Newsletter
Dear Parents and Carers,
Happy New Year! I expect that you, like me, think Christmas and the
New Year seem like a long time ago already.
This morning several children from year five came to share their
exciting chase scene writing with me and yesterday I enjoyed looking
at some great maths work with some year one children who were
explaining to me how they had found halves and quarters of numbers.
There is so much wonderful work going on all around our schools and
visitors from other schools continue to come and visit. We keep
wondering when Ofsted will come to visit! They are unlikely to visit
Fairfield as Fairfield was judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in 2011 and, under
the new inspection regime, outstanding schools do not usually get
inspected. Colneis was judged to be ‘good’ in March 2012 and since
that time our data confirms that we have continued to get better and
better. Ofsted could visit any time as good schools should be
inspected every three years. As you can see our Ofsted visitors are
late but I sincerely hope that when they do turn up they will be
impressed with the excellent work and behaviour of the children and
the excellent teaching and support from the staff. We will, of course,
let you know when we get that phone call!
Kindest regards to you all,
Mrs Reed
Headteacher
January 2016
Fairfield Infant School
High Road West
Felixstowe
Suffolk
IP11 9JB
Tel: 01394 283206
Fax: 01394 283895
[email protected]
www.fairfieldinfant.co.uk
Colneis Junior School
Colneis Road
Felixstowe
Suffolk
IP11 9HH
Tel: 01394 284052
Fax: 01394 273425
[email protected]
www.colneisjunior.co.uk
Letter Mrs Reed 1
Fairfield 2-6
Colneis 7-10
Joint School 11-15
Term dates 16
School closure information
For further information on school closures due to severe weather or any other unforeseen
difficulty please tune into the local radio stations or log on to the following websites —
Heart FM on 97.1 or 96.4 FM, Town FM on 102 FM, Radio Suffolk 95.5, 95.9, 103.9 or
104.6 FM, www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk, www.heart.co.uk, http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk/
Parent Mail
At the beginning of the new year, could we please request that you ensure that all your details,
particularly your mobile number and e-mail address, are up-to-date on your Parent Mail account
to ensure that you receive all communication from the school. Thank you.
1
FAIRFIELD INFANT SCHOOL
Dates:
Monday 1 February, 1.30pm Year 2 Parents’ Open Afternoon*
Wednesday 3 February, 8.50-10am Reception Stay and Play
Thursday 11 February Commencement of maths course for parents (week 1 of 6)
Thursday 11 February, 2pm Parents invited in for new assessment information
Monday 15-Friday 19 February Half Term
Monday 22 February Y1 local walk
Monday 22 February, 3.30-6.20pm Parent Consultations
Wednesday 24 February, 3.30-6.20pm Parent Consultations
Wednesday 2 March, 8.50-10am Reception Stay and Play
Tuesday 8 March Individual photos
Thursday 10 March, 1.30pm Year 1 Parents’ Open Afternoon*
Tuesday 15 March Class photos
Friday 18 March Sports Relief fundraiser
Monday 21 March and Tuesday 22 March Nursery Parent Consultations
Tuesday 22 March, 1.30pm Reception Parents’ Open Afternoon*
Thursday 24 March Last day of term
Tuesday 12 April Back to school
* The Parents’ Open Afternoons: Parents are invited into school to work alongside their child in
the classroom in a practical curriculum based activity which supports learning. This will be
followed by tea in the hall and the chance to talk to members of the Senior Management Team
and a School Governor.
Fairfield Assemblies
The following classes will be leading our assemblies at 10.20am:
Thursday 21 January
Thursday 28 January
Wednesday 3 February
Thursday 11 February
Wednesday 24 February
Thursday 3 March
Thursday 10 March
Wednesday 16 March
Thursday 24 March
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
1R
1M
1A
RC
2Y
RA
2A
RD
2L
Family members are then invited to join their child’s class following assembly
to share numeracy or literacy based activities
2
Friends of Fairfield
Thank you to all those who attended, volunteered and contributed towards the Friends of
Fairfield Christmas fair. The total profit generated was a fantastic £1,921.40. Well done to all
those who helped make the event such a success.
Christmas Crafts in Reception
We had an enjoyable morning at the recent
Christmas Reception Stay and Play. Parents
joined their children to make some great
Christmas crafts. The children followed
instructions and applied their fine motor
skills to make a reindeer hat and Santa.
Reception visit to the Fire Station, Wednesday 13th January
Mr Stephenson invited us to visit the station to support our work on fire safety and people who
help us. We learnt how to keep ourselves safe and how to raise the alarm with a 999 phone call.
