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26 November
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Last week was really busy. We launched Anti-bullying week with a visit from two local police officers. After a really interesting assembly, in which I was handcuffed, they spent time with the Y6 classes. On the Tuesday we introduced the children to the new site www.missdorothy.com devised by the Metropolitan Police, which is well worth exploring as it offers a fun way of promoting internet safety.
We dedicated the rest of the week to raising money for Children in Need. Year 4 held a bring-and-buy sale, Year 6 conducted a teddy raffle and Year 3 sold Pudsey cakes. A total of £506 was raised. Year 5 were practising their roles in the Christmas Nativity as they want to raise money for Dr Barnardo’s and Oxfam.
Foil
Please keep saving your foil for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Clean foil should be tied in plastic bags and placed in the green bin by the library.
Christmas Cards
We will be operating our usual Christmas card delivery service this year. Cards may be brought to school from Monday 7th December. We are unable to deliver cards to addresses out of school, as has been requested in the past!
Letters to Santa
Father Christmas will respond to any letters given to him by way of the in-store post box at the Marlow Garden Centre. (Final date for receipt is 20th December). Complimentary personalised responses can be collected from the Garden Centre from 5th December. As Father Christmas is really busy at this time of the year please allow him 5 days to write his replies.
Infants at risk
I was quite concerned yesterday when I saw an infant child being helped to climb the railings outside school and two children sitting on top of the wall. Should any of the children have fallen there could have been a nasty accident. Similarly, I was not too happy with a little girl who was running around outside the building and thought it amusing to ring our bell on the entry system. Young children should not enter our grounds whilst waiting for siblings as they may get knocked over as our pupils make a hasty escape at the end of the day.
Village Christmas Tree Lights
We are delighted that Cerys Emery has won the competition to turn on the Village Christmas lights this year on 5th December.
I look forward to welcoming you to our Christmas concerts in the next few weeks.
Finally, we offer our condolences to Mrs Gadsby whose mother passed away earlier this month.
19 November
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT
We invite you to share our Christmas celebrations this year. The children will perform Christmas Stars! – The Xmas Factor by Sheila Wilson.
The afternoon performances will take place on Thursday 3rd December and Tuesday 8th December at 1.45 p.m. The evening performances will be held on Monday 7th December and Monday 14th December and will begin at 6.30 p.m. The timing of the evening performances makes them unsuitable for pre-school children. Due to space restrictions, we have to limit the number of tickets. No more than two tickets per family may be purchased in total for the evening performances. We will maintain a waiting list should you require extra tickets. Please send in the money for waiting list tickets with your order. Afternoon tickets are unrestricted. The last day for ordering tickets is Thursday 26th November.
Tickets will be £2 each and proceeds will be divided between the school and Dr Banardo’s charity which we supported at Harvest.
Please note: parents with babies, toddlers, tots and pre-school children may only purchase tickets to attend the concert on Tuesday 1st December at 1.45 p.m. Children from the Infant School will see the concert.
Evening performances begin at 6.30 p.m. Children should go to their classrooms at 6.15 p.m. and be collected at 7.30 p.m. All children are expected to attend both evening performances.
The Parents’ Association will be selling mulled wine and mince pies at the end of the evening performances.
"-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Stars! – The Xmas Factor CONCERT 2009
Child’s name ____________________________ Class ______
I require _____ tickets for Tuesday 1st December at 1.45 p.m. @ £2 each adult. (Cast 1)
(NB This is the only performance when babies, toddlers, etc can attend)
I require _____ tickets for Thursday 3rd December at 1.45 p.m. (Cast 2)
I require _____ tickets for Monday 7th December at 6.30 p.m. @ £2 each. (Cast 2)
I require _____ tickets for Tuesday 8th December at 1.45 p.m. @ £2 each. (Cast 1)
I require _____ tickets for Monday 14th December at 6.30 p.m. @ £2 each. (Cast 1)
NB no more than 2 tickets in total for evenings.
Total amount enclosed £ _________
Signed ________________________ Date _________________
----------------------------------------------
Please put my name on the waiting list for ____ (number of tickets) on
_______________________________________ (please state time and date).
I enclose £_________ for these tickets.
