Headteacher’s Comments

Good luck to everyone who is taking part in our ‘Stars in their Eyes’ competition this evening.  I watched the dress rehearsal on Monday and the judges will have a hard job choosing a winner tonight.  I certainly don’t envy their job!

The PTA is very focused on raising money so we can have an outside stage built as quickly as possible.  They are in the process of organising a lot of events, some details of which are below.  Please support the PTA as they are working hard to improve the facilities in the playground.

Achievements

On Friday Charlie Spillett, Daisy Jones and Jamie Soteriou received Green Cards.  Well done to Eden McCartney and Fatma Celik for working extremely hard in their literacy and planning a story based on their visit to Colchester Castle.  I look forward to reading the story.  Cameron Straughan received a Green Card for ‘fabulous literacy work and lovely presentation’.  Teiye Richards received a Green Card for his caring attitude towards other children at lunchtime on Tuesday.  Well done to Liam Nelson, Jessica Smith, Francesca Wood Clarence Kelly and DeAndre Johnson-Trent for receiving Green Cards from Mrs Chapman.  Well done to Joshua Gilbert, Eden Ramsey, Michael Wan and Erin Rumens who received Green Cards on Thursday.  Well done also to Kirena Nolan, Nilgun Halim, Danny Ball, Daniel Ryan, Raymond Bull and Aaron Jones who all received green cards for their Maths investigation and Ben Brooks for Literacy. Also excellent news about Jessica Okaka, who has received her Platinum award for times tables.  On Friday I was visited by Owen Brennan, Manpreet Tak and Sian Coleman-Adu who received Green Cards.  Well done everyone!

Homework

As I have previously reported, we are focusing on improving presentation this half term.  Therefore, children in years 3 and 4 are getting weekly handwriting homework in place of their reading journals.

Attendance

Well done to Mrs Campbell’s class who won best attendance last week and who will be jumping the queue at lunchtime.

Strike Action

As you may be aware, many unions have announced a day of strikes for Wednesday 30 November.  Our school will be open as usual.

PE Kit

With the cold weather now upon us, please make sure your child has a full PE kit for both indoor and outdoor PE and please ensure they are named.

Indoor PE Kit:

• Plain black shorts
• Plain white t-shirt*

Outdoor PE Kit:

• Plain black tracksuit
• Outdoor trainers
• Socks

Pantomime

The PTA will be sending out leaflets next week regarding the school’s Pantomime ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’.  There will be two performances, one on Wednesday 14 December starting at 1:30pm and the other on Thursday 15 December starting at 5:30pm.  Tickets will be £2 per adult and £1 per child.

Second Hand School Uniform Sale

The PTA are organising a second-hand school uniform sale.  Please wash and bring any unwanted school uniform in on Monday 5 December or Tuesday 6 December.  The uniform will then be on sale after school on Wednesday 7 December, Thursday 8 December and Friday 9 December.

Bags2Bag Fundraising

In the New Year the PTA will be organising a used clothes collection scheme.  Every child will receive a plastic bag, similar to ones that come through your front door.  The PTA will earn money for every kilogram of clothes it collects.  So please do not throw out any of your old clothes and save them ready for the collection next term.

Christmas Carol Service

This is just a reminder that our Christmas Carol Service is on Tuesday 13 December starting at 1:30pm.  Parents and family are welcome to join us in the Abbey Church for the service.  All children will be expected to be collected from the Church after the service.

Dates for your diary

Mon 5 December         Second Hand Uniform to be handed in

Tues 6 December        Second Hand Uniform to be handed in

Wed 7 December         Second Hand Uniform Sale (3:15pm)

Thurs 8 December       Second Hand Uniform Sale (3:15pm)

Fri 9 December           Second Hand Uniform Sale (3:15pm)

Tues 13 December       Christmas Carol Concert (1:30pm)

Wed 14 December       Christmas Dinner

Weds 14 December     Pantomime (1:30pm)

Thurs 15 December     Pantomime (5:30pm)

Fri 16 December          Break up from school

Tues 3 January 2012    Return to school

Tues 17 January          Year 3 Coffee Morning

Wed 18 January          Year 4 Coffee Morning

Thurs 19 January        Year 5 Coffee Morning

Fri 20 January            Year 6 Coffee Morning

Fri 10 February            Cross Country Competition

Fri 10 February            Break up from school

Mon 20 February         Return to school

Tues 13 March IEP Meetings

Tues 13 March Pupil Progress Meetings

Thurs 15 March            Pupil Progress Meetings

Fri 30 March                Break up from school

Mon 16 April               Return to school

Tues 1 May                  Whole School Trip

Mon 7 May                  Bank Holiday

Thurs 31 May               Break up from school

Mon 11 June                Return to school

Thurs 28 June               Open Evening 5-7pm

Fri 29 June                   West Essex Olympics

Tues 3 July                   Sports Day 9:30am

Thurs 5 July                  Transition Day

Fri 6 July                      Sports Day 9:30am (Reserve)

Sat 7 July                     Olympic Torch Relay

Wed 4 July                   District Sports (Field Events)

Wed 11 July                 District Sports (Track Events)

Tues 17 July                 Year 6 Play 2.00pm

Wed 18 July                 Year 6 Play 5.00pm

Fri 20 July 2012           Break up from school