Newsletter No 7

Please note that this will be the final newsletter of this academic year, as we will not be sending out a newsletter next week! I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy summer holiday.

Sports Evening – TONIGHT – FINAL REMINDERS
The bar is open from 6pm; pupils need to arrive by 6.15pm so that the races may begin promptly at 6.30pm; pupils need to bring a bottle of water/squash to keep with them; parents need to bring something to sit on; barbecue is available from about 7pm for those not participating in the races!

Next Week:
Monday 21st July
· Final swimming session at Abbey Sports Centre for Class 3 pupils. Many Class 3 pupils have been reminded that they have outstanding “voluntary contributions” which really help with the cost of the transport (£57.50 per session).
· “Stadhampton has Talent” show for pupils only 2.15-3.15pm
Tuesday 22nd July
· Daylight Theatre performance at 2pm. Parents, other visitors and children aged 3 or over are welcome. There will be an admission charge of £1 per visitor to help offset the costs of the afternoon.
Wednesday 23rd July
· End of year assembly at 9.00am. Parents and other visitors welcome.
· School finishes at 1.30pm.

Year 6 Leavers
We say goodbye and good luck to our Year 6 leavers on Wednesday as they prepare to begin their secondary education.
Lucia and Thomas Amico, Katie Barcoe, Cameron Cruickshank, Hannah Gibbs, Porsche Hall, George Howlett, Harry Leighfield and Kamil Skwarek are all moving on to Icknield Community College. Katy Brigden and Tamara Collins are transferring to Wheatley Park School and Alex Pattisson will be attending Magdalen College School.

Admission to Primary Schools in September 2009
If your child was born between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005, you will soon need to apply for a place at school. Booklets should be sent to families automatically, but will also be available from school in September or you may apply on-line via www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions

Open Morning
Stadhampton Primary School and Little Bears Pre-School would be pleased to welcome you to our joint Open Morning on Wednesday 15th October 2008.

School Meals from September
A reminder that the cost of a school meal rises in September to £1.95 per day. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School and must be kept separate from all other income into school. It is most helpful if school meal orders can be placed on Monday mornings please so that banking can then be done at the earliest opportunity during the week.
The current 3-week menu will continue until the October Holiday. Please find attached a copy for your reference.

Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 2 pupils on Monday 8th September. They will have 7 sessions up to the October Holiday. As always, we are grateful to receive a “voluntary contribution” of £1 per child, per swimming session towards the cost of the transport. Cash or cheques please, (kept separate from dinner money) made payable to Stadhampton Primary School.

News from ICC
We are delighted to congratulate some of our ex-pupils following their successes this week at the Icknield Community College Awards Evening. Several of our ex-pupils won subject prizes; Joanna Oakley was presented with the Year 8 Cup and Bethany Lawson won the Year 9 Cup; Nathan Manzie was appointed as one of six Senior Prefects and we are very proud that Roseanne Butler and Julian Pitts were confirmed as Head Girl and Head Boy.

Message from the PTA Committee - Recipe Book
Everything is now in place for you to submit your favourite recipes for the fabulous Fund Raising Recipe Book! The summer holidays are a perfect opportunity for you to put your chefs’ hat on and think about all those well-loved, tasty treats that you enjoy cooking and eating. Please spend a little time while you relax, to visit the school website on http://www.stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk/ to access all the information you need and give us some wonderful recipes to put in the book. Remember - every book sold will raise funds for Stadhampton Primary School and Little Bears Pre-School. Happy cooking!

Little Bears News
We enjoyed making a bus from a big box, making pizza and also apple muffins. We would like to say a sad farewell to Oliver Lowman and Bethany Baker who are both going to “big school”. We are all looking forward to having our end of term party on Wednesday. Reminder Ball tickets are available to buy over the summer from Nikki on 01865 400305.
Staff, Children and Committee would like to thank all parents and staff of “big school” for all of their support over the last year.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 22nd July
Daylight Theatre performance of The Fairy’s Tale at 2pm – visitors welcome
Wednesday 23rd July
End of Year assembly at 9.00 am. All welcome
School finishes at 1.30pm

Wednesday 3rd September
Pupils return to school
Monday 8th September
Swimming at Berinsfield commences for Class 2 pupils
Thursday 11th September
School Photographer will be visiting on Thursday 11th September
Wednesday 15th October
School and Little Bears Open Morning – all welcome

Newsletter No 6

End of Year Reports
Pupil should bring home today their end of year report. Unfortunately, as you may have heard through the media, we are not able to include the results of the Year 6 KS2 SATs tests, as this information has not yet been released. We apologise for this inconvenience, but the situation is out of our control. We shall, of course, send these out separately as soon as we are able.

