St Christophers C E School

Email: office.3555@st-christophers.oxon.sch.uk www.st-christophers.oxon.sch.uk

Newsletter
No 1: 7th September 2012

Dear Parents/Carers
What a glorious start to the school year! It was so lovely to see the children flood into the school on Wednesday morning bringing the place alive. What a privilege it was to see the Little Cherries start their school life. There has been a real buzz around the school as the Teachers and Teaching Assistants get to know their classes and the children continue their learning journeys. On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for their welcome, kind words and words of encouragement. I wish you all a pleasant and restful weekend. First full week next week!

Mr Shaw Goodwin - Headteacher Absent from School?

If your child is absent from school for any reason, please dont forget to let us know. Absences are recorded in our registers with the appropriate reason code, i.e illness, holiday, medical appointment etc. Where no reason is given the absence is recorded as unauthorised and may be investigated by the Educational Welfare Officer. Please remember that requests for holiday should be authorised before booking. See website for Absence Policy for further details. Please notify us about the absence by telephoning school on 01367 860318 and selecting option 1 to leave a message. Thank you. School Dinners have been decreased to 2.00 per dinner. Dinners must be paid in advance cheques payable to Oxfordshire County Council please. Tuesday 11th September 2.45pm Foundation & Year 1 Assembly re Forest School see details attached. Thursday 13th September Roald Dahl Day see letter in book bags for further details non uniform Dahl Character/Theme Friday 14th September 2.45pm Celebration Assembly Everyone Welcome! Monday 17th September Clubs start - see details attached.

Quick Reminders

BREAKFAST CLUB
DAILY FROM 7.45AM (PRE BOOKED) 3.00 8.15AM (DROP IN) 2.00 Booking forms for September now available from Mrs Brindle or the School Office SCHOOL UNIFORM St Christophers uniform can be ordered from either: www.simplyschoolwear.co.uk / Tel : 0800 404 6644

Parking Around School

As we are at the start of a new term, please may we remind parents to respect our neighbours when parking near the school. From time to time we do receive complaints please help us keep this to a minimum by not blocking drives and gateways and keeping clear of the zig-zag lines thank you

Emergency School Closures

Missed a Newsletter? If you have missed a newsletter, they are available on our website www.st-christophers.oxon.sch.uk In addition to our text system, school closures will be broadcast on: HEART FM 102.6 FM GWR 96.3 FM BBC Radio Oxford 95.2 FM Or check local radio station websites

School Lunch Menus!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday
th

Thursday

Friday

Week Commencing 10 September 2012 Pizza with Potato Wedges & Seasonal Vegetables Victoria Jam Sponge Finger Aberdeen Angus Beef Burger in Bap with Jacket Potato & Seasonal Vegetables Oat Crunch with Custard Roast Pork with Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables Peach & Strawberry Sundae Chicken Pie, with New Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables Syrup & Sultana Cookie & Glass of Milk Breaded Small Fry Fish, Chunky Chips & Peas/Baked Beans Fruit Rippled Ice Cream

Week Commencing 17th September 2012 BBQ Chicken with Rice & Seasonal Vegetables Chocolate Marble Cake with Hot Chocolate Sauce Toad in the Hole with Jacket Potato, Seasonal Vegetables Lemon Crumble Slice with Custard Roast Turkey, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables Strawberry & Chocolate Dessert Beef & Potato Pie with Cheesy Thatch Fruit Salad with honey & yoghurt Breaded Fish, Chunky Chips, Peas/Baked Beans Peach Melba

Also available every day: Yoghurt, Fresh Fruit & Water - 2.00 per meal. Any cheques for dinners please make payable to Oxfordshire County Council. Thank you to everyone who remembered that dinner money has decreased to 2.00 per day from September. Dinners must be paid in advance on a Monday of the week in which dinners are taken. As usual, the correct money in a named envelope is very much appreciated, which your child can put into the collection box in their classroom, along with any other forms which may need to be returned to the school office. HEALTHY EATING - All Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 children are given a healthy snack daily. Key Stage2 children may bring in a healthy snack, no crisps or chocolate, if they wish.

WATER BOTTLES - Just a quick reminder that we do encourage all children to bring a water bottle to school each day. Water bottles (with a sports style top) can be kept on desks for continuous use during the day. We recommend the bottles be named!

