Making Vegetable Soup

Class DB have been making their own vegetable soup.

Each Tuesday afternoon over this half term one of our parents: Mr Barlow-Shepherd has come in to work with a group of 6 children. He is a trained chef and has done a great job helping the children with their cooking task.

Some of the children took photographs of each stage of the process. They also used our new sound recorders to describe what they were doing.

Their pictures and narration have been combined (using 'movie maker') into a film which will show you how you could make your own delicious vegetable soup.

ADVENT

Advent is a term from the Latin word 'adventus' which means "arrival".
It is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas, the coming of Jesus to earth when he was born as a baby at Bethlehem about two thousand years ago.
What is Advent?
Advent is the new year of the Christian Church and the church season that leads to Christmas Day.
Advent is the time when Christians remember that Jesus came into the world in Palestine 2000 years ago and that Jesus also promised one day to return in all His glory.
Clergy typically wear royal purple or royal blue vestments during Advent. Many churches also include an advent wreath (sometimes called an Advent ring or crown) in their Advent services.

When does Advent start?
Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to 30th November (St. Andrew's Day) and lasts until midnight on Christmas Eve. Advent Sunday is the first of the four sundays before the 25th December.
• 30 November - First Sunday of Advent 2008• 07 December - Second Sunday of Advent 2008• 14 December - Third Sunday of Advent 2008• 21 December - Fourth Sunday of Advent 200825 December: Christmas 2008
What happens during Advent?
During the season of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the celebration of the arrival of the Lord into the world through the birth of his Son Jesus Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. It is also a time to look forward to when Jesus will come a second time.
The beginning of Advent is when the preparations for Christmas really begin - the festive menu is planned, gifts are chosen and wrapped, carols sung, cards are written and posted and houses decorated.
History of Advent
In the 5th Century, Advent began on 11 November (St Martin's Day) and took the form of a six week fast leading to Christmas. During the 6th century, Advent was reduced to its current length and later the fasting was dropped.

Follow this LINK to an interactive Advent Calendar and lots of Christmas Activities

Friends Christmas Fair

This year there will be over 20 different stalls spread around the school building.
Watch this video for details.


Remember that the fair starts at 6.00pm and finishes at 8.00pm.

Architecture Workshop

All of our Key Stage 2 children took part in a series of workshops which took them through the basics of building - strength, design, fit for purpose etc.
The objective was to build (in a team) a shelter suitable for 5 people to survive in a particular habitat. The choices were tropical rainforest, desert or polar habitats.
You can see the full range of stages the children went through by watching the video below.
The workshop covered many areas of the curriculum: maths, science and technology.

The company that runs the workshops have a website. Follow this link: http://www.architectureworkshops.org/

Christmas Disco

House Football Hitcham v Howard

This week saw the most exciting house match this season. Two closely matched sides played some good quality football. Hitcham took the lead only for Howard to equalise. Hitcham scored again to take a deserved half time advantage.
The end to end action continued in the second half. Just as it looked as though Hitcham were going to hold on for a win, Howard scored two late goals to snatch a 3-2 win.
This meant that Howard have now got an unbeatble lead at the top of the table with just one game left to be played: Bulstrode v Mills next week.
In the team picture (the game finished almost in the dark) you can see brother and sister rivals: George from Hitcham and Lucy from Howard touching the ball.

Rainforest Topic

Year 5 and 6 are currently studying a topic on 'Tropical Rainforest'.

Class RV have done some brilliant art work on Jungle scenes. You can see all of their pictures in this film.

The topic was kick started with a trip to 'Amazonia' - a small tropical zoo in Great Yarmouth. The children got to see and handle lots of animals from tropical habitats.

Our school mascot 'Prickles' also enjoyed meeting some animals from different parts of the world.

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (15)

PACKED LUNCH REMINDER FOR WEDNESDAY - PARENT CONSULTATION DAY
Please can we remind parents to provide a packed lunch for their child/ren this Wednesday as the hall will be in use for Parent Consultations and we cannot, therefore, provide school dinners this day.

ONE CHRISTMAS
We now have the ‘One Christmas’ CDs for sale at the school office. They are priced at £10 each, with all profits going to the charity Tearfund. Cheques should be payable to “Christmas Charity Album”.
For those families with children in the concert - don’t forget to book your tickets for Sunday 7 December from the Felixstowe Spa Pavillion box office 01394 282 126

MATCH CARDS
Unfortunately, due to some incidences of cards being ‘taken without consent’, we feel that these will now need to be banned from school with immediate effect.

