Children Make and Program Robots

Children from Class DB have made their own robots using Lego Mindstorm.
They include all sorts of sensors for sound, light and motion.

The videos below (made by the children) give you some idea of what they can do. 

Programming the robot

This one is an amazing demonstration of how the robot responds to light or dark colours.

Finally here is ROBOTS WAR!

Tree Planting With The Woodland Trust

On the 22nd November the children from Class PL/DD were invited to Halesworth Golf Club to help with the planting of a Jubilee Wood. When we got there we put on our wellies and went into a field with members of the Woodland Trust.

We started with a some games and the organiser told us about Robin Hood. We also made some small shelters from things like bark, twigs, bracken and leaves.

We then planted 44 trees; a mixture of oak, pine, maple, hornbeam and chestnut. Altogether 500 trees have been planted in this new wood.

The Woodland Trust gave all of us a new winter hat. They are a charity that plants new woods around the country. Click on their logo to find out more.

Report by Tabitha, Charlotte and Rosie from Class PL/DD

Newsletter 14

FRIENDS – A MESSAGE FROM MRS PICTON

What a marvelous turn out for the Friends AGM - 65 parents! Thank you so much to everyone for making the effort to come.  We are very grateful to the outgoing committee members, and especially the hardworking Chair Marie-Therese Walker, for their tireless efforts to create exciting events which raise money for our children. 

Now we look forward to a new committee, led by Rupert Durrant, with new ideas and thoughts about the development of the Friends at our school, which will need all your support.  If each family commit to attending/helping at least one or two events a year, then the revenue raised could fund such wonderful extras for our children, which our shrinking school budget sadly cannot.

As we move forward into 2013 I urge you to embrace your new committee and actively support them in any way you can.

POLICE PARKING ENFORCEMENTS ON NEW ROAD

Suffolk Constabulary sent letters home with your child last Thursday  advising that they will be monitoring the dangers with New Road parking, near the back of the school, with immediate effect.  They will be enforcing the restrictions of the yellow lines and will issue fixed penalty notices for parking in restricted places, which will result in a £30 parking fine.

DINNER MONEY

PLEASE CAN WE REMIND PARENTS THAT DINNER MONEY MUST BE PAID ON A MONDAY – please hand to the class teacher.  If you do not pay on a Monday (unless your child was ill) you will need to provide a packed lunch for your child for that week.

SCHOOL MEAL PRICE INCREASE

As indicated on the ‘eats’ catering menu sent out before half term, the price of school meals will increase in JANUARY to £2.20

VACANCY – MATERNITY COVER

We are currently advertising for Maternity Cover for Mrs Spencer, for details of this please go to the school website at www.roberthitchams.ik.org or ask at the office. Application deadline is 7 January 2013, with the cover starting in late February.

WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS

All those children who returned a slip saying they are expecting to take part in the ‘Waiting For Christmas’ performance at the Spa Pavilion, will not be disappointed.  We have had enough children drop out of their own choice so we do not have to restrict the numbers any further.  Tickets to watch can be booked from the box office. CD’s are available to purchase from the CO-OP in Framlingham, the DVDs will be available next week.

DOGS TETHERED TO GATES/FENCES NEAR SCHOOL

We have received a request from a concerned parent about dogs being tethered up at the school gate, then leaving them unattended to bark at passers-by and pull at their leads. For children (and adults) who are nervous of dogs it can be frightening. No matter how friendly your dog is, please can we ask parents to tether their dogs away from where the children have to walk or leave them at home?  Thank you.

POPPY APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Poppy Appeal which raised a fantastic £179.57

Free School Meals

Applying for Free School Meals

Dear Parents/Carers

With winter and Christmas approaching, now is an ideal time to register for free school meals. 

Your child will be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following benefits:

·         Income Support;

·         Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;

·         Employment Support Allowance (Income related);

·         Child Tax Credit, and you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by H M Revenues & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190;

·         the Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit;

·         support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;

·         if a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week.

There is no need to send documentary proof of your benefit you just need to complete an application form.

To apply for free school meals you can download an application form at www.suffolk.gov.uk or call 0845 606 6173.  Alternatively, you can collect a form from the school office.

 Simply complete the form and return it to:

Southern & Northern Area

Education Office, Free School Meals

Constantine House

5 Constantine Road

Ipswich IP1 2DH

Once your completed application is received, SCC will carry out a secure eligibility check using the Government’s online benefits database.   If your application is successful they will authorise the school to provide your child with meals free of charge. They will not send you a cheque or any other form of payment.  The school will handle this sensitively and confidentially, and at no point will other pupils be aware of your child having free school meals.

If you need any more information please contact the Customer Service Centre on 0845 606 6173, or ask at the school office.

