Dear Parents,

Next week is our school Olympic week where the children will be learning all about this special event. As you are already aware, they will all have the opportunity to see the torch pass through Leominster on Thursday 24^th May and we will be holding our own Mini Olympics on Friday 25^th May (further details tomorrow).

 As part of this week we felt that it was a great opportunity for the children to experience some different sporting activities that they will be able to watch during the televised Olympics. I have managed to arrange for someone from The Bromyard Bowmen to come to school on Tuesday 22^nd to run a taster session for the KS2 children, after the success of this experience at the Pioneer Centre. On Thursday 24^th May there is a Tae Kwon Do teacher booked to come and run a taster session for all of the children.

 As these two sessions are run by outside coaches there will be a charge of £3.00 per session (as we have to pay them to come in to school). These sessions are also open to Parents who may have an interest in either of these sports (a great opportunity to be a new comer alongside all of the children).

 Hopefully there will be lots of support for these activities and then maybe we could try and arrange more regular sessions if they prove popular with the children.

 Please could you complete the form below if your child wishes to attend.  

 Many thanks

 Rebecca Boffy

P.E Co-ordinator.

 Archery …………..    Tae Kwon Do ………….

 I will / will not also be taking part.  I enclose payment of ………………… (£3.00 per session).

  Signed ……………………………………………………………………………

This week, Year 6 are settling down to their Standard Assessment Tests, by the time you read this newsletter they will be half-way, having completed the reading and writing papers. Other year groups in Teme are involved in assessment too, so it is a busy and fairly intensive week for all the children, although there are some exciting activities and extra playtimes to make up for a lot of hard work.

 Parent’s meeting

Our termly Parents Meeting was held on Monday 23rd April, the five parents who attended were updated by our school governors regarding the progress of the school, over a glass of wine. A chat with teaching staff meant that the curriculum topics for this term were explained in more detail.

Swimming Lessons

Each Monday afternoon beginning Monday 21st May 2012, swimming lessons will take place for the whole school. The five lessons are one hour and children will get back to school for 4.00pm. All children will need a swimming hat, swimming costume and towel on Monday morning.

 Mini-Olympics-Sports

Next week beginning Monday 21^st May it is our Mini-Olympics week as that is the week that the Olympic Torch is being carried through Hereford and Worcester. As you are aware we are going to Leominster to watch the Torch being carried through the town. Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help us with this, there will be a meeting on Friday 18^th May at 9.00am just to go over the car sharing and arrangements.

There will be a variety of sports/Olympic related activities for the children throughout the week, including Archery for Teme Class on Tuesday from 3.00-4.00pm (instead of Rounders) and Tai Kwando for all children on Thursday from 3.00-4.00pm (instead of dance).

 Mini Olympics Day on Friday 25^th May 2012

Friday 25^th May will be our Sports/Mini Olympics day. There will be races during the morning from 10.30am, with a family picnic from 12.15pm. Olympic-themed Family Fun Activities will take place in the afternoon from 1.15pm. Over the past few weeks each child chose a country which is to be represented in the Olympic Games, they have been finding out as much as they can about their chosen country. On Friday 25^th May they should come to school dressed in shorts and T-shirt the same colours as the flag of their chosen country. Each child should know their colours as they have been working on the flags and fact files about that one particular country.

Pond Lining and Re-shaping

The pond in our Outdoor Classroom needs re-shaping and lining so we are having a working session from 4.30pm on Monday 28^th May 2012. Our staff and governors have committed to help, so if you can lend a hand too if only for a short while it would make the job so much easier, thank you.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

We have all been working hard preparing for our Diamond Jubilee Celebration Afternoon which is Friday 1^st June 2012. You are invited to join with us to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. There will be, singing from children and adult choirs, maypole dancing, country dancing, craft activities, tea and cakes. Whitbourne Parish Council will be presenting the children with their Jubilee Mugs during the afternoon. Please come along to help us celebrate by making this an afternoon to remember.

