Newsletter Issue 4
Ferncumbe Friday
Friday 19th October 2018
haseley class visit warwick castle
Year 1 had an amazing first school trip to Warwick Castle last week for our topic, Castles, Knights and Dragons. We learnt so much about the castle and its history.
First, we climbed Guy’s tower, which is 500 steps to get to the top. At the top of the tower, we could see through arrow slits and around the battlements, just like knights and other castle protectors would have done all those years ago. When we got to the top of the highest part of the tower, we could even see across the land, the town of Warwick. It was really nice to see that far away!
Next, we saw some of the shows they put on, like the trebuchet shooting show, the bowman’s arrow class and the birds of prey show. We found out lots about protecting the castle and about the many species of birds that Warwick Castle have.
One of the last things we did was walk over what used to be the moat and drawbridge to get to the Great Hall. In the Great Hall, we got to see lots of different types of armour and the rooms that have been in the castle over the years. We even saw King Henry VIII and his six wives, and Miss Forbes told us lots about their history too. We can’t wait to learn more.
Just a quick thank you to our parent volunteers who were so helpful to us on our trip, we really could not have had such a lovely day without you!
Miss Forbes and Haseley Class
online guides for all parents
Warwickshire is offering three FREE online courses for expectant parents, new parents, and parents of infant and children up to the age of 18 years old. These courses - which are available to ALL Warwickshire parents, grandparents and carers - are designed to build knowledge and confidence.
https://apps.warwickshire.gov.uk/api/documents/WCCC-630-1247
hatton class go pumpkin picking!
Hatton Class had a super pumpkin picking trip on Monday afternoon. Tristan the tractor picked us up from school and took us on a bumpy ride to a field, full of bright orange pumpkins. All of the children had to choose a pumpkin that they could carry, which was quite a challenge in a very muddy pumpkin patch! Then we took our pumpkins back on the tractor for a trip up the road to Hatton to feed the goats and sheep. The children also had the opportunity to hold the very lively guinea pigs. Then it was time to head back to school on the tractor. On Tuesday we made soup with a Hatton pumpkin and baked our own bread to go with it.
Huge thanks to those parents who accompanied us on our trip.
Mrs Stephenson and Mr Kitney
ferncumbe songleaders
Ferncumbe were offered the opportunity, along with other schools in Warwickshire, to become a Singing Playgrounds school. So on Tuesday, Miss Forbes and a range of children from KS2 went to the workshop at Coten End Primary to be trained on all things Singing Playgrounds. The children, who will now be known as Song Leaders, had a lovely day learning all about the singing games and activities that they will get to run in their responsibility of being a Song Leader.
On Wednesdays, the Song Leaders will head out into the playground at lunch time with a singing game to play with the other children, and eventually, everyone will know the songs too. The children had such an amazing attitude throughout the training day, doing as much as they could to take in the new things presented to them and taking the opportunity to mix with the other children at the training as well. Overall, it was an amazing day and the children, both Song Leaders and back at school were excited for this to start! Stay tuned for updates on our journey to becoming a Singing Playgrounds school!
Also, a quick note to say thank you to our parent volunteers who came along to support, who joined in with all the games and activities in the day to make this a much more memorable and happy experience for all the children involved!
Miss Forbes
thank you!
Thank you for your harvest donations yesterday. The display of produce in Church was truly stunning, and provided a wonderful backdrop to the variety of harvest related performances given by each class.
The money raised from coins taped to the top of tins will go towards the Helping Hands Community Project, a charity which is about local people helping local people in need. People are offered support and opportunities to help them feel better about themselves, be more active in the community and get back into work.
Friends of Ferncumbe Update
MOVIE NIGHT - THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2018
Friends of Ferncumbe are delighted to announce that movie night will be held on the evening of Thursday 15th November at Ferncumbe School. This event will be supervised by Miss Morris and a team of parent volunteers.
This year, we will be showing 4 different films and the first movie will start at 5pm. It’s always a fun evening and the children love snuggling down in their pajamas / onesies to watch a movie with their friends.
Timings and full booking details will be released next week, but please save the date!
Friends of Ferncumbe
fortnite
National Online Safety has teamed up with MusicAlternative to launch a Fortnite online safety song to share with the whole Ferncumbe school community!
The song encourages parents and carers to "stay switched on" to online dangers when their children are playing Fortnite. We hope you love this video just as much as we do. To have a listen follow the link below…
Christmas Tree Festival
Following the success of a similar event in 2016, Holy Trinity Church, Hatton are once again hosting a Christingle, Crafts and Christmas Tree Festival on Sunday 9th December 2018.
Local businesses and community organisations are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree which will be displayed in the church for the event on 9th December and then throughout the Christmas period (or until the sponsor reclaims their tree if they wish).
The trees are 4ft real trees in stumps supplied by Barn Close Nurseries and sponsorship cost is £35 for businesses and £20 for charitable/community organisations.
If you have (or know someone who has) a business or organisation you would like to promote in the local area, please email vandenbergangela2@gmail.com for further details before the end of October.
The Ferncumbe CE VC School is committed to supporting the training of new teachers coming in to the profession. Working in partnership with the Gateway Alliance and the University of Warwick we provide placements and training opportunities for those training to teach. We offer these through the School Direct teacher training programme within our school.
School Direct is a school-led initial teacher training (ITT) programme that provides a fantastic experience if you want to train and learn ‘on the job’. You’ll be part of a school based teaching team from the very start, receiving intensive support from experienced teachers and mentors. You will access an outstanding academic programme of study at the University of Warwick which will support you to understand the theory behind teaching, whilst developing and practising your skills in school.
Gateway Alliance are now recruiting to begin training next academic year. For more information, and details on entry requirements, please visit the Gateway Alliance School Direct Partnership website at https://gatewayalliance.co.uk/school-direct/
With best wishes for a lovely weekend,
Tracey Webb, Deputy Headteacher