Friday 26 July 2013

Mrs Armstrong leaves SRH after 27 years

Mrs Gillian Armstrong playing the piano near the end of 27 years as a teacher at SRH.

A special assembly was held in her honor at the end of term.

The school singing club sang as did the year 6 children - a specially written sang for her.

Some year children also read out a specially written poem:
Mrs Armstrong
She has taught us for so long
Helping us with the plays
Yet she sadly can not stay
She's helped us with grammar and more
In RE telling us of Jesus helping the poor
In the lesson of music too
She has taught us rhythm by tapping her shoe
With her we made camboxes in DT
Things we could never imagine in year three
Singing assemblies - they were so fun
We sing till the school day is done
We hope you have enjoyed your time at school
Everyone will miss you one and all

Mrs Armstrong developed a tradition for singing at SRH.
As part of the year 6 leavers' service she presented a cup to the pupil who has shown most talent for singing. The first winner was Lucas Evans - a member of the Benjamin Britten choir who took part in a series of concerts around England and Europe this year.
You can see Lucas singing (at the leavers' service) below.






Wednesday 24 July 2013

Leavers 2013 - Highlights of the year

Watch these videos for highlights from a   great  year.
The Autumn Term.....

Spring term .....


.Summer Term .....



Friday 19 July 2013

Dinner Money Refunds & Lost Property

DINNER MONEY
We would like to notify parents that as there is no increase to school meal prices in the Autumn we are carrying over any dinner money to the Autumn term.  Those children in year 6 and any other leavers will have recieved  refunds today, if they have over-paid this term.

LOST PROPERTY
We have a large bag full of un-named uniform at the school office.
If, over the summer, you find that you are missing any items please claim them at the start of term.  Any unclaimed items will be given to the charity shop within 2 weeks of the start of term. 

End of year letters from Mrs Picton and Reverend Owen

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                                                          
There is a definite feel of holiday time approaching due to the temperatures we’ve been experiencing as I write this to you all.

Taking a moment to reflect upon this academic year I marvel at everything our children have achieved.  Every child should be very proud of their individual contribution to school life.   Some have achieved amazing academic success and some have achieved wonderful creative, musical, sporting or social success.

Our recent Ofsted inspection recognised the hard work which everyone connected with our school puts in to make a very successful place of learning.  Whilst recognising our high standards they also referred to, amongst other areas, the good relations with the local community which we value so much.

Throughout the year the Governors, Staff and Senior Leaders have listened to parental suggestions and where feasible have acted on them to improve the educational opportunities for all children: the use of Framlingham College to extend our swimming facilities has been very positive; visits to Framlingham Castle as a focus for learning for many of the children; the development of the community garden; the increase in clubs for younger children has opened up more opportunities for them to extend their learning; themed days and weeks such as ‘Book week’, ‘Chick Time’, ‘Respect Week’ and Charity Day give children experiences and challenges in addition to the academic.

I believe that the continued success of Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School lies with all who are a part of the school family.  It lies with the determination by everyone that each child will receive the very best education we are able to provide and we do this in partnership with families, staff, Governors and the wider community.

I would like to thank the Friends Committee for their ongoing support, the amazing team of volunteers who continue to be selfless in their giving of time, the staff for their dedication and care and the Governors for their constant support.  Particular thanks must be given to Mrs Armstrong who leaves our school after 27 years of service to our families.  We know that we will miss her but I wish her every success in her new role within her Church.  I would like to especially thank Rev. Graham Owen our Chair of Governors, Pastor and friend for his strength, wisdom and sheer determination to make our school the best of all Christian places of learning.  We will miss him but wish him well in his retirement.

Finally, I will end this letter as I have begun it, with a thank you to the children of whom I am so proud and I wish you all a very restful and enjoyable summer break.

Mrs H Picton, Headteacher

Please see below for a message from Revd Graham Owen, our departing Chair of Governors.

Dear pupils, parents and staff
I took over from Revd Mike Vipond as Chair of Governors of your school almost ten years ago and this has been one of the most satisfying parts of my ministry in Framlingham.
I just love it, seeing the young children thrive at Sir Robert Hitcham’s, and also being there to support the teachers and the Head.
We have seen off 2 sets of Ofsted inspectors!
Working with our dedicated bunch of Governors has been a wonderful experience.  Everybody contributes to the smooth running of the school using their own particular strengths.
We have challenging times ahead but I have huge confidence in my fellow Governors that Sir Robert Hitcham’s will go from strength to strength.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to all the staff - teachers and teaching assistants, the admin team, the kitchen and dinner ladies, cleaners and all the volunteers in making Sir Robert Hitcham’s such a learning, caring & inspiring place.
I shall miss it very much, 
Best wishes, Graham Owen.

