Current Newsletter
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:
- Nursery – Sally (Molly)
- Reception – Emma (Megan in yr1)
- Year 1 – Fiona (Toby)
- Year 2 – Lindsay (Giles)
- Year 3 – Annie (Alex)
- Year 4 – Julie (Mia)
- Year 5 – Patience (Jo)
- Year 6 – Julie (Cameron)
- or come along to out next planning meeting after drop off on Friday 21st November (more details to follow).
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.