2005 / 06 Number 23 . July 21^st 2006

Dear Parents,

As our last full week ends here is the final newsletter of the school year. It is time to say an enormous thank you to all the staff, parents, governors, children and friends of the school for your tremendous support throughout the past year. Once again we have all enjoyed learning together and have many happy memories of numerous events. I do hope that everyone associated with the school has a very happy, restful and enjoyable summer holiday.

We have survived the blistering heat this week…… just two days to go.

School SummerFair

This is the massive sum of money raised at the summer fair on Saturday July 8^th . The atmosphere on the day was great and it was lovely to see so many of you there. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s fair the big success it was. My especial thanks go to Lisa Cotterell, Kerry Hillier and the P.T.A. team who worked so hard to make sure everything ran smoothly on the day. Thanks also to the school staff who gave up much of their Saturday to help out on the stalls and to Mandy Jones her team who worked so hard in the kitchen producing all that wonderful food in the heat yet again. The money raised will directly benefit the children and help to make their time at school even more fun and enjoyable.

Balloon Race  

Zak Elley of Red Class was the winner of the Balloon Race. We received a call to tell us his balloon reached Cambridgeshire. WOW !

Reverend Beth Brown

Reverend Beth Brown, vicar of East Twerton, has been a very special member of our school community for many years. Not only has she come in regularly to take assemblies and contribute to our Religious Education teaching, but has also been a governor serving as Vice Chair of the Full Governing Body and Chair of our Finance Committee. She is very popular with the children and has been a huge source of support to me in my first few years of headship here. The time has come for Reverend Beth to move on and she has been appointed to an exciting new post in Swindon. We will all really miss her but hope to stay in touch. Please come and say good by and good luck to her at our ………..

……..End of Term Leaver’s Assembly: Tuesday July 25^th

You are invited to join us at 10am for a special assembly to say goodbye and good luck to Reverend Beth, Steve Horn, Julie Price, John Harrington (in his role as Breakfast Club leader) and Carol Taylor. We will be celebrating their time in school with singing, poems and presentations.

If you would like to contribute to a gift for each of them please send your donation in an envelope marked ‘Goodbye’ by Monday at the latest .

Goodbye and Good Luck to Year 2

We wish all our Year 2 children good luck as they leave us to join their junior schools in September. Although most of them are transferring to Oldfield Park Junior School we are also sending children to Newbridge Primary School. It will be strange not to have them with us in September but we certainly have some great memories of their time here not least their fantastic production of The Jolly Postman which they treated us to earlier this week. We all wish them much success and hope that they too will keep in touch.

Goodbye also to Cal de Wilde in Green Class who is returning to Australia but hopes to be back with us later in the year.

Parents Questionnaires

Thank you everyone who returned our recent questionnaire. We are naturally delighted to receive so many positive comments about the school but also thank you for the many constructive comments about possible improvements. Whilst we cannot promise to act on each one, we will be analysing them and taking note of your views when our policies and procedures in different areas are reviewed. We found last year’s information really useful and your views have been referred to on many occasions. Please return any remaining questionnaires before the end of term.

Breakfast Club

Hopefully you all received a yellow letter about the new arrangements for Breakfast Club, earlier this week. Please consider supporting the club which is not just for working parents but is also a before school extra curricular club. It has taken a considerable amount of time to secure alternative provision so please try to lend your support. This may well be our last chance to have an early morning club. Parents can use Working Tax Credits to contribute to the cost. Spare letters and booking forms are available from the office.

After School Club News

As you may know there is a new After School Club opening at the junior school from September 2006. This means the numbers of children attending here will reduce so we have more spaces for the infants. This is great news for those of you who have been unable to get a place for your child due to the club being fully booked. Please see Louise or Izzy at the club for booking details and further information or ring Claire on 07795562737.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and continued support.

We hope you all have a great summer and look forward to seeing you all again in the autumn when we will be organising some fun filled fund raising events.

Muriel, Jane and Claire.

OPASC committee.

New Roof

All the flat roofs and skylights are to be replaced during the summer holiday so you may see contractors at work here if you pass by. Hopefully this will make leaks in the canteen, Green Class and corridor things of the past. Once the work is completed we will endeavour to re decorate Green Class, and provide a new carpet and blinds.

Story Telling Day at Prior Park College

Year 1 spent a super day at Prior Park last Wednesday investigating the story of the ‘Wonderful Brocade’ and joining with over 300 children from local infant schools. They were able to interact with characters from the story and contribute to the weaving of their own wonderful brocade which was laid out on the playing field for all to admire. Special thanks go to our own Peter George and Ed Harker from St Saviours for their superb organisation. There was a picture of the event, which just happened to feature Purple Class, in last Saturday’s Bath Chronicle (see our message board in school if you missed it).

Returning Books

If you still have any books at home please send them in on Monday. All book bags should be empty by now. We would be particularly grateful to recover all the copies of ‘Read With Me.’ from Green and Red Class so that we can lend them to next year’s new parents.

School Dinners September 06

Don’t forget the rise in the cost of school meals in September to £1.70 per day (£8.50 per week)

Furniture and Timber Available

We have a number of brown plastic chairs ( which used to be in the canteen). If you would like any of them or know of any community groups that can use them please let us know. We also have some timber (similar to the existing pergola) free to anyone who can take it away.

