16 Nov 2007 - Newsletter No 10
Horfield CEVC Primary School
Newsletter No.10 - Friday 16th November 2007
International News
Our visit to our link school in Izmir, Turkey last week was highly successful and we have now confirmed our international plans for the rest of the academic year. We will publish these plans shortly.
Year 6 Poland Visit
There is a meeting for Year 6 parents on Thursday 22nd November at 3.30pm to discuss the latest arrangements for the trip to Poland in January 2008. We will be showing a DVD in another class for the children so that parents and teachers can discuss any special concerns. Parents who are unable to attend are invited to speak with teachers either by telephone or at another mutually convenient time. All relevant paperwork will be sent home on the day after the meeting. There will be no Latin Club next week.
Year 5 Visit to Fairthorne Manor
This is just to remind parents of children booked to take part in the visit to Fairthorne Manor in May 2008 that we advise payments by regular instalments towards the total cost of the trip. Payment cards have been issued for this purpose.
Parents' Evening
Our Parents' evenings were well attended this week and we hope that you found them useful. If you were unable to make / keep an appointment please contact your child's teacher who will be pleased to arrange a time to meet you to discuss your child's progress.
Book Fayre
The Book Fayre seems to have been particularly successful this time and we hope you all enjoy the many books which have been purchased.
Shoebox Appeal
I am delighted to report that 105 shoebox presents were collected on Tuesday and will shortly be on their way to Eastern Europe. This represents a truly magnificent response to the appeal and thank you so much for your compassion and generosity. The children were told a bit more about the appeal in Tuesday's assembly and next year we will be able to look at some video recordings which will be taken when children receive and open their presents.
Governors
Last week we sent home information about a vacancy for a parent governor. If you are interested in this rewarding and very worthwhile role then please ensure that you submit a completed nomination form to the school office by the Friday 23rd November deadline. If you wish to know more about the role of a parent governor please ask at the office and we will arrange for a governor to talk to you.
Car Parking
I received a letter from a parent this week who is extremely concerned about the safety of children due to inconsiderate parking outside the school when parents are dropping or collecting their children. You will be aware that this is an ongoing concern to staff and Governors and I have published an extract from the letter below:
"As a parent of the school for 7 years I have not been concerned as I am at present. On most days people will park on the yellow zig-zag lines by the school. Some often block driveways, they appear totally unconcerned of the danger they are posing and the fact that they are obstructing drivers' views.....At present the situation is an accident waiting to happen."
I have kept the identity of the writer anonymous, but it is clear to me that this view is shared by the majority of parents and I am now taking further steps to eliminate this unnecessary risk to the children of the school. Please make sure that you park legally, safely and considerately in the vicinity of the school.
Children in Need: Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Non-Uniform Day today; we raised exactly £300 which we will pass on to Children in Need.
Students of the Week: Students of the Week in Year 6 are Jessica Webber in Class 14 and Samuel Perkins in Class 13 for writing some excellent World War 1 poetry.
Assembly Theme: Our assembly theme for next week is Power and Weakness.
Year 6 First World War Topic
Our Year 6 students have this week been very engaged in a unit of work on the First World War and many of them have produced some excellent pieces which they shared in this morning's assembly with the rest of the school. An example of this work is the following poignant poem by Tyler Wills (Cl.13):
Sound of Silence
In the trenches we stand in fear
when soldiers die all we can hear
is the deadly sound of silence.
I saw my friend die.
Hopefully I will never hear the
terrible sound of silence.
When the whistle blows,
it shatters into a million pieces
the peaceful sound of silence.
I got shot, I'm about to die
and once again to hear the
sound of silence.
I woke up, hear a big cheer.
It's over, its over,
I'm glad to hear.
I'm sitting here with my grandson
listening to him say,
Grandad was it fun, what did you do?
I placed my finger to my lips
and put it back down.
I hope he got the picture.
I was thinking of Flanders Fields
and the day I should have died.
On Remembrance Day all we should
hear is the peaceful
Sound of Silence.
Well done, Tyler! Such is the quality of the work produced by Year 6 in this topic that we will publish more of their work next week. A. Sutton
Diary Dates - Term 2
Friday 16/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Friday 23/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Friday 30/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Saturday 1/12/07 Christmas Bazaar - 11.30am-2.00pm
Monday 3/12/07 Old Vic Theatre School 'Nativity' - 1.30pm
Save the Children Concert at Church - 7.00pm
Wednesday 5/12/07 Reception Nativity - 10.00am
Thursday 6/12/07 Reception Nativity - 2.00pm
Thursday 6/12/07 Full Governors- Meeting
Friday 7/12/07 10.15am ' Helpers' Coffee Morning - for anyone who has helped in school this year, eg. walking to swimming, helping in classes, School Association, Governors, etc
Thursday 13/12/07 Christmas Dinner
Monday 17/12/07 Carol Service at Horfield Parish Church - 7pm
Wednesday 19/12/07 Last day of Term 2
Thursday 3rd January INSET
Friday 4th January INSET
Monday 7th January Term 3 begins
A number of parents have asked about the term dates for 2008/09 as they are thinking about booking holidays during school holiday periods for next year. The following dates have been agreed for the 2008/2009 school year:
* Term 1 Wednesday 3 September to Friday 24 October 2008 *
* Term 2 Wednesday 5 November to Friday 19 December 2008
* Term 3 Monday 5 January to Friday 13 February 2009
* Term 4 Monday 23 February to Friday 3 April 2009
* Term 5 Monday 20 April to Friday 22 May 2009
* Term 6 Monday 1 June to Friday 24 July 2009
* Please note that there will be an In-service Training Day on Wednesday 3rd September which means that the new school year for children will start on Thursday 4th September 2008.
