NEWSLETTER Issue: 2.06

HEAD'S VIEW
I have set myself something of a challenge……I promised a ‘round up’ of life at Newbridge since September and I am sitting at my desk wondering how on earth I could encapsulate all that has happened, and all that is good, about our school. I am going to stick to one side of paper because, as you know girls and boys, I do get carried away …..sometimes.

I will start with the children. From day one in September, you have impressed us. Our new children in Reception settled in so well (too well as some fell asleep during our assemblies!) and our Year 6 have quickly shown us, with their enthusiasm and excellent attitudes towards all aspects of school life, that they are going to be a vintage year. In fact, the vast majority of our children have given their best, are really moving on in their learning and they generally live up to the ideals of the school’s ‘Statement of Intent’. Well done, girls and boys, we are all so proud of you for being such decent, hard working people and great fun too!

There have been many, many highlights. I sit here with ‘Hosanna Rock’ and the Upper School Carol Concert songs still running through my head. Last night the choir sang at the Abbey and last Friday at the RUH and two local care centres for the elderly. Each occasion left us feeling privileged to be part of this school. The word ‘magical’ comes to mind. We have seen countless other examples of excellence across all areas of learning too where a particular child has produced their very best. Then there are the ‘extras’ that can sometimes be taken for granted. Our aim to give our children opportunities to find their interests and develop their talents has seen a myriad of clubs on offer. Furthermore, it is wonderful, for example, to see a team entering the Lego Robotics Regional Competition for the first time, more Year 5 & 6 children than before stepping up for the National Primary Maths Challenge, over 100 children learning a musical instrument ……. I could go on! We will all walk away too with strong memories from theme week when World War II spies, Romans and Celts having a difference of opinion, brave knights, Humpty Dumpty and Ancient Greeks all combined to make our school …….umm………different!

Our community has given very generously to the Genesis Trust with our Harvest produce, raised nearly £500 for RUH’s ‘Forever Friends’ appeal (and another £150 collected while the choir were singing last Friday), provided a special Christmas for children in Romania with the shoebox appeal and helped Miss Simpson and Miss Wells achieve their goal of finding out about schools and life in India in February. As regards Ted’s Big Day Out, I can now confirm that our teddy bear singalong was the largest on record! Your support for all these campaigns is hugely appreciated.

We are very grateful too for the work of the Newbridge Primary School Association. The NPSA just keeps going from strength to strength. September’s AGM (greatly helped by the cheese n’ wine aspect I suspect!) set us on the right path with good numbers turning out and lots of new faces too. We are so lucky to have such an active association which brings the community together and raises significant funds for the school to help us move forward. We have seen the first coffee morning very well attended, a superb calendar produced, a memorable Christmas Fair, a Saturday table top sale and a cake sale. We are in the debt of all our parents and carers who find the time in their busy lives to give so much back to the school. Our governors are not often mentioned and yet our governing body work tirelessly behind the scenes to give the best to our children. We welcomed two newcomers in Martin Powell as a parent governor and Vanessa Ferrett as clerk. They have quickly settled (‘too much jargon in education’ is one comment richly deserved!) as has Victoria Janseunne who took over the Chair of Governors’ role from Andy Powell. I am sure that our governing body will go from strength to strength too.

Finally, the staff – they are magnificent and I leave you with the words expressed by a parent in a letter received today: ‘..all the staff should be congratulated on their continued hard work and dedication, not only within normal school hours but for all the extra time and effort they give to make the school such a great one.’ Happy Christmas to one and all!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY W/B 05/01/09
Monday 05/01/09
- Start of Term 3
Friday 09/01/09
- Term 3 Curriculum Overview out to parents
- ‘My Learning’ folders to be brought home for the weekend
- Year 4 to ‘The Egg’ to see ‘The Nutcracker’

6JS ASSEMBLY
Please note that the 6JS class assembly has been rescheduled for Friday 23rd January 2009 at 2.30pm.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ‘STARS OF THE WEEK’
Foundation Stage
Maya, Imogen
Years 1 and 2
Joel, Queenie, Hannah, Jazmine
Years 3 and 4
Kirstie, Alice, Joe, Ella
Years 5 and 6
Megan, Jenny, Paige, Isaac, Marlena
PPA Art
Martha., Charlie
PPA PE
Joseph, Mille
PPA Music
Indie, Isabel

CHOIR ON TOUR
On Friday 12th December Newbridge Primary School’s Choir took part in their tour around Newbridge. First stop was the Royal United Hospital where we sang some very joyful Christmas songs in the Atrium. Then we met a friend called Big Ted and he was dancing around. Another friend of ours came to our school and did an assembly about premature babies and she was called Jo. We all went to the RUH’s Oasis (not a swimming pool!) and had our lunch. Then we walked back to school to drop off the Year 3s and 4s.

The Year 5s and 6s carried on to Newbridge Towers (not a tower!). We sang a few songs and the people there let us have a cake and a drink. Next we went to another old people’s home and sang some more songs and then they let us have a drink and a biscuit and some sweets. They were also very generous and gave us a cheque for £25 and more of their donations.

Thank you to Mrs Houston and Miss Amies for organising the tour. Thanks also to Mr Croker for supporting us and parents for accompanying us.

By Lily, Amy and Darcie.

NEWBRIDGE CHOIR – THANK YOU
A huge big thank you to our fantastic choir. What a busy few weeks! The Choir Tour last Friday was such fun and you made us so proud. This week you have kept up the amazing performances in all our rehearsals, the school concerts and the Abbey on Wednesday.

Well done and thank you. I hope to see you all back next term for more fun and voices.
Mrs Houston

DINNER MONEY
All dinners must be taken on a weekly basis. The cost of dinners is £9.25 per week. Please send the money in on a Monday morning, in an envelope with your child’s name and class on it.
All cheques to be made payable to B&NES please.

Dinner money for the coming term is as follows:
January - 20 days @ £1.85 = £37.00
February - 14 days @ £1.85 = £25.90
TOTAL = £62.90

For those children in Year 5 going to Kilve, please deduct 3 days from the February total, ie £20.35.