Wednesday 23 July 2014

End of Term Letter from Mrs Picton


Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had another very busy and successful year in school and, as we approach the end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help, support and interest.
Academically our already high standards in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are even higher this year due to the inspiring staff and amazing children we have at SRH. We are so proud of the way the children approach their learning and are grateful for all your support in helping us to ensure that your child achieves their very best.
Our successes other than academic this year are breath-taking.  Our sporting achievements have seen numerous medals being won by both girls and boys - 32 medals in just one day! The children have excelled at cricket, football, cross country and hockey to mention a few.  Musically the children have performed for many audiences both in school and in the wider community.  Our orchestra even managed to set up a ‘flashmob’ in school.  Artistically and dramatically the children have entered a number of competitions, ‘built’ a combine harvester, made ‘copies’ of the Masters, performed in front of parents and members of the local community in a range of forms from class assemblies to the acclaimed and outstanding performance of the Year 6 version of ‘Aladdin’.  The children all contribute to the success of our school each in their own way.
I have been particularly pleased with the way the new classroom set up has worked this year.  The school now has a good flow with the younger children all being on the lower corridor.  Resources are now more accessible for all children and this makes them more independent.  Alongside this, the new arrangements for the ‘drop off and pick up’ times have been very successful.  Children are more settled in the mornings coming in to school and the afternoon collection of children from school is calmer.  I am grateful for the Parent Council support in the implementation of these changes.
Our clubs also have seen huge successes this year.  We have a record number of children attending clubs and a record number of clubs throughout the year.  This year we have added fencing to the list and Premier Sports has run a ‘Start Active’ breakfast club which has also proved popular.
The Parent Council have been active in bringing thoughts and ideas from you to the school and I thank them for their contribution this year. One such idea of a Second Hand Uniform sale was followed through and now will become a fixture at certain times during the school year. In September each family will receive a copy of the new ‘Parent Handbook’ written for parents by the Parent Council.  Please keep sharing your ideas with the Council.
Our children are fortunate to have the involvement of the whole community in their learning. Organisations and individual links with the school are vital in ensuring that the children are active in their learning and so have fun!  We have worked with Charsfield and Dennington Primary schools this year to develop, amongst other things, ICT for our gifted children and we even took part in a Photography Day! Our High School, Thomas Mills, continues to support us with opportunities for Transition work and Framlingham College have been generous in their language, swimming and drama resources.
We are very grateful for the support which comes from parents, carers, our brilliant and generous team of volunteers, with a special mention for Mrs Walker for managing all the uniform orders, the Friends Committee and all those who work with them to make events successful, and other members of our wider community.  Our recent Hitcham’s Hundreds fundraising event demonstrated how supported the school is and your generosity has enabled us to purchase replacement Visualisers as well as class cameras for recording children’s achievements and some computer tablets for class use.
However, none of this would happen if it wasn’t for the gifted group of staff and Governors who give selflessly of their time and energies in creating the opportunities for your children to achieve their potential.  I am so proud and humbled to be a part of such a team.
Finally, I would like to thank the children who give so much of themselves to ensure that Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School is the best primary School it can be.
I wish you all a very happy and restful summer break.
Mrs H Picton
Headteacher

Monday 21 July 2014

Newsletter 46


HALF-TERMLY DINNER PAYMENT - SEPT
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 - 23 October)  (*note there is a Non-Pupil Day on Fri 24 October)
The cost for lunch every day (36 days) will be = £79.20
Weekly: 5 days £11.00   4 days £8.80    3 days £6.60   2 days £4.40   1 day £2.20
DON’T FORGET IF YOUR CHILD IS YEAR 2 OR BELOW THEY GET FREE MEALS
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 8 SEPTEMBER, PLEASE.

DINNER MONEY CARRYOVER
As there is no increase to school meal prices in the Autumn we are carrying over any Y3/4/5 dinner money overpayments. Refunds will be done Wednesday for Foundation,  KS1 & Year 6.

BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH – Thursday 4 September
Eats catering menu on the first day will be as per the menu but with Roast Beef not Pork.

FIRST WEEK BACK – Thursday 4 September
On the 2 days of the first week back there will be no clubs and no music lessons.
Some after-school clubs may start in the second week back, but not every club, so please look out for the clubs list that will come out at start of term. There will be NO lunchtime clubs for a few weeks, until the impact of increase in school dinners has been assessed.

