Newsletter for week ending 20 March 2015

Tuesday 10th March
Many parents will be aware that on Tuesday 10th March a situation arose in the school car park which required the Police to be called. This is a highly unusual occurrence and we would like to take this opportunity to reassure parents and carers that no pupil on our current school roll was involved and no-one was harmed. The situation was resolved and the children were reassured of this the following day.

Thames Valley Police Visit
Coincidentally, as part of a new initiative by Thames Valley Police, a Community Police Officer will be in school in uniform and will be outside with pupils during their lunchbreak on Friday 27th March. This will provide an opportunity for pupils to say “hello” and chat informally with him if they wish to do so. The purpose of his visit will be explained to the children beforehand.

Work Viewing Evening on Monday 23rd March
A final reminder that there is an opportunity to see your child’s /children’s work between 3.15 and 6pm on Monday 23rd March. Teachers will be in their classrooms from 3.30 to 6pm for a brief informal discussion if required. Appointments are not made for this evening.
Mid-Year Summary Reports for each pupil were sent home on Tuesday 17 March.

Message from the Governing Body:

Parent Forum
We would like to thank the parents who attended the Parent Forum on Tuesday evening. There were 8 parents in attendance. The Governing Body presented on its role and the status and aspiration of the school and an energetic Q & A followed for well over 2 hours.

Initial feedback on the night was that it was a useful forum both to understand more about the Governing Body, the school’s priorities and the budget challenges that we face, but also to share feedback and observations from a parent’s viewpoint.

There were a few follow ups that came out of the meeting, and we will take these to the next Governors’ meeting to discuss and, where possible, action.

We recognise that often due to childcare arrangements that only one parent would be able to attend, and therefore should there be the demand for a second meeting we would be happy to organise this for early in the summer term. Please can you email the office if you are interested in attending and we will look to arrange another date.

Thank you again to the parents and governors who attended the meeting for your continued support.
Regards
Jason Hector and Paul Gravett

Little Bears Ofsted
Congratulations to all staff at Little Bears who secured a ‘good’ judgement at their recent Ofsted inspection. Well done to everyone at Little Bears!


Cycle Safety Training
Please could any Year 6 pupils who would like to participate in the Cycle Safety Training and who have not yet put their name down, let Mrs Hopkins know as soon as possible.

Class 3 Swimming at Berinsfield on Monday 23rd March
A final reminder that Mrs Boddy, the lead swimming coach at Berinsfield, has requested that all pupils in Class 3 bring a pair of old pyjamas (or a T-shirt, leggings or thin tracksuit trousers) to swimming on Monday 23rd March as part of their personal lifesaving/rescue activities. Pupils will still need to bring their usual swimming kit. Old, thin pyjamas are best as they don’t absorb too much water – fleece style pyjamas or onesies are not suitable. Thank you.

Compton Verney Visit
Report by Georgia:
“On Tuesday 17th March, Classes 2 and 3 had an exciting trip to Compton Verney. Class 3 attended a workshop learning how to create mysterious landscapes. The focus was on exploring composition, perspective, mood and atmosphere in paintings. We spent time analysising a painting of Mount Vesuvius. We had a sensational time exploring the gardens and learning about why ‘Kern Baby’ was built and why she was placed in the gardens. Please feel free to look at our masterpieces which are displayed on Class 3’s wall!”

Report by Ella and Hannah:
“On Tuesday 17th March, Class 2 travelled to Compton Verney, Art Gallery in Warwickshire. Class 2 really enjoyed the trip and answered all the questions enthusiastically. First we went to look in the folk art galleries and observed all the cabinets and pictures carefully. Everyone enjoyed the pattern game in the Enid Marx and Margaret Lambert gallery.

All of us particularly enjoyed the cleverly worked out stencil printing. We drew a simple outline of a shape that we saw and cut it out carefully from the nearest point. We cut a piece of tape and stuck it on the snip in the border. We then placed it on a piece of A3 paper and got a sponge and paint and dabbed it on the stencil. We did this process in pairs and created a wonderful pattern.

Screen painting was interesting because you never knew that a wooden frame could do so much with all the colours blending. It was fun, amazing and very, very group-involved. Everyone’s ideas were brought into one big piece of art.”

Collection for Red Nose Day
We are pleased to let you know that we raised £26 from the Funny Photographs competition, £19 from Little Bears and £97 from the pupil and staff collection on Red Nose Day, a grand total of £142. Thank you all.

PTA NEWS:
We will be holding the Easter Egg Raffle on Wednesday 25th March at 3.15pm. We have lots of yummy Easter eggs to win. Raffle tickets will be on sale from Monday drop off from Claire Cowlard until Thursday drop off. It will be 20p a ticket or £1 a strip with a maximum of 1 strip per child, this means it is fairer and more children have a chance of winning. We still need donations of eggs please, the bigger the better!

Fish and chip supper and disco night on Saturday 21st March in The Crown at 7.30pm. Tickets will be available on the night but won't include food. It is a great opportunity to have a giggle and raise some money, so please support.

Our next meeting is Tuesday 14th April 8pm at The Crown,

Thank you for your continued support of the PTA


Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Myles Dobson, the lucky winner of last week's cake, kindly donated by Mrs Bradford. A reminder to Mrs Marshall that she is on the rota for 27th March.
We still have 6 gaps for cake donators between 12th June and 17th July. Please see Rowena if you can help.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 23 March Work Viewing Evening 3.15-6pm
Friday 27 March End of term assembly. Everyone welcome to attend.
School finishes at 1.30pm for the Easter break
Monday 13 April Pupils return to school for the start of Term 5
Vision screening for Reception pupils

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Next week the Little Bears will be getting ready for Easter enjoying lots of Easter crafts and finishing with a Easter egg hunt and bonnet parade which will be judged by Reception pupils. All bonnets are to be made at home and brought to Little Bears on Friday ready for the parade.
Little Bears are also invited to assembly on Friday so the doors will open slightly earlier to allow us to get over to the hall on time.
On Thursday 26th March - Little Bears will be having a Easter cake sale between 12 and 3pm. All donations of cakes will be greatly received. Thank you.

Community News
Michael Hopkins will be leading an 3-day Easter Sports Course at Stadhampton School on Monday 30 March, Tuesday 31 March & Wednesday 1 April. The course runs from 9-3pm each day and is open to all pupils (not necessarily just Stadhampton School) aged 4-11. The cost is £10 per day and bookings can be made directly by e-mailing m.hopkins07@hotmail.com or via Mrs Hopkins in the school office. These sports courses are very popular and early booking is advised.

MAKING IT BETTER FOR BOYS…
What makes them tick? by Ali McClure
AUTHOR OF MAKING IT BETTER FOR BOYS’
Wednesday 22nd April 2015 6.00 TO 8.30 PM BENSON NURSERY SCHOOL

Little Masters Art Club flyer attached for an art day on Wednesday 8th April at the Pine Lodge, Little Milton