House Football MILLS v HOWARD

This was a very entertaining match between two closely matched teams. Mills took a 2-0 lead but Howard crucially pulled a goal back just before half time. The game really opened out in the second half. There were plenty of chances at both ends but Mills failed to score again whereas Howard scored 3 good goals.
Final score was 4-2 to Howard - giving them an early lead in this season's competition.

Opening of New Building

Yesterday afternoon was a wonderful one for the school. Lots of guests turned up to see the official opening of the new classrooms, the new ICT suite and the new staffroom.
It was also great to have the high school Samba Band there to add some excitement to the occasion.
The cake was made by one of our parents: Mrs Bewick.

Part Time Maths Teacher Vacancy

PERMANENT POST – TEACHER OF MATHS – PART TIME 0.65fte MPS

We wish to appoint for January 2009, an enthusiastic teacher to join our thriving, forward looking school, to teach maths to groups of children in KS1 and KS2. This is a part time post, based on 5 mornings teaching a week. At present there is no whole class responsibility.

We can offer
· A welcoming and fun team of colleagues
· Friendly and well motivated pupils
· A very well resourced school
· Effective training
· A supportive school community

Roll: 345
If you would like to find out more or visit the school, please contact Jenny Elphick the Headteacher
Application packs available from the school office on 01728 723354 or Fax 01728 724834 or
downloaded from these links:

• JOB DESCRIPTION
• JOB LETTER
• APPLICATION FORM
  
  Closing Date: 7 November 2008 Interview Date: 11 November 2008

SPORTS AWARD

We are delighted to tell you that Sir Robert Hitcham CEVAP School has just been awarded:
The Suffolk School Sports Partnerships
School of the Year 2008

The judging was based on the following criteria:
A School that provides a wide range of sporting opportunities and the chance to participate in high quality physical education and extra curricular Sport. The School must demonstrate continued commitment to school-club links and evident success.

Mr Brook's daughter Helen (former pupil of Sir Robert Hitcham's) also received an award for the coaching that she does with young hockey players in Suffolk.

The shortlist of candidates this year was
· Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham’s Primary School
· Leiston High School
· Debenham High School

Congratulations must go to ALL the teachers, parents, volunteers & pupils for all the efforts made to make sport in our school the success it is. Also thanks to Mrs Debenham for kindly nominating our school.

We attended a very grand Sports Awards Ceremony on Sunday along with 3 Suffolk Olympian Competitors and many sports teams and organisations from around Suffolk. We were delighted to be awarded a perpetual trophy, an engraved trophy to keep, £100 and a framed certificate.

We were very impressed to see our photo already in the EADT Monday morning Sports Insert.

You can also see pictures and reports on the BBC Suffolk website
Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (10)

EXCITING NEWS
I am delighted to inform parents that Mrs Spencer is expecting a baby.

MRS GREENACRE
I am very sad to say that Mrs Greenacre will be leaving us at the end of this term due to family commitments. I would like to thank her for all the hard work and dedication she has put in in her role as part time Maths teacher, we will miss her and wish her well. We are advertising this post, but if you know of anyone who may be interested in this role for 5 mornings each week, application forms can be obtained from the school office. If you would like to contribute to a leaving gift this can be given in at the office.

CROSSING COLLEGE ROADPlease can we ask that parents keep their children WITH them while crossing College Road. On occasions small children have arrived to cross the road unaccompanied because they have run ahead of their parents. Mrs Bone is only responsible for crossing them over the road; she really cannot be caring for them while the parents catch up. Thank you.

MARIE CURIE MINI POTS OF CARE
Thank you to those of you who have returned the sponsorship envelopes, for those of you who still have them, please can we remind you to return them if you wish to do so.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CARDSAgain please can we remind parents to either return the unwanted cards or the money (£5 per pack of 8) to the school office before the end of half term. Thank you.

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
On Tuesday 18 November photos of all individual children and family groups will be taken. This year we are trying more informal shots of the individual children, you will receive a proof sheet with a choice of 3 poses for purchase. 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 as in previous years), please come to the hall at 8.30am.

THE GIVING MACHINE
The Friends recently distributed leaflets 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.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE SCHOOL BLOG RECENTLY?
The Blog is updated frequently by the school with reports and information about activities, sporting events and much more - www.hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk, and click on the ‘BLOG’

Friends Quiz Night

21 family teams took part in our Friends Association Quiz. The hit-tech quiz (put together by Mr Brook and his daughter Amy) involved Interactive Voting - like in 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'. Some of the rounds had video clips and photographs.

