Bampton School - Latest Newsletter May/June 2008

May 9th:

We have just completed our first week in our long-awaited new school building.  The staff, children and I are delighted with the design of the building and our wonderful new facilities and fittings.  Over the course of this week I have been conducting twice daily tours of our school.  We have had an excellent turnout and, without exception, everyone has spoken very favourably.  Most people have said that their expectations have been exceeded.  Those of you who have not yet had time to visit can see some photographs at www.bampton.org.uk.  There will be no tours next week as the SATs tests will be in progress.  Please telephone the school office to make appointments for any time thereafter.

We are extremely grateful to everyone in the community who has supported us over the past few years.  The fundraising will have to continue for some time to come, however I am sure the new building will give us even greater inspiration in our efforts.  ‘Costcutters’ will soon be joining the fundraising efforts – further details in store soon.

New Building Health and Safety

• Children should be on site from 8.45am onwards, when the gate to the rear of the building is opened.  Access to the rear of the building through the side gate is only for parents of Green Meadows children, delivering their children to the Foundation Stage Class.  All other adults who wish to enter the school or grounds must report to Reception and sign in.  All children enter the building through their class bases.

• Children have been told they must not admit any adults to the building including staff and parents, please support us by not asking children to release security locks and doors.

• Please take special care when dropping off children in the school car park.  It is safest to escort your children to the footpath.  Obviously we would prefer it if car usage could be kept to an absolute minimum to encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce traffic flow.  The road up from the car park is for staff vehicles, county transport and trade deliveries only.  All pedestrians must use the footpath at all times.  The school buses will not use the road if they see pedestrians walking on it.

• The site is now fully covered by CCTV. 

• All visitors must report to Reception.

• There are still some workmen on site.  A full risk assessment has been undertaken and the Child Protection Code of Conduct has been agreed.  The children have been told that they must not speak to or approach the builders.

• A new ICT network is currently being set up.  We will shortly be sending home a policy statement for you and your child to read together and for your child to sign in respect of responsible and acceptable use of the internet.

Exmoor Challenge

Huge congratulations to our two teams for completing the 16 mile walk over Exmoor last weekend. This year’s walkers were:  Jasmine, Ashley, Georgina, Alice, Jake, Natalie, Paris, and Sophie.
Many thanks, as ever to Josie and Les Wensley for their commitment and expertise in managing the training and for supporting Alison Fitch who is new to the event. Alison has become an enthusiastic supporter of the event and has enjoyed every moment of the training despite blisters! As ever, thanks to parents and supporters, without whom, the event would not be possible.

Residentials

Trips are fast approaching for Orange Class who have an overnight camping stay and Wimbleball Lake and a 3 day trip to Dartmoor for Red Class.  Please ensure all permission slips have been returned to school.

Big Wide Talk

The Tiverton Family of Schools (Learning Community) are hosting a very special consultation exercise over a three week period at The New Hall in Tiverton.  A specialist company has been commissioned to set up a “Cloth Hall Play Environment” with cafes, a farmyard etc.  Each school will be taking children from the Foundation Stage to Year 2 to visit and play in the Cloth Hall.  During the visit children will be interviewed and filmed by trained Play Workers.  The purpose of the Big Wide Talk is for individual schools and the Learning Community as a whole to identify development areas to support children and families.

Each school visiting will receive a film of the event which remains in the control of the school and which you, as parents, will be able to preview with us.  This promises to be a fantastic event and has already been very well received in other parts of the southwest.  Further details will go direct to families in class letters.

Dates for your diary

w/c 12 May 2008                     Year 6 SATs
15-16 May 2008                      Orange Class Residential Visit
21 May 2008                           Green Meadows and Yellow Class trip to Big Wide Talk
22 May 2008                           Story teller and singing for Year 3 4
w/c 26 May 2008                     Half Term
3 June 2008                             German Taster Lesson from Tiverton High School for Year 6
5 June 2008                             Reverend Ray Avent visiting for assembly
6 June 2008                             Tempest Whole School Photograph
6 June 2008                             Tiverton Singers Concert
11 June 2008                           Scholastic Book Fair
12 June 2008                           Skipping Workshops with after school skipping display
14 June 2008                           Bampton 10K and fun run
16 June 2008                           School reports issued
21 June 2008                           School Fete
24 and 25 June 2008                Parent Consultation Evenings
27 June 2008                           Proposed Red Class Trip to London
28 June 2008                           Church Fete at Castle Grove
30 June 2008                           THS sample Day – Year 6
1 July 2008                              THS Parent Evening – Year 6
10 July 2008                            PTFA Fashion Show
17 July 2008                            Year 6 Leaver’s Assembly
18 July 2008                            Last Day of Term (possible singing concert in Tiverton)

