Newsletter 9th April 2003
Sponsored English
Year 6 -Saturday Morning English and Mathematics Sessions
Year 6 English and Mathematics Booster Groups
Chess
Newly New Sale
Jewellery / Makeup
Year 6 Consultation Evening
Disco: Thursday 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Easter 'Eggstravaganza' Design Technology Competition
Tag Rugby
Curriculum for Summer Term
Roman Visit to Caerleon
Parents' Questionnaire
Toys in school
Use of the school field during break and lunchtimes
Gloscat Computer Course
Swimming for Summer Term
P.E. Kit at School all Week Please
Summer Term Dates: See 'Calendar'
Sponsored English
The final total raised by the school is now set at £1377.81. Although we set our objective as financing an interactive white board for use in the classrooms, in consultation with other staff, I have decided to use a portion of the money to buy seating for the school field. This will give the children, who do not wish to run around, somewhere to sit in the coming months. We cannot thank you enough for all your support in raising this money. Back to topYear 6 -Saturday Morning English and Mathematics Sessions
The children's evaluation sheets proved convincingly that these sessions were hugely enjoyed by everyone. The overall comment that emerged was: "they were fun". The McDonalds meal clinched it!! I have written a report for the DfES as this was part of being successful with our bid. Perhaps they will recommend that we reward children more often with McDonald's Happy Meals! It was thanks to Mr and Mrs Cranfield, who collected the Happy Meals, and Mr Piddington, who collected the 'McFlurries' fifteen minutes later, that our 'picnic in the Quiet Area' went as smoothly as it did. Thanks must go to parents for their support, Miss Stocken and Mrs Kemmett for their commitment and to the children for making this Saturday morning school a success. Well done everyone. Back to topYear 6 English and Mathematics Booster Groups
These are almost at an end for this year. Whatever the SATs results, the children must feel proud of their commitment to their learning. You cannot ask for any more. Back to topChess
Ten of our children spent all of Sunday 9th March playing chess at Carlton Road Junior School. Again their commitment brought results. Jessica Jones retained the cup and for the third year running is the Gloucester Girls' Primary Schools Chess Champion. Matthew Smith was runner up in the boys' section and received £8 in prize money. For those wishing to pursue chess at a higher level, competitions do reward success in monetary terms. The team trophy was awarded to our top six players for the highest scoring school. Well done to our chess players. Thanks to the parents and Mr Bartlett, a governor, who also gave up their Sunday to supervise the children. Back to topNewly New Sale
Unfortunately the customers did not turn out on the day. This was a shame as what was for sale was of super quality. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! However, it was a lot of work for the 'Friends' and the sellers. Thank you to those parents who spent a large part of the Friday setting up the hall. Back to topJewellery / Makeup
Please can I remind parents that safety is our paramount concern at all times. Therefore it is not in the children's interests for us to allow necklaces or hoop earrings. Recently makeup has been an issue for some children. We recognise that children grow up rapidly but still feel that makeup in the junior school is not necessary. We do appreciate your support in both these matters. Back to topYear 6 Consultation Evening
The attendance for Consultation evening was 84%, which means that several parents were not able to attend. I do hope these parents will contact the teachers in order to discuss their child's progress. Back to topDisco: Thursday 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing all our pupils on this evening. It will be a good time to celebrate the end of term. Please remember that £1 covers the entrance cost but a little extra will be needed if the children have a 'sweet tooth' or require something to drink during the evening. Thanks to the 'Friends' for organising this event. Back to topEaster 'Eggstravaganza' Design Technology Competition
The winners from each class are as follows:-Class 1:
1st: Tom Eaton
2nd: Christopher Cuttell
3rd: Georgina Mockford
Class 2
1st: Adam Gibbons
2nd: Melissa Meek
3rd: Rebecca Jory
Class 3
1st: Rebecca Read
2nd: Matthew Sumpter
3rd: Lydia King
Class 4
1st: Nicole Jackson
2nd: Felicity Phillips
3rd: James Boston
Class 5
1st: Samantha Mahon
2nd: Joshua Hope
3rd: Rebekah Pine
Class 6
1st: Jamie McQuilkin
2nd: Saul Hathaway
3rd: Nathan Lewis
Class 7
1st: Matthew Hood
2nd: Rosie Eaton
3rd: Callum Wescott
Class 8
1st: Tania Haynes
2nd: Sam Rees
3rd: Rebecca Barwood
Best Class went to Mrs Evans Class 3.
