Newsletter for week ending 29th January 2016

Message from the Governing Body - Parent Feedback
The Governing Body and teaching staff at Stadhampton Primary School are proud of the school’s achievements in providing a safe and friendly environment within which pupils can grow and develop. In order to ensure that we continue to provide the high standards of teaching and support to pupils we would be grateful if you would complete a short questionnaire. The questionnaire is aligned to the questions asked by Ofsted and we are keen to ensure, as parents, you are able to give your feedback.

At the recent Governors meeting, following the success of the previous event, we agreed to hold another Parent Forum which will be on Tuesday 26th April at 7pm. All parents are welcome to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to help parents understand the school’s priorities, the financial situation including constraints, and gather ideas on its vision and future plans. The role of the Governing body is strategic, not tactical, therefore any day to day issues or ideas are best fed back to the school direct via the teaching staff.

Stadhampton School on Radio Oxford
In case you missed Mrs Turner, Megan and Tillie talking live on Radio Oxford on Monday morning about our involvement in the Radio Oxford Sox Appeal, here is the link to be able to listen to it again:
Link below with time codes. Available to listen again for 29 days.
http://bbc.in/23q1MuQ
Time code: 1:24:37 - general info about Sox Appeal
Time code: 1:47:07 - interview with Megan, Tillie & Mrs Turner
“On Monday 25th January we, Megan and Tillie, were invited to speak on Radio Oxford about our socks display. We were very excited but a bit nervous. We had to get up at 6:30 and be in school at 7:30 (very early!)
We went with Mrs Turner and we got to the radio station at 8:30. The studio was smaller than we expected. We met Howard the presenter for the show. The experience was amazing, we will never forget it!”

Driving and Parking in Cratlands Close
A member of the community has contacted the school to express their concerns about the speed at which some cars are driven down Cratlands Close. The safety of children is of paramount importance to us all. We respectfully remind parents and carers to exercise particular caution regarding driving speed when they are in close proximity to the school.
A comment was also made about parking which obstructs residents’ access to and from their driveways and creates obstructions to the pavement which prevent access for people walking with pushchairs or in a wheelchair. Please could parents and carers show consideration to others when they park in close proximity to the school. Thank you.

Easter Holiday Sports Course at Stadhampton School
Michael Hopkins, a qualified PE teacher, will be leading an Easter Sports Course on Wednesday 30th March, Thursday 31st March and Friday 1st April at Stadhampton Primary School. 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 for the day and bookings can be made directly by e-mailing m.hopkins07@hotmail.com or via Mrs Hopkins in the school office. Early booking is advised as the Christmas Sports Course was very popular!

Vision Checks
A reminder from our school health nurse that all children are entitled to a free eye test at any opticians.

PTA News
Harry Potter Night- Thursday 4th February
The PTA would like to invite your child/children to join in the Harry Potter night which is being celebrated around the world. We will be putting activity sheets and pictures to colour in book-bags on Thursday 4th to complete over the weekend and will be giving out prizes for each year group.

Included in the activity sheets are pictures to illustrate but if your child wishes to be creative and do their own picture then that's fine.

Valentine Disco-Saturday 13th February
Come and join us at The Crown in Stadhampton from 7.30pm there will be a Cocktail bar serving all your favourite cocktails, DJ playing lots of great music, Photo booth where you can take lots of silly photos
Free entry!
Please come and support this night which promises to be a fun filled evening

We are looking for donations of alcohol for the raffle we are doing on the evening. Please give whatever you can to a committee member.

Thank you for your support of the PTA.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Zachary Holmes, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs Hutchence. A reminder to Mrs Cove that she is on the rota for 5 February.

