Friday 28 February 2014

Thursday 27 February 2014

Swimming Pool - message from the Governors

Our outdoor swimming pool which was generously funded by many in the community is now almost 30 years old and in need of a considerable overhaul and substantial investment to prolong it’s life. It has been a remarkable asset for the school and many generations of children have learnt to swim in it during the summer months.
During recent times the school has developed strong links with Framlingham College and their indoor swimming pool facility allows for our children to swim all year round. It is a very successful venture and one which is in place for the long term.
The Governors have therefore taken the difficult and emotional decision to decommission our  outdoor pool, make it safe and consider ideas for the development of the site as part of the front aspect of the school.
 We feel that as our school is at the heart of the town this is a whole community project which may take several years to complete. Within this project the Governors would wish to recognise the generosity of the past through a suitable memorial.
We would like to hear thoughts from anyone who has ideas about how we could improve this area or indeed if you feel you could support this project financially we would love to hear from you.
As time progresses we will be keeping you updated via our school website www.roberthitchams.ik.org
If you would like to contribute your ideas please do so by contacting us through admin@hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk or posting your ideas into our school office. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to take telephone calls or have personal conversations however your ideas will be discussed at a Governors Forum from which we will develop a plan.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your thoughts to help us to make this a more vibrant and exciting place for generations of children to come.

Monday 24 February 2014

Newsletter 24

Welcome back, we hope you have had an enjoyable half-term break.

BOOK FAIR – THIS THURSDAY 27 FEB TO NEXT MONDAY 3 MARCH
Parents and children can come to the hall to look at the books that can be bought from the Travelling Book Fair.  With this letter please find a leaflet that shows a selection of their books along with a £1 voucher (which can be used towards any purchase).
The book fair will be open 3.05-4.00pm on Thursday 27 February to Monday 3 March to look at (and order) the books. Nursery parents can see the books in the Nursery on Friday 28 February at 11.50am or 1.30pm.  

NO GYM & FENCING CLUB – 28 FEBRUARY OR 3 MARCH
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO GYM ON FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY AND
NO FENCING ON MONDAY 3 MARCH BECAUSE OF THE BOOK FAIR. 
Premier Sports will make up the time by adding 15 minutes onto each of the last 4 lessons of the term, so the clubs will finish at 4.30pm from week commencing 10 March.

BAG TO SCHOOL REMINDER – THIS THURSDAY
Filled charity bags should be put in the front playground pavilion by 9am on Thursday. They accept good condition clothing, handbags, belts, shoes (tied in pairs), soft toys and jewellery.
PLEASE NOTE: THEY DO NOT ACCEPT: duvets, pillows, bedding, household linen, carpets, curtains, rugs, towels or school uniform.

FRIENDS ADULT BINGO NIGHT – THIS FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY 7.30pm
Don’t be “Unlucky for Some” and get your “2 little ducks” in a row and get those tickets as soon as you can.  There will be a licenced bar and snacks available on the night and plenty of opportunities to win some fab prices. Tickets are £4 each and include 5 bingo cards and a drink, please book your tickets in advance by emailing Rupert@theDurrants.com 

DINNER MONEY COST FOR SPRING 2nd HALF TERM
*******Dinner money should be paid on Mondays******
Half term payments are due by the first Monday after each half term.
The cost for lunch every day will be = £66.00  24 February to 4 April = 30 days
Don’t forget you can pay for the whole term for 1/2/3 or 4 days per week too.
To pay on-line follow the link from the ‘Parent Information’ button on the school website
Weekly payments:               
        5 days  £11.00      4 days  £8.80     3 days  £6.60     2 days  £4.40                1 day  £2.20
Cheques should be made payable to Suffolk County Council (SCC)
with your child’s name and class WRITTEN ON THE BACK please.
DINNER MONEY MUST BE HANDED TO THE TEACHER IN AN ENVELOPE THAT STATES:       Child’s Name + Child’s Class + which days dinner money is for.
DEADLINE FOR HALF-TERM PAYMENT IS MONDAY 3 MARCH.


WORLD BOOK DAY DRESS UP – NEXT THURSDAY  6 MARCH
Just to remind all families that next Thursday, we would like all children to come to school dressed as their FAVOURITE BOOK CHARACTER for World Book Day.
FRIENDS NOTICEBOARD – PAINTER REQUIRED!
Is there a kind hearted parent who would be willing to sand down & repaint the Friends wooden noticeboard on the front playground?  It’s looking very tired and is in need of some TLC!  The Friends will provide the paint for the job.  Please let the Friends know on rupert@thedurrants.com.  Thank you!
WATER BOTTLES IN SCHOOL
The children should have a water bottle (plastic with a sports/non-spill cap) in school. 
This should be water WITHOUT any additional flavouring – so NO flavoured water, squash or fruit juice, please. Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

CERTIFICATES
Certificates to present in assemblies should be for your child’s personal achievements, eg sporting medals/trophies/badges, fundraising for charity etc., but not for just joining an organization or taking part in an event.

