Thursday, October 20, 2016

Newsletter for week ending 20 October 2016


Newsletter for week ending 20 October 2016

 

Garden of Remembrance and Reflection

We have received a grant from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop a designated area within the school grounds as a Garden of Remembrance and Reflection. The children have been involved in providing ideas about how they would use such an area and we have been moved by their thoughtfulness and creativity. There are some components which the MoD have stipulated we include, including a mosaic of the Royal Airforce motto and a commemorative plaque, but we have had considerable freedom to develop the garden to our own design. The area we have set aside for this is the sheltered corner between the Portacabin and the hedge by the current netball court.

The area will include seating, plants and things to see, hear, smell and touch. One of the things we would like to create is an area of colourful, small cloth ‘prayer flags’- one ‘flag’ for each child and member of staff. The children will be able to select the colour of their ‘flag’ and, if they wish, they can write an appropriate message or draw a picture on it. Being a Garden of Remembrance and Reflection, the messages and drawings can be connected with a particular memory, event or person, or they can be connected to a thought, hope or wish for the future. We will be installing the ‘prayer flags’ during the week after the half term holiday so that they are in place for Remembrance Day on 11th November. This timing also provides families with an opportunity to talk about the concept if you wish to. No child will be made to draw or write anything.

 

Visit by Mr Dan Hunt, Landscape Archaeologist with Heritage England

“Mr Hunt, a landscape archaeologist, came into school on Tuesday to talk to each class about how he studies aerial photographs and looks for unusual findings. He showed us some aerial photographs of Stadhampton so that we could spot some unusual findings for ourselves. We found signs of a ‘Neolithic cursus’, (a large rectangular ditched area), a ‘Bronze Age round barrow and an ancient trackway!’ We felt very lucky that we were able to meet Mr Hunt!”

May and Ruby

 

Polish Guests 31st October – 4th November

During the first week back after the October half term holiday we will be welcoming two members of staff from our partner school in Hażlach, Poland, for the week. Mrs Agnieszka Pilch, the headteacher, and Mrs Joanna Somerlik, a class teacher, will be job-shadowing members of Stadhampton School staff to gain a better understanding of the English education system in practice. Their visit forms part of an Erasmus+ Programme, an educational programme funded by the European Union. Our links with Hażlach School go back to 2003 and our on-going collaboration has been instrumental in our recent British Council International School Award reaccreditation.

 

Parents’ Evenings - 14th & 16th November 2016

Letters confirming appointment times for the Parents’ Evenings on 14th and 16th November will be distributed by teachers to parents (via book bags) shortly after the half term holiday.

 

Annual Flu Vaccination in School for Years 1, 2 and 3

Thank you for the forms which have been completed and returned to school. These have now been collected by the school health nurse. The school nurse has reported that they have approximately 11 non-responses. Here is the link to download a new form if you have not yet made a response.


 

MEERKAT Champion of the Week

We are delighted to share the names of our "MEERKAT Champion of the Week" award in each class for last week as follows;

Reception – Harry T

Class 1 – Dexter E

Class 2 – Jem B

Class 3 – Lorenzo E

Well done to you all!

 

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre after the October Holiday

Swimming will start for Class 3 pupils on Monday 31st October. They will have 7 sessions. We are, as always, very grateful to the vast majority of parents in Classes 2 and 3 who kindly contribute towards the coach costs for our swimming sessions, by paying a ‘voluntary contribution’ of £2 per week. Parental support towards transport costs enables us to target more of the school budget for resources and for providing pupils with opportunities to access an active, engaging and integrated curriculum. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School please. Thank you for your continued support.

 

Recorders for Pupils in Years 3-6

Recorder lessons will start for pupils in Years 3 -6 after the October Holiday. We prefer, for health and safety reasons, and for ease of learning and practice, for each child to have their own recorder and book. Parents may purchase these items from school if they wish – the cost of the recorder is £6.50 and £5 for the book entitled “Recorder from the Beginning by John Pitts, Book 1”- ISBN 1-84449-524-8.

 

PTA News

Thank you to everyone who came to the PTA meeting on Tuesday.  Please see below details of the upcoming events, the main one being the Winter Fair.

 

Winter Fair – Friday 25th November – 6pm until 8pm, School Hall

As ever, the event will only be a success if families can donate items for the stalls at the fair.  If you are able to donate anything from the list below, please leave it in the PTA box in the hall.  Any extra shopping you can do over half term for any of the items below would be greatly appreciated!

