Theft of the Thomas Mills Diamond

All of the year 6 children spent a really interesting day up at the High school. They got to play the roles of a detective and a forensic scientist. Everybody enjoyed the day and the opportunity to meet some of the High school teachers and use the facilities. The new science lab was particularly exciting.
We are grateful to Miss Hanner and Mrs Hart for their hard work and enthusiasm. Our year 6 children are really looking forward to joining Thomas Mills High School in September.

Teacher of the Year Awards

Our very own Mrs Caroloine Hopkins has been nominated for Primary School teacher of the year - a prestigious national award.
She had no idea she had been nominated and was shocked when Mrs Elphick presented her certificate in assembly.

EURO 2008

Many of you are enjoying watching the Euro 2008 Football Tournament.

If you have 'excel' on your home computer - you can download your own interactive results chart from the link below.

Download Chart

Limericks by Year 5

Mr Brook's year 5 English group have been writing their own limericks based on body parts and local villages. A limerick is a silly poem with five lines. They are often funny or nonsensical. However, writing a good limerick is harder than it seems. The hardest part is getting the last line to pull the poem together. A bit like the punch line to a joke.
Here are some of their examples.

My brother had curly blonde hair
Which was quite thin and very fair
He liked having buns
And had lots of fun
Infact he looked just like a bear

Emelia

There once was a boy with a nose,
It was so long it reached his toes,
One day when he sneezed,
The almighty breeze,
Caused the surrounding shops to close!

Lucy

There was a boy with small ears,
He had lots of really weird fears,
He shouted a lot,
He was scared of pots,
That made him end up in tears!

There was a boy with a big nose,
He liked to do dances and pose,
He liked to jump high,
Right up to the sky,
He did all that stuffon his toes!

Molly

There was a man with one leg
He picked his nose with a peg
He was not afraid
He loved the arcade
He had a sister called Meg

William

My family live in Fram
With two horses and a lamb
Our house is quite old
It gets a bit cold
I'd rather go back to my pram

Charlotte

If you would like to write your own limerick you need to follow these guidelines:

The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically7, 8 or 9).
The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 5 or 6).
Limericks often start with the line "There once was a..." or "There was a..."

The Missing Link

A small travelling theatre group called Quantum Theatre put on a show for the whole school. As you can see from some of the pictures - some of the children got the chance to join in with the play.

Click on the link to go to their website.

'Gerbil' Jones, the fearless adventurer, and his niece, the plucky Georgie Lionheart set off for the jungle to find a mysterious creature. But why do Sir Jasper Queerfish and Lady Augusta Windpipe want to come along? And what did 'Gerbil' see in the bushes? All is finally revealed in The Missing Link. Based on Attainment Target 2 of the National Curriculum for Science, The Missing Link is a rollicking good jungle adventure!A pith-helmet musical comedy with mystery, mayhem and scientific discovery.

All photographs taken by year 6 pupil Izzy Larter

Framlingham Church Organ

Our year 6 children went up to St. Michael's church in Framlingham to see a demonstration of the ancient & historic pipe organ.
Simon Pulham (maker of pipe organs) and Malcolm Russell (organist) used some very clever technology to show us how the organ works.
A video camera was connected from the organ down to a sreen at the front of the church so that we could see what Mr Russell was doing high up on the organ.

Mr Russel also played some very famous organ music by Bach.
There is a short video clip below.

The organ arrived in Framlingham 300 years ago from Pembroke College, Cambridge.
There are a series of concerts this year to celebrate the 300 year anniversary.
7th June, 13th July, 14th September and 16th November.
To book tickets contact Malcolm Russel on 01728 724456 or by email
mandjrussell@btinternet.com

Malcolm also runs an academy for budding organists. Any young pianist interested in learning to play a pipe organ should contact Malcolm for details. He is running an open session on Saturday 14th June 10.00 - 12.00am.

Whistle Down The Wind

The Angel Players are a local dramatic group based at the Leiston Film Theatre.

Several of our pupils take part in their productions.

They are putting on a production of 'Whistle Down The Wind' next weekend staring Katie from year 5, Jake from year 6 and his sister Mollie in year 3.

12th, 13th and 14th of June

See the links below for more details.

Angel Players Website

Leiston Film Theatre website

Tickets are still available. See Denise Wadell at school in interested.

Friends Summer Sports Event

See links below to Sports club websites

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR

Due to changes in the constitution of the Governing Body, there is one place for a Parent Governor available for election to the Governing Body. I am therefore writing to give you details of the arrangements for nominations and voting for new Parent Governors.

