Newsletter for week ending 30th November 2012

Annual Questionnaire for Parents and Carers,
A reminder that the deadline for returning completed forms is Friday 7th December. Thank you to the families who have already completed and returned the annual parents questionnaire, recently distributed by the Governing Body, back to the school office. The Governing Body are keen to hear your views of how well the school is meeting your expectations. The questionnaire is confidential. Thank you.

Winter Fair and Car Parking - Friday 30th November
The netball court will be opened up for use as a car park for the Winter Fair. We hope this will alleviate congestion in the school car park and in Cratlands Close. We respectfully remind families who need to drive to the event to be mindful of the needs of the residents of Cratlands Close and avoid blocking driveway access or parking on the pavement.

Maths Booklets
‘Support your child at home’ Maths booklets for pupils in Years 1 to 6 were sent home via book bags earlier this week. These booklets, which are year group specific, provide ideas for home-based activities that can help support your child’s learning in school. Pupils in Year 2 should have also received a second leaflet entitled ‘Helping your child with maths’, which gives ideas to use at home and also outlines some of the key methods currently used in mathematical calculations. This leaflet is routinely given to families of Year 2 pupils but can be a helpful reference from Year 2 up to Year 6. If any families of older children have misplaced their copy and would like another one, please ask your child’s class teacher. We hope you find these booklets helpful. Children in Reception received a separate leaflet earlier in the school year and haven’t been forgotten!

Tickets for the Christmas Performances
Tickets will be available from Monday onwards from the school office for the three Christmas performances priced at £2 each:
• Reception and Class 1’s production will be held on Wednesday 12th December, 2pm for a 2.15pm performance. Everyone is welcome to attend this performance and a maximum of 3 tickets per family are available. Tickets are not required for younger siblings.
• Class 2 and Class 3’s matinee production will be held on Tuesday 11th December, 1.30pm for a 1.40pm performance. Everyone is welcome to attend this performance and a maximum of 3 tickets per family are available. Tickets are not required for younger siblings.
• Class 2 and Class 3’s evening production will also be held on Tuesday 11th December 6pm for a 6.30pm performance. A maximum of 3 tickets per family are available for this performance. We respectfully request that parents do not bring children who are under school age to this performance please.
This year, the money raised through selling tickets for the school Christmas productions will be donated to Footsteps Foundation, a local charity based in Dorchester which offers intensive rehabilitation for children and young adults with neurological disorders. Refreshments will be served by the PTA after the evening performance on Tuesday 11th December, with any profits they make going to PTA funds!

School Christmas Lunch
Once a year, Mrs Shortman takes on the mammoth task of cooking a Christmas lunch for the whole school. We ask that all pupils and staff have a school dinner that day. This year the date is Thursday 20th December. We try to make it a special occasion with serviettes and crackers, each child makes their own place mat (in school) and the staff serve the children with their lunch. The cost is £2 (the same price as a normal school meal) and the menu will be roast turkey and all the trimmings or cheese and vegetable goujons with vegetarian sausages. There is no requirement to pay for the meal before Monday 17th December, although you may do so if you wish. Cheques for school meals are made payable to OCC with Stadhampton School written on the back of the cheque please.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Poppy Appeal. We raised £39.05.

Footsteps road-safety awareness leaflets
Footsteps guides for parents have been sent home, via book bags, for all pupils in Years 1 and 2. These booklets, which are distributed on behalf of the Footsteps initiative, are designed to help parents help their children develop their road-safety awareness.

PTA NEWS
Winter Fair
We're all ready for a great evening and looking forward to seeing you there. Come and visit Santa for £2, have a go on the chocolate tombola for 30p, the toy tombola, have your nails painted for £1, and lots more.

Friday Cake Club
Last week’s lucky winner of the cake was Hannah Lansley, kindly donated by Mrs Holmes. Thomas Cove and Ellie Wiggins both had their names pulled first, but very kindly said to dip again as they had won before! A reminder to Mrs Woodwards that she is on the rota for 7th December.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we will be looking at the Jewish festival of lights Hanukkah. We are going to make a large Menorah and play with some Dreidels as well as looking at Hebrew writing.

