13 Jun 2008 - Newsletter 2008.18
June 13th 2008, Dear Parents, Newsletter 2008/18
Jump Rope for Heart - “The fun fitness and fundraising event for schools”: As part of our Healthy School approach during our Sports Day on June 24th each class will be participating in a “Jump Off”. The event promotes healthy exercise through skipping and at the same time will raise funds for our school and the British Heart Foundation. Please support our event by sponsoring your child/ren. Everyone will bring home a sponsorship form today. If you want more information, please see Miss Ayres for further details about our “Jump Off” or “Wake and Shake.”
Wake and Shake : You might like some background to our Wake and Shake
Facts : Wake and shake was introduced into Gloucestershire approximately 3 years ago.
· Wake and Shake was inspired and developed by Ruth Mitchell PDM at Callington Sports College, Cornwall.
· It aims to promote an easy and fun way to provide bursts of activity at any time of the school day
· Wake and Shake is an excellent way to contribute to the Health Development Agencies recommendation for children to participate in physical activity for an hour a day
· Every morning all KS1 children take part in Wake and Shake to encourage a positive attitude and fun healthy start to the school day.
· All parents are invited to join in to wake your mind and shake your body!
Class organisation in September 2008 : Regrettably,` because of a reduction in numbers of children on roll this year and because of budget cuts, after a great deal of thought and discussion, we have had to make the decision to move from ten classes to nine in September. We are also using the opportunity to alter some of the staffing arrangements. The school will therefore be organised as follows :
Reception Class – Mrs. Hugginson
Rec/Y1 Class - Mrs. Bugg (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Mrs. Winkle (Thursdays and Fridays)
Y1/Y2 Class - Miss Ayres
Y2/Y3 Class – Mrs. Hancock
Y3/Y4 Class – Mrs. J. Smith
Y3/Y4 Class – Miss Piper
Y5/Y6 Class – Mrs. Broadhurst
Y5/Y6 Class – Miss Tonner
Y5/Y6 Class – Mrs. P. Smith
Accommodation for two days: Our two Kenyan link teachers who are with us this week and next are staying on for two more days and we are looking for accommodation for the nights of Friday June 21st and Saturday June 22nd. Can anyone help with two single rooms and breakfast on these two days please? If you can or know someone who can please contact me or leave a message in the office.
Mrs. Lillystone and Mrs. Andrews : As you know, Mrs. Lillystone and Mrs. Andrews are retiring at the end of this term. Mrs. Lillystone has been at Minchinhampton School for nine years and Mrs. Andrews for 24 years. On Sunday 22nd June, at the PTA Summer Fair, there will be a special celebration to mark the career of Mrs Andrews. We would like to take this opportunity to invite any past and present pupils and parents to the fair, to visit Mrs Andrews, look at the photo display and meet up with former friends and staff.
Fr. Michael : Fr. Michael is retiring as Rector of Minchinhampton on July 6th. On the previous Friday, we want to make a presentation to him in Assembly. We have also been asked to publicise his final service in the Parish Church and the farewell lunch in the school. All staff, parents and children are invited to join him at the service and/or lunch and help make this a celebration to remember.
Celebrating Education : The annual Celebrating Education exhibition opens today in St. Laurence Church, in the Shambles, Stroud, and runs until Wednesday 25th, open each day from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (not Sundays). Our school is represented in a display arranged by Mrs. Hancock. Do call in to see it – it is a celebration of the best of primary education in the Stroud area.
Science Week : We had a very successful Science Week last week, and attached to this newsletter is a brief summary of the high-lights of the week from each class.
Dogs : As much as I am very fond of dogs, I have to remind parents that dogs should not be brought into the school grounds, even little dogs and puppies, and not even just inside the gate. It’s great that parents use the opportunity of walking to school with their dogs, but please do leave them tied up safely outside the gate. Thanks.
Cars at 3.15 p.m. Please remember that parents must not drive into the school at 3.15p.m. This decision was taken by Governors simply to keep our children safe.
All parents must park outside school when collecting their children at the end of the school day.
P.E. kit : Too many children do not have the correct P.E. kit in school. This is trainers/daps, shorts and t-shirt. At this time of the year, with Sports Day fast approaching and weather that is good for P.E. outside, children should have their P.E. kit in school every day. Children who do not have the right clothes for P.E. are not allowed to take part, so miss out on the enjoyment of P.E. lessons and keeping fit and healthy.
PTA News :
Sizzling Sunday Summer Fair, 22nd June: Thanks to all those who have already volunteered to help at the Summer Fair - we're delighted so many of you have already stepped forward. Of course we still need more people, so please either sign up on the noticeboard in the school reception area or fill in the tear off strip from the flyer - if you did not receive one in your bookbag last week, please ask for another from the school office.
We'll shortly be asking you for donations of 'things' for the fair. Start sorting out books, videos and DVDs now! Pop an extra bottle in your supermarket trolley and start thinking about cakes too.
Don’t forget to hand in your balloon tickets, bottles, books, DVDs and cakes during next week.
We would love to have PONY RIDES at the fair and wonder if anyone has or knows of someone with a pony or two who would be suitable plodders for this activity. Hats would need to be provided too. All parents of riders on the day will be asked to sign a form saying that they are doing so at their own risk. If you can help with this, please contact Paula Cole 883209.
Raffle Tickets : Due to a delay from the printers, the raffle tickets may not have arrived by the time you have read this. We hope to have them with you by Monday. There are great prizes to be won –a family ticket to Giffords Circus, a watersports voucher, family tickets to Gatcombe Horse Trials, tickets to Slimbridge and many, many more.
Fourways Open Studio - part of 08 Stroud Visual Arts Festival: Sat 7th - Sun 8th & Sat 14th - Sun15th June, 11am - 6.00pm. Come along to Fourways Park Lane, Woodchester GL5 5HW; lots to see, paintings, sculpture, textiles, furniture, ceramics, jewellery, demonstrations, refreshments and a table for you and children to get creative yourselves.
Yours sincerely,
R.J.Harris