Western Primary School Newsletter No 7
17th January 2008
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope the children are settling back into the routine of school and enjoying the work that has been planned for them this term.
We have a number of exciting activities designed to enrich the curriculum and engage the children. Martin the Puppet Man is visiting KS1 and YR on Wednesday 30th January. The following day a theatre company called Gripping Yarns is presenting three performances entitled 'Standing By' to Y4, Y5 and Y6. It takes as its theme the responsibility of those who witness bullying, giving themm strategies tohelp them deal with a variety of challenging situations.
Topic work in each year group is planned using 'EPIC' principles: Excitement, Pace and Progress, Involvement and Challenge. Visits, visitors and events are organsied to enhance children's learning experiences.
For example, you are sure of a big surprise today when YR children are holding their 'Teddy Bears' Picnic. For those of you who are planning a garden makeover, please contact the Ground Force Team operating out of Year 1. The children will be visiting Hilliers Gardens and Arboretum later in the term to learn about plants. Children in Year 2 will don fire fighting apparel to explore the fire enginge that is visiting on 25th February.
Budding scientists in Y3 should enjoy the visit to Sparsholt to investigate rocks and minerals and Y6 have been invited to The Westgate for a science show. As part of their project on Fair Trade project, Y5 will be designing, making, advertising and selling biscuits.
Other school events include the very popluar Music Festival which will take place on Saturday 9th February. The 12 winners in our Healthy Eating Competition will present their meals to the whole school at a 'Master Chef Taste Test' assembly on Monday 4th February.
Mr Silvester and Mrs Thomas will judge this stage of the competition. All twelve prize winners will have the opportunity to visit a top restaurant in the area. More details to follow!
My thanks to the PTA for their excellent work during the autumn term. Look out for the PTA events this term: KS1 and KS2 discos (sold out), a family portrait session at the school, on hte morning of the Music Festival, and the Easter Egg Hunt. More information will be sent home by the PTA in the next few weeks.
Events at St Paul's
Saturday 2nd February 5pm 'Swinging Sampson'
Mothering Sunday 2nd March Family Communion 9.30am
Saturday 10th May Community Celebration and launch of the Roof Fund. The choir will be taking part in this event.
Events in the local community
Tuesday 29tth January Military Parade. Children from local schools, including Y5 children at Western, have been invited to take part.
Friday 21st March 6-9pm The Winchester Passion starting in Orams Arbour. It promises to be a dramatic and moving event.
Next week, we will send home a free magazine called Quality Time which gives details of a rane of events and activities that families can enjoy in the local area. We would welcome feddback on the magazine so we know whether to distribute it in the future.
Important Reminders
Absence: Please can we ask that you phone the school office before 10am to report your child's absence from school. If we have not heard from you, the admin team will phone to enquire why your child is not in school but this can be very time consuming. Your support in this matter is much appreciated.
Start of the school day: A prompt start to the school day is important for all the children. The school day starts at 9am with registration. Children should, therefore, be in class at 9am. A number of children are still walking in through the school gates at 9am and their late arrival in class can cause disruption.
The cloakrooms at Western are compact and the 1970s design is not ideal! Please can we remind parents that you should not enter the school via the cloakrooms. Please say good-bye to your children outside. There is just not enough room for you, as well as 120 children, first thing in the morning.
Dogs: please do not tie dogs to the school gate or bring them on site. We have had several incidents where children have been frightened to walk past a dog on their way into school and several children have trodden in dog dirt and tracked in into the playground and the building.
Parent Governor Vacancy
We have a vacancy for a parent governor. A letter requesting nominations will be sent home next week. If you are interested and want to find out more, please do get in touch.
Consultaion for Disability Equality Scheme.
One of our duties under the Disability Discriminatiuon Act (1995 and 2005) is to prepare a Disability Equality Scheme which sets out ways in which the schoolis making its facilites and services available to all. A key requirement is the need to consult people within the school community and people with disabilities in particular. As part of this process, we are inviting anyone who has an interest to fill our a questionnaire on the accessibility of Western Primary School.
The DDa definition of disability is broad. It defines a disabled person as someone who has 'a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activites' (DDA 1995 Part para 1.1)
If you would like a copy of the questionnaire, pleas ask the school office (in person or by telephone) or request an electronic copy by sending an email to:
mailfao-westernDES@yahoo.com. The closing date for responses is Wednesday 13th Februrary. This address will be monitored during the durationof the consulation. The Disability Equality Scheme will be published at the end of the consulation and will be available on request at the office or from the school website.
Diary Dates
Saturday 19th January 4.00-5.15 KS1 and YR PTA Disco.
5.30-7.00 KS2 PTA Disco.
Wednesday 30th January Martin the Puppet Man presentation to YR and KS1
Thursday 31st January Gripping Yarns presentation to Y4, Y5, Y6.
Monday 4th February Master Chef Taste Test Assembly
Saturday 9th February 10.00-12 noon PTA Family Photograph session.
2.00-4.30 pm Western Music Festival
Monday 11th February 4.00-7.00 pm Y4 Parent-Teacher Consultations
Tuesday 12th February 4.30-7.30 pm Parent-Teacher Consultations (not Y4)
Wednesday 13th February Closing date for return of DDa Questionnaire
Thursday 14th February 4.30-7.30 pm Parent-Teacher Consultations- all Year groups
Friday 15th February Professional Day Closure
18th-22nd February Half term
Monday 25th February 8.55am School reopens
Sunday 16th March 2-4pm PTA Easter Egg Hunt
Friday 21st March School closed Good Friday
6-9pm The Passion Orams Arbour Monday
Monday 24th March 8.55am School Reopens
Friday 4th April School closed for Spring vacation
Monday 21st April 8.55am School reopens for summer term
Monday 5th May May Day school closed
Monday 12th May Y6 SATs tests all week
Monday 19th May Y6 to Little Canada, IOW all week
Monday 26th-30th May Half term
Monday 2nd June 8.55am school reopens
Monday 30th June Professional Day closure
Friday 4th July PTA Summer Fair
Wednesday 23rd July 3.30pm School closes for the summer holiday