Headteacher’s Newsletter January 2013
Dear Parents,
Happy new year to all our pupils, parents and families and also to the new children who have started at our school this term.
We also welcome Mr Binham who is doing a 4 week teaching practice in Year 5 as part of his Graduate Teaching Programme course.
This term we have Oak, Hornbeam and Beech class assemblies for parents, and an Open Evening for the parents of children in Ash, Rowan, Maple and Willow classes.
There will also be Parents’ evenings for parents to meet teachers to discuss their child’s progress.
School Site Development
As many of you have seen, we have now completed the front entrance lobby project. This has been successful in achieving our aims of creating a more attractive and welcoming entrance for visitors, and also a more secure, single point of access.
Clubs
We have a range of clubs on offer this term:
Monday – 3:15-4:15pm – Science club – FS-Year 6 – Bright Sparks club
– Lunchtime – Knitting – Years 1-2 – Mrs Bodeker
Tuesday – Lunchtime – Bridge club – Years 3-6 – Volunteers
– 10.00-10.30am – Choir – Years 3-6 – Mrs Lecorgne and Mr Morris
– Lunchtime – Knitting – Years 1-2 – Mrs Bodeker
Wednesday – Lunchtime – Knitting – Years 3-6 – Mrs Bodeker
– 3.15-4.00pm – Football – Years 2-3 – Mr Dixon
– Lunchtime – French Club – Years 3-6 – La Jolie Ronde.
Thursday – Lunchtime – French Club – Years 1-2 – La Jolie Ronde.
– 3:15-4:15pm – Football – Years 4,5,6 – Mr Field.
– 8.00-8.45am – Judo – Years 3-6 – Linkai Judo Club
– Lunchtime – Knitting – Years 3-6 – Mrs Bodeker
Friday – Lunchtime – Knitting – Foundation – Mrs Bodeker
In addition to these clubs, children will have the opportunity to compete in inter-school football, tag rugby and athletic competitions.
SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of Learning)
This term’s themes will be ‘Going for goals’ and ‘Good to be me’.
Values
January – Courage.
February – Love.
March – Responsibility.
Dates for the diary
Half Term 11th – 15th February
Scholastic Book Fair 26th February – 5th March
‘War and Peace’ dress down day Wednesday 27th February
Book Week 4th – 8th March
End of Term Thursday 28th March at 1pm
INSET day Monday 15th April
Summer Term Tuesday 16th April
Mayday holiday Monday 6th May
SATs Week 13th -17th May
Half Term 27th – 31st May
Year 6 Residential Trip 3rd-7th June
End of Term Tuesday 23rd July at 1pm
Class assemblies from 9:15am:
Hornbeam – Wednesday 27th February
Oak – Wednesday 13th March
Beech – Wednesday 20th March
Open Evening for Ash, Rowan, Maple and Willow classes – Wednesday 27th February.
Swimming begins for Year 5 and 6 on Thursday 10th January – 9.45-10.45 at the Oratory Main School pool, and Year 2 on Friday 11th January – 9.30-10.30 at the Oratory Prep School pool.
Parent Interviews
There will be an opportunity for parents to meet teachers to discuss your child’s progress.
Dates are as follows:
Monday 11th March – 3.30 – 6.30pm – All classes
Tuesday 12th March – from 3.30pm – Oak, Beech, Ash and Rowan classes.
Wednesday 13th March – from 3.30pm – Hornbeam, Maple and Willow classes.
Lists for these days and times will be put up in the school hall w/b Monday 4th March, for parents to sign up and book appointments.
Morning routine
Just to remind parents, and inform new parents, that on arrival to school, parents and children will be expected to stay in the playground until 8.50am, when the bell will ring, and then children will line up quietly in their class groups. Children will then be taken in as a whole class into the classroom by a member of staff ready for registration at 8.50am. As usual a member of staff will be on duty in the playground at 8.40am, but doors will not be opened to the school.
We appreciate that parents sometimes wish to pass on information to the class teacher first thing, and so staff will go into the playground at 8.45am, to allow parents to do this. Any minor information, such as dentist appointments or children being picked up by other parents, can be put in a note to staff, or through staff in the office.
In the case of rain or very poor weather, then parents and children will be given access to the school at 8.40am.
Whole School Topic
This term, our whole school topic will be ‘War and Peace’. Children throughout the school will be learning about aspects of historical conflict, with some classes looking at how children have been directly or indirectly affected.
Work will be shared with parents through the KS 1 assemblies and KS 2 Open Evening.
School Council
I am organising a series of School Council meetings as an opportunity to work with pupils to get their views on issues regarding school improvement. As a group we will discuss particular areas of school life, and the pupils will have the opportunity to gather views from the other class members.
Pupils’ views will then be included in the school’s overall Self Evaluation.
Volunteer Reading Programme
This term the school are looking to extend the partnership between its pupils and the elderly residents of Woodcote by inviting residents in to listen to pupils read and engage in discussions with pupils about the stories they are reading. The aim would be to encourage pupils to enjoy their reading, but also to share this enjoyment with others. We also hope, of course, that residents will enjoy coming into school and interacting with our pupils.
Golden Rules
Children are very aware of our Golden rules and often refer to them.
Please reinforce these at home:
If you ever have any concerns please speak to the class teacher or myself, as often issues can be resolved quickly and easily with informal discussion.
Thank you for your continued support for the school.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Field, Headteacher.