Horspath Church of England Primary School Blenheim Road, Horspath, OXFORD OX33 1RY Tel/Fax 01865 872702 email: [email protected] Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Medley Chair of Governors: Mr James Askew

Half Term Value: Responsibility

Dear Parents, We have come to the end of a very busy first half term and I think we all deserve a rest - especially the children, who have worked incredibly hard. We have packed in a lot over the last 7 weeks. Highlights have been the percussion workshop (please head to the website for pictures), the harvest festival and the Macmillan coffee morning. Thank you again for your generous donations. Next half term we will be gearing up to Christmas so we’ll be even busier - watch this space for more news. Have a lovely half term holiday and remember the clocks go back on Sunday 27th October.

Pumpkin competition We were incredibly impressed with the number and quality of pumpkins for our pumpkin decorating competition yesterday. Thank you to everyone who took part. All of the pumpkins were excellent and the judges had a very hard task choosing the winning entries. Congratulations to the two Foundation/KS1 and KS2 winners!

Yenworthy dates 2020 For those currently in Year 5, the Year 6 residential trip to Yenworthy will be 14-18 September 2020.

Bikeability forms Just a reminder for all Year 5 parents to return the Bikeability cycle training consent forms to the school office as the deadline for us to return them is 11 November. We have spares in the office in case you need another form.

Letter from music service Is your child learning an instrument? Do they currently play in a Music Service ensemble? Playing an instrument is fun, but playing in an orchestra/ band/ group multiplies that enjoyment and takes your child so much further!

There is a great opportunity for your child to be part of an ensemble locally at Thame Music Centre. This is run at Barley Hill School on Saturday mornings in term-time, from 9-10.30am. We explore a fantastic range of music with children from all over East Oxfordshire and are looking for new members to join us!

This activity is FREE for the first term, for children learning an instrument through Oxfordshire County Music Service. If your child does not fall into this category, the fees are just £52 for the term.

Apply online here; https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/music-service/music- groups/saturday-morning-activities/thame If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me; [email protected]

Dates for your diary

DATE TIME EVENT Monday 11th November 11.00 am Remembrance Day service at war memorial (Willow only) Tuesday 12th November All day NHS flu vaccinations at school Friday 15th November All day Children in Need (details to follow) Monday 18th November 3.30 pm onwards Parents’ evening Friday 22nd November Afternoon NHS eye tests (Acorn) Friday 6th December (tbc) 3.15 pm onwards Christmas fayre Monday 9th December 2.00 pm Acorn nativity play Wednesday 11th December 9.30 am Acorn nativity play Wednesday 11th December 5.00 pm School play Thursday 12th December 5.00 pm School play Friday 13th December 1.30 pm Pantomime (at school) Wednesday 18th December 12.00 pm School Christmas dinner Thursday 19th December 1.30 pm Term ends Monday 6th January 2020 All day Inset day (school closed) Tuesday 7th January 8.45 am Term starts

Family assembly will take place at 2.45 every Friday up to the end of term (except Friday 13th December, which is the provisional date for the pantomime).

Wishing you all a very pleasant and restful holiday.

Mrs Rachel Medley