Remember to keep up to date by visiting www.oldfieldparkinfants.co.uk

2007/08 Number 01 . September 14^th 2007

Dear Parents,

A slightly belated welcome back to school. I hope you all enjoyed the summer break and managed to enjoy the little bit of sunshine that came our way. The year already seems to be well underway with lots of exciting activities being planned to keep life at Oldfield Park Infant School interesting for us all.

For those of you who are new to our school this newsletter is produced fortnightly and is always sent home on a Friday, so that you know when to look out for it. We aim to keep you well informed about the life of the school and give you plenty of advance warning of events. We are happy to add any items of community news or local activities too. If you misplace your copy it is also available on the internet (see above) often hours before you get the paper copy! There are always a few spares in the red pockets in the main entrance lobby too.

A Special Welcome to …..

All those children new to the school, and their families, in our reception classes and throughout the school. We hope you will all be very happy and enjoy learning at Oldfield Park Infants’ School.

Welcome back to Mrs Jen Morgan. In case you are confused, yes, we did say goodbye to Jen at the end of last term, however, she has kindly agreed to take Mrs Jane Stones place whilst she continues to recover from her operation.

Welcome also to Mrs Lynne Locker from Bath Spa University who is on her final teaching placement in Yellow Class during terms 1 and 2.

Entering School In the Mornings ……….

As its slightly different as children change Year Group here is a reminder

Red Class, Purple Class and Yellow Class should enter through the side door by Mrs Claridge’s office. Parents may leave by the same door.

Blue Class, Orange Class and Green Class should enter through the blue doors by the canteen. Please use the hall as a corridor in the mornings as the I.C.T. Suite will often be set up ready for teaching. Please leave by the same doors as it eases congestion and saves too many people passing through the library.

Encouraging independence in Years 1 and 2

Whilst we appreciate that the children are still settling into their new classes and that you want to make sure that they are happy as they start the school day, we would encourage you to enable them to be as independent as possible in entering their classrooms.

It is very difficult to strike a balance as we want to maintain our welcoming atmosphere commented on so positively in your responses to our questionnaires. We definitely do not want to exclude you from the classrooms as we believe that it is important for your child to be able to share things that are important to him or her and for you to be able to pass on any urgent messages. However, the staff do like to be able to settle the children quickly and start the registers promptly at 9.00am. Please remember that the office staff are available to take messages and answer queries too and I am usually out and about in the school first thing.

And in the afternoon…..

Remember to let us know if your child is going home with a different adult to normal; also if you have an arrangement with another parent to collect your child if you are delayed it would be helpful to have the details in writing.

Meet the Teacher Afternoons

There will be an opportunity to ‘Meet the Teacher’ for each class this term when the class teacher will . be able to give you more information about those school routines you may not be so sure about, the curriculum the children will be following, ways you can support your child and other details the teacher feels you may need to know for this school year . The dates and times for these sessions are as follows :

Yellow Class Monday 24th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Orange Class Monday 24^th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Blue Class Wednesday 26th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Purple Class Thursday 27^th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Green Class Monday 15^th October 2.30pm to 3pm

Red Class Tuesday 16^th October 2.30pm to 3pm

Please do your best to attend.

In Service Days

We held two very successful In Service days for staff on Monday and Tuesday of last week.

On Monday we looked at our strengths and needs as a school with a view to writing our School Development Plan for 2007 / 2008. Thank you for all your responses to our parental questionnaire. These were used to help us reflect on how we are doing as a school and identify areas for further improvement. We also considered what outstanding teaching and learning looks like at our school.

On Tuesday we considered some issues and ideas in relation to encouraging more boys to be motivated in the area of writing and all staff were involved in making addition al resources to use in Story Making this year.

Food in School Working Group

As part of our work towards maintaining Healthy School’s Status we have a group who meet regularly to look at all aspects of food education in school. This year we are planning to use the Soil Association’s ‘Food For Life’ programme to enhance our work. We are looking for new parent members from all three year groups. Please ask Mrs Claridge, Heather Kale (mum of Alfie and Lucy) or Kirsty Whittle (mum of Dino) if you want more information. Or just come along to our next meeting which is on Wednesday 3^rd October at 1.15pm when we will be talking about ways to promote school dinners.

Eat A Rainbow Theme Week : October 8^th to 12^th

Still on a food theme, in the run up to harvest we are planning one of our popular theme weeks. Plans so far include a cooking challenge for Years 1 and 2, Famous Five workshops with ‘Foodlab’ for all children, gardening, competitions, and a special activity for Ted’s Big Day Out. Watch this space !

