NEWSLETTERS

July 2010

Dear Parents,
 
It hardly seems possible that this is the last newsletter of the school year.  We have certainly had a very busy year and have continued to grow and develop as a school community. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the many ways you have supported the school during the year.
 
Our Year 6 pupils will be celebrating the end of their time at Great Horwood with their Leaver’s Ball next Friday followed by their Leaver’s Assembly on Tuesday 20th July. It has been a great pleasure to teach them for the last two terms, ably supported by Mrs. Lawton, to whom I am extremely grateful, particularly in recent weeks. The children have been an outstanding year group, providing excellent role models for the rest of the school. It has been an absolute privilege to watch them grow and mature into the young people they now are.  We wish them every success on their onward journey.
 
Masterchef
 
Four children ‘took to the kitchen’ last Friday morning to compete in the final stages of Super Cook, a competition that has been running now for several years in the school. Maddie Simpson and Hannah Bryant from Year 6, together with Evan Carter and Amber Illman from Year 5 had an hour and a half to produce a two course meal. We are very grateful to two Chefs from Pregos in Buckingham who kindly agreed to come and judge the competition and after a very difficult task, declared Maddie the winner with Evan, Hannah and Amber joint 2nd. All four children were presented with a cook book, and Maddie was presented with the Toby Terklesen  Super Cook Trophy which was  presented for the first time by Theo in an assembly at the end of the day. Well done and thank you to everyone who helped make the competition such fun from start to finish.
 
Sports Day
 
Our Sports Day was, once again, a very successful afternoon with ‘Iceland’ being the final winners.  Thank you to the P.T.A. for organising teas and cakes, to all staff  or organising the event and to the many parent helpers who helped ensure each event ran smoothly. It was a pleasure to have Norman Ellison our Chair of Governors in school to present the winners with the cup.
 
Music Afternoon
 
Our music afternoon saw 40 children perform a variety of pieces.  From the comments we received we know how much you valued the opportunity to see your children play in front of an audience. The range of instrumentalists and the musical talent we have in our school is tremendous – congratulations to you all. Keep up the good work!
 
French Breakfast
 
Year 6’s French breakfast was a really happy event.  The children designed the menu and acted as waiters and waitresses for their parents and invited guests, speaking as much French as they could most of the time!
 
Beauty and the Beast
 
Under the able direction of Mrs Shelton, everyone is busy preparing for two performances of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The first of these is on Monday, 12th July at 2pm; the second is on Tuesday 13th July at 6pm. Tickets, designed by children in Years 3 and 4, will be on sale next week.  Programmes designed by children in Year 5, will be available at the performances.
 
Mrs. Shelton
 
This leads to me thank Mrs Shelton, not only for her hard work towards the production, but also for her dedication to the School over the last 23 years. Generations of children have benefitted from her expertise and patience and I know you will join me in wishing her a long and happy retirement. She will be greatly missed by us all.
 
Tesco Vouchers
 
We collected a total of 20732 computer vouchers and are planning to order a range of equipment for each class.  A huge thank you to everyone.
 
Visits
 
Some of the classes have had some very enjoyable educational visits. Years 3 and 4 visited the Mosque in Aylesbury and also Pitt River Museum in Oxford.  Years 1 and 2 visited Frost’s Garden Centre and Year 6 went to Woburn Safari Park.
 
Sports Events
 
We have enjoyed a range of sporting events: KS 1 athletics at Stoke Mandeville, KS1 Tennis, Year 3 and 4 Hockey and Year 6 Liaison Games. The KS2 athletics takes place next week.  Well done to all our competitors – we are extremely proud of you all. May I remind you that Bikeability is, once again, taking place this Saturday.
 
School Library Books
 
We will be closing our school library in order to complete a thorough stock take on Friday 9th July. Please do ensure ANY outstanding library books are returned to school by this date. Many of the books we have in our library are loaned to us by the Schools County Library service and we need to return them in order to be issued with a new range of books.
 
Church Tower
 
As is our tradition the Church Tower will be lit on the last day of term to wish all those leaving, our very best wishes for a safe and successful future. 
 
 And finally……..
 
I would like to thank the whole school community for making my secondment to Great Horwood School such a memorable experience. I have greatly valued the welcome and support of staff, governors and parents throughout the two terms, and of course, the many wonderful children that I have got to know particularly over this final half term of the school year.  I am sure you will join me in wishing Mrs. Whittaker a speedy recovery.
 
On behalf of the school I would like to wish you all an enjoyable summer holiday and thank you for your continued support throughout the year.  The new term begins on 2nd September.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 
 
 
Jessica Avery
Acting Headteacher
 
 
At the end of term we will also be saying goodbye to Mrs. Avery who has been seconded to our school for the last two terms. We thank her for all her support and hard work during this time.  Without a doubt, we shall miss her.  MM