More PTA News

It is with regret that I have to announce that Kerry Hillier will no longer be able to Co Chair the PTA due to increased work commitments . Thank you Kerry for all you have done in the last year. Your support and guidance was invaluable.

Next Term

I really hope that in September when we return we may see a few new faces at the PTA meetings. Please be brave enough to attend. We have a great team who can always be relied upon to help but that extra pair of hands will make life easier for everyone and new suggestions and idea's are always much appreciated 

Fund Raising and Donations

In the last year you helped to raise in excess of £2500. This enabled the school to bring in Storytellers and lots of other visitors for various themed weeks. Writing Packs, Xmas Presents, Leavers Presents, Walk to School Armbands and lots of other items were purchased.  Without all of your help this would not be possible.

Ladies’ Pampering Evening

For those who will still be in school next term we are planning a Ladies’ Pampering evening for the end of October. I have been approached by a few parents offering treatments and selling goods but if any one else would like to help or knows someone who is in the trade please do not hesitate to ask. Just to remind you the plan is to have various rooms offering treatments such as mini facial's, manicures, pedicures, head massage etc & then stalls selling various goodies plus nibbles & drinks. Should be a great event.

Thank you all once again for your continued support especially to everyone who attends the meetings, and the PTA committee.

Lisa Cotterell

PTA Chair

Bath and North East Somerset Parental Partnership Service.

This service enables parents and carers to play an active role in their children’s education by encouraging communication between parents, schools and the Education Service through providing independent parental support for parents of children with special needs. They are looking for 2 volunteers to act in the role of Independent Parental Supporters (IPS) based at Culverhay. Are you a good communicator ? Can you offer some spare time to support other parents? No experience is needed and full training is provided. If you would like to find out more please contact Lynn Attwood on 01225 394294.

One Up Magazine

We have a few copies of this magazine which is aimed at single parents and step parents. Please take a copy from the red pockets if you would like one.

Pink Cow Software Home Learning Guide

You should all have received a copy of this guide with the last newsletter. Pink Cow have a very easy to use website www.pinkcowselect.com/homelearning with an even greater selection of products to keep your child’s mind ticking over in the holidays. The school will receive 10% of the value of any orders.

Ideas for the Summer Holidays

Phoenix Holiday Playscheme

We have a few leaflets about this scheme which has lots of great activities including trips to @Bristol, Ice Skating, Spy School and a Mad Science day. It all takes place at the Percy Community Centre in New King Street and costs £18 a day. Contact 01225 423014 or 07768095586

Hearts First Bike Ride Wiltshire : Sunday August 20^th 2006.

This event is in aid of the British heart Foundation and is suitable for families and cycling enthusiasts. It starts at Seend Lye Recreation Grounds near Devizes between 9.00am and

10.30am. Leaflets available from the office.

The Reading Mission

Do try and visit your local library and join in this reading scheme. Each child taking part will be issued with a Reading Mission pack designed to look like a special agent attaché case containing puzzles and challenges as well as a place to record the books they have read. The children collect stickers for each book read and if they read 6 books they will receive a medal. Look out the bookmark and other information from the last newsletter or look at the interactive website www.readingmission.org .uk

Time Bank

Don’t forget the activities being run by the Time Bank which include Kung Fu, Street Safe and Cookery. See last newsletter for details.

Holborne Museum of Art ~Frabjous Beasts. 18th July to 10^th September

Quentin Blake has selected twenty beastly works by some of the best illustrators including Alex Scheffler’s Gruffalo and Raymond Briggs’ Fungus the Bogeyman which are on display. In addition there are many great activities all running from 10am to 12noon.

Wonderful Wild Things for 4 to 7 year olds on Tuesday 1^st August

Manga Monsters for 4 to 7 year olds on Tuesday 8^th August

Scary Shadows for 4 to 7 year olds on Tuesday 15^th August

And for all the family Drawn to be Wild on Sunday 27^th August from 1 to 4pm.

Finally here are some ideas which were put together by one of our parent governors last year ….

There are also many excellent ideas on the bbc website : www.bbc.co.uk/parenting

Play Rounders

Keep to simple rules.

Make sure everyone has a go including adults.

Just get round and another has a go.

Get the kids cooking

Look at the school cook book ….. biscuits, cakes etc

Picnic

Go to the park or out into the countryside and find a footpath – by rivers is nice – with or without friends.

Invite a group and suggest each brings a different dish to eat.

Painting and drawing….

…… is always fun.

Do a collage ….

….of a family trip using tickets, postcards, photos, wrappers etc

Tie dye ….

…. a t.shirt, bandana, scarf etc

Make kites …..

….and see if you can get them to fly.

Treasure hunts ….

….for sweets. Find them, put them all in a big bowl and share them afterwards.

Have fun ….. not bought , just made !!

Whatever you choose to do I hope that everyone enjoys the summer holiday ~ let’s hope the good weather lasts all the way through to Wednesday September 6^th when we will re-open to children at 8.50am.

Yours sincerely,

Jo Claridge

Headteacher