JUNIOR SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER Friday 7th September 2018
Dear Parents Welcome back to you all after the summer holidays, especially to the many new faces joining the school this term. It was wonderful to see everyone’s happy faces (with some impressive tans!), polished shoes and smart uniforms at Meeting for Worship on Wednesday – long may it continue! Our theme for this term is of pushing oneself, of working hard to achieve things of which one can truly be proud. During Meeting, I shared two inspirational things for me that happened over the summer, which demonstrated the importance of endeavour and application. The first was the performance of the England football team at the World Cup. When compared to the likes of Brazil, Germany and Argentina, they were a team without the superstars of the sport, instead made up of young players who often struggle to make first team appearances for their own club side. And yet, with humility, application and a fantastic sense of unity they surpassed expectations in making the semi-finals, and very nearly making the final – significantly further than many of their more highly vaunted predecessors managed. The second, somewhat closer to home, was my daughter Imogen learning to ride her bike (a video of which I shared with the children). Up until August she had shown little interest in attempting to ride her bike and even less capacity to balance when she was on it. But, to my surprise, on turning 5 (an important age!) she insisted on getting her bike out – a couple of tumbles (and an increasingly sore back for me!) later and she was up and running. Indeed she quickly escalated to starting by herself too – although she’s yet to master braking! The inspiration for me was not solely that she managed to cycle – lots of children manage it at a younger age, including her brother – but that she kept going on something that did not come naturally to her. In doing so, the sense of pride was evident on her face, not to mention her voice as she shouted to her grandparents! I have challenged the children to find things that they find difficult, that they can set as targets
for the term and year ahead; whether that’s reading or fractions or writing or shoelaces or telling the time or tackling in rugby. The importance is that they understand the value of persevering to achieve great things. One such challenge begins today as Year 6 head down to Farmoor reservoir to begin sailing. While there are many in the year who are excited about this, I know that there are also apprehensive thoughts. However, the weather promises to be kind to us and I’m sure any worries will be overcome. Elsewhere the children have spent these three days getting to know their new teachers and the different routines of an older year group. This done we can really hit the ground running next week! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. In friendship. Edward Rossiter PS. Did you know that the original name for bicycles was “velocipedes” and that 30% of all journeys in the Netherlands are carried out on bike? Ski Trip 2019
A message should have gone home to all parents and guardians of pupils in Years 4-6 about our forthcoming ski trip from the 5th-13th April next year. Following the success of last year’s trip we will once again be teaming up with the Senior School to head to the Rodeneck resort in the South Tyrolian Alps. Please return the form along with the deposit to Lynne Singer should you wish your child to attend. Lunch Clubs and After School Clubs – Autumn Term 2018
Both lunch and after school clubs commence from Monday. You should have received forms allowing your child to sign up for these, but please contact Lynne Singer if you have not. As a reminder, all Year 5 and 6 pupils must attend at least one lunch club per week. This term also sees the exciting launch of a new club for Year 5s and 6s: the Discovery Award. It is an extra-curricular programme designed to encourage young people to challenge themselves and to develop their appreciation of their place in the world in which they live. PSFA Meeting
PSFA (the Parents, Staff & Friends Association of Sibford School) would like to invite all parents and guardians to join them for their Annual General Meeting which takes place on Tuesday 11 September in the Senior School Library. The meeting will start at 6.30pm with a cheese & wine reception to welcome new parents. It is hoped that all business will be done by 8.30pm at the latest.
Year 6 Sailing
Year 6 all attended sailing today at the Farmoor Reservoir. We are still short on wetsuits for taller children and we would appreciate any donations of wetsuits no longer required. All of Year 6 will be attending additional sailing sessions on 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th and 19th September. A reminder that they will need the following for these days: A warm jumper of fleece A towel Waterproof jacket and trousers Shorts A pair of non slip shoes (either wet shoes or old trainers) A peaked hat Suncream A plastic bag to hold wet clothing Class Booklet Meetings
Class Booklet Meetings for each year group will take place over the next couple of weeks. These are held in your child’s classroom by your class teacher and will commence at 3.30pm, with the exception of EYFS, which will take place at 9.10am. You will be updated with class information, including timetable, long term plan for 2018/19, class expectations, etc. A Class Booklet will be provided at the end of the meeting for each child. If you are unable to attend a class booklet will be sent home with your child. Meetings as follows:
Year 1/2 Monday, 10th September 2018 Year 3 Wednesday, 12th September 2018 Year 4 Wednesday, 12th September 2018 Year 5 Thursday, 6th September 2018 Year 6 Thursday, 13th September 2018 EYFS Friday, 14th September at 9.10am Please can you confirm whether you will or will not be attending the above meetings by email to Lynne Singer – lsinger@sibfordschool.co.uk. Year 3 and 4 Horse Riding – within PE Lessons
Each Term we offer horse-riding sessions with Regal Equestrian for children in Years 3 and 4 as part of their PE lessons. The cost will be between £8-£10 per session, dependent on the
number of children who sign up and will be added to your end of term invoice. The sessions will run throughout the term and, should children sign up, we expect them to commit to this for the duration of the term. Due to timetable changes we have had to move our Wednesday PE session for Years 3 and 4 to Thursday. It is proving difficult moving things around and though possible it is going to involve, in the long term, the riding school getting another coach in to accommodate a Thursday. To ensure this is viable we need to have an idea of how many are keen to attend Horse-Riding this Autumn Term. Please could you email Lynne Singer, lsinger@sibfordschool.co.uk as soon as possible if your child would be interested in attending these sessions.