Children learnt how the firemen’s protective clothes keep them safe and how to aim the hose to
put out a fire. We also learnt that fire engines attend other emergencies including pets stuck in
a tree! The children enjoyed their visit and would like to say a huge thank you to all the brigade
staff who supported our visit.
3
Pupils’ Success
This information has been
removed for data protection purposes
4
Writers’ Club Page: The Crazy Pen
Thank you very much for attending the Christmas
story telling event and
performances by our Golden Readers Club and Crazy
Pen Writing Club.
The children loved sharing their poems with an
audience and clearly impressed everyone present. The
funds raised from refreshments (together with
donations following the Christmas concerts) totalled
£448.50 that will be donated equally between St
Elizabeth’s Hospice and Oxfam.
Here is just a selection of the children’s seasonal,
atmospheric poetry to enjoy!
The Sun Floats Down Slowly
Christmas Night
The sun floats down slowly
The violet evening sky
The golden sun dips in the wind.
The clock goes tick, tock, tick, tock,
The bells go ding, dong, ding, dong.
Big waves splash, the tide comes in.
The stars twinkle in the pitch black sky
Like little bats flapping their tiny wings
The moon shines bright like a fire in the dark.
The sun floats down earlier
All it leaves is a black, starry night.
In the houses shadows are moving.
Candles flickering through the
Blurry windows.
All is left is the white,
Yellow stars.
The street lights
Shine brightly.
On the pavement, shops are closed
People rush home
To light their candles.
Stockings by the hot fire.
Sounds of day,
Sun listens hard
Until he hears the cockerel and the lark.
By Isabelle
By Oliver
Darker at Night
By Elsie
Darker at night
Comfortable and opposite.
A ball of fire taking a dip into the blue wavy sea.
Night time, strolling cats, hunting owls,
Big Ben striking 10,
Ding dong,
Clocks go wrong,
Stars twinkling,
Moon shining white.
Planets spinning, warm fires,
Sleigh lit up,
Santa’s working hard in the pitch black sky.
Writers’ Club members:
Ellie, Charlotte, Leila, Jake, Daisy, Grace, Elsie, Frida, Isobel, Amelia, Niamh and Radu
5
Fairfield Choir
We celebrated another successful term with the Year 2 choir. Throughout December the choir
visited St John’s Court nursing home, Westcliff nursing home and the Blind and Partially sighted
club at Walton.
At each venue they were made most welcome and received wonderful comments both on their
behaviour and singing abilities. Mrs Kingham received a lovely e-mail from a lady member of the
Partially Sighted club to say how much she had enjoyed our visit and just thinking about it made
her smile! Obviously we make a difference to peoples lives in our community and long may it
continue.
Mrs Kingham would like to thank parents for their continued support and would also like to thank
the choir for making her so proud.
6
COLNEIS JUNIOR SCHOOL
Dates:
Tuesday 2 February Class 5S geography walk
Tuesday 2 February, 8pm Friends of Colneis Meeting
Wednesday 3 February Class 5R geography walk
Thursday 4 February Class 5A geography walk
Monday 8 February Parent Consultations
Wednesday 10 February Parent Consultations
Thursday 11 February Commencement of maths course at Fairfield for parents (week 1 of 6)
Thursday 11 February, 9am & 5pm Parents invited in for new assessment information
Monday 15-Friday 19 February Half Term
Monday 22 February Year 4 St Lucia Week
Wednesday 24 February Year 4 Parents open afternoon*
Friday 26 February Year 4 St Lucia Day
Thursday 3 March Year 6 Parents open afternoon*
Friday 11 March, 6.30pm Friends of Colneis Disco
Monday 14 March, 9.30-11.30am Year 3 Parents open morning*
Tuesday 15 March Year 5 Parents open afternoon*
Friday 18 March Sports Relief Fundraiser
21st – 23rd March, 7.15pm School Play
Thursday 24 March Last day of term
Tuesday 12 April Back to school
* The Parents’ Open Morning/Afternoons: Parents are invited into school to work alongside
their child in the classroom in a practical curriculum based activity which supports learning.
This will be followed by tea in the hall and the chance to talk to members of the Senior
Management Team and a School Governor.