Sports Evening
We are pleased that Little Bears will be able to join in with Sports Evening this year and will hold their races just before the school relay races begin.

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for burgers & sausages from Mrs Hopkins before next Wednesday (16th), as this will be your last chance to ensure you have food to eat after the races. Don’t forget to buy tickets for the children and for any grandparents you are bringing along. Each sausage & burger is £2 each and funds go to PTA.

Message from the PTA Committee
The final total raised from the Chiltern Chase was a whopping £1,223. From this £1020.50 went to PTA funds and £202.50 to Little Bears. Thank you to everyone involved in raising this magnificent sum. The winner of the most individual sponsorship is Gary Hall, so he gets the bag of goodies from Up and Running Sports Shop in Headington.

Recipe Book
Please find attached to this newsletter details of the latest joint fundraising project being planned by Stadhampton Primary School and Little Bears.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears made “mud pies” for cooking. They also thoroughly enjoyed some messy activities this week including hand painting, sponge painting and bubble painting and making a bus out of a box. A reminder that Ball tickets may now be purchased (£25 deposit required) from Nikki or Sharon.

DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 15th July
Class 1 and Class 3 pupils visit Cadbury’s World
Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – 6.15pm for pupils
Tuesday 22nd July
Daylight Theatre performance of The Fairy’s Tale at 2pm – visitors welcome
Wednesday 23rd July
End of Year assembly at 9.00 am. All welcome
School finishes at 1.30pm

Wednesday 3rd September
Pupils return to school
Thursday 11th September
Our School Photographer will be visiting on Thursday 11th September please note change of date

Newsletter No 5

Happy JULY Birthday to: Mair Amery, Alex Birtles, Benjamin Drake, Hannah Gibbs, Ayisha Hall, George Howlett, Andrew Oakley, Aimee Parkes and Peter Roe.

During JULY we are focusing on the core value of COURAGE

Newsletters on the Blog!
Our school newsletter is now available online in the form of a Blog! You can access it either via the 'Newsletter' link on the website, or directly at the Blog address below. The Blog will be updated weekly with the Newsletter, as well as with other letters. There is also an RSS Feed now available from the Blog so that you can get the Newsletter delivered directly to your desktop.
You can see the Newsletter Blog here: http://stadhamptonprimaryschool.blogspot.com/

Cycling Test
Congratulations to the following children who passed their cycling test last Friday: Lucia Amico, Tom Amico, Porsche Hall, Cameron Vale, Katie Barcoe, Katy Brigden, Daniel Green and Hannah Gibbs. Thank you also to Mrs Brigden, Mrs Scragg, Mrs Leighfield and Mrs Vale for giving up many afternoons in order to supervise pupils.

School Meals Price Increase
We have been advised by Food with Thought, our catering company, that the price of a school meal will increase to £1.95 from 1st September 2008, with a possible further increase due in December 2008.

School Council Event - Sponsored Run
We are delighted to announce that the final total raised by the School Council Sponsored Run was £702.36. The School Council is currently debating how this money should be spent.

Sports Evening-Detailed Arrangements
Many parents are familiar with the usual format of Sports Evening but I am aware that we have a number of new parents who may be less familiar with the format. We assume that all pupils will take part in Sports Evening on Friday 18th July and would be grateful if parents could let us know by Friday 11th July if their children will not be taking part so that the logistics of team arrangements can be finalised. As we also ask that children wear a T-shirt in their team’s colours (red, yellow or green) it is also helpful to be able to give families as much notice as possible in order to source a T-shirt in the appropriate colour! All pupils need to bring a bottle of water/squash with them, which they will be able to drink, between races. Parents and other relatives are welcome and are reminded to bring something to sit on. Parents are asked not to congregate at the finishing line for obvious safety reasons as well as blocking the view of the judges awarding the stickers. No football or ball games by older brothers or sisters please, whilst the races are on! The bar will be open from 6pm and will be available throughout the evening. Races begin promptly at 6.30pm. (Pupils need to arrive by 6.15pm). As in previous years, please could you purchase tickets for hot dogs (£2) and burgers (£2) in advance, so that we have a good idea of what sort of quantities to have available. (Hot dogs and burgers will be best quality meat from Newitts of Thame). Pre-ordered barbecue food will be available from about 7pm onwards for those not participating in the races! This will hopefully help to avoid a massive queue at the end! Finally, a reminder that smoking is not permitted on County Council property.

