Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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29th March 2018 Latest News and Office Updates
Wed 28 Mar 2018A few weeks ago the Year 6 children enjoyed their Easter Experience at Wokingham Baptist Church. The same children have now taken part in a reenactment of the 'Easter Story' for the whole school. It was really enjoyed by everyone and a wonderful learning experience. A big thank you to Mr and Mrs Fox who helped the children.
It was lovely to have parents in school on Wednesday for our Easter Singing Assembly. I am sure you all enjoyed hearing some of the songs from the children's WASMA performance. We are so proud of them all; they sang beautifully at the Hexagon Theatre on Sunday and it is inspiring for the rest of the school to see them perform. Thanks again go to Mrs Gan and Mrs Coulson for all their hard work.
The Easter Service today was a lovely way to finish the term. It is a shame we couldn't have the service in church but given the amount of rain, the paths just wouldn't be safe for our walk back to school.
We are looking forward to the FOFSA sponsored walk on Saturday 21st April 2018. It isn't too late to register to take part in either the 5 or 15 mile walk. Please email amandademeyer@gmail.com to book your place. Funds raised through the walk will be split between school and Sue Ryder. The children's version of the sponsored walk, this will be age appropriate, will be taking place in their PE lessons during the first week of the Summer Term. Please use the same sponsorship form.
Office Updates
Caterlink's Summer menu options, including special diet menus, are now on the website.
PGL October 18 - next payment of £60 is due in school on the 17th April 2018. Thank you to those who have already paid.
Wishing you all a very relaxing and fun Easter holiday. Children return to school on Tuesday 17th April 2018 with NSSport in school for Inset day activities on 16th April.
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Church Service - Thursday 29th March 2018
Wed 28 Mar 2018We have made the decision to have the service in school. Children need to come to school for registration as normal in the morning. Everyone is welcome to join us for the service.
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23rd March 2018
Fri 23 Mar 2018Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that we started the week with heavy snow! The children were not able to go outside during breaktime and lunchtime but other than that the learning and trips went ahead as planned. I was incredibly grateful for the help of Daryl Baker in clearing the front carpark and pavements which made it safe for everyone. I have decided to remove the snow feature on our website in hope that there is no more for us to contend with!
It was a difficult morning for all staff on Monday as we discovered a problem with our computer system. The staff have all been calm and patient as we get back to normal with the wonderful support of our IT support provider. We are still doing our best to resume a normal service and thank you for your understanding.
Sport Relief has been celebrated and supported through assemblies, a danceathon and a fitness marathon. We had hoped to run a mile straight away on Monday morning but that was not to be! Thank you Mr O'Reilly for organising the events, the children have loved it and we have raised £90.05
Mrs Dodds along with school council organised a Bake off yesterday. This was to raise money for a Rainforest charity. The school smelt wonderful and the children enjoyed all aspects of the event from baking to marketing. Thank you for your support, we raised £74.20
Today 8 girls played in a football tournament at the Madejski 4G pitch. They had a great time. They came third in their group and got through to the quarter finals. Well done girls, thank you Mr O'Reilly and Mrs Arlon.
WASMA takes place this weekend; I am really looking forward to attending. I know I have written this over the past few weeks but I cannot thank Mrs Gan and Mrs Coulson enough for their time and dedication.
As we approach Easter there are many events we hope you will be able to support both next week at school and over the next couple of weeks at our church.
Have a lovely weekend and to all the children attending WASMA, have a wonderful time, I know you will make us all very proud.
Jacquie Vanstone
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16th March 2018
Fri 16 Mar 2018Dear Parents,
Having netball club on a Monday morning is a great way to start the week (for the children it is!) Mrs Workman, one of our Governors, enjoyed watching some of the session with me this week.
On Monday afternoon the second group of Chaffinch children visited Warren Lodge. As I arrived to collect the children I saw many of the residents smiling and laughing with daffodils in their hair. We are so proud of the children; their empathy, understanding, patience and care is wonderful to see.
