7 Mar 2008 - Newsletter 2008/8
March 7th
Dear Parents
Newsletter 2008/8
I expect your children have shared the news with you that Mr Harris has visited us all in school. At least, I think it was Mr Harris and not his much younger, fitter brother! He really does look a changed person and we are all delighted by the progress he is making with his recovery. He wants me to pass on his thanks for all the overwhelming support you have shown and all the cards sent. He really does need keeping busy now, so anyone that would like to visit him is very welcome. Please do ring him first in case he is out walking the dog or out abseiling!
World Book Day
Thank you to all those who supported us by bringing books into school to sell and by purchasing one. The event was a tremendous success; both for raising money and for encouraging the children to talk to each other about their favourite books. We expect to be able to send a total of £100 to Africa. Hopefully, they will benefit from loving books too.
Graham Hobbs enthusiastically shared with us his passion for the book making process. He has written two story books himself. A leaflet in the office gives details of these, if any children would like to purchase them.
Football Club
It is with much appreciation that Mr Englefield and Mr Hurt have ensured football club continues. On their behalf, I would like to stress the legal safety requirement that all players wear shin pads. This is for practises as well as for matches.
Dogs in School
As a great dog lover myself, I am always envious of those lucky enough to walk across the common to school and exercise their furry friend at the same time. However, I am aware that some children are anxious around unfamiliar animals so would ask you to ensure that you do not bring your pet onto school property. They must stay outside the gate. I know I can count on your support on this matter. We all want our children to feel safe.
Easter Service
Our service will begin in our Parish Church on Thursday 20th March at 2pm. You are all very welcome to attend. The children will process to Church and the orchestra will play as the children arrive. We are expecting the children to enter Church silently and would ask you to help us achieve this by being silent yourself when Father Michael indicates that they have arrived. Children can be collected from school at the usual home time.
Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday 16th March
This is a reminder that tickets are now on sale for the Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny is busy devising a new route for 2008 so you can work up an appetite for all those eggs. Donations of cakes would be most welcome on the day and if you can help please contact Tracey Southgate on 883195 or Rona Burnett on 886995. You need to have completed a form and paid in advance to ensure your children have an egg at the end.
Curry and Disco Night – Saturday 10th May (not as previously advertised). Already in place is a specialist caterer cooking authentic indian cuisine complete with indian dancers. The disco is also booked, BUT we need people to organise the bar (purchasing all drinks, glasses etc.) and set it up on the day. I am happy to coordinate the overall event but cannot be around for the set up process. Please help as it should be a fun night and cannot go ahead without a bar or people to set up the tables etc on the day! Call Paula Cole on 883209 if you can save the event.
Summer Fair – Saturday 22nd June (again, not as previously advertised). More details to follow.
Post Office Closure
Minchinhampton Post Office closes for business on 29th March 2008. Ten people from the Parish have agreed to form a working party to consider the impact this will have on our Community and what can be done to help people affected by the closure. It would help greatly, to identify your needs, if you could fill in a questionnaire.
These are available from school but must be returned by Monday.
Charity Concert
This concert will be at Minchinhampton School and will start at 7pm on Sunday 30th March. The music will be performed by Nailsworth Silver Band, and will be a lighthearted event featuring a number of TV and Film themes. Ticket prices (to include programmes) are £5.00 (Adults), £3.00 ( Students over 12), Under 12's free. Tickets will be available from Minchinhampton School or M and B stores in the High Street.
All the money raised will go to Jonathan Brough (ex pupil of the school)
As part of the newsletter, I hope to keep you informed about projects we are working on as a school. This will ensure you are more aware of where some of the money goes that our P.T.A. raises, as well as allowing us to maximise on any hidden talents amongst you!
Healthy Schools
Minchinhampton children are currently working towards the National Healthy Schools Status Award. To help us we have joined a programme that provides us with a small grant as well as a little bit of expert advice.
There are 4 strands-Active Play, Eating Breakfast, Cooking and Growing food.
The pupils have guaranteed an enthusiastic start. Already we have a series of compost bins and have built a leaf bin. We are now filling the bins daily with food waste, paper, teabags etc. Undoubtedly, you have admired our new raised beds built ready for spring and summer planting.
We are lucky to have a small number of parents willing to help us look after our beautiful surroundings. The Woodland Trust has just sent us lots of hedge and copse trees, free, for planting in our ground. A working party to plant these would be fantastic! If you feel able to help, please do not hesitate to identify yourself to Mrs Savage!
The Big Sing Up!
Children in Key Stage 2 have been involved in this project, which has the aim of getting everyone singing and showing the nation what we can all do. Mrs Hale organised our local radio station, Severn Sound, to come in on Wednesday to record the children singing one of their favourite songs. All tracks sent to the stations will then be loaded on to the station’s Sing Up webpage so that each school can listen to their track online. During next, all radio stations involved will choose two schools per day in their area and their track will be played live on the radio. You never know- Minchinhampton School might include a future chart winner!
Enjoy the weekend. We look forward to continuing to work with your happy, refreshed children.
Su Broadhurst