Wednesday 6^th January 2010

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back after what I hope was a wonderful, peaceful and restful Christmas holiday. I can’t believe it is 2010!

1.      GOLDEN AWARDS: The following children were the recipients of last term’s Golden Awards for consistently excellent work and behaviour:

Reception: Campbell F, Inayar D, Sotiris I, Nico B

Year 1: Anushke K, Iona M, Mykele V, Eva G

Year 2: Archie P, Lotte M, Alice H, Kacie F

Year 3: Khava C, Samantha B-W, Zara D, Shashank C

Year 4: Oliver M, Oliwia R, Storm C, Jack A-T

Year 5: Rhys P, Jessie S, Eliza G-W, Khinar P

Year 6: Muhammed A, Sophie G, A G, Tanya W

Very well done and many congratulations to them all!

2.      ‘WE’VE LOST CHRISTMAS’: All of our Foundation Stage children were on stage singing and dancing for two wonderful performances of ‘We’ve Lost Christmas’ at the end of term. Thanks to Rhian Robbins for the dance, MJ Paranzino for the music, Max Furnell for the set and Jo Lynch for the lighting, but special thanks to all the Foundation Stage children, the Y6 helpers and all Foundation Stage staff, led by Elaine Flanagan (who wrote and directed), for their help and encouragement. We collected in aid of schools in Cumbria that were damaged by the recent flooding and raised over £250. Thank you for your generosity. The Wednesday show (16/12/09) was filmed and DVDs will soon be available to order.

3.      CAROLS IN ST MARY’S CHURCH: Thanks to all who were able to join us for all of Y1-Y6 singing carols on Monday 14^th December. We moved to the church so as to enable everyone to share the fun in the warm. I was particularly proud of all our musicians, especially Y4 clarinetists who have only been learning the instrument since September and also Sam D (Y6) for his wonderful rhythmic drumming accompaniment. We held a collection for Shelter and again raised over £250. Thank you for your support and generosity.

4.      PTA CHRISTMAS FAIR: Another amazing success on Saturday 5^th December. Many thanks to all who helped and all who came long to make it such a special day. We made just under £8000, when you add in estate agent boards, Christmas trees etc! Special thanks to Sarah Hill and Jo Turner for the organising and keeping everyone calm, also Sara Walls and David Aeron-Thomas for so swiftly counting all the money!

5.      PTA CHRISTMAS DISCOS: Thanks to Debbie Barracks, Morris, Freddie and everybody who helped with organising and refreshments etc. on Thursday 10^th at the two discos for the children. The children had a brilliant time, raising £340.

6.      A) YAMERIGA TARGET: A very big and sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who contributed so generously to the Yameriga Good Gifts project. We have reached our targets and will now be able to fund the purchase of the water storage tank, packets of seeds, hoes, pick axes and watering cans. We look forward to receiving a report on the progress of the Gardening Project in Yameriga and will share this as soon as it arrives. B) CHILDREN’S LOGO COMPETITION: Design a special logo to show the link between Ravenstone and Yameriga. Entries to Mary’s room by the end of January

7.      FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES: We are all delighted that so many of you are able to attend our Friday worksharing and stars of the week assemblies, 10:00-10:15am. Remember you may not see your child’s work, but you will see work from her/his class. Spring term’s timetable is as follows:

A)    Jan 15, 29 Feb 12 Mar 5, 19                      YEARS 6, 4, 2 Rec

Lower Hall: Mrs Bolton/Mrs Furnell, Mr Huie/Ms Waugh, Ms MacJames, Jessie’s Rec

Upper Hall: Mrs Lynch, Mrs Schulenberg, Mr Friday, Felicity’s Rec

B) Jan 8, 22 Feb 5, 26 Mar 12, 26                            YEARS 5, 3, 1

Lower Hall: Mrs Hood, Mrs Domaingue, Mrs Piper

Upper Hall: Ms Hamilton, Mr Van Brown, Mrs Hine

I know you are often keen to say hello to your children but could all visitors please help us by leaving the premises by 10:25am at the very latest.

8.      BOROUGH ATHLETICS STARS: The following Ravenstone children: Jevontae H (Y5), Shanelle H, Joseph G, Candice J and Tanya W (Y6) have been chosen to represent Wandsworth in the inter-borough Norwich Union games on 9^th January. Many congratulations and thank you to Morris Tolaram who will accompany them at this prestigious event.

9.      ATTENDANCE: We have set a very challenging target for attendance this year and it is our aim that all children attend school all of the time. Obviously, however, school is not a place for your children when they are sick. I thought you might be interested to see year group comparisons for last term. Overall attendance for the term was 94.6%:

Rec: 94.3%         Year 1: 91.4%         Year 2: 95.8%          Year 3: 94.4%                  Year 4: 96.2%                        Year 5: 95.7%
Year 6: 94.5%

10.  PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION: Yesterday I sent out the candidate’s statements and ballot papers for the parent governor election. Could you please ensure that ballot papers are returned by midday, Friday 15^th January. I will inform you of the result in the next newsletter.

11.  NEW SENCO/INCLUSION MANAGER: I would like to introduce our new senior member of staff: Inclusion Manager/SENCO (Special Education Needs Co-Ordinator), Mrs Laura Lane. Mrs Lane is an experienced SENCO who joins us from Lambeth and will work 0.8 (Monday to Thursday). Mary Hargreaves is not leaving, she has simply changed her role and will work alongside Mrs Lane as SEN support and also EMA (Ethnic Minority Achievement) teacher. Mrs Lane’s office is on the ground floor off Mary’s room.

 

12.  RAVENSTONE CALENDARS 2010: We still have a few copies of this wonderful calendar to sell. They are available from the office priced £3 each.

13.  SNOW: In this period of bad weather we will endeavour to remain open at all times. If the school has to close we will put a message on the website: www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk before 7:30am. Assume we are open!

Happy New Year to you all!

Best Wishes

Alan Millington

DIARY

 

JANUARY 2010

9^th                    Inter-Borough Athletics

 

14^th                  Road Safety Show KS2 pm

 

19^th                  SportsHall Athletics

28^th                  Wandsworth Museum in Y3

FEBRUARY              

1^st                    Y1 to Horniman Museum

6^th                    PTA Rugby and Beer Fest tbc

11^th                  Y3/4 to Poetry Festival, Southbank

Half term 15^th-19^th

MARCH                    

5^th                    PTA Bollywood Night (Ladies only)

APRIL                       

1^st                    Last day of spring term

19^th                  Term starts

29^th, 30^th          BookFair Lower Hall

MAY           

7th May            PTA Pampering Night (Ladies only)               

10^th -14^th          Key Stage 2 SATs

10^th                  Y1RH to Chelsea Physic Garden

11^th                  Y1NP to Chelsea Physic Garden

31^st-4^th June     Half term

JUNE                         

7^th                    Inset Day

15^th                  Y1 to Apsley House

22^nd                  Sports Day at Tooting Track Rec-Y6

JULY                         

23^rd                  Last day of the year