DIARY DATES:
Thursday 4 February Year 1 Forest School
Tuesday 9 February Class 2 visit to Highclere Castle
Thursday 11 February Year 1 Forest School
Friday 12 February Annual Jian-Zi tournament
Break up for February Holiday at 3.15pm
Monday 22 February Start of Term 4 for pupils and staff
Class 3 Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield
Thursday 25 February Year 2 Forest School

Newsletter for week ending 22nd January 2016

Emergency School Closures
If the weather is particularly bad or there are power cuts in the village and the decision is made to close the school closures are announced during the breakfast shows on BBC Radio Oxford (95.2 FM), Heart FM (102.6 or 97.4 FM), Glide (107.9 FM), Banbury Sound (107.6 FM) and Jack FM (106.8 FM).
Parents are advised to tune into these local radio stations and also check their websites if there is a possibility that the school could be closed. We will also do our best to put a message onto the school website if there is power!

Class 3 Athletics Tournament – Report by Georgia
“On Friday 15th January, Class 3 went to Icknield Community College for an Athletics tournament. Five schools took part, Chalgrove, Stadhampton, Nettlebed, R.A.F. Benson and Ewelme. Everyone took part in one race and other activities including under/over, chest push and standing long jump. Before we knew it the competition was over and we found out who had come in which place! No-one really lost, but in 5th place was R.A.F. Benson, in 4th was Ewelme, coming in 3rd was Stadhampton, in 2nd was Nettlebed and Chalgrove came 1st. Although we didn’t win, we all tried our hardest and felt like winners! We had a wonderful morning.”

Sleeping Sense Workshops on Tuesday 19th January
On Tuesday we had the most amazing day with world recognised musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and world renowned scientists from Oxford University entertaining us and working with us. How did we manage to attract such prestigious professionals to Stadhampton School? Through our links with the County Music Service we were selected as one of only three schools in Oxfordshire to take part in a joint Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Oxford University music and science project entitled “Sleeping Sense”.
The project essentially involves pupils in Years 3 to 6 but we will involve our younger pupils whenever appropriate and did so on Tuesday. The whole school was treated to several pieces of music played by four members of the orchestra. It was one of those incredible occasions when all pupils were enthralled and the musicians commented on what a fantastic audience the children were. The project involves our pupils developing their own compositions in the style of Henry Purcell (who composed the music to The Fairy Queen, an opera based on Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’) and participating in scientific research into sleep patterns in children aged 7-11 to help better understand the impact of sleep on children’s everyday activities.
The following piece of writing is from a pupil’s perspective:

Report by Leo: “On Tuesday 18th January four scientists from Oxford University and four musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment came to Stadhampton Primary School as we are involved in a ‘Sleeping Sense’ project alongside two other primary schools. At the beginning of the day the whole school listened to the musicians play music and all the children found the music mesmerising.
Later on, Classes 2 & 3 listened to a talk by Professor Russell Foster, one of the scientists, about biology and our bodies. We were also allowed to hold a rubber replica of a brain! Another scientist, Katarina told us about the neurons in our brain and what our brains were made of.
Later on in the day some of the scientists told us about our sleep and how important it is. We were given ‘Sleep diaries’ to record our sleep patterns which we will use in due course. We have to estimate how long it takes us to fall asleep and write about any dreams.
The scientists also told us that Years 5 and 6 will be given a watch that we will have to wear for a week, to record our sleep and activity patterns.
After lunch we had to compose a musical ‘chaconne’ about sleep with musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment which we will perform with the other schools at the Sheldonian Theatre in the summer term. We are all very excited about being involved in this project.”

Radio Oxford
If you happen to listen to Radio Oxford you may hear some familiar voices talking about our Radio Oxford Socks Appeal and our sock design display! The scheduled air time is around 8.30am on Monday 25th January.

Catering Vacancy to assist Mrs Sheridan
As school lunch numbers have increased and in order to speed up the serving process Carillion, who provide our catering service, have kindly agreed to fund support for Mrs Sheridan in helping to prepare the school hall for lunch, help serve the lunch and clean up the dining area afterwards:

General Catering Assistant
Hours, 10 per week, term time only
Hourly rate- £6.79
Duties to include- Helping to serve Lunch, cleaning of catering and dining areas etc.
No experience needed as training given.
Please apply by filling out an application form (available from the school office) or online.

