Newsletter for week ending 25 January 2013

Weather Watch
Thank you for keeping up-to-date with our school website regarding the impact of the recent snow on access to school and school opening hours. The weather is expected to become milder again but please continue to keep tuned into the local radio and check the website during any future spells of adverse weather.


Advance Notice of School Closure for County Council Elections
We have received notification this week from South Oxfordshire District Council that the school premises will be required for use as a polling station on Thursday 2 May 2013. This means that unfortunately the school will be closed to pupils on that day. We hope that once the conversions have been made to the Church, that elections will be able to be held there rather than necessating the need to close the school. I realise that this enforced closure is near to SATs week for Year 6 pupils but preparation for SATs takes place over a long period of time and Year 6 pupils will be provided with a task to help keep them ‘fine-tuned’.

School Council Election
Last week Class 1, 2 and 3 voted for their new School Council representatives. Congratulations to Jake Day, Hannah Tombling, Ruby Dallimore, Marcin Skwarek, Betsy Elliot, Oliver Lowman, Ella Lavene, James Lowman, Benjamin West and Lizzie Bowerman who were all elected.

Class 3’s competing at the Watlington Partnership Indoor Athletics – Report by Jake D and Hannah T
“We all thoroughly enjoyed the indoor athletics event at Icknield. The races were all very intense and we were lucky enough to win several. Due to our hard work and determination we came 2nd out of 6 teams. We congratulate the winners, Watlington Primary. One of the pupils who participated said “It was really well organised and I enjoyed it so much, we did really well to come 2nd.”
Congratulations to Class 3 – we’re proud of you!

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
The winner of last week’s cake was Ella Lavene, kindly donated by Mrs Gravett. A reminder to Mrs Diment that she is on the rota for 1st February.

Children's Bingo and Hotdog Night - Friday 22nd February 2013, 5.30 until 7pm
It's back, tickets for this hugely popular event will be on sale next week. Tickets are limited to 50 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please look out for the permission slip in book bags this weekend and hand them in with payment to Rowena or Diana in the School Hall, to get your tickets.

We need some items that can be given as prizes for lines and full houses, if anyone has any unwanted 'good as new' toys or gifts, please put them in the red PTA box in the School Hall. Thank you.

Adult's Boogie Bingo - Friday 8th March, 7.30pm
It's bingo with a twist (and shout) - instead of shouting out numbers we play snippets of songs. Cross songs off your boogie bingo card as you hear them (if you don't know them someone else will), and complete for prizes for lines and full houses. As if that wasn't enough fun, play your boogie card to hear your favourite song in full and have a boogie!!

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Continuing with our Elmer the Patch Work Elephant we will be looking at the book ‘Elmer on Stilts’. The children will be practising their balancing skills on stilts and making footprint pictures.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 28 January Swimming Gala for selected pupils only
Meeting of the Governing Body at 7pm.
Friday 1 February UNICEF Day for Change – please start saving small change!
Tuesday 5 February Class 2 visit to Sulgrave Manor. Letter sent out this week in book bags.
Friday 8 February Break up for the February Holiday at 3.15pm
Monday 18 February Return to school for the start of Term 4
Tuesday 19 February Reception pupils eye checks
Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March Class 3 Residential Visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre accompanied by Miss Shah, Mrs Scragg and Mr Hazeldine.
Extra swimming opportunity at Abbey Sports Centre for Class 2 pupils on Monday 25 February.

Newsletter for week ending 18 January 2013

Snow
In the event that the forecast of heavy snow materialises tomorrow, please listen to the local radio and look at the school website for the latest information.

Appointment of a new Parent Governor
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Samantha Robinson as a new parent governor with effect from 14 January 2013. No other parent/carer put their name forward, so there was no requirement to hold a ballot.

‘Active Maths’
Following the positive impact of ‘Big Writing’ and ‘Talk for Writing’ on pupil progress in Literacy last year, we are now developing our Maths provision to mirror key aspects of our Literacy provision. This includes the introduction of ‘Active Maths’, a series of maths activities and investigations to be carried out at home. This will enable families to engage in aspects of maths that are being taught in each class, in a similar way to the way that ‘Talk for Writing’ links with the teaching of English in each class. An ‘Active Maths’ information sheet has been sent home, via bookbags, earlier this week.