DIARY DATES:
Friday 30 November TONIGHT! Winter Fair 6-8pm
Sunday 2 December Christingle Service at St John’s Church, Stadhampton at 9.30am
Wednesday 5 December Mobile Library
Tuesday 11 December Matinee and evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12 December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production at 2.15pm. The Oxford Mail may take a photograph of this performance for their Christmas feature. Please let us know if you have any objections.
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. Reception children will be actively involved in this service. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Newsletter for week ending 23rd November 2012

Annual Questionnaire for Parents and Carers
The annual questionnaire for parents and carers, compiled and analysed by the Governing Body, along with a covering letter, has been sent home via book bags today. In response to feedback from parents and carers last year, we have provided a form for each child rather than each family and an envelope for the return of each form.

Class 3 Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre Residential Visit
It was good to see so many parents at the presentations about the Woodlands Residential visit, to hear questions from pupils and parents and to be able to provide everyone with an opportunity to meet Mr Chris Pearce, Head of Centre. A leaflet summarising much of this information has been sent home via bookbags today – please see Miss Shah if you haven’t received one. Further information will be sent to families in the near future.

School Admission Appeal Panels
When the Local Authority has refused a child a place at the parents’ preferred school, the parents have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. In accordance with Regulations, OCC must make arrangements for parents to appeal and part of that duty is to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of people to serve on these appeal panels. If anyone is interested in being on an appeal panel please contact Mrs Sheila Sturgeon Education Appeals Officer on 01865 810180 or
e -mail schoolappeals@oxfordshire.gov.uk by Monday 10th December 2012.

Detoxing Childhood books available to parents and carers
Earlier this week Mrs Turner attended a training session entitled ‘21st Century Children: Language, Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum’. The session, which was both fascinating and constructive, was led by Sue Palmer. Sue Palmer is well known to teachers as a writer, broadcaster and consultant on child education, particularly literacy, and is an independent advisor to the Department of Education and the BBC. She may be known to some parents as the author of the book ‘Toxic Childhood’. More recently she has written another book ‘Detoxing Childhood’ in which she provides a guide on how parents can help today’s children grow up healthy, happy and resilient, despite the pressures of the ‘toxic’ world. We have bought two copies of this book for school and if any parents/carers are interested in borrowing a copy you would be most welcome to do so – please see either Mrs Turner or Mrs Hopkins.

Children in Need
It was wonderful to see so many children and school staff wearing ‘something spotty’ last Friday. Thank you to all parents and carers for helping their children by creating a range of spotty outfits and supporting this cause. We managed to raise an amazing £100 for this worthy cause. Thank you.

Seasonal Illness and School Absence
The colder, damper weather seems to have brought with it the usual seasonal illnesses with pupils, parents and staff succumbing to a range of conditions. In assembly we have reminded pupils about the NHS ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’ campaign and to help offer guidance to parents we have distributed a leaflet from Oxfordshire County Council about sickness absence which we hope you will find useful. This leaflet has also been uploaded onto the school website (Links section).

Bottle Tops Collection
Thank you for continuing to collect these for us. Mrs Leiper will be taking a huge parcel of them to the collection point in Swindon at the weekend to support the Thames Valley Air Ambulance collection. We have been advised that milk bottle tops, Robinsons and Innocent tops and anything with a triangle inside the top may be recycled but tops off fizzy drinks bottles cannot be recycled.

The Oxford Owl – www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Parents may already be aware of this useful website but, if not, this website is free and has been designed by teachers and parents specifically to help parents support their children’s reading and maths at home. We will also put a link to it on our own website.

Winter Fair – Friday 30th November
A reminder (for anyone who missed it!) that the PTA Winter Fair is in school next Friday, 30th November, from 6.00-8.00pm. This is a popular and major fund-raising event and we look forward to seeing you there!

PTA News

Raffle Tickets
Please return your raffle tickets (with your name on the back) and payment by next Thursday to be included in the raffle draw at the Winter Fair next Friday. Remember to keep the duplicate set of tickets for Friday.

Winter Fair
It's one week to the Winter Fair - and we would love any donations of good quality items that you can give us - how about you "Phil a bag" over the weekend with any of the following: chocolates, sweets, biscuits, cakes, mince pies, books, CDs & DVDs, beauty products, toys or bottles, unwanted gifts or any other items that may be suitable for the raffle - and put it in our red box in the hall on Monday.

