NEWSLETTER Issue: 1.05

INFORMATION EVENING FOR PARENTS
Last Thursday, a good number of our parents and carers came along to hear about recent developments at Newbridge. As various members of our Senior Management Team spoke, it quickly became very apparent to all attending how far the primary school has come in a short period of time. The development of the buildings is the visible sign of this change but so much more, like the proverbial iceberg, has happened beneath the surface. We cannot provide the detail here but these are just some of the developments:
Learning
- Introduction of assessment system which involves the children more in knowing where they are and what they need to work on, and a tracking system which enables us to evaluate and support the progress of each child through the school.
- Introduction of programme called 'My Learning' to develop the skills and attitudes of learning. Each child from Year 1 to 6 will have their own 'My Learning' folder and this will be brought home shortly and at times during the year. The full explanation will be in the folder but, in the meantime, an overview of the skills and attitudes we are developing is attached to this newsletter. There is an additional attachment for Foundation Stage parents whose children will not have a folder but will be fully involved in the programme.
- Introduction of Reading Recovery teacher and programme in Year 1 as well as a whole school provision map for supporting special needs with increased teaching assistant hours.
- The introduction of 'My Learning Journey' books in Foundation Stage as a record of a child’s many and varied achievements.
- Introduction of a phonics programme ('Letters and Sounds') and a cursive handwriting programme in the early years.
- Introduction of a number skills system, 'Reach for the Sun', throughout the school to help children become fluent in the basic number skills. More details about this out shortly.
- Substantial investment in books at all levels and the opening up of the library for school community use.
Communication
- Introduction of 'Getting to Know You' sessions for parents at the beginning of the school year.
- Curriculum Overviews issued at the beginning of each term to provide information to parents on what their children will be covering that term.
- The introduction of Literacy Link books to take us a step on from the existing Reading Records.
- The introduction of one to one discussions between teacher and pupil to help us in our core principle of 'knowing and valuing each child'.
Environment
- The major building work completed for the present but continuing work and refurbishment to go on throughout the school to ensure the best possible environment for our children.
- The next step is to develop and make best use of the external environment. We are currently working with the Avon Wildlife Trust and one of our parents, Mr Powell, to take significant steps over the next twelve months to achieve this aim. More details out shortly.

BITS AND PIECES
· Please note that there will be a Year 1 and 2 disco at the end of the year on Monday 20th July. This was omitted from the original calendar.
· The new House Points board is now up in the Upper School Hall, complete with Cheeky (ask your children!), thanks to Mr Ricketts and Mr Baigent whose carpentry skills and artistic flair combined quite beautifully!
· Please ensure the pedestrian gate is closed behind you when accessing during the day. Thank you.
· Please can you ensure that no bikes or scooters are ridden on the school site: outside the gates fine, inside the gates not.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 13/10/08
Tuesday 14/10/08
- 1H Assembly @ 2.45pm
Wednesday 15/10/08
- Book Fair in Upper School foyer
Thursday 16/10/08
- Parents' Evening
Friday 17/10/08
- RUH Ted's Big Day Out

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Starting at Emmanuel Church, Apsley Road on 12th October at 9.30am (during communion service). Then every 2nd Sunday of the month. All welcome.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING 'STARS OF THE WEEK'
Years 1 and 2
Zoe, Elise, Poppy, Cara
Years 3 and 4
Rachel, Danielle, Faizan, Elijah
Years 5 and 6
Shannon, Lilley, Hannah, Joda
PPA Drama
Charlie
PPA Art
Oliver
PPA PE
William, Rashane
PPA Music
Ben , John
'My Learning'
Tom

BOOK FAIR
On Wednesday 15th October we will be having a one day book fair. This will take place in the Upper School Foyer. All children will have the opportunity to browse the fair during the day. Children in Years 3 to 6 can buy books during the school day. They should bring their money in a named purse or envelope and give this to their class teacher at the start of the day. Children in the Foundation Stage and Years 1 and 2 can buy books after school accompanied by their parents/carers.

SUPPORTING CHARITIES
Our school is committed to supporting and raising funds for local, national and international charities. This term, up to Christmas, we are supporting the homeless in Bath, through the Genesis Trust, by donating all the produce we collect for today's Harvest Assembly.

Next Friday is one of our regular highlights of the year – yes, it is Ted's Big Day Out! The children can come to school in mufti, bring a teddy with them and a contribution of £1. If you would like to give more that would be great, because all the proceeds are going towards supporting our local hospital, the RUH, and, in particular, the building of the new NICU unit for premature babies. As well as doing all we can to support the RUH, our aim next Friday will be to hold the largest Teddies' singalong in Bath, if not the world, when we hold our special afternoon singing assembly.
Looking towards supporting national and international charities, this is where we need your help. We are already committed to the Link Romania shoebox appeal (details out shortly). However, we have also given the task to our school councillors to talk with their classes, staff and parents, agree on a national and international charity they would like to support and bring their proposals to the next school council meeting on Monday 10th November. The council will then decide on one national and one international charity we will support in the spring and summer terms.

