Children enjoy learning outside in the snow

Children from year 1 and year 6 together on our snow covered school field.

Class CA

Class DB

Aswell as getting some fresh air and exercise, the children carried out a science investigation.

Using data loggers with a special probe they took varoius temperature readings in the air and snow.

This picture below shows Framlingham Castle in the early morning mist.

The Mere is frozen over.

It's SNOW much fun!

Newsletter 23

HOCKEY & RUGBY CANCELLED TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY
Due to the snow and ice there will be no Hockey or Rugby tomorrow after school.

CHILDREN WHO ARE UNWELL
At this time of year we have a high proportion of absences through illness, often they are passed on to other children because sick children come back to school before they are free of their bug/illness. Last week alone we had 139 absences through illness. Please can we remind parents that our policy states that if your child is ill with a sickness or diarrhoea bug that they should not return to school unless it has been 48 hours since their last bout of sickness or diarrhoea – this is one of the commonest forms of ill health we have in school. Please can parents help by reinforcing hand-washing messages to their children.
In addition, children with heavy coughs and colds, and those on prescription anti-biotics should ideally be kept at home until they are recovered.
We are not able to administer medication to pupils at school except for emergency protocols (eg epi-pens, asthma inhalers).

COUGH SWEETS
If you feel it is necessary for your child to have cough sweets in school, they will have to be held by the class teacher and parents should provide a note to the teacher about is - they may only be taken at break or lunchtime.

NURSERY PARENTS PLAY & CHAT – Thursday 9 February 9.30-11.30am
Current Nursery parents are invited to pop in during Thursday morning to play with their child and to chat to the Nursery staff. Please sign in at the Nursery from 9.30am – no need to sign in at the office.

CLASS JC SHARE SESSION REMINDER – Thursday 9 February 1.20-3.00pm
Parents for the share session should please sign in at the office at 1.20pm, thank you.

CAKE STALL – Friday 10 February
Classes PLDD & RV are baking for a cake stall on Friday in the front playground pavilion.

ART CLUB AFTER HALF TERM FOR YEAR 5s
Year 6 pupils have had a brilliant half term at Art club, sadly this week is their last week, but Mrs Bell, Mrs Dwyer and Mrs Stephenson look forward to welcoming the Year 5 pupils who have registered for this club after half term.
Just a reminder that it starts on Thursday 23 February, children should have a painting apron and will need to be collected at 4.15pm from the upstairs activity area.

SPRING REPORTS & PARENT CONSUTLATIONS
Reports will be given to all pupils in Year 1-6 on Thursday 23 February; following on from this parents may (if they so wish) book an appointment to see the class teachers on either Tuesday 28 or Wednesday 29 February. Booking forms will be enclosed with the reports.

WELLINGTON BOOTS IN SNOWY WEATHER (& spare clothes)
In snowy weather the children will only be allowed out to play if they have suitable footwear; some teachers take their class up to the field, but those who only have school shoes will not be able to go. For younger children it may be worth keeping some spare clothes in their bags.

WATER BOTTLES
Please may we remind parents that children’s water bottles should be clear and should also have a sports cap on to prevent possible leakages in bags/class, thank you.

NETBALL FOR YEAR 6 – Monday 20 February
Year 6 Girls Netball club will start again on the first Monday after half term at lunchtime with Miss Treen. Please remember PE kit (including joggers and trainers).

CAPTIVATE DRAMA
Captivate Drama is a new drama club, starting in the summer term, which aims to provide opportunities for young people to develop their acting, movement, singing and musicality skills.
Classes will run on Saturday afternoons at the Performance Studio, Thomas Mills High School, and be open to children aged between 7 and 14.
Class 1 for 7 – 9 yrs at 1.30pm – 3pm
Class 2 for 10 - 14 yrs at 3pm – 5pm
For further information or to reserve a place, please contact
Ali Constanti on 01728 720063 or
e-mail captivatedramafram@Gmail.com

There will be the opportunity to attend a taster session on Saturday 24th March.
Please note that class sizes are limited and will run on a first come, first served basis.