THE GIVING MACHINE
Just a reminder from the Friends about this website which, once you have registered, you can use to do internet shopping at many online stores. The online stores then give a % of your purchase price directly to our school (as your selected charity) – it does not cost you anything and the school benefits directly. The Friends ask that you perhaps consider using this when doing your Christmas shopping online. www.TheGivingMachine.co.uk. Thank you.

REMINDER - BAD WEATHER ARRANGEMENTSWe make every possible effort to ensure that the school remains open in the event of bad weather conditions. Please listen to the following radio stations for information with regard to whether the school has to be closed or not:
· Radio Suffolk 95.5, 95.9, 103.9 and 104.6FM (have updates at 10 past and 20 to each hour)
· Broadland Norfolk 102.4FM
· SGR FM 97.1-96.4FM
· Beach Radio 103.4 and 97.4FM

NON-UNIFORM DAY – DONATIONS FOR SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR – Friday 28 November
Please remember it is Non-Uniform Day this Friday, 28 November. Please bring in donations for the Christmas Fair - eg adult or children’s Raffle Prizes, adult, children’s or chocolate Tombola prize, men’s and ladies NEW items for the ‘Parent Presents’ stall, a Promise to Bake a Cake (to be delivered to school 5 December), Toys in excellent condition (please - no missing pieces from jigsaws etc), Books. Please leave donations in the boxes by the hall, but bring any alcohol or cake promises to the office. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH – WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2008
In past years children have asked for a vegetarian meal on Christmas dinner day even though they aren’t vegetarians. If your child would like to try the vegetarian option and this year it is the same as last year - chick pea Wellington which is a pastry dish - please complete the slip overleaf by Friday 28 November.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS POST
The school’s post box will be open for deliveries from Monday 1 December and is sited at the top of the stairs from the Nursery on the landing.
Please ensure that ALL cards are correctly addressed with the first name and surname and Class or Class initials. Could we ask parents of younger children to please check that their child’s cards are correctly addressed before posting. Thank you.
For information the class initials are as follows:
KS Nursery; CH Mrs Hopkins; EM Miss Montague; LC Mrs Cann; JC Mrs Colchester; PLDD Mrs Lord/Mrs Dwyer; CA Miss Ashberry; NS Mrs Spencer; GH Miss Hitchcock; RV Mr Vaughan; DB Mr Brook/Mrs Mawson; GM Mrs Morgan.

WE STILL NEED TO FILL THE FOLLOWING VACANCY:
RELIEF LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR
Hours: 12.00pm - 1.20pm on an occasional basis when the need arises to cover regular staff
Rate of Pay: £6.37 per hour plus 12.99% holiday pay = £7.198 per hour
For further information please contact the school office: 01728 723354

Road Safety Poster Competition

Our school Road Safety Officers have run a poster competition.
The Key Stage 2 winner was Isabel Brooks from Class DB.
Her design features 'Prickles' - our school mascot.

Abstract Portraits

Class GM have been doing abstract portraits in the style of Picasso.
They have a colourful display in the corridor near the school office.
Watch this video to see all of the work on the display.

House Football Bulstrode v Hitcham

This proved to be the closest and most exciting game so far this season.
Bulstrode took their chances in the first half to go into a 3-0 lead.
Hitcham hit back in the second half with 2 goals.
Lukas in the Bulstrode goal made several good saves to prevent Hitcham getting an equaliser.
In the end Bulstrode just about deserved to win a thrilling match.

Armistice Day 2008

On the 90th anniversary of the end of World War 1 all the children and staff of Robert Hitcham's gathered together for a short service.

We could hear a cannon going off in the centre of Framlingham (at 11.00am on 11th November - the exact time that peace was declared) as we stood for a minutes silence.

Many of our children wore poppies to respect the men, women and children who were involved in wars around the world.

JOB VACANCY

RELIEF LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR
Hours: 12.00pm - 1.20pm on an occasional basis when the need arises to cover regular staff
Rate of Pay: £6.37 per hour plus 12.99% holiday pay = £7.198 per hour
For further information please contact the school office: 01728 723354

Whole School Letter (13)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ
The school has been made aware that a girl walking home from Thomas Mills High School on Wednesday was approached by a man in a car at about 6.30pm.
We would ask parents and children to be extra aware and to reinforce the safety messages we give to the children in matters such as these.

