29th

November 2013

It is hard to believe that next week it will be December. Alongside their normal curriculum work the children will be rehearsing for their Christmas performances. A summary list of key Christmas related events can be found below, which I hope will be useful.

Wednesday 4th December Panto Lunch

Visiting Pantomime in school in the afternoon

Friday 6th December School Christmas Fayre 3.00 - 5.00pm

Monday 9th December School Post Box Opens - Children can start to bring

their Christmas Cards in. Reception Dress Rehearsal at 10am

Tuesday 10th December Year 1/2 Dress Rehearsal at 10am Reception Performance at 1.30pm

Wednesday 11th December Year 1/2 Performance at 10am Reception Performance at 1.30pm

Thursday 12th December Year 1/2 performance at 1.30

Monday 16th December Key Stage 2 dress rehearsal in Church at

1.30pm

Key Stage 2 performance in Church at 6pm

Tuesday 17th December Celebration Assembly 10am Year 5 and 6 Virgin Money Sale (from

8.45 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 3.30pm)

Wednesday 18th December Christmas Lunch Key Stage 2 performance in Church at 6pm Year 5 and 6 Virgin Money Sale (from 8.45 –

9.30am and 2.30 – 3.30pm

Performances - Parents are invited to attend any of the performances which are listed above in bold type but could we ask, as usual, that any pre-school children only attend the dress rehearsals. Please arrive 15 minutes before the performance begins. Some parents have asked about taking photographs and videoing performances. As a staff we have decided that the dress rehearsals can be recorded but would ask that the other performances are not recorded so everyone can enjoy the show live. At the end of the performances there will be an opportunity to take photographs. Can I also take the opportunity to ask parents not to post photographs on social media that include other children, as the parents of these children may not have given their consent for this. We thank you for your cooperation.

Numeracy Cafes – It was great to see so many parents at the numeracy cafes that took place over the last two weeks. As a staff we planned to deliver sessions which focused on key maths skills and would give you some ideas as to how to help your children at home. We would welcome your thoughts on the Numeracy Cafes. Any thoughts – please let us know. The children have brought home the

first how to… booklet which is all about “how to support your child to learn their tables.” A useful guide which you could stick on the fridge! Clubs – The last week for football and netball clubs this term will be the week beginning December 2nd. These clubs will re-start in the week beginning 13th January. Cross Country Club will continue for the rest of the term. More information will be sent out about clubs for next half term soon.

Ruby - Reception Class

Assembly - It was overwhelming to see such

enormous support at our Ruby Receptions first

assembly of the year. I am sure you were all very

proud of your children, they did so well with their

phonics, counting, singing and dancing! – Well done!!

Dance – We also enjoyed a Rhythm and Creative

Movement session today. This session was organised for

each of the Early Years Foundation Stage classes in the

Cluster group of schools. The specialist teacher thought

that the behaviour and enthusiasm of the class was

outstanding!! (Quote from Rebecca Hill – ‘100 it was

good’)!

Book Fair – Thank you to everyone who supported our book fair last week.

With your help we received £104 worth of new books for the children to enjoy

in school.

Clubs – The last week for football and netball clubs this term will be the week beginning December 2nd. These clubs will re-start in the week beginning 13th January. Cross Country Club will continue for the rest of the term. More information will be sent out about clubs for next half term soon. Slanted Dance Assembly – Next Thursday the children in our Slanted Dance group will be performing in a special assembly in the hall at 2.40pm. Parents who are unable to make the big Slanted Dance performance are invited to come into the assembly. Ideally we would like all parents to attend but we do not think there will be enough space.

Cross Country Report

On Wednesday 32 children from Year 3 to 6 went to St Johns at Hoveton to compete against 5 other schools in the Cluster Cross Country competition. Everyone did themselves proud. Special mention must go to Holly Whayman (8th), Millie-Rose Addison (9th), Alfie Mann (3rd), Dylan Parnell-Crook (6th), Lewis Story (7th), Luke Mayes (9th), Charlotte Abramson (2nd), Annalise Mason (10th), Oliver Milligan (4th) and Tristan Wilson (6th). In the team competition the Year 3 and 4 boy’s team came first, the Year 3 and 4 girl’s team came second and both the boys and girls Year 5 and 6 teams both came third. Thank you to Mr Edwards and Miss Holmes, who went with the team, as well as to all the parents who helped with transport and supported the children. All these other children represented the school really well: Rosie Milligan, Macy Wickham, Holly Warrington, Ruby Horwood, Lottie Allison, Elinor Grimmer, Logan St Hill, Freddie Ottolangui, James Newson, Cian McAulay, Lydia Moll, Ellie Clarke, Caitlin Ettridge, Poppy Morley, Daisy Stone, Lydia Rivett, Sam Watts, Kai Wickham, Charlie Swatman, Salvu Keeble and Ben Finch.

On Wednesday 27th of November years 3 to 6 travelled to Hoveton St Johns to take part

in the cluster schools cross country event. Everybody who took part tried so hard and all

of the parents who were there supported everyone who ran.

Out of 6 schools this is where Rackheath finished …

Year 3/4 girls - 2nd

Year 3/4 boys -1st

Year 5/6 girls - 3rd

Year 5/6 boys - 3rd By Toby and Poppy

Christmas Fayre – Don’t forget the FORS Christmas Fayre which is being

held in the hall on Friday 6th December 3pm – 5pm. Many thanks for

all of your donations of chocolate and luxury food items brought in

today by the children.

Finally a big well done to three girls in Year 5 who have excelled outside of school. Charlotte Abramson won 2 gold medals, 2 silvers and a bronze at the Big Bang Swimming Gala, while at the same event Daisy Stone won 2 golds in her events. Not only that but Charlotte is ranked 9th in the country for her age. Caitlin Ettridge has also excelled. She came third in her first ever trampoline competition.

Rackheath vs Worstead Football Match

Yesterday the school football team went to Worstead to play a friendly game. Worstead

started really well and quickly went into a 3-0 lead. Just before half time Oliver Milligan

pulled a goal back for us. From then on it was all Rackheath! For the first 5 minutes of

the second half Worstead’s goal lead a charmed life, before they broke away and scored

to lead 4-1. Still the team refused to give up. Oliver scored again and then Kai Wickham

brought it back to 4-3. For the last few minutes of the game we created lots of chances

but just couldn’t quite force an equaliser. I was very proud of all the children that played

because they showed great determination and no one let their head drop even when we

were losing 4-1.

Congratulations to the team of Salvu Keeble, Ebony Culling, Charlotte

Abramson, Sam Watts, Kai Wickham, Charlie Swatman, Lydia Moll, Toby

Grime and Player of the Match Oliver Milligan!!

Star, Angel and Diamond Certificate Winners – Well done to the following children who got their certificates in assembly today.

STAR ANGEL DIAMOND

Reception Liam Cowey Carys Tomlinson Felicity Hughes

Year 1 Mason Parfitt-Bland Emily Addison Rory Watts

Year 2 Beth Tomlinson Ruby Donnelly Callum O’Kane

Year 3 Macy Wickham Ruby Horwood Charlie Hayhoe

Year 4 Lottie Allison Alfie Mann Kiera Braithwaite

Year 5 Ben Finch Tristan Wilson Charlotte Abramson

Year 6 Annalise Mason Lydia Moll Erika Grimmer

Have a good weekend

With Best Wishes

Chris Ashman