SCHOOL DESKS IN KENYA
Rachel Owen an Ashburnham class teacher, is a trustee for a charity out in Kenya, called Harambee Schools Kenya. They are a small charity that works with rural Kenyan communities to better educational opportunities across 8 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. They focus primarily on their infrastructure, classroom materials, teacher training, educational materials and more recently have started a new lunch programme for three of the schools.
Rachel will be heading out to Kenya during February half term to visit lots of the projects at these schools and she is asking whether parents from the Fox community would buy a classroom desk for one of the schools. The desks are made by a friend of hers in a local workshop. Rachel will be hand painting the names on the desks and delivering them to the schools whilst she is there.
They cost £30 and they will last over 10 years, meaning children can learn from the desks and not the dusty floors. They make great presents (you might recognise a couple of the names in the photos!) If you sponsor a table, Rachel will take lots of photos of them all for you to have.
If you would like to order one, please email Rachel@hsk.org.uk so she can order the wood for the carpenter ahead of her trip!
Parental help wanted
We have secured some funding to create a series of photo books through the online company Photobox. Could you give some time to help us create these books? Skills in graphic design would be helpful, though are not necessary. The project would involve liaising with key staff, taking photos and laying out the photos, accompanying text and images on each virtual page of the book. Please contact the office if you have the time, inclination and energy to help with this project.
Parent info article - How to talk to children about relationships
Whole school attendance to date - 96.93% Marginally above National Average!!!!!!!
CAN ATTENDANCE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO EXAM RESULTS? Greater than 95% Attendance - 77% of pupils achieved at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths when they attended more than 95%
Less than 90% Attendance - 43% of pupils achieved at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths when they attended less than 90%
Less than 80% Attendance - 32% of pupils achieved at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths when they attended less than 80%
NEW DATE FOR CHOIR CONCERT - Wednesday 28th February 9.15am
We have had great fun in choir over the last few terms and have focused on a range of different musical and performance skills. Our short concert on Wednesday 28th February, will showcase these skills through the contemporary songs we have been working on. We look forward to seeing you there!
Emily Andrews
Fox Holiday Camp - February Half Term
Monday 12th February 2018 to Friday 16th February 2018
Fox Holiday Camp can now be booked via your child's School Gateway account. Everyone will have a payment request for Fox Camp in their payment baskets but please make sure that you make a booking first prior to making any payments. (same process as booking Foxplay). Please note that all bookings MUST be booked and paid for via the gateway. We will not be able to accept children at the gates if they have not booked in advance.
The booking options are:
1. Fox Camp Day (9am till 3.30pm) £25 per day - Select this option and pick the dates you want to book
2. Fox Camp Extended Day (8am till 3.30pm) £28 per day - Select this option and pick the dates you want to book
3. Fox Camp Day (Whole Week) £100 - Select this option and pick Monday 12th February as your booking date
4. Fox Camp Extended Day - (Whole Week) £112.00 - Select this option and pick Monday 12th February as your booking date
Please send your child in with a packed lunch, plenty of snacks and water. Breakfast will be provided to children booked onto the Extended Day option.
EYFS Maths workshop
Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended last week's workshop. If you were not able to, the presentation is available on our school website.
Year 6 Guided Reading
Year 6 using Nikki Gamble's theme cards to discuss the themes within The Secret Garden. #NikkiGamble #4XR
Staff book recommendation Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis
I only recently discovered this picture book and it has quickly become a favourite in our house. Telling the story of the life of insects as the seasons pass, Du Iz Tak has simple but compelling illustrations that lead to lots of discussion with younger children. What makes this book unique, however, is that it is written in a newly invented insect language. A story is told through conversations between quirky little insects and their interactions with the world around them. Discerning the meaning of the different words using the illustrations and context to help will keep young children and their older siblings interested, and saying the unusual words proves to be fun. This book provides the possibility of discussion of the changing seasons and how languages differ. Children may even be inspired to create languages of their own! Recommended for Reception to year 2.
Miss Calvert
Early Years Leader
Today, Year 1 visited St. George’s Church.
We have been learning about religious signs and symbols in our RE lessons this term. The visit was the perfect opportunity to see how Christian’s use some of these signs and symbols in their church, and learn a little more about Christianity. The workshop allowed us to understand more about how and why Christians practice religious services such as Baptism’s and Communion.
The children began by walking around the church spotting religious signs and symbols that they recognised. We were able to reflect on what we found, and the children were able to use their prior knowledge to add to the discussion. The children also had a chance to take part in some role play. Some children took on the role of a Priest, and we saw aspects of what a typical Christian service would include. The highlight of the trip was acting out a Baptism service. The children took on the roles of the Priest, the parents and God parents. The visit has brought the learning alive. Experiencing the building and hearing about the practices has allowed the children to engage with their learning on an even deeper level. It has certainly been a memorable morning for us all!
Miss James, Year 1 class teacher
Fixtures next week
Westway Year 5 Boys Football Draw
Pitch 1
Tues
23rd Jan
4:00
4:15
4:30
4:45
Avondale 1 v St Clements
St Clements v Barlby
Barlby v Fox 1
Fox 1 v Avondale 1
Pitch 2
4:00
4:15
4:30
4:45
Bevington v Colville 1
Colville 1 v St Francis
Bevington v St Barnabas
St Francis v St Barnabas
Westway Year 5/6 Handball Draw
Tues
23rd Jan
4:00
4:20
4:40
Avondale v Bevington
St Charles v Fox
Fox v Colville
Fox School Association (FSA) Update:
Help Wanted
Attorney with Experience with Charities: The FSA is seeking some professional advice. If you are a charity attorney or can help us connect with one, please contact FSAChair1@gmail.com.