Colneis Assemblies
The following classes will be leading our assemblies at 10.20am:
Wednesday 3 February
Class 4K
Wednesday 10 February
Class 6W
Wednesday 24 February
Class 5R
Wednesday 2 March
Class 3A
Thursday 10 March
Class 5A
Family members are then invited to join their child’s class following assembly
to share numeracy or literacy based activities
7
Pupils’ Success
This information has been
removed for data protection purposes
PE Kit—Tracksuits
Can we please remind you that PE sessions continue to run outside throughout the winter months,
so please ensure your child has a pair of plain blue or black tracksuit bottoms and sweatshirt as
part of their PE kit.
8
Colneis Choir
Epic singing at the Maynell and Foxgrove Residential Homes
On Thursday 3rd December, Colneis School Choir visited the Maynell and Foxgrove Residential
Homes. We walked from Colneis School to the Foxgrove Residential Home and sang four songs
which had been taught by our wonderful music teacher Ms Storey.
The songs that we sang had good beats and cool tunes and the residents seemed to love them.
Our favourite song was probably ‘All Around the World’.
When we had sung the four songs we were given a packet of Haribos which everyone enjoyed.
Once we had wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year we left this home and
went next door to the Maynell Residential Home and sang the four songs again.
Everyone in there enjoyed it just as much as we did. We chatted for a while and then had a
biscuit and drink, got our coats and came back to Colneis and ate our Haribos.
Written by Mia and Rosie
Christmas at Landguard Fort
On Sunday 13th December the choir were
invited to an event at Landguard Fort. We
sang four songs: Come With Me Tonight,
Three Kings from the East, Away in a Manger
(to a different tune) and All Around the
World. We also got to join in with The
Salvation Army Band and be the choir for
them too. At one point when we were singing,
it even started snowing!
Thank you to everyone who supported the
choir and for bringing their children to the
event. It was great fun and it helped us to
feel very festive.
Written by Liberty
9
Walk like an Egyptian!
Our Year 5s worked incredibly hard producing some fantastic
Egyptian displays. They were pleased to invite friends and
family members to school to come and look at their work.
Friends of Colneis Summer Fair, Thursday 23rd June 2016
The Summer Fair is being held on Thursday 23rd June from 5pm-7pm. Please add the date to your
diary and do come along and support the school in our biggest fundraising event of the year.
We are looking for a main sponsor for 1st prize and also printing costs of raffle tickets. It would
be wonderful if there was a local business able to sponsor these. For more information or if you
are able to help in any way, please contact Tracey Spalding or leave a message at the school
office.
More information will follow nearer the fine. Thank you.
School Disco
The next Friends of Colneis school disco takes place on Friday 11th March from 6.30-8pm. Tickets
will be on sale the week commencing 7th March. Posters will be displayed around school with more
details nearer the time.
10
JOINT SCHOOL INFORMATION
Coming this term: Maths course for parents/carers/grandparents
If you hate maths, then this is the course for you!
Unless you are under 18, have been on a previous course or have helped out in school, you may not
be aware of the methods we now teach children for Maths. Keeping Up With the Children
(Maths) is a six week free course for all parents/grandparents/carers which will be running at
Fairfield in the school term on Thursday mornings, commencing Thursday 11 February, 9am. To
book your place, please contact the school office.
Attendance Policy
Could we please remind you that if your child is absent from school, to call the school office
before 10am on the first day of absence. We also need a written explanation on your child’s
return to school. If we do not receive an explanation, or if the explanation is unsatisfactory, we
will not authorise the absence, and this will be shown on your child’s end of year report and may
lead to a penalty notice if it fits the criteria.
‘Purely for Parents’ – a parents and carers guide to online safety
In Suffolk, Felixstowe Academy are raising awareness of e-Safety in order to build e-Safer
communities. To achieve this, parents and carers are offered the opportunity to attend
Awareness training which will provide you with the necessary skills to keep yourselves and
others safe online.
Felixstowe Academy is committed to safeguarding the children and young people who are part of
the Academy community. You are therefore invited to attend a session which is ‘Purely for
Parents’ on one of the following dates:
Monday 25 January 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Tuesday 9 February 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Tuesday 8 March 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Tuesday 12 April 9.00am – 10.30am
Tuesday 24 May 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Monday 13 June 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Wednesday 6 July 9.00am – 10.30am
Please let Felixstowe Academy know if you are able to attend one of the sessions by contacting:
[email protected]
A big
Thank You
We would like to thank you for your generosity following the Christmas
Concerts held at both Fairfield and Colneis, and also the storytelling event
held at Fairfield and talent show competition at Colneis. A total of £1023.73
was collected. The proceeds will be equally divided between St Elizabeth
Hospice and Oxfam. Your support, as always, is much appreciated.