Name ___________________________ Child in class _______
6 November
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National Tree Day
We will be branching out this autumn and planting trees, provided by BBC Breathing Places Schools as part of a UK-wide project, on Tuesday 10th November. This project is intended to ensure that we are all leaving a lasting legacy for wildlife in our schools and for our communities. We will also spend a playtime in the top field opposite the Scout Hut, so that we, with ten thousand other schools across the UK, can appreciate the environment. Please ensure that your child has sturdy footwear that day.
Librarian Needed
We are in desperate need of an adult to help Thursday afternoons. If you could spare a couple of hours please contact the school.
Token collections
Generation Green: Thank you for your contributions with which we have ordered bird boxes with cameras linked to the computers. We are continuing to collect ‘leaves’. Please look at the site www.generationgreen.co.uk.
Flora collection: we have now received 9 digital scales, 2 digital timers, measuring spoons and just one wooden spoon from our collection of Flora tokens.
A reminder that we are again collecting The Times book tokens and that Morrisons vouchers need to be in school by the end of next week.
Family Support
The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service, launched in September, offers a wide range of advice, services and activities suitable for children, young people and their families – such as helping find out details about local clubs and organisations, parenting support, how to get childcare and free-of-charge places to visit.
You can contact the Buckinghamshire FIS by:
Tel: 0845 688 4944 (9.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Mon-Fri)
Email: familyinfo@buckscc.gov.uk
SMS: text 07786 202920 with your query
Mr Wolf Bounces Back
The Forum Players from Bourne End are performing Mr Wolf Bounces Back
by Tony Bradman on the afternoon of Friday 27th November in the school hall. This is a humorous sequel to The Three Little Pigs. There is no charge.
The Forum Players are staging a pantomime, Snow White, at Christmas in Bourne End. More details will follow. The Players are always searching for children and parents to join their company; again, more details will follow later next year.
Bonfire Night
I look forward to seeing you at the Village Bonfire tomorrow. Gates open at 6.00 p.m. with activities starting at 6.45 p.m. Tickets are available on the gate at £6 each although last year’s tickets will be honoured. The weather forecast is promising; after all, it can’t be worse than last year!
Children in Need
Year 3 will be selling cakes and biscuits on Friday 20th November to support the Children in Need charity fund-raising.
Christmas Activities
Only 41 shopping days left to Christmas; which puts us in mind of the end of term activities. You will have received the Operation Christmas Child leaflet, detailing the style and contents of the shoe boxes to be sent to less fortunate children around the world. Shoe boxes need to be in school by Wednesday 18th November.
The PTA will be taking photographs for the birth month calendars again this year on 9th November. If you have not already done so, please contact the school if you do not want your child’s photograph in the calendar.
This year we are performing Christmas Stars! – The Xmas Factor by Sheila Wilson as our Christmas production. Children will need to be provided with the following costumes. (N.B. All children should wear plimsolls.)
Year 3 Little Stars Black trousers or leggings
Black teeshirts. Parents and children may decorate these with gold and silver stars
Little Angels White angel gowns – no wings please and no high halos!
Year 4 Shepherds Long tunic or dressing gown, tea towel head-dress (Roman costumes could be used)
Angels White angel gowns – no wings please and no high halos!
Year 5 Children with specific characters will either be given costumes or individually advised as to what to wear.
Year 6 Kings Anything regal! – Cloaks made of curtains, silky/bright blouses, crowns, etc.
Please could you ensure that costumes are in school during the week beginning 23rd November, stored in a labelled plastic carrier bag.
Evening performances will be held on 7th and 14th December and all children are expected to attend. Evening performances begin at 6.30 p.m. Children should go to their classrooms at 6.15 p.m. and be collected at 7.30 p.m.
All parents who wish to bring babies, toddlers and pre-school children will be invited to purchase tickets for the production on 1st December at 1.45 p.m. as they will not be allowed to attend other performances.
Year 4 Teacher in court!
Mrs Thomas is serving on Jury Service for the next two weeks. Her class will be taught by Mrs Crawford.
Finally, we have sent our congratulations to Mrs Peach’s son who announced his engagement last week. With the wedding next May, Mrs Peach has just seven months to search for a hat!
13 October
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It was a pleasure to welcome you to our first Consultation Evenings of the academic year. I have passed on your gratitude to the staff for the way in which they have enabled the children to settle so well into their new classes.
NSPCC
The last year has seen a rise in the numbers of referrals from the public following several high profile child cruelty cases in the media. The NSPCC’s dedicated Child Protection Helpline encourages adults in the community to speak out if they are worried about a child or young person. If you
• are a child or young person and need help,
• know or believe that a child or young person needs to be kept safe,
• are an adult, parent, carer or relative and need advice or help,
please call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk It’s confidential. It’s free.