Diary Dates
10th September 11th September 2.45pm FS & Yr 1 Forest School Assembly 17th September 18th September 19th September 12th September 13th September Roald Dahl Day Mobile Library Lunchtime Bookshop 20th September Lunchtime Bookshop 3.15pm Nature Club 3.15pm Zumba 3.15pm Football Club 24th September 25th September Ginkgo & Willow Swimming 3.15pm Athletics Club 26th September 27th September 14th September 2.45pm Celebration Assembly 21st September 8.00am Multiskills & Breakfast 2.30pm Besom Charity Assembly 3.15pm Drama Club 28th September 8.00am Multiskills & Breakfast 2.45pm Celebration Assembly 3.15pm Drama Club Oak Class Cook 4 Books

Yr 6 Imps Visit to Witney Hospital 3.15pm Nature Club

F/S & Yr 1 Forest School

Lunchtime Bookshop 3.15pm Football Club

3.15pm Zumba

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY on most Friday afternoons we hold a whole school assembly in the School Hall whereby we all reflect on the week and celebrate achievements. We would welcome your child to share and celebrate their achievements, in particular any which they have done outside of school. A Celebration Book is outside the School Office to record what your child would like to share. Everyone welcome!

FOUNDATION STAGE & YEAR 1 FOREST SCHOOL ASSEMBLY TH TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2012 AT 2.45PM It is with great excitement that I invite you all to our Forest School assembly on Tuesday 11th September at 2.45pm. The Education Officer from the Forest School at Ernest Cook Trust in Fairford is coming to explain what happens at Forest School and how these outdoor learning experiences can be used to enrich the curriculum. The aim is to provide a weekly trip to Forest School on Wednesday afternoons for the Foundation and Year 1 children. The use of the Forest School is free and, therefore, provides an excellent way to develop outdoor learning while providing very good value for money. The children will be transported to and from Forest School by coach and we will be requesting for a voluntary contribution to cover the cost further details will follow separately. I hope you feel able to support us in this exciting venture. Mrs Clements Cherry Class Teacher

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS SEPTEMBER 2013

The admissions process for children due to start school or move to secondary school in September 2013 is upon us! If you have a child born between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009, due to start school please log on to www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions Starting School & Moving On where you will find the procedure for starting school. The deadline for applications is 15th January 2013. If you have a child currently in Year 6, information will have been sent to you but again details can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website as detailed above. The deadline for secondary school places is 31st October 2012. If you submit a late application you are far less likely to obtain a place for your child at one of your preferred schools. If you do not have access to a computer then please call in to the school office.

GUITAR LESSONS We are delighted Mrs Rowe will again be offering lessons again starting next Tuesday, 11th September , at St Christophers. If your child is in Year 3 or above and is interested in learning the guitar,
please contact the school office for a form.

The adventure playground equipment is ONLY designed for primary school age children. For health and safety reasons when collecting your child/ren from school please ensure you do not let your pre-school age children and older siblings on the equipment at all times. please note that Oxfordshire County Council policy is that dogs are not allowed on school premises thank you.

SCPA BOOK SHOP

THE SCHOOL BUS
Please note that the school bus service is provided directly by Oxfordshire County Council, who are responsible for the bus contract not the school. Below are the contact details for OCC Integrated Transport Services. If you experience any problems with the bus service provided we would be grateful if you could report them directly to OCC. Oxfordshire County Council Integrated Transport Service Tel: 01865 871670 STARTING 13TH SEPTEMBER 2012 for reserved books and stamps Dont forget your pennies in a sealed envelope please!

EVERY THURSDAY LUNCHTIME

MEDICINES IN SCHOOL If your child has a

medical condition or allergy (e.g asthma) that may require medication (inhalers) during school hours, then please send in to school in a clear plastic box/bag, with a photograph of your child along with a completed medical consent form which can be obtained from the school office thank you.

Swimming Programme 2012/2013

This years swimming programme will begin on Tuesday 25th September 2012. Once again, we will use Brize Norton swimming pool and transport will be provided by Rebound Coaches. To cover costs we need to ask parents to pay a contribution of 1.50 per lesson. Please see below which year groups will be swimming which term.

Term 1
Ginkgo & Willow 25th Sept 2nd Oct 9th Oct 16th Oct 23rd Oct

Term 2
Ginkgo & Willow 6th Nov 13th Nov 20th Nov 27th Nov 4th Dec

Term 3
Oak & Willow 8th Jan 15th Jan 22nd Jan 29th Jan 5th Feb

Term 4
Ginkgo & Oak 19th Feb 26th Feb 5th Mar 12th Mar 19th Mar

Term 5
Ginkgo & Oak 23rd Apr 30th Apr 7th May 14th May 21stMay

Term 6
Oak & Willow 4th June 11th June 18th June 25th June 2nd July

Children will need a swimming kit, which must include a swimming hat in a suitable bag. Boys must wear swimming trucks, not shorts. Oxfordshire County Councils policy does not allow children to wear goggles. If your child needs to wear goggles they need to be BS 5883:1996 - please return the permission form below. Please ensure that all watches and earrings are left at home on swimming days Please note that a letter from a parent is required if a child is to miss a swimming lesson for any reason. Generally, if a child is well enough to be at school then they are well enough to swim.

