Monday 3rd Nov | 3.30pmOpen Classrooms

Thurs 6th NovYear 3 Class Assembly

FOPHS Firework Night

Thurs 13th Nov | 5pmWriting Workshop

Fri 14th NovFOPHS chocolate tombola and non-uniform day

Mon 17th NovStart of Anti-bullying week

Thurs 20th Nov | 6pmFOPHS pamper evening

Mon 24th NovStart of assessment week

Thurs 27th NovY2 Assembly

Fri 28th NovFOPHS bring a bottle tombola andnon-uniform day

What would happen ifwe took more time to think?

Harvest

Value of the monthOur value of the month is Thoughtfulness. We looked at how this can be a value with two meanings; being thoughtful as a person with regards to flowers for Mum, being a good friend, etc. However, we have focused on the other meaning of simply being more thoughtful in terms of thinking things through, taking a step back and reflecting on the amazing harvest gifts. After reading the story of how Jesus calmed a storm, we thought about how the story might have ended differently if the disciples had been more thoughtful, composed and considerate.

Martin Smith, Headteacher

Upcoming events

You will now find a new ‘curriculum’ tab on the school website with details of what each year group is currently learning. This will be refreshed termly. You will also find a host of minor updates (such as links to the ‘Giving Machine’) and a new clubs page is due to go on-line shortly.

Apologies for delays in displaying newsletters and regular letters on the site. We are in the process of changing permissions in school so more staff can edit the site. We want to make sure the cloud software syncs properly before making any changes and our parent governors are working on key issues to ensure this part of the school website runs as it should across multiple machines.

ISSUE 23 | October 2014

Further website updatesThe Children’s Harvest Display

Thank you to all parents who supported our Harvest assemblies. The feedback from splitting the assemblies into key stages has been 100% positive so we will continue with this arrangement next year.

The children produced two wonderful assemblies full of colour, singing, drama and facts. We are extremely proud of the children’s efforts.

A big thank you must also go to all the staff for organising the assembly amidst a very busy month of parent consultation evenings and performance management reviews.

Dunstable DownsY1 and Y2 went to Dunstable Downs to fly kites they had made as part of their ‘Whatever the weather’ topic. The children are really enjoying the new curriculum topics and they had the perfect weather conditions to test their creations. Many thanks to all the parent helpers who joined us on the day.

Environmental Club

Week of 03/10/14

Reception: Tyler RiggansYear 1: Liam FluryYear 2: Sammy Harris and Mayuer PanchelYear 3: Sophie BrandYear 4: Lucy LamburnYear 5: Evie PareYear 6: Pippa Marchant Week of 10/10/14

Reception: Lauren DuvallYear 1: Ryan HardimanYear 2: Mia LillywhiteYear 3: Amelie DriverYear 4: Harvey ClarkYear 5: Jack BarnesYear 6: Kirsty Chemweno Week of 17/10/14

Reception: Louis SmartYear 1: Zoe EvesonYear 2: Louie RaymentYear 3: Matthew BakerYear 4: Jasmine HardyYear 5: Kaine McNellyYear 6: Millie Kelly Week of 24/10/14

Reception: Oliver CarrollYear 1: Lizzie BrinklowYear 2: Phoebe WhitemanYear 3: Teddy HookYear 4: William KoukoulomatisYear 5: Finley CrouchYear 6: Georgie Pearce

 

Stars ofthe week

Well done to all the children and parents who took part in our Walk to School Week. Some of our children walk to school everyday but for others, the week is about trying something new. Staff representatives met the children each day at the rugby club car park and walked up to school. All staff at school supported the event and on Wednesday, all staff parked in the rugby car park to show their support for the children. On Friday, we were joined by Val Male from Hertfordshire Local Authority and she brought a friend with her…..Buster the dinosaur! Buster entertained the children in the playground and helped raise the profile of our special week.

School AdmissionsQuick reminder that the deadline for Secondary Admission applications is Friday 31st October. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss options then please speak with me or Mrs Axford.

Walk to School Week

to everyone!Well done

SEND ReformsSpecial Educational Needs and Disabilities legislation has been radically altered in what has been described in the national press as the biggest shake-up in 30 years. We welcome the reforms which brings formal framework to how we have been approaching SEND issues in the last few years. The key change is that educational statements have been replaced with education, health and care plans (EHCPs). These are designed to be a rounded approach consulting children, parents, school staff and other outside agencies in formulating support from 0-25 years old. We are working with a group of Pixies parents, children, governors and staff to ensure what we offer as a school in this area is detailed, robust, accountable and fair. We will then publish our information report on our school website with a link to Hertfordshire’s local offer – a list of services provided by the local authority.

FOPHS Film NightWell done to the FOPHS team for organising a memorable film night. The children enjoyed watching Nanny McPhee on the big screen and even though some children had seen the film before, many arrived with comfortable attire, excited to be watching with their friends.

The children were also treated to drinks and sweets at the interval and many left with a tasty bag of candy floss made on-site using a machine which was still releasing a pleasant smell in the dining room after the weekend had passed!

Accidents after schoolThere has been an increase in the number of accidents happening after school in the playground as children stay to play on school equipment. Whilst the main school gates are locked around 3.45pm, parents wishing to stay in school grounds a little longer are welcome to do so on the clear understanding they do so at their own risk. Children should be properly supervised and behave appropriately when choosing to stay on school grounds.

We have been overwhelmed by the number of respondents wanting to join this club to the point Ms Woollatt has picked names out of a hat!

We are working towards Green Flag status meaning the club will be guided by actions which will help us secure another award!

Don’t miss

the next

FOPHS event!

Firework

Night

6th Nov

5.30pm