MARIE CURIE MINI POTS OF CARE DONATIONSThank you all very much for your generous donations to this charity for the daffodil bulb planting. You will be really pleased to know that we shall be passing on £1521.73 to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL
Thank you to those of you who have kindly filled a Christmas shoebox for the children in Sirac, Croatia. We have received 47 Shoe Boxes into school which the Mendlesham Christian Fellowship will be taking out to Croatia in the next few weeks. Thank you.

LABELLING CLOTHESPlease can we remind parents to ensure that children’s clothes are labelled – especially sweatshirts and coats. Also please renew any names written in ‘biro’ as they do fade over time. Thank you.

MORNING SUPERVISIONThe playground is supervised from 8.30am, if you arrive before this time parents must wait with their child until the supervisor arrives.

School Christmas Fair

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (12)

REMEMBRANCE POPPIESThese will be on sale in the school as from Monday 3 until Friday 7 November. They will be brought to the classes each day when the children will have an opportunity to purchase a poppy.

START OF DAY ARRANGEMENTSAs children move into KS2 we encourage them to develop independence. Can we ask that unless you wish to see the teacher, you encourage your child to bring their belongings into school on their own and return straight to the playground. Thank you.

REMINDER INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Photos of all children and family groups will be taken on Tuesday 18 November. The children will be photographed in their white school shirts. If you wish to bring pre-school children into school to join your family group photo (which will be more formal in sweatshirts as in previous years), please come to the hall at 8.30am.

HARVEST CHARITY DONATIONSThe Harvest collection raised £147.00 for the Soup Kitchen in Ipswich and West Villa Homeless Families Unit in Ipswich was very grateful for the food donations. Thank you.

CATS’ EYES FOR KIDS – CHILD ROAD SAFETY
Each new child that starts in Reception is given a reflector to attach to their clothing/bag etc by the County Council sponsored by Nationwide. We have been informed that if your child has lost or would like a new reflector you may order these via the school for £1.00 each. There are several really nice designs available but the company are unable to specify what they will send us. Please complete the order form below and return to the school office by Friday 14 November

QUIZThe interactive quiz made £498, the Friends would like to thank all who supported the night and hope you had a good time – some photos can be seen in the school Blog.

WINTER WEATHER
Winter weather is now upon us and all children will NEED TO BRING A COAT every day. Thank you.

BAD WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS
We make every possible effort to ensure that the school remains open, but many of the staff do live a long way away which involves difficult cross country journeys. In the event of bad weather conditions, please listen to the following radio stations for information with regard to whether the school has to be closed or not:
· Radio Suffolk 95.5, 95.9, 103.9 and 104.6FM (have updates at 10 past and 20 to each hour)
· Broadland Norfolk 102.4FM
· SGR FM 97.1-96.4FM
· Beach Radio 103.4 and 97.4FM

NON-UNIFORM DAY – DONATIONS FOR SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR – Friday 28 NovemberThe Friends of the School have asked that the children come in their own clothes on Friday 28 November in exchange for a donation for the Christmas Fair on Friday 5 December. eg an adult or children’s Raffle Prize, an adult, children’s or a chocolate Tombola prize, a Promise to Bake a Cake (to be delivered to school 5 December), Toys in excellent condition (please - no missing pieces from jigsaws etc) , Books, a Bottle for the Bottle Stall (all alcohol to be handed direct to the office) etc.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
We have had a few comments from parents about the high price of the Christmas cards that were done by the children. I would like to let parents know that we were not happy with the company who provided these cards and were misled on the pricing when we committed the orders believing the price to be £5 for both packs, not each pack. The school made just 50p on each pack of cards the balance £4.50 went to the card company. If we do this in the future we will research a better value company.
Please note that any outstanding cards or payments should be returned as soon as possible

KEY STAGE 1 ACTIVITY AREA
The Keystage 1 Activity area is set up as a structured learning environment. The area reflects the topics we are studying and the activities that have been set up have specific learning objectives. We would be very grateful if you could keep younger brothers and sisters away from re-arranging them – especially first thing in the morning! Your co-operation in this matter is appreciated.

Prickles on Holiday in The Lake District

Prickles has spent his half term on a walking holiday with the Brook family. The Lake District (Cumbria in the North West of England) was stunning in the Autumn. There had been a lot of rain the previous week so that river, streams and waterfalls were in full flow. The trees were in beautiful Autumn colours.
The temperature really dropped during the week and PrickLes found snow on top of the mountains.
He kept warm much of the time in Mr Brook's coat pocket but did insist on getting out to admire the views.
Prickles journeyed to the top of some of Englands highest places such as Skiddaw near Keswick. He also saw some lovely lakes at Ennerdale, Loweswater and Buttermere.