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Newsletter 22nd November 2005

Two weeks ago all parents received information about our area school review, which is currently taking place. On Friday, Roy Oakley, chair of governors and I had to give a ten minute presentation to the panel conducting this review. As you already know, there are surplus places within the schools in our group and the LEA is looking to take out an intake, which is equivalent to one and a half classes. We presented our reasons for keeping Innsworth Junior as it is currently. The LEA will not make a decision until around March 2006 but the area panel will make a recommendation to the LEA at the beginning of December. It is very important that parents complete the response form and send it back to the LEA. Judgements will be made and the panel need to know your views. Parents' views do carry great weight. If you have lost your questionnaire please ask for another one. The closing date for your response is this Friday 25th November. Back to top

Consultation Evenings this week [Next week for Miss Schofield]

If you have not already signed up to see your child's teacher, please hurry as the teachers' lists are really filling up. If you did not receive the letter telling you about this week's Consultation Evenings, please either call into school or ring Mrs Hamblett on the mobile number 07952097550 and she will be able to find you an available appointment. The lists are to be found in the reception area of the school. We are expecting all parents to take advantage of these evenings, as it is vital we work together for the benefit of your child.
We inadvertently omitted Mrs Barton's name from the Year 5 letter so it is possible that some parents may not realise that Mrs Barton is available on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th Nov. She does have availability if you have not already signed up. Back to top

Year 6 Visit to Imperial War Museum

The Year 6 had a very successful visit to the Imperial War Museum last week. As usual, Miss Stocken did a wonderful job in organising the day so that everyone participating, had a stimulating experience. Thanks must go to our supportive parents who gave up their day to supervise the children. Judging by the conversations I had they all thoroughly enjoyed the whole day.
These are the thoughts from some of our Year 6:
"One of the most fantastic trips we have ever had! There were planes, rockets etc to amuse all", "I enjoyed looking at all the huge planes in the main part of the museum. The first world war trenches were really scary and exciting", "The best bit for me was the trench experience. You could see all the guns and scenery and the sound effects were amazing!", "I think it really helped me to enjoy my History Topic. I now understand it a lot more", "I especially enjoyed looking at the old bombers because my dad is in the Air Force and my great granddad was in the French Foreign Legion", "I enjoyed the interactive exhibits like the submarine and children at war" and "I like the bit about the spies best of all!". Back to top

Extra Curricular Matches

Recently, there have been a variety of sporting fixtures against other schools. I do feel that competition is a healthy part of life and that it should be encouraged. Matches after school often require parent help as well as extra teacher time so once again we value the adults who allow this to happen.
Latest results:
Chess: Innsworth 24 Upton St Leonards 8
Netball: Innsworth 2 Grange 7
Football: Innsworth 0 Abbeymead 2
Innsworth1 Calton 1
Innsworth 1 Parton Manor 2
Innsworth 3 Upton St Leonards 0 Back to top

Operation Christmas Child - 81 boxes collected!

Thank you very much for sending in the Christmas boxes. Yesterday eighty-one boxes were collected and should soon be on their way to making Christmas a little more festive for youngsters in other parts of Europe or beyond. Thank you for being so generous with your time, effort and money. This was our best collection to date. Back to top

This week - Anti-Bullying Week 'Blue Day' - Friday 25th November

As you are already aware this week is being designated an anti-bullying week. Friday 25th November will be a 'blue' day [wear something blue] as blue is known to be a calming colour. Blue wristbands will be available to purchase from tomorrow at 50p each. Back to top

Building Work next door

At last we can see evidence of the new community hall next door. It does look huge! We have already earmarked the kitchen for our cookery lessons. It is important that we continue to take care when walking past the entrance to the building site. Back to top

Emergency Procedures

This last weekend has certainly backed up the idea that we are in for an extremely cold winter. If the weather causes the school to be closed for any reason - no heating, snow, flood etc - we will put out an announcement on Severn Sound 102.4FM or Gloucestershire Radio 104.7FM. All children who come into school will be kept here until we notify parents. From the last situation two years ago, we learnt that it is important that parents remain in the playground rather than come into school. Our priority must be to know where the children are. Back to top

