Wednesday 4th February 2009
The worst weather for nearly 20 years leads us to half way through this school year:
1. CLOSURE DUE TO SNOW: We regret the closure due to the adverse weather but are very glad to be open again. I attempted to keep everybody informed as soon as possible via the website (www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk) and the phone/ansafone and hope that you weren’t inconvenienced too much. Thank you.
2. THE PARTY: Many thanks to all of you for partying the night away on 24/1/09! There are too many individuals to thank but in particular I would like to mention Sue Metcalfe and everyone who prepared the hall at lunchtime, the Millingtons: Paul Metcalfe, John Metcalfe and Martin Pannett, Morris for the disco, all who prepared food and also those who came in on Sunday to help us tidy up. Finally a massive thank you for my gift of John Lewis vouchers and the various other gifts I received. I am overwhelmed. It was a wonderful evening and full of surprises! We also raised over £1200.
3. PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS: We (Rubina Gillani, Dan Russell and myself) held the count on Monday 26th January and I am pleased to report that the following parents were duly elected: Freddie Morrison, Henrietta Bainbridge, Thomasina Szemalikowski, Sam Dutton and Alex Frean. On behalf of the staff and children can I please thank all of the candidates for offering their help. It is amazing that so many people are willing to get involved and continue the journey of improving and developing Ravenstone.
4. SPORTS NEWS: ATHLETICS: On 20/1/09 Emily Richardson and Morris Tolaram took a team of 28 Y5/6 to Tooting Leisure Centre to participate in the regional Sportshall Athletics against 13 other local schools. On a fabulous day both our boys’ and girls’ teams finished first, comprehensively defeating all! The  grand borough finals were scheduled for 3rd February, but will now have to be re-arranged.
  CHELSEA FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT: On Tuesday 13th January, a group of 10 children, from Y6/5/4, participated in the Chelsea Schools’ Under 11 tournament at the Wandle Recreation Centre. Although the team didn’t make it to the final stages, there were some very encouraging performances, the highlight of which was a closely contested draw in the derby against local rivals Belleville. Mr. Turi was very pleased with the behaviour and skill of all of the members of the team: Alex S and Thomas C (6JL); Abdirazak S-M, Zain G, Zian B and Josh S (6MF/AB); Joseph G, Blyth W and Ezio C-B-C (5FC), and Josh H (4NW/RH)
5. TREES: You may be aware of the mess that the builders Buxtons have made when they severed the roots of a beautiful mature healthy tree near the pond. The tree was unsafe and therefore had to be cut down and removed. Buxtons have agreed to replace it with a ‘similar’ tree, after sterling work by Elizabeth Mc Farlane (Chair of Premises committee), Alex Frean (Chair of Governors) and Mark Clews (Maia, Y5). One, possibly two new semi-mature trees will be supplied and planted in the very near future.
6. RAVENSTONE BLOGS: Please look on our website:                                    www. ravenstoneschool.co.uk to see Stars of the week etc. We have an ancillary site which features work produced on the Apple Macs including animation, film of last year’s music concert, cartoons etc. This can be accessed by clicking on Ravenstone Blogs on the left hand menu. Please have a look.
7. RAVENSTONE TRAVEL PLAN: I would like to thank Anthony Smith (Eleanor, Y1) for the wonderful detailed work he has undertaken to produce the latest comprehensive Travel Plan. Richard Huie has assisted Anthony in developing the document that covers all aspects of how our community travels to school, traffic in the local area etc. We will soon be entitled to funding from WBC that will be used to improve the cycle racks etc.
8. YAMERIGA VISIT: Not long now till Carole, Patrice, Elizabeth, Katherine and Freddie set off for Ghana! Last week the five held assemblies to talk about what their plans at school will be and to encourage children to bring in any spare flip-flops, pens, pencils, sharpeners and rubbers for the children in Yameriga: collection boxes are around school.
9. SCHOOL DINNER MONEY: Last week we were owed over £800 by over 40 families for meals that their children have already eaten. We are totally fed up with chasing parents who owe money for food that their children have consumed. The admin staff are wasting massive amounts of time and money sending letters, making phone calls pursuing debt. This has to stop. From now on, if you do not pay in advance then your child will not receive a meal. Meals cost £2.10 per day. Envelopes are available from the office. Please give your envelope to your child to give to the class teacher or place it in the box provided in the main office.
10. HALF TERM: A reminder that we break for half term on Thursday 12th February (Friday 13th is an inset day) and the children return on Monday 23rd February.

Alan Millington
FEBRUARY   12th   Children break for half term
Half Term 13th-20th February 2009 (13th is an inset day)
23rd  Children return
MARCH   2nd   Y5 to WBC Junior Citizen project
4th   Y4 to Riverside recycling centre
25th  Reception to Polka: The Jolly Postman
28th   Y3-6 Music Concert at St. Mary’s Church tbc
APRIL  1st   Parents’ Evening Spring term
Break for Easter Friday 3rd April 2009
Summer Term starts 20th April 2009
28th   Y1 RH to Chelsea Physic garden
29th   Y1 AF to Chelsea Physic Garden
MAY    11th-15th  Key Stage 2 SATS
Half term 25th -1st June 2009
JUNE 2009  2nd   Children return
23rd   WLTA Tennis Reception-Y2
24th   Sports Day Reception-Y6 Tooting Track
   25th   Y3 AT or ER to Dulwich Picture gallery
JULY 2009  
   9th   Y3ER or AT to Dulwich Picture gallery
Last day of term 17th July 2009