Western Primary School Newsletter No 08
2nd March 2009
Dear Parents/Carers
The promise of spring is around the corner. This is when we can fully recognise how fortunate we are to have such a stunning outside environment at Western. I hope we have plenty of warm, dry days to enjoy our grounds during the spring and summer months. We want to use the outside area to its full potential and enhance the learning experiences of the children.
World Book Day 2009
World Book Day is Thursday 5th March. Please find attached a £1 book token that is valid from 2nd - 29th March 2009 inclusive and entitles you to £1 off a book or audio book purchase worth £2.99. Alternatively, there are six titles that have been especially produced for World Book Day and these cost £1.
I hope you and your children enjoy the browsing and the reading!
Red Nose Day, Friday 13th March
The children are keen to support Comic Relief again this year and would like to hold a non-uniform day. The children can wear pyjamas (whilst ensuring modesty!), something red or go for an “Elmer approach” and be multicoloured. Donations to Comic Relief should be put in an envelope marked ‘Comic Relief’ and handed to your child’s classteacher. We will let you know the amount raised in the next newsletter.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Lacrosse team who have won through to the Regional Tournament to be held on 25th April at Reading. The team won three matches and lost to the overall winners. The team members were:- Rosie Berkin, Leon Henry, Ruben Lloyd, Alexandra Matthews, Rory McCallum, Adele Payne, Will Stafford and Emily Swales.
We had two teams playing in the tournament. The less experienced side did themselves proud and we have high hopes for further success next year. Team members were:- Harry Blakey, Louis Burrows, Ben Cawston, Emily Pacey, Molly Stannard, Hannah Thursfield, Stuart Veal and Isobel White.
Mr Silvester commemted on the excellent team spirit in both teams.
We entered the Quiz Club Championship held at Kings’ on Thursday 26th February. Owen Gillett, Alec Kennedy, Danny Maddaford and Ewan White proved to be an excellent combination and their diverse interests and knowledge and the way in which they supported each other, saw them victorious on the day. They were excellent ambassadors for Western. We wish them well for the next round. Details to follow.
Western Wildlife Club
Members of the Wildlife Club would like to thank everyone who bought the Wildfun newsletter. Over 200 copies were sold and £42.70 was raised. This will save 1.5 metres of riverbank to preserve the water voles’ habitat.
There was a super article in the Hampshire Chronicle last week entitled: “Getting In-vole-ved”! Hari Bravery won the prize quiz and George Ellis and Ella Sherwood were runners up.
Blue Peter Appeal
Well done to the children who organised a Bring and Buy Sale and Cake Sale to support the Blue Peter appeal. The children (Nicola Stebbing, Isabel Monger, Mukeni Nel and Jenny Chong) raised £63.50.
Footsteps - Cultural Swap Event
Sunday 8th March at Holy Trinity Hall 2.00-5.00pm.
This event is organised by parents at the school and is designed to celebrate diversity and promote a sense of community: Chinese calligraphy, Nepalese child dancers, Thai fruit and vegetable carving demonstration, Bengalese story telling and lots of other workshops.
Kilimanjaro Trek by Western Parents
Congratulations to Mrs Howie and Mrs Jury who completed their trek to Kilimanjaro in aid of the Alzheimers Society. £4,500 has been raised so far for the Winchester and District branch of Alzheimers. If you would like to find out more, you can log on to www.alzheimers.org.uk/winchester.
School Meals: Price Increase
HCC has agreed that the cost of the traditional school meal is to be increased to £2.00 with effect from 20th April 2009. The cost pressures on catering services and maintaining high nutritional standards for the meals account for this increase.
PTA Events
Thank you to the committee for organising the KS1/Year R disco and the KS2 disco. Lots of disco divas on show!
Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 29th March, 2.00-4.00pm!
Health and Safety: Car Parking Reminder
Recently, there have been several ‘near misses’ where children have nearly been knocked over - sometimes because a child has run across the road without looking; sometimes because parents are reversing their cars out of the car parking spaces outside the school gates or into Shelley Close. Please be extra vigilant if you have to drive to Western. Please do not park on double yellow lines or in front of residents’ drives.
If you do see very poor driving, you can contact the Community Police Officers on 08450 454545 with details of the incident, giving the licence plate number.
Diary Dates: St Paul’s
Please find attached, diary dates for St Paul’s which you may find useful.
Diary Dates: Western
Please see attached.
Yours sincerely
Lorraine Smith
Headteacher
Tuesday 3rd March 4.30-7.30pm Parent-Teacher Consultations
(6.00-8.00pm Robins)
Thursday 5th March 4.30-7.30pm Parent-Teacher Consultations
(4.00–7.30 pm Robins)
Friday 6th March Professional Day Closure on Writing
Saturday 21st March 2.00-4.30pm Western Music Festival
Sunday 22nd March 9.30am Mothering Sunday Family Communion Service at St Paul’s
Sunday 29th March 2.00-4.00pm PTA Easter Egg Hunt
Friday 3rd April 3.30pm School closes for Easter holidays
Monday 20th April 9.00am School re-opens for summer term
Monday 4th May May Day holiday. School closed.
Friday 8th May 8.00 pm PTA Quiz Night
Mon 11th May – Fri 15th May Y6 SATs week and KS2 Progress week
Monday 15th June Professional Day Closure on Strategic Planning