Mr Robin Brooks has served as the Parent Governor on the Governing Body of the school since September 2004. Mr Brooks term of office will end this term, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Brooks for all his work.

We have one vacancy to take office from 1 September 2008. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE NOMINATION FORM on which four parents who have children at the school can jointly nominate another parent for election as a Parent Governor. No parent may nominate more candidates than there are vacancies. It is necessary for a parent Governor to have a child at the school at the time he or she is elected. Certain people are disqualified from being Governors and these are described below.
Completed nomination forms must be returned to school by Friday 13 June 2008.
There is space on the nomination form for a statement of not more than 50 words by the person nominated in which they can give such details as they wish about themselves and their views. This statement would then be included on the voting paper.

The term of office is for four years whether or not the child of the elected parent remains at the school for the whole of this period. A Parent Governor elected now will hold office until 31 August 2012 and, like other Governors, will be eligible for re-election.

We would like parents to play as full a part as possible in your children’s education and, therefore, it is hoped that you will use your vote in this election.

Yours sincerely
Revd G Owen
Chair of Governors

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR
DISQUALIFICATION FROM MEMBERSHIP

1 No person under 18 years of age shall be appointed/elected as a Governor.
2 A person may not serve as a Governor of more than two schools.
3 A person is disqualified from membership if he has been convicted in the last five years of any offence and has had passed on him a sentence of not less than three months imprisonment without the option of a fine.
4 A person is disqualified if he has been convicted within the last twenty years of any offence resulting in a sentence of imprisonment for a period of more than two and a half years.
5 A person is disqualified if he has been convicted at any time of any offence resulting in a sentence of imprisonment for a period of five years or more.
6 A person is disqualified if he has been convicted of an offence under Section 40 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions (Act) 1982) (as amended) which concerns committing a nuisance and disturbance on educational premises, if the offence took place on the premises of the school of which he is, or wishes to become, a Governor.
7 A person is disqualified from holding or continuing to hold office as a Governor of a school if he has been adjudged bankrupt or made a composition or arrangement with his creditors. The disqualification remains in force for three years from the date on which the terms of the deed of composition or arrangement are fulfilled unless the debts are paid in full, in which case the disqualification ceases on the date the payment is completed.

Prickles in Belguim!

On Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th me and prickles just did a bit of chilling out as we had a long week ahead of us. On monday we set off towards Belguim at 5:00 am and caught a ferry from Dover to Calais (it's like France's Dover) and drove for 20 minutes to Belguim. But on our hectic journey we crossed the borders of Holland then back to Belguim! As we arrived, we went to 'check in' and then went straight to our chalet. Me and Prickles went down to our private-ish beach. On Tuesday although I went swimming, Prickles had another day of relaxation. On Wednesday Me and Prickles didn't spend much time together as I had an activity in the afternoon, but while I was gone, according to Prickles, he went for a dip in the lake (in the pictures). On Thursday I was busy, busy, busy all day but thankfully we had Prickles to help us with the packing. On Friday we had to be out by 10:00 am, but our ferry didn't leave untill 9:45 pm! When we finally did get home we went straight to sleep. Me and Prickles didn't do much over the weekend but we went to Haven on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Now Prickles is back safe and sound at the school, but for how long???

by Freddy Legg year 4

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (42)

SWIMMING HELPERS
The pool is up and running and we had hoped all the children would have their first dip in the pool this week, but unfortunately due to lack of helpers some classes will not be able to swim.
To ensure the children get their chance to swim we desperately need helpers. If your child/children’s class have enough help, would you mind helping in another? It does not matter if you cannot help every week – occasional help would be appreciated. Each teacher is arranging their own timetable so if you can spare 1, 2 or 3 hours please speak with the following teachers where help is still needed:
Monday in DD, CA; Tuesday in JC, NF, EM; Wednesday in KS, Thursday in JC, EM,CA and Fridays in CH.
If you do offer help please try to keep to the committed time, or find a replacement, or let the teacher know in plenty of time. Thank you.

FRIENDS ‘FAMILY FUN & SPORTS EVENING’ – Friday 13 June
Just a reminder about this event, which was a great success last year, we would really recommend you and your family try it. Letters regarding advance ticket sales have already been handed out – but we do have a few spares at the office.

PHOTOGRAPHS – Monday 16 June and Wednesday 18 June
On Monday 16 June Van Cols will be coming to take class, sports teams and Year 6 photos. Please can you ensure that the children have their sweatshirts with them for the photograph even if it’s a hot day. Also could children in sports teams ensure they have their PE kit in school and relevant footwear e.g. football boots, trainers etc. On the Wednesday of the same week we are having a whole school panoramic photo taken, again please can all pupils remember their sweatshirts Thank you.