Friday Cake Club
Well done Thomas Cove on winning the cake last Friday, donated by Mrs Duke. A reminder to Mrs Hursey who is on the rota for the 30th November.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we are looking at colours light and dark. We will also be looking at a colour wheel and talking about colour mixing.

DIARY DATES:
Friday 30 November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Sunday 2 December Christingle Service at St John’s Church, Stadhampton at 9.30am
Wednesday 5 December Mobile Library
Tuesday 11 December Matinee and evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12 December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production at 2.15pm. The Oxford Mail may take a photograph of this performance for their Christmas feature. Please let us know if you have any objections.
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Newsletter for week ending 9th November 2012

Happy NOVEMBER Birthday to: Juliana Browning, Beau Burnell, Jacob Day, Amy Freeman, Max Jones, Max Lansley, Lola Odell and Ella Perring.

During NOVEMBER we are focusing on the core value of PEACE

Act of Remembrance
We held our school Act of Remembrance at 11am on Friday 9th November. Prayers and poems were read by pupils in Class 3 which was particularly poignant as they have been studying the book War Horse as their Literacy text.

Book Fair
Thank you to everyone who supported our school Book Fair last week, purchasing books and stationery items. Sales totalled £438, which has enabled us to receive books to the value of £203 for the class libraries. Thank you to everyone who made a purchase.

Recorders
A reminder that recorders started this week for all pupils in Years 3-6 and will continue during terms 2, 4 and 6. For hygiene reasons, pupils should have their own named recorder. Recorder and books are available from the school office if anyone should need them. Recorders are on sale for £6.50 and books for £4.80 each (the price we pay for them). Apologies that the price of the recorder books was mis-typed in last week’s newsletter. The correct price for recorder books is £4.80, i.e.£11.30 for a recorder and a book. Children will have been advised which book is appropriate.

Parents’ Consultation Evenings
Slips giving details of the date and time of consultations were put in book bags earlier this week.

Class 2 Visit to Woodstock
A big thank you to all Class 2 pupils for being such a pleasure to take and to all families for providing the ‘evacuee outfits’ which helped to make this visit so meaningful. Some photographs taken before they set off, and of the visit, will shortly be on display in the classroom and on the school website.

Here is a report from Emily and Jamie:
“Class Two went on a trip to The Oxfordshire Museum, in Woodstock. We dressed up and even had a World War Two lunch. Class 2 made rag rugs. Most people said it was easy. We had a pretend air raid and wore gas marks. After that we went to the cemetery and looked at World War 1 and 2 soldiers’ graves. Class 2 thought it was an extremely amazing day and hope they can go again!.

School Council and Children in Need “Show your spots, let’s raise lots!”
Friday 16th November is “Children in Need” day and this year the School Council are planning the findraising for this charity. Pupils may pay £1 to wear non-uniform but should make sure that their outfit includes something spotty!



Mr Jamie Hazeldine
We welcome Mr Jamie Hazeldine, a local youth leader and sports coach, as a volunteer in school over the next few months. Mr Hazeldine is intending to train to be a teacher and will be a regular visitor, gaining experience throughout the school.

Christmas Events – Dates for your Diary!
Dates of the Christmas plays, Nativity Service in Church, and other festive activities, are all in the Diary Dates section of this newsletter.

PTA News
Winter Fair - Friday 30th November
We would be very grateful for donations of items for the Winter Fair; bottles, tins, jars and chocolate for the tombola’s, raffle prizes, toys, books, CDs & DVDs. Please drop your donations into school the week commencing the 19th November or give them to a member of the PTA for safe-keeping. Thank you.
Friday Cake Club
Hannah Tombling was the lucky winner of the cake on the Friday before half term, kindly donated by Mrs Jones. A reminder to Mrs Duke that she is on the rota for 16 November.

Fund raising amounts
A spookily great time was had by all the children at the Halloween Disco - we raised a fantastic £250.01.
Thanks to everyone who paid for their coaster and placed orders with Funmats - we've raised another £121.45.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we are celebrating Divali at Little Bears. We will be making small clay candle holders and tasting some of the foods that would be enjoyed during this Hindu festival.
Thank you to Lucy Ellis who donated some great books to Little Bears.