Bonfire Night
The Village bonfire night celebrations will be held on Saturday 7th November. Tickets are £5.00 if purchased in advance up to Thursday evening (5th November) from either Infant or Junior school or up to Friday 6th November from various village shops. Tickets will be £6.00 on the day. Under 5’s are admitted free. (Anyone with tickets from last year’s cancelled event may use these on the night to gain entry).
Moonwatch
The local astronomy club will be holding a Moonwatch from the top field (opposite the Scout Hut) on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October between 6 – 8 p.m. when Jupiter is expected to be visible, as is the Andromeda Galaxy. Details can be found on the Popular Astronomy website; http://www.popastro.com/moonwatch/.
Children are particularly welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for this event.
Walk to School Month
Although October is designated as a Walk to School month, we are focusing attention on the week beginning 19th October. We are making Tuesday a Green Secret day, in which children may wear something small and green under their uniform, such as a shoelace, underwear, ribbon, etc. Walking to school earns us more ‘green leaves’. We have almost reached our target in collecting 'green leaves' to enable us to have a remote camera in a nesting box. To help us achieve our goal, please log onto www.generationgreen.co.uk/About/For-family/.
Earrings
Some children are wearing earrings to school. On grounds of Health and Safety we have had to ban earrings, therefore they must be taken out before school. If children have their ears pierced we ask that this is done at the beginning of the long summer holidays.
Absences
If we do not receive any notification of reasons for absence we have to register the absence as unauthorised. Our unauthorised attendance rate is being closely monitored by the DCSF and Education Welfare Officer. Therefore, please send a letter in explaining the reason for absence when your child returns to school so that we do not have to involve the authorities.
Parents Meeting
Calling all Y3 parents, parent helpers in school and adults who listen to children read; Mrs Muncie is holding a meeting on Wednesday 14th October at 9.15 a.m. to give tips on phonics and hearing children read.
Finally, a reminder to send harvest produce to the hall on Thursday morning for the Harvest Festival which starts at 11.30. a.m., to be followed by the sale of goods. Parents are warmly welcome to attend, and even more warmly welcome to buy back the gifts which they have so kindly donated! Children will need a little pocket money to buy goods at the end of the morning. Proceeds are to be shared between the NSPCC and Dr Barnardo’s Children’s Charity.
6 October
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Consultation Evenings
Please note that due to security arrangements staff now hold their parental meetings in the school hall. Parents are asked to enter the school as usual through the front door in the foyer, which will be unlocked for the consultation evenings, then wait for their appointment in the seating area at the back of the hall. Governors will be at hand to direct you to the classrooms to see the children’s work. Staff from the Village library will be present to explain the extended services available for all members of the family and answer any questions. I look forward to meeting you all on the lighter evenings before the clocks go back.
Books for Schools
Mrs Rose would like to thank parents, grandparents and friends of Carrington Junior School for collecting The Times tokens for books for Schools. We now have 32 new books for the library and have subscribed to a children’s newspaper to enable them to learn about current affairs. Due to its success, we will again be collecting the tokens which will appear in The Times until Sunday 6th December. Extra tokens are available in the Book Section of the paper at weekends.
Criminal Records Bureau Check
In complying with rules of safety for our children, we ask all parent helpers to undergo a CRB check. CRB certificates obtained from the Infant School are valid at this school, provided that we have a photocopy of the original on our files. This is just a reminder for a few parents to return their forms to school as soon as possible.
Social Secretaries
We have recently had a few calls from parents asking us to relay messages to their children concerning social/collection arrangements. Our clerical staff are very busy and therefore do not have the time to deliver social messages, such as invitations to tea. Emergencies, of course, are an exception. If parents have been delayed, children know that they must wait in the main entrance foyer. This has been explained to Year 3 children in particular. If we feel that your child needs to go home as a result of illness we will contact you.
Finally, we send our condolences to Mrs Fox whose father passed away yesterday. On a much happier note, I am sure that you will all wish to join me in congratulating our caretaker, Mr Pearce, upon his recent engagement to Miss Claire Simpson.
Dates for your Diary:
Tuesday 13 October Last day for photograph money to be given in
Thursday 15 October Harvest Festival: 11.30 a.m.
Monday 19 October Walk to school week.
