St. Michael’s Weekly Post – 4th November 2022

4^th November 2022

We have had a great start to Term 2!  Children in Acorn Class have been learning all about Diwali, the Festival of Lights which took place over the holiday.  They have made diva lamps from clay to hold a candle and learned the story of Rama and Sita.

In Hazel and Birch Classes, children have been learning all about Guy Fawlkes and the Gun Powder Plot. This has been part of their history and art learning, linked to their topic of Fire Fire.  Beautiful firework artwork has been created and children have written wonderful wanted posters.

Forest School Next Week

There will be no ELSA Forest School next Thursday, for those children invited to this ELSA group.

Road Safety

We would like to remind all bike users, and pedestrians, to travel around our beautiful village with respectful caution of the roads.  Please make sure you really look when crossing a road, especially as electric cars are a lot quieter these days. We recommend you wear bright reflective clothing when travelling around the village and have lights on bikes.  The safety of our children is our paramount concern.

Message from the School Council: Layer Up, Power Down Day

On Friday 11^th November 2022 the school council are holding a Layer Up, Power Down Day. This is because the world leaders are meeting in Egypt to determine how they will tackle climate change. As a School Council, we want to show these world leaders that we want to tackle climate change too!

So, from next Thursday evening (10^th November) to Monday morning (14^th November) we are turning the heating off in school and asking everyone on Friday to Layer Up. You are still to come to school in your uniform but think about ways you can layer up e.g. fluffy socks, tights under trousers, thermals, a fluffy jacket, fingerless gloves, etc.

We can’t wait to tackle climate change,

The School Council

Remembrance Sunday

With Armistice Day around the corner, we will have poppies available for children who wish to make a donation next week.  If children would like a poppy or other merchandise (rulers, wrist bands, pencil sharpeners, etc, they will be available on the playground, afterschool on Monday and Wednesday. Parents can bring their donations in with them at pick up.  All proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion.  We will be observing the two minutes silence on 11^th November in school.

Christmas Lunch

Christmas Lunch in school will take place on Friday 16^th December.  This can be booked on the Lataca IRIS app. If you are not connected to Lataca on IRIS please request a permission slip from info@lataca.co.uk so they can set you up. Please note, unfortunately on the Lataca app, it states the Christmas lunch will be on Monday 19^th December in error and this is unable to be amended. Apologies for any confusion this causes.

Messages from the PTA:

PTA Meeting – Tuesday 8th November at 8pm – School Hall

If you’ve not had an opportunity to get involved, have fundraising ideas or would like to volunteer a little time towards helping raise much needed funds for the school then we would LOVE to see you there to come and join in.

If you can’t join in person, you can join virtually on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87800088768?pwd=UVlDOXlWYzBQZnRvd2xpS1h6ODhOUT09

Welly Walk – Thank You!
On Friday 14th October, the children completed their annual welly walk to raise funds for the school. We are still counting up the sponsorship money, but so far have raised £1,124.  There is still time to send in your sponsorship money, or donate to the fundraising page on JustGiving. justgiving.com/campaign/welly-walk-2022 We will close the fundraising on 14^th November.

Non-Uniform Tombola Day

Come to school in non-uniform on Friday 2^nd December 2022, in exchange for a bottle of alcohol for the Grown-Ups Bottle Tombola or chocolate/sweets for our Children’s Sweet Tombola at the Christmas Fayre. Just has to be unopened/sealed and in date. We will be collecting your donations in the morning by the school gates.

Festive Wreath Making Evening – Thursday 8th December 7pm-9pm

The popular festive wreath making evening will be returning on Thursday 8^th December at St Michael’s School. Includes all materials to make a beautiful, bespoke wreath to take home and festive refreshments. A bar will be available. All you need are secateurs. Tickets £30.
Email PTA to book your tickets aldbournepta@gmail.com

Bag2school – Please have a rummage around your homes for spare clothes, bags, shoes, soft toys that can be donated and earn the school some money.  Please bring your donations to school by 9am on Monday 14^th November and drop them off by the front gate.   Unfortunately, we are unable to store any bags before the collection date. The more we give, the more money is raised for the school.  Further detail attached.

Message from St Michael’s Church:

Please find attached a flyer about our Holding the Light (Sunday 6^th November) and Sharing the light Services in church.

Message From Aldbourne Children’s Book Group:

Please find attached information regarding tonight’s Bonfire Night Party.

Message from Aldbourne Churches Together:

Please find attached information about our “Warm Places” initiative. We are looking for volunteers to help and we want to welcome those who would benefit from the warm place this winter period.

Message from Ramsbury Doctors Surgery:

Please find attached a flyer for upcoming parent workshops. Please email interest to our admin email: bswicb.ekpcnadmin@nhs.net.

Message from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service:

We very much hope your child has a happy time over Halloween and Fireworks night, to make sure everyone is safe please follow the advice below:

• Be very careful near candles, especially if your child is wearing dressing up clothes.
• Keep matches, lighters and fireworks out of the reach of children
• Keep children well back from bonfires and fireworks
• If using sparklers; make sure gloves are worn, children are supervised and you have somewhere safe to put used sparklers such as a bucket of sand or water
• The fire and rescue service advise going to a public firework display
• If clothes catch fire remember stop, drop and roll
• If someone is burnt remember cool (with cool water for at least 20 minutes) cover (with clingfilm to keep clean) and call for help as needed
• If fire gets out of control, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Do not try to tackle the fire yourself.

Further advice can be found here: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Halloween safety (dwfire.org.uk) and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Fireworks (dwfire.org.uk)

Younger children may like to listen to the safety story and fill in the quiz to win a VIP trip to a fire station Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Seasonal safety – Bonfires, Fireworks and Candles (dwfire.org.uk) or   Halloween and Bonfire Night (office.com)

Have a fun and safe Halloween and Fireworks night from everyone at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Term 2

Term 3

TD days

Monday 20^th February 2023

Monday 26^th June 2023

Monday 24^th July 2023