FRAMLINGHAM COUNTY MUSIC SCHOOL – BEGINNER GROUP STRINGS TUITION
Suffolk County Music Service's new music teaching initiative offers KS2 pupils (that do not currently have access to lessons) the opportunity to begin learning to play violin, viola, ‘cello or double bass at Framlingham County Music School. Each week there will be a group lesson plus a Music Makers session to support the instrumental learning. As usual free loan of instruments is a feature of the scheme. Sessions take place at Thomas Mills High School between 9.00 and 10.30 on Saturday mornings.
The first Session is on Saturday 25 February 2012 at 9.00 a.m.
All interested pupils are invited to come along where they can meet the tutors, try an instrument out for size and, if they wish to, sign up to continue lessons. This class will be free of charge until the end of the Spring Term 2012, when pupils must become a member of the Suffolk Youth Music programme, for which there is a termly charge of £42. As always, there is a scheme for remission of fees. Full details can be obtained from the school office or, contact CMS at the Northgate Arts Centre county.musicservice@suffolk.gov.uk or tel 01473 281866.

SCHOOL FUNDRAINSING DAY
We originally planned a school fundraising day for this week, but are deferring it until next half term – details will follow later in the month.

SAINSBURYS ACTIVE KIDS & TESCO VOUCHERS
As in previous years we are collecting both these vouchers which enable us to gain extra resources for the school. Collecting boxes will be outside the office. Thank you for your support in collecting these for us.

HALF TERM NEXT WEEK– Monday 13 – Friday 17 February
We hope everyone has a lovely half term break next week, the children should return to school on Monday 20 February.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Today

To celebrate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II, Mr Brook and daughter built this snowlady of her majesty complete with crown.

If anybody else has made an interesting snowman then we would like to see the pictures.

A reminder that the children need to bring boots to school this week if they would like to go outside at breaktime.

GRANDPARENT TO LUNCH

BRING YOUR GRANDPARENT TO LUNCH - WEDNESDAY 7 & THURSDAY 8 MARCH

In light of past successes, this year we are having two ‘Bring your Grandparent to lunch’ days.
Due to the expected numbers we ask that a maximum of 2 grandparents attend – either 2 together on one day or 1 on each day; all siblings in school can eat together with their grandparents.

The costs of school lunches for the Grandparents are £3.17.

On the reverse of this letter is a menu for the 2 days for your information – there is no need to choose in advance.

Please fill in the reply slip below and return it to the office with the money FOR THE ADULT MEALS ONLY by Wednesday 22 February AT THE LATEST.
Sadly, we are NOT able to accept any late requests as the ingredients have to be ordered in advance.

Children should bring in their money as usual on Monday 5 March for lunch arrangements for that week.

Please also state if a VEGETARIAN option is required.

We would ask grandparents to sign in at the hall foyer and wait there for the child/ren to collect them at 12.00pm to take them into lunch.
Could we remind you that unfortunately you will not be able to park in the school car park due to lack of space. We would ask that grandparents do not stay after they have eaten lunch; at this time the children will go to the playground and we ask that grandparents sign out as they leave. We would also welcome your feedback on the forms outside the hall when they have finished.

Yours sincerely

Mrs H Picton

FRAMLINGHAM SIR ROBERT HITCHAM’S CEVAP SCHOOL

BRING YOUR GRANDPARENT TO LUNCH 2012

*No. of Grandparents attending on Weds 7 March OR Thurs 8 March *Total Maximum 2

*No. of Vegetarian choices required Weds 7 March OR Thurs 8 March *enter 0, 1 or 2

Grandparent 1 name ________________________________ Which day? _________
Grandparent 2 name ________________________________ Which day? _________

PLEASE ONLY PAY FOR THE ADULT MEALS NOW

I enclose £ 3.17 per adult meal = total £ cheques payable to Suffolk County Council.

PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR THE CHILDREN’S MEAL UNTIL MONDAY 5 MARCH

Child 1 name ______________________________ Class _________
Child 2 name _______________________________ Class __________
Child 3 name _______________________________ Class __________

Please return to school office by Wednesday 22 February
BRING YOUR GRANDPARENT TO LUNCH

MENU CHOICE
Below are the menu choices for the two days.
You do not have to choose in advance, this is for information only:

Wednesday 7 March
Fish Goujons in Crispy tempura Batter
Vegetable Chilli with Rice
Sauté Potatoes
Baked Beans
Sweetcorn
Salad
Home-made Bread
Apricot Shortcake and Custard
Cheese and Biscuits
Yoghurt
Fresh Fruit

Thursday 8 March
Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding
Vegetable Gratin
Roasted Potatoes
Medley of Roast Vegetables
Home-made Bread
Steamed Jam Sponge and Custard
Cheese and Biscuits
Yoghurt
Fresh Fruit

NEWSLETTER 21

LUNCH MENU CHANGE TUESDAY OF WEEK 2
Just to advise parents that the kitchen are taking the egg off the menu, so it will just be sausages or veggie sausages on that day in future.