Friday 23 October Break up 3.15 p.m.
Monday 2 November Return to school
Thursday 5 November Sausage Sizzle
Saturday 7 November Village Bonfire
Tuesday 10 November National Tree Day (we will plant a tree)
Thursday 3 December Afternoon Christmas production: 1.45 p.m.
Friday 4 December Inset Day. Children not in school.
Monday 7 December Evening Christmas production: 6.30 p.m.
Tuesday 8 December Afternoon Christmas production: 1.45 p.m.
Monday 14 December Evening Christmas production: 6.30 p.m.
22 September
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Harvest Festival: Thursday 15th October
Harvest Festival will be celebrated at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday 15th October. Doors open at 11.20 a.m. Produce is to be taken to the school library first thing in the morning. A sale of goods to parents will immediately follow the children’s service. Children will need a little pocket money as they buy goods during their lunch hour. I look forward to welcoming you to this first activity of the school year.
Jeans for Genes: Friday 2nd October
Jeans for Genes day is Friday 2nd October when children can donate a minimum of 50p for the privilege of wearing their jeans (or casual trousers/skirts) and trainers to school with Carrington sweatshirts/cardigans for the day. The money is given to research children’s genetic illnesses at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Be prepared to see the staff and visitors also wearing jeans.
Wind Turbine
We are all happy that the wind turbine has been re-erected, having lain dormant over the summer holiday whilst waiting for a spare part. The engineers took the opportunity to provide extra security for the plastic cover over the motor to ensure it does not become dislodged again. In line with our eco-awareness, we are planning to put a fenced garden around the base of the turbine. Donations of bulbs and plants for the garden would be gratefully received.
Consultation Evening
Our Autumn Consultation Evenings will take place on:
Tuesday 6th October from 4.00 – 7.30 p.m. and
Thursday 8th October from 3.30 – 6.00 p.m.
The staff will be pleased to discuss your child’s progress so far this year. Please note that, unlike the Infant School, we offer an appointment system based upon the return of the slips below; first come, first served.
Parents are reminded that it is not appropriate for children to attend these evenings.
A Book Fair will operate on Monday 5th October to Thursday 8th October at lunchtimes and after school.
There will be no clubs after school that week owing to the Consultation Evening.
"-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consultation Evenings October 2009
Name of Child .............................. Class ..........
0 I would like an appointment on Tuesday 6th October }
or
0 I would like an appointment on Thursday 8th October }
I would like an appointment as close as possible to .......... p.m.
Please note that I have another child in school:
Name of Sibling ...................................... Class ..........
Name of Parent ............................................... Signed ...............................
11 September
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Clubs
Activities will commence week beginning 14th September. After School Clubs finish at 4.15 p.m., when children are to be collected at the gates as usual. Children must wait in the entrance foyer for parents who are delayed. Children may attend an after school activity then go to the 4 to 11 Club at the Infant School by prior arrangement.
|
day |
12.20 -1.15 |
year groups |
teacher |
3.15 – 4.15 |
year groups |
teacher |
|
mon |
Lego |
3 |
Mrs Chaney |
Judo £3 per session (starting 2 Nov) |
3 & 4 |
Miss Dobrowolski |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
tues |
Student Committee |
elected |
Mrs Rose |
Card Making & Crafts* |
4 & 5 |
Mrs Rose |
|
Basketball |
all |
Bucks Sport |
||||
|
Choir |
5 & 6 |
Mrs Fox |
Football £32 for 8 sessions |
3 & 4 Initially |
WWFC Starts 22 Sept |
|
|
ICT |
All |
Mrs Gardener |
Netball |
5 & 6 |
Miss Carter, Mrs Lomas. |
|
|
wed |
Eco |
All |
Mrs Gadsby |
Hockey |
5 & 6 |
Mrs Dru |
|
Board Games |
3 & 4 |
Mrs Lawrence |
Gymnastics £3.50 per session |
All |
Miss Woodburn (Dates to be arranged) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cross Country |
5 & 6 |
Mrs Gardener, Mrs Williams, Mrs English. |
|
|
thurs |
lego |
4 |
Mrs Chaney |
Football |
5 & 6 |
Mr Harrison |
|
Cello & Strings |
all |
Mrs Fentiman |
|
|
|
|
|
fri |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In order to ensure the safety of children for after school clubs we are obliged to enforce the following procedures:-
Parents / Carers must:
• Complete the activity registration form for clubs held after school which will be supplied by the teacher organising the club
• Write to the club teacher if the child is to be absent from the club. Regrettably, telephone calls will not be acceptable. If an emergency arises during the course of the day, it is the parent’s or carer’s responsibility to inform the club teacher at the end of the day when they collect their child from school.
