Woodcote Primary School is very proud to have been awarded The Silver Mark Award organised by Sainsbury’s School Games. The Sainsbury’s School Games Mark is a Government led awards scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. Schools in England are able to assess themselves across bronze, silver and gold levels of the Mark. The Silver Mark recognises that Woodcote Primary School has increased its levels of sports and participation in sporting events. The School Governors and Staff thank the many parents who have given their support and helped facilitate the increase in sporting activities for the children.

Welcome – Miss Kirsty Ouellette has now joined us as Teacher in Year 1, Hornbeam Class. She will be covering Mrs Fletcher’s maternity leave and will work on Monday and Tuesdays each week. Many of you will have already met her at the Parent Evening meetings this week. If you wish to see Miss Ouellette regarding your child in Hornbeam, please make an appointment with her via the classroom.

 

 Indoor Athletics – well done to our team who showed great spirit this morning when competing at Ickneild Community College, in the area indoor athletics championships for the first time. There were 12 teams from South Oxfordshire out of 46 who started the competition earlier in the year. Although we came 11^th overall, the competition was very close and the children should be very proud of themselves. It was a wonderful learning experience for all those taking part.

 

 World Book Day – today your child has been given a World Book Day £1.00 voucher which is redeemable against the purchase of books at any participating book store until 27^th March 2016. During the week commencing 29^th February we will be carrying out a variety of activities in our Team groups to mark World Book Day. As part of the celebration, on Friday 4^th March, the children are invited to come to school dressed as a favourite book character. Please bring the book, from which the character is taken, to school that day.

 

Cross Country Championships – this event will be held tomorrow, Saturday 27^th February 2016, from 9.30am -12.30pm at Chiltern Edge School. There is a £2.00 entry fee. Arriving 30 minutes early will give parents and children time to scout out the course and give the children time to warm up. The organisers have asked that parents lift share wherever possible to reduce the inevitable traffic and parking problems. Please note no dogs are allowed on site.

 

(As a comparison, 1 lap of the Woodcote Cricket Field is about 400m.) The course is relatively flat, but maybe muddy therefore studded or spiked shoes would be helpful if you have them. Mrs Bodeker and Dr Sudbury would like to encourage as many children as possible to take part for the challenge and enjoyment. If the children already take part in the morning running sessions and lunch time running club, they should have no problem completing the course. There is no race for the Foundation children however last year we took some keen ones who entered the Year 1 race. Let Mrs Bodeker know if your Foundation child is interested.

 

Bridge Club – Mrs Carol Quinton runs a bridge club on Tuesday lunchtimes from 12.30-12.55pm. If your child would like to take part please let the office know by Tuesday morning 1^st March (an email is fine). The children learn about the game of Bridge in a simple form but also practice numeracy and memory skills, cooperation and patience while playing. The children meet up with Carol after lunch, in one of our Chalet buildings.

 

Sainsbury’s Active Kids – vouchers will be available in store from 27^th January – 3^rd May 2016. Please collect these for our school and bring them to the Foyer to post in the collection box or post them through our post box. Please do not staple them together. The more vouchers are collected, the more we can spend on additional resources for school. Over the years we have bought playground equipment, such as stilts and skipping ropes, and gym equipment too.

 

Messy Church – 2.30pm – 4.30pm on Sunday 28^th February. St. Leonard’s Church invites you to come and join in an afternoon of family fun with crafts & games, a lively 15 minute service, with tea & cakes to finish! Free admissions – donations welcome. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Medical Appointments – whilst most parents book appointments outside of school time, occasionally there are circumstances that arise when appointments are necessary during the school day. Please bring in any documentation regarding the appointment. A copy of the letter or email detailing the dates and times are then taken and placed on the absence folder (this information is available for OFSTED inspection purposes, in order to prove the whereabouts of children who are absent from school due to medical appointments). If the appointment is by text please bring in the text message on your phone for the office staff to sign that they have seen it or email in a screen shot image of the text.

Parent/Teacher Evenings – these will be taking place in the school hall the first week back after half term, on Tuesday 23^rd February and Thursday 25^th February. The appointments are for 10 minutes however if you feel more time is needed please make an alternative appointment with your child’s teacher.

 

World Book Day – during the week commencing 29^th February we will be carrying out a variety of activities in our Team groups to mark World Book Day. As part of the celebration, on Friday 4^th March, the children are invited to come to school dressed as a favourite book character. Please bring the book, from which the character is taken, to school that day.

