Himbleton Church of England First School, Worcestershire

January 2004 Newsletter

A Happy New Year to everyone. I hope everyone is feeling refreshed and healthy after the Christmas holidays. Back to top

THANKYOU

A huge thank you on behalf of all the children and staff to the helpers and volunteers who worked so hard to make Christmas in school so special. Our grateful thanks to you all, as 'Friends' of the school, for the financial support given to the activities.

Thank you to Nick Harley for recording our play - 'A Christmas Secret'. All the children watched the video in School last term. If you wish to purchase a copy the cost will be £3.00 per copy that includes the cost of the videotape. Please see Mrs Griffiths in the School office if you wish to make an order. Back to top

GOODBYE

Everyone said goodbye to Miss Hands at the Christmas Party. Father Christmas wished her well and presented her with a small leaving gift on behalf of everyone at Himbleton School.

At the end of last term we also said goodbye to Thanael (Year 4). He has joined his brother at the River School. Back to top

WELCOME

We are pleased to have Mrs Anderson working in School again. She has been employed for the next two terms until a new teacher has been appointed. Back to top

POPPY APPEAL

You will be pleased to know that we raised £32.34 for the Poppy Appeal 2003. Thank you for your kind donations. Back to top

GRAFTON CHARITIES

Reverend David Hassle, on behalf of Grafton Charities, visited school on 8th December and presented us with a cheque for £300 to purchase new books for our new library area. Once again we are very grateful for their very generous support. Back to top

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Thank you to those of you who responded to the draft plan sent to you last term. This plan has now been adopted for this academic year. Back to top

FRENCH

Early last term Mrs Rose, Advanced Skills Teacher for Modern Foreign Languages in the Pershore Pyramid worked with our children in Key Stage 2 teaching them basic French. The children loved these sessions and were disappointed when she began maternity leave. However, Mrs Dominique Pickerill (Oscar's mum) generously volunteered to take over and has now been into school twice. Mrs Pickerill has worked throughout the school teaching conversational French, with the perfect accent - a lesson to us all in itself! Back to top

LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR

We now have two lunchtime supervisor vacancies in school. Currently Mrs Della Clifton and Mrs Sarah Weeks both work part-time, and Miss Sarah Guise works daily as Play Leader and Senior Lunchtime Supervisor. Vacancies regularly come about as people move on to pastures new.
If you are interested in one of these posts either full-time or as a job share, temporary or permanent then I am sure we can accommodate you. Please see me, or Miss Sarah Guise for further details. The Staff in school are currently covering both posts, but this can only be a temporary measure. Back to top

AFTER SCHOOL GAMES CLUB

After School Games Club for Years 2, 3 and 4 begins this week - Wednesday 7th January. Back to top

SWIMMING

Swimming for Years 2, 3 and 4 begins next week - Thursday 15th January. Please complete the attached consent/ contribution payment slip and return it as soon as possible to the School office. Back to top

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Children in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be walking to the Village Hall for PE this term - weather permitting. The arrangements are:
Years 1 & 2 - Monday afternoons - with Mrs Anderson & Miss Guise and/or Mrs Phillips
Years 3 & 4 - Tuesday afternoons - with Mrs Gwilliam & Mrs Phillips
All children will need a tracksuit (named please) and a waterproof coat.
If you have not already done so please complete the consent form below and return to School as soon as possible.
Reception children will continue to have PE at School. Back to top

LIBRARY BOOKS

Our selection of County Library books is to be exchanged on Thursday 5th February. Would you please ensure that all books are returned to School as soon as is possible Back to top

BUILDING

As you are aware our building extension is now nearing completion and we hope to be using it in the next few weeks.
During the Summer Term we will be holding a day of celebration when we hope to invite people who have been associated with the school in the past. If you know any past pupils, staff or Governors who should be invited please pass the details on to Mrs Griffiths. Back to top

BRAIN GYM: AN EVENING FOR PARENTS

At last, as promised! An evening of Brain Gym led by Jill Ramsden will be held in school on Monday 19th January 7.30pm - 9pm. Please indicate on the attached form if you are able to attend. Back to top

WRITING: AN EVENING FOR PARENTS (of children in Years R & 1)

A presentation demonstrating the various techniques used to develop writing in our School will be held on Tuesday 3rd February, 7.30-9.00pm. Further details are attached for these parents. Back to top

PARENTS EVENINGS

There will be an opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teacher during the second half of the term on 8th and 9th March. Further details will follow nearer the time. Back to top

TOPIC WORK

This term our topic is entitled 'Movement' and may include areas of learning such as:
* Forces (Science)
* Animals
* Birds
* World War 2 - 'Doris Dinsdale' visit arranged.
* Travel - land, air, water
* Journeys
* Aeroplanes (History)
* Planets
* Light and Shadows Back to top

OfSTED INSPECTION

We have just received confirmation of our OfSted Inspection and the School will be inspected during the week beginning February 23rd 2004. This is our second inspection, the last one being almost six years ago. Further details to follow. Back to top

SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

In very severe weather conditions, messages are broadcast on local radio stations about school closures. BBC Hereford and Worcester gives out these details at regular intervals during their early morning broadcasts. Please tune in if weather conditions are poor and listen for instructions.

As most of you are aware there is also an additional possibility of flooding in the village during periods of heavy rain. Again, please listen to BBC Hereford and Worcester Radio and I will endeavour to have messages broadcasted giving the safest traveling route. The advice given will be based on me traveling to school and checking the routes myself. We will endeavour to keep the School open; however, this does depend on safe conditions. Back to top

TEA TOWELS

We still have some tea towels remaining at a cost of £2.50 each. Cheques should be made payable to Himbleton First School. Please see Mrs Griffiths in the School office if you wish to make an order. Back to top

UNIFORM

I am attaching a uniform order form at the end of this Newsletter. Should you wish to make an order please complete and return the form with payment by 20th January 2004. Please make all cheques payable to Himbleton C.E. First School. Back to top

TERM DATES

OPEN (at 9 am on)

CLOSE (at 3pm on)

SPRING TERM 2004
6th January
13th February

23rd February
2nd April

SUMMER TERM 2004
21st April
28th May

7th June
16th July

*Please note that 5th, 6th & 7th April are our School Closure Days and other schools may be open. Back to top