KEYBOARD
Mrs Fisher is unable to run the keyboard club for the half term from 20 February until 30 March. Keyboard club will re-start again after Easter.

FRIENDS FUNDRAISING UPDATE
The Friends are delighted to let parents know that they raised a fantastic £401 at the recent film night screening of ‘The Smurfs’.
Also, they have received £16 commission from parent orders through Yellow Moon catalogues.

CROSSING PATROL – SAFETY INFORMATION
When crossing College Road after school, please be aware that, for safety reasons, the Crossing Patrol, Mrs Lim, has to work from the opposite side of the road to the school. This is to ensure that she can see (& be seen by) traffic behind the buses which wait on College Road. Once the buses have gone she will move back to the school side of the road. CHILDREN MUST NOT CROSS THE ROAD UNTIL THE CROSSING PATROL TELLS THEM IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
Please can we ask that parents emphasise this to their children?
Recently the school crossing supervisor visited the site and reported his concern that some parents and children are still crossing at the bottom of Love Lane, as well as being a safety issue it is setting a poor example for children. Please can we ask that all families use the Crossing Patrol when she is there.

CHOIR NEWS
Following an appeal for help earlier this year, a musically-talented sixth former from Thomas Mills High School has kindly offered to run a Key Stage 2 choir for us. Practices for this would take place after school on Thursday afternoons and more details will follow as soon as all arrangements are in place. However, this cannot happen at all without at least one additional adult being present. Ideally we would like to have two volunteers who could be present, possibly on alternate weeks, as this would mean that there was still sufficient adult supervision if one of them had to miss a week for any reason. The adults would need to have a CRB check and it would be lovely, although not essential, if they were musical people who could help with part-singing, for example. If you feel able to help in this way, please speak to Mrs Armstrong or one of the office staff as soon as possible.

HALF TERM ACTIVITIES
Framlingham College is running some Cricket days - email events@framcollege.co.uk
Suffolk Leisure Park have an activity day on 15 February – call 01473 602347 for details.
The Pitstop at Melton Holiday Club is offering full day activities visit www.pitstop-oosc.co.uk
Please see the leaflets for these on the parent notice-board for further information.

WOOL NEEDED
If you have any spare wool we would really like some for craft activities in school - any colour, any amount, any size – please just drop it in at the school office. Thank you.

VIOLIN & GUITAR PAYMENTS REMINDER
Just a reminder that recent invoices for music lessons should be paid by Friday, please.

Art Work Around School

There is a stunning range of art work at the moment in every classroom and corridor.

Here is a sample.....

CHANGE TO THURSDAY'S ROAST DINNER

Due to a problem with the Beef supplier this week we are afraid that Thursday's Roast Dinner will be Pork instead.

Share Sessions Reminder

Class LC has a share session this Wednesday, 25 January at 1.20pm
Class CA has a share session this Thursday, 26 January at 1.20pm

THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

Rotary Club Gift to Year 6 Pupils

The Framlingham Rotary Club have knidly made a gift to every year 6 pupil at Sir Robert Hitchams of an illustrated dictionary. They also announced their intention to do the same for all subsequent year 6 children in Framlingham.

Newsletter 20

VACANCY FOR MORNING PLAYGROUND SUPERVISOR
We have a vacancy for a morning Playground Supervisor; the hours are 8.30am – 8.50am for 5 mornings per week during term time. The rate of pay is £6.38 per hour.
The applicant for this role would also be required to take on any emergency cover for the Crossing Patrol in case of absence (which will be from 8.15am). Full training will be given.
For details and an application form please contact Mrs Hulley in the school office on 723354.
Deadline for applications is 20 January.

CLASS ASSEMBLY SWAP – DB and RV
Reminder that class DB assembly will now be on 10 February and class RV assembly will now be on 24 February.

