East Brent Church of England First School

Newsletter

Newsletter Number 15 Wednesday, 25^th April 2007

As we start this new summer term we already have lots to celebrate!

First, all our Year 4 children have now been offered places at Hugh Sexey Middle School without having to go through the Appeal Procedure, this is really good news. At this early stage it looks as though the numbers for next year (September 2008) will be much lower and with the new criteria of linked schools it should mean that all our children will be offered places.

Field: The fencing of the field was completed in the Easter holidays and was ready for use on the first day back. We were blessed with a whole week of fine warm weather that allowed the field to be used every day. I am sure your children told you how much they enjoyed having the extra space. We have talked about how we are going to use the field and the rules that we will need to have, these will be evolving as we use it more.

Techno challenge: Harry, Daniel, Daniel, Freddie, Jacob, Callum, Matthew, Sam, Jack and Callum from Koalas Class took part in this challenge, they had to design & make a vehicle powered by an elastic band or a machine to launch a ping pong ball into the air. They took their designs to Hugh Sexey Middle school & had a contest with children from the other linked schools. These children worked really hard on this challenge. They designed, made, trialled and revamped their models. They worked together as a team and had to cooperate with each other. They learnt a lot about friction and traction. They were also very good ambassadors for the school; they behaved well & enjoyed the experience. Thanks to the parents who helped with the practical making and those who drove the children to Blackford also to Ms Hare and Mrs K Wright for supporting the children with this project in school. If you would like to see pictures of this event they will be on the Hugh Sexey Middle School web site in the next few weeks.

Lunchtime Buddies: We have appointed 3 teams of 5 children to be Lunchtime Buddies. They had to apply to be on the team and formal interviews were held, to give children the experience of a job interview. Each team will work for a whole week with the Lunchtime supervisors to support the younger children with eating their lunch and playing with them. We have provided all the Lunchtime Buddies with bright yellow baseball caps so that they are easily distinguishable in and around school and the younger children know who they are.

Easter Activities: Thanks to the parents who supported our Easter Activity afternoon and to the PTA for arranging and providing the Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Please look at the photographs on the school web site.

Chess Club: We have a group of enthusiastic children who have started playing chess at lunchtimes; is there anyone who could help them with some training? It does not need to be a regular commitment but the occasional lunchtime would be helpful.

A PTA meeting will be held on Thursday April 26^th at 8 pm in school, they will be planning a form of celebration & launching of the field, please come along if you have any ideas or are willing to help in any way.

Wednesday PE Club: Now that we have the field we are able to offer this club to everyone. Miss Evans is keen to start rounders & cricket matches. If your child/ren would like to join please complete the slip below.

Summer Production: Mrs Bowkett and Mrs Plummer and the music club have begun rehearsals for our summer production of Rats based on the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The dates of the production will be July 17^th and 18^th. If you have any brown or grey sheets or material that could be used for making costumes for our summer production Mrs Holmes would be very grateful. Also does anyone know of a source of plain white children’s T shirts that we can buy and dye for the Rats costumes?

Breakfast Club: is growing and we now have 16 children on the register; it can be used on a weekly or odd days basis, please see Mrs Holmes or Mrs Karen Wright for more details.

Our neighbours are very concerned about the children’s behaviour in & around the church yard, they are worried about children running around the gravestones, not only from the danger point of view but also from the respect aspect. Children have been seen climbing the big tree next to the school, this is very dangerous and totally inappropriate, so please keep your children on the path as they walk through the church yard.

Sports Club with Miss Claridge resumes on Monday 30^th April and Thursday Club on 3^rd May.

PTA: BONUS BALL – Thank you to everyone who bought a Bonus Ball number last term. The PTA made a profit of £145 and each winner won £20. The winners were – Jim Stanford, Lee Dolcezza, Audrey Dinham, Jim Standford and Paul Stickley. The PTA will be selling Bonus Balls again after half term to help raise funds for equipment for the new field. Thank you from Liz Smith.

Invitation Books – Thanks to everyone who bought books, £116 was raised including two donations. Thank you from Tanya Roberts.

Tesco are offering double voucher week between 7^th – 13^th May. Please send all vouchers to school by the en

Recorders: Mrs Steady is away for 2 weeks during May, but she will make the lessons up. The lessons for 17^th May will take place on Monday 14^th May.

Heather Hector

Dates for your diary:

2^nd May - Multi skills Y2 at Hugh Sexey Middle School

4^th May Year 3/4 trip to Caerleon

8^th May – 11^th May SAT’s (Standardised Assessment Tests) Y3/4

15^th – 18^th May Year 4 - Residential trip to the The Beacon Centre

21^st May – Open afternoon for children to show parents their work and classrooms

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TO: EAST BRENT 1^ST SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY P.E. CLUB

I would like my child ……………………………………… to take part and enclose payment of £20 for the term.

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………… Date: ……………………………………………………………………………