December 2016
Key Diary Dates
3rd Jan INSET Day
4th Term Begins
The Pulse
Delivering all of your school news
27th Year 3 trip to Haslemere
Feb 21st Year 4 Theatre
Exchange
Across the Federation
(See page 5 for more Diary Dates)
The end of term is here and the children are all looking forward to a well-earned rest.
It has been an incredibly busy end to the term but we are very proud of the way all the
children performed in their Christmas Performances and Carol Services at both schools.
Every child is involved in some way and it was wonderful to see the way they played
their parts with confidence and enthusiasm.
Thank you to all those parents who have supported the joint schools events this month
at Fayre in the Square and at the Carols in the Playground. It was lovely to see so many
of you there and they certainly helped us all get into the Christmas spirit!
Life with children is very busy and I am always amazed by the amount of time that
parents give to enriching the time children spend in school. Whether this is in school
through hearing children read, helping with cooking, outings, supporting school through
the parents associations and their events or even simply supporting your child with their
homework! Both schools really value this parent support and we see the tremendous
difference it makes to the children and teachers, so thank you for all the support you
have given both schools this term.
Staffing News
We are sorry to lose Miss Spence from 5HR at the
end of this term who is leaving us due to personal
reasons. In this extremely difficult climate for
teacher recruitment we have successfully managed
to fill the role with Mrs Dilys Addison for three days
and Miss Rebecca Gunn for two days, both of whom
have taught previously at Hammond and are
familiar with the high expectations and routines in
our school.
Mrs Jane Starnes will be moving to Year 4 where
she will teach one day a week in 4RS sharing with
Mrs Sinclair.
We also welcome Mrs Clare Simpson into the
school office. She will be working three afternoons
a week alongside Mrs Karen Goodwin. We thus say
goodbye to Mrs Wren but thank her for her work
and support and wish her all the best in the future.
We also welcome Dan Budd as our new Premises
Manager with effect from January.
The Spring Term begins for both schools with an INSET day
on Tuesday 3rd January and we look forward to welcoming
all children back on Wednesday 4th January.
On behalf of all the staff, governors and children across both
schools, may we wish you all very peaceful and happy
Christmas.
Sarah Evans, Headteacher
STOP PRESS!
We are very pleased to announce
that Hammond School has come top
of the performance tables for
primary schools in Surrey Heath!
We came top overall and top in 5 out of 7 performance
ratings including Reading and Maths. A fantastic
achievement by all of our staff and pupils, and we couldn’t
be prouder!
The Pulse
News
Page 2
Sleeping Beauty
During December Years 5 and 6 pupils performed in their
Christmas production ’Sleeping Beauty’. With a modern twist
on a classic tale all the children acted, sang and danced
fantastically well, and all the performances were very well
received by the pupils and parents who watched.
Thank you to all the pupils for all their hard work, but also the
teaching staff who worked very hard behind the scenes to
bring the production to reality.
Review by Zara Grainge, 3NE
It was very wonderful and my favourite dance
was Whip Nae Nae because I liked it when they
did the punch. I also like Thriller because the
children made claws. The jesters were also very
funny because of their jokes. The break dancing
was also awesome. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I
wanted to see it again. I thought they must have
put a lot of effort into the production. My sister
was in the production so I enjoyed it even more.
Review by Amelia England, Katie Jeffreys
& Susie Early, 4CB
The acting was good and so was the loud tone in
their voice. The show was good and the costumes
and props were very creative and thought through.
The characters that were picked were definitely fit
for the job and it worked well.
The dances were brilliant and we think the teachers put a lot of effort into the dances to make them
look perfect. The jokes were funny and the sort of
things that Dads like!
Bisley Almac Brass Band concert
The school Brass band played to a sell-out audience of around
250 people at Bisley Village Hall on Saturday 10th December
as specially invited guests of the local Bisley Almac Brass Band.
The band performed a number of pieces including ‘Sticky
Valve Central’ and ‘Jingle Bells’. They were then joined on
stage by members of the Bisley Band for a joint rendition of
‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’.
Graham Davey from the Bisley Band commented "The
Hammond School Band made a fantastic contribution to our
Christmas concert. Can you please pass on our thanks to
everyone involved: especially, of course, the children but also
parents and supporters".
Max Dawson who played in the concert said:
“At the beginning I felt so nervous but when I started
playing I felt happier and less nervous. I had a
brilliant time and now I'm going to have some
drumming lessons as a treat because I enjoyed it so
much”.
Fayre in the Square
A big thank you and well done to our school choir
who performed at the Lightwater Fayre in the Square
on Saturday December 3rd. The crowd enjoyed some
great renditions of the children’s favourite carols and
Christmas songs, and it kicked off this festive event
spectacularly!