CROSSING PATROL – STARTS NOW
Our new Crossing Patrol, Mrs Hann, has been trained and is now in position to cross the children over College Road.
If you are allowing your children to walk alone to school please can we ask that you remind them of the Green Cross Code and keeping safe near the busy road.

REMINDER - BUILDING WORK IMPACT ON SCHOOL ENTRANCE
During building works the front entrance will be closed off.
To access the school from College Road a temporary alternative path has been laid down and a door bell fitted to the door to the right of the current entrance.
This door will only be open between 8.30–8.50am and between 3.00–3.20pm.
At all other times please ring the door bell and wait for one of the office staff to come round and open the door. Whenever possible please use the main entrance by the hall while the front entrance is out of order. All clubs should be collected via the hall entrance. Thank you.

CHESS CLUB ERROR
The club list should have said Years 4-6 not Years 3-6, sadly we do not have enough Chess sets for all of KS2. We are sorry to get the hopes up of any Year 3 children.

SHORTAGE OF SOCKS, TIGHTS & SWEATSHIRTS
Thank you to those who donated old unwanted tights etc – we now have plenty!

BAD WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS
We make every possible effort to ensure that the school remains open in the event of bad weather conditions, please listen to the following radio stations to hear whether the school has to be closed:
Radio Suffolk 95.5, 95.9, 103.9 and 104.6FM (updates at 10’ past and 20’ to each hour)
Heart FM 97.1-96.4FM Beach Radio 103.4 and 97.4FM
You can also look at the County Council Website at http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk

GRANDPARENTS TO LUNCH DAYS
We will be running 2 ‘bring a grandparent to lunch’ dates on 7 and 8 March. Letters will be sent out in early February.

BAGS 2 SCHOOL COLLECTION
Thank you to all who had a good clear-out for the Friends charity bag collection – about 80 bags were collected and we will let you know shortly how much this has raised.

AFTER SCHOOL DRAMA & MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES
Fiona McAlpine has been teaching after school drama to children for over ten years.
These classes take place at St. Michael’s Rooms and help with confidence-building, voice, comedy and acting skills. Children interested are welcome to try out any of the drama classes.
There is also a new Musical Theatre class for children interested in singing and dancing, and who don’t necessarily study dance or singing elsewhere.
New Musical Theatre class for 7-11 year olds. Wednesdays, 18th January – 6th February
Learn to sing and dance a musical number! This class is for children who enjoy singing and dancing, and want to be able to put over a song confidently. They will be learning songs from musicals and pop songs. £4 per lesson or £15 for 4 lessons in advance.
Timetable January 16th to February 8th 2012
Mondays 3.30 – 4.25 Drama Ages 5-7 (Spaces)
Mondays 4.30 -5.30 Drama Ages 14-17
Tuesdays 3.20 – 4.15 Drama Ages 7 - 10
Tuesdays 4.20 – 5.15 Drama Ages 12-14
Wednesday 3.20 – 4.15 Musical Theatre Ages 7-11 (Spaces)
Wednesday 4.20 – 5.15 Drama Ages 10 – 12 (Spaces)
Contact Fiona for more information and to secure a place for your child:
fiona@allegraproductions.co.uk 01728 638471 07779 060 717

ADMISSIONS CONSULTATIONS 2013/14
On the County Council website - www.suffolk.gov.uk/consultations - proposed 2013/14 arrangements for admissions to Suffolk Community & Voluntary Controlled schools are available for consultation. Parents who are interested (ie those with children who are due to start in Reception or who are due to move to High School in September 2013) are able to use the online reply form to comment on the proposed policies. The deadline for consultation is 28 February 2012. There are also hard copies of the arrangements and forms at the school office. Our Voluntary Aided school proposed admission policy for 2013/14 is on page 149 of this document - any comments regarding our policy should come back directly to the school.
Page 161 of the document indicates that Thomas Mills High School (as an Academy) has adopted the County policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools.

Year 6 Trip to London

The Olympic clock in Trafalgar Square

In the National Gallery the children got to see some of the most famous paintings in the World such as this picture by Roussseau - a large version of this has hung in our school hall for over 10 years.

Outside the National Gallery and in Covent Garden there was lots of great street entertainers.

The main reason for going to London was to see Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House - see above and below.