Termly Outline Plans
Termly Outline Plans giving parents and carers an overview of the key areas of teaching and learning being covered in each class during Terms 3 and 4, have been sent home, via book bags, earlier this week. We are in the process of uploading these onto the Parents Section of the School Website.

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
Wow, the cake club is proving very popular - thank you to everyone who has joined this term. The winner of the first cake of the year was Billy Bowerman, with the cake donated by Mrs Gravett.

A reminder to Mrs Hector that she is on the rota for the 25 January.
Upcoming Events
Keep an eye out for details on the following exciting events being planned:

Children's Bingo & Hot Dog Night
Grown Up's 'Boogie Bingo' (It's bingo with music instead of numbers!)
Easter Chocolate Raffle - Wednesday 27th March, after school

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Next week we are looking at the book “Elmer and the Lost Teddy.” We will be having a lost teddy hunt in the garden, talking about friendship and baking some Elmer Elephant biscuits.


DIARY DATES:
Wednesday 23 January Mobile Library visits the school
Monday 28 January Swimming Gala for selected pupils
Meeting of the Governing Body at 7pm.
Friday 1 February UNICEF Day for Change – please start saving small change!
Tuesday 5 February Class 2 visit to Sulgrave Manor. Letter to follow.
Friday 8 February Break up for the February Holiday at 3.15pm
Monday 18 February Return to school for the start of Term 4
Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March Class 3 Residential Visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre accompanied by Miss Shah, Mrs Scragg and Mr Hazeldine.

Newsletter for week ending 11 January 2013

Welcome back to everyone and Happy New Year!

We are pleased to welcome Eliza Gardner into our Reception class this term.

Happy JANUARY Birthday to: Elizabeth Bowerman, Bronte Buckner, Owen Cove, Thomas Cove, Myles Dobson, Matthew Ellis, Megan Green, Isabella Kenny, Tia Khan, Benjamin West and Thomas West.

During JANUARY we are focusing on the core value of FRIENDSHIP

Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 2 pupils on Monday 14th January. They will have 3 more sessions on January 21st (not 28th as it is the Swimming Gala) followed by the 4th and 18th February. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to help with the transport costs to Berinsfield with a contribution of £2 per swimming session. Thank you to the parents/carers of pupils in Class 3, who made a contribution last term. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School, please.

After School Sports Clubs
Please see the School Website for reminders of the after-school clubs available in Term 3.

Advice for Parents/Carers from the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit
Thames Valley Health Protection Unit (TVHPU) have received reports of outbreaks of flu-like illness affecting children in schools. Some of these have been confirmed as being caused by a seasonal flu virus called Influenza B. Similar reports have been received by the Health Protection Agency from other parts of the country.
In order to minimise the spread of the virus, children, staff and visitors with flu-like symptoms (such as a raised temperature, a cough, runny nose, muscle and joint pains or headache) should not attend school until their symptoms have cleared up.
Reducing the spread of infection can be helped by remembering 'Catch It, Bin It, Kill It':
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a disposable paper tissue when possible;
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully;
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and clean hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product to kill the virus.

Most cases of flu can be managed at home and further advice can be found at NHS Direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ or telephone 0845 4647) but if you are concerned about any aspect of your child's health seek advice from your GP as rarely other severe illnesses could appear with similar flu like symptoms
Your GP may have invited your child for flu vaccination this year if they fall under one of the nationally identified risk groups already [chronic heart, lung disease; metabolic disorders (including severe asthma and diabetes); kidney problems or a lowered immune system due to treatment or disease]. If you believe your child falls into one of these categories and has not been able to attend an appointment previously for seasonal flu vaccination, please contact your GP. Children in these risk groups should also seek medical advice promptly if they develop signs of flu-like illness.
If you are the parents of a child who qualifies for flu vaccine due to an underlying medical condition but who has not be vaccinated AND you have been in contact with someone with flu, then you may need to get advice from your child's doctor about the need to use anti-viral medication to reduce the risk of transmitting infection.
If you need further advice about a specific incident or outbreak, you can also contact TVHPU at 0845 279 9879 or email tvhpu@hpa.org.uk.

PTA News

Friday Cake Club
Joshua Hursey won the cake donated by Mrs Payne on the 14th December. The last 'Cake' of the term was donated by Mrs Bowerman and won by Josh Matthews. Since September we have raised an amazing £160 - thanks to everyone for joining the club, and another thank you to all our cake donators!