The Pulse
News
Page 3
Celebrating Success
Congratulations to the following children who were awarded certificates in our Celebration
Assemblies in November and December for demonstrating our Vision and Values
(Children celebrated on 16th December will be featured in January)
Learn
Enjoy
Lily Porter, 3HH
Mia Brinkman, 5HS
Keila De Jager, 3LM
Daniel Paisis-Oakwell, 6AW
Charlotte Manchester,
Eddie Van-Dyck, 5NG
Stephanie Taylor, 4EB
Freya Urquhart, 6NP
3HH
Edison Potter, 6NP
Teegan Bonner, 4RS
Bonnie Griggs, 6NP
Grace Purnell, 3HH
Leo Desai, 6NP
Braden Dore, 5HR
Lois Brown, 4RS
Madeleine Mayne, 6MB
Lily Dowsett, 5NG
Joe Padina, 4CB
Emily Thomas, 5NG
Evie Marshall, 5HR
Thivain Dharmawardene, 6AW
Aitana Vilanueva, 5HR
Grow
Achieve
James Mayne, 4RS
Thomas Buller, 3NE
Charlie Hill, 6AW
Isabelle Bradburn, 3NE
Katie Whitehead, 4CB
Scarlett Rose, 3NE
Jack O’Donnell, 6MB
Oliver Purnell, 3LM
George Ashwood, 5HS
Lillia McDonough, 4EB
Madeleine Mayne, 6MB
Summer Carey, 4RS
Lucas Daniel, 6MB
Austin Menya, 3NE
Talisa Emeran, 3LM
Frank Fairclough, 5HS
Casey Obee, 3LM
Daniel Weathers, 5NG
Abigail Simpson, 3HH
Millie Allan, 4EB
Theviru Dharmawardene, 4CB
Frankie Bezer, 4CB
Archie Dale, 5HR
Chloe Connor, 6AW
Ava Willows, 4EB
Congratulations to those children who were also celebrated for demonstrating our Value for this
half term : Cooperation
Lucas Terry & Aidan Silverstein 3NE, William Mescha & Aaron Urquhart 3LM, Sam Porter & Fergus Swift
3HH, Lola Mayes & Olivia Cash 4EB, Eleanor Bennett & Matilda Rice 4RS, Charlie Scotten & Gabriel Mellor
4CB, Carys Earwalker & Archie Blomfield 5HR, Jim Atkins & Jacob Bolton 5HS, Max Powick & Lily Carroll
5NG, Isabel Lau-Kee & Alexa Soutter 6AW, Jack Brinkman & Samantha Fish 6NP, Sammy Richell & Dean
Khan 6MB
And a special congratulations to those children awarded Half Termly Certificates
Darcey Bailey & Elliott Gottler 3NE, Chloe Gower & Ethan Griffiths 3HH, Lucie Roach &
Neel Harindranath 3LM, Lola Mayes & Austin Thomas 4EB, Millie Ashwood & Gyorgy
Posta 4RS, Katie Jeffreys & Kaiden Ironside 4CB, Jasmine Byrne & Louis Silverstein 5HR,
Trisha Hemnani & Henry Chandler 5HS, Maisie Sweeney & Nayan Varambhia 5NG, Katie
Cuthbert & Thivain Dharmawardene 6AW, Lucy Parrant & Josh Learoyd 6NP, Jasmin
Emeran 6MB
December 2016
Sports News
Page 4
Football success!
This month teams of Year 5 and 6 girls attended a 5-a-side football tournament
at Frimley Lodge Park. Both teams played brilliantly in their first tournament,
with the team comprised of Skye 6MB, Yoanna 6MB, Ayisha 5HS, Trisha 5HS,
Bonnie 6NP and Elizabeth 6MB going out in the 3rd place quarter finals after a
golden goal and the team comprised of Hannah 5NG, Caitlin 5NG, Chloe 6AW,
Keira 6AW and Lauren 6NP winning the B group final! As the girls’ first
experience of a tournament they did fantastically well—congratulations!
Here is some feedback from our Premier Sports sport coaches:
Year 3 Floorball
Year 3 have been continuing to develop their floorball skills this half term. We
have been working in training groups developing our defensive and attacking
skills. Drills are practised in our groups to help to understand ball control, passing with control and shooting on
target. We have progressed to matches now with the children learning how to work as a team setting themselves
up as defenders, mids and forwards. This is bringing rewards. Well done Year 3!
Year 4 Floorball
This half term all three Year 4 classes have been learning about the new exciting game of Floorball. Floorball follows
the same rules as Ice Hockey, it played on tarmac. The children have been learning how to dribble, pass and shoot.
We have also spent a lot of time thinking about how to work as a team and game management, which can be
\transferred to all invasion games. With this new skill the children have been able to play a high level end of term
tournament against the other classes.