DIARY DATES:
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Friday 16th November Children in Need Day. Pupils may pay £1 to come to school in their own clothes, but must be wearing something spotty!
Netball and Rugby tournaments at ICC for participating pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 30th November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Newsletter for week ending 26th October 2012

Cycling Safety Training
Congratulations to the following Year 6 children who have successfully passed their cycle safety training: Millie Birtles, Bryce Dobson, Benjamin Duke, Matthew Ellis, Orla Fernie, Molly Howard and Georgia Valentine. We hope to be able to organise another opportunity for a re-test and cycle sessions for Year 6’s and 5’s in the spring. We are very grateful to Mrs Scragg, Mrs Green, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Birtles and particularly to Mrs Leighfield, who no longer has a child at Stadhampton School, for providing this opportunity for us.

Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 3 pupils on Monday 5th November (the first day back at school after the October Holiday). They will have 7 sessions. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to help with the transport and lifeguard costs by contributing £2 a week towards this. Thank you to the parents/carers of pupils in Class 2, who all paid last term. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School, please.

Recorders
A reminder that recorders wll be starting on Monday 5th November for all pupils in Years 3-6 and that for hygiene reasons pupils should provide their own named recorder. Recorder and books are available from the school office; recorders are on sale for £6.50 and books for £3.80 each (the price we pay for them).

Archery Club
We are delighted to be able to trial an after-school archery club. The club will take place in the Hall on Tuesdays from 3.20 – 4.20pm. The club is limited to pupils aged 8 and over and there are strict restrictions on the maximum number of pupils who can take part. During Term 2 this club is being offered to pupils in Year 4 in the first instance; if there are places available these will be offered to Year 3 pupils who are already 8 years old (as Class 3 pupils are currently having Science Club on Tuesdays). We hope to be able to offer the archery club to Class 3 pupils in the New Year. The club will be run by an experienced local qualified archery instructor and further details will be circulated to ‘target’ groups when dates have been arranged.

After-School Clubs in Term 2
Letters about other After-School Clubs running next term were sent in book bags earlier this week. Please note that there will not be a multi-skills club specifically for pupils in Class 1 next term. There will, however, be a singing club for pupils on Class 1 after-school on Wednesdays. Details to follow. Mr Hopkins will again run an after –school multiskills club for pupils in Years 3-6 and if there are spaces available, this club may be opened up to Year 1 and 2 pupils. Please let Mrs Hopkins know if this is of interest so that she can keep you informed about whether there are spaces available.

Complimentary Meals for Reception Children
Following the success of previous years, Food with Thought are offering all Reception Class children a week’s free school lunches during the week of 19th – 23rd November 2012. Hopefully this will encourage them all to try a hot school meal this winter. Letters are in book bags, so please don’t forget to reply.



Missing Sweatshirt
Please could parents of Class 1 pupils check to see if by any chance they have Lawrence Wright’s sweatshirt which is named? An un-named one has been returned to school by Mr and Mrs Wright.

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Buddy Halliday. Thanks to Mrs Dickens for the cake. A reminder to Mrs Manzie who is on the rota for 9th November after half term.

If you would like to join the Friday Cake Club and want to pay in advance for next term, 7 weeks from 9th November to 22nd December, it will be £1.40 per child.

Halloween Disco
We're ready to party!

To keep children safe, they will need to be signed in and out of the disco by parents, via Class 1. Halloween bangles, at 50p for 2, will be available for sale outside Class 1.

Clothes Recycling
Thanks to everyone who brought in bags for recycling. There were 90 bags! Somebody donated a lovely large beige bear with a couple of patches on, and we would like to use it at the Winter Fair, would the previous owner of said bear please speak to Rowena or Diana.

Winter Fair
If you are having a clear out over the Half Term, please remember that we have Winter Fair coming up on 30 November. We will be looking for CDs, DVDs, toys, books etc, raffle prizes, sweets, chocolate and bottles for the tombolas. Items can be left in the PTA box in the hall.



LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Poppy Eliott will be running a creche (games, mini disco, chill out time) at Little Bears on Friday 26 October for siblings of children attending the PTA Halloween Disco. Open from 5.45 until 8pm. £5 per child (includes drink and snacks)

We are also holding a Stay & Play during half term for 2-5 year olds - Wednesday 31 October, 9-11.30am. Please speak to Debbie Bradford, pop into Little Bears or call to book or find out more. Little Bears telephone number is 01865 400033.

And finally a WANTED! Does anyone have a hoover they would like to donate to the Preschool, if so, please speak to the supervisor Gemma Austin.

We return to Preschool on Monday 5 November and our topic for the week will be Light & Dark.

DIARY DATES:
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Tuesday 6th November NO Science Club today
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 30th November Winter Fair 6-8pm
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production
Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. All welcome to join us.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch
Friday 21st December
End of term assembly at 9.05am. All welcome to join us.
School finishes at 1.30pm.
Monday 7th January Staff INSET Day – no pupils!
Tuesday 8th January Pupils return to school for the start of Term 3

Stadhampton Bonfire and Firework Display -Monday 5th November 2012 -Stadhampton Village Green – Message from Sue White
Volunteers are needed to help at the Firework Display. We need ‘bucket shakers’ to collect donations from our many visitors. We provide the buckets and high ‘vis’ tabards for you to wear and would be extremely grateful for YOUR help. If this doesn’t appeal we can offer you a place serving customers in our refreshment tent. The evening starts at 5.30 p.m. We light the bonfire at 6.30 p.m. and the Firework Display begins at 7.00 p.m. If you can help in any way please contact Sue White, 01865 8908880 or e-mail Suzanne.white11@btinternet.com

Newsletter week ending 19th October 2012

Book Fair
We are holding a Children’s Book Fair in school from Tuesday 23rd October until Friday 26th October inclusive. The Book Fair will be open from 8.30 to 9.00am each morning and from 3.00 until 3.30pm each afternoon. Parents are welcome to come in during these times to browse for books with or without their children! The commission from sales at the fair enables us to buy books to update our individual class libraries and our non-fiction library. There are hundreds of exciting books to choose from with prices from just £1. A leaflet showing some examples of the books available and an order form was sent home in book bags earlier this week.

Website Additions
This week we have added a link which parents with young children may be interested to have a look at, to the Foundation Class page. The document is entitled ‘Families in the Foundation Years’ and the report was produced in July 2011 by the Department of Education. Some additions have also been added to the Calendar.

Food with Thought new Winter/Spring 2012 Menu
This week, each family should have received, via book bags, a copy of the new three–week Winter/Spring 2012 menu which begins on 5th November 2012. A copy has also been uploaded onto the school website (Parents section).

PTA NEWS

Plant Orders
Thanks to everyone who ordered plants - we raised £57.

Plant orders will be arriving in school on 22nd October and will be ready for pick up after school at 3.15pm. Can we remind parents who are bringing cars, to allow other parents/carers to vacate the car park first before picking up their order from in front of the school. Thank you!

Clothes Recycling - 9am, Tuesday 23rd October
Last chance for a clear out over the weekend of all those unwanted old clothes, shoes, belts, bedding (no pillows or duvets), towels and cuddly toys.

To avoid congestion on Tuesday morning, please bring all bags in after school on Monday 22nd October. Please only bring them in on Tuesday morning if you are walking in.

Please be aware that on Monday there will be people collecting plants, dropping off clothes recycling bags, and Class 3's school trip bus will be due back at 3.15pm, so when parking please be considerate of pedestrians and the residents of Cratlands Close. Thank you.

Personalised Gifts - Thursday 25th October
You should have received a lovely looking coaster with a picture your child/children has drawn of themselves. You can place orders for any of the other items on the order sheet, and their picture will be printed on to it. There is no obligation to buy the coaster you have received.

If you wish to order further items - please ensure you return the order form, the original artwork and payment.
• If you just wish to purchase the coaster sent home - please return the order form and payment of £2.50
• If you do not wish to keep the coaster sent home - please ensure that you return the coaster
All orders, payment and original artowrk, and unwanted coasters need to be in by Thursday 25th October.

