Year 6 in Parliament

The first part of our London trip was a visit to Parliament.

We enjoyed a huge privilege of meeting our local MP in one of the magnificent committee rooms above the House of Commons.

During this meeting our children were able to ask Dan Poulter a series of questions about local and national issues.

Our tour then took us into the House of Lords (no photos allowed) and St Stephen's Hall.

We ended in Westminster Hall - the oldest part of Parliament (over 800 years old).

This room has seen speeches by President Obama, Nelson Mandela and the Queen.

Yesterday was Democracy Day - the start of a celebration of 750 years of Parliament.

We were the first visitors to see a new exhibition of paintings / posters about key issues in the history of democracy.

We took some pictures outside Parliament in lovely (but cold) sunshine.

This group shot is outside the Queen's gate into Parliament.

Newsletter 23

NO READING CLUB THIS WEEK

Apologies, but Mrs Akerman is on the London Trip with the year 6 children

SCHOOL NURSE DROP IN SESSION – WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY

Donna Lee, our School Nurse, is here for another drop-in session for parents on Wednesday 21 January from 8.45am.  Please just come to the office where you can wait to see her privately in the school library, about any concerns you may have.  If there are a large number of parents waiting to see her, she may have to restrict appointment times and then arrange for individual longer sessions at a later date.

EASTER DISCO – change to date NOW FRIDAY 13 MARCH

The Friends would like to give advance notice that the Easter Disco date is now changed to FRIDAY 13 MARCH (not 20 March as noted in the Diary Dates Leaflet)

Sainsbury’s Active Kids

Vouchers for this scheme will start to be handed out in Sainsbury’s stores from Wednesday 28 January to Tuesday 5 May.  A collection box will be outside the school office to drop the vouchers in.

IF YOU HAVE BORROWED A SPARE PE KIT…

…Please can you return it to the teacher or the office, as we are missing some.  Thank you.

SCHOLASTIC LEAFLETS – return by Monday 26 January

Orders for the accompanying leaflet should be returned by Monday 26 January. 

NO CASH can be accepted for these, either cheques payable to

Scholastic Limited or credit/debit card (using the form on the leaflet).

VACANCY IN KITCHEN

There is a vacancy with EATs catering for a helper in the school kitchen. 

The post is for a minimum of 1 ½ hours a day, from 12pm.  If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Mrs Chapman in the school kitchen on 01728 723354, option 2 on the menu.

WORLD BOOK DAY – THURSDAY 6 MARCH

We would like to give advance warning to all families that for World Book Day, we would like all children to come to school dressed as their favourite book character; we wanted to give children time to think of an idea for a costume.

PHOTOGRAPHS FOR PUBLICITY

The school recently took part in a photography shoot organised through Schools’ Choice (part of Suffolk County Council).

As a result of the shoot we have lots of wonderful photographs that we and Suffolk County Council and the Diocese would like to use in publicity material (including our school brochure and website).

Whilst not all classes were photographed if any parent wishes to view the photographs taken, to confirm or refuse permission, please come to the school office by Friday. Thank you.

Those children whose parents previously refused permission via the registration forms are not in any of the photographs.

Epiphany in Class KM

Last week children in Class KM celebrated Epiphany in many ways.

They retold the story of the three kings

They dressed up as kings and made crowns

Our new rector Mark wrote the symbols of the year and the kings

and blessed the lintels to our classrooms

Link with Tanzanian School

On Tuesday classes NS, RV and DDPL were involved in a special day of activities called Kagera Day.
The diocese of St Edmundsbury had set up a link with an ara of Tanzania called Kagera - with several of our visitors spending time teaching in a school called Ngara Anglican Primary School.

During the day the children were involved in a variety of activities:

Learning to count in Swahili

Singing songs in Swahili

Making fruit salads with Tanzanian fruit - such as pineapple, papaya, mango

Learning about endangered animals and ways of protecting them

Learning about and making a school Kanga - a special material which is multi purpose in its uses.

see Kanga below

New Numbers Wizards Club

Mrs Beddow has started a new lunchtime club for year 3 and 4 children.

It is called Number Wizards and offers lots of fun maths games and activities.

38 children turned up for the first session.

Year 6 Children to Visit Parliament on Democracy Day

On Tuesday 20th January (next week) - our year 6 children and staff will be having a tour of Parliament.
Tuesday also marks a very special day as it is 'Democracy Day'. This is because 2015 is the 750th anniversary of the first Parliament. We will be the first visitors to see a new exhibition in Westminster Hall of 18 new paintings to mark the anniversary.
Click on picture to find out more....

The videos below provide some background to the birth of democracy in Britain.
This year also marks the 800th anniversary of The Magna Carta.
Click on picture to find out more....

The children will also be visiting the British Museum in the afternoon. They will be going to see The Sutton Hoo treasure, Roman Britain artefacts, Greek, Eygptian and Aztec treasures.

Newsletter 22

DINNER MONEY FOR SPRING 1^st HALF TERM

DON’T FORGET NEW PRICE £2.30 Half term payments are due NOW.

