Once again I welcome you all to the new Autumn Term, and to what is always a very busy term for our school community. Very soon we will have our Harvest celebrations, and very quickly after this our Christmas celebrations. We hope that parents will have the opportunity to come in and join us on these occasions.

 Staffing and class organisation

 Children appear to be settling well in their new classes.

These are the classes for this year:

 Foundation-Oak class- Mrs Farrant

Year 1- Hornbeam class- Miss Burrell

Year 2- Beech class- Miss Allen

Year 3- Ash class- Mr Dixon.

Year 4- Rowan class- Mrs Peacock.

Year 5- Maple class- Mr Morris.

Year 6- Willow class- Mrs Lecorgne.

 Parent handbook

 I would like to bring to your attention some of the information from within our Parent handbook. 

• Family holidays- In your child’s interest we hope that you will book family holidays outside term time. If circumstances prevent you from doing this please put a request for the required amount of time in writing and send it to the school. Too much holiday time taken during term time would result in ‘unauthorised absence’.
•  Jewellery- Children are involved in a great deal of physical activity throughout the day other than in PE lessons. The regulations that apply to PE lessons are equally applicable at playtimes. No jewellery is allowed because of the dangers of accidents occurring. Small sleeper earrings or studs are allowed for pierced ears but must be removed when swimming.
•  Snacks- Children are encouraged to have a bottle of water to keep in their classroom, or use classroom water fountains. All children are allowed to bring a snack and drink for their morning break. Only healthy snacks are allowed. No crisps, biscuits or chocolate bars are allowed. 
• Medicines/ Medical treatment- The school medical officer’s advice is that pills and medicines are not sent to school. However, should your child require medicine, please discuss it with either the Headteacher or class teacher. A form is available to request that medicine be administered at school. Should a child have an accident at school which requires medical attention, the child’s parents will be contacted immediately. It is very important that parents provide the school with up-to-date information regarding contact telephone numbers during the school day, but should the school not be able to contact parents we would take the child for treatment and act ‘in loco parentis’.

 Harvest

 We will be celebrating Harvest, with the Reverend Linda Smith, on Wednesday 28^th September at 9.30am in the school hall. The whole school will contribute to the assembly to which parents are very welcomed to attend. We would like to request that children bring in food items on that morning. These items will be boxed up and distributed to the elderly residents of Woodcote. If you are available to help children to distribute food items after the assembly, please let Mrs. Bishop know at the office. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Also if you know of an elderly resident who would appreciate a gift of food, again, please let Mrs. Bishop know the name and address.

 Clubs

 We have a range of clubs on offer for children this term:

 Tuesday mornings- Choir- Years 3,4,5 and 6- Mrs Lecorgne and Mr Morris.

Tuesday lunch- Art club- years 3, 4, 5 and 6- Mrs Farrant.

Tuesday lunch- Bridge club- Years 4, 5 and 6- Volunteers.

Tuesday lunch- Recorders- Years 3, 4, 5 and 6- Mrs Wise.

Wednesday lunch- Tag rugby- Years 4, 5 and 6- Mrs.Peacock.

Wednesday 3.15-4.00pm- Football- Year 3 and 4- Mr Dixon.

Thursday lunch- Football- Year 5 and 6- Mr. Field.

Thursday lunch- French- all year groups- La Jolie Ronde.

Mrs Bedeker is hoping to run a knitting club after half term if there is enough interest from children.

We will take part in a range of sporting competitions and festivals throughout the year.

Coaches will be organised to come into school to work with pupils covering a range of sports.

We also make time available for individual music tuition from outside tutors to include guitar, piano and cello.

If any parents would like to run a school club please see me for a chat.

 Parent evenings

 Parent evenings have been arranged for the week beginning Monday 10^th October. Parents will be able to book appointments on schedules to be put up in the school hall shortly.

 Christmas Production

 Oak, Hornbeam and Beech will perform their Christmas play to parents on Tuesday 6^thDecember at 2.00pm in the school hall. We ask that parents do not bring younger children to this performance. Instead parents can bring younger children to the performance on Monday 7^th at 2.00pm, when the play will be performed to the whole school.

 Team Points

 Staff have carried out a review of the Team point system.

We have attached the agreed, whole school approach, to this newsletter for parents to read.

Children have been informed in assembly of this reward system.

 Swimming

 Swimming this term will be for Year 1 at the Oratory Prep school, starting on Friday 23^rdSeptember, and for Years 3 and 4 at the Oratory main school pool, starting Thursday 22^ndSeptember.

School Rules

 We have in place a set of ‘Golden Rules’ which we will expect all children and adults to abide to. These rules have been discussed in assembly  and will be reinforced in the classroom. Please read and discuss these with your child.

1.  We listen to and look at the person talking to us.
2. We walk quietly and calmly into assembly, the dining hall and around school.
3. We take pride in our work.
4. We follow requests and instructions, calmly and promptly.
5. We take responsibility for our actions and belongings.
6. We speak politely to everyone, and show good manners.

 We very much appreciate parents’ support when encouraging good behaviour in and around the school, and recognise the importance of parents and the school working in partnership.

Please contact me at school for an informal chat if ever you have any concerns, as issues can often be resolved quickly.

Team Point Review

• We will continue with individual rewards for pupils as a result of gaining team points.
• We will refocus on the principle of the ‘Team’ and develop a greater sense of community spirit.
• We are introducing regular team events (2 per term) as well as looking for opportunities to bring the teams together during subject weeks.
• On a weekly basis, starting Friday 23^rd, we will award a trophy to the team that has the most team points that week. Team captains will receive the trophy, and the trophy will be displayed in each classroom the following week.
• Pupils will receive a badge to be sewn onto their sweatshirt or cardigan, once they have gained the following number of team points:

50 points – Merit certificate and prize.

100 points –  Bronze certificate and Bronze badge. 

200 points – Silver certificate and Silver badge. 

300 points – Gold certificate and Gold badge.

 These will be awarded during the Friday celebration assembly and will run throughout the year. Children who have achieved Gold can continue to wear these the following year. 

Team points will be award for:

 Consistent good behaviour during the day. The point will be awarded at the end of the day. The teacher’s discretion should be used for those children who are absent through illness.

 Very good effort with work that results in a good outcome, a sense of achievement or some aspect of improvement. This means any child, regardless of ability, will have the opportunity to earn points in this way. Staff will use their discretion and professional judgement in awarding team points.

 Exceptional behaviour or that which is above expectation. This may involve the pupil demonstrating responsibility, use of initiative, helpfulness and acts of kindness. 

• Teachers will continue to implement any other class reward system, particularly those which reinforce the ‘Golden rules’.
• Pupils will continue to receive Seal of Approval certificates and Excellent Presentation certificates on a weekly basis.
• Pupils will be reminded that although they receive individual points and rewards, they are also receiving points for their team.