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Ella Fulker. Thanks to Mrs Valentine (and Georgia!) for the cake.
A reminder to Mrs K Jones who is on the rota for 26th Oct.


Little Bears News
Next we are continuing with our theme of ‘Our Families’. We will be assembling our family tree too. We are also welcoming in Laila Burnell, Oliver Parkes and Ellie Payne to Little Bears.
Happy belated birthday to Mia Gravett who turned 4 and a happy birthday to Rafi Wilkinson who turns 4 next week.
Crèche tickets are still available from Gemma.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 22nd October Plant orders due to arrive
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Reception and Class 1 pupils Autumn Walk if not raining (if wet will be Weds 24th October)
Wednesday 24th October 9.00am ‘I Love Phonics’ workshop for parents of pupils in the Foundation Stage (Reception) and Class 1
Thursday 25th October French Day and After-School Café from 3.15-3.45pm.
After school football club for participating pupils who wish to attend
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production

Newsletter for week ending 12th October 2012

School Website
This week we have added the following items onto the new school website; some photographs taken of displays in classrooms, a list of useful reminders for pupils in Classes 1, 2 and 3 and some dates of events onto the calendar.

Bottles for the Greenhouse
A huge thank you to everyone for collecting clear plastic bottles for us to make a ‘green’ greenhouse with. Mrs Tombling and Mrs Birtles have reported that we have more than enough bottles now, so there is no need for them to be saved for school anymore.

Harvest Service
Thank you to parents for generously donating wonderful Harvest gifts and for coming along to our Harvest Service in school. We had many comments from parents and carers saying how much they had enjoyed the occasion, however, we also received one or two complaints from parents saing they were unable to hear pupils speaking due to background noise from the audience. May we respectfully suggest to parents that if they have a younger sibling with them who might be a little noisy that they seat themselves so that they can leave the hall and either go into Class 1 or the entrance area with the younger sibling, should the need arise. Hopefully this will enable the majority of parents to be able to hear what is being said. We are grateful to the parents who already do this, and thank all parents for their cooperation in this matter in the future.

Leaflet about Taking Holidays during Term Time from the OCC Attendance and Engagement Team
Each family should have received a leaflet this week from the Attendance and Engagement Team at the Local Authority about taking holidays during term time. The leaflet clarifies what are ‘exceptional circumstances’, what the Law says and issues that parents need to be aware of.

School Photographs
Each family should have now received proof sets of the photographs taken last week. If you wish to place an order, The School Photography Company will be collecting orders from school week beginning 22nd October. There is no requirement to return the proofs if you do not wish to place an order. Thank you.

PTA News
Christmas Cards - Monday 15th October
All designs, payment and orders need to be in by 9am on Monday 15th October.

Halloween Disco
Tickets are now on sale in the school hall every morning.

Friday Cake Club
Last week's winner was Ellie Wiggins. Thanks to Mrs Burnell for the cake.
A reminder to Mrs Dickens who is on the rota for 19th Oct.


French Day, Parent Presentation and After School Café – 25.10.2012
On Thursday 25th October we are planning to have a whole-school French Day organised by Madam Church. During the day pupils will take part in a number of activities that link French with their class topics this term. At 3pm pupils will give a short presentation to parents in the Hall, showcasing some of the work that has been carried out during the day and from 3.15 to 3.45pm pupils, parents and staff are invited to a French-themed café in the Hall. This will give parents an opportunity to meet Madam Church and all of us to sample some home-made French cuisine! Everyone is most welcome, but if you do intend to come it would be most helpful if you could let the office know so that we can cater appropriately.

After-school football club will still run on that day and pupils who normally attend are free to attend or may, of course, go to the French café instead!


Little Bears News
Next week we looking at families and making a big family tree. Can we remind all parents to please bring in their photo leaf please?
Tickets are still available for the crèche and ‘Stay and Play’ too.


DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 16th October Science Club begins for participating pupils
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.
Cycling Safety Test for participating pupils
Monday 22nd October Plant orders due to arrive
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Michael Hopkins
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production

Newsletter for week ending 5th October 2012

Happy OCTOBER Birthday to: Edison Buckner, Wyatt Bullock, Benjamin Duke, Ella Fulker, Sophie Hector, Oliver Lowman, Lewis Payne, Marcin Skwarek and Ellie Walker.