Friends Film Night

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 19

VACANCY FOR MORNING PLAYGROUND SUPERVISOR
We have a vacancy for a morning Playground Supervisor; the hours are 8.30am – 8.50am for 5 mornings per week during term time. The rate of pay is £6.38 per hour.
The applicant for this role would also be required to take on any emergency cover for the Crossing Patrol in case of absence (which will be from 8.15am). Full training will be given.
For details and an application form please contact Mrs Hulley in the school office on 723354.
Deadline for applications is 20 January.

BAG2SCHOOL COLLECTION – FRIDAY 13 JANUARY by 9am
Please bring all filled charity bags to the front playground pavilion by 9am on Friday morning. You can donate as many bags as you like – any carrier / bin bags are fine to be filled with unwanted good quality clothes, shoes, bags and bedding. All monies raised from this goes to the Friends fund for the school.

YOUNG ART EAST ANGLIA COMPETITION REMINDER
Art work on the theme of “Fun & Games”, must be accompanied by a minimum donation of £2.00 for Cancer Research UK, and the child’s name, year and school name should be on the back. Please hand all entries in to the school office by Friday 13 January.
Enquiries by email to info@youngarteastanglia.co.uk

BUILDING WORK DUE TO START ON REPAIRING FRONT ENTRANCE ROOF
Due to the extent of the repair work required, the front entrance will need be closed off. To access the school from College Road a temporary alternative path will be laid down shortly and a door bell will be fitted to the door to the right of the current entrance. This door will be open between 8.30 – 9.00am and between 3.00pm – 4.00pm. In between these times please ring the door bell and wait for one of the office staff to come round and open the door.
If you can use the main entrance by the hall while the front entrance is out of order we would very much appreciate it. Thank you.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS - DEADLINE 16 JANUARY
Please find with this letter the latest Scholastic Book leaflet. Please complete and return to the office with payment by Monday 16 January.
PLEASE NOTE PAYMENT MUST BE EITHER BY CHEQUE PAYABLE TO SCHOLASTIC LIMITED OR BY CREDIT CARD.
NO CASH CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR SCHOLASTIC ORDERS

ART CLUB PAYMENT REMINDER
Those pupils given a place on Art Club are reminded to please pay the £2 cost to the school office by 20 January, thank you.

SHORTAGE OF SOCKS, TIGHTS & SWEATSHIRTS
We are running short of emergency spares of socks/tights in all sizes and small sweatshirts and plimsolls. If you have old ones your child has grown out of please do pop them into the office, thank you.

FILM NIGHT – Friday 20 January
The Friends wish to advise parents that there will not be a bar for adults at the screening of ‘The Smurfs’ next Friday, only soft drinks will be available.

School Newsletter 18

Welcome Back to everyone for the New Year.
A special welcome also to all our new starters in Nursery

Along with this letter of general information please also find a
Diary Dates leaflet which gives details of dates for this term and beyond.

All Clubs will start back NEXT WEEK (except Guitar & Chess this week)
so please remember to bring instruments / PE kits on the correct days.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE CHARITY COLLECTION
We are pleased to let parents know that the collection at the Y3/4 Carol service raised £138 which after any expenses will go to the EACH charity.

CAKE STALL SUCCESS
Despite the wet weather, the friends are delighted to announce that the end of term cake stall baked by NS & EM raised £72. Many thanks to all who baked and bought!

FOUNDATION OPEN SESSIONS
The Reception and Nursery classes will be open on Thursday 5 January from 1.30-2.30pm for parents with children due to start school September 2012.
Parents should sign in at the school office where admission application forms are available.

REMINDER - APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION PLACES 2012/2013
Reception Applications for next year MUST be returned to the Admissions Team at Ipswich by 13 January 2011. For information go to: www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools, you can apply online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/onlineadmissions but you will need to get a SIF form (Supplementary Information Form) from the office.

CROSSING PATROL JOY!!!
At last we are absolutely delighted to tell parents that we have a new Crossing Patrol lady, Mrs Han, who will start very shortly once she has been through her training. We hope that this will please parents and pupils as much as it does us!

NEW TEACHER TO JOIN CLASS DB
Mrs Gowing is joining our staff team to replace Mrs Morgan working with Mr Brook in class DB, I am sure you will all join me in welcoming her to our school.

NO ORCHESTRA ON TUESDAY 10 JANUARY
Due to the London trip on Tuesday there will be no Orchestra