Newnham School
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A brand new year and a brand new term! I wish everybody a happy new year and hope you all had a joyful Christmas. The snow caused everyone a few headaches but I know how much the children enjoyed playing out in it. The safety of pupils and staff are of paramount importance to the governors and me and it is not an easy decision for me to close the school. I make the decision very early on the morning of the closure after communicating with the staff and the caretaker. The pavements need to be safe as well as the main road to ensure the safety of the children. Many of our staff live in remote areas and do not have direct access to the main road. I need to make sure they will be able to drive to school safely and that there will be enough staff in school to ensure the safe supervision of the children. Hopefully the snow has disappeared for this year!
Supervision.
Supevision
There will be a member of staff on duty from 8.30 every morning and children will be supervised from then; please ensure children are not on the school site before this time in the morning. Children are then released to parents at 3.00 or 4.00 if it is a club night; would you please ensure prompt collection of your child. Once the children are handed over to the carer supervision is then that person`s responsibility. We have been told to make this clear by the Safety Health and Environment unit.
The Circus
The topic this term is The Circus and children are already excited about it. The special event that was due to happen on the first day back and was postponed due to the snow is to happen this Wednesday; I am sure the children will tell you about it at the end of the day. The Junior children will be taking part in the events in the morning so as not to interfere with swimming in the afternoon. The Infant children will take part in these events in the afternoon. We have managed to fund the day’s events because of a member of the Grange who has being raising money for Newnham School over the past few years. It is wonderful to think that in our community we have people who are continually thinking about us. There will be a showcase at the end of the topic for the children to share with you all their work; date to be announced very soon.
Gamelan Music Workshop
At the start of the year the PTFA decided they wished to fund some music workshops for all of the children. Last term the older children used ICT to compose music on Garage Band. This term we are using the money to pay for Gamelan workshops at the Pittville Pump Rooms in Cheltenham. This means that we have only had to ask you for money for the transport. Gamelan comes from Indonesia and typically includes a variety of instruments including metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes and strings- making a fascinating community instrument which is played by up to 12 people at a time. I am sure the children will have an amazing time.
Reception Outside Area.
Plans are nearly finalised for the reception outside area and this is soon to go for tender. Miss Keenan has worked very hard with the architect to design an area which will be creative and stimulating for the children. She has shown the PTFA the plans and as soon as they have been finalised we will share them with you. As well as the outside area for the Reception children some money will be spent providing facilities for all children. As a Voluntary Aided Church of England School we have more freedom to decide where we want to spend money in the school and have more say in the design process but we have to provide 10% of the money. The PTFA have agreed to fund the 10% needed for this project and will be looking for your support this year.
Fencing
To make the school more secure in line with new OFSTED regulations there will be new fencing put up around the school; this has now gone to tender and will be erected probably over half term. Playground lines. The new playground markings were funded by Heywood school at great expense and will hopefully last 10 years. The netball court and infant playground lines will be repainted in the very near future.
Water cooler
Their will be a new water cooler in school soon for the children to use. It is a better design process as the water will drain away rather than spilling all over the floor; please ensure your child has a water bottle that can be filled up.
Enrichment afternoon.
Just a reminder about enrichment afternoon this term. The children in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be studying Spanish, swimming and gardening. The first 4 weeks Year 4 and 6 will be swimming whilst Year 3 and 5 are learning Spanish and gardening (this is now 4 weeks because of the snow at a cost of £10). This will then swap after February half term. The children in the infants will be playing football activities with Sutton Soccer and learning German as well as still having PSHE sessions. Coaching and German will start on the 27th January as our special event will be happening this Wednesday afternoon for the infant children. The time constraints in the infant class mean we do not want to waste valuable coaching time helping them change back into uniform at the end of the day so the children will go home in their P.E. kit. Could you please make sure it comes back into school the next day as Miss Keenan still does extra P.E sessions.
School Council
The School Council has had their first meeting with Mrs. Bridgwood and are taking their new roles very seriously. Their first job under the direction of Mrs. Pearson is to interview for the positions of Librarians. Children have had to apply to the School council and Mrs. Pearson for these jobs filling out a formal application and gaining references. The Library is at the moment being repainted but is nearly ready to be opened. The Year 6 children are currently writing to as many authors as they can to see if anyone would be willing to open it; if you have any suggestions of who we might ask or any contacts please let Mrs. Pearson know.
Comenius
With our Comenius partners we are ‘Experiencing a Green journey’. Each school is creating a Green character which will be represented in all of the countries and all the partner schools. Our children were asked before Christmas to design a green character which would be representative of saving water. We have had many designs but there is still time for the children to enter; please give any designs to Mrs. Dallow.
Parent Support Advisor
Mrs. Dallow and Mrs. Harris have taken on the role of Parent Support Advisor. A Parent Support Advisor works closely with parents and families to identify appropriate help and support making the link between home and school. Remember that they are available after school from 3.00-4.00 on Tuesday and Thursday if you would like to talk to them.
Sutton Soccer
The children in Willows and Alders have enjoyed their football sessions with Ryan of Sutton Soccer. The infants will this term be enjoying football sessions with Ryan but if any junior child would like coaching there are paid after school session on Wednesdays. For more information contact Gary Sutton on 07786810485. Gary Sutton will start the Wednesday after school sessions on the 20th January.
German club.
Birgitta Engel the German teacher is eager for the older children to continue German this term as she will be teaching in the infants. She has offered to do a club after school on a Wednesday. The session will cost approx £2.50. Would you please let Mrs. Harris know if your child would be interested.
Swimming
If you have not paid for swimming yet would you please do so before Wednesday; the cost for this term is £10.
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Diary dates
Monday 15th February Half term untilFriday 19th February Half term
Friday 26th February Church
Friday 5th March Acorns and Willows Assembly Friday 19th March Alders Assembly Friday 26th March Church
Thursday 1st April Certificate Assembly
Thursday 1st April Celebration Assembly Thursday 1st April End of term Monday 19th April Start of Summer term.
Link to school web site
Link to PTFA
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