Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
Christmas Market – TONIGHT 6-8pm. Please come along and get your Christmas shopping off to a flying start. There will be stalls selling a huge variety of goods including jewellery, candles, Christmas decorations as well as a visit from Santa!!!
KS2 Disco – will be next Friday from 6.30pm until 7.30pm and is for children of Woodcote Primary only. If you are able to help on the night please email FOWPS. Entrance is £3 per child of £6 per family.
Cake Sale – The next cake sale will be for years 4 & 5 (Rowan and Maple) and will be on Friday 12th December immediately after school. Plates will be sent out soon.
Welcome – to Mrs Julie Jones who started with us this week as a Teaching Assistant. Mrs Julie Critcher will be starting with us as a Teaching Assistant on Monday in Oak Class.
Goodbye – today we say ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Thank you’ to Miss Lisa Tilbury in Oak class who is leaving us after many years. We all wish her well and hope to see her from time to time when collecting her boys from school.
Key Stage 1 Nativity play – The dress rehearsal will be on Monday 8th December at 2pm. There will be an early evening performance at 6pm on Tuesday 9th December and an afternoon performance at 2pm on Thursday 11th December. Tickets will be issued to the Key Stage 1 parents next week. The extra tickets for Thursday 11th December will be drawn on Monday. Please ensure you have added your name to the draw by Monday morning if you wanted an additional ticket for Thursday. A list of successful names will be posted in the foyer and classrooms on Monday afternoon.
After School Club – on Tuesday 9th December the After School Club will be finishing at 5.30pm. Please ensure you arrange to have your children collected by this time as the hall will be prepared for the Nativity play which starts promptly at 6pm.
NSPCC fundraising – On Monday each class took part in fundraising by completing circuits around the playground and hall. Please return the sponsor forms with any money raised by Tuesday 2nd December.
Last swimming dates – Oak Class had their final swimming today. Willow & Maple will have their final swim on Thursday 4th December.
Colouring Competition – Davis Tate have sent through a colouring competiton sheet for children to complete and return to them for display at the Goring Christmas Evening next Friday. Please collect one from the foyer if your child would like to take part.
End of term – on Friday 19th December school will finish at 1pm after registration. Please note that there will be no After School Club.
ey Stage 1 Nativity play – this will take place in the school hall over 3 dates. The dress rehearsal will be on Monday 8th December at 2pm. There will be an early evening performance at 6pm on Tuesday 9th December and an afternoon performance at 2pm on Thursday 11th December. We would like to encourage any parents with small children or siblings to attend either the dress rehearsal on Monday or the afternoon of Thursday. The evening performance will be for adults and older children.
Lists are currently up in the foyer and classroom to determine numbers for the performances. Please be sure to have put up your request for seats by Monday morning. Due to fire regulations there are restrictions on the number of people allowed in the hall. If numbers are too large we will have to ticket the event. We will confirm the arrangements as soon as possible.
After School Club – on Tuesday 9th December the After School Club will be finishing at 5.30pm. Please ensure you arrange to have your children collected by this time as the hall will be prepared for the Nativity play which starts promptly at 6pm.
Children In Need – the total raised at school this year was £270.65. The children’s cake sale raised a fantastic £106.75 and the money donated by dressing up was £163.90. Well done to children and staff for their wonderful array of costumes and to the Mums and Dad’s for organising them.
Poppy Appeal – the Royal British Legion has asked us to thank all those at Woodcote Primary School who helped raise £95.13 for this year’s appeal.
NSPCC assembly – on Wednesday this week, the children took part in an assembly by NSPCC which highlighted the important work that they do and the service they offer. An email was sent out on Wednesday regarding the event. Your child was given a workout sponsor form and envelope to bring home and we would ask please that you could return these with any sponsors by Tuesday 2nd December. On Monday next week each class will be fundraising by completing circuits around the playground or hall if it is wet. Please ensure your child brings in their PE kit, including trainers. Please remember to label all kit clearly.
End of term – on Friday 19th December school will finish at 1pm after registration. Please note that there will be no After School Club.
Today during our assembly Kim Williams from the NSPCC talked to the children about the work of her charity. This was an Informative and inspirational assembly. The children were invited to help other children by raising vital funds to support the work of the NSPCC which includes the special helpline service for children – ChildLine, which has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, counselling over 2.6 million children in that time.
I do appreciate that in the current economic climate, there will be other pressures on every household budget right now, however it is at these times when children are more vulnerable than ever and demand for the NSPCC’s services has increased significantly.
This year alone ChildLine aims to answer 650,000 contacts from children and young people. The NSPCC needs your help to make sure that each and every one of those children continues to receive the help they need. I truly hope that you can find that little extra help for this special cause.
Your child has been given Workout sponsor form. Next week in PE the children will be getting fit and active and raising money for the NSPCC. If you would like to participate in this activity, please ensure that the form and sponsor money are returned to school by Wednesday 3rd December.
Charities are able to claim Gift Aid on contributions from UK tax payers. The sponsor form should be completed giving the sponsor’s full name and address, including the post code, and a tick put in the UK tax payer box.
Every day in the UK, children face overwhelming problems. For many of these children the NSPCC and ChildLine are their only hope. The money that we raise at Woodcote will make a real difference to children’s lives.
Your support is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Liz Hunt
Dear Ash Class parents and carers,
On Wednesday 19th November, Ash Class will be having a workshop to support our learning on Ancient Egypt. This will take place in school and will be provided by the Oxfordshire County Council Museums Service. To cover the costs of this, we are asking for a voluntary contribution of £2.90. Please complete and return the slip below to indicate if you are able to contribute, along with the payment, by Friday 21st November. Cheques should be made payable to Oxfordshire County Council.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Welsh
Value of the month ‘Cooperation’
Uniform – with this Newsletter is a letter about School Uniform. Please ensure your child wears the appropriate uniform in school. No trainers or boots should be worn around school. Please bring school shoes to change into.
