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Newsletter - Friday 26th November 2004

It is with a heavy heart that I have to give you the news that we will shortly be losing the invaluable teaching skills of Mrs Evans. I do know that this will be devastating news to the parents of the children that she teaches. We considered ourselves very fortunate when we appointed Mrs Evans but we also knew that there would come a day when we would have to be saying "au revoir". Mrs Evans' husband will shortly be leaving the RAF to take up another appointment and this has prompted today's announcement.
To soften this blow, we are able to inform her current class and teaching groups that our new deputy headteacher, Mr Woolston, will be Mrs Evans' replacement; we hear that his current school is equally upset about losing him, as we are about Mrs Evans. Mrs Evans has played a significant role at this school during her two years here and she will be greatly missed by everyone.
Mrs Baker will continue as a Year 4 teacher for the rest of this academic year. I do know that this will be very welcome news to many of our Year 4 parents. Back to top

Reading

Several Year 3 parents have mentioned that our approach to Reading differs from Key Stage 1, where the focus was on the teacher listening to the individual child. At Key Stage 2 the emphasis is on the development of the children's skills to decode text and understand inferred messages within it. The most effective way to develop these skills is through guided reading sessions, which significantly increases time for sustained teaching.
Every child should participate in one guided reading session, lead by the teacher, each week. When guided reading sessions take place, other children within the main group will be undertaking other Literacy based activities e.g. spelling, reading comprehension, handwriting etc.
We do recognise that some pupils still need to be listened to and wherever possible, we try to include this within school hours by using our classroom assistants or volunteer parents. However, limited time and human resources do restrict what we are capable of achieving. This is where we need you, the parents to work with us and undertake the 'reading to an adult' sessions at home.
We value the partnership with parents as both school and home working together will ensure our children realise their potential. Back to top

Parent Helpers for Reading

We are again appealing to any one 'beyond the school gate' who is willing to give up an hour or two each week to help those children whose reading is still developing. If you feel able to offer your services or if you know of a gran or granddad that may be willing, please see your child's teacher. Many parents already help out in school each week and we do appreciate all that they do for us. Back to top

Consultation Evening

I do hope that you found Consultation Evening useful and informative. We had a turnout of 94%, which we were really delighted with. If you were unable to attend Consultation Evening, please contact the class teacher, as they will be only too willing to find an alternative time to meet with you. We view Consultation Evenings as very important dates in the school calendar. Your child's academic progress and personal development will be of paramount importance to you as parents and us as educators. I have received feedback from class teachers and any concerns will be acted upon without delay. Thank you to those parents who have personally found time to give me their individual feedback as this allows us to continually challenge our practices and procedures. Back to top

Poetry Week

From the children's responses Poetry Week has been deemed a success. The Fancy Dress went down very well with a very creative approach being taken from many of the children: it did make judging very difficult. The guest poetry reader, Mr Alec Williams, was a great success as he injected so much enthusiasm into his readings. If the children choose our next creative curriculum week, it could be one with a very different approach. One suggestion was an archaeological dig, with the emphasis on looking for ruins and treasure!
Thanks must go to the 'Friends' for their financial support: they paid for Alec Williams' appearance fee and for the Daylight Theatre's presentation of "Pharaoh of the Sun". Both have enriched the curriculum for the children. Back to top

Christmas Bazaar: Saturday 13th November

Thank you for coming into school on a Saturday and supporting the 'Friends' Christmas Bazaar. It was a great success and raised a total of £800. The school has already earmarked areas of the school where money could be well spent. One such project is the school curtains, which have looked in a sorry state for some time! Hopefully, this will be rectified in the near future.
The 'Friends' show a great commitment to the personal development of our pupils and are continually providing money for theatre groups, visiting guests, supporting trips out and money for individual class rewards. Back to top

Extra Curricular Matches

We are very fortunate to have staff who are willing to give up their time to arrange after school matches. Here are the latest results for the Netball and Football teams:

Netball: against Fieldcourt Juniors - 1st team drew 2:2, 2nd team lost 2:1.
Football: against Upton St Leonards Innsworth lost 3:0

Thanks must also go to Mr Levett for committing his time to developing the children's footballing skills each week. Back to top

Police Visit

The Year 6 had a visit from P.C Kadodia as part of their development about personal safety. The talk was based around getting home safely from school and also about being safe, whilst at home on their own. Please take time to discuss the issues with your child. Back to top

Mrs Lunt

The Year 6 children had a fascinating talk today by Mrs Lunt, who was living in China when World War II broke out. Mrs Lunt and her family were detained in a Japanese Prison of War camp for three years. The children were enthralled during the hour-long talk. Back to top

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you very much for sending in the Christmas boxes - around thirty-five boxes were brought into school. These will soon be on their way to making Christmas a little more festive for youngsters in other parts of Europe. Back to top

