2005 / 06 Number 5 . October 20th   2005

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

The end of Term 1 already and I think everyone in school is certainly ready for the break.

 

Ted’s Mega Music Day Out

It was great to welcome Ted himself to get our day off to a great start. I think it is safe to say that he was a great hit with us all ! The collection of money on the musical notes amounted to £112.61 and the children enjoyed various activities throughout the day based on music making and sharing favourite pieces of music.

We were also featured in the double page spread in the chronicle on Saturday evening.

 

 

 Harvest Celebration

Thank you all for the contributions to our Harvest Celebration yesterday.

All the produce was displayed in the hall creating a lovely backdrop for the celebration itself. We treated our visitors to a programme of harvest related songs, poems and stories. All the children performed brilliantly especially our reception children who were joining in their first whole school event – quite a milestone!!

Each of our guests chose some fresh produce afterwards with the rest being sold very ably by a few of Year 2 on Wednesday afternoon. The money raised totalled £28.18 which  the School Council have chosen to donate to Dorothy House.

All dried and tinned produce has been collected by the Genesis Trust to use with the homeless and disadvantaged in Bath.

 

Bulb Planting Morning

Thank you to those of you who came along to join in the fun planting bulbs and generally giving the school grounds a seasonal tidy up.

 

 

B.I.B. s Firework Poster Competition

A free ticket for the display at the recreation ground is attached to this newsletter. The entries were most impressive – I’m glad I don’t have to judge them along with all the others from local schools !! We’ll let you know if we have any prize winners.

 

Theatre Trip to ‘the egg’

Years 1 and 2 thoroughly enjoyed their trips to see ‘How to Hug Trees and Other Secrets’, which was an excellent production. Personally I don’t know which was more enjoyable the play , or watching the expressions on the children’s faces as the tale unfolded. As we left one of the Year 2s stated loudly ‘That was the best school trip ever !!’ We are now looking forward to working with Nick White from ‘the egg’ and staging a performance of our nativity play there.

 

 

 

Parents’ Evenings

Next  term’s parents evenings are an opportunity for all parents to have a more detailed individual discussion with their child’s teacher. The  teachers will be able to  tell you about the targets we have set your child and what you can do to support your child in his / her learning at home.

We encourage all parents to make a ten minute appointment.

The dates and times are :

Monday 6th  November                     from 4.00 to 7.00pm

Tuesday7th   November                    from 3.30 to 6.30pm

Lists will go up outside each classroom on Wednesday November 1st . Please sign up for your preferred time. If you have children in more than one class it is advisable to leave a gap of at least ten minutes between appointments.

As we have arranged two evenings it would be very much appreciated if wherever possible parents try to share child care. The teachers really welcome the chance to talk to you in a quiet environment.

 

School Photographer

Your child should bring home his / her school photograph tonight.

To order copies please follow the instructions and return your order in the envelope provided by Friday November 10th . We have tried to provide additional proofs for families where necessary. Let us know if you also need an additional one.

 

Oldfield Park After School Club News

The staff and committee would like to welcome all of the children back to the club and give an extra big welcome to the new reception children. We have had a successful new term with the club undergoing some changes. We now only take children from the Infants’ School. There are lots of exciting activities lined up for next term with Bonfire Night and Christmas approaching fast. Wishing you all a happy half term holiday and for any new children wishing to try out the club ……we still have spaces J

 

 

PTA News

Bring and Buy Sale : Friday November 3rd 2.30 to 3.30pm

Now is the perfect opportunity to de junk your life and make room for Santa’s new   presents.

We are holding a Bring and Buy sale on Friday November 3rd from 2.30 to 3.30pm at the school . This gives you the entire half term to sort out toys , books, clothes, videos and bric a brac. We are collecting it in the hall on the Wednesday that we are back. So place your poster where everyone can see it and remember to bring your purse to gain some bargains on the day. We are trying to raise funds so that every class has its own digital camera which will be fantastic!

 

Scooter Safety

Once again can I remind all parents to ensure that scooters are being ridden safely, sensibly and with regard for other pavement users. At least one child has been nearly run over in the past week by children hurtling along the narrow paths and pavements. Please keep a close eye on your child’s ‘scootering’ habits.

