Week Ending 01 March 2019

During MARCH we are focusing on the core value of HOPE

 

Happy February Birthday to: Alana, Cara, Annabelle, Sassie, Rosa, Ben, Jasmine, Joel, Dixi, Freddie and Jem.

Headteacher Recruitment Update

Further to the meeting with parents on the 13^th February, the Governors wanted to provide a brief update with respect to the headteacher recruitment process.  The deadline for applications has now closed and we were delighted to have received an overwhelming interest.    We received over 10 applications and due to the quality of the candidates, shortlisting these has been challenging, but a good problem to have and is testament to how our school is viewed!

We wanted to let you know that we will be inviting the shortlisted candidates to interview at the school on Monday 4^th March.  This will be a full day of activities designed to assess their capabilities and ensure we have the greatest chance of finding the best candidate.   The pupils will have a number of opportunities during the day to interact with the candidates, and so you may hear about this. 

We will provide an update on the recruitment day next week, and hopefully we will have found a fantastic candidate to take on the role of headteacher in September 2019. 

A lot of work has gone into this process, and many governors have been involved in conducting school tours to show around prospective candidates – for which we are very grateful.  In addition we want to thank Mrs Turner and all staff for being so supportive through this process. 

Karate Club Tuesday 5^th March

Due to the Class 2 and 3 visit to Compton Verney on Tuesday 5^th March and the possibility of returning to school around 3:30pm, Mr King has kindly offered to run the after school Karate club until 4:25pm that day. We apologise for any innconvienience but hope that this is a satisfactory arrangement.

World Book Day 2019

This year World Book Day is Thursday 7^th March 2019 however, as a school, we will be celebrating this on Friday 8^th March. This is because our Enrichment Afternoon on Thursdays means we would have to limit our celebrations to the morning only, while Friday gives us a full day.

We invite all children to come into school dressed up as a favourite book character or a book character they would like to be when they grow up and/or bring in a prop reflecting that character and a copy of the book the character is in. During the day there will be opportunities to read an extract from the book to the other children in their class and to explain why that particular character was chosen.

We are aware that some children enjoy dressing up more than others and no-one should feel under pressure to dress up but we also know that many children really enjoy it! We are also aware that many families are happy to create or buy a costume but please don’t feel this is essential – often a prop can be prepared with just a little creativity!

World Book Day tokens will be given out on Friday March 1^st, via bookbags. These tokens are valid from 28^th February to 31^st March and give £1 off any children’s book from participating bookshops.

We look forward to seeing some curious characters on Friday 8^th March!

Comic Relief

As part of the School Council the children have discussed raising money for Red Nose Day on Friday 15^th March. They ask for as many people as possible to join in and bring £1 donation for the charity. Everyone can have some fun as they raise money and wear a red nose as well as wear a red, or red and white, accessory to complement their uniform. This could be funky socks, or funny hair. They also askeach class to decorate their door for the day to add to the enjoyment of the day.

Shelter Box Assembly -  a report from Ellie

On Wednesday 28^th February we had a Shelter Box assembly. We were shown what Shelter Box does. Shelter Box deliver massive boxes to places all around the world that are in trouble. Inside the big green tubs there is a giant white, damage proof tent. This tent takes only 5 minutes to set up. Next on the list is mosquito nets, then pots and pans. After that are tools, a solar lantern and a water filter. They also have blankets. After listening to ‘what’s in the box’ we watched a video on how many places Shelter Box have helped families. It was a moving and lovely assembly. Thank you Charlie!  

Swimming at the Abbey Sports Centre

Thank you to those parents who have already given their swimming contribution. As always, we are most grateful to receive a ‘voluntary contribution’ from parents of £2 per child per swimming session towards the transport costs (currently £75 per visit). Cheques for swimming contributions (£10 in total) should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary – Acer Trust. Thank you, in advance, for your continued support, it is very much appreciated.

Please be aware that Class 2 have a swimming session on Monday 25^th March, when Class 3 are away on their Woodlands residential week.