It was an enjoyable evening which raised lots of money for the friends association. The Quiz was won by the Orrell Family - well done!

A huge amount of hard work was put in to organising the event by members of the friends such as Mrs Debenham, Miller, Gooch, Harold, Beal, Smith and Whiteley. They all do a huge amount for the school - Thank you very much!

District Football Tournament

The Annual District Football tournament was held last Friday at Fressingfield. 12 teams took part from 10 schools (Framlingham and Debenham ham A & B teams).
The teams were divided into 2 groups of 6 - all had to play each other.
Our B team drew 3 matches. With more composure in front of goal thay could have won those games. They then lost 1-0 to Debenham's A Team - a great performance. They also lost 3-2 to Mellis - another good effort.
Our A team (defending champions from last year) easily won their group with 4 wins from their 5 games. This meant that they progressed to the semi finals. Fram were drawn against Mellis. This proved to be the most exciting game of the tournament. Fram came from 1-0 down and 2-1 down to force extra time. Neither team could score in extra time but the rules said that a tie would be decided by the number of corners. Fram dominated extra time with 5 corners to 0 so were awarded a place in the final against Debenham.
Our team was very tired (having had a very log semi final) and did not play with their usual energy in the final. Debenham took the lead just before half time. Fram equalised early in the second half but Debenham got a desrved winning goal to win the game 2-1. This was a fine performance by a young Fram team (half the team are in year 5) to finish as runners up.

What's my Angle?

Do you want to practice learning how to use a protractor?

Follow the link to this brilliant website.

One Christmas recording afternoon

On Sunday afternoon, over 80 of our KS2 children gathered in Debenham with another 250 children from local schools, to record the songs for the One Christmas project. It was a great afternoon of singing, recording and filming for the CD that will be available to buy at the end of November. Some children experienced filming in front of a green screen while others just enjoyed the singing and some filming outside. We managed to record 14 out of the 15 songs in just less than 4 hours, many being recorded in just one take. The children sang beautifully and we are now looking forward to the concert in Felixstowe on the 7th December.

Key Stage 2 Harvest Festival

Share Afternoon

Class DB hosted the first of our SHARE sessions. As part of Suffolk County Council Extended Schools Programme we have started to invite parents to spend time in school with their children. Two of our teaching assistants have been on a County course which looks at organising SHARE activities. Click on the logo to find out more.
This first session involved a year 6 class inviting their parents to join them for their Science & ICT afternoon.
The children have been looking at Forces this half term. During the SHARE afternoon the focus was on magnetism. A wide range of investigations were set up with the objectives of understanding that magnetism is a force and practical uses of magnetism.
We had 16 parents for our SHARE afternoon and felt that everybody learnt something about school and magnetism! Hopefully other classes will be able to enjoy similar SHARE sessions throughout the year.

School Football v Wickham Market

Robert Hitcham's played their second league game of the season at home against local rivals Wickham. Hitcham's played teir best football of the season so far and quickly raced into a 3-0 half time lead thanks to more goals from captain William. In the second half 5 more goals came from Charlie (twice) and Milo (twice) with William completing his hat trick. Special credit goes to man of the match George Johnson who was making his debut for the school team.
Final score Framlingham 8 Wickham 0.

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (9)

SUFFOLK SPORTS AWARDS
We have been nominated for the Suffolk Sports Awards in the School of the Year section. We have just been told that we have been shortlisted in the finalists and have been invited to the Suffolk Sports Awards evening in Ipswich in a few weeks time. At this ceremony there will be people who took part in the Olympics and Paralympics. There are various awards for individuals and groups. We are delighted to be shortlisted and will let you know what happens.

SAFETY
Our school is an ‘open’ site and I would like to remind parents the measures we have in place to improve the safety of the children during the time they are at lessons.
All fire exit doors from the school will be closed and therefore locked to anyone trying to get inside after 9.00am and before 3.00pm each day. Everyone will be able to get out, of course, in the event of fire.
We are aware that one of the two gates leading from the front playground is broken, and we are organising a replacement stronger gate. Gates MUST BOTH BE CLOSED from 9.00am to 3.00pm each day. Could we ask parents to be vigilant and ensure the gates are closed behind them as they leave after dropping children off in the mornings, or Nursery parents when collecting at 11.30am.
The front door and the door next to the hall will be the only doors with access to the school during lesson time. We would ask anyone who wishes to enter or leave the school to do so via these doors. This will include parents helpers, visitors etc.

