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Issue 4 | December 2011

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We will be taking all the children to see the Olympic Torch Relay in Newbury on Wednesday 11th July. We had intended transporting all of the children by train from Midgham Station to Newbury, but unfortunately First Great Western will only allow 3 of the classes and associated adults to travel on the 9:31 a.m train. Therefore we will

probably use the minibus and cars to transport the other class. The school will pay for the cost of transporting the children. More details to follow.

In this issue...

Sports

Activities and Trips

Mrs Weight’s Ruby Anniversary

Olympic News

Woolhampton win the Festival Cup at the Bradfield College Kwik Cricket Tournament

Jessica names the Olympic plane!

New provider for school lunches in September 2012.

School Lunches

Osmington BayY4/5 enjoyed a wonderful residential at Osmington, despite the cold weather.

Last Saturday, Mrs Hillerton, Mrs Javes and 19 of the school’s finest athletes took part in a magnificent Quadkids competition at Park House in Newbury. 30 West Berkshire schools participated, with over 500 children taking part in the four events. The highlight of the event was the Olympic inspired opening ceremony, with all the school teams parading around the track as individual nations. India was our nominated country (both Woolhampton and St Nicholas Junior School - see photo above - are linked to schools in India through the connecting Classrooms project). In the competition itself, the Y5/6 team came 10th, with Owen Denny placed 24th (out of 260 athletes). The Y3/4 team came 23rd, with Max Thomas finishing 79th. Well done to all the children who took part and thanks to all the parents who provided such magnificent support in the sweltering heat!

TORCH RELAY

Children return to school on Monday 11th June.

There are still a few parents who are parking on the double yellow lines outside the school, when dropping off and picking up their children. Please park sensibly and do not break the law. Our local community officer, Sarah Preston, has been notified.

There are still two parent governor vacancies on our governing body. If you would like to help the school move forward and become a member of the governing body please contact Mr Bingham or the clerk to the governing body, Mrs Keron Puttock, on kputtock@ woolhampton.w-berks.sch.uk.

Andrew Bingham

Elizabeth and Henry lead the Woolhampton squad at the Quadkids Competition

Woolhampton take part in Big Dance world record attempt.

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Olympic Sports DayThis year’s sports day will be an Olympic extravaganza!

Mrs Weight celebrates working 40 years at Woolhampton CE Primary School.

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Kwik Cricket, tennis and athletics have dominated the sporting calendar this half-term. On 22nd May Mrs Brims and Mr Bingham took a team of 8 Year 3 and Year 4 boys and girls to the mini-tennis tournament at Bradfield College. The team greatly enjoyed the experience of playing in Bradfield’s magnificent indoor sports hall and acquitted themselves superbly, coming

4th (out of 7 teams). L a u r e n won all of her matches and Elliot battled well against the older Y4 boys. On May 29th our Y6 tennis team played in the Kennet School mini-tennis tournament. Playing against pupils from Francis Bailey, Spurcroft, Thatcham Park, Spurcroft and Bucklebury, Archie, Henry, Victoria and Elizabeth more than held their hold. In the boys competition, Henry and Archie came top of their respective pools and played against each other in the final. There were some fine rallies, but in the end Archie, who is an excellent tennis player, prevailed and won the gold medal. In the girls competition, Elizabeth took the bronze medal and Victoria came a creditable 6th.

Our kwik cricket team played some incredible cricket at the Bradfield Kwik Cricket Tournament, held on Wednesday 23rd May. As is often the case we were one of the smallest schools taking part, but the boys and girls were not overawed by the competition and won all of their matches in the Festival Cup competition. In the final against Whitchurch, batting first, the team did not post a huge total but some superb bowling from Henry, Archie, Louie and Elizabeth ensured that the team won comfortably by 16 runs. The following clubs take place next half-term. Gardening Club Y4/5CineClub Y3/4Choir Club Y3/4/5/6Chess Club Y3/4/5/6Netball Club Y3/4/5/6Knitting Club Y4/5 Letters have been sent out via pupil post. Please ensure that acceptance slips are returned as soon as possible.

