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

2006 / 07 Number 13 . February 16^th 2007

Dear Parents,

Here we are at the end of Term 3. Both adults and children seem to have been affected by a number of unpleasant viruses over the past week or so and we have rather limped towards the holiday. Time for a good rest ready to return with our batteries fully charged for Term 4.

Healthy Schools Standard

We have recently heard that Oldfield Park Infants School now meets the standards for the new National Healthy Schools Award. This has replaced the award we gained in 2005 and has an even more rigorous set of criteria to meet in four areas : Personal, Social and Health Education, Emotional Health, Physical Activity and Healthy Eating. The award recognises that the whole school community is contributing towards children’s overall health so thank you for your support with our initiatives such as Zero Waste Lunches and Walk to School. Next term we will arrange to have the new award officially presented to the school.

Zero Waste Lunches

Thank you all for your support so far. Keep up the good work after the break and remember that the first lunch time back will be ‘Zero Waste’ one.

Approaching other parents.

Despite our Golden Rules and strong ethos of caring for each other in school it is inevitable that from time to time children will hurt or upset one another. When serious incidents happen in school they are always thoroughly investigated. If we consider it to be necessary we always speak to parents of children involved as soon as possible, usually at the end of the school day.

Recently there have been several occasions where one parent has approached another to try to ‘sort out’ such a situation which has resulted in some misunderstandings occurring. We would ask that an approach is made to the class teacher in the first instance as a child who is in the wrong will usually have been dealt with in school as part of our behaviour and discipline policy. No system is perfect and it may be that a situation has not been brought to our attention in which case we would want to know what has happened so that we can look into it.

Head’s Visit to the Czech Republic

Just a reminder that I will be out of school for the week following half term, visiting schools in the Czech Republic with other local heads. Peter George will be in charge and he is able to deal with any concerns during my absence

I am going to take Barnaby Bear with me. We will be taking lots of photos of the schools we visit and hopefully some of the sights of Prague to share on our return.

Mystery Theme Week: March 5^th to 9^th 2007

Plans for this week are almost complete but you’ll just have to wait and see what is going to happen as it’s a ‘mystery’. We will be sending out a mysterious programme of events after half term. However we thought you might like a little advance warning of a dressing up day which we are planning for the final day, Friday March 9^th.

We would like each child to come dressed as something mysterious! It could be a mysterious mythical creature, something from space, the sea, long ago or the future. Let your imagination take over !!! Why not use half term to do some research and make a costume together?

First Aid : St John’s Ambulance

The extended school’s fund is also supporting a First Aid input from St John’s Ambulance. We have decided that this is best suited to Year 2 and will complement work that the School Nurse does on medicines with this year group.

The talk will take place on Monday 25^th February (the first day after half term) from 11am until 12noon in the hall. Parents of Y2 are welcome to join the children on this occasion.

NSPCC Charity Fundraiser

Thank you for your participation in this fund raising event. The total was just over £500.

Comic Relief : Red Nose Day : Friday March 16^th

Hot on the heels of our theme week comes Red Nose Day which this year has the theme ‘The Big One’. Although we have recently raised money for the NSPCC we thought the children would want to join in this national event.

We are hoping to have official Red Noses on sale in school after half term, so please don’t buy them yet, wait for ours ! Once they arrive we will let the children know. They will cost £1 each.

On the day itself we will link many of our activities to the theme and the children can dress up and wear their noses if they wish. The suggestions are that the children wear big clothes to school borrowing from mum, dad or older brothers and sisters, or they might like to wear something red or decorate their uniforms with red accessories. Anything goes but we’ve tried to keep it simple as it follows straight on from our dressing up day on the last day of ‘Mystery Week.’ All we ask is that in return for wearing unusual clothes they bring a donation to comic relief.

Bath Half Marathon : Sunday March 25^th

Two of our parents have entered the Bath Half marathon on behalf of the school and will be raising money for the school itself. They are Chris Marshall, father of Ruth in Orange Class and George McDonald, father of Angus in Blue Class. If you would like to sponsor them we will be putting up a form outside each classroom after half term and one on the windows just inside the canteen doors. We will organise a cheering post outside Kingsmead Motors for anyone who wants to come along on the day and show their support. Last time we were represented in the marathon it was good fun to wave our banners and look out for the runners.

The Eve Appeal (Gynaecological Cancer Research Fund)

Linda Warren, grandparent of Kyle in Yellow class, is raising funds for this charity during March which is ovarian cancer awareness month. She is going to be holding a tea party to raise funds, organising a raffle and selling pin badges. If you wish to support this charity please speak to Kyle’s mum.