Healthy Eating

Just a reminder that we do have a supply of fruit in school, at 20p a day, for children to buy. Each class has a supply of the fruit forms for completing each week. If you forget to send in the slip at the beginning of the week, do not worry. We always have more than enough fruit in school and the form can come in on a Tuesday. Back to top

Health4schools

We are participating in a 'Health4schools' initiative. This will involve growing our own food, cooking the produce grown, finding out about healthy breakfasts and being active. More information will be sent out shortly. If you are a keen gardener and have some spare time, we will be in need of your help.
Meanwhile, please can I ask you to make sure that confectionary items, that are obviously sweets and full of additives, do not make up your child's lunchtime meal. Back to top

Cycling - A reminder

If you cycle to school a cycle helmet is essential. All cycles need to be locked up, as it is very easy for someone to walk onto school premises and take away an unlocked bicycle. We cannot take responsibility for unlocked bicycles. Back to top

Christmas Presentations

This year's productions are currently under way. The children are working very hard to learn all the words. There will be two evening performances for the Lower school and two for the Upper school. Please put the following dates on your calendars as all children are involved and will be expected to attend both evenings. These productions take a great deal of effort so we do need parents to support the children. Advance warning - you may be asked to help with your child's costume!
Lower School: Wed 7th Dec 1.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Thurs 8th Dec 7.00 p.m.
Upper School: Wed 14th Dec 1.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Thurs 15th Dec 7.00 pm Back to top

Advance Warning - Technology Competition

On Friday 16th December the whole school will be taking part in our Christmas technology competition which we hold every year. Every child will be taking part but this year the children will not know in advance what they are going to make. They will be allowed to bring in the 'bits and pieces', which help in making a Christmas item. Back to top

Coats are needed

Please would you encourage your child to wear a coat to school, as it can be very cold outside during these colder months. Back to top

P.E. Kit

We are still seeing too many children missing their P.E. lessons because they do not have their kit. Parents please make sure that kit is brought into school on a Monday. We should all be encouraging the children to participate in physical exercise so there's no excuse for not having P.E. kit in school. Back to top

Yu-gi-oh! Cards

We have been having problems with the Yu-gi-oh! cards and this has resulted in far too much teacher time being spent trying to sort out which card belongs to whom and where someone's cards have gone to. As a result please would you ask your child not to bring Yu-gi-oh! cards into school. Back to top

Homework Diaries

All children will be given a homework diary this week. Hopefully this diary will help parents to keep tabs on what homework has been set. It will also allow parents to provide feedback to the teacher if there has been a difficulty. In order for teachers to keep tabs on the homework, which has been set, they need you to sign that the task has been completed. Back to top

Raising money during the last few months

Our children have, once again, been raising money for those who are less fortunate than us.
Earthquake Appeal: Many Year 5 children spent their lunchtimes painting nails and selling toys, biscuits and cakes and raised £54.59. One girl held a sponsored silence and raised £15.00.
Donations of £29.00 were also raised during Drama Week.
Children in Need: Another girl raised £5.57 by selling her glass marbles.
Thanks must go to all the children who so understand just how little some of the people in other parts of the world have. Thanks must also go to our parents, who so readily support their children in these activities. Back to top

Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to school on Thursday 24th November until Wednesday 30th November. The Book Fair will be situated in the hall from 3.15 - 4.00 p.m. each day. The school will benefit for every book sold, so please come along and make all your Christmas purchases! Back to top

'Friends' Christmas Bazaar - Saturday 26th November: 12 - 2.00 p.m.

Just a reminder that the Friends have their Christmas Bazaar at school this Saturday. Donations of good, clean toys, books, cakes or home baked goodies are still needed.
If any parents can help with preparations on Friday, please come in from 1.00 p.m. onwards. Helpers are also still needed on the actual day.
Please return any filled baskets by Friday. Thank you for all your support. Back to top