FRIENDS FILM NIGHT
The film night before half term raised £110 – thanks go to all those parents who volunteered their time to help the Friends stage this event for the children.

2nd HAND UNIFORM SALE – 12 & 13 MARCH
The Parent Council are holding this sale on the Parent Consultation evenings and would welcome any further donations of good quality uniform that your children have outgrown.  Please just drop off the uniform with the office who will pass it on.  Thank you.



Thursday 13 February 2014

Tawny Owl in Assembly

Yesterday we had a real treat in school assembly. A man from Stonham Barns (see their website)brought in a tawny owl called Rascal. He spoke and answers questions about the owl's feeding habits and how owls in general have been looked after in Suffolk.


Children take part in Crime Prevention Workshop

Children from classes EM, JA, DB and PA/SB took part in a workshop covering a wide range of crime related issues.

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Newsletter 23


CAKE STALL – FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY
There will be a cake stall in the pavilion on the front playground after school on Friday.  Classes PLDD & RV are baking for this event.
Remember to bring some pocket money to buy an after school sweet treat.

SWIMMING (KV, RV, PLDD) - TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY
Just a reminder that these 3 classes start swimming at Framlingham College on the Tuesday after half term, please ensure that they have the correct kit with them.

FRIENDS TEA PARTY– TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2pm
The Friends would love to welcome ALL parents to pop in for afternoon tea on the Tuesday after half term.  Just come along to the downstairs computer suite to have some tea & biscuits and an informal get-together.

BAG TO SCHOOL COLLECTION – THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY BY 9am
Filled charity bags should be put in the front playground pavilion by 9am on this day.
They accept good condition clothing, handbags, belts, shoes (tied in pairs), soft toys and jewellery. Donation bags will be handed out this week.
PLEASE NOTE: THEY DO NOT ACCEPT: duvets, pillows, bedding, household linen, carpets, curtains, rugs, towels or school uniform.

BOOK FAIR– THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY TO MONDAY 3 MARCH
This event is an opportunity for parents and children to come to the hall to look at the books that can be bought from the Travelling Book Fair. 
After half term the children will be given a leaflet with a selection of their books on offer and a £1 voucher (which can be used towards any purchase).
Please come along with your children between 3.05-4.00pm on Thursday 27 February to Monday 3 March to look at (and order) the books. Nursery parents can see the books in the Nursery on Friday 28 February at 11.50am and 1.30pm.  
*New for this year: There is a ‘Click and Collect’ service available at www.travellingbooks.co.uk which allows parents to choose at home, pay online and have their books delivered to the Book Fair.  Parents just have to check the ‘Collect at Fair option’ at the checkout screen and input our postcode IP13 9EP to select us.

NO GYM & FENCING CLUB – 28 FEBRUARY OR 3 MARCH
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO GYM ON FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY AND
NO FENCING ON MONDAY 3 MARCH BECAUSE OF THE BOOK FAIR. 
Premier Sports will make up the time by adding 15 minutes onto each of the last 4 lessons of the term, so the clubs will finish at 4.30pm from week commencing 10 March.

FRIENDS ADULT BINGO NIGHT
FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY 7.30pm
Don’t be “Unlucky for Some” and get your “2 little ducks” in a row and get those tickets as soon as you can.  There will be a licensed bar and snacks available on the night and plenty of opportunities to win some fab prices. Tickets are £4 each and include 5 bingo cards and a drink, please book your tickets in advance by emailing Rupert@theDurrants.com 

DAMAGE TO SAND PIT COVER – CAN YOU HELP?
Unfortunately the sandpit cover in the foundation area has been stamped on and broken by an older child.  We wondered if there was a kind hearted parent with some carpentry skills who would be able to repair this for us?  Please let the office know.

SICKNESS & DIARRHOEA
We would like to remind parents that the school follows the guidance of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) that children who are suffering from sickness and/or diarrhoea should remain off school for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea.  If your child was not sick due to a virus/bacteria infection, but for example was sick due to congestion then your child should be ok to return within 24 hours if they are well enough.

SMALL TIGHTS NEEDED PLEASE
The Reception classes could do with some pairs of small school tights to use for spare, if you have any please just drop them into the Reception classes or Office.  Thank you.

