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Newsletter Friday 13th May 2005 Part 1

Just to remind you that the half term break is at the end of this month and that the children finish for the summer break on Thursday 21st July. Back to top

'Spring' Fayre: Saturday 21st May 12 noon - 2.00 p.m.

The school is currently 'awash' with 'Summer-Fayre items' - please keep them coming as this is the main money earner of the year for the 'Friends'. Wendy Lane [vice chair] is working very hard to ensure that the 21st goes as well as it possibly can. Please keep this date SATURDAY 21st MAY free. Yes, we do realise that it is also a very important date for all of our footballing fans but we aim to have the raffle conclude the two hour fayre by 2.00 p.m. at the latest! Back to top

Grand Balloon Race

There will be a Balloon Race at the Spring Fayre this year and a prize will be given for the balloon that travels the farthest distance. If you would like to enter this race, an entry form is attached to the newsletter sent home with the children, which should be completed and returned as soon as possible. Entries can also be made on the day. Back to top

SATs for Year 6 / Assessments for Years 3, 4 and 5

This week has been assessment week throughout the school. Well done to everyone for trying their very best but a special pat on the back must go to the Year 6 children, who have worked tirelessly to attain their best possible results. Back to top

SATS Booster Sessions

Once again, the booster sessions have now come to an end. The morning Maths sessions were well attended but a special mention must go to Ryan Levett and Amy Bradley-Richards. These two Year 6 came to almost all four weekly sessions for the whole of the twelve weeks. This was a tremendous commitment and I feel very proud of both of them.
The three Saturday morning booster sessions were also well attended and went with great aplomb! The 'banquet' which rounded off the final session was well received by all participants. Whatever results the children attain, we know they are based on great effort as well as natural ability.
What comments have we received from the children:
"I feel more confident now with my writing."
"I really loved the Saturday mornings, they were cool."
"It's not like a normal lesson, it was much more fun and intriguing."
"I really enjoyed SATs boosters and they have helped me so much in my SATs." Back to top

Breakfast in Year 6

Well this was one I didn't see coming! A parent [not from Year 6] suggested putting on breakfast during SATs week. We are all aware of the importance of healthy eating but it was rather late in the day if this was to have any major impact on SATs. What it did do was bring the Year 6 together at the start of the school day and give everyone the 'feel good' factor. The school hall was buzzing with excitement and everyone was bright, chatty and in a 'raring to go' mood. I actually enjoyed serving cornflakes, bananas, orange juice and toast. It was also a chance for the school to give something back to our Year 6: they have worked 'their socks off' with their revision this term. I always tell new parents that we do not make false promises about SATs achievements. We support the children and they do their very best. As a school, we know we are more than the SATs results but we also know that the children's self esteem rises when they feel that they have worked hard. Well done Year 6. Yes, if we had the money and the time, we would put this on for the whole school. Perhaps when the new Village Hall is built a breakfast club could become a distinct possibility? Back to top

Talking about SATs

Well today saw the last of these Year 6 tests. Having sat as an amanuensis [writer] for the first time, I have to say that SATs is only one way of measuring attainment. Who can say what attainment a pupil has reached? For the majority, SATs is a good way of judging this but, for a few, their attainment may need to be judged in other ways. What were the SATs papers like? Very fair and most children have agreed with this. Back to top

Accomplishments - Parents and Pupils

· Well done Mrs Bruce. What an achievement - Running a 100 kilometre race for Great Britain in just over 8 hours. What an inspiration to us all.
· Well done to Mrs Rogers and Mr and Mrs Anwyll, who all successfully completed the London marathon.
· Well done to Lee Marshall [Class 1], who has been offered academy contracts by both Cardiff and Swindon Football clubs.
· Well done to Mark Medway [Class 4], who has been accepted by Cheltenham Town Youth Development Football Team.
· Well done to Rhys Thompson [Class 3], who has qualified for the National Elite grade gymnastics final, to be held in Newcastle at the end of this month.
· Well done to Mrs Sawyer who ran a half marathon last weekend. Back to top

Release time for Teaching Staff

You may, or may not be aware, that from September all teachers are entitled to have dedicated time set aside for planning each week. This is statutory and means that each full time teacher will not be teaching their class for either a morning or an afternoon each week. We are in the fortunate position of being able to replace the class teacher with another teacher; in some schools the finances do not allow this to happen. Indeed, Swindon schools are closing at 1.30 p.m. every Friday to allow staff to have their planning time. In order to minimise disruption the governors have decided that Mr Woolston, the deputy headteacher, will not have the responsibility of a class so that he can release the other teachers. We feel this is a good strategy as Mr Woolston will be very aware of the whole school curriculum. Mr Woolston, being an excellent teacher, will also become acquainted with all children across the school.
By the end of next week we will have appointed another excellent teacher to join our team of committed teachers. Back to top