Before School Breakfast / Sports Club

Our new club started last Monday and is currently being very well supported. The club is led by Matthew from Coerver Coaching and those children who have been this week have certainly given it the ‘thumbs up !’ Places are limited and some days are nearly full already so don’t leave it too late to book if you want a place on any day. Just call in and see Matthew in the canteen before 8.45am any morning. Places do need to be booked in advance.

SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)

We have now been using SEAL for a whole year with our assembly topics, behaviour targets and some of our rewards linked to the scheme. The behaviour targets will continue to be displayed weekly by the entrances and you might like to discuss these with your child. From time to time the class teachers may send home some activities linked to the theme for you to try together.

This term’s theme is New Beginnings :-

Week beginning	Assembly Theme		Behaviour Target
10^th September	New Beginnings introduction	Make someone feel welcome in our school.
17^th September	Doing something brave Overcoming feelings of anxiety	Do something brave. Try something new.
24^th September	Feeling cross and calming down	When you feel cross try to calm down
2^nd October	Sorting out problems	Find out how to use the problem solving process.
9^th October	Eat a Rainbow	Remember to say please and thank you
16^th October	Harvest and End of theme week : time to reflect on our learning	Use only kind words when you talk to each other.

Family SEAL

We are very pleased to have been chosen by Bath and North East Somerset to trial a programme called Family SEAL. All we need now is lots of parents to come and join in what we have planned. Family SEAL is a programme that runs alongside the SEAL teaching we do in school and gives parents the opportunity to find out more about why the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning are so important to your child’s success in school and beyond.

Each term you will be invited to attend an introductory assembly alongside your children, to participate in a short workshop which includes activities with your own child / children and later to share in the children’s follow up assembly. The sessions will be fairly informal and don’t need any special skills just a willingness to find out more about SEAL and support your child’s learning. They will be led by Mrs Cotton and Mrs Claridge.

These are the dates that we have planned for this term :-

Monday October 1^st at 9.15am : Introductory Assembly

Wednesday October10^th 9.15 to 11.15am Workshop (Coffee and tea from 9am in the canteen)

Please come along and help us to make this a success.

School Dinners

Currently the summer menus are continuing and we will send out the new autumn menus as soon as we receive them. Please keep these in a safe place so that you can refer to them. Remember that our school meals really are healthy, well presented and good value for money. The cost is £1.70 per day to be paid in advance on Mondays. Please send money in to the class teacher in a named envelope clearly stating on which days dinners are required.

New Plates, Bowls and Tablecloths

School dinner children have been delighted to be using our brand new royal blue and gold plates, bowls and cups which replace the flight trays. We feel it is far nicer to be using proper crockery albeit plastic. The packed lunch children now have smart plastic table covers to use in the classrooms too.

Zero Waste

Don’t forget every Monday is Zero Waste day when we encourage all packed lunches to use recyclable packaging only such as foil, greaseproof paper and reusable containers. Each child bringing a Zero Waste lunch receives a sticker and prizes are awarded from time to time.

Travelling to School

WOW (Walk on Wednesday) is back too !

We want to continue to encourage walking to school wherever possible so ‘Walk On Wednesday’ will start again next week. If you would be willing to help give out stickers on the railway path at the top of Dorset Street please let us know. Several of our sticker stickers have moved on to the junior school.

Park and Stride

We have an arrangement with the Co-op in Shaftesbury Avenue which enables parents to use their car park and then walk the rest of the distance to school. If you want to use this facility you do need a special ticket to display which is available from the school office.

After School Clubs

A range of clubs have been organised for Years 1 and 2 as usual, including dance, a variety of sports and French Club. With the exception of French Club these are organised by Peter George, our deputy Headteacher and I know that his hard work in this area is much appreciated. Information on all clubs will be distributed soon.

Year 1 and 2 Trip to Corston Fields Farm : Tuesday 18^th September

A reminder that all permission slips should have been handed in by now !!! If you haven’t completed yours please do so by Monday morning to save us having to chase you up.

Don’t forget coats, wellies, old clothes from the waist down, uniform tops and a packed lunch.

Use of photography in school and on our website

As a part of our normal school routines we take lots of pictures of activities and use them to make displays in school , to add to individual learning journeys and keep records of our teaching and learning. We also upload photos regularly to our school website and send photos off to appear in the Bath Chronicle. This term all the reception children feature in class photos in the Chronicle’s starting school supplement. Children’s first names are only used for captions If you do not want your child to feature in any photos on the website or in the newspaper please let the class teacher know.

A few further health and safety reminders for the now beginning of the new school year.

Each of these issues helps maintain a healthy, safe environment for your children.

J There is statutory ‘No Smoking’ on all school premises including the outside areas and the playground. We also request a voluntary no smoking zone close to the school gates.

J No dogs are allowed on school premises, including the playground.

J To avoid accidents before and after school please do not let your child play football, or ride bikes , scooters etc in the playground. Please follow our scooter code of conduct.