 Family Fun Day

On Saturday 23^rd June, we are planning a Family Fun Day when our farm animals will be visiting school. There will be a variety of craft activities on offer for the children with coffee/tea and cakes available. Please volunteer as soon as possible to help on this day which will run from 10.00am until 1.00pm.

 Farm School

Both Severn and Teme classes have now had one session each at Farm School and thoroughly enjoyed their time whilst learning so much about farm life including animal growth and care. Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Elaine Brown have joined the classes, Mrs. Brown with Teme and Mrs. Patmore withSevern. We welcome other volunteers please; mainly to help with the walk to the farm from 1.00pm until 1.40pm.

Bags2school

Thank you to everyone who contributed to ’Bags2school’ we seemed to have a record number of bags this time, we do not yet have the total amount for all the bags but I will let you know how much the school benefited from them all when we have been notified.

Our Early Years Governor ~ Mrs. Sue Patmore came with Severn Class to farm School

Severn Class had a great afternoon at Longlands Care Farm.  Mrs Millwood, Mrs Boffy and I walked with the children; we were all wearing fluorescent safety jackets.  On the way, we had a talk about the new shop site, the old lodge for Whitbourne estate, and wild flowers in the hedgerows (bluebells, celandines, forget-me-nots,buttercups, cowslips), we listened to birdsong and saw two Tamworth pigs foraging in the woods. We also had some good exercise!  Rosie and Trevor, who help Mrs Evans on the farm, met us with an all-terrain vehicle with trailers attached to transport the children and Mrs Boffy to the farmyard.  Mrs Millwood and I walked!  Mrs Evans and Joe greeted us; we walked quietly to a field of cows with their 6 week old calves.  Mrs Evans very generously gave school 2 calves and 3 lambs which we can all see when we visit the farm. The children watched one of the calves have its ear tagged and then bottle fed a lamb. Rosie sprayed the lambs with blue letters saying WP-Whitbourne Primary.

The lambs then went on the scales to be weighed; we recorded their weight and guessed how heavy each one was in kilograms.  Trevor explained about manure and how important it is – as well as smelly!  We learned lots about farm life and looking after animals and the countryside.  Just before we left, we had a snack and a drink, then saw some tiny chicks and some eggs in an incubator and handled some Guinea Pigs, who love to eat dandelion leaves!  Then we collected some lovely fresh eggs from the henhouse, noting the beautiful colours of the chickens.  We can’t wait for our next visit! – which is next Wednesday 16^th May.

 Dear Parents,

 Swimming Lessons

A reminder that swimming lessons begin next Monday (21.05.12) for all the children. They will need to bring their swimming costume, towel and swimming hat on Monday morning. The lesson each week is for the next five weeks and is in the afternoon from 2.00pm until 3.00pm at Leominster Swimming Pool and we will all be back at school by 4.00pm.

 We would be very grateful please for helpers during the afternoon to help with changing. If enough parents offer, it does not have to be a commitment for every week as help can be on a rota basis. Please do think about helping us in this way and complete the slip below, thank you.

 We ask please for a voluntary contribution of £10 towards the cost of transport to and from the swimming pool. This is £2 per visit, please complete the slip below.

 Yours sincerely

 Mrs. J Millwood

Headteacher

 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Swimming Lessons 2012

I …………………………………………… Can/cannot help with swimming on 21.05.12,       

 28.05.12,           11.06.12,                18.06.12                 25.06.12       (please circle)           

I enclose £10 for transport costs……………………………  I have already paid………………………

  Child/children’s name……………………………………………. Signed…………………………………………

 Dear Parents,

 Olympic Torch Procession

We would very much like to take part in watching this historic event with the children as it passes through our county. The arrangements for this are not easy as it will be extremely busy and there are very limited facilities available to accommodate groups of school children, therefore we are aware that the children will need careful supervision.

 We have looked at the route and times of the procession and the Olympic Torch will go through Leominster on Thursday 24^th May during the afternoon, this looks to be the best option for us.

Our decision to take all the children depends upon the amount of support from parents who can help us with this. We are prepared to hire a minibus and use cars to transport the children but will need the help of other adults.

