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Newsletter - 19th May 2003

It's hard to believe that we are due for another break so soon. This does give credence to the format of a set 6 term academic year. Let's hope the sun returns fairly soon. Back to top

'Spring' Fayre

Thank you so much for supporting the Spring Fayre on Saturday. Despite the lack of warm sunshine, the fayre was a huge success. At this present time we do not know the final figure but expect it to be near £1800. Special thanks must go to Wendy Lane, chair of 'Friends' who has worked tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds for school. With her 'band of parents', she co-ordinated the fayre from beginning to end. Thanks must also go to those parents who stayed behind on Saturday in order to get the school 'shipshape' for Monday morning. Thanks also to the parents who came in early to help set up.
I almost forgot to mention the group of Year 6 who braved the elements to sit under 'Soak the Bloke'. They were wonderful and deserve great credit for this. I was a little worried when I saw so many parents relishing the idea of soaking their offspring! They threw the balls with great gusto and what can only be described as wicked grins on their faces! All in the cause of raising money! Back to top

Staffing from September 2003 Mrs Kemmett

The Governors have granted Mrs Kemmett a year's leave of absence so that she can pursue her ambition to travel around the world - with her husband! We are going to keep a track of her travels with a huge world map in the hall. We can't make our Geography lessons more interesting than this! We will miss her greatly and will look forward to her return in September 2004. An appointment for Mrs Kemmett's replacement will be made shortly. Back to top

Staffing from November 2003

Two members of staff will be taking maternity leave following the October half term. Both Mrs Pendlebury and Mrs Anson are expecting babies in the second half of the Autumn term. We already have Mrs Pendlebury's replacement - Miss Moody. She has already undertaken regular supply work with us so we know that she is a super teacher whom I would very readily employ full time. Mrs Anson's replacement will be made nearer the time.
Both teachers will be coming back at the end of their maternity leave. Back to top

Mrs Jackson

Mrs Jackson, a parent, is now employed as a Learning Support Worker and is currently working in Year 5 in the afternoons. We are sure she will enjoy being part of our team. Back to top

SATs

SATs have come and gone for another year! What did the children think?:
"Thanks to the revision I was so confident about sitting them."
"After all the revision I was determined to prove that it had affected my knowledge."
"Since we had the Saturday morning boosters, I found the English a lot easier."
"I found them hard and it made me feel sad."
"I felt relieved that they weren't as hard as expected. Thanks must go to the teachers."
For children with Special Needs SATs were very stressful indeed and under these conditions, their ability to do their best often comes second to finding an answer that fills the space on the paper.
As assessments go, I thought the SATs content was very fair. The Science was less knowledge based with greater expectation on the understanding of topics. For those children whose Literacy skills are less developed, the explanations needed caused problems. The Maths papers were really fair, as were the English SATs. However, the English writing paper was so dreary - the children had to write a story based on four pictures and then add their own ending. The content of the storyboard was a queue of people outside a shop. This was not very stimulating at all.
We will now have to await the results in July and see how everyone has performed. Back to top

Homework

Please note that in accordance with our Homework Policy, after half term the extra tasks of Mathematics and English will not be happening. Reading, spelling and 'Quickfire' will, however, still continue. Back to top

Accomplishments

Well done to our two mums - Peter and Natalie Anwyll's mum and Douglas Bruce's mum. What an achievement and an inspiration - completing the London marathon.
Today Jamie Edgcumbe brought in his award for 'Player of the Year' [rugby] and Lewis Spencer his award for 'Most Improved Player' [rugby]. Last week we were able to congratulate Mitchell Field for his gymnastics achievements in a recent competition.
We all have abilities and skills in so many ways and when we take advantage of the opportunities available, it really develops us as people. It also makes friends and family really proud. Back to top

Mrs Hatton [Violin Teacher]

We have just received a card from Helen Hatton, announcing the safe arrival of her baby girl. We have sent her our congratulations. Back to top

Parents meeting for Isle of Wight visit 10th June 6.00 p.m.

It is very important that all families are represented at this meeting as details such as medical, insurance, safety, swimming etc. will be discussed. Back to top

'Friends' Bingo Friday 6th June

Make sure you have this date in your diary.
Bingo and barbecue evening - it should be a fun event. Back to top

Curriculum for Summer Term

You should have received your child's curriculum last week. If this was not the case please contact the office. Back to top

Dates for the rest of the term

Preview of Health Education video - 11th June 3.15 p.m. (Year 6 parents)
Residential Trip - 23rd June - 27th June
Consultation Evenings - 8th and 9th July
Year 6 D.A.R.E Graduation - Wed 9th July
Sports' Day - Thurs 10th July
End of term disco - Thurs 10th July
Lower School Production - Mon 14th +Tues 15th July
Year 6 Leavers' Assembly - Thurs 17th July
Last day of term - Thurs 17th July - Bad Hair Day. Non Uniform for CLIC. Back to top

Class Assemblies Thursdays

Class 4 - 22nd May
Class 3 - 12th June
Class 5 - 19th June
Class 6 - 26th June
Class 1 & 2 - 2nd July (Wednesday)
Class 7 & 8 - 17th July Back to top

Cycling Proficiency

Cycling proficiency is taking place this term for Year 6.
Letters have been given out to those children taking part. Back to top

Year 6 Geography

Year 6 will be undertaking Geography field trips to Cheltenham and Gloucester after half term. I am sure this will be a welcome break after all the SATs revision and will make the Geography lessons much more relevant to our pupils. Back to top

Lower School Production

Rehearsals are currently underway for the Lower School end of year production of 'Cinders'. Lower school staff would welcome any offers of support. Please contact one of the teachers if this is for you. Back to top

Governors' Report to Parents

The date for this meeting is Wednesday 2nd July at 6.00 p.m. Please make a note of this date, as it was not set down in the original diary. Back to top

Visit for Non Residential Pupils

Mr Ward was considering a visit to 'Nature in Art' but unfortunately this is no longer a possibility as they were completely booked up. At this moment negotiations are currently underway for another location - TOP SECRET! Back to top

Year 2s coming from Larkfield

We are looking forward to seeing our new Year 3's [for September 2003] on July 2nd when they will come to an assembly and spend time with their new teachers. Back to top

Village Hall

As you are already aware the parish council are building their new hall on the school grounds. This will mean that the Elliot building [Mr Ward's classroom] will be moved further down the field. We are not losing this building at all. Building the new village hall on our ground is beneficial for the Innsworth Community and for us at school as we shall be able to use the hall during the school day. The children very rarely use the part of the field that will be affected by the resiting of the Elliot building. Back to top

School Council

The School Council were given the task of finding out what colour paintwork the lower school wanted for their toilets. The decision is go with 'blue'. The Governors are coming in next week to carry out the work. We are very grateful to the Governors for offering to undertake this work. Back to top