NEWSLETTER Issue: 4.04

HEAD'S VIEW
There is a network between schools regarding 'stranger danger' issues. Lately, it has come to our attention that there have been two cases at local schools of strangers taking photographs from outside the perimeter of those schools. They may be innocent but one cannot be too careful. Another incident at a Bath school involved a man possibly enticing a child into his car. Police were called in to investigate. I bring this to your attention not to cause unnecessary alarm but to remind everyone to be vigilant. If you have any concerns please let us know straight away. Early next term we are due to do some 'stranger danger' work with the children in assembly. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Despite previous requests not to block access to the entrances at the beginning and end of the school day, there are still one or two drivers who think that this does not apply to them. I am therefore compelled to ask the driver of a car, registration number Y599 GHU, not to continue to do this. It seems I have little choice but to print registration numbers here because this action is thoughtless, frustrating for others and puts people of all ages on our site at risk because it blocks access to the emergency services. Thank you for your help in ensuring safe access to and from school at all times.

We welcome Mrs Christine Mottram to our school as PPA teacher in Reception and Year 1 to replace Mrs Day. We are sure that Mrs Mottram is going to make a difference at Newbridge and I hope that these coming years at our school will be among her happiest.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 31/03/08
Wednesday 02/04/08 Parents' Evening
Year 1 Sports Festival - Oldfield School @ 1.00pm
Thursday 03/04/08 1HO Assembly
Rugby vs Combe Down @ 3.30pm
Friday 04/04/08 - Dance Umbrella @ 3.30
End of Term

PLEASE NOTE
- The two dance groups who performed so impressively at the Forum on Wednesday night will dance one more time next Friday 4th April at 3.30pm in the Upper School hall. This will be for parents of those children only as some missed out on tickets at the Forum. We hope to give our other parents and children a chance to see these at a later date. The performance will be over by 3.45pm. If any of the Dance Umbrella children cannot participate at this time please notify Miss Amies or Mrs Martin as appropriate.
- Congratulations to Mrs Miles, Mrs O'Gara and Mr Baigent and a number of our children who performed so impressively in the Bath Half Marathon. We have to say that Mr Baigent has been somewhat subdued since …..but probably not for long!
- A huge 'well done!' to all our children who had their art work displayed at the Community Art Exhibition at St John’s Church, Weston last week. It was an excellent event matched by the high quality of our children's work. Thank you to Mr Baigent and Mrs Sellick for displaying it.
- Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the closure of the top gate. The walkway currently under construction between the upper school and link building prevents suitable access. The good news is that completion date is still on for Friday 25th April, barring mishaps, so not much longer! The top gate will be open again at the beginning of next term.
- There will be no school run clubs next week. However, Soccer Trix, Multi Skills, Kwik Cricket, Hockey coaching, Drama, Art, Newsteam and Cheerleading will still take place.

HI FI KIT AVAILABLE
With the new multi media system installed in the Upper School hall and a new music system in the Lower School hall, we now have a range of speakers, amplifiers etc to spare. If you are interested please contact the Office. You can then have a look and if there is anything you want please pay us what you think is appropriate.

BABY GRAND PIANO - AVAILABLE TO HIGHEST BIDDER!
We have been donated a new piano for the upper school hall so if anyone is interested in owning a baby grand please contact the Office

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING 'STARS OF THE WEEK'
Foundation Stage
Ella, Elise
Years 1 and 2
Mira, Beatrice, Elizabeth, Ben
Years 3 and 4
James, Abigail, James, Shannon
Years 5 and 6
Caitlin, Eryk, Chris, Aaron, Frances, Cassius
PPA Drama/Art
Megan-Anne, Kiera
PPA PE
Alex, Hannah
PPA Music
Lucas

NEWBRIDGE NETBALLERS TOPS!
Well done to our Netball Teams! On Wednesday 19th March our Year 6 children participated in the Bath Schools’ Netball Tournament at Oldfield School. Both teams that played did extremely well and thoroughly enjoyed playing in the great sunshine. We have to say a huge well done to the 'A' team who won the competition. They collected the trophy, proving they were the best of the 9 teams who participated. Congratulations to all those children who took part.
('A big pat on the back for all our players and Miss Wells who coached them…… and a trophy too!' Mr Croker)

HOCKEY - PLEASE NOTE:
On Sunday 27th April two Hockey teams will be taking part in the 'Savills' Hockey Tournament at the University of Bath, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. A letter to those involved will follow next week. Everyone is welcome to come and support.

