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Newsletter 17 - 22nd January 2010

As I write this newsletter I have been treated to a delightful musical event – first by our orchestra playing beautifully in the hall and then by the Year 5 drummers who set the school alight every week with their vibrant rhythms. What a lovely way to start the day. If your child plays a musical instrument and would like to join our school orchestra, please contact Mrs Usher.

I would like to remind you about the Parenting Workshop on Thursday evening (28th January) in school. We are incredibly lucky to be hosting a visit from Bonnie Harris - a very well-known face in America who is not only informative, but also highly entertaining. Please do come along and support us with this event. I will certainly be there – hoping to pick up some top tips to make my family run more smoothly! The event begins at 7.30 pm – in the school hall. Friends and parents from other schools are also invited.

Earthquake Appeal – Hats for Haiti

Cassie, Lucy and Katie from 6R have asked, very thoughtfully, if we could support the Haitian Earthquake Appeal. As a school we would very much like to do this and have decided to hold a ‘Hats for Haiti’ day next Friday. We are asking the children to donate £1 to the Appeal so that they may then bring in a hat that they have made at home to wear in school. The girls from 6R will also be running a charity stall at lunchtime in aid of the Appeal. Thank you for your support with this.

Ugandan School Toy Appeal – A message from Joshua

Joshua from 3T is organising a toy sale on Saturday 30th January 10-12 a.m. at Tonbridge Methodist Church, Higham Lane. He is raising money to help build a school in Uganda. If you have good quality toys that you can no longer use, please leave them at the church and come along on the day to support him. Well done Joshua.

Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

The Infant School always puts a lovely packed lunchbox idea into the newsletter and we thought that it may be helpful to include one in ours too. The ideas come from the Food Standards Website (www.eatwell.gov.uk) and are age appropriately balanced.

• Mexican Chicken Wrap
• Carrot Sticks & Baby Corn
• Mixed Fruit Salad
• Malt Loaf
• Yoghurt Drink

Bon Appetit!

Charity Stalls

As you know, the children run regular stalls at lunchtime each week to raise money for their favourite charity. Unfortunately, we have had a few accidents with children who have bought sweet lollies from the stalls. As from next week we are asking children not to sell these (or other sweets) on their stalls. We are more than happy for them to sell cakes and biscuits instead! We have also had some instances of unsuitable DVD/CD’s being sold so please could you check the stock your child intends to sell.

Football News from Mrs Kennedy

The Tonbridge Football Central Venue League got underway on Wednesday and congratulations are due to our ‘A’ team. They played Slade School in their first match and won 6 – 2. They then played Stocks Green and won 8 – 1. Well done boys and congratulations on your excellent teamwork.

ICT Home Access Programme

Over the next few years children will be asked to complete many home-learning tasks with the help of a computer. By 2012, parents will also be able to access attendance and assessment details for their children by logging into our school system. We are, however, very aware that not all our families have access to a computer or the internet at home.

The Government is launching a Home Access Programme which aims to provide free computers and internet access to eligible families across England. Your family is eligible if your child is in full-time education in Years 3-9 in a maintained school in England and is in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Free School Meals
• Income Support
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
• Child Tax Credit
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Income Related Employment Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act

If you believe that you are eligible please call the Home Access helpline: 0333 200 1004

Mad Socks

This is a great opportunity to order high quality school socks and tights and, at the same time, help raise money for both charity and for Woodlands. For further details, visit www.madsocks.co.uk. Orders are dispatched very quickly and for every sale, 20% of the purchase price goes to BBC Children in Need and another 10% goes to the school’s funds..

Blue Cross Charity Stall

Charlie, Lauren, Emily, Cassie, Lucy and Amy from 6R raised a marvellous £25.30 with their charity stall this week.

Lost Coat Appeal

Another plea for you to check your child has not accidentally brought home a piece of clothing belonging to someone else. One of our children is missing a coat which is blue with white polka dots (aged 7/8 years). Have you come across it?

And Finally….

It’s hard to believe that the end of January is already in sight. I do believe that I can feel the longer hours of daylight already (or is that just wishful thinking?)

Mary Priestley
Headteacher

Term & Diary Dates 2009/10

Academic Year 2009/10

Academic Year 2010/11

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