Newsletter

14^th October 2011

Dear Parents/Carers,

Parent Workshop: How to help your child with Reading and Writing at Home. Thursday 29^th September 7-9pm  Many thanks to all those parents who attended the evening. The information handed out can be found on the Learning Platform.  A big thank you to Mrs Pratt who organised the displays of resources and pupil writing for the evening.

Book Week: 4^th – 6^th October: Congratulations to all the children who came to school as their favourite book character.  There were some very inventive costumes.  Staff joined in the fun and made the day really special for our children.  The book fayre was very successful and due to the number of sales the school has been given £370 worth of books for our library.

Harvest Fundraising:17^th-21^st October As you know the School Council have organised Fundraising activities for the week of 17^th-21^stOctober to raise money for Julius the Ugandan child we sponsor each year. They are running the following events during each morning playtime of that week:-

·         Guess the name of the Christmas Teddy -20p a go

·         How Many spiders can you place in the bowl using a straw? …..Year 2- 1 minute, Year 1- 2 minutes and Reception in 3 minutes. Prize for most spiders in each Year group 20p a go

·         Flap the Pumpkin Race-10p a go

·         Can you guess how many sweets in the jar? -20p a go

·         Ten Pin bowling -10p a go.

Your child will need to bring along some money-10p and 20p coins if they wish to participate.  Please ensure it is in a named purse or envelope.  Unfortunately staff cannot be held responsible for any money which is lost.

On Friday 21^st October the children would like to hold a Cake Sale.  If you can donate small cakes or biscuits for sale please send them into school on the morning of Friday 21^st October.  Your child will need some money if they want to buy a biscuit or a small cake.

This is always a fun event which all our children enjoy participating in.  Year 2 children support the School Council in running the events so it really is a pupil led activity.  We hope you can support us in raising funds for this worthwhile cause.

Soup Day and Harvest Celebration: Tuesday 18^th October: Your child will need to bring in one vegetable to school on Tuesday 18^th October which they will prepare and add to our vegetable soup. Your child will also need to bring a small plastic bowl and spoon (named please) from which they can eat the soup.

Parents are invited to our Harvest Celebration on Tuesday 18^th October at 1.30pm in the loft of the FBCentre.  Each class, apart from Nursery, will make a presentation.  Afterwards you are welcome to join your child in their classroom to share a bowl of vegetable soup. Children will not be allowed to go home early.  We would ask parents to leave classrooms no later than 3.00pm and wait for their children to be dismissed at 3.15pm as usual.

Foundation Stage Parent/Teacher Interviews: Nursery afternoon of Tuesday 18^th October, Reception classes 19^th & 20^th October If you have not signed up for an interview with your child’s teacher please do so on the lists in the School Office area.

Year 1 & 2 Parent/Teacher Interviews:2^nd & 3^rd November:Please sign up for an interview with your child’s teacher.  Lists are available from the school office.

Considerate Parking!  Unfortunately we have had a complaint from one of our neighbours whose driveway has been blocked several times by parents of our school at drop off & pick up time.  This is very frustrating and it caused their child to be late getting into school.  Please do not park across residents driveways or block access points.

World Diabetes Day: The 14^th November is World Diabetes Day.  Mrs Hutchison, one of our parents, is cycling from London to Paris to raise funds for the charity Diabetes UK.  She has asked if the school would support her by taking part in some fundraising.  As we have a pupil in our school who is diabetic we would like to participate in this.  Mrs Hutchison will join us for an assembly on 7^th November to tell the children about the event and the charity. Therefore we are holding a non-school uniform day on Friday 11^th November.  If your child wishes to take part they will need to contribute a £1.  We would also like to hold a cake sale.  If parents would be kind enough to donate small cakes or biscuits to be brought to the school hall on the morning of the 11^th November and children will need to bring 10p’s and 20p’s if they wish to purchase some.  We wish Mrs Hutchison good luck with her cycle ride.

Children in Need Day: Friday 18^th November The children have asked to participate in this charity event and have voted to be allowed to wear their pyjamas over ordinary clothes, to school (proper shoes no slippers please).  They may also bring their teddy bear or soft cuddly (please name-with your childs’ name!). If your child wishes to participate they will need to bring £1.00.  They will receive a Children in Need wrist band for participating.  We will also be selling a Pudsy Bear key ring for £2.00 available from the school office during that week. All proceeds will go to the charity.

Voltage: FBC October Holiday Club for school years 1-6

When – Thursday 27^th – Saturday 29^th October 2011 10:00 – 3:30. On Sunday 30^th October there will be an all age family finale from 10:30 for parents to see what their children have been up to and to see them perform.

What – Bouncy Castle, Football, Dance Clubs, Gunge, Team Games, Prizes, Face Painting, Competitions and craft, to name a few. The daily themes will focus on a life issue from a Christian perspective. There’s loads going on for all the ages involved - a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.

Cost - £5 per day or £12 for all 3 days.

Important – Children must be registered before hand – please send a cheque/cash and completed consent for (available from Reception at the FBC Centre) to:

Simon Hall, FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, Berkshire, RG40 4ES

For more information, contact Simon Hall on 01189 088 162, simon@finchampstead.com

Dates to Remember

Eileen Rogers

Headteacher