Ferndown Middle Newsletter January 2016 Telephone: 01202 876556 E-mail: office@fernmid..sch.uk Key Dates Term Dates are available on the school website Key dates: Parent’s Evenings – Wednesday 3rd February, Monday 8th February and Thursday 11th February (4pm – 8pm) rd Assessment Information Morning – Wednesday 3 February – 9.30am (for parents/carers who were unable to make the information evening) Monday 8th February - Years 5/6: Kinetik Theatre Visit Monday 8th February – Year 8: Alcohol Awareness Play Wednesday 10th February – Year 4 Maths Visits Staff Training Day – Friday 12th February Half Term Holiday – Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February Message from the Chair of Hello from the Governors of Ferndown Middle School. We hope your Governors children are enjoying their year at school as they approach half way. We wanted to let parents and carers know what the governing body have been doing lately. First we have three new parent governors, all with children in year 5. Thanks very much to Shelly Rossiter, Lee Holness and Martin Andrews for volunteering.

With Mrs Allen, we have been looking at how we should organise the school leadership team as we currently don't have a deputy head. We have also carried out curriculum visits so that we know what is happening in the classroom.

We have considered the results of the school meals survey. There were some positive comments. The main issues raised were around time to eat and choice at last sitting. This last is very difficult to improve as the aim is to sell out every day. There were also comments about the quality of food. There has been some turnover of staff in the kitchen. We are hopeful for some stability there now and will discuss the results with the new cook.

If you have a question for the governors then you can email us at [email protected] or leave a message at the school office.

E Safety Notice The use of the internet is a way of life. Keeping children safe, whilst using the internet is essential. Attached to this newsletter is an e safety newsletter. This will provide parents with up to date information I recommend that you read this newsletter in full. I’m An Astronaut Get Me Out Ferndown Middle School was lucky enough to gain a place for one of Of Here! the ‘I’m an Astronaut Get Me Out of Here’ events run by Gallomanor. This is an online event where pupils got to meet and interact with real astronauts who were part of the team that trained and supported Tim Peake’s mission to space. The pupils chatted to the astronauts during the live chat session, where they asked questions about the astronaut’s life and their work or about any aspect of space. The pupils fully engaged with this experience and asked some interesting questions, mostly about Tim Peake and his experiences in the ISS. They were particularly thrilled when they were congratulated on asking a great question. The pupils also had the opportunity to witness Tim Peake’s historic spacewalk as it was actually happening. Screens were set up in the hall for pupils to watch over lunch and in the science lab. Some pupils then were able to continue watching during science lessons. This experience generated lots of interest and questions. Especially, as some pupils had been able to see the ISS in the sky as it passed over in the morning. DEED Ferndown Middle School were excited to take part a project, funded by the Lottery Heritage Grant, which captured and celebrated the local East Dorset community. The project explored old traditions and memories and focused on the ever changing diversity of East Dorset. 16 of our pupils volunteered to share their family story, explain the reasons why they moved in and out of the area. This week the Development Education of Dorset presented each pupil who took part with their own published copy of the complete book. Our school has also received 30 copies of the book which will be available to loan from the library.

School Crossing Patrol I am pleased to inform you that a new School Crossing Patrol man has now been appointed, Mr D Ashley. It is very reassuring to have someone helping our children once again. Sports News Netball Our Year 8 girls' netball team got off to a flying start in their first two league matches of the year. They began with a strong performance against Grammar School which saw them take an early 3-0 lead before going on to cement a 5-4 victory. They then went on to convincingly beat St Edwards 11-0. It really was a true team performance and an outstanding start to the league campaign. Our year 7 girls’ team also started their season and produced some fantastic results. They drew against Parkstone Grammar School 1-1 and beat High School 6-1. Well done girls, the hard work in training really is paying off. Keep it up!

Dorset Schools’ Cross Country Championships In very cold conditions we took our runners to Kings Park for the annual Year 8 Netball Team championships. We are delighted to announce that Ryan was victorious in the Year 6&7 Boys’ Race. We are extremely proud of his performance. All of the pupils should be thoroughly proud of themselves as they all completed their races against Dorset’s elite cross-country runners.

Football Year 6 Boys County 7-aside Finals at Littledown Our boys played in the Dorset County Finals at Littledown and produced some great play during the day. The highlights were beating the finalists, Christchurch Junior 2-1 and coming back from 2-0 to draw with the eventual winners, St Katherine’s. We missed out on the semi- finals by one goal but congratulations to the boys for reaching the Cross Country Runners finals.

Year 6 Boys Football v West Moors Our boys kept up their winning ways in the PEDSSA 9 aside league where we beat West Moors 3-0 thanks to a fantastic second half hat trick from Connor. We managed to keep possession in the second half to create some super opportunities that tested their keeper. Well played lads.

Year 7 Boys v St Michael’s Our Year 7 Boys played St Michael’s and narrowly lost 2-0. The boys played extremely well and implemented some fantastic passing to create numerous opportunities that on another day would have resulted in us scoring enough goals to win the match. An excellent first game of Year 6 Football Team the season for Charlie and Connor who danced through their defence upfront to create numerous opportunities.

Year 8 Boys County Cup v Highcliffe Our Year 8 boys played Highcliffe in the Quarter Finals of the Dorset County Cup. In windy conditions we battled hard; two goals from Dominic and some great saves from Aidan were not enough to prevent a 4-2 defeat.

Year 8 Girls v Cranborne We hosted Cranborne in the Year 8 Girls Football League and after a close start we managed to lead 1-0 at half time thanks to a superb free kick from Laura. We continued our momentum in the second half and Charlotte managed to copy what David Beckham did all those years ago with a goal from the half way line but this time it was on the full volley. Believe it or not she nearly repeated this but this time the ball bounced onto the cross bar. Olivia scored at the very end with a tidy finish and our girls were delighted with their victory.

Year 7 Girls PEDSSA Indoor Football Competition Our girls performed admirably at Canford in the annual indoor football competition. Overall we finished 4th out of 9 schools. The girls had some great victories and worked extremely hard. Tegan worked tirelessly and it was fantastic to see Chloe and Ellie play in their first matches.

Year 7 Boys Indoor Football Competition Our boys’ team also took part in the competition at Canford and finished second in their group to qualify for the semi-finals with fantastic victories against Lytchett and St Michaels. We unfortunately lost 3-2 to Poole Grammar but we came back from 3-0 down and were unlucky not to equalise and force a penalty shootout. In our Bronze medal Match we came back from 2-0 to force a 2-2 draw and finish joint 3rd with Broadstone. An excellent afternoon’s competition and Jack should be particularly proud of the way he played.

Indoor Cricket We entered two Year 8 Boys teams into the qualifying competition for the Dorset County Finals and I am delighted to announce that one of our teams qualified for the finals. Both teams defeated Parkfield School and then we had to play off against each other to qualify for the finals. Well done boys!