Our achievement assembly on Wednesday, led by Mrs Wirth, celebrated achievement, progress, attitude and kindness. I was delighted on Thursday to have 19 Goldfinch children squeezed into my office; all pleased to receive achievement stickers for their hard work.
Friday is a busy day with the Year Six children attending the Easter Experience and following this, there is a football match at The Colleton School. Thank you to all parents who are supporting us with transport arrangements; providing the children with so many opportunities is something we pride ourselves in. Next week is Sport Relief 2018 and we will have a fundraising bucket out each day, the children will be taking part in activities during the week for this.
Each month we hold a Full Governing Body meeting and as part of this I reflect on progress made on an aspect of our School Development Plan. I would like to take this opportunity to share this feedback with you.
Maths
Objectives:
To develop a whole school approach to improve Maths learning and teaching.
To develop pupil confidence in Problem Solving and Reasoning
As Maths Leader, Mrs Wirth has carried out learning walks, she has looked at the children's books and talked to children across the school. The staff have worked incredibly hard to implement the CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, abstract) so quickly. There is evidence throughout the school of concrete resources being used and we are pleased with how well the children can articulate the importance of reasoning and problem solving. I would like to thank Mrs Wirth, all staff and the children for their commitment and hard work in driving our Maths learning forwards. We have had great support from FOFSA regarding the resources we have needed for Math; this has impacted across the whole school. Some of our Year 6 children are accessing some online Maths tutoring through 'Third Space Learning', the children are enjoying it and finding the time and experience rewarding and helpful.
Here are some quotes from the children:
"If you get stuck, you could take ages but if you put the cubes in arrays then you'd have the answer." A Bullfinch child.
"The resources help me because if you don't understand, the resources will show you." A Year 3 child.
"Reasoning helps us to keep thinking about how we might have made a mistake. It helps us to help each other." A Year 4 child.
This is only one aspect of how we are moving our school forwards and I hope you have found it useful to read.
I wish you all a lovely weekend
Jacquie Vanstone
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9th March 2018
Fri 09 Mar 2018Dear Parents,
It has been lovely to hear the children talking of the fun they had in the snow. This week has been a busy week trying to catch up!
The week started with 8 Chaffinch children visiting Warren Lodge care home on Monday. The children were delighted with the experience as were the residents. We were incredibly proud of how the children behaved and interacted and I know the next group of 8 will be excited on Monday.
I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of time and effort Mrs Gan and Mrs Coulson are dedicating to the WASMA rehearsals (the snow has not helped!). We are incredibly fortunate to have them and the impact they both have on our school is wonderful. Thank you also to the children; I know they are working very hard and are being a delight to work with.
The children enjoyed the learning and book swaps on Thursday; it was lovely to see so many of the children reading in the playground. Mrs Dodds has prepared an English update sheet which will go home on Monday to celebrate our English learning.
This week is finishing with some interhouse football matches for Goldfinch, a hot chocolate and medal for the girls who came 4th in the football tournament last Wednesday and then the disco after school. I think they will be ready for their weekend!
Kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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Snow update
Thu 01 Mar 2018School Closure
Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather and road conditions I have decided to close the school tomorrow, Friday 2nd March. It is expected to reopen on Monday 5th March.
Teachers will be adding to their class page on the website with some home learning ideas and activities.
Many thanks for your support and understanding and I wish you a safe and fun weekend.
Jacquie Vanstone
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Snow
Thu 01 Mar 2018We will look after any children who are on their way in already but I have now decided to close the school today for safety reasons. -
Learning Reviews and Beehive
Thu 01 Mar 2018Learning Reviews and Beehive are both cancelled this evening.
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Snow up date
Thu 01 Mar 2018School will be open this morning. We would ask you to collect your children between 12 and 1pm. Please take care on the roads and do what you feel is right for your circumstances and conditions.
Breakfast club is open now.
We will not have lunch at school.
Many thanks and take care
Jacquie Vanstone
