10th February 2005

• Pupils in 1SW led today’s whole-school assembly, on the theme of Journeys, which has been our assembly theme throughout the week.  The children considered many aspects of the theme, ranging from past and present modes of transport, numeracy work stemming from their own data gathering, as well as literacy work involving poetry, word patterns and rhyme.  Most importantly, pupils and parents watching were astounded by the class's confident delivery and their enjoyment of the whole ocassion.
    
• There will be two home football matches after School today, involving teams from Year 6 and Year 4, against Havelock School.  Our visitors strongly defeated us on the last occasion our team met with them, so it remains to be seen if this will be a repeat performance, or if our lads can overcome them this time. 
    
• Art Week may be over but pupils are still talking about the activities in which they took part, and there are some wonderful displays of their work in all areas of the School, which we look forward to you viewing at the next ‘Share Your Work’ session.
    
• Not only is Tuesday 1st  March the date upon which St David’s Day falls, it is also the date we have chosen to call Spring Yellow Day.  This will be a mufti-day in School, when pupils are asked to wear something yellow.  This is at the request of a pupil who would like to raise funds for the national charity Help A Hospice.  Many of us have witnessed the good work and support provided by hospices, so it is hoped that a donation of £1 or more from pupils will make a valuable contribution to the charity’s work.  It is hoped that this advance notice will also give you all sufficient time to find some sort of yellow garment.
    
• A number of parents, particularly those of pupils in Foundation and Key Stage One have made a plea for school uniform to be clearly labelled, and for fellow parents to check carefully whether the correct hat, coat or other item has been taken off their child’s peg before rushing off at the end of the school day.
    
• Parents are respectfully requested not to bring animals on site other than guide dogs.  This is in the interest of children with allergies, and for reasons of hygiene.
    
• It is a relief that the end of the school day is no longer such a dark affair, hence the recommencing of weekly Netball Club, from Wednesday 23rd February. Pupils attending this will need to be collected at 4.15pm.  We look forward to matches being played after a period of training has taken place.
    
• Over half of the children in the School are entering competitions in this year’s Kettering Eisteddfod.  This is tremendous, considering that children in our Nursery and Reception class are not yet of an age to take part. Half term will hopefully be a useful opportunity for our entrants to learn their poems and songs or practice their instrumental pieces.  Such preparation will increase their confidence in performing in a public, formal event such as this one.  Please encourage them to do so.
    
• Pupils are now half way through their particular year group and its curriculum, and the next half term leads many of them on towards the May assessments.  Expectations of pupils’ effort and attainment are high, and teachers will be encouraging them with further regular targets for them to meet.  In the light of the overall pace of this half-term, it is felt that pupils will benefit from a rest.  This has been the term for coughs and colds, as well as for hard work!  Pupils will therefore be delighted to know that no formal homework will be set over the holiday.