Y2/3 enjoyed their visit to the Thatcham Discovery Centre on Thursday 3rd May. Although the weather was fairly miserable, the children managed to

SPORTS

Archie, Elizabeth, Victoria and Henry show their tennis skills!

ACTIVITIES

The Y3/4 tennis squad compete at Bradfield College.

FRIENDS OF WOOLHAMPTON

(Chairperson)

Kate Javes

The next Bags 2 School day is on 27th June. Collection bags have been distributed, and we would be very grateful if parents could search for any unwanted clothes, sheets, curtains or shoes and place them in the bags. Additional bags can be collected from either the school office or the Woolhampton Village Stores. In the past, Bags 2 School has been very successful, raising over £750. During this year’s special Olympic Sports Day on Wednesday 27th June (weather permitting) the Friends of Woolhampton will be running a tombola. In keeping with the world olympic theme, we would like parents to donate food and drink from around the world, e.g pizza and wine from Italy, cheese and wine from France, Haggis and Whisky from Scotland etc! Please could the food and drink be brought into school on Friday 22nd June (a collection table will be placed in the bottom playground). Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help out at the Diamond Jubilee Sports Festival on Sunday 3rd June. Thanks also to those parents who baked cakes for the Cricket Teas Stall and donated toys for the village fete, which takes place in the village hall on Monday 4th June.

The Woolhampton Kwik Cricket team - winners of the Bradfield College

Festival Cup

SCHOOL CLUBS

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

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27June

As I am sure parents are aware, Y6 pupil, Jessica and two other children in the north of England, provided the name for the British Airways plane that flew the

Olympic torch from Greece to Cornwall. Jessica’s winning entry was Firefly. Her prize is a trip (with one adult!!) to the British Airways Flight Training Centre at Cranebank. Well done, Jessica. Congratulations to the following children who won Achievement Awards this half-term. Foundation: Joseph, Dana, Charlie,

Aiden, Edward and Lily.Year 1: Katy, Lola, Sophie and

Isabel.

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spend most of the day outside pond dipping, catching bugs in the meadow and feeding the many ducks that live on the lake. The staff at the centre taught the children how to identify the different species of birds and all the bugs and creatures found in the different habitats. Several of the children dressed up as mallard ducks (see photo).

On Wednesday 30th May all of the children in Y4/5 and 6 spent an exciting day at the Adventure Dolphin centre in Pangbourne. The children experienced canoeing, kayaking, wall climbing, orienteering and rafting. Earlier in the term, on Monday 21st May, two members of the Stomp production team paid a visit to the school and worked with all the classes, exploring how everyday objects can be used to make music. Many thanks to the Theale Partnership for funding both the Adventure Dolphin day and the Stomp visit. This year’s Big Dance was held at the end of SAT’s week and was a world record attempt to break the largest simultaneous dance routine – multi venue record. As usual the event was highly enjoyable (even for those of us with two left feet!) and the children in Y6 once again ably led the routine. Thanks to Mrs Hillerton for organising the event and inputting all the data required to verify our participation in this world record dance. Y5 experienced a very unusal concert at the Newbury Corn Exchange on Thursday 17th May. The Tibetan Monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery gave a dramatic presentation of their unique sacred dances, music and prayers, with colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks. A short video of two of the monks playing an instrument called the Tibetan long horn can be viewed on the school website.

CHURCH NEWS

There was an excellent turnout for the ‘Messy Church’ activity, held in the school hall on Good Friday. Many thanks to Rev Des and his team for organising this enjoyable event. There will be a special Queen’s Diamond Jubilee church service at 11 a.m on June 3rd. The service, led by Rev. Des, will include some of the nations favourite hymns, and will be held in a marquee on Douai Field. The extension to the church was delayed because of problems with the roof trusses. However, the project is now back on track, and during the half term holiday the builders hope to tile the new roof. Thanks again, for your patience and understanding whilst the work is being completed.

