NEWSLETTER Issue: 5.04

HEAD'S VIEW
Next week we will be issuing our annual parental questionnaire. This is important to us in moving the school forward. I include a policy below which illustrates how last year’s feedback helped us look with a fresh eye at the way we inform parents about our children's progress, about what and how they are taught and about their day to day routines. The time you take to complete the questionnaire is greatly appreciated.

Sally Wright, from LEPRA, joined us for our whole school Monday assembly this week and we celebrated with her our fund raising efforts. In total we raised over £1800, the largest amount raised by a primary school for LEPRA. This means that 89 children and adults will be cured of leprosy. Our gratitude goes to all our families who showed that their generosity goes well beyond ReNewbridge. I feel very proud that the people in this school have such values.

As the much publicised SATs week draws to a close, I would like to say 'well done' to our Year 6 girls and boys for all the hard work and positive attitude they have shown in the lead up to the assessments. This is also an opportunity to remind them that learning is for life, not for a few papers in May of 2008, and therefore we expect their best to the last minute of the last day of the summer term……and the last minute of their time at secondary school……..and……….!

Last but not least, we say 'farewell' to Connor (2S) who leaves us on Monday to start a new life in Bridgenorth. He is a lovely boy with a great personality and we wish him and his family all the very best.

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING TO PARENTS
Introduction
In an overwhelmingly positive parental questionnaire (2007), one area that our parents felt we could do better was reporting to parents. 25% disagreed that 'the school keeps me well informed of my child’s progress' and 28% disagreed that 'I am given a clear idea about what and how my child is taught'. The verbal feedback in that questionnaire highlighted this as a key issue. As a result the policy of reporting to parents has been redrafted and will run as follows:
How is my child getting on?
We will keep three parents’ evenings a year. The first one is held in mid October, the second in February just before half term and the third will be in July, following reports home. This third one is considered 'optional'.
Written report – this has been revamped to make it more succinct and more informative with assessment data included in all years. This new version will be used in the reports coming out shortly.
What is my child being taught?
From September 2008, a curriculum plan will be sent out at the beginning of each term and put on the website. This will be one side of A4 and will consist of broad headings under each subject incl. topics and other learning.
How do they do things in the year above?
There are changes from one year to the next; expectations, daily routines etc which often cause concern to parents. We propose to introduce, from September 2008, a 'getting to know you' talk to parents in the classroom given by the class teacher. The timing will be 2.30 to 3.00pm so that the children can attend assembly. We will spread this over the second and third week of term and have one year group at a time.
How is my child being taught?
We propose to hold two curricular evenings a year to inform our parents of teaching & learning approaches within the school and to keep you fully informed of any developments and changes.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 19/05/08
Monday 19/05/08 Assessment Week Years 3, 4 and 5
Football v St Stephens @ 3.30pm Home
Wednesday 21/05/08 Year 5 & 6 Girls' football tournament 4-7pm
Thursday 22/05/08 Football v Saltford @ 3.30pm Away
Friday 23/05/08 ReNewbridge celebrations 3.30 – 5.30pm
Parental questionnaire sent out
HALF TERM HOLIDAY

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).

NO CLUBS AFTER SCHOOL NEXT FRIDAY…………………….
due to the ReNewbridge Celebrations there will be no clubs at the end of school except for the After School Club, run by the YMCA, which will be on as normal.

£102 FOR JULIAN HOUSE…………………...
Well done to the staff whose cake sale raised the above amount for the homeless in Bath. Thank you to Emilie Noad and her Mum for organising the event and to all our buyers and eaters!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING 'STARS OF THE WEEK'
Foundation Stage
Angeline, George
Years 1 and 2
Lily, Meg, Megha, Katrina, Eleanor
Years 3 and 4
Isabella, Molly, Jack, Isabel
Years 5 and 6
Finlay, Olly, Ashley, Caleb, Matthew, Zoe
PPA Drama/Art
Meggie, Alice
PPA Music
Sophia
PPA PE
Sam, Frances

MATHS DAY
On Wednesday 30th April four children from year 5 went to the Guild Hall to take part in a maths day. At the maths day we did lots of different things but most of them were related to famous mathematicians. We looked at a mathematician called Goldbach. He made a theory that every even number above 4 could be made by adding 2 prime numbers together and this theory had never been proved so we had a go at proving it. This was fun but we didn't prove it. As well as doing that we had a look at Pascal's Triangle. We tried to find different patterns dotted around the triangle. We also did a bit of mind reading (this mind reading did involve maths, but not too much), that was fun too!

Overall we had a good time and would like to thank Mrs Phillips for organising it.
By Harriet and Finlay.
('Some impressive mathematics going on here. I look forward to hearing more from this group at the up and coming Maths Curriculum Evening for parents after half term.' Mr Croker)

TAG RUGBY REPORT
On Thursday 9th April two Newbridge Tag Rugby teams played against Combe Down School. In the first game the red team lost 11-12 and the blue team lost 10—11. In the second game the reds lost 13-14 but the blues drew 9-9. At the end Mr Croker said well done to us all and we went to have tea and biscuits and orange juice in the Blue Room and to talk to the parents about the game.
By Ben and Charlie.
('‘We are the existing BANES tag rugby champions and I have to say, that with this crop of Year 5 players, the future of rugby at Newbridge looks bright. Ben and Charlie have been very modest by omitting that all of our players were from Year 5 while most of the opposition were Year 6. That said, it was a lovely warm afternoon and it was a pleasure to host our visitors who, to the last girl and boy, made a point of thanking us for the event.' Mr Croker).

National Year of Reading - Half Term Holiday Event
Jonathan Hyde - world famous film and stage actor will be doing an extra special children's storytime at Bath Library on Saturday 31st May at 11am -11.45am.
Jonathan has starred in Titanic, The Mummy, Jumanji and Richie Rich. He is also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Jonathan will be reading stories for primary school age children (5-11 years).
This is event is free but children need to have a ticket. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available from Bath Children's Library - 01225 39 40 41