Newsletter for week ending 4 November 2016

 

Happy November Birthday to: Juliana Browning, Beau Burnell, Keegan Denton, Jack Fulker, Bella Jones & Harry Thomson.

 

During November we are focusing on the core value of PEACE

Message from Governing Body

I am pleased to announce that Kerri Jones will become our new Parent Governor with immediate effect. Kerri is the parent of three children, two of whom have been at the school, with one child still attending. I am also pleased to announce that we have converted Stephen Dawson to a Community Governor and are joined on the GB by two new Associate Governors, Anita Rowberry and Viki Matthews. Anita has recently moved to the village, is a teacher and really keen to get involved in the school. Viki used to be a parent at the school and is keen to give something back to the school through her extensive business experience. Please join me in welcoming all the new Governors to the Governing Body and I look forward to working with them over the next few months.

 

Parents Forum - 22nd November

We are holding another Parent’s Forum on 22nd November at the school, starting at 7pm. The purpose of the Forum is to share information with parents regarding the potential conversion to Academy status; we specifically would like to know your views as parents so that we can take these into consideration during our research and evaluation. The Governing Body have committed to investigate the potential to convert to Academy status during this academic year and talking to key stakeholders is important to us. I can assure you that no decision on conversion has been made. Only Governors will be at the Forum therefore if you wish to talk to any of the teaching staff regarding your child, please do this at Parent’s evening.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible. If you cannot attend, don’t worry, we will ensure the slides are placed on the website and you can contact any of the Governing Body to share your views at any time.

 

Sara Wright, Chair of Governors

 

ELLI Project

Class 2 did a sterling job of presenting our next character in the ELLI Project to the whole school, in an assembly on Wednesday – “Stickability Tortoise”.

 

Erasmus & Job-Shadowing

We have had an interesting week sharing our school week with colleagues from our partner school in Hazlach, Poland. Agnieszka Pilch and Joanna Somerlik have mainly been job-shadowing Mrs Manzie and Mrs Turner but have also gained an insight into our teaching methods, recording and tracking systems and key documentation. They have learnt about our ELLI Project through watching a pupil presentation based on the virtues of ‘Stickability Tortoise’ and participated in a number of class activities. They say they have both enjoyed and learnt a lot from the experience and we look forward to further collaboration in the future.

 

Swimming on Monday 31^st October

We apologise that pupils in Class 3 were unable to have their swimming session on Monday 31^st October. A coach refund of £2 has been given to those families who had already paid £14 in advance for swimming contributions for all 7 weeks of this term.

 

Parents’ Evenings - 14^th & 16^th November 2016

Letters confirming appointment times for the Parents’ Evenings on 14^th and 16^th November were sent out in book bags as we broke up for the half term holiday. Please contact your child’s teacher if you were expecting to receive an appointment slip and have not had one. Thank you.

 

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 8 non-responses. Here is the link to download a new form if you have not yet made a response. Please do this even if you do not wish your child to receive the vaccination.

http://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people/oxon/school-health-nursing/flu-immunisations/

 

MEERKAT Champion of the Week

We are delighted to share the names of our "MEERKAT Champion of the Week" award in each class for before the Half Term holiday as follows;

Reception – Rosie W

Class 1 – Anna F-N

Class 2 – Nate M-B

Class 3 – Katende A

Well done to you all!

 

Recorders for Pupils in Years 3-6

A reminder that pupils in Years 3-6 have a recorder lesson during the second half of the Autumn Term. 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 or Book 2 by the same author for Year 6 pupils ISBN 1-84449-523-X.

PTA News

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

The Winter Fair will soon be here – the evening will only be a success if families can donate anything from the list below:

 

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

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. 

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

 

Tickets for the raffle, which will be drawn at the Winter Fair, will be going in bookbags next week.  Each family will receive £5 worth of tickets should you wish to purchase them.  If anyone requires additional tickets to sell to family, friends, neighbours, colleagues or anyone else you can think of, then please speak to Charlotte Hector or Melanie Gravett.

 

Bags2School – Thursday 17^th 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 17^th November.

 

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

We will be holding a Wreath Making Evening on Tuesday 13^th 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.

 

Finally, thank you to everyone who placed orders with Cauliflower Cards for Christmas cards designed by the children.  We will let you know when the cards arrive.

 

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

 

Friday Cake Club

Congratulations to Rosie Wiggins, the lucky winner of the cake before half term, kindly donated by Mrs Wiggins. A reminder to Mrs Austin that she is on the rota for Friday 11th November.

 

DIARY DATES:
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 & 1.30pm finish

 

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears team would like to thank everyone who supported our end of term cake sale. The team and I really appreciate your continued support.

This term Little Bears topic will be "The Stick Man" - a book by Julia Donaldson. The Little Bears have already been busy designing their own stick men and we look forward to doing a stick man walk soon. 

 

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 19^th and Tuesday 20^th 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.

 

Please help raise funds for the village hall pathway lighting project by coming along to our children's sing-a-longa Frozen event on SATURDAY 12 November at 2pm. 

Tickets £4 - no charge for accompanying adults, tea, coffee, cakes, soft drinks. Prizes for best fancy dressed. 

Contact frozenatstjohns@gmail.com for tickets. Thank you. 

 

  

BONFIRE and FIREWORK DISPLAY

Saturday 5^th 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

 

Charity Art Auction on Saturday 19 November at the Village Hall at St John’s Stadhampton – see attached flyer for more details

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 11^th 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 31^st October – 4^th 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 - 14^th & 16^th November 2016

Letters confirming appointment times for the Parents’ Evenings on 14^th and 16^th 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.

http://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people/oxon/school-health-nursing/flu-immunisations/

 

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 31^st 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 25^th 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 31^st 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 31^st 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 31^st .  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 17^th 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 17^th November.

 

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

We will be holding a Wreath Making Evening on Tuesday 13^th 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 12^th 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 19^th and Tuesday 20^th 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 5^th 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

 

Newsletter for week ending 14 October 2016

Parent Governor Vacancy

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

Many thanks

Sara Wright, Chair of Governors

 

Parents’ Evenings -14^th & 16^th 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 25^th 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 17^th 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 17^th November.

The next PTA meeting, to organise the Winter Fair, is on Tuesday 18^th 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 25^th 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 19^th and Tuesday 20^th 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.