GOLDEN DAY
Friday 17 October is our Activity Day, this year’s theme is ‘Golden’. The children will be doing assorted activities based around this theme.

QUIZ NIGHT
The Friends tell us that there are only 4 tables remaining for the Interactive Family Quiz on 17 October. The deadline for ordering tickets is this Wednesday.

STORYTELLER THEATRE – Monday 20 October
A production of Tales from the Gypsy Caravan is to take place during the morning of Monday 20 October Nursery will be attending). This is a multicultural experience with 3 tales from around the world – Africa, Slovakia and China, using music, song and traditional storytelling.
The cost of this production is £330 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 overleaf and return it to the class teacher by Thursday 16 October.

OPENING CEREMONY
We are having an official opening & dedication ceremony for the new class rooms and computer suite on Tuesday 21 October in the afternoon. The children will get to see the ‘ribbon’ being cut in front of an invited audience from the Diocese, community, press and the teams involved with the building.

MINI POTS OF CARE
Just a reminder about returning the sponsorship envelopes and money by 20 October. Thank you.

HALF TERM
Half term commences on Monday 27 October. There is NO non-pupil day before half term this year.

ONE CHRISTMAS
We have been advised that the children taking part in this project will be performing at the Felixstowe Pavillion on Sunday 7 December. More details will be given at the recording this Sunday.

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL
In previous years we have supported Samaritan’s Purse, however this year we have a local church contact who is taking a container personally out to children in Croatia. Each shoe box should be filled with around 10 items that cost no more than £15. We do not have specific leaflets for this, so please use the Samaritans Purse leaflet (and labels) which will help you with what items can go in the boxes.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO CUSTOMS REGULATIONS there are items that cannot be included – please read the leaflet. We cannot send the boxes if there is no £2.50 to cover the transport costs. So please only send in shoeboxes with the accompanying £2.50. Although the leaflet mentions the 1 to 18 November as the campaign dates – our final date will be FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER as the boxes are to be collected then. Extra leaflets are available from the school office.

HALLOWEEN AND GUY FAWKES NIGHT
Suffolk Police have asked us to remind young people to take care with basic safety procedures over the next few weeks:
If children wish to engage in “trick or treat” please can parents suggest they call only on their family or known friends and members of the community because elderly, or people living alone, can feel vulnerable to unwanted callers in the evening.
The DTI runs an annual safety campaign to promote the safe use of fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night. Information can be found on their website: www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks

BONFIRE LUNCH
SCC Caterings menu for Wednesday 5 November will consist of: Bangers and Mash, Cheddar Cheese Catherine Wheels, Bonfire Baked Beans, Popping Peas and Sizzling Sweetcorn. Dessert is Toffee Apple Tart and Cascading Custard.

DON’T FORGET
The cost of school meals after half term will rise to £1.90 a day, £9.50 a week.

WHOLE SCHOOL LETTER (8)

HARVEST FESTIVAL – FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER
Our services will take place on Friday 10 October in St Michael’s church. The services will include our usual harvest singing and prayers. These are Thanksgiving services in which classes have chosen items such as poems or songs to be presented by some of the children. All parents are welcome to attend. The KS1 and Foundation service will be 9.30–10.15am and the KS2 service at 10.30–11.30am.
Each child may bring in 1 or 2 small items to present for our Harvest collection. Any food donations will be passed on to the West Villa Homeless Families Unit in Ipswich and any money raised will go to the Soup Kitchen in Ipswich.

SCHOOL MEALS PRICE INCREASE
Please note that school meals for pupils will be increased by 10p from Monday 3 November 2008.
New Costs £1.90 per day £9.50 per 5 day week
Please make all lunch money cheques payable to ‘Suffolk County Council’.