ART CLUB - IN THE BAG

At Art Club this week the Year 6 pupils were designing carrier bags on the theme of 'Animals'. They had some amazing ideas, and the finished products looked brilliant, as you can see.
The sturdy paper carrier bags were kindly donated by www.rubyandted.com

WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS UPDATE

All those children who returned a slip saying they ARE expecting to take part in the 'Waiting For Christmas' performance at the Spa Pavillion, will not be disappointed. 

We have had enough children drop out of their own choice so we do not have to restrict the numbers any further.  So if parents have not yet booked their tickets to watch then you can now do so with confidence.

NOTICE FROM SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY

Suffolk Constabulary are advising parents via a letter today (which will go home with your child) that they will be monitoring the dangers with New Road parking, near the back of the school, with immediate effect. 

They will be enforcing the restrictions of the yellow lines and will issue fixed penalty notices for parking in restricted places, which will result in a £30 parking fine.

Newsletter 13

THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL ANTI-BULLYING WEEK….

….to support this the children have watched an ‘Anti-Bullying’ production today.

A visiting theatre group performed ‘The B Word’ to children in Y2-Y6, a powerful anti-bullying educational drama. Through the use of humour the production explores why people bully? What can be done about it? That no one should suffer in silence, how to speak out, cyber bullying and more. The overriding message is that bullying must not be tolerated.

DINNER MONEY

PLEASE CAN WE REMIND PARENTS THAT DINNER MONEY MUST BE PAID ON A MONDAY – please hand to the class teacher.  If you do not pay on a Monday (unless your child was ill) you will need to provide a packed lunch for your child for that week.

FRIENDS AGM REMINDER– Wednesday 21 November

The Friends AGM will be held on the morning of Wednesday 21 November in the hall from 9.00 to 9.30am.  Parents are very welcome to come into the hall earlier, from 8.40am for refreshments.  It is essential that the Friends get as many parents attending as possible, in order to adhere to the voting procedures of the Charity Commission.

Please show your support of the school by giving half an hour of your time to attend ~ it does not mean you have to join the Friends! Pre-school siblings are welcome to stay with you.

PARENT CONSULTATIONS – appointments available with Mrs Beddow & Mrs Akerman

In addition to booking an appointment to see your child’s class teacher (using the form enclosed with your child’s report) you may also book an appointment to see Mrs Beddow, Mrs Akerman or Mrs Picton who will be available between 3.30 – 6.00pm on Wednesday & Thursday.  Please contact the school office who will book you an appointment time.

In addition, one of our parent Governors, Catherine Hill, is also happy to see parents by appointment; she will not be available on these afternoons but please contact the office who can give you her availability.

 PHOTOGRAPHS - RETURN ORDERS TODAY!

Orders and payment for the photo proof sheets must be returned to the office by Wednesday morning at the latest please (cheques payable to Van Cols Ltd).

If you miss the deadline then we are afraid you will have to send directly to Van Cols and pay a £3.50 surcharge for late delivery.

CAKE STALL FOR CANCER RESEARCH

The cake stall run by Freya, Maddie & Phoebe in EM on Friday, raised £110 for Cancer Research; they would like to say “THANK YOU to all the people who made cakes and bought them. Thank you for supporting us”.

NO HOLY HORRORS THIS WEEK

Reminder that there is none this week, however on Wednesday 28 November at Holy Horrors they will be casting for the Nativity play to be held in St Michael’s on Christmas Eve.

STAFF CAR PARK

The car park on the school site is very small and does not even have enough spaces for the school staff who drive in; therefore parents and volunteers cannot park there, unless they are eligible to use the disabled space.  Thank you. 

DISCLAIMER REGARDING CLUBS ADVERTISED THROUGH OUR LETTERS

The inclusion of details of extra-curricular, local and out-of-school activities (which are not run by us) in our letters in no way implies that they are supported/endorsed by Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School, its Governors or any member of Staff.  Parents are advised to make the appropriate enquiries regarding supervision, insurance and other matters.

THE GIVING MACHINE

The Friends would like to remind parents 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 politely ask that you consider using this when doing any online shopping. www.TheGivingMachine.co.uk Thank you.

WINTER WEATHER

Winter weather will be upon us soon, all children will NEED TO BRING A COAT every day. 

VACANCY

We are currently advertising for a Nursery Teacher, for details of this please go to the school website at www.roberthitchams.ik.org or ask at the office. Application deadline 26 November.

CROSSING PATROL NEWS

We would like to thank all those parents who took the time to write to SCC about the importance of the Crossing Patrol on College Road, we are delighted to let all parents know that SCC have now agreed that this is an essential service for the safety of our children and have agreed to fund the Crossing Patrol going forward.