If you would like your child to watch the Olympic Torch procession and are prepared to help us facilitate this, would you please indicate below by Wednesday 25^th April, so that arrangements can be made.

 Whether we go depends upon the amount of support for one of the days.

 Yours Sincerely,

 Mrs. J Millwood

Headteacher

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Olympic Torch Procession

 I would like my child………………………………………….to watch the Olympic Torch Procession.

 I can help on Thursday 24^th May 2012

I can help with transport on          Signed………………………………….

 Dear Parents,

 We are due to start our swimming sessions on Monday 21^st May at Leominster Swimming Pool. The session will run for 5 weeks finishing on Monday 25^th June. We will return to school by 4.00pm.

 We ask please, for a voluntary contribution of £10 towards the cost of the transport to and from Leominster Swimming Pool for the five weeks.

 For us to place your child in the correct group please complete and return the slip below by Tuesday 1^st May 2012

 Yours sincerely

 Mrs. J Millwood

Headteacher

 Please tick the one/ones you think applies to your child:

Thank you to all those who attended our Open Afternoon and Evening at the end of last term, we had a good crowd of people who attended and some from the other side of Worcester came to have a look at us, which was very encouraging.

The animals were a real highlight and most children got to feed and stroke both the lambs and Charlie the hairy pony. The fire burned well in the Outdoor Classroom so that all those sitting in the log circle were able to toast and eat marshmallows. Thank you to Forest School Leader from the Hope Centre for helping us with this.

Easter service

Our Easter Service made a lovely end to our Spring Term with songs, readings and prayers by the children. Easter eggs were collected from Father David and the School Council collection for Scope and Project Mala raised £24.32, thank you for your support.

 Farm School

As you are aware our farm School at Longlands Care farm begins this Wednesday. For this first session we are all going, we will be leaving school at 1.00pm to walk there and children can be collected at 3.00pm or 4.00pm (please inform us of your collection time, if you haven’t already done so).

 Parent’s meeting

Our termly meeting for parents will be held on Monday 30^th April at 6.30pm. Please come along to find out what is planned for the children this term.

 New Shop Plans

We are all very excited at seeing the ground being cleared ready for the new shop to be built. As a school we are prepared to work alongside the shop committee and allotments committee to make the whole venture a success for the village.

There is a Public Meeting in the Village hall on Wednesday 9^th May 2012 at 8.00pm to find out more about the plans for the new shop.

Bags2school

A reminder that Bags2school will be collected from school on Thursday 10th May 2012.

 Photographs

The school photographer will be coming into school on Friday 11^th May 2012  (NB, this date has changed from 22.05.12) to take individual photographs of children. Parents with young children are invited to bring them into school from 8.30am for their photograph.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Our children’s and adult choir continues each Friday evening 3-4pm for the Children’s Choir and 4.15-5.15pm, the adult choir. We are learning and rehearsing pieces for our Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The children will be learning a variety of dances at their club on a Thursday evening, they will perform these at the Jubilee Celebrations on Friday 1^st June 2012.

 Swimming Lessons

Each Monday afternoon beginning Monday 21^st May 2012, swimming lessons will take place for the whole school. The five lessons are one hour and children will get back to school for 4.00pm.

 Clubs begin this week

Our aim is that all children attend all the clubs for their age group. They are a way of extending the children’s learning in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Thank you to all those who are offering to help us with clubs this term.

 Toddler Group

A reminder that our Toddler Group continues to meet in school every Tuesday. The group meet from 10.00 until 11.30am.

 A note from Mrs. Elaine Brown:  being a STEM ambassador 

I am now a STEM ambassador and can go into schools and help with lessons or projects in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. 

Why?  To bring fun and interesting STEM topics to the children and show them where these can lead in the future.  I can borrow kits to help with science clubs and might be able to ask people to come into the school to help out or talk about their work. 