 

Bottles – any shapes and sizes - alcohol, sauces, bubble bath, soft drinks

Bottle Bags – empty bottle or gift bags

Sweets and Chocolates – bars, big bags, little bags, variety packs, lollies, tubs of sweets or chocolates

Jingle Jars – jars filled with small gifts, eg hair bands, toys, bouncy balls, sweets, erasers, pencils etc etc.  Jars wrapped and marked whether suitable for girls, boys or either.  Please make sure jars are clean before being filled.  Empty jars would also be useful.

Lucky Dip – anything suitable for lucky dip prizes, eg small ‘party bag’ type gifts

Toys – good quality, new or nearly new toys.

Raffle prizes – anything suitable for a raffle prize.  Please mention our raffle to places you may be visiting over half term to see if they would be willing to donate vouchers or similar.

Hampers – any luxury food or drink items suitable for a hamper, eg chocolates, biscuits, hot chocolate, coffee etc.

 

Cauliflower Cards- cards, forms and money to be returned by 31st October (the first day back after half term)

The children have been busy at school creating festive pictures to be turned into Christmas cards.  You should have received the pictures and forms with details of how to order this week.  If you would like to order cards, please make sure your pictures, forms and money are returned to school by Monday 31st October, the first day back after half term, as the PTA will receive funds for every pack ordered.

 

If your child has not made a picture or would like to make another one over half term, please also make sure these are returned on Monday 31st .  Families may like to create one picture with contributions from all family members.  Please just make sure that the picture overall is no bigger than A4 and follows the other instructions on the form.

 

Bags2School – Thursday 17th November – 9am

You should have now received a Bags2School collection bag in your child’s bookbag.  If you’re having a clear out, please fill your Bags2School bag (or a normal bin bag) with any unwanted items from the list below:

 

·         Men’s, Ladies and Children’s clothing

·         Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around)

·         Handbags

·         Hats

·         Bags

·         Scarves and ties

·         Jewellery

·         Lingerie

·         Socks

·         Belts

·         Soft toys

·         Household linen/Curtains

·         Towels

·         Bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers)

 

We will receive cash from Bags2School based on the total weight of the bags collected, so the more we collect, the more we raise.  Please bring filled bags to school by 9am on Thursday 17th November.

 

Wreath Evening – Tuesday 13th December – 7.30pm, School Hall

We will be holding a Wreath Making Evening on Tuesday 13th December at 7.30pm in the School Hall.  Tickets are £15 each and include all materials needed to make a festive wreath. Mulled wine and mince pies will also be provided, you will just need to bring secateurs and gloves.

If you would like to buy a ticket, please see Georgina Wiggins as soon as possible as places are limited.

 

The next PTA meeting is on Thursday 12th January at 8pm at The Crown in Stadhampton.  Please do come along if you can – all welcome!

 

 

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Mrs Manzie, the lucky winner of last week's cake, kindly donated by Mrs Dickens. A reminder to Ms Moss-Black that she is on the rota for Friday 4th November.

 

DIARY DATES:
 
Monday 31st October
Pupils and staff return to school
(Advance notice for parents):
Monday 14th November
Parents Evening 3.45-7pm
Wednesday 16th November
Parents Evening 3.45-5.30pm
Tuesday 6th December
KS2 Christmas Matinee Performance
KS2 Christmas Evening Performance
Wednesday 7th December
KS1/FS Christmas Matinee Performance
Tuesday 13th December
Nativity & Carols afternoon in the Church
Wednesday 14th December
Whole School Christmas Lunch
Friday 16th December
End of Term Assembly

 

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears hope everyone enjoys a restful half term. We hope you can join us for a end of term treat at our Cake Sale from 3pm.

 

Community News:

 

Advance Notice of a Christmas Sports Club:

Michael Hopkins, who is well-known to the school as a PE teacher will be leading a Christmas Sports Course on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December 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.

 

South Central Ambulance £1m Charity Appeal – flyer attached

 

SHN Primary Newsletter Term 1 19.10.16 attached

 


 

 

 

 

 

BONFIRE and FIREWORK DISPLAY

Saturday 5th November 2016

URGENT

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please can you spare 90 minutes to help?

5.30 pm - 7.00 pm

We need villagers to collect donations from the crowd, serve refreshments in the marquee, sell gifts for the kids and some people who are prepared to direct traffic as people leave the green.

Please contact me asap 01865 890 880 07910 964 110 suzanne.white11@btinternet.com

WITH MANY THANKS

 

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Newsletter for week ending 14 October 2016



Parent Governor Vacancy

There were no applications for the parent governor vacancy by the deadline of 7th October. We have therefore decided to extend the date for applications to the end of the school day on Wednesday 19th October.

If you wish to nominate yourself as a School Parent Governor, please obtain a form from Mrs Hopkins and submit your application by 3.15pm on 19th October.