Did you know that around half of all new foster carers have children under the age of 18 living at home and nearly two thirds have previous experience of working or volunteering with children and young people?  There are around 750 children in care in Suffolk, most of whom are in foster care, and we simply do not have enough carers. We need foster carers for children of all ages and who have a wide range of differing needs and abilities.

Many people may wrongly rule themselves out, believing they can’t foster for reasons such as sexual orientation, being single, renting their home, being too old or too young, or having their own children at home. They don’t always recognise that they have the qualities it takes to care for a child.  What you do need is some experience of children, either through caring, volunteering or working with children, a spare room, lots of time and patience, to be up for a challenge and to have a sense of humour!

If you have ever considered fostering we would really like to hear from you.  Contact us on 0800 328 2148, or at www.suffolkfostering.com

Children in Need Poem

by Ruby in class NS

Year 6 Children Learn Computer Programming

Children in year 6 have been learn computer programming. They have been using a piece of software called SCRATCH. It is free (see link below). On it they learn how to put code together - lists of instructions. The aim is to make a character (sprite) perform actions linked with a keyboard. Using Scratch you can create your own animations and ultimately your own games.

Click on the cat above to go to a website where you can download the Scratch program to your own computer - it is FREE!

Example of some code created by Sam in Class DB.

Sam and Ronnie have created their own game. It has various characters and levels. It also has a scoring system and credits. You can watch a video demo below of their game.

Below are some of the characters. You can even import your own.

Sam and Ronnie have written some very clever code. For example, below is part of their gravity code. In other words they can make a character jump and fall back down.

Primary School Has Got it Covered

A two-stage programme to cover an outdoor learning area for Nursery and Reception class children has been completed at Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School in Framlingham.  On Thursday 15^th November, Revd Graham Owen, the Chair of Governors, officially opened the new canopy, which has been financed through the local Diocese under the direction of the Governors.

“Completing this project means we can now provide year-round cover for all three classes of children in our Nursery and Reception years”, says Caroline Hopkins, head of Early Years at Sir Robert Hitcham’s.  “Outdoor learning is a vital part of our curriculum, this covered space gives our children the freedom and protection to play and learn together in an outdoor setting – in almost all weathers.  It also allows them to mingle securely outside their usual classroom groups, so encouraging interpersonal and social aspects of their learning.”

With space to accommodate up to 76 children in three classrooms, the Foundation Stage at Sir Robert Hitcham’s also provides a newly installed cooking and kitchen area, gardening activities and learning afternoons where parents join the children for a range of fun and practical activities.

“We spend as much time as we can outside”, says Caroline Hopkins.  “It’s all about making the outdoors an integral part of early years learning.”

Parents and carers of pre-school age children are welcome to visit the Early Years Setting.  Open days are held through the year, with the next open sessions on Wednesday 9^th January at 1.30-2.30pm, and Thursday 10^th January at 9.30-11.30am.  Contact the school office for further information or to make an appointment on 01728 723354, or take a look at our school website on www.roberthitchams.ik.org

NURSERY TEACHER VACANCY

Job Term:                             Part Time

Appointment Type:            Permanent

Salary:                                   mps (0.62 fte)

Closing Date:                      Monday 26 November 2012

Place of work:                     Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School

Part time:                              5 mornings (8.30am – 12.30pm)

Start Date:                            from January 2013 (or as agreed)

Sir Robert Hitcham’s is a large and vibrant CEVA Primary School within the heart of the community of Framlingham.   We are looking to appoint a motivated and inspirational nursery teacher with a good understanding of Early Years, who is willing and able to work as part of our Foundation Team.  In addition you should be passionate about children’s learning, have high expectations and be supportive of the Christian ethos of the school.

Visits to the school are encouraged; please contact the school, or find out more about us at www.roberthitchams.ik.org

 01728 723354 or email admin@hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk.

Interviews will be held week commencing  10 December 2012

Completed forms should be returned to the school.

School Direct Salaried Vacancy/Vacancies

Sir Robert Hitcham CEVAP School, in partnership with Suffolk & Norfolk Initial Teacher Training (SNITT), is offering primary phase School Direct Salaried training places in the following key stages:

·         Early Years/Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 1/Key Stage 2

School Direct Salaried offers:

·         High quality teacher training – awarded Good with Outstanding (2 :1) at the last Ofsted Inspection

·         A salary while you train

·         A blend of teaching experience in schools informed by high quality centre-based training

·         Training by experienced classroom practitioners

·         Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Masters level credits (up to 60)

·         The opportunity to excel in teaching – last year 64% of our trainees graduated with a grade of ‘Outstanding’

·         Very good employment prospects at the end of training

If you do have any questions about this or any other matter related to School Direct Salaried vacancies, please visit www.snitt.co.uk in the first instance.