Newsletter for week ending 27 May 2016

 

Dear Nicky Morgan

As many of you may be aware, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs have been a hot topic in the media in recent weeks. Following the recent end of Key Stage 2 SATs, which all our Year 6 pupils approached admirably, I felt driven to write to Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education, expressing my opinion of the tests. I also requested that the department conducts a formal review into this year’s tests, the future of SATs and primary assessment generally. I am awaiting a reply.

 

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Rehearsal 8^th June 2016

As part of our Key Stage 2 Sleeping Sense project with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) and Oxford University (see below) the OAE has asked that they rehearse in the school hall during the evening of Wednesday 8^th June. This is in preparation for our concert at the Sheldonian Theatre on Thursday 9^th June. They warmly welcome any families who would like to hear them play live, to come and join them from 7.00 to 8.00pm.

 

Sleeping Sense Project Concert at the Sheldonian Theatre on 9.6.2016

Our Key Stage 2 pupils (all those in Classes 2 and 3) have been participating in a project called “Sleeping Sense” which has been organised by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a Science Team from Oxford University. Our project culminates in a concert to be held in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford at 5.45pm on Thursday 9^th June, where we will be performing along with pupils from Bloxham School and Woodstock School. The concert is expected to finish at 6.30pm. Pupils in Classes 2 and 3 should have received a letter earlier this week with full details of the day. Families who have children in other classes are also welcome to attend and may like to know that the concert is free! All we would ask is that you let us know if you intend to go so that we can give the organisers an idea of numbers. Thank you.

 

Suzie Mullin talk

A reminder that Susie Mullin will be presenting her talk “Parenting Is An Interesting Journey” in school from 3:15 to 4:15pm on Wednesday 6^th July and a crèche will be available during that time. Further details can be found in our Newsletter for week ending 29^th April. After half term we will be sending out invitations and a reply slip to gain an idea of approximate numbers.

 

Forest School Fundraising

Please let Mrs Hopkins know if you are intending to come to the Supper Night on 10^th June at the Village Hall in the Church but haven’t bought tickets yet. We look forward to your support which will help to secure our continued Forest School provision. Thank you.

 

Events during Term 6

There are so many events happening in Term 6 that we would like to make you aware of/remind you about, that we are listing them below;

 

JUNE
Monday 6th		ELLI Project Assembly “Changing Cameleon” Class 3 swimming begins (6 sessions)
Wednesday 8th		Reception & Class 1 visit to Blenheim Palace Classes 2 & 3 Sleeping Sense Project rehearsal OAE rehearsal open to families 7-8pm
Thursday 9th		Sleeping Sense presentation and concert at the Sheldonian Theatre pm – Classes 2 & 3
Friday 10th		Queens 90th Birthday Celebration in School including Food with Thoughts celebration lunch. Classroom activities and whole school ‘tea’ whilst watching the ‘Happy Birthday Your Majesty’ event broadcast from Windsor Castle
Wednesday 15th		Classes 2 & 3 visit to Warwick Castle
Friday 17th		Classes 2 & 3 1 hour St John Ambulance 1 hour first aid e-lesson
Monday 20th		Start of our International Fortnight with a focus on Brazil – please let us know if you have any educational contacts or artefacts
Monday 27th		ELLI Project Assembly “Making Links Spider”
Tuesday 28th		Rio Olympics/Brazil drama workshop for Classes 2 & 3
Wednesday 29th		Rio Olympics/Brazil “Carnival” dance workshops – all classes
Thursday 30th		The “Big Sing” at ICC – Classes 2 & 3 singing a selection of songs from “Joseph & his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”with other partnership schools
JULY
Friday 1st		SPORTS EVENING
Tuesday 5th		Reception and Class 1 visit to Warwick Castle
Wednesday 6th		“Moving Up” Day 1
Thursday 7th		“Moving Up” Day 2
Friday 8th		“Moving Up” Day 3
Tuesday 12th		Daylight Theatre visit Stadhampton School
Friday 15th		End of Year Assembly / Last Day of School Year

 

Swimming for Class 3 Pupils

Swimming will begin for Class 3 pupils on Monday 6 June. They will have a total of 6 sessions. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to contribute £2 per swimming session towards the cost of the transport to the pool (currently £70 per journey). Cheques for swimming contrbutions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please. Thank you.