HOME TO SCHOOL TRAVEL CONSULTATION
SCC are proposing some changes to their discretionary school travel offer.  There is a consultation document which sets out the proposed changes to help make the policy sustainable for the future and fair to everyone.  If your child uses school transport please review by 28 March at

SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO BAD WEATHER
Please remember to listen to BBC Suffolk Radio (103.9FM), or check on our School BLOG or at http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk/ (Primary Schools)

DINNER MONEY COST FOR SPRING 2nd HALF TERM
*******Dinner money should be paid on Mondays******
Half term payments are due by the first Monday after each half term.
The cost for lunch every day will be = £66.00  24 February to 4 April = 30 days
Don’t forget you can pay for the whole term for 1/2/3 or 4 days per week too.
To pay on-line follow the link from the ‘Parent Information’ button on the school website
Weekly payments:               
        5 days  £11.00      4 days  £8.80     3 days  £6.60     2 days  £4.40                1 day  £2.20
Cheques should be made payable to Suffolk County Council (SCC)
with your child’s name and class WRITTEN ON THE BACK please.
DINNER MONEY MUST BE HANDED TO THE TEACHER IN AN ENVELOPE THAT STATES:       Child’s Name + Child’s Class + which days dinner money is for.
DEADLINE FOR HALF-TERM PAYMENT IS MONDAY 3 MARCH.


GERMAN FOR CHILDREN
Fun taster session of the German language suitable for ages 8-11 on Thursday 20 February, at 1-2:30pm at Saxmundham Library. To book call 01728-652 440 Places limited £5 each

Please note that Thomas Mills have a non-pupil day this Friday, but we are open as normal.
HALF TERM IS NEXT WEEK - Children return Monday 24 February
Clubs will start as normal that week, with the addition of
Gardening club on Monday (which is NOW FULL) and Maypole on Wednesday
**Stop Press**The Friends newsletter and Yellow Moon catalogues are being handed out this week.

Friday 7 February 2014

Sharing Stories Across The School






Nursery Learning

Outdoor learning, whatever the weather!










                                                          What a huge spider! 
                                                   It stayed very still, allowing the children to paint it.



Numeracy...

                                                     

              Wow, what a sense of space and shape!



Small world imaginative play...

Posted by KM


KS1 Children Learning to Play Hockey

The children in class LC have been learning to play indoor hockey with Mr B-K on Fridays.
Here are some great action shots. The children are picking up the techniques very quickly and enjoying playing a team game.





New House Hoodies


The new house hoodies for KS2 children are being modeled by some of our year 6 pupils. They said that the hoodies are very warm and cosy.They will have the house name printed across the back and the school badge embroided on the front. The hoodies pictured are for Howard house. There are very nice blue, green and red ones for the other houses.
If you would like one - get your order into the school office next week.

Junior Road Safety Competition Winners

Key Stage 2 Road Safety Rhyme competition winners. 



Olivia, Scott and Beth were all awarded their prizes by the Junior Road Safety Officers in assembly.

Key stage 1 children had to design a 'Be Bright Be Seen' outfit. The winners who were also awarded their prizes in assembly  were Imogen Halll (CA) Erin Heffernen (JC) and Catherine Pope (LC). Well done to everyone who entered. All of your designs can be seen on the notice board outside Class JC.





Monday 3 February 2014

NO HOCKEY CLUB - TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY

We are afraid there will be no Hockey Club on Tuesday as Mr Brook is unwell.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Newsletter 22


YOUNG ART EAST ANGLIA
Thank you to those of you who entered this competition, the standard was very high.
We have passed on all your entries to the judges and hope that we will hear soon about who has been selected to have their artwork shown at the Peter Pears Gallery in March.

YEAR 6 CAMP
Just to remind year 6 parents that payments can be made towards the cost of camp (confirmed total will be £146.60). Cheques should be made to Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School.  Once you have paid your first payment you will receive a payment card, with details of the balance to be paid. 
A letter with consent and medical forms will be sent after half term.

GOING HOME CHANGES
The KS1 and Foundation teachers would like to remind parents to please send in a written note with their child if their going home arrangements are out of the norm for that day. 
With 30 children to organize at the end of school it is not possible to remember assorted verbal messages, so please help by writing changes down for the teacher, thank you.

NO SCOOTERS/TRICYCLES
Please can we remind parents not to let children use scooters/tricycles on the playground before or after school.  Thank you.

BAG TO SCHOOL COLLECTION – THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY
We would like to give you advance notice of this charity bag collection, in case you are having a clear out over half term.  They accept good condition clothing, bedding, belts & shoes (in pairs!).
A letter and donation bag will be handed out shortly from the Friends.

2nd HAND UNIFORM SALE
The Friends would like to remind parents that donations of out-grown uniform (in good condition please) will be gratefully received in anticipation of a 2nd hand Uniform sale they are planning to hold in March. 
Please just hand in at the school office, who will pass it on.  Thank you.

***RELIEF LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR VACANCY***
No experience required – training will be given.
Position for relief cover Monday- Fridays when required. 
Rate of pay £6.44 per hour (1 ¼ hours per shift).
Please contact the school office for application forms.

Please note this week we are also sending out letters for:

Gardening Club (Year 1-6);  Maypole (Year 3-4);  Art Club (Year 3);  Swimming (Classes KVNS, RV, PLDD);  ***New*** House Hooded Sweatshirt Order form for KS2
Cycling Training for Year 6/5

Cycling, Gardening, Maypole and Art all have a limit on how many children can join, so please get your slips back quickly (plus payment for Art).