Newsletter Issue 3
Ferncumbe Friday
Friday 5th October 2018
Cross of Nails Cycle Ride for The Diocesan Centenary
On Wednesday 26th September ten pupils from Lowsonford class and five adults cycled from Ferncumbe to Alveston CE Primary school with The Cross of Nails to celebrate the Centenary of The Diocese of Coventry. Here they recount their day…
We set off at about 10:30am on our journey with The Cross of Nails stowed safely in the back of Mr Johnson’s Land Rover, which was our support vehicle. Each pair of us cycled with an adult as we made the 14 mile journey along the lanes to Alveston. Most of the journey was flat but we had a few steep hills to climb! We had some great views on the ride. Luckily, Miss Morris had arranged for us to have a pit stop at Hampton Lucy CE Primary School, where we were generously provided with squash and biscuits. After this welcome break we set off again on the slightly easier second part of the journey. As we cycled past Charlecote Park we saw some deer wandering around the grounds.
When we arrived at Alveston, lots of the children were out in the playground and clapped and cheered as we entered the school. After a delicious lunch we had a service to formally hand The Cross of Nails to Alveston. We said The Diocean Centenary Prayer, sang some songs and said a few words as we handed over The Cross and some prayers that each KS2 class had written, and crosses that they had made.
All of the children got lifts back with Mr Johnson or Mr Geens and three of the adults - Miss Morris, Mr Bladon and Miss Hopkins - cycled back.
We all enjoyed the experience of doing the ride:
Lucas - “Up for it!”
Pepper - “I was privileged to do it and loved the reception”
Miriam and Teddy - “Proud to have done it”
Edward - “Exhausted “
Theon - “Loved the reception that we got at Alveston.”
Will and Harry - “Felt famous” with the reception that we got on arrival.
Eleanor - “Energetic”
Sam - “Achy”
Special thanks go to all the adults involved in making this memorable day happen – Miss Morris, Mr Bladon, Mrs Jukes, Miss Hopkins and Miss Robbins for cycling with us, Mr Johnson for driving our support vehicle and also for bringing us and our bikes back with Mr Geens, who generously providing return transport too.
Thank you also to both Hampton Lucy and Alveston Primary Schools for their support and encouragement.
By The Lowsonford Cyclists.
Rowington Class visit The Thinktank
On Friday 21st September, Rowington Class enjoyed an exciting trip to the Think Tank Museum in Birmingham. They took part in an illuminating Light Show, linking to their Science topic, Light and Shadow. They also used shadow puppets and explored the outside Science Garden which they decribed as, 'SO MUCH FUN!' There was also a Talking Robot and a Spitfire for the children to enjoy. Year 3 have retold the events of their trip through some fantastic comic strip writing in class.
Mrs Foss
Chedworth roman villa trip
Shrewley Class recently visited Chedworth Roman Villa in the Cotswolds as part of their topic on Romans. The day started with all the children dressing up as slaves and using a pestle and mortar to grind herbs for medicine bags. Efficient slaves could earn a belt, which was a real privilege in those times, and fortunately, all of our children got their belts too!
Following a very quick break, the children became archaeologists; looking at and handling lots of genuine Roman artefacts. Some lucky children also got to dress as Roman soldiers!
After lunch the children had a tour of the villa ruins. It was really interesting to see authentic mosaics and parts of the hypocaust heating system. Of course, the children were most interested in the toilet block! They learned to their horror, that visiting the toilet in Roman times was a social event without any privacy whatsoever. They were also rather disgusted by the level of hygiene - a sponge on a stick (which they shared!!) instead of toilet paper.
The whole class behaved brilliantly during the trip, a real credit to the school. Thank you too, to Mrs Cross and all the parents who accompanied us.
Mr Upton
Harvest Festival
A reminder that our school Harvest Festival will take place at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday 18th October at 9.15 am. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer an open invitation to all parents due to numbers. However, as it is Reception’s first visit to Church, Reception parents are welcome to come and watch their child’s debut performance - there will only be standing room available.
Children are requested to bring dried food/packets/tins to school on the 18th October, which will then be donated to Warwick and Leamington Foodbank. Here is an updated list of items that are most needed:
Longlife Milk
Instant noodles
Tinned spaghetti
Tinned vegetables
Steamed puddings
Loo rolls
Children will carry some of these items to Church. As in the past, we also ask that a coin is sellotaped to the top and any money donated given to charity. School Council will decide on the charity receiving the donation and you will be informed in due course of their decision and the amount raised.
Church harvest celebration
Harvest Festival will also be celebrated at the regular service at Holy Trinity at 10am on Sunday 14th October. All children and families are very welcome for a family friendly service; plus the church of St Mary Haseley will be decorated beautifully for its annual harvest flower festival for open for viewing (plus refreshments/local produce stall) 10am-4pm Saturday 13th and 10am -3pm Sunday 14th October. Do come and take a look, it really is magnificent.
The Book Fair will be in school from Wednesday 3rd October - Tuesday 9th October. It will be open after school until 4pm and during Parents’ Evening on Monday 8th October. Additionally, you can place an order via the school office (leaflets have been sent home this week). Every book bought raises funds for our school library.
Friends of Ferncumbe
Following the Friends of Ferncumbe AGM held on Wednesday 3rd October, I am pleased to welcome to the new committee:
Bally Maltby - Chair
Tamson Lepper - Vice Chair
Andrew Clark - Treasurer
Sarah Cleverley - Secretary
Further committee members include: MIchelle Cresswell, Becky Grant, Cathy Corby, Emma L, Miss Morris.
Please continue to support our school charity. Our next event is movie night (November 15th) and school council have come up with a fantastic list of movies to show for the night. Letters will be heading to you soon.
Friends
even More parent volunteers needed to hear readers!
Do you have a regular afternoon to spare? At Ferncumbe, we love reading! We're looking for parent volunteers to come into school to read on a one to one basis with our children. Don't worry, we'll show you the ropes, and we know our enthusiastic readers will love sharing their books with you.
If this is something you think you would enjoy, please contact the school office to let them know your availability.
look at our fabulous goalposts!
A huge thank you to one of our parents, Mr Corby, who spent all of Saturday painting our well worn goalposts, and also provided new nets. They are certainly being much appreciated by the children!
With best wishes for a lovely weekend,
Tracey Webb, Deputy Headteacher