CORNELIUS and JONES PRODUCTIONS – Tuesday 17 June
A production of The Odyssey is to take place during the afternoon of Tuesday 17 June (Nursery will NOT be attending). This is a delightful retelling of the classic tale, full of visual and storytelling delights. It follows the adventure of Odysseus on his journey home after his victory at Troy. The show is performed with puppets and masks and features a huge Trojan horse.
The cost of this production is £305 therefore we would ask for a voluntary donation of £1.00 per child. According to the Governors’ Policy of Charges and Remissions for School Activities parents who are in receipt of: (a) Income Support; (b) Income Based Job Seekers Allowance; (c) Child Tax Credit and do not receive Working Tax Credit and who have an annual taxable income of less than £15,575; (d) Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or (e) a guaranteed element of State Pension Credit do not need to pay for this event. Nor will they be expected to make a voluntary contribution of money unless they wish to do so. Teachers will deal with the collection of money in the same sensitive way that operates for those children who receive free school meals.
Please complete the form below and return it to the class teacher by Friday 13 June.
Download Form

MUSIC CONCERT AND FRIENDS AGM – Tuesday 17 June 6-8pm
Miss Hitchcock will shortly be auditioning many of our talented pupils who wish to take part in the Music Concert. The Friends will be holding their AGM in the interval, so with many parents attending the concert we hope that some of you will be inspired to join the Friends. They do a tremendous job organising wonderful events throughout the year, which raise much-needed funds to purchase equipment for your children that we would otherwise be unable to. There are committee members who are stepping down this year, so there will be vacancies for any parents who would like to support the school in this way, have fun, and make friends in the process.

NON PUPIL DAY
Please note: There is a non-pupil day on Friday 20 June.

SPECIAL ASSEMBLY BY MR AND MRS TRYTHALL– Monday 30 June
We are delighted to invite any interested parents to an assembly to be held by Mr and Mrs Trythall on Monday 30 June at 2.30pm. I am sure there are many of you who would like to hear about the work they have been doing in India over the last year. If you would like to come, please let the office know so that we can have an idea of numbers.

LEGO AND PUZZLE DONATIONS FOR INDIA
Mr Trythall has asked for any donations of Lego and (good quality) puzzles that he can take back to India with him. If you have any of these unwanted items, please bring them to the school office before 30 June. Thank you.

FREE COURSE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN 3-8 YEARS
SCC are running a free 5 week course to help improve relationships and deal with children’s challenging behaviour. It starts Monday 16 June (7.15-9.00pm) at Wickham Market Resource Centre.
Contact 01728 403109 for details or see the poster on Parents’ noticeboard.

We have immediate vacancies for:
CLEANER
Wednesdays after school - 2 Hours (timings negotiable)
Pay £6.00 per hour

TEMPORARY LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR (NURSERY)
Mondays until end of Summer term, from 11.30am to 1.05pm
Pay: £4.9697 per hour plus 8.33% holiday pay = £5.38 per hour

We also have vacancies for:
RELIEF CLEANER
2 hours per session on an occasional basis when the need arises to cover regular staff
Pay £6.00 per hour

RELIEF LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR
Hours: 11.45am to 1.05pm on an occasional basis when the need arises to cover regular staff
Pay: £4.9697 per hour plus 8.33% holiday pay = £5.38 per hour

For further information please contact the school office (01728 723354)

Springwatch

Every evening on BBC2 you can watch the a program called Springwatch.

It is presented by Bill Oddie and Kate Humble and features all sorts of animals being monitored by hidden cameras.














See BBC Springwatch website











The BBC camera crew recently spent 3 days filming in Badingham next to Mr Brook's house. They were filming barn owls with the 2 boys who live next door to Mr Brook. Ryan and Paul are keen wildlife photographers and have been watching the barn owls that live in a nearby tree.











Mr Brook put a bird box in his garden and this year some blue tits made a nest inside. The chicks have making a lot of noise over recent weeks as their parents have been feeding them. Yesterday the chicks fledged - flew for the first time.















At Robert Hitcham's there are several birds nests. This morning a blackbird chick left its nest and stood for a while on a table in the Gilder garden.

Miss Ashberry's class have had some tadpoles in their classroom. One of them has just turned into a little frog - see below.

Grandparents to Lunch

As part of our Healthy Schools initative we have invited Grandparents to join their grandchildren for lunch this week. We have had over 30 grandparents for lunch each day. This has created a lovely atmosphere in the dining room and kept our school kitchen very busy.