Another highly successful technology event. Well done to Mrs Evans and all the children who showed us how creative they could be. Back to top
Tag Rugby
What a glorious afternoon the 'Tag Rugby' children [from Years 3 and 4] had last Friday. The weather was like summer and the team excelled in their attitude towards the other teams. So much so, that each member of the team received a medal for this. Playing against other teams of children - many were Year 6! - did not daunt them at all. This is what team competition is all about. Well done to you all and thank you to Mrs Anson for organising this event. Again our parents providing the transport made this event possible. Back to topCurriculum for Summer Term
The summer curriculum plan will be sent out during the first week back after Easter. Back to topRoman Visit to Caerleon
The teachers tell me that they had a super visit to Caerleon. What did the children think?Dale Lewis from Class 6 -
"Thank you for taking us on a fact file journey through time. It was a wonderful experience looking at Roman artefacts, military training drills, the amphitheatre and the various life size models of Roman legionaries and centurions. A great day out."
It was a mammoth task for Mr Ward, as so many parent helpers were needed to oversee each group. It was a job well done Mr Ward. Thank you to all the parents who have so willingly given up a whole day again to allow the two trips to happen. The Years 3 and 4 still have this treat to come. Back to top
Parents' Questionnaire
Thank you for sending your completed questionnaires back into school. The curriculum committee have cast an initial look over them and the overall evaluation is very positive. Certain aspects have been highlighted for looking into and this will be picked up as soon as possible. One theme that does emerge is that many parents are not receiving the school correspondence that comes via pupil delivery. If anyone has any improvements on this we will be very receptive to them. Homework is an emotive issue and features in the strengths and areas for school development. Whilst some parents feel that more homework is needed, others are perfectly happy with the amount set. We do have a homework schedule that is set down and should be adhered to by all classes. If this is not the case, please feel free to contact me. It is written into the homework schedule that from Summer half term, the tasks for English and Maths discontinue. However, spelling, reading and Quickfire continue. The idea behind this is that during the longer and warmer evenings, the children should not be kept indoors with homework. As to the idea of extra homework, I have to reiterate that learning is not just confined to school and should be happening outside as well. The opportunities for parents to take children 'out and about' to my mind are far more important than having an extra piece of homework. The secondary system ties so much of the children's time up that the Primary stage must be about nurturing and gaining a curiosity for the world at large. Please come back to me if you still disagree.On the matter of giving advance notice about events, we do try wherever possible to do this. However, some 'creative ideas' happen spontaneously and this may be where the problem is. We will try very hard to be aware of parents' dilemmas when suggesting ideas to children.
With regard to class assemblies, we will send out a timetable during the first week back next term.
If you have not sent in your questionnaire, there is still time. If you did not receive one, please let us know. Back to top
Toys in school
This is always a difficult decision and one that can alter very quickly. As a general rule we do not expect to have children coming into school with dolls or soft toys as they can cause children to become distracted. We have allowed Bey Blades as they do engage many children during playtime. The same has gone for Pokemon cards. Our rational has always been that they are acceptable until they become a problem. So far both Bey Blades and Pokemon are not a problem, although we are aware that care needs to be employed when playing with other Bey Bladers in close confinement. We had to quickly make a decision on the non-acceptance of the 'Yo-Ball' because of a newspaper article stating that a child has almost been strangled. Up until this time we had thought they posed no problems. Back to topUse of the school field during break and lunchtimes
Because of the extra space, children are desperate to play on the field during break and lunchtimes. The recent weather has allowed this to happen; however, if there has been heavy dew, the grass does cause stains on trousers. We do ask the children to be mindful of this in the way they play but it can fall 'on deaf ears'. I am sure that like us, you too will have already spoken about it. This is just to make you aware that we understand the problems.Last week the children spent some midday breaks playing games that needed minimum contact as rough play was becoming evident. We do expect all children to adhere to the rules of the game - letting go of the ball when caught, stopping when tagged, playing fairly etc. I am sure some children think we are just spoilsports! Back to top
Gloscat Computer Course
This term's 10-week course has come to an end and I do hope that all participants feel that it was beneficial. Gloscat have agreed to a similar 10-week course in the summer term starting 30th April. If you are interested please sign up in the office or complete the return slip when the letter is sent out tomorrow. Back to topSwimming for Summer Term
It has been decided to keep the swimming sessions the same as this term, i.e. Year 3 going on Wednesdays and Year 4 on Fridays.A letter will follow shortly to explain reasons. Back to top
P.E. Kit at School all Week Please
Some children are still forgetting their P.E. kit.It is greatly appreciated if P.E. kit can be at school on Mondays and kept here for the whole week. Back to top
Summer Term Dates: See 'Calendar'
This has been a very busy term so everyone needs to have a very relaxing Easter break.Contractors will be in school during the second week of the holiday. Hopefully, we will have new windows along the Year 3 and 4 corridor when we return. We should also have the power sockets in place ready for the installation of the chilled drinking water dispensers.
Happy Easter Back to top