Ashley Primary School

Friday, 6^th December 2019

Dear Parents and Carers,

Autumn Term Newsletter No. 13

OUR VALUE THIS HALF-TERM: BEING RESPECTFUL

‘At Ashley School we want to be respectful'

2021-22 ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS – ASHLEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

I have pleasure in informing you of the Trust’s draft Admission arrangements for 2021-22 which include: Ashley Draft 2021 Admission Policy, Ashley Draft 2021 Church Supplementary Information Form (SIF), Ashley Draft 2021 PPSIF, Ashley draft 2021 Staff SIF. All this documentation will be available on our Website from Monday 18^th November.

As an academy within The Good Shepherd Trust, our policy wording has been reviewed and updated to reflect a consistency across all the Schools, which form part of the Trust as a single Admissions Authority. This update has resulted in the following changes to the Policy:

Change to the Sibling definition – following the recommendation from a working group that convened in 2018, The Good Shepherd Trust Board adopted a generic Admissions wording which includes a definition of siblings, as stipulated by the majority of Diocesan Voluntary Aided Schools, that requires all to be living at the same address.

The proposed deletion of differing criteria between communicant and non-communicant parent worshippers, to reflect wider practice across Diocesan schools.

Please note that the consultation period for any feedback on the policy is the 7-week period from Monday 18th November 2019 to Monday 6th January 2020.

Please address any feedback, as part of the consultation, to the following email address: admissions@goodshepherdtrust.org.uk or by post to Admissions 2021-22 Consultation Response, c/o The Good Shepherd Trust, Larch Avenue, Guildford GU1 1JY.

SPORTS UPDATE

There are many children, in all classes, who are not bringing the right PE kit into school, and in some cases none at all.

All children should have:

Trainers
Socks
Shorts / tracksuit bottoms
Yellow sports t-shirt
Sweatshirt (not a school jumper as it can get muddy)

Please can we also request that the girls do not wear tights for PE. Due to limited space on the playground, we do have to occasionally go on the field, which can be quite muddy. The girls fall over and get their tights dirty and it is not healthy for them have to wear wet and muddy tights all day.

MATCH REPORT V CLEVES

On the 28^th of November, we played Cleves in a netball match. The first quarter started well and we came out fighting sadly, Cleves scored in the last few minutes. The next three quarters we played well but Cleves set plays were very strong and they were able to pass through our defense. The final score was 10-1 to Cleves. Well done to the Year 6 team on their first match and to Harry for being voted player of the match. Congratulations Shae, Harry, Olivia P, Olivia T, Grace, Myla and Carla.

PEN RECYCLING

Thank you for all the old pens you have sent in so far. We have collected over 800 worn out,unusable pens which have now been sent off to Terracycle to be given a new lease of life; possibly even turned into garden furniture. The collection box is in the office and we are now collecting old highlighters, biros, mechanical pencils, felt tips, tippex pens etc. This project not only saves single use plastic from going into landfill but also raises money for our school. Please spread the word. Thank you.

STAFF ROOM TRANSFORMATION

As the school expands, we need to meet the needs of increasing numbers of staff, which means that upgrading our staff room has become a matter of urgency. To this end, we were wondering if we had any parents who are interior designers, electricians, kitchen fitters or plumbers who would be willing to help us or point us in the right direction of any companies who would sponsor us or do a good discount. We are in need of extra work top space with cupboards underneath, more wall sockets, an under counter freezer and a larder fridges. If you are able to help please could you email Mrs Hart or Mrs Goodfellow via the parent email.

OUR ASSEMBLY WITH CLARE BALDING

What an amazing assembly we had on Wednesday, Clare captivated the children for 45 minutes with tales of her childhood, animals, horse riding and being a sports presenter. The children will certainly have more of a connection with her when they see her comparing the Olympics next year. Thank you also to Miss Ambidge for setting this up for us. Clare stayed afterwards and signed books that she has written for the children, some of the books have been delayed slightly but they should be with the children next week.

YEAR 1 GREAT WORKS

On Wednesday, Year 1 shared a snapshot of this half term's learning enquiry, 'How have toys and games changed?' with their parents and carers. They began by marching in like toy soldiers singing the song they had learnt as part of their music curriculum. Following on from this, each class performed a 'Toy Story' inspired dance, which the children helped to create in PE lessons over the half term. They were very impressive! Finally, the children shared their poems written with rhyming couplets on a 'Teddy Bear' theme. It was a joyous event! Thank you to all the parents and carers who came along.

SEND UPDATE

Michelle Tallboys our home school link worker works half a day per week for Ashley School. Her role involves supporting children and families. She is also running 1, 2, 3 Magic parenting sessions at Cardinal Newman School. Please see attached flyer for further information. Emma Leach, specialist teacher from Freemantles School has been at Ashley this week to advise staff on supporting children with autism spectrum disorder. If you would like to discuss SEND provision for your child, please contact Mrs Rebbeck or Mrs Hopkins via parents@ashley.surrey.sch.uk

CONCERT OF FESTIVE AND SEASONAL MUSIC SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER AT ST MARY’S CHURCH OATLANDS

I was privileged to attend the concert last Sunday where children from Owl and Kestrel Classes sang a mixture of traditional carols and Seasonal Songs. All the children behaved impeccably and sang in tune beautifully and did Ashley proud. Well done Year 5! Then followed four traditional carols some Victorian songs and four further lesser well known songs. After the interval, there was a story set to song called The Reluctant Dragon which was very enjoyable. Many thanks go to Christopher Goldsack for all his hard work with Year 5.