J The timber trail may not be used before or after school by anyone.

J Children should not wear jewellery to school. Children with pierced ears may wear studs. No ‘hooped’ earrings of any size please.

J In all cases of sickness and / or diahorrea children must now be kept at home for at least 48 hours after the last symptoms. Please make sure we have up to date emergency contact numbers for your child.

J Please be very vigilant in relation to road safety in the area around the school. The small cul-de-sac can get very crowded.

Scooters / Bicycles : Code of Conduct

Please follow these few simple rules so that our scooter scheme works for everyone

J No scooting and cycling may take place on the playground at any time.

J Scooters and cycles must be stored in the racks provided.

Whilst I know that many of you encourage your child to be independent in putting ‘vehicles’ behind the canteen this really must be done with parental supervision. It is not an area that can be seen from a distance. We do not have the time to police scootering so do rely on everyone to play their part and enforce the rules with their own children.

Naming Uniform

Please make sure all school uniform, coats etc are clearly labelled with your child’s name. It is very difficult to match children up to their sweatshirts, fleeces and P.E. kit without this being done. I have received some flyers about various iron on name tags which are available in the red pockets outside the office. Sadly every term we end up getting rid of several unclaimed and unnamed items.

OPASC NEWS

Welcome back from Louise, Izzy and the Committee. We hope you had a good summer break.

We are pleased to say that a new Committee has been appointed and the club is already up and running with a good intake of children. The term ahead looks to be an exciting time with Halloween, Bon Fire Night and Christmas approaching fast!!

The new Committee is: Jane Conibere Chair

Annie Marsh Treasurer

Kate Kinson Secretary

If you feel you can help with any spare time or skills, enjoy fund raising, or would just like an opportunity for a social get together, please come along to our next meeting or give Jane a call on 01225 401360. All welcome.

Job Vacancy

A vacancy is available for a part-time Play Worker. The post is for 4 days a week,

3pm – 6pm at £6.00 per hour, with the opportunity of a job share. The start date is

15 October. The candidate should have experience of working with children, be enthusiastic and flexible with the possibility of covering for staff sickness. If interested, please call into the Club for an application form.

J BOOK YOUR SPACE AT THE CLUB NOW J

Events and activities in the local area.

Story Keepers

This is a club for 5 to 11 year olds at Oldfield Park Baptist Church . It takes place every Thursday from 5.30 to 6.30pm. Activities include bible stories, craftwork, videos, games and singing. Telephone 01225 312241 for more information.

Fitness Classes for Adults

Thursdays at Oldfield Park Methodist Church from 9.30 to 10.30am. Classes are designed with options to suit all levels. Every one is welcome. I have been told that this is great for school mums as pre school children are welcome to go along too. For further information contact Sara on 07968 373420

Circuit of Bath Walk : Sunday 23^rd September

This is in aid of Julian House. The walk is 20 miles long but there are five sections between 2 and 5 miles long which can be walked separately. For further information contact Cathy Adcock on 01225 354656 or email cathya@julianhouse.org.uk

Big Wild Read

I know that many children will have taken part in this reading challenge over the summer holiday. The library service have asked us to remind you that the challenge continues until Saturday 29^th September.

St Martins Garden, Odd Down and First Steps, Twerton/Moorlands Children’s Centres

There are lots of activities to support parents and their children taking place at both children’s centres. I have put a copy of the newsletters on the indoor parents’ noticeboard which is on the left as you go down the corridor towards the double blue doors that exit school by the canteen. If you would like a copy of your own please ask.

Yours sincerely,

Jo Claridge

Headteacher

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Dates for Term 1 : Please keep for reference.

Further details of each event will follow nearer the time.

Y1 and 2 Trip to Corston Fields Farm Tuesday 18^th September

Yellow Class Meet the Teacher Monday 24th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Orange Class Meet the Teacher Monday 24^th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Blue Class Meet the Teacher Wednesday 26th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Purple Class Meet the Teacher Thursday 27^th September 2.30pm to 3pm

Green Class Meet the Teacher Monday 15^th October 2.30pm to 3pm

Red Class Meet the Teacher Tuesday 16^th October 2.30pm to 3pm

PTA Meeting Friday September 28^th 2pm

Family SEAL Assembly Monday October 1^st 9.15am

Family SEAL Workshop Wednesday October 10^th 9.15 to 11.15am

School Food Group Meeting Wednesday October 3^rd 1.15pm

Eat a Rainbow Week Monday October 8^th to Friday October 12^th

Ted’s Big Day Out Friday October 12^th

Walk to School Month October 2007

School photographer Tuesday October 16^th

Harvest Celebration Wednesday October 17^th

End of term break school finishes Friday October 19^th

School re-opens Wednesday October 31^st