Newsletter Issue 13
Ferncumbe Friday
Friday 31st March 2023
EASTER SERVICE AT FOREST SCHOOL
As the Spring Term draws to a close I am delighted to share with you a few photos from our end of term Easter celebration at Forest School - thank you for your support if you braved the weather and were able to join us! Honiley Class, along with Ms Lilley and Miss Constable, prepared Stations of the Cross in advance of our Easter Service in the forest. Each imaginative station, recreated with natural materials, represented images of Jesus at various points during the Easter story. Members of Year 2 spoke eloquently and informatively about each depiction and some of our Year 6 pupils volunteered to help lead the service. The children sang their favourite Easter song and were so thankful that after such a wet morning the rain stopped just in time!
Wroxall visit the mad museum and butterfly farm
On Tuesday 21st March, Wroxall class started their day with a visit to the MAD Museum in Stratford-Upon-Avon. They explored so many fascinating and unique creations made with levers, CAMS, gears, pulleys and other mechanisms. The children took turns in creating their own marble runs, some of which had two or three marble runs in one!
They then walked across Stratford to the Butterfly Farm for lunch and a tour. Walking through the Flight Zone made a few of them jump but once they had relaxed they saw so many beautiful butterflies, looked at some magnificent caterpillars and met a centipede and a snake. Two members of Wroxall even got to hold them. Well done!
Wroxall and lowsonford Trip to Parliament
Last Friday, Wroxall and Lowsonford classes boarded the coach at 6.30am to set off for London. We were taken for a tour around the Houses and Commons and Lords, with the added bonus of audio connection to our guides so we could hear every detail. We were able to watch both Houses in session and really soak up the incredible atmosphere of the buildings. After that, we enjoyed a workshop with the brilliant education staff, followed by a brief but warm Q and A with Matt Western. Following our discussion, he will be making enquiries into why the House of Lords is not called the House of Lords and Baronesses! It was an intense but wonderful experience and the children were a credit to all the teachers and parents involved.
‘SINGTASTIC’ CONCERTS
We are extremely proud of our music-making, and were reminded yesterday that music is alive and well at Ferncumbe! The ‘Singtastic’ concerts were a wonderful demonstration of the joy that singing can bring - as a performer or listener! The children have loved their singing lessons with Kieron Howe throughout this term and were keen to put on a display of their very advanced singing skills. In addition, Haseley Class treated their parents to a Djembe Drum concert which was truly magnificent. Thank you to all those parents who attended and also to the many who approached me with such positive feedback following the concerts.
PARENT MEETINGS
You will receive notification from the school office straight after the Easter break of our parent meetings early in the Summer term; these follow your child’s end of Spring term assessments. The meetings take place on Monday 24th April 3.30-7.30pm (in-person) and Wednesday 26th April 3.30-5.30pm (virtual). We offer both in-person and virtual meetings to accommodate everyone’s preference.
It is really important that you sign up for a slot. Do please look out for the communication from school after Easter and contact the office if you have any problems.
message from the Friends of Ferncumbe
We've had a busy term with the annual quiz in February which raised nearly £550, the half term balloon race which made £124 and the sell-out Easter bingo which raised over £600!
Thanks to everyone who joined in or helped out with these successful events. What we raised will be put towards Enrichment activities for all the children and the start of our new long term fundraising plan to improve the playground.
One of our team has recently secured a donation of 10 new laptops for the school and we hear the children are already making use of them.
Look out for next term's events..... ‘Break the Rules Day’ on Friday 19th May and the Summer Fête on Friday 23rd June.
If anyone would like to help out or come along to a meeting and see what we do, please get in touch on Facebook or email thefriendsofferncumbe@gmail.com
INSET Days 2023 - 2024
Please note the following dates which are school INSET Days for next academic year:
Friday 1st September 2023
Monday 4th September 2023
Friday 27th October 2023
Monday 8th January 2024
Monday 3rd June 2024
A reminder about eligibility for free school meals
Increased food and energy costs means many are finding the cost of the weekly shop a challenge.
As we approach the Easter holiday, please do check your eligibility for free school meals. As one of the biggest school meal providers in Warwickshire, Educaterers wants to ensure that all school children are fed and happy when in school.
Please do use the following link https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-meals when checking eligibility around living costs and school meals, or call Tamson in the school office for advice.
anxious feelings - support for parents from ‘action for children’
Please do follow the link for practical support with helping your child to cope with anxious feelings or anxiety… https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/mental-health-wellbeing/anxious-feelings/
Easter Egg-citement at Warwickshire’s Country Parks
The team of Education, Community & Health Rangers at Warwickshire’s Country Parks have been busy developing a fun-filled Easter half-term activity programme. Whether it’s pond dipping or Easter egg hunts, toasting delicious s’mores over an open fire or building a wooden Easter bunny, there’s something to get every child immersed and engaged in Warwickshire’s unique natural landscape.
For more information or to book tickets, visit the Warwickshire Country Parks Eventbrite Page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/warwickshire-country-parks-17229016764
be a savvy shopper
Last year, 91 types of toys were recalled because they were dangerous. A report from the British Toy and Hobby Association found that, of 101 dangerous toys withdrawn from sale on online marketplaces, 65 seemingly identical toys were still on sale a year later.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust has set up a new advice hub where parents and practitioners can check if the toys and childcare products, they’re buying are safe.
For more information click on the following link: https://capt.org.uk/savvy-shopper/?utm_source=capt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=savvyshopper&mc_cid=bb774c9193&mc_eid=5057e9aa8a&fbclid=IwAR3h-nnsLxP4UQo4CuWPN7anF9ac1ASsguzKJ2F68HYiAm2gYcdEZIb_WLk
Market hall museum, warwick - easter fun!
Arty Tots at Easter Tuesday 4th April 10am – 2pm
Hop along to Market Hall for some Easter Fun! Create your own eggcellent Easter decorations to take home and join in with the eggciting fun. £3 per child and make as many decorations as you would like. Hop to it! No need to book just drop in
Puppets are go! Wednesday 5th April 10am – 2pm
Pinocchio, Thunderbirds, Punch and Judy… This Easter, "puppets are go" at Market Hall museum! Come along and have a go at making your own puppets, have fun watching a classic puppet show, try your hand at being a puppeteer and perform your own show for friends and family. (That’s the way to do it)!
Puppet show performances will be at 10:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. The show runs for approximately 30 minutes long. Other activities will run from 10am to 2:30pm, you are welcome to take part any time before or after your puppet show slot.
£5 per child. Please book in advance at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/heritageboxoffice.
Climate Challenge Wednesday 12th April 10am - 1pm
Can you make a difference to your impact on your local environment?
Find out about small changes you can make;
Meet Mike our museum bee keeper and find out about our museum bees, make seeds bombs for bee friendly flowers, and a paper plant pot to plant peas.
Take on the wind turbine challenge and design the best sails to generate power and go on a recycling trail around the museum. £3 per child no need to book just drop in.
Easter Egg Trail from Tuesday 4th – Saturday 15th April
Take part in our FREE Easter egg trail and quiz at Market Hall Museum. Find the eggs, solve the clues and collect a sticker at the end. Just ask our Front of House team.
Many thanks for your continuing support this term, which is much appreciated.
I send my very best wishes for a lovely Easter break - staff look forward to welcoming children back to school on Monday 17th April 2023.
Tracey Webb, Head of School