Highlights from Year 6 Camp - Whitwell



















Wednesday 17 July 2013

Year 6 Leavers - Book Donations to the School


We are very grateful to all the Year 6 families who have kindly donated books to the school library as a 'Thank you' for their child's time at Sir Robert Hitcham's as they leave us to move up to High School.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Newsletter 48

LEAVERS’ SERVICE – Thursday 18 July 9.30am
The Leavers’ Service will be held at St Michael’s Church on Thursday 18 July in the morning at 9.30am.  Year 6 parents are warmly welcomed to this event.  Pupils in classes DB, GA/VR, NS and EM will attend plus any other younger siblings of Year 6 children.

YEAR 6 LEAVERS’ DONATIONS
We would like to thank the parents of Year 6 leavers who have kindly donated books for the school or class libraries.  Bookplates have been placed in all the new books and they will be on display outside the hall until the end of the week. (We are still waiting delivery on a few.)
FRIENDS END OF TERM CAKE STALL – Friday 19 July 3pm
Classes CH & KM will be baking for this cake stall on Friday in the Playground.  Please remember to bring in some pocket money to buy an end of term sweet treat!

PARENT DONATIONS FOR MRS ARMSTRONG
As Mrs Armstrong leaves the school after 27 years we are pleased to let parents know that the money contributed to her leaving collection from staff, ex-staff and parents will buy her a bicycle, this will be presented to her on Friday.

FAREWELL TO MRS ROMERO & MRS EVANS
We would like to say thank you and farewell to Mrs Romero (Year 6 teacher) and Mrs Evans (Year 4 TA) for their work at school this year, and wish them both well for the future.

House and Vice Captains have now been selected for 2013/14 by the pupils:
House

Captain
Vice Captain
Bulstrode
Boys
Ethan Whittingstall
Dylan Hirst
Girls
Grace Alvis
Maddie Clarke
Howard
Boys
Josh Gooderham
Joshua Harrowven
Girls
Beth Moodie
Charlotte Wood
Hitcham
Boys
Sam Chaplin
Harrison Rodwell
Girls
Ella Flintoff
Florrie Hulbert
Mills
Boys
Zac Brady
Theo Christie
Girls
Milly Skeggs
Georgie Cantrell


KS2 SATS RESULTS                      Grammar, Punctuation
KS2                                             Reading          & Spelling        Maths                                               
Level 4 and above                         84%                68%             86%
Level 5 and above                         38%                42%             32%      
Congratulations are due to all the children concerned, and of course, to the teachers too. 
Level 4 is the ‘expected’ level that children should be working at, at the end of KS2.

WRITING COMPETITION
Well done to all of KS2 who took part in the annual writing competition.  The standard was very high and Mr Vaughan enjoyed reading all the stories that were submitted to him.
Joint 1st came Mills and Hitcham, 2nd was Bulstrode and 3rd Howard.  The overall winner was Ruby Bolton, 2nd was Florrie Hulbert and 3rd Lily Constanti – well done!

BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH – Wednesday 4 September
Eats catering are providing a special lunch on the first day of term; Sizzling Sausages, Curly Fries, Macaroni Cheese, Baked Beans, Garlic Bread, Sweetcorn, followed by Chocolate Crunch and Chocolate custard.  Remember to pay for your lunches on the first day back.

 HALF-TERMLY DINNER PAYMENT – FOR SEPTEMBER
DINNER MONEY (whether paid weekly or half-termly) should be paid on a MONDAY.
ALL HALF-TERMLY PAYMENTS ARE TO BE MADE BY THE FIRST MONDAY FOLLOWING THE START OF EACH HALF TERM.
DINNER MONEY COSTS FOR AUTUMN 1st HALF TERM (4 September - 28 October):
The cost for lunch every day (38 days) will be = £83.60
Weekly: 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.   ALL DINNER MONEY SHOULD BE HANDED
TO THE CLASS TEADCHER  IN AN ENVELOPE THAT STATES: 
Child’s Name + Child’s Class + which days dinner money is for.
DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT IS MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, PLEASE.

