http://www.leighterton-school.co.

uk

6th December 2013

Head: Mrs Jane Attwood

Newsletter 7
Dear Parents,

Amongst all the activities that everyone has been involved in over the last couple of weeks, the behaviour of our children has stood out as ever. Whether it be trips to the theatre, walking through the village to the church, welcoming visitors to our school, our pupils display good manners and thoughtful behaviours a credit to us all! Thank you,

Christmas Bazaar The christmas spirit is well any truly upon us! I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at tomorrows Christmas Bazaar 10am-12 noon. There will be a wide range of stalls and activities on offer something to suit adults and children alike. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, bacon butties, pastries, mince pies and cakes will all be on sale to warm you up and give you sustenance as you browse. The quality of the Christmas boxes that children entered was very high, so well done to all of them. Our thanks to Reverend Thomson and Beth Aldren for judging no easy task! All the boxes will be on view, and available to win, at the bazaar tomorrow. Thank you in advance for all who have been involved in the organisation of this event it provides invaluable funds for our school as well as a really lovely festive treat. See you there!

Mr Richard Tuttle offers guitar and music-tech lessons here at Leighterton School, which are very popular. He has asked me to share details with you of his new guitar hire website. Its http://www.boomchukka.co.uk and its all live now for any parents who want to hire guitars. He is currently taking new hire orders for the January Term so if Parents can fill in the details online, he will have them ready for the new term. The service differs from others around because:

All the admin is done online by the parent and Mr Tuttle, so nice and easy for the school. There is a weekly pickup so when the parents are finished with them, they simply get in contact with Mr Tuttle and he does the rest so the instruments do not clutter the school. Parents can pay online if they wish. There's a secure payments gateway if they want to use that. All the instruments are new or less than a year old and come from the Australian brand Ashton so look good and play well. There's a choice of colours available. Prices are competitive. No need for parents to travel into Gloucester to return the guitars.

Assemblies On Thursday 12th december, you are invited to the Out of School Clubs assembly at 9am in the school hall. This will take a similar format to our Class assemblies, and all are welcome. On Friday 13th December, we will welcome Reverend Bob Howells to lead the children and staff in a Christmas themed assembly. Reverend Howells has visited the school in the past, so some of the children may remember him. This has been organised by Didmarton Congregational Church, who are also givng each child a Scripture Union Christmas Bible Comic to take home. Our thanks to them. Within our closing assembly of the term (Carols round the tree at 2pm on 20 th Decmeber) children who have achieved 100% attendance over terms 1 & 2 will be presented with a certificate. They will also be entered into a draw for a selection box! Parent Consultation Evenings Thank you for your positive feedback from the recent parent consultation evenings. Thank you also to those of you who claimed lost property or took the opportunity to complete an online questionnaire giving us vital feedback about our school. http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/
Permission slips and voluntary contributions Due to the wide variety of opportunities and activities available to our children here at Leighterton Primary School, there are numerous permission slips and requests for payments/voluntary contributions. These are vital for us to be able to carry out these activities and many of you are very efficient at returning these promptly. However the staff in the office spend a great deal of time chasing up and reminding parents. Prompt responses are always preferable, and we are happy to receive these electronically or on paper. If at any point you are unable/unwilling to make a voluntary contribution, please do let us know this is the case and talk to me about any concerns you may have. Your help in this is greatly appreciated.

Website
Apologies that the launch of our new website has been delayed. This is due to investigations as to whether we are able to retain our existing domain name. The new site is a simpler, more accessible site for all. The aim is that this will be a communication tool for parents as well as an online prospectus for our school. Thanks also to those who have made suggestions/shared ideas for making it an ever better tool for us all to use please keep the ideas and feedback coming in. Christmas Dinners Reminder Please remember that this year we are be operating a slightly different system: instead of everyone completing and returning a form to say they do want to order a meal, we will assume you do require a Christmas dinner for your child, unless you notify us that you do not. Make sure you notify us if: a) you do not want your child to have a Christmas dinner; and/or b) your child requires a vegetarian option. Thank you!