FSA Co-Chair to learn the ropes in preparation for taking on the FSA chair role for the 2018-19 school year. If you would like to learn more about what this entails, please contact Meghan Rogers at mrogers_taipei@yahoo.com, who will be stepping down as FSA Chair at the end of this school year.
Summer Fair organisers and a team to solicit donations for an run the Silent Auction and Raffle. Please contact FSAChair1@gmail.com if you'd like to find out more.
Get involved in the Fox School Association and have your say! The Fox School Association is for ALL parents (and NOT just the class reps!); you are automatically members and all are welcome! The next FSA meeting is 9 February at 9 a.m.
Staff Wellness Weekis coming up from 29 January through 2 February
During this week, parents organize to bring in contributions to the staff's healthy breakfast/mid-morning snack in the staff room. Normally each year group takes charge of a different day; our class reps are sorting out a schedule and will communicate it to the year groups. It would be great if another parent or group of parents could then devise a plan, and then all families who are able contribute something to support this wellness initiative. Items that have been popular in the past include fruit salads, smoothies, muesli, granola, yogurt, bread and butter/jam, cold meats/cheese, pastries, etc.
Budget approved
The FSA voted today to approve the FY18 budget. For those who were not able to attend, here is a summary of answers from Mr Cotter to the questions that were raised before or during the vote.
Why did Sports Week funding go down?
Sports activities and days out were increased to get the children off site more often due to the building works. Now they are being reined back in to go back to the original days/activities. In addition, the staff and kids found daily trips exhausting and very difficult to sustain through the week.
Why are only two year groups doing theatre trips?
Again, in order to give children a break from the building works, every year group got to go on a theatre trip. Going forward, two year groups will be going to the theatre to see a play linked to the curriculum. These can be booked a year in advance to reduce expense.
Does the school have enough sports equipment?
Yes
Do you see any big expenditures coming up in the near future that you are aware of?
30 additional new iPads are potentially needed in the near future; the current ones are 5 years old. They are fine for now, however there will be a cost of about GBP 8k to purchase new ones once needed.
RB
Mark
Mark has impressed us all week with his sharing and listening skills. He has worked hard to negotiate with his friends, take turns and problem solve. Well done Mark and keep it up!
RC
Rosalind
Rosalind has blown us away since the beginning of Reception with all the improvements she has made with her English. Rosalind is so confident to communicate to adults and children and learns and uses new words every day. We are so proud of all her achievements
1B
Erin
Erin has been working so hard in class with her writing and has improved so much. Well done Erin!
1J
Lira
Lira has had another fantastic week. She is our star this week because she is always determined to try her best and have a go at new things. Lira made a lovely 'Show and Tell' presentation all about wool. All of us learnt something new! Lira has challenged herself in literacy this week by using 'and' to join two ideas in one sentence. Brilliant work Lira, keep it up!
2J
Molly
Molly is star of the week this week, but really she is a star every week! She always puts so much effort into her learning and is such a kind and caring member of the class. This week, she has particularly impressed us with her phonics both in phonics lessons and how she has carefully used her phonics during literacy when practicing ambitious ways to describe the farmers from Fantastic Mr Fox. Well done Molly and keep up the fantastic effort!
2S
Seo
Seo is a star all day every day! He has impeccable manners and is a role- model of good behaviour. Seo also tries his hardest in every lesson and has really impressed us with his focus and effort in our Roald Dahl fact file writing this week! We are very lucky to have Seo in our class!
3B
Balthazar
Balthazar is a joy to teach! He works hard, is kind to everyone and has impeccable manners. He is making brilliant progress – especially in his writing, and we are all very proud of him!
3M
Daniel
Daniel should feel proud of himself this week. He has been incredibly attentive, listened to instructions and has been on task all week. We were particularly impressed with his use of precise vocabulary when writing his instructions on how to be a pirate. Keep up the great work Daniel!
4B
Ernest
Ernest has had a fantastic week! He is always kind, caring and helpful to those around him and works incredibly hard during lessons. This week, we have been particularly impressed with his outstanding effort in numeracy. Well done Ernest!
4H
Carlota
Carlota has had a fantastic week and is always very helpful and kind to her friends! In every spelling lesson and at home she puts in so much effort with her spelling practice and this hard work really pays off in her writing and spelling tests! Well done Carlota!
5C
Matilda
Matilda has been a star this week! Her consistent positive attitude inside and outside the classroom has really shone through. She used appropriate mathematical strategies to problem solve effectively with fractions and Matilda has shown extreme maturity in the playground by helping and calming a friend in need.
5G
Arissa
Arissa always puts 100% effort into all her lessons. In literacy, she listens carefully on the carpet and applies all the ideas discussed in her writing. She is also an excellent editing partner and always helps her partner improve their writing. We are so lucky to have you at Fox Arissa!
6J
Olly
Olly has worked extremely hard so far this term and we are all so impressed with his diligent approach to his work. He has also shown excellent manners and is always the first to lend a helping hand to his teachers and peers. We are very lucky to have him in our class.
6M
Emma
Emma has been such a star this week! The vocabulary she has been coming up with in our Literacy lessons has been sensational and in Maths, Emma has been showing great determination to solve very challenging coordinate problems. Well done Emma!