Many thanks

Sara Wright, Chair of Governors

 

Parents’ Evenings -14th & 16th November 2016

Letters about making an appointment to meet with your child’s class teacher were sent home via book bags at the end of last week. If you have not received the letter please ask your child’s teacher for a copy. Please return forms directly to the class teacher as they arrange appointments on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Thank you.

 

MEERKAT Champion of the Week

We are delighted to share the names of our "MEERKAT Champion of the Week" award in each class for last week as follows;

Reception – Austin M.F.

Class 1 – Jack F

Class 2 – Olivia K

Class 3 – Isabel H

Well done to you all!

 

PTA News

 

Thank you to everyone who came to the AGM on Monday.  It was great to see some familiar faces, as well as some new ones.

 

As you may know, the AGM saw our PTA Chair, Georgina Wiggins, Secretary, Anna Harries and Treasurers, Emma Fulker and Charlotte Hector, stand down from their committee positions.  They have all done a great job as part of the PTA and we would like to thank them all for their efforts.  Particular thanks go to Georgina, who has been chair for the last three years – her hard work and enthusiasm for the role have made a real difference to the PTA’s fundraising efforts.  Georgina is staying on the committee, so we hope to continue to make use of her skills.

 

The following individuals will be taking over the roles for the forthcoming year:

 

Chair – Melanie Gravett

Secretary – Rosie Thomson

Treasurer – Carol Holmes

 

Thank you to them and to all committee members – both new and existing – for volunteering.

 

Dates for the Diary

PTA Winter Fair – Friday 25th November – 6pm until 8pm, School Hall

 

As ever, the event will only be a success if families can donate items for the stalls at the fair.  If you are able to donate anything from the list below, please leave it in the PTA box in the hall.  Thank you in advance for your support.

 

Bottles – any shapes and sizes - alcohol, sauces, bubble bath, soft drinks

Sweets and Chocolates – bars, big bags, little bags, variety packs, lollies

Jingle Jars – jars filled with small gifts, eg hair bands, toys, bouncy balls, sweets, erasers, pencils etc etc.  Jars wrapped and marked whether suitable for girls, boys or either.

Lucky Dip – anything suitable for lucky dip prizes

 

Bags2School – Thursday 17th November – 9am

You should shortly receive a Bags2School collection bag in your child’s bookbag.  If you’re having a clear out, please fill your Bags2School bag (or a normal bin bag) with any unwanted items from the list below:

  • Men’s, Ladies and Children’s clothing
  • Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around)
  • Handbags
  • Hats
  • Bags
  • Scarves and ties
  • Jewellery
  • Lingerie
  • Socks
  • Belts
  • Soft toys
  • Household linen
  • Curtains
  • Towels
  • Bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers)

We will receive cash from Bags2School based on the total weight of the bags collected, so the more we collect, the more we raise.  Please bring filled bags to school by 9am on Thursday 17th November.

The next PTA meeting, to organise the Winter Fair, is on Tuesday 18th October at 8pm at The Crown in Stadhampton.  Please do come along if you can – all welcome!

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Joshua Hursey, the lucky winner of last week's cake, kindly donated by Mrs Holmes. A reminder to Mrs Wiggins that she is on the rota for Thursday 20th October.

 

PTA Committee Changes

We would like to echo Melanie Gravett’s thanks to the committee members who stepped down from office at the PTA AGM on Monday evening. Your contribution to raising funds which have helped the school provide wonderful resources and opportunities for all our pupils is very much appreciated and has made a real difference. Thank you to you all.

We look forward to working with the new PTA committee, starting with their first event – the Winter Fair on Friday 25th November.

 

DIARY DATES:
 
Thursday 20th October
Half term begins at 3.15 pm
Friday 21st October
Inset day for teaching staff
Monday 31st October
Pupils and staff return to school
(Advance notice for parents):
Monday 14th November
Parents Evening 3.45-7pm
Wednesday 16th November
Parents Evening 3.45-5.30pm
Tuesday 6th December
KS2 Christmas Matinee Performance
KS2 Christmas Evening Performance
Wednesday 7th December
KS1/FS Christmas Matinee Performance
Tuesday 13th December
Nativity & Carols afternoon in the Church
Wednesday 14th December
Whole School Christmas Lunch
Friday 16th December
End of Term Assembly

 

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears have had a very busy first term and all our new little ones have settled in beautifully. We hope everyone has a restful half term. 

Little Bears hope you can join us on Thursday 20th October at 3pm onwards for a Cake sale. Delicious cakes, slices and wonderful fresh produce. Come and get your goodies! 

 

Community News:

 

Advance Notice of a Christmas Sports Club:

Michael Hopkins, who is well-known to the school as a PE teacher will be leading a Christmas Sports Course on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December 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.