Newsletter No.10 - Friday 16th November 2007
International News
Our visit to our link school in Izmir, Turkey last week was highly successful and we have now confirmed our international plans for the rest of the academic year. We will publish these plans shortly.
Year 6 Poland Visit
There is a meeting for Year 6 parents on Thursday 22nd November at 3.30pm to discuss the latest arrangements for the trip to Poland in January 2008. We will be showing a DVD in another class for the children so that parents and teachers can discuss any special concerns. Parents who are unable to attend are invited to speak with teachers either by telephone or at another mutually convenient time. All relevant paperwork will be sent home on the day after the meeting. There will be no Latin Club next week.
Year 5 Visit to Fairthorne Manor
This is just to remind parents of children booked to take part in the visit to Fairthorne Manor in May 2008 that we advise payments by regular instalments towards the total cost of the trip. Payment cards have been issued for this purpose.
Parents' Evening
Our Parents' evenings were well attended this week and we hope that you found them useful. If you were unable to make / keep an appointment please contact your child's teacher who will be pleased to arrange a time to meet you to discuss your child's progress.
Book Fayre
The Book Fayre seems to have been particularly successful this time and we hope you all enjoy the many books which have been purchased.
Shoebox Appeal
I am delighted to report that 105 shoebox presents were collected on Tuesday and will shortly be on their way to Eastern Europe. This represents a truly magnificent response to the appeal and thank you so much for your compassion and generosity. The children were told a bit more about the appeal in Tuesday's assembly and next year we will be able to look at some video recordings which will be taken when children receive and open their presents.
Governors
Last week we sent home information about a vacancy for a parent governor. If you are interested in this rewarding and very worthwhile role then please ensure that you submit a completed nomination form to the school office by the Friday 23rd November deadline. If you wish to know more about the role of a parent governor please ask at the office and we will arrange for a governor to talk to you.
Car Parking
I received a letter from a parent this week who is extremely concerned about the safety of children due to inconsiderate parking outside the school when parents are dropping or collecting their children. You will be aware that this is an ongoing concern to staff and Governors and I have published an extract from the letter below:
"As a parent of the school for 7 years I have not been concerned as I am at present. On most days people will park on the yellow zig-zag lines by the school. Some often block driveways, they appear totally unconcerned of the danger they are posing and the fact that they are obstructing drivers' views.....At present the situation is an accident waiting to happen."
I have kept the identity of the writer anonymous, but it is clear to me that this view is shared by the majority of parents and I am now taking further steps to eliminate this unnecessary risk to the children of the school. Please make sure that you park legally, safely and considerately in the vicinity of the school.
Children in Need: Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Non-Uniform Day today; we raised exactly £300 which we will pass on to Children in Need.
Students of the Week: Students of the Week in Year 6 are Jessica Webber in Class 14 and Samuel Perkins in Class 13 for writing some excellent World War 1 poetry.
Assembly Theme: Our assembly theme for next week is Power and Weakness.
Year 6 First World War Topic
Our Year 6 students have this week been very engaged in a unit of work on the First World War and many of them have produced some excellent pieces which they shared in this morning's assembly with the rest of the school. An example of this work is the following poignant poem by Tyler Wills (Cl.13):
Sound of Silence
In the trenches we stand in fear
when soldiers die all we can hear
is the deadly sound of silence.
I saw my friend die.
Hopefully I will never hear the
terrible sound of silence.
When the whistle blows,
it shatters into a million pieces
the peaceful sound of silence.
I got shot, I'm about to die
and once again to hear the
sound of silence.
I woke up, hear a big cheer.
It's over, its over,
I'm glad to hear.
I'm sitting here with my grandson
listening to him say,
Grandad was it fun, what did you do?
I placed my finger to my lips
and put it back down.
I hope he got the picture.
I was thinking of Flanders Fields
and the day I should have died.
On Remembrance Day all we should
hear is the peaceful
Sound of Silence.
Well done, Tyler! Such is the quality of the work produced by Year 6 in this topic that we will publish more of their work next week. A. Sutton
Diary Dates - Term 2
Friday 16/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Friday 23/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Friday 30/11/07 Swimming - Years 2 + 6
Saturday 1/12/07 Christmas Bazaar - 11.30am-2.00pm
Monday 3/12/07 Old Vic Theatre School 'Nativity' - 1.30pm
Save the Children Concert at Church - 7.00pm
Wednesday 5/12/07 Reception Nativity - 10.00am
Thursday 6/12/07 Reception Nativity - 2.00pm
Thursday 6/12/07 Full Governors- Meeting
Friday 7/12/07 10.15am ' Helpers' Coffee Morning - for anyone who has helped in school this year, eg. walking to swimming, helping in classes, School Association, Governors, etc
Thursday 13/12/07 Christmas Dinner
Monday 17/12/07 Carol Service at Horfield Parish Church - 7pm
Wednesday 19/12/07 Last day of Term 2
Thursday 3rd January INSET
Friday 4th January INSET
Monday 7th January Term 3 begins
A number of parents have asked about the term dates for 2008/09 as they are thinking about booking holidays during school holiday periods for next year. The following dates have been agreed for the 2008/2009 school year:
* Term 1 Wednesday 3 September to Friday 24 October 2008 *
* Term 2 Wednesday 5 November to Friday 19 December 2008
* Term 3 Monday 5 January to Friday 13 February 2009
* Term 4 Monday 23 February to Friday 3 April 2009
* Term 5 Monday 20 April to Friday 22 May 2009
* Term 6 Monday 1 June to Friday 24 July 2009
* Please note that there will be an In-service Training Day on Wednesday 3rd September which means that the new school year for children will start on Thursday 4th September 2008.