Himbleton Church of England First School, Worcestershire

September 2004

I hope you have all had a relaxing summer holiday and managed to catch some of the summer sun.

A warm welcome to the following children and their families:

Year R: Florence, Lucy, Dan, Samara, Lauren, Willow,
George, William, Rhiannon, Ben, Madeline, William

Year 3: Lucy

A place in Reception has unexpectedly become available as Dylan, who was due to start this term, will now be moving back to France. If you know of anyone who may be interested in taking up his place then please let me know. Back to top

STAFFING

Welcome also to Miss James. She is a Newly Qualified Teacher and she will teach in Key Stage 2. As part of her induction year she will continue her professional development and will be supported by Mrs Gwilliam.

Mrs Anderson is now employed as a part-time teacher and will teach my class on my management days. She will also work with children on Thursday afternoons as part of our Special Needs provision, and provide teaching cover throughout the school when staff attend training, meetings etc.

Mr Paterson will continue providing occasional cover for teaching staff. Back to top

LUNCHTIME SUPERVISORS

There are vacancies for Lunchtime Supervisors on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. If you are interested in working on any of these days then please see me, or Miss Sarah Guise for further details. Back to top

SCHOOL REFURBISHMENT & ORGANISATION

During the School holidays the main classroom was refurbished. It has been dry lined, the floor has been sanded and there is a new ceiling and new carpet. As a child commented "It now looks like a proper school." !!!!! The refurbishment was funded through government Capital Grants. I will continue to teach Lower Key Stage 1(Year R & some Year 1 children) in this room.

Mrs Gwilliam has returned to teaching Upper Key Stage 1 children (Year 2 & some Year 1 children). They are in the Garden Classroom which is currently being resourced to complement the facilities in my room.

Miss James is teaching the Lower Key Stage 2 children (Years 3 & 4) in the Back Room and in the new Conservatory. These two teaching areas will provide appropriate work space for the older children in our school. Back to top

ICT

During the holidays a wireless network was set up throughout the school, and the arrival of eight laptops is imminent. These resources have been bought with government grants for ICT and will greatly enhance the teaching and learning in the school. Our next aim is to have an interactive whiteboard?.or two! Back to top

FRENCH

Mrs Rose, Advanced Skills Teacher for Modern Foreign Languages in the Pershore Pyramid is returning to work following maternity leave. She will teach basic French and language awareness to our children in Lower Key Stage 2, Miss James's class, on 13th September and 11th October. Back to top

LIBRARY BOOKS

Our selection of County Library books is to be exchanged on Tuesday, 14th September. Would you please ensure that all books are returned to School as soon as possible. Back to top

AFTER SCHOOL GAMES CLUB

After school Games Club for Years 2, 3 and 4 begins next Wednesday, 15th September 2004. All children are encouraged to participate as this is a fun and social occasion. Please make sure you have filled in and returned the attached permission slip. Back to top

MILK

The cost of milk for this half term is £3.85 per child. Children under 5 years will receive free milk unless parents request otherwise. Please complete the attached order form and return it to the School office with payment as soon as possible. Back to top

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Mrs Griffiths will be sending a uniform order within the next few days. If you would like to place an order, please let her know immediately. Back to top

RECORDERS ? YEARS 3&4

Recorder tuition will continue this year for all Lower Key Stage 2 children and will be taught by Mrs Gwilliam.

We would prefer all years 3 and 4 children to have their own instrument as they need to practise. These can be purchased at Music 47, in Sidbury, Worcester or any music shop. The "Yamaha" recorder costs around £6 and is perfectly adequate, although there is also an "Aulos" recorder at about £12 for the serious musician.

Lessons will take place on Thursday afternoons whenever possible beginning next week September 16th. All children need to bring their recorders each Thursday and take them home after the lesson to practise.

If you have any queries, please come in and see Mrs Gwilliam. Back to top

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPH

The photographer from Tempest will be visiting School on Wednesday, 22nd September 2004 from 8.45am to take individual photographs of each child in School. There will be an opportunity for family photographs (with pre-school children if desired) and these will be taken first. Please can all children wear their winter uniform to School on this day. Back to top

HARVEST

This year we will be celebrating Harvest at the Family Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Himbleton at 11.00am on Sunday 3rd October. We will be participating in the Service as a School and would like everyone to attend. Children need to wear School uniform.

Harvest gifts can be brought to School on Friday 1st October or taken to the Service. Back to top

BOOK WEEK

Book week will take place from Monday 18th October to Friday 22nd October. Our theme this year will be 'Comics' and the children will be able to dress up as a character from any comic story. Further details to follow shortly. Back to top

PARENT EVENINGS

There will be an opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teacher on the evenings of Monday 18th October or Tuesday 19th October. Further details to follow shortly. Back to top

TOPIC WORK

This term our topic in school is ?Kings & Queens? and will cover British history, kings and queens in the bible, traditional tales and popular stories, and include 'Princes & Princesses'. Children in Years 3 & 4 will also complete a topic on Vikings this half term.

If you can give support in any way, or would like to know more, then please have a chat with a member of Staff. Back to top

ROLE PLAY IN THE CLASSROOM

Mrs Gwilliam is setting up a role play area in her classroom and would appreciate any unwanted clothes, shoes, hats, bags etc etc etc suitable for dressing up. Back to top

PARKING

Please remember that at least one parking space must be left on either side of the entrance gate for the taxi and, that no one should park across the entrance at any time. Parking can be difficult but please ensure that every consideration is given to local residents and that all accesses are always kept clear. Back to top

DOGS

Over recent months there has been an increase in the number of dogs being brought into the school playground at the beginning and end of each day and they are all adorable!

However, for the safety of everyone in the playground can I ask that all dogs are always kept on a lead which is held by an adult. Back to top

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS 2004-2005

School will be closed on the following dates:

* Friday 10th December 2004
* Tuesday 4th January 2005 Back to top

MILK ? AUTUMN TERM 2004

o I wish to cancel my order of milk.

o I enclose £3.85 for milk this half term.

o I enclose £7.70 for the whole of the Autumn Term.
Child's name____________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian_________________________Date___________

Cheques should be made payable to ?Himbleton CE First School?.
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?AFTER SCHOOL GAMES CLUB? (Years 2, 3 and 4)

I give permission for ________________(child's name) to participate in 'After School Games Clu' on Wednesday afternoons from 3.00pm until 4.15pm, September 2004 to July 2005.

Signature of Parent/Guardian _______________________Date ___________ Back to top