Easter Holiday Sports Course at Stadhampton School
Michael Hopkins, a qualified PE teacher, will be leading an Easter Sports Course on Wednesday 30th March, Thursday 31st March and Friday 1st April at Stadhampton Primary School. 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 for the day and bookings can be made directly by e-mailing m.hopkins07@hotmail.com or via Mrs Hopkins in the school office. Early booking is advised as the Christmas Sports Course was very popular!

PTA News
Harry Potter Night- Thursday 4th February
The PTA would like to invite your child/children to join in the Harry Potter night which is being celebrated around the world. We will be putting activity sheets and pictures to colour in book-bags on Thursday 4th to complete over the weekend and will be giving out prizes for each year group.

Valentine Disco-Saturday 13th February
Come and join us at The Crown in Stadhampton from 7.30pm there will be a Cocktail bar serving all your favourite cocktails; DJ playing lots of great music; photo booth where you can take lots of silly photos.
Free entry!
Please come and support this night which promises to be a fun filled evening.

We are looking for donations of alcohol for the raffle we are doing on the evening. Please give whatever you can to a committee member. Thank you for your support of the PTA.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Nat Watkins, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs White. A reminder to Mrs Ellis that she is on the rota on 29th January. We still have spaces left on the rota that need filling, so if you would like to donate a cake please see Rowena Dobson. Available dates are 17 March, and all Fridays between 15th April and 8th July.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 26 January Reception & Year 6 pupils NCMP with the school nurse
Wednesday 27 January Mobile Library visit
Thursday 28 January Year 3 Forest School
Thursday 4 February Year 1 Forest School



Community News
• Flyer attached about Oasis (Oxfordshire Autistic Society Information and Support) Coffee and Chat dates.

Newsletter for week ending 15th January 2016

Class Curriculum Overviews – ‘Jigsaws’
The new format of termly curriculum overviews for Terms 3 and 4, which comprises a coloured ‘jig-saw’, with each coloured ‘piece’ representing a subject area, have now been completed and uploaded to the school website under the ‘Classes’ section. Please also have a look at page 2 which provides additional important curriculum information.

Forest School
As you know, we now have waterproof suits available for all children to wear when they attend Forest School. As the weather is now getting colder, please could all children also have sufficient layers of warm clothing to wear under the waterproofs, as well as thick socks, wellies, hats, scarves and most importantly, GLOVES. Thank you.
Diary Dates (below) provide a reminder for which KS1 and KS2 year-groups are taking part in Forest School sessions over the next few weeks. The dates are also on the school website. Foundation Stage pupils have Forest School sessions every Tuesday afternoon.

Swimming Contributions
Thank you to the parents who have already kindly paid a ‘voluntary contribution’ towards the cost of the swimming transport to Berinsfield for this term. Any further contributions for pupils in Class 2 would be most welcome (5 visits starting on Monday 11th January @£2 per visit. Cheques for swimming contributions to be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please). Thank you.

PE Kit for Monday afternoons
Please could the KS2 class not swimming on a Monday afternoon ensure that they have PE kit in school instead. This term Class 2 are swimming so Class 3 will need their PE kit. Thank you.

After School Clubs in Term 3
All after school clubs are now full for this term. Thank you.

Sleeping Sense Project
During the Spring and Summer term our school, along with only two other primary schools in Oxfordshire, will be involved in a music and science project called ‘Sleeping Sense,’ working with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and scientists from the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at Oxford University. It is, essentially, a Key Stage 2 project involving all pupils in Classes 2 and 3. They will be involved in workshops in school, exploring sleep patterns and reaction times as well as creating musical compositions inspired by circadian rhythms. The project will culminate in a presentation at the Sheldonian Theatre on June 9th 2016 – further details to follow.
The first set of workshops will take place here on Tuesday 19th January. I have also arranged for the musicians from the orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to play some music for the whole school so that all pupils can experience live music played by talented and professional musicians – we’re looking forward to it!
School Council Spring Term 2016
The following children have been appointed to the School Council this term:-
Y6 – Phoebe Hindmarch & James Lowman
Y5 – Ellie Walker & Miles Dobson
Y4 – Jemima O’Brien & Gene Green
Y3 – Olivia Kenny & Joshua Hursey
Y2 – Bella Jones & Ollie Eaton
Congratulations to all and we look forward to working with you this term.

