Current Newsletter

Brindishe School

Brindishe Newsletter

7 November 2008

Dear parents and friends,
We had a very useful INSET on Monday from Peter Worley who has been taking Philosophy sessions with Year 2 and Year 6 this term. All classes from years 1 -6 will experience these sessions this year. We covered very relevant topics such as questioning and enquiry, which apply to all areas of learning.
We also had a session from Lisa Morris on our MLE (managed learning environment), more easily understood as an ‘online classroom’.
Mrs Morris has been running an online classroom, which focuses on maths, for a group of yr 5 and 6 children since last year. This was a trial that was very successful and we are intending for more children especially in upper KS2 to be able to access some aspects of learning via their online classroom this year. This will be available for children to access from home or from booked time after school/ in the local library, if a computer is not available at home.

Monday Drop-in sessions
Our weekly drop-in sessions will start next Monday 10 Nov 3.30-4.00pm.
These sessions are intended to support you to help your child with their learning. May I remind you that the sessions are not intended to be for private discussion and will not the opportunity to ask ‘How is my child getting on.’ This more formal session will be held in January after we have assessed the children on their progress so far this year. Please come along on any Monday drop-in. We do hope that the regular time slot will be useful to you, to ask questions when you need to, such as ‘ How do you teach addition?’ It will also be an opportunity for you to give us information that will help us.
From time to time different classes may run a short support session during this time on a particular area.

Helping your child with reading sessions are being held for Years 1 and 2 parents on 10 Nov and for nursery and reception parents on 24 Nov. A letter has been sent home with details. Please ask at the office if you haven’t received one.

School council, buddies and play leaders
We want to make sure that our children have the opportunity to take part in supporting the running of the school. Our aim is that this is an opportunity for the children to give time and support to others. This week the children were introduced to those children who are supporting them as playleaders, buddies and school councilors. Playleaders are trained to help other children play games and buddies support other children with joining–in and feeling happy at playtimes. School council act as the school’s representatives, they show visitors around the school and are the pupil voice – they are good listeners and communicators and represent the children at Governor’s meetings at least once a year.

Giving for living
You should have received a letter yesterday with details about our seasonal charitable giving scheme.
This year we will be supporting ‘Oxfam unwrapped’ and each class will be saving up for a gift to support communities in other countries. This fits well with our SDP aim that the children ‘Make a positive contribution’ and we are very keen that the children earn small amounts of money by doing simple jobs for you at home. Each class will be deciding the ‘gift’ they are saving for and we will let you know what these are and how the children are doing- we’re expecting useful ways to earn the money!

Trainee teachers
Two students will be joining us from the Institute of Education on 10 Nov for 4 weeks this term and 5 weeks next term. Sarah Mills will be working with Mrs Watson/ Ms Tadd in year 3 and Deirdre Thompson will be with Mrs Morris in year 6.

Book Fair- Advance notice
17, 18, 19 Nov 3.30-4.30pm
Please come along, browse and buy!
As you know we receive a very good rate of commission, which is used to increase our existing stock of books in school.

PHAB news
Please get baking!!!
Fri 14 Nov PHAB Cake Sale
After school in the hall
Treats for all the family.
Donations, as always, gratefully received and much needed!

PHAB Meeting 4th November
Many thanks to all who came along to the Christmas Fair planning meeting on Tuesday. We have lots of great ideas for our Christmas Fair which will be held on Friday 12th December from 6 – 7.30pm. As always we need lots and lots of help both before and during the Fair. We will be asking for donations of bottles for bottle tombola – food and drink and toiletries, and for toys and books in good condition. More details of where to bring these things to follow. We also need raffle prizes please, including some ‘headline’ prizes so if you have a generous employer please ask if they would be prepared to donate a prize. We will feature all donors in the Fair programme as well as mentioning them in the newsletter.
If you can help in any way please let us know, here is who you need to talk to:

Don’t forget to put the date on the calendar NOW, Santa is coming along and plenty for adults and children to do so it’s really not to be missed.

Christmas Fair Poster Competition
Last year Lois Bateman (now in Year 2) won our competition to design the poster for the PHAB Christmas Fair. This year it could be YOU!
Entry is open to all Brindishe children and should be on white A4 paper. The words PHAB Christmas Fair, Friday 12th December from 6-7.30pm
Admission £1 for adults and 50p for children need to be included. We are looking for something eye-catching and Christmassy.
Entries to the Office please by 21st November.

Term dates
See the Term Dates page

Please note - new term dates are attached for 2009/2010

Friday 7 Nov 3.30-5.00pm
Please come along and see some of the learning from the whole school, inspired by the painting ‘The Fighting Temeraire’. Everyone welcome.

Next week
7-9 Nov Year 5 school journey to Marchants Hill

Mon 10 Nov
The Selfish Giant
A drama production for all year groups- a donation from each child of £1 is greatly appreciated.

Thurs 13 Nov
Year 6 -Gamelan workshop with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican

Fri 14 Nov
Year 6 Junior Citizens
PHAB cake sale

Best wishes to all families

Diane Spalding

Hemihelp concert
The charity HemiHelp, which supports children and families with hemiplegia, is organising a concert at Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square. It's called the 'Children Helping Children' concert - all musicians and performers will be children from a range of musical colleges and stage schools, and the performances will tailor to a selection of styles and tastes.. All performers give their time free of charge.
The aim is to help raise money to support HemiHelp's goal to reach more families and children living with hemiplegia. To find out more about HemiHelp, or the concert, visit www.hemihelp.org.uk or contact Rosalyn (mum to Tommy, Yr 5 and Milly in the nursery).
The date of the concert is Saturday 28th February 2009 at 7pm, and tickets are £10, £15 and £20 for adults, tickets for children are half price for each child accompanied by an adult paying full price. To book tickets and find out more, visit www.cadoganhall.co.uk.

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