Britain will need scientists, designers and engineers more than ever when our children are running things.  If we can get a bit of interest going for these subjects in both the girls and the boys now, that can only be a good thing.                                                                           

This year there will be school projects related to the Olympics that combine exercise, sport and biology.  We get a free ‘In the Zone’ box of ideas and equipment for this.

Next year Britain is attempting to improve its’ world land speed record from 700 to 1000mph using Bloodhound, a new supersonic car.  Projects about this could include engineering, rockets, design and geography.

Hopefully, I can help children to gain confidence in what are seen as difficult subjects, but can actually involve a lot of creative thinking and crazy ideas.  At this age, numeracy and literacy skills aren’t vital for science activities – it’s enjoying the challenge and trying things out that is important.

 Dear Parents,

 Farm School

Next Wednesday 25th April 2012 all children and staff will be visiting Longlands Farm to begin our Farm School. The children will be walking to the farm along a safe track after lunch. They will be taking part in a variety of activities with Mrs. Julia Evans, who is planning the sessions alongside teaching staff at school.

Following this initial whole school visit to the farm, Severn and Teme Classes will be visiting on alternate weeks beginning with Severn on Wednesday 2^nd May. Children may make the farm session a club choice and are welcome to stay until 4 0’clock, however please would all parents collect children from Longlands Farm at either 3.00pm or 4.00pm and indicate on the slip below their chosen time of collection

 Clothing

It is important that children are dressed properly for Farm School sessions. They should have old trousers, T-shirt and jumper to change into as well as a waterproof coat and wellies. These should be brought to school on Wednesday morning.

Would you please complete the slip below indicating your collection time. A map to Longlands Farm is attached with this letter.

Yours Sincerely,

  Mrs. J Millwood

Headteacher

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Farm School at Longlands Care farm

Please delete as necessary

 My child………………………………….will not stay for the Farm Club and I will collect from Longlands Farm at 3.00pm

 My child…………………………………………will stay for the Farm Club and I will collect from Longlands from at 4.00pm.

 Signed………………………………………………………………

Our disco arranged by the PTFA was a brilliant success, thank you to all the friends, staff and the four parents from our school who came along. We had a great social evening and made a profit too.

 Pioneer Centre Residential Adventure Visit

All the children from Teme Class had a super few days at the Pioneer Centre near Cleobury Mortimer, last week. The children tried many activities which they had not experienced before and have come back to school with a new found confidence. From high ropes to caving and fencing there was something for everyone and the busy active days meant that everyone slept very well. Thank you very much to Mrs. E Evans, Mrs. R Boffy, Mrs R Evans and Father David who looked after our children for the three days and enjoyed the fun of the activities too.

 Sport Relief

A small group of us walked the Bromyard Mile in aid of Sport relief last Sunday morning. We came dressed in Whitbourne School P.E.T-shirts, so whilst supporting a worthwhile charity we advertised our school and had a glorious walk in the sunshine. Thank you to all those who took part.

 Open Day

Our Open Afternoon and Evening is tomorrow (28^th March 2012) from 2.00pm until 6.00pm. I know that we can count on the support of all parents either during the afternoon or evening. We are expecting a good crowd of people and there will be a variety of attractions including our new Farm School animals, Outdoor classroom activities with a fire on which to toast your marshmallows, there will be activities going on in the classes too. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served throughout the whole event. Children may take part in the activities from 3.00-6.00pm as long as they are with a parent. Please show your support for Whitbourne School by being at the Open day and by donating some cakes. Thank you

 KS 2 Dance Group at QEHC

Our children will be, once again showcasing their dance skills at a Dance Festival at the QE on Thursday 29^th March 2012. Parents should leave their children at the QE at 9.00am please where they will be met by Mrs. Boffy. If any parent can help with transporting some children back to school at around 11.00am we would be very grateful, please let Mrs. Neathway know, thank you.

 Easter service

You are all very welcome to our Easter Service at Whitbourne Church on Thursday 29^th March 2012 at 2.00pm. Please come to support the children as they take part in the service, they can then go straight home from the church at 3.00pm.