NEWBRIDGE BRASS AT THE MID SOMERSET FESTIVAL
On Wednesday 12th March five Newbridge brass players went to perform at the Mid Somerset Festival in the Elementary Brass class. The brave participants were Jacob Prudden (tenor horn), James Hamilton (baritone), Finn James-Lucas (trumpet), Harriet Haysom (euphonium) and Hannah Philips (trumpet).

There were 8 in the class. Everyone played brilliantly, and in the end the adjudicator awarded merits to Jacob and James, 3rd prize (merit) to Finn, 2nd prize (commended) to Harriet and 1st Prize (distinction) to Hannah. Thanks are due to Sue Avison for teaching and accompanying everyone so well.
(' Congratulations to our brass players on flying the flag so high at the Mid Somerset Festival. A particular thanks to Sue Avison for giving our children the opportunity.' Mr Croker)

QUIZ NIGHT A ROARING SUCCESS!
Sharon, Lucy and Jules would like to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who supported this year's Quiz Night. The evening was great fun and raised £700 for school equipment for all our children to enjoy! Special thanks go to Sarah Webb, Stephanie Massie, Amanda Vowles, Anna Higginbotham, Ange Parker, Jackie Ainsworth, Mike Richardson, Kelvin Rogers and Stewart Taylor.
Thanks also to Great Western Wine for supplying prizes and a great bar!
('A brilliant night and a huge 'thank you' to those named above and to all the participants for making it so.' Mr Croker)

Playworks.uk and Alison John Associates
5Ways – to empower your disabled children through your actions. A FREE two day course for the parents and carers of disabled children.
Designed to develop your confidence so that you can empower your children to implement their rights. To give you confidence to play with your own children, to allow them to take risks and to give them new experiences together with their non-disabled siblings and friends.

The 5Ways
Social model of disability
Language and terminology
Inclusion
The barriers to inclusion
Children’s rights

This is a free two day course delivered in a fun and participative way; it includes small and large group work, sharing experiences and ideas, finding new ways of supporting your disabled child.

For more details and bookings please contact –
Di Murray – 01271 344060 – di@playworkuk.com
Alison John – 01633 663587 – office@alisonjohn.com

SUNDAY FUN FACTORY
Emmanuel Church, Apsley Road. Sunday 6th April from 4.00 – 5.30pm. Bouncy Castle, Worship and Tea.

THEATRE ROYAL, BATH
HIS DARK MATERIALS
Several ex Newbridge pupils, including Kieran Le Butt (brother of Matthew in 5W) are appearing in this fantastic production.
Recommended for children over 8 years.
Sunday 13th – Sunday 20th April
Tickets – 01225 448844

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AWARDS
Following our tremendous efforts with the ReNewbridge campaign, Mrs Steph Massie, treasurer of NPSA, entered our school for a national award. We are delighted to hear that we have reached the final stages and therefore have been invited to attend an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 30th April 2008.

Four people from the school community can attend the presentation; a parent, a member of staff and two pupils. We have decided that the fairest way to select the two pupils is to make a draw of a pupil’s name from returned slips and then ask him/her to select a friend who was involved in the ReNewbridge campaign.

If your child contributed towards ReNewbridge and you are in agreement that they can attend if selected, please sign the slip below. We will let you know as soon as possible of the outcome and necessary details. We would be happy to enable parents/carers to accompany their child on the journey to and from London but this would not include entry to the event. Please return this slip to your child's class teacher by Wednesday 2nd April 2008.