The cost for lunch every day will be = £66.70   note: Year 6 = 28 days £64.10 (- London Trip)

To pay on-line follow the link from the ‘Parent Information’ button on the school website.

Weekly:    5 days £11.50 / 4 days £9.20  / 3 days £6.90 / 2 days £4.60 / 1 day £2.30

SCHOOL CENSUS IS THIS THURSDAY – WILL YOU HAVE A SCHOOL LUNCH?

As in previous years, part of our school funding is based on the number of children actually IN SCHOOL on this date and also the number of children in KS1 & Reception who HAVE A SCHOOL LUNCH.  It is, therefore, of great benefit to the school if as many KS1 & Reception children as possible have a school lunch on Thursday, please.  The menu this week is Roast Pork with stuffing, Roast Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables, followed by Oaty Fruit Crunch and Custard.

CLUBS – Starting this week

Hockey, Multi-Sports, Rugby, Tennis, Scottish Country Dancing, Holy Horrors, Orchestra, Art and all lunchtime clubs.  Reading will start NEXT WEEK as Mrs Akerman is on a course today.

Do you have a child born between 1 Sept 2010 and 31 Aug 2011?

Your child will be due to start in Reception from September 2015.  You must make an application to Suffolk County Council or on-line at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools

by 15 January 2015   **YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE GIVEN A PLACE AUTOMATICALLY**

READING HELP NEEDED PLEASE

CLASS CH - Mrs Hopkins would like help with reading on a Monday and Friday morning.

CLASS KM – Mrs Mawson would like help Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

CLASS LC – Mrs Cann would like help on Friday mornings

CLASS NS – Mrs Spencer would like helpers any day

CLASS PLDD – Mrs Dwyer would like helpers on Friday first thing.

Please note: Monday start times would be 9.30am after assembly.

If you can offer any time on any of these mornings, please speak to the office or to the teacher.

BAG2SCHOOL COLLECTION –THIS Thursday 15 January

Please bring your filled bags to the front playground pavilion on Thursday before 9am

SPARE PE KIT

If your child has outgrown any PE shorts, plimsolls or PE tops, please do hand them in at the office as the classes like to keep some spares – especially KS1.  Thank you.

SPECIAL MENUS – YEAR GROUPS TO VOTE FOR FAVOURITE CHOICE

We plan to have 4 special menu days over the rest of this year, where each year group will get to vote for the menu they would like the kitchen to make for that day.  The whole school will be able to enjoy the menu which will replace the normal choice for that day. 

The specially chosen menus will be:

     Year 3’s choice – Tuesday 3 February

     Year 4’s choice – Tuesday 17 March

     Year 5’s choice – Tuesday 12 May

     Year 6’s choice – Tuesday 14 July

Menu

YOUNG ART EAST ANGLIA COMPETITION 2015 & EXHIBITION

Art work entries should be on the theme of ’Animal Magic’ using any medium except collage, no larger than A3 size and must not be mounted or laminated.  The entry must be accompanied by a minimum donation of £2.00 for Cancer Research UK.

Please put a sticker with child’s name, year and school on the back of each entry with an arrow to indicate which way up to hang the picture.  Selected entries will be included in an exhibition at the Peter Pears Gallery in Aldeburgh from 13-15 March 2015.  To have exhibited artwork returned it will need to be purchased at the Gallery. 

Please hand all entries in to the office by Wednesday 21 January 2015. 

For more information visit  www.youngarteastanglia.co.uk.

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE – SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY

This is a special service to be held at 9.30am in St Michael’s Church on Sunday 1 February, as part of the family service.  All children and families are invited, the Singing Club will be performing here, and the Holy Horrors children are especially invited.  Please do come along with your family, it will be a lovely service.

MARKETING OUR SCHOOL

We would like to be able to market our school in a dynamic and professional way.  We hope to produce a new glossy school brochure and eye-catching posters and create interesting readable communications to current and prospective parents. 

To do this we need the support and advice of any parents who have skills and knowledge of marketing and publicity. 

If you are willing to offer your support to the school through giving advice, ideas or even helping to contribute to or produce publicity materials we would very much like to hear from you. 

Please do speak to Mrs Miller in the office who will be working with Governors who are establishing a new working party to move this project forward. 

Thank you in advance for your help.

Newsletter 21

Welcome Back to everyone for the New Year. Along with this letter please also find a Diary Dates leaflet and Club Timetable.

DINNER MONEY COST FOR SPRING 1^st HALF TERM

NEW PRICE £2.30 -   Dinner money should be paid on Mondays

Half term payments are due by the first Monday after each half term.

The cost for lunch every day will be = £66.70   6 January – 13 February = 29 days      

                                                                                       note: Year 6 = 28 days £64.10 (- London Trip)

Don’t forget you can pay for the whole term for 1/ 2/ 3 or 4 days per week too.

To pay on-line follow the link from the ‘Parent Information’ button on the school website.

Weekly:    5 days £11.50 / 4 days £9.20  / 3 days £6.90 / 2 days £4.60 / 1 day £2.30

Cheques should be made payable to Suffolk County Council (SCC) with your child’s name and class WRITTEN ON THE BACK please.