After School Club

You should shortly be receiving a letter from the committee of the 'Out of School Club'.
As they were unaware that they needed to re-register with OFSTED when they moved from Larkfield to Innsworth Junior, they are now in the position of having to close at 5.15 p.m. until the registration process has been completed. Hopefully, this will not take too long and will not prove to be too inconvenient for our parents. Back to top

Coats and Jumpers

Please would you ensure that your child wears his/her coat and jumper/sweatshirt during these winter months as the weather can deteriorate during the day and whenever possible, we do like the children to go out for a breath of fresh air. Warm clothing is also essential at the end of a swimming session. Back to top

School Representatives

We have finally been able to announce the Year 6 pupils who have been elected as school representatives for the rest of this academic year.
Well done Nicole Jackson and Oliver Booth and their deputies Shivam Parmar and Stevie Kettlety. Back to top

Parentline Plus

Many parents took advantage of speaking to the representative from Parentline Plus during Consultation Evening. Parentline Plus does offer free courses that parents may find useful. Parenting these days is often fraught with unexpected difficulties and it is so easy for some parents to feel 'on their own'. If you have the time, please come along to their next 'drop in' session at our school on Monday 6th December from 12.45 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. Back to top

Children In Need

Mr and Mrs Kettlety have asked me to express their thanks to you for supporting their daughter's 'Children In Need' event last Friday. A total of £84.00 was raised by the selling of the cakes with a further £16.00 being raised by the second group who provided nail painting. Thank you to all who organised the events and to those who so generously gave money to support them. Back to top

School Visits

The Year 3 visit to Caerleon is taking place on Friday 3rd December.
The Year 4 visit to Cadbury World was a success as was the Year 5 visit to Sudeley Castle. These visits are always successful because of both the organisation and the parental support that is so freely offered to us.
Many thanks to all who gave up their day.
Again this is an enrichment of the curriculum at our school. Back to top

School Disco Friday 3rd December 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Make sure your child's diary is clear for the disco evening next week. Parents have not been invited this year in order to make enough space available for all children to come along and dance the evening away. Parents you will have your turn in the New Year! The Entrance fee will be £1.00 but further money will be required for the purchase of drinks, sweets or 'neon' body decorations! Back to top

Lower School Christmas Production: "Christmas Grotto"

Performances will take place on Wednesday 8th December at 1.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. and on Thursday 9th December at 7.00 p.m. A letter will be sent home shortly giving all the necessary details. Back to top

Upper School Christmas Production: "Rock Around Christmas"

Performances will take place on Wednesday 15th December at 1.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. and Thursday 16th December at 7.00 p.m. Upper school children will also soon be receiving a letter. Back to top

Technology Competition

On Friday 17th December the whole school will be taking part in our Christmas technology competition which we hold every year. Every child will be expected to take part in this activity, which will involve using a cone as a base for a 'Christmas Connection'. The 'Christmas Connection' could be a bauble, a tree or table decoration, a Santa or an angel OR the task could be interpreted very individually in a very creative way. Children are welcome to bring materials from home but nothing must be pre-made - everything must be made at school. Teachers will discuss the task and provide support nearer the time. Back to top

Coffee and mince pies

As a way of saying "Thank you" for all the help we receive throughout the year, we would like to invite all our volunteer parents/grandparents to come along and have a coffee and mince pie with us on Thursday 16th December at 10.30 a.m. Invitations will be issued at the beginning of December so please put this date in your diary. Back to top

Christmas Parties

Class Christmas parties will be held on Monday 20th December in the afternoon. Children will not require a packed lunch as the party food is set out for 12.30 p.m. Class teachers will make their own arrangements with their own classes about bringing in party food. Children are allowed to wear their 'party clothes' on the day rather than wear school uniform. Back to top

Carol Service

On Tuesday 21st December we are going to have an informal Carol Service with Reverend Katy Morgan being present. This will take place at 1.15p.m. and will be approximately 40 minutes long. Parents are welcome to join us in our musical festivities. Back to top

Last day of term - Non uniform day

Tuesday 21st December will be a non-uniform day for everyone in school. Donations will be collected in aid of 'Clic', the children's charity that we support. Back to top

IMPORTANT CLUB INFORMATION

Please note the following information regarding the last club days for this term:-
Club Last Day
Football Wednesday 8th Dec (after Christmas indoor 5-a-side training will take priority for the first few weeks. Squad will resume on Wed 2nd Feb
Chess Friday 17th December
Computer Tuesday 14th December
Recorders Mrs Pendlebury/Miss Schofield's groups finished today. Mrs Sumner's group 1st December. Mrs Baker's group will continue until Friday 17th December
Choir Friday 17th December
Art Wednesday 1st December
Keep Fit Not on because of Christmas rehearsals
Homework Tuesday 14th December
Maths Wednesday 15th December
Netball Thursday 16th December
Drama Not on due to rehearsals

Clubs will resume the week beginning January 10th 2005.

See you all at the Christmas Productions. Back to top