ST JAMES HATCHAM NEWS
November 2009
Edition
“We can make sure that every child has a decent shot at life and the doors of opportunity remain open to all”.
Barack Obama
Hello Parents / Carers,
As stated in the last Newsletter, the Ofsted Report was finalised and given out to all school families. As you will have read, Ofsted see the school as “an improving school that “already has some good aspects”. It obviously recognises how hard all the staff work and adds that “the quality of teaching has been improved markedly”.This is a real achievement especially considering how hard it is to get through an Ofsted Inspection now. I am particularly moved by the line in the report which states that a child has said, “Adults treat you as if you are one of their own children”. We have focused on making this an aspect of the school for a long time now and I am pleased that the messages have now got through. The general positive ethos of the school has also been picked up in a recent RE Inspection we have had – this too will be shared with you as soon as it has been published.
Thanks again to all the staff and children who have helped drive the improvements and finally thanks to you – the high attendance of our children was enthusiastically commended.
Finally, I would like to say a great big congratulations to Miss Jennings our Nursery Teacher for the last seven years who has gotten married and is now Mrs Henry. May you have a blessed, happy life together.
In January the school’s theme will be Super Heroes.
Infant Library We are very excited about our newly restocked Infant Library! On 11th December the library will be officially opened by a very special guest. There will be a number of things happening to celebrate the opening and from 3.00pm onwards parents are invited to come into school to find out more about the library and how we are planning to run it as well as hear their children tell stories; share stories with the children and enjoy some refreshments. Look out for your invitation for more details!
Mrs C Price
Maths
We are continuing to focus on children’s mental oral skills and in particular learning the times tables.
If you would like any ideas on how you can help your child at home, you can pick up a useful booklet from the reception area in school. Also, if you have access to a computer at home why not try these websites for lots of times table practice;
The school will be taking part in a Borough wide tournament which will test the mental maths skills of some of our year 6 pupils against the best that other schools have to offer. We will keep you updated with the results.
Ms D Graham
Science
Well done to Priscilla (Team 5) who has brought in an egg she experimented on using some vinegar – she found out that the vinegar made the particles pack together and the outside of the egg consequently became solid.
RE
The School Chapel is being used really sensibly by children as a means to go to calm down when angry or just to have quiet moments of reflection and prayer. Thanks go to Mrs King for getting this area prepared.
The school Motto – The entries are now all in and this will be judged in the next two weeks.
French
All classes from Reception to Team 5 are continuing to enjoy their French lessons and are making great progress.
This half term we have covered colours, and numbers to 10 and will be making French Christmas cards. Teams 3, 4 and 5 have also learnt the names of various classroom objects and classroom instructions, whilst Teams 1 and 2 are learning the story of the 3 Little Pigs
(Les trois petits cochons). Miss Rose keeps the French display board outside the office updated every half-term to reflect the learning that is going on in the classrooms. Come and have a look.
Ms S Rose
Music & the ARTS
Well done to all Year 3 musicians who have been learning new instruments for a full term now! I willbegiving youMusic Practise Diaries to fill in your homework from Mrs Catsley during the Spring Term so please can parents make sure they sign the diary for each timeyour child is practising!
We are lucky enough to have the Band playing for us on the Wednesday performance of our Christmas play, Rock Around the Flock. The band and Mr Framingham have been working really hard together andI can't wait to heartheir final performance.
Finally, please don'thesitate to contact the office if your child is interested in playing any of the instruments we offer; trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute and clarinet!
Miss C Hayes
ART
The staff had training on using clay and developing their own skills. (Do take a look at their lovely work in the infant corridor outside Year 1)
Staff have used these skills in their classes and the children have produced some beautiful claywork, observational pastel drawings and paintings around harvest. (We hope you have had a chance to look at these in the hall!)
Mrs A Henry(Previously Miss Jennings)
TheChildren in Need Charity Event on Friday 20th November was a fantastic event. Children and staff dressed up in pyjamas and had a 2p race. Team 5 won in the Juniors and the Nursery managed to win in the early Years and KS1. The whole school did exceptionally well in raising one of the biggest totals we have ever done - £142 was raised in 2p coins alone and £325 was raised in total which included the donations for wearing pyjamas so the real winners are all the children supported by “Children in Need”.Thank you so much Ms Maguire and Miss Barham for organising this fabulous event and enthusing all the staff and children.
Poppy Appeal - £59 was raised by the selling of poppies.
I would like to thank and congratulate the school, in particular the St James Hatcham Peer Mediators for all your hard work during Anti-Bullying/Friendship Week.
Lots of acts of kindness were caught on camera and during this week Kindness Trees also grew! Most importantly I hope that you have been made aware of the existence of cyber-bullying and how we can work together against it.
Stay safe and continue to smile!
Ms A Sufi
Children’s Achievements
Shadean Porter has thought of a wonderful idea about displaying the different languages that people speak. She has been assigned “project manager” and worked ona display with Miss Rose and some other children. This will help new people to our school to be able to identify who speaks which language in order to get help if they need to.
Attendance trophy
The class with the best attendance this month is Team 6 who managed to get 97.7%. Well done!
Handa's Hen is showing at the Albany Theatre
15 ,16 December
Box Office 020 8692 4446. £7. Albany.
11.12.09 – launch of the Infant Library
16.12.09 – WholeSchool Christmas concert(Infant and Juniors doing it together this year – choice of 2 dates)
17.12.09 – WholeSchool Christmas Concert
18.12.09 – Last day of school
21.12.09-01.01.10 – CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
04.01.10 – STAFF INSET(training)
05.01.10 – Children return to school
08.01.10 – Swimming begins again for Team 6
A group of year 3 and 4 children had the opportunity to attend the DavidBeckhamAcademy on the 24th November. They had a great time taking part in team challenges and a football tournament against seven other Lewisham schools. Well done to Wesley Asaam who received a wonderful medal for being a great Sportsman.
Please keep a look out on our PE display board (outside Y2) for club notices and information.
Ms P Pryce
Father Neil
Last week our parish commemorated the V2 bombing of New Cross Road in 1944. our school was a vital part of both the church service and the unveiling of the new plaque next to Iceland. It is a measure of our children that the BBC wanted to film them as an example of good behaviour and beautiful singing. Do be proud of them.
Father Neil
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for respecting us and helping us concentrate on our work.
Please Lord let nobody be bullied.
In your name, Amen.
Written by Latayvia & Quba (Team 2)