 

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Newsletter for week ending 7 October 2016



 

Happy October Birthday to: Wyatt Bullock, Laila Burnell, Ella Fulker, Mia Gravett, Jake Jones, Harvey Khan, Grace Monahan, Ollie Parkes, Ellie Payne, Lewis Payne, Harvey Saunders and Ellie Walker.

 

During October we are focusing on the core value of APPRECIATION

 

MEERKAT Champion of the Week

We are delighted to share the names of our "MEERKAT Champion of the Week" award in each class for last week as follows;

Reception – Imogen H

Class 1 – Alice H

Class 2 – Mia G

Class 3 – Ella G

Well done to you all!

 

Free Book for Reception pupils

Pupils in the Reception year group should have brought home a free book this week. The book is kindly supplied to all Reception-aged children in England by BookTrust to encourage a love of shared reading at home.

 

Letter from Thames Valley Police

Please find attached to this newsletter, a letter from Thames Valley Police, who in conjunction with OCC have provided some advice for pupils about keeping themselves safe. This letter has been written following the recent incident in North Oxford involving a 14 year old girl.

 

OUP Visit

This week some researchers from Oxford University Press were in school on Wednesday talking to teachers and pupils about their ideas for future publications for Reception and Key Stage 1 reading books. They were interested in finding out which titles, story characters and logos were most appealing to younger children and we look forward to seeing their new publications and what they decided to use.

 

ELLI Project

Our next character in the ELLI Project, Plan Ahead Owl, was presented to pupils in a school assembly on Thursday by Class 3. The whole class had worked on scenarios to show the traits of Plan Ahead Owl and how these traits can be used positively in different situations. The school enjoyed the two little plays that were acted out very, very well. Thank you to Ella, Will, Thomas, Lawrence, Lizzie, Ruby, Lorenzo and Ben for their excellent acting.

 

School Photographs

A final reminder that the School Photography Company will be in school on Tuesday 11 October and all pupils will have their photographs taken during the morning wearing their school uniform individually and with any siblings in school. Year 6 pupils will also have an informal group photograph taken. Families are welcome to come into the Hall before school at 8.30am to have family groups photographed together if they so wish.

 

PTA News

 

Official Notice of the PTA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Monday 10th October, 8pm in Class 1

 

The PTA plays a vital part in the school community and all parents, as members of the PTA, are invited to support the AGM. This is your chance to hear and see how the funds you have helped to raise last year have been used for the benefit of the children at our school.

 

The AGM is also an opportunity for you to elect the PTA Committee (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary), to represent the association throughout the forthcoming academic year. If you are interested in taking on one of these roles or joining the committee, please speak to Georgina Wiggins.

 

We have a small committee and really need people to come along and help plan events and to take on any of the roles outlined. I am stepping down from chair after 3 years but I am very much still part of the committee, there is huge support for anyone who takes on a role.

Please speak to any committee member for information, there is at least one committee member in each class.

Bags to school is on Thursday 17th November. Bags will be going into book bags  once we have received them. This is a great opportunity to have a clear out. Here is a list of all the things accepted:

 

Clean good quality clothes

Shoes

Belts

Bags

Jewellery

Hats

Soft toys 


Thank you for your continued support of the PTA 

 

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Isabel Holmes, the lucky winner of last week's cake, kindly donated by Mrs Gravett. A reminder to Mrs Lansley that she is on the rota for Friday 14th October.

 

DIARY DATES:
 
Tuesday 11th October
School Photography Company in school taking individual photographs as well as sibling and family photographs
Thursday 20th October
Half term begins at 3.15 pm
Friday 21st October
Inset day for teaching staff
Monday 31st October
Pupils and staff return to school
(Advance notice for parents):
Monday 14th November
Parents Evening 3.45-7pm – letters will be sent home on Friday 07.10.2016 – please check book bags
Wednesday 16th November
Parents Evening 3.45-5.30pm- letters will be sent home on Friday 07.10.2016 – please check book bags
Tuesday 6th December
KS2 Christmas Matinee Performance
KS2 Christmas Evening Performance
Wednesday 7th December
KS1/FS Christmas Matinee Performance
Tuesday 13th December
Nativity & Carols afternoon in the Church
Wednesday 14th December
Whole School Christmas Lunch
Friday 16th December
End of Term Assembly

 

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Next week the Little Bears will be learning all about the senses. We hope to do some taste testing as well as some "secret smelling" activities! 

We are also going to be enjoying lots of different messy activities and talking all about textures. 

 

Community News:

 

Advance Notice of a Christmas Sports Club:

Michael Hopkins, who is well-known to the school as a PE teacher will be leading a Christmas Sports Course on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December 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.