Swimming in the School Pool
May I please remind parents that pupils are not allowed to wear baggy swimming trunks for swimming at Berinsfield or in the school pool, as they constitute a health and safety hazard.

Extended Services
Thank you for the responses received so far to the extended services questionnaire we sent out recently. We would be grateful if all parents/carers could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire so that we can ascertain whether parents would support a breakfast club/after school club/holiday playscheme at Stadhampton School. We can only proceed with this possibility if there is sufficient interest.
Also, please find attached to this newsletter details of the Watlington Partnership Summer Holidays Childcare and Activities programme of events.

Daylight Theatre Company
We are fortunate to have been able to book the Daylight Theatre Company again this year on Tuesday 22nd July as an end of term treat for all pupils. Parents and other relatives or family friends are invited to come along to watch their performance of The Fairy’s Tale at 2pm. There will be an admission charge of £1, which will help offset the costs of the day. Children aged 3 and over are also welcome to come along to this performance.

Message from the PTA Committee
Many of you may have heard of Easy2Name, the company that make sewn labels, stickers, bag tags etc, but did you know that by using them you could help raise money for our PTA. Attached to the newsletter is an order form with our code for fundraising (yellow sticker bottom right). The PTA will receive 20% of our total group order every 6 months when you quote this code online, by post or telephone. Some of their products are displayed on the PTA noticeboard outside the office if anyone would like to see samples.
The total money in from the Chiltern Chase so far is a whopping £1,073, including a group sponsorship pot of nearly £200, so a big thank you to everyone concerned. (This figure includes £167.50 for Little Bears).

If any sponsorship is still outstanding, please could we have it in by next Wednesday 9th July so that we can draw a line and announce the winner of the 'Up and Running' prize. Also thanks to everyone who bought plants from Mrs.Pattisson after the planned plant stall for the car boot sale was rained off - a total of £110 was raised.

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears made potato salad and enjoyed their lovely walk along the footpath which runs along the back of the school. On the walk they saw donkeys, horses and cattle and enjoyed playing on a fallen tree. They also had fun this week making obstacle courses in our wonderful grounds.

DIARY DATES:
Weds 9th July Year 6 pupils transferring to ICC visit for Induction Day
(New Class Taster Day at Stadhampton School)
Mobile Library
Last day for Multisports and Netball Club
Tuesday 15th July Class 1 and Class 3 pupils visit Cadbury’s World
Friday 18th July Sports Evening – 6.15pm for pupils
Tuesday 22nd July Daylight Theatre performance of The Fairy’s Tale at 2pm – visitors welcome
Wednesday 23rd July End of Year assembly at 9.00 am. All welcome
School finishes at 1.30pm

Wednesday 3rd September Pupils return to school
Thursday 11th September Our School Photographer will be visiting on Thursday 11th September - please note change of date

Newsletter No 4

Chair of Governors
At our Governors’ Meeting this week, Steve Brigden confirmed his intention to leave the Governing Body at the end of Term 6. Mr Brigden has been a member of the Governing Body for 9 years and Chair since September 2004. I am sure all parents will join me in thanking Mr Brigden for his tireless commitment to the school during this time. His final duty will be to present the certificates at our end of year assembly on Wednesday 23rd July.

The Governing Body are pleased to announce that Carl Mannering will take over as the new Chair of Governors from 24th July 2008.

Class Arrangements for next academic year
Next year our class arrangements will be as follows:
· Class 1 (Reception/Year 1) with Mrs Manzie – initially approximately 13 pupils rising to approximately 23 pupils in January 2009
· Class 2 (Years 2 & 3) with Mrs Garrard and Mrs Turner – approximately 22 pupils
· Class 3 (Years 4, 5 & 6) with Mrs Sutton – approximately 24 pupils.

One of the advantages of being a small school is that, where appropriate, we can apply a “flexible” approach to our class structure. Following careful consideration and assessment of pupil progress this may mean that, in English and/or Maths, the needs of a small number of pupils are best met by learning alongside pupils who are not in the same year group. For a very few pupils this may, inevitably involve movement between classes for these subjects. Progress is, of course, carefully monitored and reviewed.

On Wednesday 9th July most of our current Year 6 pupils will be visiting Icknield Community College for the day. (Please remember to take PE kit). All other pupils at Stadhampton School will effectively move up a year group that day for a “taster day” in the classes they will be in September (i.e. current Year 1 pupils will be in Class 2 and current Year 3 pupils in Class 3).

