Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Update and Latest news
Fri 26 Jan 2018Dear Parents,
As there have been two letters sent out this week,we felt it only necessary to share the following with you from both myself and Mrs Weston:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arlon family and we will continue to support them and everyone in our school community. The prayer below has been written for them by Safiya.
We hope many of you will join us on Monday when Bob Hartman will be in school. Please see the calendar for details, we are looking forward to a special day.
I will put an update on Facebook regarding the success of our football match today. Good luck to the team.
Finally I would like to thank you all for your support and your kind words following my appointment as Head teacher, I am delighted.
Best wishes
Mrs Vanstone and Mrs Weston
This week's prayer by Safiya:
Thank you for our wonderful families,
help us to treasure them as they mean so much to us.
Please help all those who have passed and their loved ones.
Amen
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19th January 2018
Fri 19 Jan 2018Dear Parents,
The weeks seems to be going by so quickly. I gave out raffle prizes and a treat for each child to recognise their efforts in ‘Stepping it up’. It was a lovely way to start the week.
This week has been busy with parent meetings for Early Years, Phonics and Key stage 1 SATs. I would like to thank so many of you for attending; we really appreciate your time and support. For any parents who were unable to attend, the presentations are on the class pages of the website.
Last Friday we had great fun with a Staff v Yellow Goldfinch team football match. It was very close with a 5-4 win for the children. Congratulations to Oliver on scoring the winning goal. Thank you to Mrs Gan, Mrs Judge, Miss Parish, Mr O’Reilly and Mr Lamden for representing the teachers. I was delighted when Mila described my football as amazing, if only it were true! Today 8 children took part in a Madejski Football Tournament; I will share how they played on Facebook. Thank you to parents and Mrs Weston for supporting us to take part at such late notice.
On Friday evening the Governors treated the staff to a wonderful evening and home cooked meal as a thank you for the year. It is lovely to have the evening together and I know staff enjoy the evening and appreciate the effort and thanks of the Governors.
On Thursday this week we had a great FOFSA meeting; 2018 looks to be very exciting! A letter has been sent home in book bags today regarding the tables and chairs we wish to purchase for Key stage 2.
Next week is going to be an even busier week with Headteacher interviews taking place on Wednesday and Thursday. The Governors will inform you of the outcome in due course.
On Tuesday Melanie from Warren Lodge is planning to come and speak to Chaffinch class about her role within a care home. As I have mentioned previously, we are looking forward to taking groups of children to the home to lead activities for some of the residents. Melanie will be able to answer any questions the children may have and give them information of what to expect. It is such a wonderful community opportunity and something that will be valuable for everyone involved. A permission letter will be sent out to Chaffinch children soon. If at any point you have any worries, concerns or personal circumstances that you wish us to be aware of please see either myself or Mrs Dodds.
Finally, I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Fox for providing and organising a wonderful learning experience for the children on Monday 29th January. I have included information below and hope that you can join us for the relevant parts of the day.
A special visitor
On Monday, January 29th we will be having a very special visitor to School:
Bob Hartman.
Bob is a performance storyteller par excellence. He has been entertaining audiences on both sides of the Atlantic for many years with his books and performances, which bring together retellings of Bible stories and traditional tales from around the world with his own imaginative stories. His books are full of humour and insight, whilst his storytelling sessions are exciting, engaging, dynamic - and above all, interactive!
Bob is going to spend time with each class during the day but we want parents to have the opportunity to hear him too. Therefore, the day will start at 09:00 with a special session for grown-ups in School House. Tea and coffee will be served. There will be a further opportunity to see Bob in action at the end of the day 2.30pm when he will be leading a whole school assembly to which you are also invited. We have made arrangements with Quench Bookshop to have some of his books available to buy on the day and later in the week.
I am sure you will join me in thanking Mr and Mrs Fox.
I wish you all a restful weekend; we have had many families and staff unwell over Christmas and the New Year and we hope those who are unwell feel better soon.
Jacquie Vanstone
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12th January 2018
Fri 12 Jan 2018Dear Parents,
Our Step it up week has given us such a great start to the year. Every child is making an effort to look smart and it is wonderful seeing the children taking responsibility. Today I gave out 10 STEP badges (Sorry, thank you, excuse me, please). On Monday each class will be taking names out of the raffle box for rewards for Stepping up! Well done to all the children and thank you for the support you give regarding uniform and readiness.
I have decided to install a hand sanitiser by the servery for use by the children at lunch time. I will let you know once they are in place and you will need to inform your child if you would prefer them not to use it. We hope this will support any children who may forget to wash their hands before lunch.
As a staff we are developing a vocabulary linked to our values. The children are going to add their own words to our lists and then I will share this with parents and governors to do the same. I would like to build up a Values Vocabulary which can be used positively by all. Our value for this half term is Friendship.
On Thursday 6 parents met for the parent prayer group. It is wonderful to sit and pray together for the children and families within our community. I will inform you of the next time we meet. If you wish to come, please be assured that there is no pressure to speak if you would prefer not to, and if you have children with you we will provide toys for them. Please use our school prayer box which is by the round table opposite the computer suite and your prayers will be read.
During the afternoon on Thursday the Goldfinch children carried out tours for our prospective parents. One parent said that after visiting many schools our children were the most confident and proud; I was incredibly proud listening to them.
At lunchtime today the staff will be playing a football match against the Yellow Team in Goldfinch. I am sure the teachers will win but I will let you know!
For your information the role of Head teacher has been advertised and interviews will be later this month. The governors will keep you informed.
Wishing you a lovely weekend
Jacquie Vanstone
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5th January 2018
Fri 05 Jan 2018Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a happy Christmas; the children have come back excited to tell us about their holidays and gifts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for the generosity shown towards the staff through best wishes, cards and gifts. I would also like to thank Lucy Douglas for looking after Bingo and Nibbles during the holiday. We have had the guinea pigs a year this week.
We have in these two days talked about new year resolutions and here in school we would like to start 2018 as we mean to go on! As a result the staff would like to have a 'Step it up week'. We will be recognising, praising and rewarding the children for the following:
- punctuality
- wearing correct, smart uniform, including shoes
- showing a readiness for learning in the classroom
- showing responsiblity for possessions in school and at home time
- using their manners Sorry, Thankyou, Excuse me, Please (STEP Badge)
Each class will have a Step it up week raffle box and the children will have their name put in the raffle throughout the week as we notice these important behaviours.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend
Jacquie Vanstone