Year 5 Tag Rugby
Year 5 have worked very hard this half term at tag rugby. Lots of
warm
up
dodging
games
including
“Kensukes
Kingdom” have been played to understand how to avoid being
tagged. Teams are established and training zones used to harness
our skills including passing and tagging. Matches have been played
with real gusto and great skill. They are realising it is better to pass
than go for glory yourself and how important teamwork is to
achieve your goals!! Great stuff year 5.
Year 6 Tag Rugby
This half term all three Year 6 classes have been learning the laws and skills of Tag Rugby. The children have learnt
the laws to allow them to play an excellent standard game of Tag Rugby, the Laws including the offside law, what to
do when tackled and the laws about passing. The children have also been working in small groups either learning
how to organise and defend as a team, or how to create a high speed attacking line to draw a defender, pass the
ball using a ‘pocket rocket pass’ and then score. This new skill led the children to having a two lesson tournament
against their class mates.
December 2016
Diary Dates
Page 5
January
Tuesday 3rd
Inset Day
Wednesday 4th
Term Begins
Friday 27th
Year 3 trip to Haslemere Educational Museum
Check the calendar on the
website for up-to-date
diary information!
February
w/c 13th
Half term break
Tuesday 21st
Year 4 Theatre Exchange Romans
March
Friday 3rd
Termly reports sent home
Tuesday 7th &
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday 9th
New Enrichment Club Timetable
Enrichment clubs can be a valuable part of a child’s school day, enabling them to try new things and expand their
knowledge or skill-set in new activities we’re not able to provide during school hours. Our specialist club operators
are all skilled in what they offer, are DBS checked and insured, and are enthusiastic in providing new experiences
for the children.
Coming home soon and also available via our website is our new timetable for Spring term. New clubs available
next term include Athletics on Wednesday lunchtime,s Badminton on Thursdays and a new Zumba class on a
Wednesday morning before the start of the school day. Please contact the school or clubs directly ASAP if you
wish to sign your child up for clubs starting in January if you have not already done so.
Will you need a holiday club for the Inset day on
Tuesday 3rd January?
Premier Sport will be holding a holiday camp on our first Inset day of the year on
Tuesday January 3rd 2017. After running an exciting October half term camp, this
will be the first of many holiday camps at Hammond Junior School in 2017.
Your children can be safe in the knowledge that all Premier Sport Activity Professionals are fully qualified and DBS
checked, and will run activities for all ages and both boys and girls including Tag rugby, Netball, Floorball, Dodgeball,
Gymnastics, Football and many more.
Premier Sport are offering a longer day for a cheaper price:
Full Day: 9am- 5pm was £27 NOW ONLY £13.50 (less than £1.70 an hour!)
Half Day: 9am- 1pm was £15 NOW ONLY £7.50 (less than £1.90 an hour!)
You can book now by contacting Joe Garner at [email protected] or by using the simple online booking
system at www.premiersport.org.
December 2016
Hammond School Association
Page 6
Wow—what a busy year it has been with more HSA events than ever! Our key events of the Christmas Fair
and School Discos have once again been a huge success and contributed even more than they did last year –
meaning that in total we have raised in excess of £13k for the first time in 5 years. The second year of Dad’s
Camping was an all-round success raising valuable funds but even more importantly providing great fun for
everyone who attended. On top of this we’ve had some new events: the family quiz night and 'Bend the
Rules' day which the children seemed to love and looks like becoming an annual event. These along with
cake sales, leaver’s sweatshirts, Mother’s Day trays, and panto tickets made for a very busy and successful
year. We hope the children also enjoyed the bauble decorating provided by HSA funding over the past week.
You will remember our focus at the beginning of the year was to provide some new musical instruments for
the school so all of the children have the opportunity to learn a different instrument each year they are at
Hammond with Mr Langdon. The children have really enjoyed their music lessons this year and judging by
attendance at orchestra and brass band it really has inspired them.
Next year the focus for the HSA funds will be on the school playground. The school council are currently
coming up with ideas for new equipment that will make break times and lunchtimes even more fun – watch
this space for more on this.
None of these events could happen without your support. A big thank you to all of you who have helped this
year in any capacity. We are always looking for new ideas and new helpers so if you are keen to get more
involved please email [email protected]
New Disco Coordinator Required
Lisa Woods and Nicky Bolton, who have done an amazing job of coordinating our school discos over the last
year, are looking to hand over the baton as Lisa’s daughter is in Year 6 and will be leaving Hammond School
in July. We are therefore looking for a new disco queen (or king) to coordinate our school discos. This
involves sending out a flyer, producing the list of attendees, confirming parent helpers, liaising with the
venue and DJ and coordinating the actual event. This is a key role as the discos raise approx. £3k each year
and would be perfect for an organised individual or a small team of friends who are keen to get involved but
don’t want to get bogged down in ‘all things HSA’. Please email [email protected] if you are able
and willing!!!!
Thank you for your continued support and Happy Christmas from the HSA!