PLAY STRATEGY 2020-2025 CONSULTATION

Elmbridge Borough Council is currently putting together the future 2020-2025 Play Strategy for the borough, including play initiatives and future play areas: How do you want your children to play in the future? Please give the Council your views and take part in the current survey closing on 16 December. There is a £50 Amazon voucher to win when you fill in the online questionnaire https://bit.ly/32Q6o2g. Thanks for taking part!

UPDATE FROM THE FOA

Christmas bazaar - This Saturday!
We are almost there! The Christmas Bazaar is this Saturday 7 December and we are so looking forward to it, we hope you are too. It will be a great start to the festive season. Santa will arrive at 11.45am and will open the bazaar, which will run from 12pm until 3pm.
If you have yet to sign up to any doodle slots (see facebook/class rep doodles) then if you are able to we would be super grateful as the more help there is, the better the experience is for the children and parents. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up or are helping in any other way. All funds raised will benefit the children and enrich their school lives.
In addition, to be eco-friendly if possible please bring your eco mugs for drinks and bags to carry home any winnings/purchases.
Art competition winner
Thank you for all your amazing Christmas pictures which the children entered, our art judge had a very difficult job! We can however reveal that the overall winner whose design will be on the cover of the Christmas Bazaar programme is Juliette C from Butterfly Class! The other year group winners will appear in the programme and will be announced at the bazaar itself.
Santa's Grotto
Santa has a new home at Ashley, he and his Elves will now be meeting children and their families in his Grotto at the Harmony Centre. Children will go in groups of 14, to allow more children to have a chance to meet him and they will get a longer period of time with him and the elves. The whole experience of meeting the elves, going to Santa and getting their gift should be approximately 15 minutes. Tickets cost £3.50. If you would still like tickets please contact Emily Bastin.
The Great Ashley Christmas Bake Off!
There is a fabulous opportunity for you to show us your creative baking talents by entering the Great Ashley Christmas Bake Off at this year’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 7th December 2019!
Entries from every year group are welcome and you can enter alone or together with your siblings! Mrs Stevens and two year 6 children will be judging your Christmas themed bakes and the winners will be announced at the Bazaar! If you are ready to pop on an apron and get baking, here is what you need to know:
- All bakes must be handed in no later than 12:15pm on the day of the Bazaar (you will be able to leave your bakes with us on Friday if you really can't bring them on Saturday).
- You can bake anything you like, from cakes and biscuits, to pastry and breads.
- The judges will not taste every bake but they might sneak a nibble or two, so make sure it tastes good!
- All entries will be donated to the Ashley Café and will be sold to raise funds for our school!
- Pop a sticker or label on the front of your bake showing only your year group.
- Add your name and class on the back.
- All bakes must be *Nut Free*
- The judges will be looking for three winners: best infant, best junior and the most Christmassy bake.
- The winners will receive a fully stamped gift card to choose a prize from the prize room!
Cafe
Yr6 are running the Ashley Café at the Christmas Bazaar and would be hugely grateful to anybody across the school willing to get baking so they have things to sell please. Cakes, cookies, mince pies... anything you like really! (Just remember *No Nuts* though). They will be collecting your donations at drop off and pick up on Friday (for those people unable to bring to the bazaar on Saturday). Nb. This is separate to the Bake Off competition
School Disco
It's end of term disco time again!! The dates and times are as follows:
Monday 16th December: Reception 5pm - 6pm
Tuesday 17th December: Years 1,2,3 - 5pm - 6pm, Years 4,5,6 - 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Tickets will be on sale next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

We need DBS volunteers for each disco for them to go ahead. If you are able to stay for the duration of any of the discos please let Lisa Atkinson or Zoe Wilk Edwards know.

STARS OF THE SCHOOL!

The stars of the school last week where Amelia (KS), Dillon (LKS2) and Joe (UKS2). This week they are Yoan (KS1), Harry (LKS2) and Lola (UKS2). Well done to you all, what great ambassadors of the school you are. We are proud of you.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AND THE CHRISTMAS FAYRE

On Saturday we have our Christmas Bazaar, the children are always very excited about this yearly event and so we must all ensure that this day is totally about the children and sharing with them their enjoyment of a special event that helps them to prepare for Christmas. With this in mind please can we put aside anything that would be distracting or confusing for the children. The school would also like to request that the ribbons on the front gate are now removed. If they could be removed by 5pm on Saturday then the school would be very grateful, those not removed can be reclaimed from the school office by midday on Monday. Thank you for your support and help with this.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:

Saturday 7^th December – Christmas Bazaar 12 – 3pm

Monday 9^th December – Year 3/4 Christmas Concert 2.15pm

Monday 9^th December – Year 5/6 concert in church 7pm

Tuesday 10^th December - Year 3/4 Christmas Concert 2.15pm

Tuesday 10^th December - Year 5/6 concert in church 7pm

Wednesday 11^th December – KS1 Christmas production 2pm

Thursday 12^th December – KS1 Christmas production 9.30am

Friday 13^th December – Year R Nativity 2pm

Saturday 14^th December – gardening working party 10am – 4pm

Tuesday 17^th December – Reception / year 1 & 2 Christmas lunch and Christmas jumper day

Tuesday 17^th December – Years 3/4/5/6 Church Service, St Mary’s Walton, 2pm