Change to Menu on Tuesday 5 March

Food & More have advised us that on Tuesday 5 March there will a Pancake Day themed menu instead of the usual menu. The details are on display outside the kitchen and on the attached flyer.

Want Wraparound Care? Please let us know...

This is an important project for the community however it does need to be researched thoroughly. We'd like to hear from parents and carers, as well as anyone considering Little Bears Preschool and Stadhampton Primary School as an option, to better understand the demands for such a service and ask that you email the school to register your interest or pass comment, and they will pass all correspondence onto the GB. We are setting up a working group, which must include representation from school staff, the governing body, the community and parents (so please note in your email if you're happy to be in this group) - any kind of care facility outside of the school day will need support and buy in from everyone involved (research, due diligence, legalities, logistics etc.). 

THANK YOU. 

'Back In Time filming Opportunity!'

We have been approached by a television company called 'Wall to Wall' who produce a variety of programmes, including Who Do You Think You Are?, Long Lost Family, and Back in Time series (e.g. Back In Time for School).

For their new series they are looking for a family to immerse themselves in the world of rural village life. They're filming the series in the region over the summer holidays 2019 and are looking for a local family with children aged 8+. If you are interested, and eligible, this would be an exciting opportunity!

Attached to this newsletter is a casting flyer which has further details about the series and how to apply. We have also circulated their flyer via bookbags. Good luck to any family who is interested - what an opportunity!

Meerkat Champion of the Week

Class 1 - Joel

Class 2  - Frankie
Class 3  - Mia

PTA News

Film Night - Friday 8th March - after school 
Letters and permission slips for Film Night on Friday 8th March were sent home earlier this week. Please return permission slips to the office with your payment if your child would like to come along.

Our next PTA committee meeting will be on Wednesday 27th March, venue TBC. All welcome!

Cake Club

Thank you so much to Lucy K and Elaine B for the delicious cake club cakes you made for our last February draw. Well done to Finlay and Jack for winning them. This week’s cake is being very kindly provided by Bella. Good luck everyone.

Diary Dates:

Just a reminder, next week Year 2 have their Forest School session on Tuesday 5th March and Year 4 on Thursday 7th March, both in the morning.

 March 2019

 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4 Swimming for Class 3 Pupils   YR 6 Mock SATs – English	5 Year 2 Forest School – morning   Reception Forest School  - afternoon   Class 2 & 3 Compton Verney Trip   Afterschool Karate Club – 4.25pm finish	6	7 Year 4 Forest School  - morning   Afterschool Multisports Club   YR 6 Mock SATs – Mathematics	8 World Book Day Events in School       PTA Film Night
11 Swimming for Class 3 Pupils   Work Viewing Evening 3.30-6pm	12 Year 4 Forest School – morning   Reception Forest School  - afternoon   Afterschool Karate Club	13	14 Year 2 Forest School  - morning   Afterschool Multisports Club	15 Comic Relief Events in School - £1 donation for a red or red and white accessory to compliment uniform
18 Swimming for Class 3 Pupils	19 Year 3 Forest School – morning   Reception Forest School  - afternoon   Afterschool Karate Club	20	21 Year 2 Forest School  - morning   Afterschool Multisports Club	22
25 Swimming for Class 2 Pupils     Class 3 depart for Woodlands	26   Class 3 @ Woodlands   Year 3 Forest School – morning   Reception Forest School  - afternoon   Afterschool Karate Club	27   Class 3 @ Woodlands	28   Class 3 @ Woodlands   Year 2 Forest School  - morning   Afterschool Multisports Club	29   Class 3 return from Woodlands

 

Community

Peace & Craft 

Are you a scrapbooker, are you putting together memory albums for the children, do you enjoy creating your own cards, gift tags etc. If so there are still a few places available at Kate Bodle's Craft Session tomorrow, Saturday 2 March, in the village hall at St John's. 

Email Kate to book in - you can come for all or half a day - or to find out more about the day. 

There will be other dates later in the year too so please check the newsletter regularly.