The Friday Cake Club is running again this year, so make sure you see Rowena Dobson on Friday morning to be in with a chance of winning, or pay in advance at any time if you prefer. £1 per child up to half term or £2 per child up to Easter.

A reminder to Mrs Perring that she is on the cake donation rota for the 18th January.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
Next week we are looking at the book ‘Elmer in the Snow’. We will also be finding out about season change and talking about dangers and how we keep ourselves safe.


DIARY DATES:
Monday 14 January First swimming session for Class 2 pupils
Year 5 pupils go to ICC for a Technology lesson
Friday 18 January Year 5/6 take part in Sports Hall Activities at ICC. Letter sent home this week.
Wednesday 23 January Mobile Library visits the school
Monday 28 January Swimming Gala for selected pupils
Meeting of the Governing Body at 7pm.
Friday 1 February UNICEF Day for Change – please start saving loose change!
Tuesday 5 February Class 2 visit to Sulgrave Manor. Letter to follow.
Friday 8 February Break up for the February Holiday at 3.15pm
Monday 18 February Return to school for the start of Term 4
Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March Class 3 Residential Visit to Woodlands Outdoor Education Centre accompanied by Miss Shah, Mrs Scragg and Mr Hazeldine.


Attachment:
What’s on at the Children’s Centre in January and February 2013

Newsletter for week ending 21st December 2012

Footsteps Foundation Assembly
On Tuesday 18th December we presented Ms Claire Morley, a representative of Footsteps Foundation, with a cheque for the magnificent sum of £420.00, the total collected from the sale of tickets for our Christmas productions this year. Ms Morley was delighted to receive our donation and thanked the pupils for this significant contribution. She gave talks to all pupils about the work of the Foundation, illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation showing the Footsteps Centre in action, giving the pupils opportunities to ask questions about their work and to handle some examples of the equipment used. Our pupils were fascinated to find out more about the work of the Footsteps Foundation and were very pleased to realise that our donation will help enable other children to have an opportunity to develop their mobility, independence and confidence.

Here is a viewpoint from two of our pupils:- “Ms Morley gave a fantastic presentation about the Footsteps Foundation in Dorchester. She told us about ‘the spider’ which helps the kids strengthen their leg and arm muscles which can help them to walk.” Benjamin Duke and Owen Cove

Thank you
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to parents and carers, the PTA, our Governing Body and all other members of the local community who have given us so much support in so many different ways over the last term. The lead-up to Christmas is always a particularly busy time of year and we would like to thank everyone involved for their support in helping to make all our Christmas events so successful.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all pupils and staff for their hard work and commitment to all our events. The Christmas season may be a very busy time of year for us but it is also a very special one!

School Nativity Service
Thank you to all families who were able to join us for this service. It is always a special occasion and this year we received many comments on how wonderful the singing was – not to mention how angelic Reception pupils looked! Thank you to Mr Manzie for organising the sound system.

Transatlantic Thoughts
No-one can have escaped the tragic news of the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, USA, last Friday. As a close-knit school community, out thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who were so brutally killed.
On Monday we held a short period of reflection during which I shared the following prayer:-

This is our school,
Let peace dwell here.
Let the rooms be full of contentment,
Let love abide here.
Love of one another,
Love of mankind,
Love of life itself
and love of God.
Let us remember
That many hands build a house,
So many hearts make a school!


Swimming at Berinsfield
Swimming will begin for Class 2 pupils on Monday 14th January. They will have 3 more sessions on January 21st (not 28th as it is the Swimming Gala) followed by the 4th and 18th February. As always, we hope that parents will be willing to help with the transport costs to Berinsfield with a contribution of £2 per swimming session. Thank you to the parents/carers of pupils in Class 3, who made a contribution last term. Cheques for swimming contributions should be made payable to Stadhampton Primary School, please.

After School Sports Clubs
Please see the School Website for reminders of the after-school clubs available in Term 3. Letters went home in book bags at the end of last week. Archery after-school club is now full.

School Meals
A reminder that school meals cost £2 per day. Cheques for school meals should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council please with Stadhampton Primary School written on the back of the cheque. In order to reduce administration time spent on school meals we appreciate receiving orders and payments for school meals on the first morning of each school week. Thank you.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS:
We would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas; enjoy the rest and festivities. Thank you to everyone who has donated equipment and time to Little Bears over the year. It is very much appreciated by all of the team and the Little Bears.
We return on Tuesday the 8th January to the topic Elmer the Elephant.