The victorious Kwik Cricket team

The Olympic Airbus A319. The name, Firefly, can just be seen under the

cockpit window.

Caleb and Fenya impersonate mallard ducks at the Discovery Centre, Thatcham

TESCO/SAINSBURYS VOUCHERS

So far we have collected just short of 4,000 Tesco vouchers and just over 2,500 Sainsbury’s vouchers, slightly fewer than last year. Both voucher

schemes have now finished, but if parents have any spare

vouchers at home we would be more than

happy to receive them.

Aaron, Max, Torr and Jamie ready to climb the wall.

THE FIREFLY

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

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The winning team for the half-term was Kingfisher with 139 points. Second was Woodpecker with 124 points and third were Goldfinch. Next half-term house points will be awarded for friendship and excellence, two more of the Olympic values.

This year’s sports day on Wednesday 27th June will be an all-day ‘Olympic’ inspired extravaganza! Y6 have been

tasked with organising the event and devising new activities and have already come up with super ideas. Parents are most welcome to join us for the whole

day - the opening ceremony will start at 9.30 a.m. Parents may

bring a picnic lunch.

Mrs Weight’s 40th anniversary party is fast approaching. We will be holding a celebratory garden party on Saturday 16th June in the school. All current and past pupils, parents, staff, governors and friends of the school are more than welcome to attend this special occasion. There will be refreshments and a chance to meet up with old friends and colleagues, and, of course, renew your friendship with ‘Mrs Woolhampton School’ herself!

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Year 2: Louis, Hannah, Amy, Clara, Caleb and Helen.

Year 3: Oliver, Neve, Stephanie, Harry and Eloise.

Year 4: Torr, Kai, Shona, Matthew, Ellen, Max and Aaron.

Year 5: Rhiana, Georgia and Owen.

Year 6: Liam, Jacob, Edward and all of Y6.

Mrs Thompson and I were very impressed by the behaviour and attitude of all the Y4 and Y5 children during the residential trip to Osmington Bay at the beginning of the term. The cold and wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of the boys and girls and they all had a great time participating in the various activities. The fossil hunting activity on Osmington Beach was a particularly favourite this year. Whilst searching for fossils the children became so encrusted in clay that it became difficult to distinguish between cliff face and child! Thanks to the children for making the trip so enjoyable and to Mrs Thompson for leading and organising the trip. Thanks also to Miss Harris for giving up her own time to accompany the children and to Mr Phillips for driving the party down to Osmington.

This term house points have been awarded for determination and inspiration, two of the Olympic values.

HOUSE POINTS

Thanks to all those parents who completed the online survey. The governors will be discussing the results and a summary sheet will then be sent out to parents at the end of term.

PARENT SURVEY

SCHOOL LUNCHES As from September 2012 there will be a new provider for school meals. The catering contract with Dolce was not renewed by the council. School meals will now be provided by the catering division of ISS, who currently provide school meals for Richmond, York and Bracknell. We have been informed that the cost of meals will rise in September by 5p to £2.05. Live Kitchen will not be supported by ISS, but they have their own computerised payment system. Please could parents ensure that they have paid for all their children’s school meals by the end of term - Dolce will be chasing up any outstanding payments.

EQUALITY ACT 2010

Foundation and Year 1 display their dancing talents for the Big Dance

OSMINGTON BAY

REPORTS

Staff are busy marking end of year assessment tests and also writing reports. These will be sent out to parents on Thursday 12th July.

UNIFORM PRICE INCREASE

We have been informed by the supplier of our school uniform that as from September 2012 the price of school cardigans will increase by 20p to £8.95.

Ellen and Torr search for fossils at Osmington.

SPORTS DAY

MRS WEIGHT’S PARTY

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12July

16June