11
Golden Ticket Winners!
For reading 4 times (or more) a week—our Golden Ticket Winners are:
Kyle, Eszter, Frida, Amelia
Pupils who have also read 4 times a week from Class 1M, Class 6L, Class 3R, Class 3A, Year 4 and
Hermione
Safety Crossing the Road
We have received a call from a concerned motorist who informed us that she had almost hit a
parent and child crossing near the petrol station opposite Fairfield school. Could we please
encourage parents to either use the staggered crossing outside the petrol station or the
pedestrian crossing outside the conservative club.
Hardly a month goes by without either a parent or a member of the public contacting us to
report a ‘near miss’ accident. Please do all you can to ensure every member of the Fairfield and
Colneis families stays safe.
12
New parents and carers website
We have been informed of a new website for parents and carers that can offer a completely
refreshed suite of articles and guidance on all aspects of child internet safety. The website
address is: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
Parents can access advice and support on how to keep children safe whilst dealing with a range of
online issues.
Users will find films, downloadable guides and useful links to support organisations.
Families can also use the website to access the CEOP Safety Centre at www.ceop.police.uk/safety
-centre where they can report abuse and exploitation direct to CEOP.
James Campbell’s Suffolk Writing Days!
Easter Holidays 2016
Send your 8-11 year olds to spend a day with James Campbell – pioneer of stand-up comedy for
kids, writer of the Boyface series of books and expert in guiding children’s creative writing.
This is NOT a course for people who are just looking for something fun to do in the holidays.
This is for children who really want to write, love to write, maybe they want to be authors when
they grow up. This is a master class in writing from a real live proper author who has spent the
past 20 years successfully inspiring children.
Ages 8 to 11 (although exceptions will be made - just ask)
Numbers are strictly limited to make sure everyone gets plenty
of individual guidance from James.
Please reserve your place early to avoid disappointment by emailing:
[email protected]
Dates available:
Tuesday 5th April: Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket (times & further details tbc)
Wednesday 6th April: The Avenue Theatre, Ipswich (times & further details tbc)
Places cost £29 per child - at the end of the day, your child will have bring home a story,
which truly shows their talent and hard work.
Information on the school website
www.fairfieldinfant.co.uk
www.colneisjunior.co.uk
We would encourage you to log on to the school website to find helpful ways to assist your child.
Recently added:
 Information for parents about our new approach to assessment and end of Key Stage assessment arrangements.
To find the information please click on to the Curriculum tab then the Assessment tab.
13
Packed Lunches
In line with the school’s healthy eating policy, can we please remind you that packed lunches
should contain either sandwiches or a salad and no fizzy drinks, sweets or chocolate.
Cup & Award winners
Congratulations to all our cup and award winners who were presented with
certificates and cups during our celebration assemblies at the end of the year.
Colneis Award Winners
Doing your best awards and cup winner
Music awards
Courtesy awards and cup winner
Most improved handwriting
Kindness awards and cup winner
14
Festive Celebrations
We were privileged to see great Christmas concert performances over both schools throughout
the festive season. The Year 4 and Year 6 recital of a traditional Nativity was a particular
highlight. Thank you to all our pupils for participating.
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15
Term dates for 2015-2016
Spring Term 2016:
Start of Spring term:
Half term:
End of Spring term:
PD day:
Summer Term 2016:
Start of Summer term:
Bank Holiday:
Half term:
End of Summer term:
PD days:
Tuesday 5th January
Monday 15th February-Friday 19th February
Thursday 24th March
Monday 4th January
Tuesday 12th April
Monday 2nd May
Monday 30th May-Friday 3rd June
Wednesday 20th July
Monday 11th April
Friday 27th May
Thursday 21st July
Term dates for 2016-2017
Autumn Term 2016:
Start of Autumn term:
Half Term:
End of Autumn term:
PD day:
Spring Term 2017:
Start of Spring term:
Half term:
End of Spring term:
PD day:
Summer Term 2017:
Start of Summer term:
Bank Holiday:
Half term:
End of Summer term:
PD days:
Monday 5th September
Monday 24th October-Friday 28th October
Tuesday 20th December
Thursday 1st September
Friday 2nd September
Thursday 5th January
Monday 13th February-Friday 17th February
Friday 31st March
Wednesday 4th January
Wednesday 19th April
Monday 1st May
Monday 29th May-Friday 2nd June
Friday 21st July
Tuesday 18th April
Monday 5th June
16