DIARY DATES:
Friday 21st December End of year assembly at 9.05am. All parents/carers welcome.
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
Monday 14th January First swimming session for Class 2 pupils
Monday 28th January Swimming Gala for selected pupils


Happy Christmas from everyone at Stadhampton School!

Newsletter for week ending 14th December 2012

Christmas Productions
I am sure you will all join me in congratulating all of our pupils and staff on two wonderful Christmas productions this year. The costumes, scenery, acting and singing were all fantastic; a treat to watch and many hidden talents emerged! Thank you also to parents who helped pupils with learning their lines, contributing props and costumes. We are delighted to have raised £420 from ticket sales for the Foosteps Foundation. A representative from the Footsteps Foundation will be visiting school on Tuesday 18th December when we shall hand over our collection from the sale of tickets. During this visit we will have assemblies for the Foundation Stage/KS1 and KS2 children so that all pupils have a better understanding of the work of the Footsteps Foundation.
A photographer from the Oxford Mail took photographs of the cast of “Whoops a Daisy Angel” on Wednesday afternoon, which we believe will be included in their Nativity Supplement on Tuesday 18th December.

Reverend Caroline, a new school governor, sent this message which I would like to share with you all:
“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed today’s production, it really was of the highest quality, please pass on my congratulations and admiration to all involved. While I was in the White Hart in Dorchester I met a mother and her child who were using Footsteps, they were full of praise for the charity. Having spoken to her it was wonderful to realise that such a superb production was helping a local charity to do great things.”

Health and Safety: Vehicles accessing the school car park and Cratlands Close
At the start of this term, in the newsletter dated 7th September, we reminded parents/carers of the need to exercise caution when driving in the school car park and in Cratlands Close. We would like to reiterate this message again by respectfully reminding all car drivers that the speed limit within the car park is 5mph. Cars and children are not a good combination and both the school car park and the approach along Cratlands Close are potentially hazardous areas. We must also remind parents/carers to hold tightly onto young children so that they do not accidently run into the path of a car. All pupils should be met at the pedestrian gate. The thought of an accident involving any of our pupils, or their younger siblings, would be devastating to the whole school community and something we must endeavour to ensure never happens.

Enrichment Afternoon Sports Coach Provision
There have been some recent changes to the arrangements for our Thursday afternoon (Enrichment Afternoon) sports coaching sessions for pupils in Years 1 - 6. Until July we had used a company called Premier Sports Group to provide our specialist sports coaches. When this contract finished we took the opportunity to pursue and sample suitable alternative long-term provision, whilst Mr Michael Hopkins, a qualified sports coach already well-known to the school, provided our specialist sports coaching. Unfortunately, due to his academic commitments, the current short-term arrangement with Mr Hopkins finishes at the end of this term. We are grateful to Mr Hopkins for his contributions to our PE provision and wish him well in his studies and future career. We are pleased to inform parents that from January 2013 our specialist sports coach provision will be with a company called Oxford Active.

After School Sports Clubs
Mr Hopkins will continue to provide a Multisports Club on Wednesdays afternoons where the focus each week is on a different activity, such as javelin throwing, cricket, football, dodgeball, basketball, orienteering, dance, tennis etc and this will continue after Christmas. Between January and Easter, the Thursday after-school club will be run by Oxford Active and will be dance-based in both Terms 3 and 4. There will also be limited netball and tag rugby clubs run by students at Icknield Community College as there were this term and Archery sessions will also be available for a limited number of pupils in Class 3. Letters detailing all after school clubs for next term will be in book bags at the end of this week.

Thank you to Mr Roe
On behalf of all staff, parents and fellow governors, we would like to thank Mr Roe for his hard work and commitment to the school since his appointment as a parent governor in October 2007. During this time Mr Roe has been a real asset to the Governing Body leading projects such as the installation of the new BioMass boiler. He has also been the chair of the finance committee, which is an important role involving working closely with the school to manage the budget.