June 9th:

Many thanks for your positive and kind comments to the HMI Ofsted Inspector last week during our surprise inspection. Despite the hectic move to the new building the Inspector was very complimentary about us. The report will be received on Thursday or Friday of this week and we are able to proof read for factual accuracy, the final report will be published subsequent to being moderated by other Inspectors. As we are a Church school an OFSTED inspection also triggers a church inspection – this will take place on 23 June 2008.

Life goes on despite inspections and on Friday we had a delightful fundraising concert from the Tiverton Singers and the school choir. The children sang very well and we got to use our new hall and staging for the first time. Thank you to the PTFA for their continued support and to Beccy Gamlin and her team of loyal helpers.

On Thursday June 12, as part of our programme to develop healthy lifestyles and promote active playtimes, we will be hosting a skipping workshop and training for support staff. You are welcome to join us at 3pm for demonstration skipping and an opportunity to purchase high quality children’s speed ropes at £4 and adult ropes at £5. If you wish to purchase these by cheque, please make payable to Skipping Worshops.

Y3/4 and Y5/6 have both been on residential outdoor activity trips this term. We have enjoyed hearing about the challenges they have faced and the relationships they have developed as a result of their changed work context.

We are currently collecting Flora margarine tokens as part of their support for cooking in schools – there seems to be a very realistic opportunity to obtain new equipment with mixing bowls at 8 tokens and whisks 10 tokens. The tokens can be entered online or you can bring the details to the office and we will log them for you.

In response to staff requests I am pushing the annual consultation meetings and school reports on by a little – revised dates are: 30 June reports issued, 8 and 9 July Consultation meetings. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

At this time of year please remember to enclose ice packs with packed lunches and all children should have a water bottle for drinks throughout the day. Children are not permitted to drink squash or juice other than as part of a packed lunch. Hats are essential at this time of year and sun block is a sensible part of the morning routine. Please do not send sun creams into school as they invariably leak and some children might be tempted to share creams to which some children might be allergic.

Important Safety reminders
Although we are very pleased that children like coming to school, children are starting to arrive earlier and earlier in the mornings.

• No children may be on site before 8.45 am at which point they should go direct to their classrooms.
• No children, including siblings who come to the school when children are being dropped off or collected, may go up into the playground areas or climb on the play equipment – this is for their safety and insurance reasons
• All parents and carers must only enter the school building via the reception office and sign in.
• Please do not use the kitchen deliveries entrance
• Green Meadows parents and carers should deliver children to the classroom garden area and ensure children are handed over to staff. At the end of the day please assemble in the circular areas at the front of the school and only make your way up to collect the children from their garden area, once the 3.30pm bell has sounded. This will allow staff to hand children over in an organised and safe manner.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Up and coming Events:
Scholastic Book Fair – this Wednesday 11 June after school in Main Corridor
Skipping Workshops 12 June
Induction meeting for new parents (Green Meadows) Friday 27 June at 2.45pm
Taster Sessions for Green Meadows – Monday 30 June 1.30 -3pm &  Green Meadows Teddy Bear’s Picnic Thursday 10 July 1.30-3pm

Term Dates:
2 September 2008                    First Day Autumn Term
27-31 October 2008                Half Term
19 December 2008                  Last Day Autumn Term
8 January 2009             First Day Spring Term
16-20 February 2009               Half Term
3 April 2009                             Last Day Spring Term
20 April 2009                           First Day Summer Term
4 May 2009                             May Day Bank Holiday
25-29 May 2009                      Half Term
17 July 2009                            Last Day Summer Term

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