Catering Vacancy to assist Mrs Sheridan
As school lunch numbers have increased and in order to speed up the serving process, Carillion have kindly agreed to fund support for Mrs Sheridan in helping to prepare the school hall for lunch, help serve the lunch and clean up the dining area afterwards:

General Catering Assistant
Hours, 10 per week, term time only
Hourly rate- £6.79
Duties to include- Helping to serve Lunch, cleaning of catering and dining areas etc.
No experience needed as training given.
Please apply by filling out an application form (available from the school office) or online.

Upcoming Events – Spring and Summer Terms 2016
We thought it would be helpful to provide you with a few key dates that we already have in our diary, particularly those which may impact on busy family diaries!

Friday 12 February Annual ‘Jian-Zi’ tournament to celebrate Chinese New Year
Wednesday 9 March Whole – school Science Day
Monday 21 March Work Viewing Evening 3.30 – 6pm
Thursday 24 March End of term assembly at 9.05am. School closes for pupils at 1.30pm
Monday 9 May to Friday 13 May Year 6 national SATs week and annual formal assessments for all pupils in Years 2 -5. Please avoid out of school routine medical appointments etc
Thursday 9 June Sleeping Sense presentation in the afternoon and/or evening at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford (further details to follow)
Friday 1 July Sports evening – this is one week earlier than usual
Friday 15 July Last day of the School Year

PTA News
Thank you to everyone who attended our PTA meeting on Tuesday night, - we have lots of exciting fundraisers coming up!

Summer Fete- we are hoping to have a summer fete in June and are hoping to make it a great occasion and intend to invite local dance groups, choirs, bands etc to come along and perform on the afternoon. If your child or yourselves are involved in any of the above and would like to get involved then please speak to a committee member. Thank you.

Dates for your diaries
Harry Potter night- Thursday 4th February ( more details coming soon)
Adult Disco- Saturday 13th February (at The Crown, Stadhampton)
Earth Hour night- Saturday 19th March.
Thank you for your continued support of the PTA.
Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Cianna Browning, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs Gravett. A reminder to Mrs Hutchence that she is on the rota on 22 January.

DIARY DATES:
Thursday 21 January Year 3 Forest School
Tuesday 26 January Reception & Year 6 pupils NCMP with the school nurse
Wednesday 27 January Mobile Library visit
Thursday 28 January Year 3 Forest School
Thursday 4 February Year 1 Forest School



Community News
• Flyer from RAF Benson School about their Annual Cross Country Event taking place on Saturday 6th February. As you will see from the flyer we are required to provide RAF Benson School with a list of names of those attending (both children and adults) and their car details – make, model, registration and colour by Friday 29th January, so please let Mrs Hopkins know in plenty of time if you are planning to attend. Thank you.

"Stadhampton Youth Club would like to clarify that the kind offer made by Tony & Emma at The Crown for young people aged 14 to 18 to meet there on a Monday evening is in no way affiliated with the Youth Club. The Youth Club continue to meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the Village Hall at St John's.

If anyone has any queries regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stephen Dawson (Safeguarding Officer for Stadhampton Youth Club)
Tel - 01865 890079, Email:s.dawson78@yahoo.co.uk"

Newsletter for week ending 8th January 2016

Welcome back to everyone! On behalf of all members of staff I would like to thank you for your many festive expressions of gratitude. We were very appreciative and moved by the thoughtful generosity of families. Such expressions of generosity and sharing are a reflection of the ‘extended family’ which many visitors commend the school for. Thank you again. We all wish you a Happy New Year!

