Newsletter for week ending 22 April 2016

 

Mrs Vivien Freeman

We were very sorry to hear the sad news that Mrs Vivien (Viv) Freeman passed away earlier this week. Viv and Richard’s children are former pupils of Stadhampton School and Richard was Chair of Governors for a number of years. In the last two years Viv became a regular volunteer in Class 2 and staff and pupils greatly valued her quiet, friendly and unassuming support. We shall miss her and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

 

 

Parents & Community Forum – 26^th April at 7pm

The school has changed significantly over the past 5 years, numbers have almost doubled and yet we still occupy the same space, with the same number of teachers; the curriculum has changed, the method of assessment has changed, the LA is in demise and the spectre of academy status is now firmly on our agenda.

 

We would therefore encourage as many parents as possible to attend the Parents Forum, held by the Governing Body on 26^th April, to hear what actions the school will be taking in response to the feedback, learn more about the school, what the Governing Body do and more importantly seek your views on academy status and the long term vision of the school. The main focus of the evening will be to seek views so that the Governing Body can create a vision that ensures our step towards academy status reflects the majority views of parents, as well as delivering a happy and caring environment in which the children can thrive. Please do come along if you can.

 

Tests for Pupils

End of KS1 Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) for Year 2 pupils will take place throughout May. End of KS2 SATs for Year 6 pupils follow a set national timetable and take place during the week beginning 9th May. Pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 also have assessment tests in May. We politely request that routine dentist or doctor appointments are not made during this time. Thank you.

 

Rocket Science Experiment

We received our ‘Rocket Science’ seeds by special delivery on Monday (Royal Mail rather than anything more exotic!) and the seeds are now safely planted in their designated seed trays. All pupils planted two seeds, one that was from the batch that had been in space and one that hadn’t. It is part of the experiment that we don’t know which batch was the one that had been in space; one of our tasks is to see if we can come to our own conclusion at the end of the experiment. All will be revealed to us by Tim Peake himself before the summer holidays.

 

The rocket seeds were, as one of the children commented, “miniscule” and I was both delighted and impressed with the approach of the children – every child took enormous care when planting their seeds and not a single seed was dropped! The seeds now need to be watered and observed over the duration of the experiment (35 days) and with key measurements made at specific stages. All pupils will continue to be involved and will keep you updated with our observations! For further information visit: https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/home

Swimming Contributions

A reminder that it is most helpful if parents are willing to contribute £2 per child per swimming session towards the transport costs. This term (for Class 2 pupils) the cost is 6 weeks@£2 per week = £12. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please. Thank you to those families who have already contributed to the cost of this term’s swimming.

 

Forest School Event

Due to unforeseen circumstances the school has agreed to change the date of the Supper Night to Friday 10^th June.

 

UNICEF Day for Change

A reminder that on Wednesday 27^th April, we will be collecting coins to support UNICEF. Please start collecting any loose change and bring it in on the 27^th April, as it will be going towards this very worthwhile cause. Thank you.

 

Cycle Safety Training

The following pupils have secured a place on the cycle safety training sessions detailed below: Megan G, James L, Georgia D, Charlie B, Zara H, Leo B, Max J, Tia K, Charlie A and Megan H. The course is now full.

The training sessions will take place on 6^th May, 13^th May, 20^th May, 27^th May, 10th June, 17^th June (written test) and the practical test will be on the afternoon of 24^th June. Please remember to bring your cycle and safety helmet to school.

 

PTA NEWS

Clean up weekend- this Saturday and Sunday from 10am- if you are able to spare a few hours to help us improve the swimming pool area and others areas of the school then please speak to a committee member. We are hoping for lots of support. If you are able to make cakes to help feed our workforce then please speak to Georgina Wiggins.

 

Clothes recycling- Tuesday 10th May 9am- recycling bags have been handed out for you to start filling; please feel free to use normal black sacks. Acceptable items are clothes, good condition toys, shoes, bags, hats. The school receives money from the total weight of our school donation. Bags need to be dropped outside the school office by 9am on the 10^th May.

 

Family quiz- Friday 20th May from 6pm- we are pleased to be hosting another family quiz, this really is one for all the family, tickets will be available from Georgina Wiggins from Monday, priced at £10 for a family of 6 which includes nibbles. Pizza and hot dogs will be available to buy and we will also have a fully stocked bar.  We hope that will be a great night for all the family.

 

Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday 10th May 8pm at The Crown. Everyone is welcome!

 

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Lorenzo Elliott, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Mrs Jones.  A reminder to Mrs Bradley that she is on the rota for 29th April.  We have 5 gaps in the rota left.  Please let Rowena know if you can fill one of them – dates are:  20th May, 27th May, 10th June, 24th June and 1st July.  Thank you.

 

 

DIARY DATES:
Saturday 23 April & Sunday 24 April	PTA Working Party in school
Monday 25 April	Governing Body meeting at 7pm
Tuesday 26 April	Parents’ Forum at 7pm in the School Hall
Wednesday 27 April	UNICEF Day for Change 2016
Monday 2 May	Bank Holiday
Friday 10 June (rearranged date)	Forest School fundraising supper event at the Church – please see Mrs Hopkins to book.

 

 

 

 

Community News

SAVE THE DATE -  Queen's 90th Birthday - Saturday 18 June 2016 

Stadhampton will be holding a village tea party to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday on Saturday 18 June, from 2pm onwards. 

Everyone is invited - bring family and friends and your picnic hampers.  We're reinstating the village brook race plus there'll be lots of other activities for all the family; fun races, arts & crafts, food and drink stalls, music & dancing and lots more. We'll update you over the new few weeks but for now please make a note in your diaries.