Messages from the Chair of Governors:
1. Parent Governor Vacancy
Dear Parent/Carer
Following the resignation of Mr Roe, from 1st January 2013 we will have one parent governor vacancy at Stadhampton Primary School for which we now invite nominations. For any who are unfamiliar with the role of a parent governor, here are some details of what parent governors do and who can serve as a parent governor:
The governing body consists of parent governors, staff governors, community governors and LA appointed governors, responsible for the strategic direction of the School, primarily through:
• setting aims and objectives for the School;
• adopting policies for achieving those aims and objectives; and
• setting targets and monitoring their implementation
Our school has four parent governors. Parent governors have all the same powers and duties as other governors and serve a similar four year term of office.

The full governing body meets every term, usually on a Monday evening. In addition every governor is encouraged to become actively involved in one aspect of the school such as Finance, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Special Needs or a link to a curriculum subject such as Literacy, Maths, ICT or Science.
To be eligible to stand for election as a parent governor you have to have parental responsibility for a pupil at the school. Having "parental responsibility" is not limited to biological parents, but will include you if you are a step-parent, foster parent, grandparent bringing up the child, or permanent partner of the child's biological parent. A few people cannot be school governors; those who have been made bankrupt or who have been in prison for certain offences may not serve for at least three years afterwards. School staff members are ineligible to stand as parent governors if they are employed for more than 500 hours per year. If you have any doubts as to your eligibility on any of these grounds, please contact the school office for further advice. Your child must be on the school roll at the time the election is held. However, parent governors do not have to resign if their children leave the school before their term of office has expired.
You do not need any educational experience or expertise, just a keen interest in the school and a desire to help it reach its full potential. While recognising that this is a role that requires commitment and energy, it is also very worthwhile and fulfilling work and vital to help guide the school both now and in the future. Governors work as a close team and support each other as much as possible. There is also fully funded training provided by OCC Governor Services to support all areas of governors’ work and all governors are encouraged to undertake basic induction training.
I do hope you will consider becoming a parent governor. If you need any further information or wish to put your name forward please contact Joy Hopkins, Business Manager on 01865 890370 or by e-mail to office.2455@stadhampton.oxon.sch.uk in the first instance. The closing date for applications is 3.15pm on Wednesday 9th January 2013.

2. Summary Results from the Parent Questionnaire:
• The responses we have received from you have been very positive, with 92% of all responses in Agree or Strongly Agree – a good indication that the school is meeting your children’s needs in an effective manner.
• Just over half of the responses (51%) Strongly Agree with the statements
• All 45 responses to the questions either Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements:
o There is a good standard of behaviour at this school
o My child feels safe at this school
• All bar one parent (44 out of 45 responses) either Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statements:
o This school ensures my child is well looked after
o I would recommend this school to another parent
o My child is taught well at this school
o This school helps my child to develop skills in communication, reading, writing and mathematics
• There were no (0%) Strongly Disagree responses to any of the statements
• The proportion of all of the responses that were Disagree's has increased to 5% this year (2% in 2011, 0% in 2010)
• The results of the questionnaire and possible actions to address the opportunities for improvement you have identified will be discussed at the next Governing Body meeting and during a staff meeting in the New Year. The feedback will inform our choice of priorities for the next year.

PTA News
We raised £72.30 at the Bar following the wonderful performance of Alice the Musical this week. Thank you.

Wreath Making Evening - Monday 17th December
There are still some spaces left, let Diana Woodwards or Rowena Dobson know if you or your friends would like to come along and have a fun time catching up with friends and making a wreath at the same time. If you aren't able to come and would love a wreath we are taking orders.

Friday Cake Club
• Amy Matthews was the lucky winner of the cake last week, kindly donated by Mrs Woodwards.
• A reminder for Mrs Bowerman that she is on the rota for 21 December, the last one of the year.
• Mrs Gravett is on the rota for Friday 11 January, the first Friday Cake Club of 2013.

• You are welcome to pay in advance at any time - £1 per child for 5 weeks up to February Half Term, or £2 per child up to Easter - just see Rowena Dobson.


Website Additions

1. By the end of today we hope to have uploaded Maths Target information for each year group
within the section for each Class. Parents have already had a paper copy of these.
2. Photographs of both Christmas productions.


LITTLE BEARS NEWS:

Little Bears are holding their annual festive event on Saturday 15th December at 2pm. This year we are doing a traditional nativity. Everyone is welcome to come along – there will be lots of stalls too – cakes, tombola, jewellery, pound in a bucket for a Crazy Bear Tea for Two, homemade hot water bottles and salt dough. We hope to see you there.
Next week we are putting the finishing touches to the Christmas surprises the children have been busy making. We will also be enjoying lots of Christmas-themed activities from ‘Hunt for Santa in the Garden’ to making snow! We will also be attending the School Nativity Service at the church on Wednesday.



