons, pupils are expected to provide their own recorder. Pupils also need their own recorder book. Recorders are on sale from the school office priced at £6.50 and Recorder Book 1 and 2 are also available priced at £4.50 each.

Year 5 visit to Icknield Community College – 28.11.14
For a number of years Year 5 pupils have had the opportunity to have a series of ‘taster lessons’, spreading over the school year, at Icknield Community College. This year the arrangements have changed and Year 5 pupils will have a whole day visit to ICC on Friday 28th November.
Further details will be made available from ICC after half term and this information will be circulated when we receive it. We understand that pupils will be travelling (free of charge) between Stadhampton and ICC on the current school bus, accompanied by a member of staff from Stadhampton School. The pickup/drop off point is on the green at the entrance to School Lane and pick up time is 08.00am. Pupils will be expected to wear Stadhampton School uniform and take a packed lunch and their P.E. kit.


PTA NEWS:
AGM - thank you to everyone who attended our AGM on Tuesday evening. The committee reappointed Georgina Wiggins (chair), Melanie Gravett (secretary) and Charlotte Hector (treasurer). We have had a great fundraising year and details of funds raised and the items on which these funds were spent will be circulated to parents after half term.

Disco Night - Saturday 15th November, 8pm until midnight - the PTA are extremely excited to be hosting this event - a chance for all of us to let our hair down and have some fun! A night of 70/80/90/00 club classics, fancy dress optional, but high heels (not stilettoes as this will damage the hall floor) and big hair is essential, with a fantastic DJ, fully licensed bar, nibbles and prizes for best dressed. We are hoping for a fantastic fun filled evening. This is an-open-to-everyone event, so please invite your friends and family members over the age of 18. Tickets are limited and are on sale from Georgina Wiggins, priced at £5 each.

Winter Fair - Friday 28th November 6-8pm - each week we will be asking for different donations so we can avoid a rush for everyone nearer the time.

WINTER FAIR COUNTDOWN 5 WEEKS! THIS WEEK' S WANTED DONATIONS ARE EMPTY JAM JARS, TINS AND GOOD CONDITION TOYS!
(PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL NOT BE A WHITE ELEPHANT STALL THIS YEAR, SO PLEASE ONLY DONATE THOSE ITEMS REQUESTED).

We are looking for volunteers to help out at the Winter Fair so please see a PTA member if you are able to help.

Christmas Cards - As in previous years, the PTA has registered with Cauliflower Cards so that parents will have the opportunity to buy Christmas cards printed using artwork created by their children. We are hoping the children will be able to start their artwork this week at school and have the chance to add to it or finish it off during half term. Please look out for your child¹s artwork and forms in book bags! Orders and payments should be returned to school by Monday 10th November at the latest.
Thank you.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 11th November at The Crown 8pm.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Emily Drake, the lucky winner of last week’s cakes, kindly donated by Mrs Manzie. A reminder to Anna Harries that she is on the rota for 14 November.

DIARY DATES:
31 October 2014 Halloween event in Church from 2-5pm. £3. Tickets available from Sue Bowerman.
3 November 2014 Pupils and staff return to school for the start of Term 2
12 November 2014 Mobile Library
17 November 2014 & 19 November Parents’ Consultation Evening from 4-7pm on 17 November and 4-6pm on 19 November
Tuesday 9 December KS2 Christmas Play performances at 1.45pm & 6.30pm
Wednesday 10 December KS1 & FS Christmas Play performance at 2.15pm
Mobile Library
Monday 22 December & Tuesday 23 December Two day Christmas Sports Course at Stadhampton School led by Michael Hopkins and supported by Jordan Piper. Please see attached flyer for details.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Everyone one at Little Bears hopes you have a restful half term break. We return on Monday 3rd November to the topic ‘Light and Dark’ and look forward to celebrating bonfire night and Diwali.
Please come along to our cake sale on Friday from 3.15pm on the patio.