Newsletter for week ending 20 October 2017

 

Y6 Applications for Secondary School

A final reminder that parents/carers of children born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007 (inclusive) need to apply for a secondary school place for their children. You can apply online for a secondary school place. If you are unable to apply online, you can complete a paper application form. The deadline for receipt of secondary school applications is 31 October 2017.

 

Teaching Assistant Appointment

Following a recent recruitment process, which included formal interviews on Monday 16^th October, we are pleased to inform you that Mrs Vicky Venner has been appointed as a part-time Teaching Assistant (TA). Mrs Venner, who has former experience of working as a TA in two other Oxfordshire primary schools, will mainly be based in Class 1 during the remainder of this school year. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Venner to our staff team after half term.

 

Poppies

Poppies, snap bands, wrist bands (2 types), clip on poppies and pencils decorated with poppies will be on sale at school from tomorrow. The snap bands and wrist bands are always very popular and we hope that pupils will pay a minimum contribution of £1 for these items towards this very worthwhile cause.

 

Meerkat Champion of the week

Reception: Noah B

Class 1: Jack F

Class 2: Maggie W

Class 3: Isabel H

Congratulations to you all.

 

Holiday Absences

We thank the vast majority of parents who do not seek to take their children out of school for holidays during term time. In recent months, however, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of parents who have informed the school that this is their intention. It may be helpful to direct parents to our Attendance Policy which is on our school website and to our School Prospectus which is also available on the website www.stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk. In summary, since September 2013 headteachers have been unable to authorise holiday absence in term time, any leave of absence can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as a serious family emergency, family bereavement, or a family wedding, and for a very limited duration. An authorisation of absence can only be given by the headteacher. Any requests for absence due to exceptional circumstances need to be made directly with the headteacher and parents will need to make an appointment to discuss the request. For your information the school term dates are also given on the website and in our prospectus.

 

Regular and punctual attendance is essential for each child to progress and make the most of the opportunities that are available to them in school. Attendance is also an important performance indicator for the school and a limiting judgement by Ofsted. Any unauthorised absence is required to be recorded as such and this data is required to be made available to the Local Authority, who may choose to follow up or take additional action.

 

An information sheet entitled ‘Every School Day Counts’ is attached to this newsletter and a paper copy is being sent home via book-bags this week for your reference. We have a proud record of high attendance and together we aim to maintain this! Thank you.

 

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre after October Holiday

Swimming sessions will commence for pupils in Class 3 on Monday 30 October. They will have 7 sessions. As always, we ask parents for a ‘voluntary contribution’ towards the cost of the transport to the Abbey Sports Centre of £2 per child per swimming session. Cash or cheques please are welcome and cheques should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School. Your financial support for swimming lessons is very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Recorders

Recorder lessons will begin for pupils in Years 3-6 on Monday 30 October. Pupils need to have their own recorder and book for these lessons in school every Monday until the Christmas Holidays. We sell recorders for £6.50 and Recorder Book 1 for £5.50 (cost price) and Recorder Book 2 for the same price if any parents wish to purchase them from school.

 

PTA News:

 

Thank you to everyone who ordered Christmas cards through Cauliflower Cards this week.  This has raised just over £80 for PTA funds.

 

Bags2School Clothes Recycling – Tuesday 14^th November


Our next Bags2School recycling date is Tuesday 14^th November. We will receive cash from Bags2School based on the total weight of the bags collected, so the more we collect, the more we raise. 

 

Bags2School collection bags went into bookbags this week, but you are also able to use normal black bin bags in the meantime. Please fill your bags 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)

 

Winter Fair – Friday 1^st December

Our annual Winter Fair will take place on Friday 1^st December at 6pm in the school hall. 

As ever, we will need donations from families to help make the event a success.  If you are having a sort out over half term or are doing any shopping and can donate any items from the list below, it would be appreciated:

 

Chocolate and sweets – big bars, small bars, multi packs, lollies, boxes of chocolates

Empty bottle bags

Small toys, stationery items, anything suitable for lucky dip prizes

Bottles of any description – alcohol, soft drinks, sauces, ketchup, bubble bath

 

Also, if anyone has connections to any organisations which may be able to donate suitable raffle prizes, please let any member of the PTA committee know.

 

Our next PTA meeting is on Wednesday 8^th November at The Crown, 8pm.  Everyone welcome.

 

Cake Club

Well done to Albie, last week’s winner of the Cake Club draw. Thank you so much to Charlotte Monahan for supplying the amazing lemon cake and to Hollee Mason-Cook for providing this week’s prize. Good luck everyone!

 

Diary Dates:

 

 

 

Monday 30 October	Pupils and staff return to school for the second half of term Swimming begins for Class 3 pupils
Tuesday 31 October	Year 4 Forest School session; Reception pupils Forest School session pm
November (advanced warning of key dates)
Wednesday 1 November	Class 2 Chedworth Roman Villa trip
Monday 13 November	KS1 & KS2 Parents Evening – 3.45-7pm (more details to follow)
Wednesday 15 November	KS1 & KS2 Parents Evening – 3.45-5pm (more details to follow)
Friday 17 November	Children in Need (more details to follow)
Friday 24 November	Year 5 pupils visit Icknield Community College  - letters distributed this week

 

December (advanced warning of key dates)
Friday 1 December	PTA Winter/Christmas Fair – evening
Tuesday 12 December	KS2 matinee performance – pm (more details to follow) KS2 evening performance – (more details to follow)
Wednesday 13 December	KS1 matinee performance – pm (more details to follow)
Monday 18 December	Nativity in Church – pm (more details to follow)
Tuesday 19 December	End of Term Assembly Break up at 1.30pm for the Christmas Holiday

 

 

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 Wednesday 20 December and Thursday 21 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.

 

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears hope everyone has a relaxing half term break. We are having a cake sale on the last day of term please do come along from 3pm to get your yummy treats!  

 

Community News:

• Chalgrove & Watlington’s Children’s Centre November timetable attached
• Christmas Fair on 17 November in the Church – poster attached