It was fantastic to see so many parents, grandparents and

other visitors in school yesterday for our successful Open

Afternoon and Evening. We have received lots of positive

feedback about the event, as both prospective parents and

existing parents enjoyed seeing the different activities taking

place in each of the classrooms.

Apple and strawberry tarts-Birch class

The Orchestra put on a fine performance, including their

latest number ‘Oh When the Saints.’ The French café was a

real hit, with homemade apple and strawberry tarts selling

quickly and raising lots of money for Children in Need.

Elsewhere in Key Stage Two, Cherry class created some

lovely textile work inspired by the Mayans, Rowan class

demonstrated a range of sport skills in the school hall, Lime

class produced some beautiful artwork inspired by Hokusai

and Pine class wrote messages in a bottle, based on their

class novel ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’.

Mayan textiles –Cherry class and treasure maps- Pine class

Meanwhile, in Key Stage One, the children had great fun

testing materials with some fabulous science experiments as

they investigated how to build the tallest tower in Oak class,

which material would make the best roof for the Three Little

Pigs’ house in Willow class, and which material would make

the best bridge for the Gingerbread Man to cross the river in

Beech class. The children in Reception class also did a super

job as they had lots of visitors to their classroom to see them

investigating nocturnal animals.

My thanks to all of the staff for the hard work they put in to

make the event a success, and to the children who were a

real credit to you and to the school.

As part of our ongoing journey of improvement, the school

governors and senior leadership team recently held a ‘Vision

Evening’ at which we discussed and distilled our thoughts

about the vision for Girton Glebe as we continue to move

forward. We are now planning for how we can involve the

parents, children and other stakeholders in contributing

their thoughts and ideas as we move forward with our plans

for the school.

In recent weeks, I have also been out to meet with the local

Pre-Schools and nurseries to engage in discussions with

them about the arrangements we have in place for transition

from these settings into the school setting. These were very

valuable dialogues and I look forward to developing ever

closer partnerships with the pre-schools and nurseries to

ensure that the children have the best possible start with us.

Make sure that Girton Glebe’s Annual Christmas Fair is in your diary for Saturday 28th December 2-4pm. Thank you to the FOGG committee who are working extremely hard to finalise their preparations for what promises to be a fantastic afternoon out for all the family. We hope that you will all offer your support, whether that is by donating prizes, assisting with setting up, manning of stalls or the clearing away or by coming along on the day. We look forward to seeing lots of you there!

A particular thanks to the Pond and Garden group for all the fabulous work they have done and continue to do maintaining our school grounds. We recently had a return

Girton Glebe Newsletter Issue 5 Friday 20th November 2015

Open Afternoon and Evening

Ongoing School Improvement

Christmas Fair

Pond and Garden Group

visit from Alan Revile who had offered the FOGG committee some suggestions on how to develop the area last year. He commented that: "it is a lovely area and being used and managed brilliantly." He continued that he believes it to be one of the best school ponds in the county! So well done to all involved for their hard work last year. The Pond and Garden Group are meeting again this Sunday 22nd November at 2pm and any new volunteers would be most welcome to join them.

Pocket Opera Company’s Performance

This morning the whole school enjoyed a musical extravaganza as the Pocket Opera Company came and performed for us. It was a real melting pot of songs from a range of different operas and musicals and great fun was had by all during a very energetic, interactive and lively performance.

As I know many of you are aware, our new school website launched earlier in the week. We have received a lot of positive feedback about the site, and thank you to all who have been in touch with positive comments and helpful suggestions. I would urge you to take a look at www.girtonglebe.com if you have not yet had the opportunity. We look forward to continuing to develop this resource.

A number of cases of headlice have been reported to me this week from across the school. Please can I urge all parents to check their child’s hair and treat accordingly? Many thanks. In the last newsletter I gave a reminder to all to take particular care travelling to and from school now that the dark nights are upon us. Unfortunately I still have some concerns, particularly with the speed with which some people are driving in to the school grounds, particularly when picking children up from clubs when it is very dark.

Please can I respectfully remind everyone to take great care to ensure the safety of all of our children? Thank you. And finally, as the weather is now colder, can I remind you to ensure that the children have a warm coat in school for playtimes and lunchtimes.

Monday 23rd November and Tuesday 24th November- Parents’ Evening for children in Reception class. Tuesday 24th November- Year 5/6 trip to Duxford. Friday 27th November-9.15am- Rowan Class Assembly Friday 27th November- Cherry Class cake sale after school Saturday 28th November- 2-4pm- FOGG Christmas Fair Monday 30th November-Willow Class Visit from Recycling Centre Wednesday 2nd December- Oak Class Visit from Recycling Centre Thursday 3rd December- Year 5/6 Cross Country Competition at Wimpole Hall Friday 4th December- Celebration Assembly Monday 7th December- Beech Class Visit from Recycling Centre Tuesday 8th December- Year 5/6 Swimming Gala Friday 11th December-9.15am-Year 1/2 Performance of ‘Baubles’ Friday 11th December- Pine Class cake sale after school Monday 14th December- 1.45pm- Year 1/2 Performance of ‘Baubles’ Thursday 17th December- Christmas Lunch Thursday 17th December- 7pm- Choir Concert with Cottenham Brass Band Friday 18th December- 9.15am- Reception Class nativity Friday 18th December- 2.15pm-Carol Concert As you can see, we have an action packed few weeks ahead and we look forward to seeing you at some of the forthcoming events. Many thanks for your continued support. Mrs Helen Scrivner

English Pocket Opera

A Few Reminders

Dates for the Diary

New School Website