Oxfordshire Design a Meal Competition
Congratulations to Hannah Gibbs in Year 6 who was the runner-up in her age group in the final of the Design a Meal Competition held in Oxford this week.
Hannah reports: “I had great fun at the competition final. We each had a section in the kitchen, our own stove, fridge and oven. We were each assigned to a “buddy” to help us out a bit. You would have been happy to eat any of the meals in a 5-star restaurant! I came 2nd in my category. There were 2 categories, and Carl (aged 12) won the training day at Le Manoir!”

School Council Event - Sponsored Run
We would be grateful to receive any further School Council sponsorship money on Monday so that the final total raised can be announced and decisions made as to what it will be spent on.

Extended Services
Thank you for the responses received so far to the extended services questionnaire sent out with last week’s newsletter. We would be grateful if all parents/carers could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire so that we can ascertain whether parents would support a breakfast club/after school club/holiday playscheme at Stadhampton School. We can only proceed with this possibility if there is sufficient interest.

Message from the PTA Committee
Please could any outstanding “Chiltern Chase” sponsorship money be now sent into school as soon as possible so that the total raised can be confirmed.

Sports Evening – Friday 18th July
The usual PTA tradition of doing a BBQ and bar at the Sports Day event will take place again this year (weather permitting). If you think you will fancy a snack after watching all that sport, all we ask is that you buy tickets for your sausages and burgers in advance so that we do not over order. Tickets are on sale via Mrs Hopkins at School – please give an envelope with your name on and the correct amount of money in, stating how many sausages & burgers you wish to buy to. Hot dogs are £2 and Burgers are £2. Food will not be available to purchase on the day if it has not been pre-ordered. Drinks and crisps however will be available to purchase on the day. Tickets for food are on sale from 1st July – last date for purchasing tickets is 16th July.

School Uniform
Mrs Howlett has asked us to let everyone know that the delivery of uniform, which had been on order for a while, has now arrived and available to purchase!

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears have been busy making sandwiches and colouring in pictures of the seaside. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our Mini Fair last Saturday. We are pleased to announce that this event raised £400. Tickets are now on sale for the Autumn Ball and are available through Nikki or Sharon. A £25 deposit per ticket is required at the time of ordering.

DIARY DATES:
Weds 9th July - Year 6 pupils visit ICC for Induction Day (New Class Taster Day at Stadhampton School) Mobile Library
Friday 18th July - Sports Evening

Post-Ofsted Developments

Dear Parents/Carers,

Following our recent Ofsted inspection, in which we were judged to be a good school with outstanding features, I felt it was now appropriate to update you on school developments.

We are, of course, delighted with the report and there is much to celebrate and be proud of. However, we are not complacent and the two areas for development we are asked to focus on, which were already on our agenda, will be addressed. These two areas are:

- To ensure that development planning is sufficiently detailed to help managers to evaluate the impact of actions
- To find ways to improve communications to parents on pupils’ progress

This is the time of year when our School Improvement and Development Plans are drawn up by myself, in conjunction with staff and the Governing Body. The two items above will be included in these plans, along with other priorities we have identified within our own self-evaluation process. This is an on-going process, which is reviewed annually to ensure that we continue to provide pupils at Stadhampton Primary School with the best educational opportunities we can offer.

As part of our self-evaluation process the Governing Body plan to provide parents, and the wider community, with an opportunity to contribute to a “Where would you like to see your school in three years time?” suggestions board which will be accessible at Sports Evening.

Yours sincerely

Kathryn Turner, Headteacher

Steve Brigden, Chair of Governors

Newsletter No 3

20th June 2008

School Closure
A reminder that the school will be used as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary By-Election on Thursday 26th June so school will be closed to all pupils on that day.

TA support in Class 3
We are pleased to welcome Clare Hopkins as a temporary TA in Class 3 until the end of Term 6.

School Council Sunflower Painting Competition
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the recent School Council Sunflower Painting Competition. The standard was very high and there was an impressive range of styles. I understand it was a difficult competition to judge! The winners were: 1st Kezia Lawson, 2nd Megan Barber, 3rd Tamara Collins and both Andrew Oakley and Rory Pattisson were Highly Commended.

Design a Meal Competition
Congratulations to Hannah Gibbs (Y6) who has been shortlisted to take part in the final stage of the Design a Meal Competition. This takes the form of a “cook off” on 24th June which will be judged by a panel of food experts along with the Lord Mayor of Oxford. Good luck Hannah!

School Pool
Please remember to bring in swimming kit each day now that the school pool is in use.

