NEWSLETTER Issue: 5.02

HEAD'S VIEW
Today we say farewell to a lovely family as Tiffani(5C) and Tommy Lee (3C) leave us to take up places at Camerton School after a recent house move to that area. It has been a pleasure to have both children at our school and we wish them all the very best in the future. We will miss them.
As two leave us, Treesa (1HO) started on Wednesday and is settling in well. Treesa and her family have only recently arrived from southern India and so life here must seem quite strange to her at the moment. We hope these coming years at Newbridge will be a very special time for her. Two Norland nurses have joined us this week in Elm and Willow. They are Caroline Peachy and Evelyn Bruins and we extend a very warm welcome to them both.

We are currently advertising for three posts for September. Firstly, we are seeking a Reading Recovery teacher on a 0.6 three year contract. We are among nine schools in BANES who applied for and received funding from the Local Authority to employ a teacher who will be working with a small number of our children in Key Stage 1. Reading Recovery started in New Zealand in the 1990s and is now used worldwide. In short, it is the best support programme of its kind in terms of raising attainment in reading and writing and we are very keen to give our children who need it this kind of opportunity. The second post is a librarian & manager of the Learning Resource Centre for 20 hours per week. We see this as a key step in placing reading and books, as well as the use of ICT, at the heart of our school. The third post is a temporary SENCo post while Mrs Skinner goes on maternity leave at the end of the summer term. The closing date for all three posts is 8th May and I will, of course, bring you up to date with any appointments made. I cannot move on to my final piece of news without congratulating Mrs Skinner on her great news!

On Wednesday of this week, Mrs Sellick, Mrs Rixson, Lucas and Elijah (both Year 3) travelled up to London to attend the finals of the National School Association awards. There will be a full report very shortly on what was a very plush event but I have to tell you that they came back with a lovely trophy and a winners' cheque for £1000 for the best fund raising achievement in the country! The cheque is brilliant but what pleases me most is that it was truly a team effort and that has been recognised – congratulations to you all and to Mrs Massie for submitting our application in the first place!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 05/05/08
Monday 05/05/08 - May Day Bank Holiday
Tuesday 06/05/08 - NPSA Meeting in Blue Room @ 7.30pm
Link building opens as new reception and office area
Tag rugby match vs Combe Down (A)
Friday 09/05/08 - 3H Assembly @ 2.30pm
Football vs Oldfield (H)

NEW ARRIVAL
Congratulations to Polly (Elm class) and her family on the birth of Matilda Grace (Tilly) born on 21st April 2008 weighing 8lb 5oz.

If anyone has any family announcements that they would like mentioned in the Newsletter please leave a message with the school office and we will do our best to include them.

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE RENEWBRIDGE CELEBRATIONS on Friday 23rd May 2008 from 3.30pm – 5.30pm
This invite is extended to all our families, last year's leavers and their families, and our neighbours. There will be an opening of the new building, a variety of simple family games and activities for anyone who wants to participate, a chance to see the new facilities and free ice creams! Most of all, this is a chance to relax together and celebrate what we have achieved. You are more than welcome to bring your own picnics. (The reserve date for this event is Friday 13th June if the weather is against us).

HOCKEY REPORTS
On Sunday 27th April the Newbridge hockey team went to the University to play in a tournament. The first match was against Yate Dolphins which we won 1-0 thanks to a great goal from Emilie. The next match was against Shoscombe which again we won 1-0 with an amazing goal from Alex. The third match was against Newbridge B that we won 3-0. We had won all our matches so went into the play-offs, against St Michael's. We won that 4-0 with 3 superb goals from Alex and a stunning goal from Harry and because we won that we got through to the final against St Stephens. Unfortunately we lost that game 1-0. We had lots of chances on goal but failed to put any of them away. We would like to thank Mrs Bartlett for coaching us and everyone who came and supported us. By Ellie and Emilie.

On Sunday 27th April Newbridge and Newbridge A hockey teams went up to the University to play in a tournament. We all took umbrellas and coats, expecting heavy rain, yet how were we to know that all we needed was sun cream! Newbridge had their first match against Yate Orcas which we unfortunately lost 1-0. Our next match was against St Michael's A team. We all tried hard but the end score was 3-0 to them. Straight after that match we played a school called High Littleton but even though we tried hard we still lost that match with the score 4-0 to them. For our last match we played City of Bath in a friendly. Yet again we lost the match but for the first time in the whole hockey season we scored a goal (Newbridge A had scored goals but Newbridge never had!) Our supporters gave us the biggest cheer of the whole tournament! The goal was scored by Jay in year 5 and the final score was 2-1 to City of Bath. Overall we had a good time and it was a great way to end the hockey season. We would like to thank Mrs Bartlett for coaching us and all the parents and other adults for supporting us. By Harriet.