 Golden Book Assembly and Praise Assembly

There will be a Golden Book and Praise assembly this Friday at 9.05am to which you all are invited. This assembly usually lasts for about 20minutes and is held in school.

 Bags2school

A reminder that Bags2school will be collected from school on Thursday 10^th May 2012.

 From our School Governor ~ Mr. P Lack

My area of interest as a Governor is Maths – I leave most of the finance and management of the school to my fellow governors, and concentrate on what the children are learning and how it’s going.  On my visits this term I have joined in with the Maths Basic Skills groups, and I think they’re brilliant.  Children are assigned to these groups by how they are doing at that particular skill – not by age or year group at all.  So in each group they are all at about the same level, and can focus totally on the task for the day, for example adding 20’s, 21’s, 22’s using a number square.  You can really see the accelerating effect on their learning.  Then they go back into their own classroom, and link what they have learnt to everything else.

 Easter Holiday

We all wish you a very Happy Easter

School closes on Friday 30^th March 2012

The Summer Term starts on Wednesday 18^th April at 8.55am

Find out about our new Farm School.

Join us around the fire pit for marshmallow toasting.

We have places availble for September 2012 and can arrange for free/subsidised transport.

Come and see what we have to offer.

We benefit from small class groups where children are valued and treated as individuals

On Monday 12th March we all went to the Three Counties Showground for a potato Growing Challenge. The potatoes have now been chitted and planted and we will all be caring for them very carefully, so that we have a bumper crop to take back to the Three Counties Show on Friday 15^th June 2012.

 Disco at Whitbourne Village Hall

Our school PTFA has organised a disco for parents and friends at the Village Hall. It is this Saturday 17^th March 2012 from 7.30pm until midnight. There is an 80s theme with a bar and savoury nibbles available please come along for a good social evening. The cost is £5 for the evening and it is for adults only.

 Pioneer Centre Residential Adventure Visit

All of Teme Class leave for The Pioneer Centre next Wednesday 21^st March. They are very excited and looking forward to three days of outdoor activities led by staff at the Pioneer Centre with Mrs. E Evans, Mrs. R Boffy, Mrs. R Evans and Father David.

 Sport Relief

As part of Sport Relief we are supporting ‘The Bromyard Centre Mile’. The Bromyard Mile meets at The Bromyard Leisure Centre at 11.00 am on Sunday 25^th March 2012. Along with other Bromyard Schools, Whitbourne School will be supporting this event. To find out more visit www.sportrelief.com

 Open Day

Our Open Day is being advertised widely around Worcester and Bromyard and is on Wednesday 28^th March 2012 from 2.00pm until 6.00pm. Please come along to help with activities or to serve tea and cakes to our visitors, we value your support in promoting Whitbourne School to the wider community. Apart from creative activities within school the attraction will be the introduction of our Farm School and children working in our outdoor classroom on the day.

 Easter service

You are all welcome to join us for our Easter Service on Thursday 29^th March 2012 at 2.00pm. This will be held in Whitbourne Church and all the children are taking part.

 Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

The children sang brilliantly at their first choir practise with Rosie Roberts last Friday. Then the adult choir followed with a strong number of varied voices, we still need more people to join us so please consider joining the children at 3.00pm or the adults at 4.15pm. We will perform at the School Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on Friday 1^st June 2012.

 Bags2school

The good weather recently gives us a good feeling that spring is on the way and time for a spring clean. Please have a look around the house as Bags2school will be collected from school on Thursday 10^th May 2012.

 From our School Governor ~ Mrs. S Patmore

How wonderful it was to see all the children and staff dressed as their favourite characters from fiction on the recent World Book Day.   I read ‘Peace at Last’ to Severn class, having listened to the children’s stories, which were filled with interesting detail.

We then joined Teme Class to share books and taste the traffic light jellies that all the children had made earlier. The afternoon was rounded off with a selection of plays. These lively performances were – The Magic Potion, a talent show (Tigger won!), The Adventure and Dotty’s Lucky Day. The children had clearly enjoyed a stimulating and interesting day during which they learned a great deal.