MUSIC CLUBS
Congratulations to all those who have started in all the music clubs.

Recorders are rocking.
Blues Band (The Tools) are bending the beat.
Music Technology Club are making tremendous compositions.
Choir are happy about their choral confidence.
Orchestra are opening original octaves.

We’re all looking forward to recording our own CD in November.
Well done from Miss Amies and Mrs Houston.
(…and 'well done' to Miss Amies, Mrs Houston and the music team!' Mr Croker)

Norland Nannies
As you may be aware there are 4 first year Norland Nannies on placement in the Reception and Year One classes. We are more than happy to offer babysitting to parents. If you are interested please ring any one of the girls:
Hannah - (Reception) – 07954333329
Sarah - (Reception) – 07824630034
Olivia - (Year One) – 07900956454
Sophie - (Year One) – 07980863745

We are in college/placement until 4.30, so please leave a message if you can’t get hold of us. Thank You.

NPSA UPCOMING EVENTS
Cake Sale - Thursday 23rd October
For those of you new to the school, cake sales are held regularly throughout the year. The aim is to make money for the NPSA which is then spent on a variety of projects such as contributing to school trips, funding visiting theatre groups, providing games and toys for wet playtimes… Each sale is run by two year groups and the parents and carers in that year group are asked to donate cakes. These are then sold at the end of school day.
Our first cake sale this year will be run by Year 1 and Year 5 so, if your children are in those years, please get us off to a good start and bake some cakes (or failing that buy some!). We also need volunteers to help sell all the goodies, so if you can donate half an hour of your time please contact your class reps and let them know.
So, put this in your diaries and come along and buy some cakes and let’s get our fundraising off to a great start!
Coffee and Cake Morning - Thursday 13th November
This will be our first ever NPSA Coffee Morning and we need you to make it a success! The idea behind it is to build up a feeling of community at the school and enable people to make new friends and learn more about the NPSA. We also thought it would be a good way for parents new to the school to get to know a few more people.
There will be a series of coffee mornings throughout the year and we have tried to vary the day of the week in order to reach as many people as possible.
Please feel free to bring your toddlers and we will provide a box of toys to keep them entertained. It will take place in the Blue room at 9.00 – 10.00 am and tea or coffee will cost 50 pence and cake will also cost 50 pence. It should be fun! So come along and join us.
Table Top Sale - Saturday 15th November
Is your house bursting at the seams? Are you unable to close your closets? If so, book a table at the table top sale, trade in your clutter for cash and help your school in the process! So start collecting your things together and look out for further information on how to book a table in next week’s newsletter. By the way, this sale is not limited to children’s clothes and toys, you can sell off your books, CD’s, frocks and crockery - this is an inside car boot sale!

COMMUNITY LEARNING SERVICE
The Community Learning Service has an Open Day on Wednesday 22nd October at FOTEC Learning Centre, High Street, Twerton, Bath, BA2 1DE. Everyone is invited to select from our menu of hourly workshops which are running throughout the day from 10.00am - 8.00pm and drop in to get advice on courses that are right for them!
10.00-11.00 Anxious about apostrophes - confused by commas, horrified by homophones? - drop into this informal and fun session - Honest!
11.00-12.00 Frightened by fractions - puzzled by percentages? - drop into this informal and fun session to find out how to improve your maths!
12.00-1.00 Family Learning - find out which courses can help you and your child learn and have fun together - come and chat to Susan!
1.00-2.00 For the Over 55's - improve your health and well being - fun taster session - Lynne will be offering recipes, quiz & exercise
2.00 - 3.00 Computers Don't Bite - for anyone terrified of the computer - informal drop in taster with Jane!
3.00 - 5.00 Bit of TCC (Tea-Cake-Chat) - drop in for a chat and find out what else we have on offer to tempt you into learning!
6.00 - 7.00 Looking to retrain and get into Construction - come and chat to Gez and enrol on our FREE Construction courses
7.00 - 8.00 Information and Advice - may be you need help in finding out what courses or training would be best for you? i.e. Training for Work, English, Maths, Computer Courses for Beginners, Arts and Craft - too many courses to list.
If you can't make the Open Day but would like:
to book onto any of the courses listed below
a copy of our Open Day programme
information on any of our courses listed
to tell us what FREE activities or courses you would like us to set up
Please telephone Naomi Stone on 01225 396836 or email naomi_stone@bathnes.gov.uk