Newsletter
May 2006
Dear Parents / carers


Your children have some busy weeks ahead of them. It’s that time of year again when the school focuses on testing and assessment. Please make sure that:

---children attend school every day - tests cannot be taken at a
--- later date;

---they have an early night in preparation;

---they have a good breakfast before they come to school;

---they have water to drink during the tests;

---any lucky mascots are small.


The children have all worked very hard, and this is their opportunity to show us what they are able to achieve.

Mrs S Freeman
Headteacher


Race for Life
We have a team entering this years’ Race for Life in Hastings on Sunday 18th June. We will be sending out a letter in the near future asking for your support.

Shoes
In the last newsletter we reminded parents of the correct dress code for school, in particular the need for children to wear sensible black shoes. However, we still have children coming to school in shoes which do not meet that requirement. We even have some children wearing coloured trainers. Please could you look at the shoes your child wears to school and make sure they are suitable and fit with our dress code.

Viking Day
Year 3 / 4 children in Opal and Ruby classes were Vikings for a day on Friday 10th March.
They made swords, axes, shields, worked with clay and wove cloth, as well as listening to stories and having a Viking lunch.
Some of the pupils said that they had an ‘exquisite time’ and the day helped to reinforce their learning and appreciate what life was like 1000 years ago.


Able Writers Day
Local poet, author and creator of the poetryzone website (www.poetryzone.co.uk) , Roger Stevens worked with 32 able writers from Freda Gardham, Playden, Beckley, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Guestling and Lydd schools on Tuesday 14th March at Freda Gardham School, for their ninth Able Writers Day.
The children worked with great gusto and produced some excellent stories by the end of the day.
They are now all looking forward to the next Able Writers Day at Freda Gardham in the Autumn Term.

Science / Technology Demonstration
On Tuesday 14th March, three representatives of the Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club visited our school to look at some models we made as part of our work in science and technology. They talked to us about our projects and gave each child a certificate and awarded the school £50, which will help fund our next projects.

It was an informal and friendly occasion which we all enjoyed. We wish to thank the Rye and Winchelsea club for their encouragement and for their continued support and interests in our school.

Eye q
Have you heard about eye q? It is a supplement which was used in the Durham School trial. The Durham LEA found school children taking eye q:
--
-- generally had better behaviour

---showed reduced hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity

---made highly significant improvements in reading and
-- spelling.

For more information look on the eye q website:
www.equazen.com

Mothers Union parenting group
Calling all parents of children up to the age of seven. If you feel you would like to get together with other parents for support and make new friends, then why not join the parenting group. For further information please contact Mrs Turner at the school.


Dates for your Diary
8th May SATs week

11th May Year 6 Residential Trip parents meeting – 3.30p.m.

17th May Rugby Tournament – 20 children from Years 5 / 6

18th May Creative Partnership day - Yr 4

22nd May Residential Trip – Year 6 – all week

24th May Herstmonceux Science Centre trip – Sapphire / Diamond