CIRCUS AT SCHOOL - WEEK OF 8 SEPTEMBER
We are very excited to announce that we will be having Circus Ferrel here for the week of 8 September.  We will be sending out detailed information at the start of term, the children will be taking part in workshops during the week and circus performances will be on Weds 10th at 4pm, Friday 12th at 6pm, Saturday 13th at 3pm and Sunday 14th at 2pm – to which friends and families can buy tickets.  We will be sending out ticket application forms on the first day back.
This is a wonderful and exciting experience for the children and families.

House and Vice Captains have now been voted for 2014/15 by the pupils:

House
Captain
Vice Captain
Bulstrode
Boys
Charlie Peacher
Richard Stevens
Girls
Olivia Lapage
Mabel Hill
Howard
Boys
Owen Tweed
Jack Keable
Girls
Daisy Chambers
Tabitha Borrett
Hitcham
Boys
Diego Dawson
Josh Tyrrell
Girls
Milly Stevens-McLennan
Corinna Russell
Mills
Boys
Oli Mayhew
Jacques Dommett
Girls
Ellen Pope
Charlotte Butler

LOST PROPERTY
Yet again we have bags full of UN-NAMED, UN-CLAIMED uniform.  If you are missing anything please ask at the office by Wednesday where you can search through the bags.
All unclaimed uniform will be sold at the next second-hand sale in the Autumn.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO NAME ALL UNIFORM BEFORE YOUR CHILD RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER.

FRIENDS DISCO & END OF SUMMER TERM CAKE STALL SUCCESS
The Friends are delighted to let parents know they raised £451 at the disco on Friday, which is brilliant. They also wish to thank everyone who baked for and supported the cake stall on Friday which has raised a whopping £140! Well done to CH & KM! A special thanks also go to all the mums who helped on the cake stall - it was great to have so much support.

Sainsburys Active Kids Vouchers
Thank you to everyone that collected these for us.  We had 3717 vouchers, with which we have ordered cookery equipment – Pots and Pans Set, Digital Scales, Digital Timer, Muffin Tins and Cooling Trays.

HAIRBRUSHES
It has been brought to our attention that some girls are bringing in hairbrushes and playing ‘hairdresser’ at playtimes.  Please can we ask that girls do not do this, as we have such concern over the constant headlice problem we have in school.  Thank you.

With this letter please find a ‘Summer Holiday Design Project’ letter for all children, for the re-design of the School Front Entrance  (to be returned  to school by Monday 8 September)    
The last day of term is this Wednesday 23 July.
The children return to school on Thursday 4 September. 
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and relaxing Summer.

                  
Please see below for information from outside organizations FOR THE SUMMER …..
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE AT THE LIBRARY – MYTHICAL MAZE

The UK's biggest annual reading promotion for four to eleven-year olds

The Summer Reading Challenge is free and fun. It is designed to have maximum child appeal and is highly motivating. It is not a competition but a personal challenge within a particular time frame which offers reading inspiration and incentives to encourage children into libraries.

How the Challenge works:
~ Children sign up at their local library.
~ Children read six books of their choice over the summer holidays, collecting stickers and incentives along the way.
~ Library staff are on hand to advise and run family-friendly activities.
~ Children who complete the Challenge are presented with a certificate and medal.

Debenham Sports and Leisure have some great offers on this summer holidays, with £2 court hire for juniors for up to 2 hours, use your court to play; badminton, short tennis or join up two courts for a great indoor football pitch or basketball court!!  Table tennis available too! See our full junior court offers leaflet for more details or call 01728 861101 to book a court.
Our activities are available for all, please pre book your session before attending as spaces are limited. For more information please contact them in the office  on 01728 861101

Friday 18 July 2014

Outdoor Music Assembly

We managed to find some shade on the back playground for a relaxed musical assembly on a lovely summer day.

Some of the year 6 children performed items from the camp show.


The school singing club sang 'Rise and shine'.


End of Year Art from Year 6

Some year 6 children have done some final pieces of art (before leaving SRH) - based on an inspirational phrase.







CAKE STALL AFTER SCHOOL


Thursday 17 July 2014

Dentist in School - Classes KVNS, RV, PLDD & Year 4s in JA - Tuesday 22 July

ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION – TOOTH BRUSHING & DISCLOSING
Classes KVNS, RV, PLDD & Year 4s in JA 
As part of the Oral Health Education programme, the Oral Health Educator will be using disclosing tablets.  Disclosing tablets are a harmless dye which stains the plaque and makes it visible to the human eye.  Disclosing is an invaluable aid in teaching tooth brushing and the prevention of gum disease.  It is also a practical and enjoyable way to learn about oral health.
Please would you sign and return the slip your child has brought home this week, giving permission for your child to take part in this session.