Also, as the weather is now often cold and wet, please make sure your child brings a named coat to school. The children can go out at playtimes, even if it is slightly wet, as long as they have a coat.
Nut Allergies – we have a child in school with a very severe nut allergy. The School Nursing Team has advised us to inform all parents to avoid sending in any foods that may contain even the slightest traces of nuts. This includes foods such as chocolate spread, not just Nutella.
Medicines at school – please remember to complete a medical permission form from the office if your child has been prescribed medicine by their Doctor. Also please note that children should have had at least 2 doses of prescribed antibiotic before returning to school with the medicine. This gives enough time for any potential adverse reaction to show.
Christmas Dinner – Aspens are offering a traditional Christmas Dinner on Wednesday 17thDecember. The online menu will be updated but will not include the option to order jacket potatoes or Aspsen Packed Lunches that day. Please remember to provide your child with a home packed lunch if they do not wish to order a Christmas meal.
The Lunchtime Dinner Supervisors have asked that parents please provide their children with spoons for yoghurts in their packed lunches. All the staffroom spoons have now been given out and not returned.
Key Stage 1 Nativity play – this will take place in the school hall over 3 dates. The dress rehearsal will be on Monday 8th December at 2pm. There will be an early evening performance at 6pm on Tuesday 9th December and an afternoon performance at 2pm on Thursday 11th December. We would like to encourage any parents with small children or siblings to attend either the dress rehearsal on Monday or the afternoon of Thursday. The evening performance will be for adults and older children. We will be putting up lists next week for parents to complete, to try and anticipate numbers attending each performance for fire safety purposes.
End of term – on Friday 19th December school will finish at 1pm after registration. Please note that there will be no After School Club.
Staffing – Miss Tilbury has been offered another job and will be leaving us at the end of November after 5 years working here at Woodcote Primary School. We are very sorry to be saying Goodbye to Miss Lisa Tilbury and wish her all the best in her new job.Miss Julie Critcher has been appointed to replace Miss Tilbury and will join us on 1st December. Mrs Rachel Hall was the other successful candidate appointed after interviews before half term. She will join our Oak Class team in January 2015 as a Teaching Assistant.
Mrs Alison Ploszynski has reduced her working days here and taken on a new role at another school. Therefore Mrs Julie Jones will be joining our school on 24th November as a Teaching Assistant to support Willow Class and other classes.
Key Stage 1 Nativity play – this will take place in the school hall over 3 dates. The dress rehearsal will be on Monday 8th December at 2pm. There will be an early evening performance at 6pm on Tuesday 9th December and an afternoon performance at 2pm on Thursday 11th December. We would like to encourage any parents with small children or siblings to attend either the dress rehearsal on Monday or the afternoon of Thursday. The evening performance will be for adults and older children.
Absences – ‘Sickness/illness’ forms are now available from the Foyer leaflet holder for parents to complete when their child has returned from time off school due to illness. These forms will also be available on the School Website. If you would prefer to write your own note to the Class Teacher that is fine. These will come through to the school office and placed in the Absence Folder that County expect us to hold.
Open morning – on Tuesday 18th November 2014, between 9.30am – 11.30am, school will be happy to show round any prospective parents for children moving up from Pre-school to Foundation Stage. Please let the office know if you, or anyone you know of, would be interested in visiting us that day.
Children in Need – the School Council are organising our fund raising for Children in Need 2014, whose theme this year is Heroes. Children may pay £1.00 (or more if they wish) and come to school dressed as a Super Hero. It is optional but we hope as many children as possible will participate. There will also be a Children in Need Cake Sale at the end of the day. Please could parents help by donating cakes or biscuits and bringing them to the Spuce/Kitchen Chalet on Friday morning. (Please be aware of our Nut free policy.) If your child doesn’t want to dress up but wants to give a donation, please send the donation to the school office in a sealed envelope. We will bank all Children In Need donations the following week.
Author visit – on Thursday 13th November a children’s author, Billy Bob Button, is visiting school. He will be introducing his works to the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 children during the afternoon. Signed copies of his books will be available to purchase after the workshop. The prices start at £7.00. Please feel free to pop by Year 6 Classroom at the end of the day to look at the books.
St Leonard’s Fair – on Saturday 8th November 1.30 – 4pm. Entrance is only 20p. There will be a variety of stalls, attractions, refreshments and some Christmas bargains.
Pre-School Staff Vacancies – the Woodcote Pre-school currently have 2 vacancies. One is full-time and the other a part-time position. For details please see the adverts in our hall windows, contact the Pre-school manager (Wendy Powell) on 01491 682300 or email preschoolmanager@woodcotepreschool.co.uk .
Collection of Stories and Models – please come and collect your pieces of writing and models that have been on display in the Foyer windows since last term. We have enjoyed looking at them and have had lots of positive comments from visitors. Thank you.
Wine Tasting – Tonight 7.30 for 8pm. There are still a few places left. If you have not booked but would still like to come, please email FOWPS at fowps@woodcote-primary.co.uk by 6pm.
KS1 Disco – Will be next Friday 14th November from 6.30pm until 7.30pm. This is for children from Woodcote Primary School only and children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Entrance fee is £3 per child or £6 per family. If you are able to stay and help (or are staying anyway and would like to help) please email the address above.
Christmas Market – Will be at school on Friday 28th November 6-8pm. If you, or someone you know has Christmassy goods they would like to sell or if you have a suitable raffle prize you wish to donate, please email the address above.