SUMMER ART COMPETITION – DESIGN OUR SCHOOL CARD
We would like to have a school ‘Thank you’ card that can be used to send to those who help or contribute to school life.  We would like the design to reflect our school in whichever way you would like.  The picture must be no bigger than A5 size (half an A4 sheet of paper)
You should include our school logo and the words ‘learning   caring   inspiring’ somewhere in your design.  The name of our school will be printed on the back so there is no need to write this on the front.  You could draw one single scene or a series of pictures that depict life at Sir Robert Hitcham’s. 
Your design should be handed in at the office by Friday 13 September for judging.

FIRST WEEK BACK
On the Wednesday, Thursday & Friday of the first week back, parents are welcome to come in to see their child’s new classroom at the end of the school day.

CYCLE TRAINING HELPERS
If you can help on any of these Thursday afternoons from 1.45-3pm: 19 & 26 Sept & 10, 17 & 24 October,  then please let the office know.  Thank you.

GYM CLUB – Premier Sport
As of 29th July 2013 all courses will be on their website so you can secure a place on-line.
Visit www.premiersport.org to book or call 01473 427010 for more information.
If you cannot pay on-line please email suffolk@premiersport.org  and they will send you a booking form. They will be handing out leaflets as normal in September, but it will be too late to book on-line when these go out, (Please note: it is cheaper to book on-line).

The last day of term is this Friday, 19 July, the children return to school on Wednesday 4 September. 
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and relaxing


FILM NIGHT – WRECK IT RALPH
The Friends would like to apologise that they were not able to run Wreck-It Ralph on Friday due to the equipment failure. Thank you to Mrs Hopkins, Mrs Cann and various parents for their perseverance with trying to get the equipment to work.  
Thank you to those parents who said that they do not want a refund for the film tickets.
If you would like a refund for the film tickets, please complete the slip below and return it to the office BY Thursday 18th July so that we can arrange for money to be returned to you on Friday via the book bags.
 I would like a refund for ....... single tickets and/ or ...... family tickets . Total £_____

Name of oldest child______________________________    Class________

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Newsletter 47


‘Introduction to New Class and Teacher’ Session reminder dates
To be held in the NEW CLASSROOM LOCATION and should only last 15 minutes:
Tuesday 9 July                 2:40-3:00pm  JC         (year 2)
                                         3:10-3:30pm   CA       (year 1)
Wednesday 10 July          2:40-3:00pm  KV       (year 3)
Thursday 11 July               2:40-3:00pm  NS       (year 4/5)
                                         3:10-3:30pm   EM       (year 5)
                                         3:30-3:50pm   PL/DD (year 4)
Monday 15 July                2:40-3:00pm  DB       (year 6)
                                         3:10-3:30pm   PA/SB             (year 6)
Tuesday 16 July                3.10-3:30pm   RV       (year 3/4)

PARENT GOVERNOR VOTE
The Chair of Governors, Revd Graham Owen, would like to advise parents of the outcome of the recent vote for the new Parent Governor position, that closed on 2 July.
The votes were counted by an independent witness and the results were:
Mr Rufus Owen                      69 votes
Mrs Marie-Therese Walker     58 votes
Therefore Mr Owen becomes the new Parent Governor and will take up his post at the start of next term. Revd Owen thanks both candidates for standing, and also thanks all the parents who took the time to vote. This was the largest response we have had for a parent governor election and shows great involvement and enthusiasm by parents. Thank you!

SUFFOLK UNDER 11 SWIMMING SUCCESS
A fantastic result for 8 of our Year 6 pupils who were awarded the silver medal at the County Swimming Finals in Bury St Edmunds on Friday.  Congratulations go to Eddie Baker, Sam Bell, Oli Frost, Harvey Fuller, Keisha Hilaire, Phoebe Nettleingham, Saranna Parlone and Isabel Speer. 

GUITAR FOR SEPTEMBER
All pupils who returned the form to start/continue with Guitar in September have been successful.  If you wish to check then please see the list at the office.

BLUE GATES MUST BE KEPT SHUT
Please can we remind everyone that the blue gates (on the drive & pedestrian path) MUST BE SHUT during school hours; if you see them open, please help by closing them.  Thank you.

CLUBS IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS OF TERM
THIS WEEK - there will be NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS EXCEPT for Tennis (Tuesday) Holy Horrors (Wednesday) and Gym (Friday), due to after school teacher meetings with parents.
NEXT WEEK - there will be NO LUNCHTIME CLUBS EXCEPT for Year 2 French (Monday) & NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS EXCEPT for Gardening (Monday) & Tennis (Tuesday).