 

Craft Club – new registration forms are now in the Foyer for signing up to the afterschool Craft club to start after half term, on Friday 26^th February. There will be just 4 sessions finishing on Friday 18^th March. Forms should be returned with payment by Thursday 25^th February.

 

Cross Country Championships – this event will be held on Saturday 27^th February 2016 from 9.30am -12.30pm at Chiltern Edge School. There is a £2.00 entry fee. Arriving 30 minutes early will give parents and children time to scout out the course and give the children time to warm up. The organisers have asked that parents lift share wherever possible to reduce the inevitable traffic and parking problems. Please note no dogs are allowed on site.

 

(As a comparison, 1 lap of the Woodcote Cricket Field is about 400m.) The course is relatively flat, but maybe muddy therefore studded or spiked shoes would be helpful if you have them. Mrs Bodeker and Dr Sudbury would like to encourage as many children as possible to take part for the challenge and enjoyment. If the children already take part in the morning running sessions and lunch time running club, they should have no problem completing the course. There is no race for the Foundation children however last year we took some keen ones who entered the Year 1 race. Let Mrs Bodeker know if your Foundation child is interested.

 

Dr Sudbury and several other parents are going to be doing morning running sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of half term on the village green. If you or your children would like to come along and join in, they will be starting at 8.30am and run for about 30 minutes. They hope to see many of the regular running club members.

 

Brownies and Scouts – ‘World Thinking Day’ takes place on Monday 22^nd February. On the day, Guides and Scouts everywhere think of each other and of their commitment to international friendship and understanding. It is celebrated each year on 22 February, which was the birthday of both Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, the former World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell. Any children in school who attend Brownies or Scouts are welcome to wear their Brownie or Scouts uniform for the day. The assembly on 22^nd February will focus on the message of World Thinking Day (please note it is not a general non-uniform day).

 

Sainsbury’s Active Kids – vouchers will be available in store from 27^th January – 3^rd May 2016. Please collect these for our school and bring them to the Foyer to post in the collection box or post them through our post box. Please do not staple them together. The more vouchers are collected, the more we can spend on additional resources for school. Over the years we have bought playground equipment, such as stilts and skipping ropes, and gym equipment too.

 

Cabin Pre-School – a fundraising quiz night has been organised at the Red Lion, in Woodcote, on Wednesday 17th February at 8pm. It would be great to see you there! Quiz teams need to book tables in advance with the Red Lion on 01491 680483. Complimentary food is available for those taking part. They will be donating all profits from the night to the Cabin Pre School. A Super prize draw will also be taking place on the night. Tickets are available for £1 from Cabin parents, from the Red Lion or direct from the Cabin!

 

Messy Church – 2.30pm – 4.30pm on Sunday 28^th February. St. Leonard’s Church invites you to come and join in an afternoon of family fun with crafts & games, a lively 15 minute service, with tea & cakes to finish! Free admissions – donations welcome. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Parent/Teacher Evenings – a reminder that appointments are available on Tuesday 23^rd Feb & Thursday 25^th Feb to meet with your child’s teacher. The appointments are for 10 minutes however if you feel more time is needed please make an alternative appointment with your child’s teacher.

 

 Sports for Schools – The children had enormous fun completing a variety of events with the GB Athletes on Tuesday afternoon. After the energetic fitness circuits, the children had an assembly lead by the Athletes, with a Q&A session. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. Many children have returned their sponsor forms and money – thank you. If your child has not yet brought in their sponsor form and money, please do so by Wednesday 10^th February. All the sponsor forms we have received so far have been marked with the details of the sponsor money sent in. This information will be sent to ‘Sports for Schools’ and they will send out the bands and posters to those who are entitled ie those who raised over £5, over £15 or over £30. These will be delivered to school in due course by Sports for Schools. The parents who have paid online will receive the bands etc that they are entitled to as well. If you wish to make your payments online please follow this link:

www.sportsforschools.org/event/RG229 Thank you for your support.

 

Chair of Governors – Woodcote Primary School welcomes Mrs Helena McBride as the new Chair of Governors and Mrs Sue Whitehead as Vice Chair. Mrs McBride takes over from Dr Tim Mason, who has been on the Governing Body since 2011, first as Finance Governor and then as Chair from 2013. The school would like to thank Dr Mason for all of his support and hard work over the last 5 years. Attached is a letter detailing the amended list of the Governing Body.