• Accept that if their child is absent from a club without the teacher’s prior knowledge, the child will not be allowed to continue attending that club.
The School must:
• Have parental consent for children to attend clubs held after school
• Call a register
• Check on missing children (except for those who have been absent during the
day). This means that if a child has been in school but does not attend the club to which he/she is a member the teacher must search the school, phone the child’s home and emergency number, thus delaying the start of the activity.
You will undoubtedly understand that some clubs may be late starting with the extra burden of administration. If you are able to become a ‘club secretary,’ by dealing with the administration just at the beginning of the session, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Please note that when Wycombe Wanderers or any independent body runs an Inset day activity or after school sessions parents must ensure that their children attend these private sessions.
World Games Workshop
On Monday 21st September we have arranged for the Small Earth Games Company to present a workshop to each class in which they learn to play a variety of games from around the world and learn the skill of French skipping. Please send your donation of £1.50 to cover the cost of the day.
The company will be selling high quality French skipping ropes at the end of the day at £3.50.
Lost Property
Please ensure that all your child's belongings are properly named, including shoes, trainers, plimsolls and outdoor coats. Labelling of belongings correctly should help us to swiftly unite lost shoes, etc. with their owner! As the children are not yet fully in school mode they tend to leave property lying around, hence we are experiencing increasing numbers of parents searching for lost property. Regrettably, staff do not have the time to locate missing personal belongings.
Packed Lunches
As usual, we encourage healthy eating through the provisions in the children’s lunch boxes. As we have three children who suffer from a severe reaction to nuts, we ask that, if it possible, no nuts or nut products be brought to school.
Travel Plan
New parents need to know that our School Travel Plan asks that parents do not park inconsiderately in Chapel Road or use the school car park. Our Community Policeman, PC Beckford, will be patrolling the area in the near future. Be warned!
Parents are reminded that there is a Travel Plan comments book in the entrance foyer for noting dangerous/inconsiderate driving and parking. Registration numbers are recorded, made public and/or reported to the Police after three offences.
October is Walk to School month. We will be offering the children activities to encourage families to walk - and to possibly lose weight!
Village Library Summer Reading Challenge
September 19th is the end date for this activity. The Library will award 2 House Points for every book read – culminating in the presentation of a cup for the winning house.
Tokens
Yet again we are collecting every token possible, including Flora which will shortly finish and Morrisons which has just started. A reminder that we are collecting 2 litre plastic bottles for our eco greenhouse. Although we have a mountain of them in school we still need 1372 more!
Safeguarding Children
Just a reminder that all volunteers should be CRB checked. The school will provide application forms. There is no cost.
Finally, please note that Mr Friar, our lovely Lollipop Man, will not be on duty on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September as he has to have a minor eye operation. We wish him well.
2 September 2009
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Welcome to our new pupils and welcome back to our existing pupils. I hope that you all had a restful summer holiday despite the miserable weather. No doubt the sun will shine now that we are all back to school.
I am pleased to welcome three new members of support staff: Mrs Czornyj in Year 3, Mrs Sharma in Year 4 and Mrs Webb in Year 5. We are delighted to welcome back Mrs S Thomas on the teaching staff.
The school is looking spick and span, particularly the outside of the school which has been redecorated. A new acoustic ceiling has been installed in the hall. The hall walls will be painted during the half-term holidays.
Class teachers will write to you shortly, outlining the work schedule for this year. New parents may be relieved to know that, as well as sending a paper version home, newsletters are also posted on our website.
This year, instead of sending in a termly donation towards school fund, an annual donation may be sent instead. It has been suggested that gifts may be in the region of £5.
Regulations regarding medication have changed and so I am attaching a leaflet outlining the new policy. Year 3 had this information earlier in the year. Parents requiring forms for medication should send a letter asking for the appropriate form.
A full staff list and school term dates can be viewed by clicking on the link.
Finally, this academic year promises to be special as the school will celebrate its 50th birthday. We will be holding anniversary festivities in May, so perhaps those of you who attended the school as pupils could search out your old photographs for display; don’t worry – your age is secret with us!