To say I was very proud of all the children who participated in the Hockey Tournament on Sunday would be an understatement. Not only did they all play extremely well but their behaviour was immaculate. It is occasions like these that remind me why I decided to be a teacher. Thank you to all the children and parents who have supported us all season. Well done everyone! (Mrs Bartlett)

('All the children involved were so impressive on and off the pitch. Well done to
all our hockey players! Our supporters were also brilliant and what can I say about Mrs Bartlett except a huge 'thank you'’ for giving up several Sundays to give this opportunity to our children.' Mr Croker)

REPORT ON YEAR 5 MATHS AND ICT DAY
On Tuesday 22nd April Year 5 went to Hayesfield School for a Maths and ICT day. First we were split into groups of four and were given instructions and pieces to help us build a lego robot. Once we had finished we got to add extra bits to the robot, like bumpers and claws to help it through the obstacle course which was called Ocean Odyssey. To complete this course we had to program our robot to move around the mat. We competed against other teams to see how many points we could win in a matter of two minutes. There was a winners' prize, a runners-up prize and a teamwork prize which were awarded at the end of the day.

Congratulations to all the children who took part in this activity. By the end of the day, the aim was to have fun, and we did! By Rosie, Jasmin, Paige and Jeorgia.

('Well done to the Year 5 team and the girls for this report. Our thanks too to Hayesfield for an inspiring day.' Mr Croker)

LISTENING BOOKS – The National Listening Library (Patron: Stephen Fry)
Do you know of anyone who finds it difficult to read because of illness, disability or learning difficulty, including dyslexia?

Free membership to Listening Books. Listening Books is an audio postal and internet based library service that supports the National Curriculum and is open to anyone who finds it difficult to read or hold a book. We are currently able to offer free membership to anyone who lives in Bath or Bristol, due to the kind generosity of a charitable trust.

Our members have the option of receiving audiobooks sent to them through the post, as well as a username and password to access over 400 educational and children’s titles from our website through internet streaming.

If you are interested and would like more information please contact Mrs Beth Skinner, SENCo.

NEWBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION NEWS
NEXT NPSA MEETING - TUESDAY 6th May AT 7:30PM IN THE BLUE ROOM.
It has been lovely the amount of parental support we are seeing. I have had lots of people saying "I would like to help but not sure how to get involved" or “I can’t commit to anything regular”.... just pop along to the meeting, drag a friend with you and see where you can help. We do need all the help we can get, many hands make light work. It is always surprising how many parents manage to help, even with up to 4 children, a partner working all hours, pregnant etc......so don't think that there is nothing that you can do, because you can and we can find you something. So look forward to seeing you after the Bank Holiday.
The cake sale..... didn't the teachers do well and watch this space for the next cake sale date to be confirmed. Years 3 and 4 parents and helpers at the ready.
NPSA Upcoming Events -
13th June – Ladies Fashion show - Get the date on the calendar, book the sitter and ask your friends to come. Last year there were clothes, shoes, handbags, make up, jewellery, wine and a fab fashion show by our own parents and teachers who did a super job. If you fancy having a go on the catwalk leave your name in the NPSA tray in the main Reception. More details to follow.
If you have any ideas to raise money, events, people that can help and can't make the meetings or would like to ask any questions then you can always email me at jackieainsworth@btinterenet.com (my daughter is Ellie Sanders in 2S ).

PRESS RELEASE
Fringe Arts Bath 2008: 23rd May – 8th June
Calling all young budding artists and critics! It’s creative, it's quirky, it's cutting edge, it's the FAB programme for young people in Fringe Arts Bath (FAB) 2008.

B&NES residents and visitors aged 3 to 16 have a choice of unique opportunities to get stuck into current creativity during the Bath Fringe with the help of cultural professionals. The events tie in with the biggest yet of FAB's annual festivals of contemporary art, with work by over 100 artists, exhibitions and temporary art works popping up in unexpected places around the city. Full details of the programme can be found at www.fringeartsbath.co.uk

3 – 6 year olds
… join Jacky Popay, performer with the Natural Theatre Company, on 'The Orange Juice Art Trail' for an hour of fun frolics and arty activities taking in selected FAB exhibitions, a very orange Tea Party, a prize draw and the chance to get your masterpiece in the FAB Hall of Fame.
Tuesday 27th May. Trails leave at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult (adults free – with a child!)

6-11 year olds
… discover your internal human-animal with professional mask-maker and performer Stephen Jon, Inspired by Stephen’s collection of masks from around the world, make your own memorable mask and get it displayed during the festival before taking it home to make your friends envious.
Friday 30th May, 1 Saville Row, Bath. Workshops start run 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm, take your pick.

11 – 16 year olds
…. become an art expert in a day under the guidance of arts journalist Melissa Blease. Visit the FAB exhibitions, discuss the work, make your own mind up about what is important and then air your views in The Great FAB Art Debate in the early evening with an audience. Imagine a young and funky Late Review… we plan to put some of your critique on the FAB website and 2008 Annual.
Wednesday 28th May, 11am – 7pm. Meet at The Egg Café, side of the Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath. Bring lunch and drinks.

Tickets for all events are £4 each and places are limited
To book call the Festivals Box Office: 01225 463362 / E-mail: boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk
Box office address: 2 Church Street, Abbey Green, Bath, BA1 1NL
Remember to state which trail/workshop time you want for the first two events.

Remember to state which trail/workshop time you want for the first two events.

There are also artist-led Art Tours for grown-ups on Saturday 7th June, please check the website for details. www.fringeartsbath.co.uk