DINNER MONEY MUST  BE HANDED TO THE TEACHER IN AN ENVELOPE THAT STATES:       Child’s Name + Child’s Class + Which days dinner money is for.

***DEADLINE FOR HALF-TERM PAYMENT IS MONDAY 12 JANUARY***

CLUBS – START OF SPRING TERM – PLEASE SEE CLUB TIMETABLE

Externally run clubs/lessons starting this week - 6 January:

    will be MFSF Wind & Brass, CMS Flute/Clarinet and Guitar, Violin (Weds as normal plus Friday 9 Jan  lesson for those pupils who will have missed Monday), Premier Sport Gym

Most other clubs will start next week - 12 January:

    Hockey, Multi-Sports, Reading, Rugby, Tennis, Country Dancing, Holy Horrors, Orchestra, Art and   all lunchtime clubs.

NEW “NUMBER WIZARDS” CLUB

Year 3 & 4 children can join a new club on Thursday lunchtime with Mrs Beddow to become super maths heroes and solve number challenges and much more!

Do you have a child born between 1 Sept 2010 and 31 Aug 2011?
Your child will be due to start in Reception from September 2015.  You must make an application to Suffolk County Council or on-line at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools
by 15 January 2015   **YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE GIVEN A PLACE AUTOMATICALLY**

RECEPTION OPEN MORNING – This Friday

The Reception classes will be open on Friday 9 January from 9-10.30am for parents with children due to start school September 2015.  Do pop in to look around and meet the teachers while the children play. Please sign in at the school office where admission application forms are available.

CHRISTMAS HAMPER DRAW

The friends are delighted to tell you that they raised £1490 on the Christmas Hamper Raffle.  Huge thanks go to all parents who donated gifts for the hampers and to all those families who purchased tickets.  Well done to the lucky winners, we hope you enjoyed all those treats!

CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY & CAROL SERVICE COLLECTION THANKS

The charity collection for the Christmas Jumper day raised £185 & the staff added to this donation with a further £47. The Carol service collection raised £104, so the grand total going to Save the Children Fund is £739 (which included the Christmas productions minus expenses). Thank you to everyone for your generosity.

MILK IN SCHOOL

In line with recent Government guidelines, pupils will be offered a small drink of milk during the school day; this is an entirely optional choice for your child to make. It will start next week.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS & STUDENT TEACHER

There are a few staff movements and new additions on the Teaching Assistant team this term that we wanted to tell parents: Miss Lamb will be moving to Class CA and Mrs Poacher will be moving to  Nursery.  New staff are Mrs Skeggs who will be in Class NS in the mornings, Mrs Cockle providing additional support in KS2 for this term and Mr Bennett-King will be supporting classes across the school for PE.  Class LC will have Miss Thurlow as a student teacher from mid-January, she will be teaching the class throughout the term under supervision of Mrs Cann. 

We welcome them all to the school.

CAKE STALL & DISCO

The Friends would like to thank the children and families of classes ES & JA who baked for the cake stall before the end of term, it raised £104.  The Christmas Disco raised a brilliant £480.

BAG2SCHOOL COLLECTION – NEXT Thursday 15 January

Please bring your filled bags to the front playground pavilion next Thursday before 9am

YEAR 3 & 4 KAGERA DAY – Tuesday 13 January

The Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich has had a link with Kagera Diocese in the north west of Tanzania since 1994.  There will be an assembly and full day of workshops for Y3 & 4 children, to learn about schools, food, health, church, worship, animals, tourism and textiles in this country.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PACK YOUR CHILD A WATER BOTTLE EVERY DAY -

this will prevent children sharing bottles and passing on germs.

Captivate Drama

Drama Classes continue this term at St. Michael’s Rooms from 4pm to 5pm every Thursday.  Why not go along for a free, no-obligation trial session?  Contact Ali – 07867807144 – for more details.

PUBLICATION OF LEAGUE TABLES

Following the publication of league tables by the DfE at the end of last year, our Governors have analysed the data in depth and have reached some exciting conclusions which we would like to share with parents.  As we are well aware, different pupil numbers between schools can result in some misleading conclusions with percentages (i.e. for our school one pupil = 2%, but for a small school one pupil may represent e.g. =10%, so the results from a single pupil will have a greater effect on the overall percentage).  Although there are 322 schools listed in Suffolk LA, only 61 of these we feel can be directly compared with us (as they had 40 or more pupils in their Year 6, we had 50).

Looking at these similar schools we achieved:

   4th place in the % reaching Level 4 or above in reading, writing & maths combined

   2nd place in the % reaching Level 4b or above in reading, writing & maths combined

   2nd place in the % reaching Level 5 or above in reading, writing & maths combined

   1st place when looking at our Average Point Score

WE ARE SENDING HOME A REPEAT LETTER TODAY ABOUT APPLYING FOR
PUPIL PREMIUM. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR RECEPTION & KS1 FAMILIES.  IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
AS THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE SCHOOL’S FUNDING
AND ALSO GIVE EXTRA BENEFITS FOR YOUR CHILD.  THANK YOU.