Happy JANUARY Birthday to: Elizabeth Bowerman, Thomas Cove, Myles Dobson, Oliver Eaton, Anna Fegyveres-Nagy, Peter Fegyveres-Nagy, Megan Green, Aisulu Goddard, Isabella Kenny, Tia Khan, Leo Thornhill, Benjamin West, Thomas West and Honor White.

During JANUARY we are focusing on the core value of HAPPINESS

Department for International Development Competition Winner!
During 2015 we took part in a Global Learning Programme initiative, part-sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID). In December we were invited to enter DFID’s Christmas Card competition expressing Friendship around the world - the top three winning designs being made into electronic Christmas cards to be sent around the world by DFID ministers and officials. We, of course, responded positively to this invitation and the outcome was that one of our pupils created one of the winning designs! Many congratulations to Olivia Kenny who was one of the three winners! Olivia has a certificate from the Department for International Development in recognition of her achievement and a personal letter of congratulation from Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for International Development. Olivia’s design depicted people holding hands around the world and was turned into an official DFID electronic Christmas card. Well done Olivia!

Radio Oxford Socks Appeal
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our collection for the Radio Oxford Socks Appeal, an appeal for pairs of unused socks to be distributed at Christmas to the homeless people of Oxfordshire. Our box of socks was overflowing! The socks were safely delivered to the Radio Oxford office and we have received a telephone call thanking us. The socks we collected were of such variety in colour and design that we were inspired to have a display of sock designs created by all of our pupils. The colourful and intriguing display is in the hall – please come and look at it!

Forest School Sessions
A reminder that the dates for Forest School sessions for Terms 3 and 4 are on the school website for parents to refer to (Parents/Forest Schools).

Weighing and Measuring of Reception and Year 6 Pupils
A reminder that families of pupils in Reception and Year 6 received a letter via book bags (in an envelope) about the National Childhood Measuring Programme (NCMP) at the end of last term. The school nurse will be in school on Tuesday 26th January to do what is required. If you have any concerns please contact Denise Manger on 07887 774207 from the School Health Team directly.

ELLI Project
The Elli Project has started and has been received with both interest and engagement from all pupils. The next character we plan to introduce is ‘Plan Ahead Owl’ who will make an appearance on Monday 11th January. Do ask your child(ren) about what Owl wanted to plan and how he managed to overcome all obstacles!

Swimming Contributions
Thank you to the parents who have already kindly paid a ‘voluntary contribution’ towards the cost of the swimming transport to Berinsfield for this term. Any further contributions for pupils in Class 2 would be most welcome (5 visits starting on Monday 11th January @£2 per visit. Cheques for swimming contributions to be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please). Thank you.

Multisports on Thursday 24 March 2016
We have realised that we break up at 1.30pm for Easter on Thursday 24 March, so there will be no after school club on that day. Refunds of £2 are available from the school office for those families who have already paid for the club on that day. Apologies for any inconvenience.

PTA News
Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday 12th January 8pm at The Crown. New members always welcome! We will be discussing all the events planned for this year, so please come along if you can.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Thomas Eaton, the lucky winner of the last before Christmas, kindly donated by Mrs Burnell. A reminder to Mrs White that she is on the rota on 15 January.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 11 January Swimming begins for Class 2 pupils
Tuesday 12 January EYFS Forest School sessions start
Thursday 14 January Year 4 Forest School
Friday 15 January Guitar lessons begin again for participating pupils
Thursday 21 January Year 3 Forest School
Tuesday 26 January Reception & Year 6 pupils NCMP with the school nurse
Wednesday 27 January Mobile Library visit
Thursday 28 January Year 3 Forest School


Community News
As you may know, a number of village groups - cricket club, fireworks committee, football club and youth club - have joined forces to raise funds to renovate the pavilion.

Before the renovation can start, we need to clear the pavilion area. A date of 17 Jan 16 has been set for this.

We'd be grateful for as many hands as possible to help please.

Do come along if you can!

Many thanks,

SCC, SFC, SFWC & SYC