"Many, O Lord my God are the wonders you have done"
Psalm 40 v 5
Emmaus Newsletter No.2 November 2007
The first newsletter seems to have been well received so here as promised is no.2! Just as a reminder the aim of the newsletter is to enhance communication between parents and the school. If there is information you feel would be useful to share please let me know.
Vouchers – The P.E. bench we ordered with the Sainsbury's Sports vouchers has arrived and has been in daily use ever since. Thank you! Tesco stopped issuing their sports vouchers on 4th November. Please pass on any that you have collected as soon as possible in order that they can be submitted. If we do not have enough to order anything useful this year they will not be wasted but banked for next year. You are reminded that Nestle vouchers from cereal packets can be collected throughout the year.
School Travel Plan – Tracey-Anne has spent hours working on a school travel plan. The outcome is that we should shortly see a pedestrian crossing on the main road near to the Staverton Club. This will mean it should be much easier and safer to cross over the road if you park in the club car park. In liaison with the council we have agreed as a school that we will not encourage parking on the right hand side of the road as you travel into school lane. If cars park on both sides of the road, vehicles must weave in and out and this adds to the congestion problems that already exist. Your co-operation in this matter would be much appreciated.
CAT tests! – If you are anything like me you may have wondered what a CAT test is and why the children do them. They are used by the school (and many other state and private schools) instead of SATs for years 4-11. They test a child’s abilities in number, language and non-verbal reasoning. The tests help the teachers to identify areas of strength and weakness and adapt their teaching accordingly. The tests are marked externally and the results will be included in your child’s Christmas report.
Help!
A big thank-you to those of you who came and helped with the spring-clean back in July, your help was much needed and greatly appreciated.
Do we have a volunteer out there with time and skill to offer a basic woodwork class?
Help is still needed with teaching recorder and hearing readers in Class 2.
Would anyone be prepared to organise refreshments after the Christmas Service on Monday 17th December?
10th Anniversary celebrations – It is hoped that we will have some sort of celebration in the Spring time. Would you be interested in being part of a committee to help organise the event?
Christmas Party (Class 1 and 2) – This is planned for the last day of term Tuesday 18th December from 12.30 – 3.00pm. Further details will follow nearer the time, but if you are able to keep the date free and come along and help it would be much appreciated. I would also love to hear from you if you think you could organise a craft or game!
If you can provide any of the help requested or have information to go in future newsletters please speak to me or email me at swoodger@blueyonder.co.uk.
PHSE Meeting (Personal, Health and Social Education) – This meeting unfortunately had to be cancelled because it clashed with another meeting amongst the local churches. It will be re-scheduled as soon as possible.
School Web-site – Please remember the web-site, Andrew Stone is continually trying to update it with relevant information. I discovered that my ‘Bach to the Future’ DVD may not be as long as it should be! If you have the same problem please return the DVD to Andrew and he will replace it.
Reading List – It is often a struggle to find suitable reading material for our children especially those who read a lot. I thought it would be a good idea to put our heads together as parents and compile a list of books and or authors our children enjoy or have enjoyed reading and as parents we are happy with their content. I have included a space on the questionnaire for any ideas you may have and assuming I get a reasonable response a list will be produced.
OFSTED – The long awaited phone call has been received and OFSTED will be inspecting the school on Thursday and Friday of this week (22nd and 23rd November).