Weekly Newsletter
created: Thursday Oct 1, 2009 by Mr Mark Acreman  

24th September 2009
Dear Parents,
 
Harvest Thanksgiving Service
There was an excellent turn out of parents and members of the community for our church harvest service. The centre of the church was full of children and adults. What a wonderful sight! The children’s art work looked very impressive and we have already had a number of positive comments from members of the congregation.
Thank you for the foodstuff brought in to school and the pennies towards Water Aid. We have not counted up the total raised yet but will let you know in due course.
 
PFA – Annual General Meeting
Although there were a small number of attendees we were able to elect a new committee at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday evening. They are as follows:
Mrs Alison Hassall – Chairperson
Mrs Jodie Robinson – Vice Chair
Mrs Debbie Andrews – Treasurer
Mrs Michelle Cook-Paine – Secretary
We are very grateful for these parents to come forward and enable us to continue to run the Parents Friends Association which raises funds for all the children in school. They cannot, however organise and run events without help from other parents. We have a small number of existing committee members who have served the school for a number of years. It was disappointing that no new members came forward to offer support.   Please think about coming forward to support the existing members. If you can help at specific events then please let us know so that you can be contacted well in advance.
 
Planned events
Bingo Evening
Film Night
Christmas Party
 
There will be no cooked lunch for children and staff this year in the lead up to Christmas. This has always been extremely hard to organise and needs many helpers. We feel that a Christmas Party with buffet food and games/entertainment will be just as enjoyable for the children but easier to organise. Your help will be most welcome!
 
Parent Governor Vacancy
We now have a vacancy for a parent to act as a school governor. If you are interested to find out more about this role please contact Helen in the school office for election forms and further information. Please see Helen by Tuesday 29th September if you are interested.
 
Over the next few weeks we will be giving you the names of all our governors and they have put together a short piece about themselves and how they see their role within our governing body. This week we start with Sue Le Riche:
 
Sue Le Riche
“I became the diocese representative on the board of Governors at the start of the Summer term. Prior to moving into the village in 2008, I lived in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, where I pursued a career in finance and, latterly, as a full time Lay Worker in the Methodist Church. I have had a lifetime interest in development of young people, to which end I spent 20 years as a Scout Leader and moreover to train future leaders.
I see my role as a governor within the school community who will support the pupils, teachers and my fellow governors in furthering the progression and advancement of the school within the community”.
 
Starting School in September 2010
If your child is due to start school in September 2010 applications are now being accepted. Parents are encouraged to apply on-line at dorsetforyou.com/schooladmissions . Submission of applications closes at midnight on 4 December 2009. If you require any further information, need the use of a computer for your on-line application or wish to see the booklet “A Parents’ Guide 2010-2011” please contact Helen in the school office. 
 
Open Evening – Sturminster High School - Tonight
All children in Year 5 and 6 have taken home invitations to the open evening being held at Sturminster Newton High School which is tonight between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. If your child is due to transfer to high school next year this is your opportunity to visit the school and ask any questions you may have about your child’s secondary education. Applications for Transfer to High School close at midnight on 23rd October 2009. 
 
Tonight is also the Open Evening being held at The Blandford School. As Sturminster Newton High School is the high school that our pupils normally feed into we have not been sent invitations for Blandford. Please contact the high school direct for further information.
 
Photographs
Children should have taken home their individual/family photographs for your perusal. If you wish to place an order for photographs please take the order and money in to school by 7th October as the photographer will pick up the order that day.
 
Dogs in Playground
Some parents have voiced concerns about dogs being brought into the playground. 
Of course some people are nervous of dogs and others quite prepared to touch and stroke. As a dog lover I know from first hand experience how unpredictable dogs can be and how over excited they can get.
In order to address these concerns and to keep our children as safe and happy as can be, could we please stay with the dog outside the school gate? Children being collected by parents with a dog will need to be aware and stay on the school site until the parent is in view on the other side of the wall.
 Many thanks for your cooperation.
 
 
 
Sports Hall Athletics
Good luck to Jamie, Alfie, Abi R and Paul who are representing the school by taking part in athletics training at Sturminster Leisure Centre for the next 8 weeks ending with a partnership Athletics Festival on 25th November. The first session is this afternoon from 4.15pm to 5.15pm.
 
Congratulations!
We are delighted to announce that following on from a successful trial period, Paul in Year 6, has been contracted to play football for Yeovil Town Football Club’s Under 11 first team. Paul was asked to trial for Yeovil Town after we had the FA Coach Matthew Miller into school in the Spring Term coaching our Year 5 and Year 6 children. Matthew is now a coach for Yeovil Town so that was a lucky break for Paul and just goes to show that you never know when effort in school will be rewarded! We wish him well for every future success. I believe he is already scoring goals for Yeovil!
You never know Paul; you might one day even play for Leeds United!!
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
M.S. Acreman
Head Teacher