Newsletter ~ December 2004

Dear Parents

Following recent interviews in school the following appointments have been made: Mrs Ann-Marie Glover will be joining the staff on Monday 6^th December 2004 as a part-time Teaching Assistant. Her duties will also cover lunchtime. Mrs Helen Hodgson will join the staff part-time as School Secretary on Tuesday 4^th January 2005.

Mrs Kim Griffiths will work full-time as a Teaching Assistant in Lower Key Stage 2 from Tuesday 4^th January 2005.

Miss Gemma Cleary, University College Worcester final practice student, has been in school regularly throughout this term working alongside Mrs Gwilliam. She will begin her teaching practice on Monday 10^th January. Miss Cleary will continue to work in Upper Key Stage 1, initially teaching alongside staff and then teaching full-time up until Friday 11^th March.

Mrs Jane Barstow (Meg?s mum) is Head of User Services at University College Worcester and is arranging for the play to be filmed as part of a training exercise. For child protection and copyright reasons I need to bring a number of points to your attention:

• Filming will take place at St Mary Magdalene Church, Himbleton.
• Filming will take place on December 7^th at 2pm, and or December 8^th at 2pm, and or December 9^th at 6.30pm. Please note that ?getting ready? may be filmed, therefore filming may start just before these times.
• The purpose of the filming is to provide a record of the Christmas Play to be viewed by those affiliated to the school only ie. Himbleton governors, staff, children and their families.
• The video will only be made available to governors, staff and parents of children in the school for their own personal use. Please note the video will not be made publicly available in any format.
• All children will be filmed unless I am notified in writing by 9am on Monday 6^th December.

Under the Data Protection Act it is important that the above points are adhered to. If you have any concerns or are unhappy with these arrangements then please let me know in writing immediately.

There will be a nominal charge for each video in order to cover costs.

Following the recent transfer of Madeline White to her catchment area school there are now two places available in the Reception year. It is important that these places are filled as soon as possible. If you know anyone who may be interested in taking up either of these places then encourage them to contact me at school.

Parents of children due to start school in September 2005 must apply for a place by Friday 28^th January 2005. Completed application forms (PA1) should be returned to the "first preference" school. Places are then allocated by the Pupil Admissions Office in accordance with current procedure. If you know of anyone needing a place for their child and are considering Himbleton School, then please encourage them to contact me as soon as possible.

Concern has been raised about children?s safety on Neight Hill particularly at the end of the school day. Please can you be aware of pedestrians and ensure that they are able to use the footpath safely and to drive slowly.

You will be pleased to know that we raised £37.41 for the Poppy Appeal 2004. Thank you for your kind donations.

A total of 139 books have been purchased for the library. A total of £1,200 was kindly donated by the ?Friends? and Grafton Charities and with the 20% commission negotiated by the staff during their spending trip to ?Books for Students? a total of £1,440 was spent.

We have now purchased a further 5 laptops, making a total of 13. This now enables a year group to have their own laptop when working on a task. Please pop in and see them working if you have not already done so ? the children will be more than happy to show you!

This week all the Year 4 children went to Flyford Flavell to play in a football match. The match was refereed by a Worcester City Football Club referee ? this added huge importance to the game!!! The match report I received said the game was very competitive with Himbleton winning 10 ? 1. What is particularly pleasing is that all our children were very generous to the opposition and behaved in an exemplary sporting manner ? well done year 4?s!

Mrs Rose, Advanced Skills Teacher for Modern Foreign Languages in the Pershore Pyramid has continued to work with our children in Key Stage 2 teaching them basic French. Mrs Dominique Pickerill (Oscar?s mum) has also continued to give her time voluntarily teaching conversational French to children throughout the school.

Mrs Gwilliam and I both hope to attend a training course next term to ?brush up? our own French and to develop our competence and confidence in teaching a foreign language.

After School Games Club for Years 2, 3 and 4 begins on Wednesday 12^th January 2005.

Next term both activities will begin on Thursday 13^th January 2005.

Children in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be walking to the Village Hall for PE next term ? weather permitting. The arrangements are:

Years 3 & 4 Monday afternoons ? Miss James & Mrs Griffiths

Years 1 & 2 Tuesday afternoons ? Mrs Gwilliam / Mr Paterson & Mrs Phillips

All children will need a tracksuit (named please) and a waterproof coat.

Reception children will continue to have PE at school.

In very severe weather conditions, messages are broadcast on local radio stations about school closures. BBC Hereford and Worcester radio 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 you are aware there is always 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 travelling route. The advice given will be based on me travelling to school and checking the routes myself. We will endeavour to keep the School open; however, this does depend on safe conditions.

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS - Reminder

School is closed on Friday 10^th December 2004 and Tuesday 4^th January 2005. Please note that other schools may be open.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C A Gent