NEWSLETTER Issue: 2.07

HEAD'S VIEW
It is hard to believe that half term is here and just thirty four school days ago we were returning to school with a summer glow and an exciting year in front of us. I would like to congratulate all the staff, children and parents for coping so well with the many changes, building disruption and an inspection thrown into the mix. Not a single grumble has come my way, which bears testimony to your understanding or my declining levels of hearing!

We are looking forward to the new hall opening in the week beginning 19th November and the library part of the Learning Resource Centre opening in January 2008. The library is a huge project and we are indebted to Mrs Le Butt and a team of parents who are giving up every Thursday until Christmas, carrying out the massive task of checking every single book in the school, as well as preparing to set up a library which will place books at the very heart of our school. The ICT part of the Learning Resource Centre is now up and running, and being used by classes across the school.

I suspect you may be wondering about the ReNewbridge funds and what is happening. Believe me spending is the fun part of fund raising! As stated at the very beginning of the venture these are our priorities for use of the ReNewbridge funds and we are now starting to spend these funds, as well as the additional £20000 SEED funding, on the following:
Furnishing the new library
Substantial investment in new books for the library and across the school
New and extensive mobile staging that can be used in both lower and upper school halls
Stage lighting for assemblies and plays
Multi media system for the new hall
Outdoor classroom
Adventure / fitness trail
Laptop computers sufficient for whole class use

At last we are able to go ahead with the Link Building. Work starts in earnest over half term and life will be tricky for a while in terms of access. Once again I will have to ask for everyone’s understanding. It would take too long here to explain all the details but instead we will be out on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after half term at the beginning and end of school to show you what is what. However, with perfect timing, the path around the school is going to be tarmac surfaced over half term making it much easier for buggies etc. The expected completion date for the link building is 25th April 2008. At that point I wish you all a happy and relaxing half term.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY w/b 29/10/07
Wednesday 31/10/07 - First day of Term 2
Thursday 01/11/07 - Individual photographs
Reception parents meeting – Blue Room 2.40pm
Friday 02/11/07 - Years 1 and 6 Cake Sale

HEALTHY EATING
One of our aims is to encourage our children to lead healthy lives through promoting healthy eating in school. Therefore, we ask for your support in providing only fruit and vegetables as a mid-morning snack for Key Stage 2 children. Also, from now on every child who has a packed lunch will be provided with water. Please do not send any other drink to school. Thank you.

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
Individual photographs will be taken on Thursday 1st November in school. Don't forget your hair brush and your sunny smile!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX APPEAL
As in previous years we are again supporting this charity. For those of you who have not been involved before, this is an appeal run by a Christian organisation called Samaritans Purse. The completed boxes are given unconditionally – to very needy children in the developing world, some of whom will never before have received any gifts. If you would like to take part in this, the enclosed leaflet explains the details of how to prepare and fill your shoebox, then return them to school before the 13th November. If you would like to know any more details please speak to Mrs Teresa Bateman – TA in the lower school.

STOP PRESS!!
Don't buy your Christmas cards just yet as again this year we will be producing School Christmas cards. Each class will have their own design, with every child's design used. Watch this space!

DINNER MONEY
All dinners must be taken on a weekly basis. The cost of dinners is £8.50 per week. Please send the money in on a Monday morning, in an envelope with your child’s name and class on it. All cheques to be made payable to B&NES please.
Dinner money for the coming term is as follows:

Oct 1 day @ £1.70 = £ 1.70
Nov 22 days @ £1.70 = £37.40
Dec 13 days @ £1.70 = £22.10
TOTAL - £61.20

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING 'STARS OF THE WEEK'
Years 1 and 2
Hugo, Sophie
Coco, Kirstie, Jacob
Years 3 and 4
George, Alice
Oscar, Chloe
Years 5 and 6
Isaac, Matthew, Max
Katie, Joe, Aliyah
PPA Music
James, Sammy
PPA Art
Poppy, Abi, Jay
PPA PE
Beatrice, Ella, Megananne

NPSA CHRISTMAS FAIR
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, THE DATE OF THE CHRISTMAS FAYRE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THURSDAY 6TH DECEMBER FROM 5.00 -7.00PM.

CAKE SALE!!
Don't forget, there is a cake sale on Friday 2nd November (first Friday after half term). The cakes will be generously provided by families of children in years 1 and 6 and all proceeds go towards ReNewbridge. The sale will take place in the spare classroom after school. For those parents/carers of children in years 1 and 6, please bring your cakes in on Friday morning to the spare classroom in the lower school. Helpers are still needed from year 6 and class 1HO on the day ~ please put a note in the NPSA tray in reception or see Jackie Ainsworth if you can help. Thank you.

SUNDAY FUN FACTORY
Bouncy castle, worship and tea. For under 8s and their families on Sunday November 4th at Emmanuel Church in Apsley Road from 4.00 – 5.30pm. Everything is free!!

TED'S BIG DAY OUT
Well done to all the children and staff who took part in Ted's Big Day Out and brought their teddies to school. We raised £390 for the Royal United Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in particular. Thank you so much. (Once again, a fantastic response).