3 Jul 2009 - Newsletter 37

 

Newsletter No. 37
Friday 3rd July 2009

 

Dear Parents, Carers and Governors,

 

Teachers for Next Year
We will be delighted to welcome two new teachers next year – Miss Nicky Deen, who will be working in Year Two and Mrs Erin Bushell who will be working in Foundation Stage. They will both be joining us on Tuesday for our Changeover day, so they can meet their new children. All of our existing staff are remaining in their current year group for next year, so our classes will be as follows:-
• Blue Class – Mrs Smitheyman and Mrs Winthrop (job-sharing) and Mrs Bushell (fulltime)
• Orange Class – Mrs Cornelius
• Green Class – Mrs Smith
• Yellow Class – Miss Wilberforce
• Purple Class – Miss Deen
Miss Perkins will be covering teachers’ half days planning, preparation and assessment time in years one and two, as well as an extra day in Orange Class.
You will also notice that we have 2 fulltime equivalent teachers in Blue Class from September. This is due to the fact that we are taking most of our Spring born children in for the Autumn term, so we will have more than our usual number starting in September. Mrs Indge will also be in Blue Class for the Autumn term as she completes her GTP year with us.

 

The hot hot sun!
Phew, we’ve certainly been grateful for our fans and blinds this week in school. We’ve made several adjustments to our day during this weather, shortening lunch times and re-arranging PE lessons. I’m pleased that nearly every child has been bringing in hats and water bottles, as this does make a real difference.

 

NACE Challenge Award
I am delighted to announce that we have achieved the NACE Challenge Award this week and that we are the first primary school in Wokingham to do so, the 155th school in the country.
This award recognises the work we do in school to ensure that our more able children receive the additional support and challenge they require to meet their needs. We have also used this project to develop our teaching strategies to ensure that there is challenge across the curriculum and in every age group for every child. We had a full and rigorous assessment day on Tuesday, which felt like a mini-Ofsted, so well done to all the staff and of course the children. A special thanks to Mrs Smith for co-ordinating all our work in this area. We will be invited to a ceremony in the Autumn term to celebrate our achievement and will appear on the NACE website very soon.
www.nace.co.uk

 

Orange Class Assembly
Orange Class, thank you for inspiring us all to enjoy different sports and activities in your assembly this week. Lovely singing and very confident clear speaking out – well done!

 

Art Exhibition
I thought all the childrens’ art work looked wonderful on display this week. You still have time to send in the money if you haven’t already.  Art work will be sent home at the end of the week.

 

Learning Platform – Hits so far!
We have looked at the number of hits our learning platform has had since it’s launch – we have had an amazing total of 170,767 visits. We hope you’ve enjoyed using the learning platform so far. The learning opportunities are endless and this is an area of our work that will continue to develop . We will be running another Parents Evening in the Autumn term and more parent workshops too, so as your child moves through the school (and the Juniors), you can keep informed about the possible ways you can use it at home to support learning at each stage of their school life.
 
Year 2 Parents needed!
Year 2 need 4 helpers to accompany them to the Piggott Secondary School on Tuesday 7th July for the InterSchools Multiskills competitions.  This will mean leaving school at 12.15pm and arriving back at home time.
Purple class also need anyone who can give an hour of their time to help the children complete their glove puppets.
If you are able to help please speak to either Mrs Palmer or Miss Wilberforce.

 

Our Sports Role Models
Apologies to Mrs Warwick (triathlon competitor) for getting her name wrong in last weeks newsletter, after kindly coming into school to speak to the children about her sport achievements.

 

Year 2 Meeting at Junior School
If you were unable to go to the Junior School uniform sale last Tuesday order forms are available from Junior School website and also from Infant School office. Please note that uniform will not be on sale during Year 2 meeting with Mrs Montie on Wednesday 15th July.

 

Come and Pray
Come and pray with rocks and stones, sand and clay.
Prayer activities for all ages at Mary’s Church, Station Road, Twyford.
Saturday 11th 10am – 10pm
Café/Bar  & Live Music 8 – 10pm
Monday 13th July – Thursday 16th July 9am-9pm
For more details:- 0118 9343909

 

PTA Summer Fair
It is only one week until our Summer Fair (11th July) and we are asking you to donate the following items:-
• BOTTLES – for the bottle tombola
• TOYS/GAMES –for the children’s tombola
• Items for year group hampers  (Foundation stage – water fun, Year 1 – garden fun, Year 2 – craft fun)
• CAKES – Please bring small cakes  to the kitchen area on Friday.

You should also have received balloon tickets for our finale event, when we release a huge cloud of red and white balloons. Please continue to sell as many as possible, and do ask for more if you think you can sell any extras.  We will need all tickets (sold or unsold) and money back to the office by Friday 10th July please.

During the fair, most stalls and games will use the ticket system that proved successful last summer and at Christmas. Tickets will be kept at the same price of 30p each on the day. However, tickets bought in advance will only cost £2.50 for a strip of 10. These will be available in the playground outside green class before and after school from Wednesday 8th July.

Finally, if you are available to help set up during the day on Friday 10th or the morning of Saturday 11th, please email us at polehamptoninfantspta@hotmail.co.uk or find Claire or Ali in the playground.

 

The Ned Show
This morning the children (and staff) enjoyed The Ned Show which encouraged the children to;-
Never give up
Encourage others
Do your best
If you would like to buy a yo-yo they are available from the office:-

NED Yo               £5.00
Boomerang          £7.00
Cosmic Spin         £10.00   (suitable for older children)

 

Accessories are £3.00 :-
10 strings
Yo-Yo Holster
How to Yo DVD
Kickin’Tricks DVD

 

Local Weather Forecast
Sunny intervals on Saturday, Light rain showers on Sunday!

 

Best wishes
Helen Ball
Headteacher