NEWSLETTER 3 Friday 14th November 2008

Dear Parents/Carers,
1. OFSTED INSPECTION: I attach the Ofsted report after our latest inspection, which took place the Friday before half term. I have to confess that I was not really expecting Ofsted to knock on the door quite so soon (I was expecting the call after Christmas. We have the dubious honour of being the first school in the borough to have received two short notice inspections, whilst some are still awaiting their first) but nonetheless we are all very pleased that the inspectors have been and gone! At the verbal feedback the lead inspector described Ravenstone as a ‘fabulous school’ and one in which he ‘would love to work in, and send his grandchildren to’. Of course such statements do not feature in the report since they are not official ‘Ofsted language’. It is worth remembering that an Ofsted inspection is only a snapshot. At Ravenstone we are constantly striving to improve the quality of the educational provision for all of our pupils. Having said that, we are all very pleased that the report recognises our considerable achievements and agrees with our judgements about where the school is now, and how to continue improving. I would like to thank all parents and carers for your support and encouragement. We received over 200 replies to the Ofsted questionnaire- about three times the number most schools of our size receive!
2. US VISITORS: We were visited on 6/11/08 by five teachers from Dolby Elementary School, Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. This was the day after the US elections and our children were very keen to discuss Obama’s victory with our guests. The visitors were overwhelmed by your children’s knowledge and enthusiasm and commented on the quality of the relationships between pupils and teachers, the working environment and the work on display in the school.
3. MJ PARANZINO: MJ is recuperating after her operation and intended to return straight after half term but is now on track to return before the end of November, just in time to co-ordinate our Christmas celebrations! In the meantime Mrs MacBrayne continues to keep everything ticking over. We intend to hold all of our normal Christmas events. Check in the diary for dates and times. The dates of the class parties will be announced later.
4. PTA AUTUMN TEA: Many thanks to Diccon Beeny for organising yesterday’s feast of cakes and biscuits.
5. PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS: We now have vacancies for three parent governors. This is because their terms of office (four years) have expired. One, Freddie Morrison, will definitely stand again, but two are not now eligible since their children have moved on to secondary schools. I shall be sending further information out next week confirming all of the details and election procedures.
6. RAVENSTONE WEBSITE: Parents may not be aware that every Friday I immediately put the Stars of the Week on the school website: www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk . Please also have a look at the supplementary website, Ravenstone Blogs on p. 2, which features work by the children on the Applemac computers, including some recent Y6 School Journey Podcasts, photos and thoughts.
7. FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES: We are all delighted that so many of you come in to Friday assemblies but can I please respectfully remind you all to leave the playground by 10:25am at the very latest, for obvious safety and security reasons.
Looking forward to a very productive and enjoyable half term in the run up to Christmas.
With Best Wishes

Alan Millington
DIARY
NOVEMBER 2008
27th   Y6 Secondary Transfer tests
DECEMBER 2008
8th   Y4 to Imperial war museum
12th   PTA Children’s Christmas Disco
15th   Carol Concert Y1-Y6 Lower Hall 2:15pm
16th, 17th  Foundation Stage (Nursery & Reception) performances am
17th   Children’s Christmas Lunch
18th   Last day of term (Note change as next day is an Inset Day)
19th   Inset day (staff in school, but not children)
JANUARY 2009
6th    CHILDREN RETURN
FEBRUARY 2009
Half Term 13th-20th February 2009 (13th is an inset day: staff in school, but not children)
Break for Easter Friday 3rd April 2009
Summer Term starts 20th April 2009

11th-15th  Key Stage 2 SATS
Half term 25th -1st June 2009
JUNE 2009
2nd   Children return
JULY 2009
Last day of term 17th July 2009  
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Christmas cards
This year a Christmas card designed by Emily Engleman (last year’s Yr 6) was chosen to be Link Community Development’s Christmas card . LCD is the charity which supports our link with Yameriga school in Ghana. It supports over 300 schools in the UK with schools in South Africa, Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda.
Each pack of cards costs  £3.50    and contains 10  cards, 5 designed by Emily and 5 by a South African pupil. There is a sample in Mary’s room
Please complete the slip by 20/11/08 if you would like to order some cards and ask your child to give it to Mary or Mrs Hampson.
___________________________________________________
LCD Christmas Cards
Name of child_______________________________________
Year Group_____________

Number of packets requested______________ Total Amount to pay__________________