 

Head Lice

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago the dreaded head lice are with us at the moment. Please could every parent treat their child during half term and we may be able to defeat them. Don’t forget that the ‘Bug Busting Kit’ which uses no chemicals is highly recommended and available from local chemists.

 

School Travel Plan

Jo Claridge and Sarah Wall (Chair of Governors) attended a ceremony on Tuesday at which we were presented with our School Travel Plan Award. This does not however, mean that our plan is completed as it is an ongoing and ever changing one !

Our School Travel Plan group met last week and were pleased to welcome two new members from our reception parents – there is room for more from any Year Group.

Walking Buses

We would now like to start investigating the viability of having a ‘Walking Bus’ or several Walking Buses’. A Walking Bus is a supervised group of children walking to school along particular routes with pick up points or ‘bus stops.’ The walking bus has a ‘driver’ and ‘conductors’ who walk with the children to school.

If you would be interested in such a scheme please complete the slip at the end of the newsletter.

 

Tesco Bike Active : Victoria Park’ Sunday 22nd October 11am

This is a fun, free , family and beginners cycling event which is all about having fun, getting active and raising money for the British Heart Foundation. There will be refreshments and entertainment and the course is totally traffic free and lap based so you can do as much or as little as your legs allow. For more information go to www.everydaycycling.com/tesco. The event includes an exclusive Tesco Bike Active Goody Bag, medal and T Shirt plus free Tesco Bike Surgery to prepare yourt bike.

 

Home School Links

21st Century Child : Love In A Box

In the run up to Christmas we usually support one of the shoebox projects. 21st Century Child is a charity which aims to provide boxes of Christmas presents for children in Bosnia and Romania who are otherwise unlikely to receive. Last year we donated over 50 boxes.

We ask you to make up the boxes at home and thought that you might be able to use the holiday to sort out a few unwanted toys etc. as they need to be ready before the end of November so that they reach the children in time.  You might want to work with a few friends to make up a joint box.

We will be collecting the boxes during the first few weeks of next term.

 

ü Please put in :-

X Please do not put in :-

small toys                          balls

stationery                          gloves

sweets                              scarves

chocolate                          puzzles

toiletries                            pencils

toy cars                             crayons

liquids

perishable foods

toy guns

knives

aerosols

second  hand clothes

batteries

 

Boxes need to be labelled with the age of the child that the contents suit  but must not be sealed other than with an elastic band.

 

Schools and Extended Services Questionnaire

Bath and North East Somerset have asked us to send out the attached questionnaire. They may use the results to offer us some additional funding for the more popular activities. In particular we would be interested in getting funding to support out of hours use of the ICT Suite.

 

 

 

Play Strategy Consultation

Do you have ideas about how B&NES could improve free play for children ? Access to places to play freely that are free of charge, open to all and near home are vital for children’s healthy development, enjoyment and sense of community. Do you have ideas that would improve access to play in your area ? If so please contact Alice McColl, Strategic Development Officer for Play on 01225 395137 or by email alice_mccoll@bathnes.gov.uk

 

Tutorial Support Service

With this newsletter you will also receive a pack from the Tutorial Support Service which is all about a home learning package for children. Please reply whether or not you are interested as the school will receive some free software if the company receive enough responses. AS the company is part of a group that make really high quality learning resources for school we would be pleased to be successful.

 

 

SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)

Next  term’s theme is:- Getting on and Falling Out

Here are the assembly themes and behaviour targets. Thank you for  some very positive comments about these.

Week beginning

Assembly Theme

Behaviour Target

1st November

Getting on and Falling Out introduction

 

Be a good friend

to others.

6h November

What do we look for in a friend

13th November

The Way I See It ~ respecting other peoples ideas

Be prepared to listen carefully to other people.

20th November

When things go wrong.

Keep calm if you fall out with a friend.

27th November

Forgiveness

Be able to say sorry when you are in the wrong

4th December

Christmas

Put other people first.

11th December

Christmas

Be kind and generous in what you do and say.

 

I hope everyone has an enjoyable break and a good rest in preparation for what is bound to be an exciting Term  2. School re opens at 8.50am on Wednesday November 1st.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Jo Claridge

Head teacher

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Walking Bus Response

 

Name :-

I am interested in the idea of a Walking Bus running

From …………………………………..

To………………………………………

 

I would be willing to take a turn in supervising children.

N.B.The activity would be covered by insurance.