PLEASE COULD YOU SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH THEIR TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE FOR THIS LESSON ON TUESDAY 22 JULY.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

More Photos from Year 6 Camp

These photos were taken by Mr Byer and Mrs Turner













The pictures below were from the torchlight Camp Show - which was brilliant.










Newsletter 45


CLUBS IN LAST WEEKS OF TERM
THIS WEEK w/c 14 July - there will be NO LUNCHTIME CLUBS & THE ONLY CLUBS RUNNING AFTER SCHOOL FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK WILL BE for Fencing (Monday), Reading (Tuesday), Orchestra (Thursday) and Gym (Friday).
This is the last week for County Music Service (Guitar, Brass, Flute & Clarinet)
FINAL 3 DAYS OF TERM w/c 21 July - NO LUNCHTIME CLUBS & THE ONLY CLUB RUNNING AFTER SCHOOL WILL BE for Fencing (Monday)

KS2 SATS RESULTS          Grammar, Punctuation
                                    Reading      & Spelling        Maths                             
Level 4 and above         98%             80%               96%                          
Level 5 and above         70%            60%               62%                          
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.
Level 5 is ‘above the expected’ level that children should be working at, at the end of KS2.

LEAVERS’ SERVICE – Tuesday 22 July 9.30am
The Leavers’ Service will be held at St Michael’s Church on Tuesday 22 July in the morning at 9.30am.  Year 6 parents are warmly welcomed to this event. 
Pupils in classes JA and EM will attend plus any other younger siblings of Year 6 children.

LAST DAY OF TERM TREAT FROM THE FRIENDS
The Friends want to celebrate the end of another great year with all the children and will be donating an Ice Pop to each child at the end of school on the last day of term.
‘Vouchers’ will be sent out in book bags on the Monday 21st July and if you have any dietary concerns or questions, please contact Rupert@thedurrants.com ASAP

CLASS PHOTOS
The photos went home yesterday (Monday) - if there are any problems please speak to the office before the end of term.

BEAR HUNT FUNDRAISING
The ‘Bring your Bear to school’ in aid of the Royal National Institiute for the Blind (RNIB) today was great fun.
We joined in a  live stream to school with the author of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest reading session of 1000 children in a recital of this picture book which celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Donations for the RNIB charity today totaled £82.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS….
The Friends have used some of their funds to purchase 2 new picnic tables for the year 6 courtyard. 
As well as this they have given all classes £50 towards art and craft materials to supplement their budgets for next year.
Find out more about what the Friends purchase for the school at their AGM on 8 October at 9am in the hall … more details nearer the time.

FRIENDS (NEARLY) END OF TERM CAKE STALL – Friday 18 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 a sweet treat!

ROAD SAFETY INCIDENT – VYCES ROAD
There was a worrying near miss on Vyces Road last Tuesday morning (where it joins College Road) a parent with a young child (KS1/Foundation) parked on the yellow lines on the opposite side to the crossing & let their child run across Vyces Road, unaccompanied, with no regard for a car approaching them who had to break to prevent an accident.
Parents must understand that it is their responsibility to get their child to the Crossing Patrol. 
The Crossing Patrol is there for College Road only and it is not physically possible for them to be responsible for Vyces Road too.
As a parent your vigilance for your child should not end just because you can see the crossing patrol from your car window.

HEADLICE AGAIN IN SCHOOL
Please can we ask parents to take time over the summer break to check thoroughly for headlice and take action where needed to clear any up.
We had 38 reported incidents this year, (in 39 weeks!)… let’s see if we can start the new year free of headlice!

Community Information:

FREE DRAMA TASTER SESSION - Thursday 17th July

Free Drama fun-and-games taster session for all children aged 5+.  Do come along and give it a go!  St. Michael's Rooms from 4pm - 5pm.
Contact Ali - 07867807144 / captivatedramafram@gmail.com

Monday 14 July 2014

Whitwell - Year 6 Camp 2014

Macrame


Boy's den

FOOD!

Baseball

Archery and lovely dog - Bertie




Stream dipping



Drink anybody


Foxes and Hounds


Painting


Camp diaries

Pottery

Tie dye t-shirts

Cooking own meal


Singing round the camp fire

Shopping in Wells


Holkham beach




Seal trip



Do you want a hand?



Happy birthday



Red group

Green group

Blue group