Brazil Week
We have had a fascinating and enjoyable week finding out about the geography, history and culture of Brazil. Much has been learnt in class lessons but we have also had outside visitors. Ann Fisher from Action Aid gave separate audio-visual talks to KS1 and KS2 pupils and on Friday, Jully Brookes, a professional dancer from Brazil, visited and told us about her childhood in Brazil. She also demonstrated some martial arts linked to tribal traditions as well as dances more associated with carnivals.

School Council Event - Sponsored Run
The recent Sponsored Run in school organised by the School Council was very well supported and seems to have raised a substantial amount of money for School Council funds. We are still receiving sponsorship money and when we have received it all we will be able to announce the total amount raised. Thank you.

Extended Services
Please find attached to this newsletter:
1. Details of some free local summer taster sessions
2. Survey of interest in extended services provision at Stadhampton School – we hope everyone will find time to complete this questionnaire for us

Message from the PTA Committee
Race Night – A huge thank you to Graham & Sam at the Crown for organising a really good fun Race Night held on Saturday 14th June. For those few parents that did attend, the evening was well organised and enjoyable with a percentage of the winnings going to PTA funds and Little Bears. In all £280 was raised, which will be split 50:50.

Stadhampton Steamers – please would you ensure all sponsorship money is returned by 27 June. Any last minute sponsorship from parents who would like to sponsor the team would be gratefully received.

Little Bears News
Everyone is welcome to come along to our Mini Fair this Saturday between 11 and 2pm. There will be a bouncy castle, coconut shy, lots of games and things to do as well as a barbecue and other refreshments to enjoy.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 23rd June
Class 3 swimming sessions begin at Abbey Sports Centre. They will have a total of 5 sessions.
Governors Meeting – 8pm
Wednesday 25th June
Year 5 pupils visit ICC for a Creative Arts lesson
Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – weather permitting!

Newsletter No 2

13th June 2008

Mrs Drummond
We say a sad farewell to Mrs Drummond who leaves us today. I’m sure all pupils, parents and staff will join with me in sending Mrs Drummond our very best wishes for the future. We will all miss her!

School Closure
We have received notification from South Oxford District Council that the school will be used as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary By-Election on Thursday 26th June so school will be closed to all pupils on that day.

Art Gallery
Thank you to everyone who came along to see our art displays last Saturday. We were also very grateful to Mrs Shortman, our school cook, for providing a wonderful selection of cakes and biscuits for the refreshments.

School Pool
We hope that the school pool will be available for use early next week. We are currently awaiting the results of the bacteriological water test sample sent to the JR Hospital.

School Council Event - Sponsored Run – report by Katie Barcoe
Classes 1, 2 and 3 all did well at the sponsored run on Wednesday. Thank you to Michael Hopkins for leading us round the 3- mile maximum course. Well done to everyone who took part. Please could all sponsor money be collected and brought into school as soon as possible. Thank you.

Cricket Tournament – Report by Cameron Cruickshank
Some Year 5 and Year 6 pupils participated in the partnerships cricket tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Ewelme School. We got through all the group stages and played in the final against Watlington. Unfortunately we lost and finished in 2nd place. Everyone played very well and worked hard together. Thank you to Mrs Manzie and to the parents who helped with the transport.

Extend Services Survey
Helen Rints, the Watlington Partnership of schools Extended Services Manager has asked us to distribute the attached survey. Your responses will help us to best develop Partnership Extended Services Provision. Please return the completed surveys (it should only take a minute or two!) to the school office by Friday 20th June.
Thank you.

Message from the PTA Committee
There has been so much fundraising activity for PTA over the last few months which has generated significant funds for the school – thank you to all those people who have helped, run or sold/bought tickets for various things. The next event is at The Crown, Stadhampton on Saturday night (tomorrow) 14th June so why not come along and treat yourself to a night out at your local in good company. This event will be a RACE NIGHT to generate funds for the school and Little Bears. There is no entrance fee, just bet as much or as little as you wish and have a drink with friends. Hope to see you there!

Little Bears News
This week Little Bears enjoyed the sunshine earlier in the week and spent lots of time outdoors. They have also been making spiders and painting pictures of bumble bees. They also enjoyed making scones and Father’s Day cards. A successful parents’ evening was held on Tuesday. Please see attached flyer for details of the Mini-Fair.

DIARY DATES:
Monday 16th June
Brazil Week begins in school
Final swim for Class 2 pupils
Monday 23rd June
Class 3 swimming sessions begin at Abbey Sports Centre
Governors Meeting – 8pm
Friday 18th July
Sports Evening – weather permitting!