Newsletter for week ending 28 November 2014

Annual Questionnaire for Parents/Carers from the Governing Body
Thank you to those families who have already completed and returned the Annual Questionnaire from the Governing Body. We hope that as many families as possible will take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and return it to school by the deadline of Friday 5th December. Thank you.

Staff Appointments
Following interviews this week, we are very pleased to announce that Mrs Lucy Ellis and Mrs Sarah Singleton will be joining our staff team in January, as new part-time teaching assistants.

School Vision Screening for Foundation Stage Pupils
Letters were sent home earlier this week to families of Reception pupils from the Oxfordshire Orthoptic Service to let them know about a routine screening eye test which was scheduled to take place at school on Friday 12th December 2014. Since the letters were distributed, we have received notification that this will now take place on a different day. We hope to receive confirmation of the new date shortly and apologise for any confusion.

Christmas Productions
A reminder that tickets for all performances of the school plays are now on sale from the school office. The netball court will be opened up to provide additional parking for the evening performance on Tuesday 9th December.

Activities/events for week commencing Monday 15 December

Thursday 18 December at 12 noon


Whole-school Christmas lunch

(Payment for the Christmas Lunch may be made at any time before the 18 December)


With crackers and napkins. Cost is £2.10. Children will make their place mat in the morning and be served by staff. We hope that all children will have a school meal instead of a packed lunch please! The Christmas lunch menu is:
Cranberry Roasted Turkey or Creamy Vegetable Kiev served with a chipolata or vegetarian sausage and a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, glazed carrots, brussel sprouts and peas with vegetarian gravy. Dessert is Santa Claus Ice Cream and a cherry shortbread biscuit.
Christmas Disco to raise funds for the continuance of Forest Schools from 6pm to 7.30pm Mr & Mrs Bowerman & Mrs Hopkins Tickets are now on sale for £3 each which includes snacks and drinks. Raffle tickets are also on sale in advance or on the door, to win prizes which will be drawn at the event, priced at 50p each.

Knitted Nativity Characters travelling round the village
If anyone is interested in having the knitted nativity scene visit their home for a night during December please email Sara Wright direct with your details. You do not have to be religious to have them, its just a Christmas tradition for villagers. They start on the 1st December and end up at the 5pm Christmas Eve service in the Church. If interested please email sarawright300@btinternet.com before 1st December. Thank you.

PTA NEWS:
Winter Fair - THIS FRIDAY - 6-8pm in the school hall - there will be a lucky dip, jingle jars, chocolate and toy tombolas, nail painting, tattoos, games, crafts, books, refreshments, cakes and......Father Christmas! All profits go to the PTA, so please come along and show your support. The netball court will be opened up to provide additional parking for the Winter Fair. Please show consideration to the residents of Cratlands Close when parking this evening by not obstructing access to their properties. Thank you.

We still need volunteers for the night and for helping to clear up afterwards, so please see Sue Bowerman or Anna Harries if you are able to help.

Wreath Evening - Tuesday 16th December - 7.30pm in the school hall - only a few spaces are left for this event, so please see a committee member if you would like to come along.

We are on Facebook so for up to date info and reminders; please search for Stadhampton Primary School PTA group. It is a closed group but we will add you if you send a request. It's a great way to keep up to speed with everything that's going on.

Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday 13th January, 8pm, The Crown.

Thank you for your continued support of the PTA.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Phoebe Hindmarch, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs Freeman. A reminder to Mrs Hutchence that she is on the rota for Friday 5 December.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 9 December KS2 Christmas Play performances at 1.45pm & 6.30pm – tickets now on sale with profits going to MacMillan Cancer Support
Wednesday 10 December KS1 & FS Christmas Play performance at 2.15pm – tickets now on sale with profits going to MacMillan Cancer Support
Mobile Library
Tuesday 16 December Nativity Performance at St John’s Church from 2pm (2.15pm start). Everyone is welcome to join us for this special service.
PTA Wreath Making Evening. Tickets £15 each.
Wednesday 17 December School Christmas Party at 1.30pm. School/packed lunch required as normal. School & PTA will supply party food, drink & prizes. Children may bring party clothes to change into after lunch if they wish.
Thursday 18 December Forest School disco – 6.00-7.30pm. Tickets on sale now as well as raffle tickets @50p each
Friday 19 December End of term assembly. Everyone is welcome to join us for this.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
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.
Monday 5 January INSET Day – teaching staff and Mrs Hopkins only
Tuesday 6 January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3


LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
The Little Bears team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped and donated towards our Gruffalo Winter Walk.
We are starting to get ready for our Christmas play with lots of practice this week. We will also continue to explore our topic of light and dark and will be investigating colours and colour mixing.

Community News:
Natural Christmas at the Earth Trust on Sunday 7th December, 10am-2pm
Re-use, recycle, make and bake this Christmas! Pop along to the Earth Trust Centre (OX14 4QZ) on Sunday 7th December and learn how to make traditional, natural decorations. We’ve got a range of activities to suit all ages, including: popcorn garlands (£1), willow and wool starts (£1), stick Christmas tree table decorations (£1), log reindeers (£5), and festive wreaths (£12). There’ll be stalls selling local gifts, a present hunt, guided walk and the opportunity to meet Father Christmas; plus Poem Tree Cafe will open for light refreshments. Earth Trust Christmas Trees will also be on sale. Free entry and parking; activities start at £1. There is more information about this and other events on our website: www.earthtrust.org.uk.

Discover and Play: Forest School for All on Sunday 4th January, 10am-12pm
Drop in for a FREE morning of Forest School fun with the Earth Trust (OX14 4QZ)! Forest School offers hands-on learning in a natural environment, so come and enjoy playing and discovering in our woodland. Free thanks to funding from Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment. No need to book. There is more information about this and other events on our website: www.earthtrust.org.uk.

Reading of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – family event at The Story Museum on Sunday 30th November
Hear C.S. Lewis’s classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe read aloud for free in one day. There will be breaks for refreshments, and themed food will be available. Please see http://www.storymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/?date=11/30/2014 for further information.