Newsletter
Issue: 78 26th April 2017
Dear Parents
NEW INTERACTIVE SCREENS
If you have visited Classes 2, 3 or 5 since the Easter holidays, you will have noticed a big change: we have lovely new interactive screens at the front of the classrooms. This is the result of a great deal of research into the best option to replace our ageing interactive whiteboards, and I hope the children will enjoy the difference: the new screens are of better visual quality, reducing glare from windows (useful in the summer), and they work as stand-alone devices so that they can be used by staff event when the class teacher (and her laptop) is not there. The existing equipment in Classes 1 and 4 is working better, but we intend to replace that in the next academic year.
VISIT FROM ROBERT COURTS MP
I have had a letter of thanks from Robert Courts MP for welcoming him to our school before the holidays. He has said he was impressed with our school “from the great range of play areas to the enthusiastic pupils and talented staff”. I agree! The Key Stage 2 children asked him intelligent and, in some cases, quite challenging questions, and I know they learnt a lot from his visit.
BLUE CROSS VISIT
Today we had an assembly run by the Blue Cross on how to be safe around dogs. Our Class 4 children also did a survey before and afterwards, showing how much they know, as part of a national survey. When we have the results, we will let you know.
CLUBS THIS TERM
You will have received a letter about clubs this term. I am sorry to tell you that, due to lack of interest, the balloon modelling and Science photography clubs will not go ahead, but we still have a wide range of activities: I hope there is something your child will be interested in. As always, if you have an idea for an external provider or you would like to run a club yourself, please let us know.
STAFFING CHANGES
On Thursday this week, Mrs Sarah Edmunds is starting as a new teaching assistant in Class 1. She will be working in the mornings and on Wednesday afternoons, supporting swimming. Unfortunately, Mrs Godfrey is still ill and has now been signed off until the end of this academic year. We continue to wish her all the best and to hope she will be able to rejoin us in September; in the meantime, Mrs Jones and Mrs Poyser will continue supporting Class 1.
On 12th May, Mrs Bridges will be leaving Brize Norton to increase her hours at another job she does. I know many of the children and staff will be sorry to see her go as she has been unfailingly kind, helpful and skilled at supporting children’s learning. I am pleased to be able to tell you that Mrs Johnson has agreed to work full time to replace her.
SECRET LIFE OF 4 AND 5 YEAR OLDS
We have been told that RDF Television are recruiting children aged 4 and 5 for the next series of “The Secret Life of 4 and 5 year olds”. If you are interested, you can find out more or apply at .
SHOE BOX FOR SYRIA
We have had a few children bring in their shoe boxes with Eid presents for refugee children already: thank you. If you would like to take part, there is still time to fill a box and bring it in before Friday. Information is on posters around school or at
NEW ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK
Netball final
Visit from Robert Courts MP
Story Museum trip – pictures from Class 1 and Class 2
Easter School
RAF Falcons drop on the Rec
First Forest School with Class 4
EVENTS THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK
The Year 4 children are going tomorrow to a languages day at Burford School, with activities on different languages and cultures around the world. Our own Mrs Barker will be leading an activity on Japanese. Class 4 will be having tennis coaching this term, starting this Friday. Thank you to Mrs Rae for organising this for us.
Don’t forget that next Monday is a bank holiday! Next Thursday after school, Mrs Haig and Mr Cowley from Burford School are coming in to meet Year 5 children and their parents in Class 5. Finally, next Friday is the RAF Falcons official launch day which we have been invited to send our Year 5 and 6 children to. They will watch the team perform, see how they pack their parachutes, have the chance to ask questions of one of the team and (I believe) have a free ice cream!
Best wishes
Anna Fairhurst
Brize Norton Primary SchoolNewsletter
Issue: 78 26th April 2017
DATES FOR THIS TERM
Thurs 27 – Y4 to Burford languages day
Fri 28 –Class 4 tennis coaching begins
Mon 1st May – bank holiday
Tues 2nd May – clubs begin, 4.00 governors’ performance and learning committee
Thurs 4th May – Mrs Haig and Mr Cowley meeting Year 5 children and parents after school (Class 5)
Fri 5th May – RAF Falcons launch day (Year 5/6)
Mon 8th May – YEAR 6 SATS WEEK
Tues 9 May – 3.15 meeting for parents re Y2 assessments and Y1 phonics screening
Thurs 11 May – pm Y3/4 tennis tournament, Carterton
Mon 15 May – YEAR 2 SATS FORTNIGHT BEGINS, 6.15 governors’ resources committee; all day puzzle challenge day
Tues 16 May – am FS and Y1 out (Teresa Heapy author talk)
Wed 17 May – Y345 out lunch time and pm (Teresa Heapy author talk); 7.00 full governing body
Thurs 18 May – cycling proficiency
Fri 19 May – Mr Cowley and Year 7 children to visit Years 5 and 6
Mon 22 May – 8.50 parent council; Y5/6 cricket festival with all of Year 5 and 6; Mrs Winter visiting preschools of new Reception children
Wed 24 May – PCSO Richard Conner to see Y6 re criminal responsibility
Thurs 25 May – cycling proficiency; pm Cokethorpe Y3/4 multi skills festival; 2.50 parent celebration assembly
Fri 26 May – INSET (school closed for children)
w/b Mon 29 May – half term
Mon 5 June – Y5/6 to Condover Hill all week
Tues 6 June – no Forest School
Mon 12 June – Phonics screening check week
Tues 13 June – Y3/4 to Legge House; Class 5 to Quad Kids; no Forest School
Wed 14 June – Y3/4 to Legge House Day 2;
Thurs 15 June – Y2 Ultra Olympics; cycling proficiency
Fri 16 June – Y5 enrichment day, Burford School
Mon 19 June – Y5 Music Festival all day and evening
Tues 20 June – PE wow day
Wed 21 June – cycling proficiency
Thurs 22 June – cycling proficiency test
Fri 23 June – whole school photo
Mon 26 June – Maths problem solving fun day
Wed 28 June – 9.15 school nurse re puberty Y5/6; 11.00 Y6 only sex education
Thurs 29 June – pm new FS drop in 1.30 – 3.0
Fri 30 June – Class 5 sharing assembly; am new FS drop in
Mon 3 July – KS2 swimming gala; 6.00 new FS parents’ evening
Tues 4 July – new FS children in for lunch with their parents
Wed 5 July – last swimming
Thurs 6 July – shuffle up day; Y6 to Burford induction; new FS children in for shuffle up
Fri 7 July – SEN reviews for children with EHCP or additional funding; Y6 to Burford induction
Sun 9 July – 2.00 – 5.00 school and village summer fete
Mon 10 July – am FS multi skills
Tues 11 July – 6.00 KS1 summer concert
Wed 12 July – Y6 to Boulogne; full governing body 7pm
Thurs 13 July – 6.00 KS2 summer concert
Fri 14 July – 2.50 parent celebration assembly (2.30 if there are staff leavers)
Mon 17 July – no clubs this week; Sports Day
Tues 18 July – sports day back-up in case of rain; 3.30 - 5.30 open evening
Thurs 20 July – 2.00 leavers’ ceremony
Fri 21 July – term ends 1.15