DIARY DATES:

Monday 17th December Wreath-making evening
Tuesday 18th December School Christmas Party pm. Pupils are welcome to bring party clothes to change into at lunchtime. School will provide all of the food and drinks.
Wednesday 19th December Nativity Service in Church at 2.15pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for this service.
Thursday 20th December Whole-school Christmas lunch - £2 per person. Thank you to everyone who has already paid for this.
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



Attachment:
• Panto at Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centre on 21st December.

Newsletter for week ending 7th December 2012

Happy DECEMBER Birthday to: Elizabeth Marshall

During DECEMBER we are focusing on the core value of LOVE

Maths Challenge
Eleven members of Class 3 recently took part in the 2012 Primary Maths Challenge. This is a challenge test set by the Mathematical Association and is a national annual event. The questions are all rather tricky and require logic as well as mathematical knowledge! All children who took part did very well. Six children received awards for their performance - well done to Benjamin Duke and Georgia Valentine who received a Bronze award, Orla Fernie and Owen Cove both received a Silver award and congratulations to Annabel Roe and Jake Day who both got Silver awards last year and achieved Gold awards this year!
A pupil’s viewpoint: “When I was given the P.M.C. sheet my heart was pounding with nerves! I looked around me and I was the only Year 5 in the test. Some of the questions were easy(ish) but most of the questions were hard! After I was awarded Silver I was really glad I did it.”

Emergency Closure Procedures
If the weather is particularly bad or there are power cuts in the village and the decision is made to close the school, the information is given to parents through BBC Radio Oxford, Jack FM and Heart FM. Parents are advised to tune into these local radio stations and also check their websites if there is a possibility that the school could be closed. If it is possible we will also do our best to put a message onto the school website.

Thank you
Thank you to parents and carers for their support with providing costumes for the school Christmas productions. We look forward to sharing the performances with parents next week. Thank you also to all the staff who have been extremely busy recently designing and making costumes, masks and scenery for what promises to be great Christmas productions. Please remember to buy your tickets so that we know if we have any spares to offer for sale to the parents who have said they would like extra tickets if possible.

Thank you
Thank you also to Mr and Mrs Tuckwell who have very kindly supplied us with a beautiful Christmas tree again this year.

School Christmas Party
We are very aware of just how much we have asked of parents and carers this year and therefore the school will be pleased to provide the party food for this year’s school Christmas party on the afternoon of Tuesday 18th December. Children may bring party clothes to change into after lunch if they wish.

School Christmas Lunch
A reminder that we hope all pupils will join us for a special Christmas lunch with napkins and crackers on Thursday 20th December. Children will make their own special place mat in school during the morning (and one’s for staff too!). We have Christmas music playing and the staff serve the children with their lunch and it is a really fun and festive occasion which we hope all children will partipate in. The cost is £2 per child and the money may be sent into the office at any time to pay for it. Thank you.

PTA News:
Winter Fair
Thanks to everyone who supported us with; donations, helping set up, running a stall, clearing up.... it was greatly appreciated, and I am pleased to say we raised a fantastic £892.

We still have some unclaimed raffle prizes.
• Crazy Bear Chicken Dinner - orange ticket no 302
• Horseriding session - orange ticket no 319
• i-kids family session - orange ticket no 317
To claim your prize please see Mrs Hopkins in the School Office.

A full list of all the prize winners can be found on the PTA board outside Mrs Hopkins office.

Wreath Evening - Monday 17th November
Come and have a fun and creative evening, there are still spaces left for you to come along and create a beautiful Christmas wreath. Book your space with Diana Woodwards or Rowena Dobson.

Friday Cake Club
Congratulations to Will Parkes for winning the cake last week, kindly donated by Mrs Hursey. A reminder to Mrs Payne that she is on the rota for 14 December.

LITTLE BEARS NEWS
Next week we will be having our last rehearsals before the big play on Saturday. If anyone would like to join us for rehearsals who can't make it on the day please see your key person.
Little Bears are still collecting for our tombola and would appreciate any donations.

DIARY DATES:
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 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