During OCTOBER we are focusing on the core value of APPRECIATION

School Website
We have added several new items onto the new school website this week; our Key Achievements in 2011-2012 and an Equality Objectives Plan. We have made a small change to the Pupil Premium Report and added some information about the Governing Body.
Please have a look at it; www.stadhamptonschool.org
We would love to hear what you think of our new website and welcome suggestions for what else parents/carers would find useful to have online.
We hope that in the event of very bad weather and the possibility that the school will be closed that we will be able to add this information onto the school website early in the morning.

Swimming contributions
Thank you to the many families in Class 2 who have already made voluntary contributions towards the swimming costs this term.
Any further contributions from families who have not yet made a contribution, and are willing to do so, would be most welcome. Thank you.

PTA News
Wine and Nibbles Evening, incorporating the PTA Annual General Meeting (AGM) - 8th November 2012, 8pm, School Hall

Formal notice that the AGM of the Stadhampton Primary School PTA, will be held on the 8th November 2012. The evening will commence at 8.00pm with the PTA Annual General Meeting, followed by a Wine and Nibbles evening in the school hall. We anticipate that the AGM should last approximately 15 minutes.

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/students 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. Nominations should be sent in advance of the AGM, for existing committee members willing to stand for re-election and for anyone wishing to stand as an Officer or Ordinary Committee Member, for the first time. Nomination forms are available in the PTA box in the School Office.

If you would like any further information about what is involved in being a Committee Member, please speak to Diana Woodwards.

We look forward to seeing you on 8 November 2012.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to last weeks winner - Benjamin West, who won the cake donated by Mrs Buckner.

A reminder to Mrs Valentine that she is on the rota for 13th October.

Christmas Cards - orders in by Monday 15th October

You may have seen some lovely Christmas card designs coming home with your child/children this week. If you wish you can add to this design (or even create another one!) but please refer to the guidance notes.

The first pack of 12 cards is £5.50, each additional pack of 12 cards is £4.50. You can order as many packs as you like.
A pack of 12 gift tags is £2.50 (and has to be with a card order).

All completed artwork, orders and payment, need to be in by the 15th October. Any queries please see Charlotte Hector or Rowena Dobson.


Little Bears News
Next week we will be talking about heathy eating . We will be making some exotic fruit kebabs and making heathy eating collage paper plates.

Little Bears would also like to say a huge thank you to Thea and Jenny Diment who donated lots of lovely toys to the Little Bears and also to thank the Eatons for donating some phones.

Little Bears Preschool will be running a creche during the PTA Halloween Disco on Friday 26 October. Parents can drop off siblings not attending the disco from 5.45pm onwards. £5 for the full two hours, which will include drinks and snacks.
Consent Forms & further details are available from the supervisor, Gemma Austin at Little Bears or you can email her at supervisor@little-bears.co.uk.

Halloween Stay & Play
Little Bears Preschool are having a Halloween Stay & Play session on Wednesday 31 October (same date as the SPS Sports course).
From 9 - 11.30am. Tickets £2.50 for Little Bears, £1 for any pals/siblings.
For more information speak to Debbie Bradford or Mel Gravett or visit Little Bears during school hours.


DIARY DATES:
Tuesday 16th October Science Club begins for participating pupils
Wednesday 17th October Open Morning at Stadhampton School and Little Bears 9.00-11.30am.
Cycling Safety Test for participating pupils
Tuesday 23rd October Bag2School Clothes Collection by 9.00am
Wednesday 31st October One-day Holiday Course led by Mr Hopkins
Monday 19th November Parents Evening: 3.30 – 4.30pm and 5.00-7.00pm Class 1
4.00 - 7.00pm – Reception, Class 2 and Class 3
Wednesday 21st November Parents Evening: 4.00 – 6.00pm – all classes
Friday 26th October School finishes at 3.15pm for half –term
Monday 5th November Return to school at 9.00am.
Thursday 15th November School used as a Polling Station – closed to pupils
Tuesday 11th December Matinee and Evening performances of KS2 Christmas Production
Wednesday 12th December Matinee performance of FS/KS1 Christmas Production