 

Internet Safety Day – on Tuesday 9^th February 2016, the Year 8 children from Langtree are coming over to do a presentation to Key Stage 2 children regarding internet safety. Please take this opportunity to find out more details at www.saferinternetday.org.uk and find out from your children what they have learnt. The Year 8 children would like to have some constructive feedback.

 

Sport Camp – during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of half term, The Elms Multi-Sports Camp will be at Woodcote Primary School offering a variety of sports delivered by professional sports coaches. If you would like any more details or wish to book places please go to their website : www.elmsholidayschemes.co.uk

 

Craft Club – new registration forms are now in the Foyer for signing up to the afterschool Craft club to start after half term, on Friday 26^th February. There will be just 4 sessions finishing on Friday 18^th March. Forms should be returned with payment by Thursday 25^th February.

 

Cross Country Championships – this event will be held on Saturday 27^th February 2016 from 9.30am -12.30pm at Chiltern Edge School. The children who take part in the morning pre-school running club or the lunch time running clubs should all consider taking part. They have been training well and are encouraged by Dr Sudbury and Mrs Bodeker to take part.

 

Coffee Shop – FOWPS are holding a fundraising coffee shop at the Community Centre/Lion’s Den on Saturday February 6th. Please come along to support the fund raising.

 

Sainsbury’s Active Kids – vouchers will be available in store from 27^th January – 3^rd May 2016. Please collect these for our school and bring them to the Foyer to post in the collection box or post them through our post box. Please do not staple them together. The more vouchers are collected, the more we can spend on additional resources for school. Over the years we have bought playground equipment, such as stilts and skipping ropes, and gym equipment too.

 

Library Event – there will be a ‘Harry Potter Book Night’ on Thursday 4^th February 5.30pm – 6.30pm in the Woodcote Community Library. The dress code is Wizarding robes or Harry Potter fancy dress. Free tickets are available from the library. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Cabin Pre-School – a fundraising quiz night has been organised at the Red Lion, in Woodcote, on Wednesday 17th February at 8pm. It would be great to see you there! Quiz teams need to book tables in advance with the Red Lion on 01491 680483. Complimentary food is available for those taking part. They will be donating all profits from the night to the Cabin Pre School. A Super prize draw will also be taking place on the night. Tickets are available for £1 from Cabin parents, from the Red Lion or direct from the Cabin!

 

FOWPS Newsletter W/ending: 5^th February 2016

The 100 Club. Have you joined?

Another way we raise funds is through our 100 Club. A great way for you to support us whilst having a bit of a flutter! Here’s how it works…

You complete and sign a membership form and either

– set up a Standing Order for £2 a month, or
– pay £24 by cheque/cash for the 12 month period.

This buys you one membership number, which enters you into the monthly draw. All participants must be over 16.

A £30 draw will take place in the final assembly of each month with the exception of the two months in which the Summer and Winter fairs fall.  In these months the normal draw is replaced with a special £200 draw at the fair. If you win, a cheque will be posted to your home address and the name of the winner published in the school’s monthly newsletter.
All profits raised go to FOWPS to help fund equipment, resources and opportunities for pupils.
If all 100 numbers were taken, this would raise a stunning £1700 for the school! We still have many unsold numbers! The lucky winner of the December 100 Club £30 draw was Lorna Tappern.  If you are interested in joining the 100 Club and entering the monthly draws please see Amanda Lyons for more information.

 

School Angel

Did you know that by simply doing your shopping online via our unique link, you can raise funds for the school? Visit the school page here : http://www.schoolangel.org.uk/woodcote-primary-school.html. To raise funds for the Woodcote Primary School just click on any of the retailers listed on our page and do your shopping. All of the profit goes to help the school and you get exactly the same deal as if you had visited the retailers website direct. There is no need for you to create an account and they don’t need any of your personal details. School Angel will simply track your donation straight back to our school every time you visit!

 

As always, FOWPS is looking for helpers to help with the various fundraising initiatives we will be organising between now and the end of this school year. If you are happy to help at cake sales, the coffee shop, the summer fair, school discos or with serving teas at various school functions, please let us now. It would be amazing if everyone gave even as little as a half hour each. You can reach us on our email address fowps@woodcote-primary.co.uk or speak to any of the committee or your class rep!