News from After School Club.

THE INVITATION BOOK – ON SALE AT THE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

Do you want to save yourself money at the same time as helping your Local After School Club. The Club is now selling the new 2007-8 INVITATION BOOK packed with up to 700 offers to choose from, the Invitation Book has something for everyone.

There are up to £12,000 of money-off vouchers including 2-4-1 meals in the best local restaurants and family eateries, 2-4-1 cinema tickets plus savings on family days out, shopping and for a huge variety of leisure activities.

The offers have been provided by an impressive mix of national High St names and some of the best local restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.

Use just a dozen of the 700 vouchers at any time during the year and you can save yourself £200+ on outlays you were going to make anyway.

Over 1000 community groups and charities made use of the Invitation book as part of their fundraising campaigns. These varied from nurseries and toddler groups to the local children’s hospital.

Do come along to the Club and take a look at the book or borrow a copy to look over at your leisure. This is the second year that I’ve bought the book and have definitely found it of great value. There’s something for everyone but don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself. The book costs £19.99 but not only will you save yourself money you’ll help raise money for the Club too J Thank you – Jane

There are several items reflecting fund raising for different causes in this issue. I would like to stress that it is entirely up to individual families which of these, if any, they choose to support.

Anti Bullying Design Competition

Can you design an anti bullying logo / slogan for Bath and North East

Somerset ?

Design your entry – no bigger than A4. Use colour or just black and white.

Return your entry to school making sure it is named.

Rubbish or Resource ?

As I know many of you are interested in environmental issues you may like to know about the following. The four local councils that used to be Avon are working together to consider how best to deal with the waste we generate over the coming decades. A booklet / survey, ‘The Issues and Options for Waste in the West of England’ has been produced and is available at libraries and council offices. We have two copies available and it is downloadable from www.rubbishorresource.co.uk. There is also a public meeting on Thursday 8^th March at Bath Rugby Teacher’s stand at 6.00pm. Your responses to the consultation would be welcomed.

Museums in Bath at Half Term

The following is a selection of activities suitable for younger children.

Museum of East Asian Art (01225 464640)

Saturday 17^th February

Chinese New Year Tours 10.30 to 11.00am and 2.30 to 3.00pm. Free

Lucky Scrolls : Chinese Writing 2.00 to 4.00pm. Free

Pig Out! Children’s Trail ~ all day. Free

Sunday 18^th February

Pig Out! Children’s Trail ~ all day. Free

Tuesday 20^th February

Paper Parade : Origami Workshop 11.00am to 1pm admission charge

Thursday 22^nd February

Lucky Scrolls : Chinese Writing 11.00am to 1.00pm. admission charge

Friday 23^rd February

Musical Stories ~ story telling session 2.00 to 4.00pm. admission charge

Roman Baths (01225 477785)

Monday 19^th February to Wednesday 21^st February

Ancient Art : Family crafts 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00 to 4.00pm Free with Discovery Card

(also on Tuesday 20^th and Wednesday 21^st February)

Museum of Bath at Work (01225 318348)

Monday 19^th February to Sunday 25^th February

Meccano Crane Exhibition : 10.30 -4.00pm £4/£2

Museum of Costume (01225 477789)

Monday 19^th February to Friday 23^rd February

Dancing fingers/Bags of Fun ~ family crafts 11.00 to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.00pm Free with Discovery card (on daily until Friday at same times)

Victoria Art Gallery (01225 477244)

Tuesday 20^th February

Fantastic February ~ art for 3 to 7 years. 10.30 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.00pm. £3.50 Must book in advance.

Thursday 22^nd February

Winter Wonders ~ art for 3 to 7 years. 10.30 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.00pm. £3.50 Must book in advance.

Friday 23^rd February

Art Fever ~ art for 6 to 11 years . 10.30 to 12.00 and 1.30 to 3.00pm. £3.50 Must book in advance.

Holbourne Museum of Art (01225 444656)

Tuesday 20^th February and Wednesday 21^st February

Fur and feathers ~printmaking 10.00am to 12noon £5. Need to book in advance.

Whatever you choose to do during the holiday I hope it is a happy and restful one. School re-opens at 8.50am on Monday 26^th February. I will see you all again on Monday March 5^th with much to tell about my travels I am sure.

Yours sincerely

Jo Claridge

Headteacher