.. REPLY SLIP
Goggles in Swimming - (please return even if your child already wears goggles) I wish to request that my child .. be allowed to take part in swimming lessons wearing his/her goggles which meet BS 5883:1996. I understand that the regulations recommend that goggles are not worn for school swimming lessons. I further understand that in the event of injury arising from my child wearing goggles, neither the County Council nor the Governors of the School will be prepared to accept liability for such injury.

Signed . (Parent/Guardian)

Date ..

.
SWIMMING PROGRAMME
Cheques payable to Oxfordshire County Council

I enclose a contribution of 7.50 per child to cover the costs for Term 1 Name Class ; Ginkgo / Willow Date ..

Signed ... (Parent/Guardian)

MOBILE LIBRARY
The Oxfordshire Childrens Mobile Library will be visiting St Christophers next week on Thursday 13th September 2012. This is a great opportunity for all the children to visit the library and select a book to take home and read. They will also be visiting on:11 October 2012 15th November 2012 13th December 2012 31st January 2013 7th March 2013 18th April 2013 16th May 2013 20th June Please ensure your child/ren returns their books on these dates so they can then select another.
th

FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Entitled to Free School Meals? Children whose parents/carers receive the following support payments may be entitled to the Free School Meal scheme: Income support/Employment support Income based job seekers allowance Support under the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 The Guarantee element of State Pension Child Tax Credit - providing that Working Tax Credit in not included and that the annual income for Tax Credit purposes is within the guideline set for the financial year.

If you feel this applies to you, then please call into the school office for an application form.

Children in all classes are expected to have their PE kits in school all week. PE kits may be taken home over the weekend for washing, but please make sure its back in school on Monday morning. No football kits may be worn for PE lessons. Ginkgo, Oak and Willow Classes will need shinpads and mouthguards for PE this term starting Monday. May we remind parents that all children are expected to wear school uniform with suitable school shoes (no trainers or open-toed sandals) and long hair must be tied back for health and safety reasons. Children will also need to bring their coats to school as wherever possible we like the children to play outside at morning break and lunchtimes.

Help us keep the spread of germs in school to a minimum by following this advice from the NHS.

CATCH IT germs spread easily. Always

carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

BIN IT germs can live for several hours on

tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.

KILL IT hands can transfer germs to every

surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can. - Thank you

BURFORD SCHOOL OPEN DAY

THURSDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2012 AT 4.30PM 7.30PM FOR CHILDREN IN YEAR 5 & 6 Tel 01993 823303 For further details

I would just like to thank you all for a wonderful send off at the end of last term. The cards, letters, pictures, gifts, the many hugs and kind words, made it a very emotional and memorable day. I hope children you will enjoy the new colourful and fresh smelling toilets that have been fitted through the holidays. Look after them well so they continue to look wonderful for many years to come. I wish you all a happy new school year Best wishes, Carol Phillips

A good range of school clubs will start again this term please see below. We request a voluntary contribution to help cover resources and staff costs. To register your child(ren), please return the reply slip attached

Club Mon Tues

Nature Club

Led by
Janet Hobbs

Time
3.15-4.15pm

Year Group
Any

Cost Numbers
Max 20 12.00

Dates

Athletics

Joanne Brownjohn

3.15pm4.15pm 3.30pm 3.15pm4.15pm 3.15pm4.15pm 8.00am 8.45pm 3.15pm4.15pm

Any

Tennis Club

Chris Hand Claire Goodenough

Yr 1-6 KS2

Wed

Zumba

Thurs Football Fri

Multi Skills & Breakfast Musical Mania! Drama Club

Oxford United (forms in book bags) Joanne Brownjohn

All All

Lindsey Henderson

KS2

17th, 24th Sept 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Oct Min 10 10.00 25th Sept, 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Oct To book Tel 07970 481707 or cd.hand@yahoo.co.uk Min 10 12.00 19th, 26th Sept 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th October 15 max 36.00 20th Sept 13th Dec (12 weeks) Any 10.00 21st, 28th Sept , 12th, 19th & 26th Oct Min 15 12.00 21st, 28th Sept, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th October

Please note:
Once your child registers, we do expect that they will attend each session For ease of banking & administration, payments are due at the start of the course Payment and commitment is for the whole course to cover staff/coach costs & resources For children attending an afterschool club please note the finish time for the club their child is attending as indicated above. At this time the club leader will bring the children to the main entrance and see them out of the main door to parents/carers who are waiting. Please note that the bell should not be rung prior to this time as staff cannot allow Parents/Carers to wait unaccompanied inside the school building. Please collect your child promptly as staff may need to go home!

CLUBS:

Please register my child(ren) for the following clubs:

Tick/Initials Club
Nature Club Athletics Zumba Multi Skills & Breakfast Music Mania Drama Club

No. of Sessions
6 5 6 5 6

Contribution
12.00 10.00 12.00 10.00 12.00

I enclose (cheques payable to St Christophers School please) Preferred telephone number in case of emergency/club cancelled: Child(rens) name(s): .. Class(es) .. .. .. .. .