Other Staff Changes for September

The present three Year 4 classes will be returning to two classes as they begin Year 5. We have had to take this decision, as a greater proportion of our finances have to be set against providing teacher planning time. However, we still intend to have three groups in the mornings for Maths and English each day. Mrs Barton has agreed to take responsibility for this extra Year 5 group as this was her role prior to last September.
We will be interviewing for the Year 3 part time teacher [to job share with Mrs Pendlebury] in two weeks time.
Watch this space! Back to top

Mrs Anson's Maternity Leave

As you are already aware, Mrs Anson will be taking maternity leave from September 1st. We are very fortunate that Mrs Edge has agreed to cover the maternity leave so from September to the beginning of the summer term 2006 Mrs Edge will once again be a full time member of staff. Thank you Mrs Edge. Back to top

Mrs Baker / Mr Ward

Mrs Baker is still not able to return to school as she is not yet mobile enough for the classroom. Normally, having a class teacher away causes a major upset for children, parents and staff but once again, we have been so lucky with our staff. Mrs Sawyer, who covered Class 6 during Mr Ward's absence, is doing a super job at replacing Mrs Baker this term. We know Mrs Baker is recovering well and she knows her class is in safe hands.
Talking about Mr Ward! I am pleased to report that he is back to his former self and making his class work as well as before. Welcome back Mr Ward.
Mr Ward would like to express his thanks to all those parents and children, who sent cards to him whilst he was away. It was very much appreciated. Back to top

Final amount from Sponsored Spring Event

The final amount raised was £1733.09 and this represents an amazing effort by all the children and parents. This is even more than we raised last year. Thank you so much for your tireless support. A cheque for £855.00 has been sent off to The Lisa May Foundation. Our half of the money raised has been earmarked for Sports equipment and playground markings.
Here at school, we were all astounded by the learning that took place. Thank you parents for supporting the children's learning as well as being so generous with your sponsorship. Back to top

Governors Report to Parents

The report to parents will be issued during June but a meeting will only be convened at parents' request. If a meeting is requested the date will be Thursday 7th July. Back to top

Walking and Map Reading Club

Mr Oakley would like a parent of each pupil member to come along at about 4.15 p.m. on Monday 16th May, so that he can explain details about the club and any outings that may be planned. If your child has requested to join this club before today then their membership has been accepted. However, no new members can join, as the club is now full. Back to top

Parents Meeting for Isle of Wight visit - Wednesday 15th 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, pocket money etc. will be discussed. Back to top

Parentline Plus

Parentline Plus, an organisation set up to offer parents support, has several courses arranged for this term. If you are able to take advantage of what Parentline Plus has to offer, it may be worth considering. They offer support on child-related issues as well as the opportunity to just get together and 'have a natter'! Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised. Parenting can often be a minefield so, as my grandmother used to say:
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Back to top

Curriculum for Summer Term

You should have received your child's curriculum at the beginning of this term. If this was not the case, please contact the office. Back to top

Dates for the rest of the term

Residential Trip: 27th June - 1st July
Consultation Evening: 12th and 13th July
Sports' Day: 6th July
End of term disco: Friday 15th July
Year 6 Leavers' Assembly: Thurs 21st July
Last day of term: Thurs 21st July Back to top

Book Fayre

The Scholastic Book Fayre will be taking place from Thursday May 19th to Wednesday May 25th from 3.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m. Please come along and have a look at the books on offer. Encouraging children to read at this stage will pay dividends in later years. If you are able to offer help with the 'manning' on one of these days, please contact Mrs Pendlebury. Back to top

Photographer

The photographer will be in school on Monday 23rd May to take class group and leavers' photographs. Please ensure children are smartly dressed in their correct school uniform and bring a brush/comb if needed. Back to top

'Friends' Bedding Plant Sale

If you have ordered bedding plants from the Friends, a letter will be coming home tonight giving details for the collection day on Monday 23rd May. Helpers are needed to sort out the plants, so if you can spare a couple of hours please return the reply slip. Thank you. Back to top

Cycling Proficiency

Cycling proficiency is taking place this term for Year 6 during the week beginning Monday 6th - 10th June and Monday 13th - 17th June. Letters have been sent out to those Year 6 children taking part. Bicycles must be in good working order: children will need to have a padlock to lock their cycles up each day. Back to top

D.T. PROJECT: ADVANCE WARNING

A three-day Technology project will be taking place entitled 'Moving Parts' from Wednesday 13th July to Friday 15th July [inclusive]. Children may be asking for 'materials' that could help them in their task making. I will ask teachers to talk to their classes about their projects so that 'surprises' are not suddenly sprung on you. Back to top

Year 5 Cathedral Trip

On Thursday 26th May the Year 5 children will be going on a visit to Gloucester Cathedral. If you are a parent of a Year 5 child, please ensure that you return the payment of £4.20 and the Parental Consent Form by Wednesday 18th May. Many thanks. Back to top

Part 2 of this newsletter.