WE ARE DESPERATE TO FILL THE FOLLOWING VACANCIES:
LUNCHTIME SUPERVISOR
Hours: WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS 12.00pm to 1.20pm
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

TRAVEL PLAN UPDATE
I am pleased to announce that our ‘Travel Plan’ submitted earlier this year, has been successfully approved by County who have awarded us a grant. This grant is to be used by the school to support the objectives laid out in the Travel Plan. These are as follows:

1. Make Children aware of and give them the skills required for Road Safety
• We are currently producing a Road Safety DVD specific to the difficult roads and junctions in Framlingham. Those parents who completed our Travel questionnaire last year identified these places of danger. With the support of the Road Safety Team at SCC we have been able to ensure that the children can be taught skills that are relevant to their daily life. We will use the DVD for in-class training for all year groups and we may make it available for purchase for home.
• In addition to the DVD we will be continuing with the physical ‘Traffic Trail’ - taking Year 1 – 4 year groups ‘out and about’ in Framlingham.
• We will be ensuring that Year 5 & 6 children all have the opportunity to do Cycle Training course by the time they move to High School.
• We will give Foundation children practical sessions in Pedestrian Behaviour.
• Year 6 children will have lessons on planning safer journeys and making safer choices.

2. Create a safer pedestrian environment for the large % of pupils who walk and provide additional safety where feasible in Framlingham and catchment area
• Many of you will have used the new footpath form the Elm’s Car Park to New Road. This was our first major success for the Travel Plan, following the identification of this issue by parents, we successfully put pressure on SCDC to make this area safer.
• We are dealing with SCC Highways regarding suggestions for safety improvements on College Road and New Road – but as expected decisions seem to move very slowly.

3. Encourage more parents and children to walk all year and promote the benefits of Walking/Cycling
• We are all well aware of the issues excessive road travel makes on our planet, from its impact on the environment to the cost implications of fuel.
• Health wise walking and cycling are some of the best and most cost effective ways to improve the health of our families. Walking to and from school gives parents opportunities to talk to their children and learn about their day.
• Wherever possible we would encourage families to walk to school.
• For those of you not within a safe walking distance of school how about considering car share arrangements with friends; travelling by bus; or parking on the outskirts and walking the rest of the way?
• Part of the grant is being considered for a shelter in the playground to protect parents and siblings in wet weather - to hopefully encourage more walkers.

OCTOBER IS INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH
If you can - why not try to walk to school more often?

CHAIRS FOR SALE
We have 5 light green upholstered chairs that are a bit grubby but sound (from our old staff room). If anyone would like any of these please pop to the office – we are suggesting a donation of about £5

MINI POTS OF CARE

As mentioned in last week’s letter, here is the information from Marie Curie Cancer Care about this fundraising scheme. Please find with this letter a planting pack and sponsorship envelope. Thank you

We are delighted to inform you that your child will be taking part in Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Mini Pots of Care, run in partnership with the Yellow Pages.

Mini Pots of Care is a fun and creative way for children aged 3 to 11 to learn how plants grow while helping people affected by cancer in their local community.

Your child will receive their very own daffodil bulb to take home to be planted over the next few weeks. Please encourage them to care for their growing shoot until it blossoms into a beautiful daffodil in the Spring.

Mini Pots of Care contributes to Key Stage 1 and 2 National Curriculum requirements for science.

As part of the planting activity, your child is bringing home an envelope to help raise money for Mary Curie Cancer Care. Money raised by your child will help provide more hours of home nursing for people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. The activity also saves our valuable resources as all the promotional materials are being generously supported by Yellow Pages, with the planting materials supported by Homebase and delivered free of charge by City Link.

In March 2009, once your child’s Mini Pot of Care is in bloom, pupils will be invited to bring their daffodil to school for a flower show (date to be confirmed).

Thank you very much for your wonderful support. We hope your child has lots of fun taking part.

Tracey Murray
Marie Curie Cancer Care

Visit their website for more information: www.mariecurie.org.uk/minipotsofcare

PLEASE RETURN THE PLANTING SPONSORSHIP ENVELOPES WITH THE FUNDS YOUR CHILD HAS RAISED TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY MONDAY 20 OCTOBER. THANK YOU.

Key Stage 2 Classes Enjoy Music & ICT Workshop

Classes CA and DB enjoyed a workshop with Bassistry Arts musician Marcel. He taught the children how to use a program called O-Generator which allows them to compose their own music using the computer.

Computer Club - lunchtimes Tuesday, Wednesay & Thursdays - for the next few weeks will concentrate on using O-Generator. So if you would like to have another go or learn how to compose your own music then please come along.