Clubs Another big thank you to all of you who help run clubs for us here at school we would not be able to offer the range of opportunities we do without you! A special thanks to Mr Ursell and Mr Ellis at this point in time for setting up and running the rugby club. Mr Ursell has now led his last session, but has secured Tetbury Rugby club to continue this after Christmas. Please note, there is no rugby club until January now. LIVING CRIB - LEIGHTERTON

Bennetts Farm, Leighterton, is hosting the third Living Crib on SUNDAY 15th DECEMBER at 4 pm. The procession, led by the Star of Bethlehem, will commence at Leighterton Primary Schools Car Park at 4pm and guide us to the farm. The King played by Elvis Everett and his family will greet you along with the livestock, Choir and many festive treats! This is a FREE event with all donations in aid of Leighterton Schools PTFA. If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute we would be extremely grateful of any donation (e.g. mince pies, cakes, cookies, marshmallows, mulled wine...). We welcome ALL to attend! Please remember your torch to light your way. Children are welcome to come dressed as a member of the Nativity if they wish. *All children MUST be accompanied by an adult. There is STRICTLY NO PARKING at Bennetts Farm.* *This event is hosted at a working farm / procession along an open road and is UNDERTAKEN AT YOUR OWN RISK*

Also attached is an advert for Future Generations Childminding services situated at Bennetts Farm - who currently have spaces on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting in January 2014. Grammar schools: Change to testing Attached is a letter outlining the change in the process for applying to grammar schools within Gloucestershire. Please read this carefully and make a note of the key dates, as it is a substantial change to the previous organisation.

Bookfair Thank you to all of you who purchased books and stationery at the visiting bookfair over the last week. Thanks to staff for a lovely reading evening on Wednesday, and the PTFA for the hot chocolate! easyfundraising.org.uk As you start (or finish) your Christmas Shopping, please remember that utilising the easyfundraising toolbar is a totally painless way to raise funds for our school. Simply go to the website, go to support a good cause, select Leighterton School and then click each time you shop online.
Christmas is coming are you ready? Take a look at Back To School Magazine. Your free parents' guide to Primary School. Don't miss this special Christmas survival guide

Sign up now and you will receive it (at no cost) in your inbox at the start of every term. Visit: www.backtoschoolmagazine.com

DATES FOR DIARY TERM 2

Saturday 7th December Monday 9th December Tuesday 10th December Wednesday 11th December Thursday 12th December

Christmas Bazaar 10am-Noon KS1 Dress rehearsal KS1 Nativity 2pm Class 4 trip to SWR King Lear production (am) KS1 Nativity 2pm OSC (Out of School Club) Assembly 9am

OSC Cake Sale (pm) Living Crib at Bennetts Farm: donations of cakes, mince pies, hot chocolate etc. very welcome! (Details to follow) KS1 Christmas dinner; KS2 Party KS2 Christmas dinner; KS1 Party Picnic around the tree (lunchtime) Carols around the tree (to round off the term!) 2pm: All welcome! End of Term 2 INSET day: School closed to pupils (OSC Club open for childcare: Please pre-book) Start of Term 3

Sunday 15 December Wednesday 18th December Thursday 19th December Friday 20th December

th

Monday 6 January Tuesday 7th January

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Please remember to park considerately in the car park and do not block the route around. Thank you.

Congratulations to Ms Compton on the birth of daughter Isobella May on Thursday, 5th December, weight 8lbs 2ozs.

We have received the following note from Tetbury Library:

Tetbury Library Children's Centre Did you enjoy the summer reading challenge this year? Then we have the very thing for you! A Christmas mini reading challenge between Friday 13th December and Monday 6th January. All you have to do is to read three books during that time, then log your books on the summer reading challenge website to receive a virtual badge and online reward video. There is a selection of Christmas books to look through as well as the usual favourites. We also have a Christmas tree advent calendar, a "why I love my library competition" and a hunt the reindeer game. The library is open until 1pm on Christmas eve, closed for Christmas, and open again on Monday 30th December. So if you are keen to read over Christmas and would like a challenge, come and find us.

Also attached is information from Gloucester Schools Table Tennis Association