  

New School Lunch Menu

A paper copy of the new school lunch menu which begins on Monday 6^th June has been sent home this week via book bags. A copy of it has also been uploaded to the school website.

 

Change to the Lunch Menu on Friday 10 June

In celebration of the Queen’s 90^th birthday there will be a party menu instead of the normal school lunch for one day only. The school lunch on that day will consist of a selection of sandwiches (cheese, ham and tuna mayonnaise), mini sausages, cheese and tomato pizza bites, cherry tomatoes, carrot and cucumber sticks, jelly and ice cream or Victoria Sandwich or fruit pieces. This lunch may be eaten outdoors depending on the weather!

 

After School Clubs in Term 6

The after-school Multisports Club is now full. At the time of writing this newsletter, there are currently 6 places available for the after-school Dance Club.

 

Book Fair

Thank you to everyone who made purchases at the Book Fair last week. The total takings at the Book fair were £411.20, which enabled the school to receive £180 worth of books by way of commission for class libraries and the balance of £6.72 was given as a charity donation. The children are enjoying the new books.

 

Forest School Dates for Term 6

Due to some additional events being added to our already busy Summer Term we have made some changes to the dates for Forest School sessions after half term for some year groups, which we would like to make you aware of. The new dates are attached to this newsletter and can also be found on the school website for parents’ reference.

 

Swimming Pool

We recently thanked the PTA for their magnificent work in the swimming pool area. Mrs Shortman has been busy clearing the pool and surrounding area and preparing the pool for its annual Environmental Health test to ensure we meet water quality standards with the hope that the pool will be open for use sometime in June. Over the last few weeks Mrs Ellis and Mrs Turner have passed their RLSS National Rescue Award for swimming teachers and coaches which is a requirement for pupils to be able to use the pool, and, along with Mrs Manzie, are able to ensure that pool use can be continued. Many thanks to all!

 

PTA NEWS

Thank you to everyone who attended the family quiz. It was a great night full of fun for the whole family.

 

Queens’s 90th birthday celebrations- 18th June- the PTA are running a raffle stall at the village celebrations with all proceeds going towards the school. We are looking for donations from parents for hampers. Items such as:

Beer, Wine, chocolates, gift sets, bath sets (please check the used by dates)

Please place all donations in the PTA box in the school hall.

We will be putting raffle tickets into book bags, 5 strips per family, tickets are 50p each or £2 for a strip, Tickets will also be available to buy on the day and also from The Crown pub. We have already lined up lots of great prizes.

 

Sports Night Friday 1st July- we are looking for volunteers to help clean up after at sports night, please speak to a committee member if you are able to lend a hand.

We are also looking for people to help run the BBQ if you know anyone that would be interested then please speak to Georgina Wiggins.

 

Thank you for your continued support of the PTA. 

 

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Jemima O’Brien, the lucky winner of last week’s cake, kindly donated by Anna Harries.  A reminder to Roza Kozlowska that she is on the rota for 10th June, the first week back after Half Term.

 

We now have a cake for each week of the remainder of the school year, but if you would like to put your name on the rota for next year please see Rowena Dobson or Helen Payne.

 

DIARY DATES:
Monday 6 June	Start of Term 6 for staff and pupils Class 3 swimming begins
Weds 8 June	Reception and Class 1 trip
Friday 10 June (rearranged date)	Forest School fundraising supper event at the Church – please see Mrs Hopkins to book
Weds 15 June	Class 2 & Class 3 trip
Friday 1 July	Sports Evening – note earlier date than usual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Sports Course at Stadhampton School

Michael Hopkins, who is well-known to the school as a PE teacher will be leading a Summer Sports Course on Monday 8th, Tuesday 9^th and Wednesday 10^th AUGUST 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 Easter Sports Course was very popular!

 

Community News:

• Earth Trust, Little Wittenham are holding a Summer Picnic on Sunday 5^th June from 11-4pm. More details are available at www.earthtrust.org.uk –see attached flyer.
• Charity Pub Quiz at The Crown, Stadhampton on Saturday 4 June from 7pm onwards to raise funds to provide fresh running water to a school and village in Tanzania – see attached flyer.
• BOOT SALE

Bank Holiday Monday (30^th May), 8am to 1pm

On the Green at Stadhampton

£5 per car, £10 per van   Free parking and entrance for buyers