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Dear Parents, 4th July 2008
At last the summer holiday is here and everyone is ready for a well earned rest!
Sports
A busy term for the older children with cricket, rounders, tennis and sports day practice to fit around residential trips. The boys had a good cricket season and the girls, although they enjoyed their rounders matches and gained a great deal from them, know they now need to improve their fielding skills.
Sports days were great fun for all. The weather was considerate and everyone enjoyed the events. Many thanks to all involved for making both afternoons run so smoothly.
This has been another successful year for the Priory in the Wade Gymnastics Competition. In the Year 1 and 2 category we won first place as a team, and individual awards of; first Johnnie Hand, second Anouska Strahnz and third Ellie Blinkhorn. In the Year 5 and 6 category the team came second and George Riley came first for his individual performance. Unfortunately the Year 3 and 4 team was short of children on the day due to illness. Hopefully those children will be able to compete next year.
Judo students will be taking their gradings this coming weekend. Good luck to them.
Dance
Thank you to all the children who danced at the school fete. The dances were delightful and enjoyed by many onlookers. Thank you too for the helpers involved in putting the performance together. The dance exams were held last Sunday. Hopefully the results will soon arrive.
Music
To help celebrate the Banbury 400 Charter, St John’s senior choir joined with children from three other local schools to sing at the ‘Festival of Voices’ at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 24th June. This was a superb performance with the children singing eleven songs. Many parents have told me that they were extremely impressed with the event and the contribution that our children made.
The Saplings and Pre-prep concert was delightful and those of us privileged enough to see it enjoyed the performance a great deal. Although being sang to by so many dinosaurs was rather scary!
St Mary’s Church proved an ideal venue for the end of year concert. The wonderful acoustics helped us to appreciate what talented and confident singers we have. It was lovely that the children were able to enjoy each others performances.
Music exams for singing and individual instruments took place in June. We will publish the results as soon as they arrive.
Drama
Years 4, 5 and 6 pupils were invited to form part of an audience for two plays compiled and performed by fifth form pupils at Tudor Hall School as part of their GCSE exams. The plays were comedies with important messages: one concentrated on ‘stranger danger’ and the other on ‘global warming’. Both plays were excellent, as were the workshops that followed. This was an ideal format for highlighting two important issues and much discussion ensued.
Trips and Visitors
A variety of trips took place this term, including the annual Year 6 trip to France and once again, Year 2 held a fun filled Viking day. In April, Year 4 and 5 children joined with like classes from Milverton School and spent a week on PGL camp in Lincolnshire. This was a first for the Priory and it was a great success. The variety of activities was excellent and the week was filled with opportunities to develop problem solving skills, to encourage team work and to help children achieve personal challenges. PGL staff referred to our children’s excellent manners and their true grit! Even kayaking in driving rain did not dishearten them. I was very proud of them all.
Puzzle Day
Children from Reception to Year 6 took part in sessions with a puzzle specialist. The activities were designed to develop children’s thinking skills and to encourage team work. Great fun was had by all and the school purchased equipment to the value of £500. This will be used in thinking skills clubs next year.
Fund Raising
Year 2 children held a cake sale in aid of our chosen charity Helen and Douglas Hospice. They raised an incredible £55. There was also a non-uniform day which raised £150 for Katharine House.
Parents’ Association
The summer fete was a great success. The weather was perfect and so many people came and enjoyed all the wonders on offer. Thank you so much to all committee members for your hard work, to the many of you who helped on the day and everyone who donated gifts and promises. All in all £2083 was raised….a fantastic amount! Half of these proceeds will be given to Helen and Douglas Hospice, our charity for this year.
The AGM will be held on Tuesday 23rd September at 7.30. Please come and join the Parents’ Association, even if you cannot attend all the meetings. Last Saturday showed how much more successful events can be if enough people are involved.
Things to come in the next academic year…
Please check the school calendar for sporting fixtures. Bloxham School has kindly offered the use of its rugby facilities during the spring term, so it is hoped that Years 5 and 6 can begin rugby lessons.
Lunchtime activities
There will be a variety of activities on offer led by members of staff. These will be announced in assembly next term and will include the new thinking skills clubs. New school council members will be elected and meetings will take place throughout the year.
Music
Year 2 pupils have received violin lessons and Year 1 pupils have been taking recorder lessons as part of the school curriculum. This has proved very successful and will continue next year.
Traffic Survey
This week I met with Judy Kelly from the council. Judy leads the Better Ways to School Department. I gave her data of ways our pupils travel to school so that she can look at our needs. Sue Luckett and I will liaise with her across the summer. Roger Chamberlain is to approach Tony Brummell from Cherwell District Council, who is heading a parking permit scheme in Banbury. We will keep you informed of progress.
Staff
I am sure that you would like to join with me to wish David Richardson all the best for the future. David has been an excellent Director of Music and he has helped stage superb concerts over the years. He will continue to be part of Priory life as he will carry on teaching individual music.
Jackie Toyne is also leaving as she has to relocate due to her husband’s work. She has been a committed and caring Teaching Assistant, who has supported many Priory children. Thank you, Jackie.
Lizzie Wyles leaves us to marry Richard in August when she will move to Newbury. She has been a wonderful Year 3 Teacher and the children will miss her greatly. Good luck to the happy couple.
The new Year 3 Teacher will be Lynn Wilson and the new Music Director will be Becky Bignell. Many of you met Lynn and Becky at the Pimms Party. Both are very good teachers and I have every faith that they will settle quickly into the routines at the Priory.
As for me, sad though I am to leave, I believe that Susan Holding will be a first class Headmistress. I am sure she will be supported by the wonderful staff here, who will help her to enjoy her new role.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your children for your kindness during my time here. I would also like to thank you for the generous gifts I have received. I will wear my necklace with pride.
Many thanks
Sarah Clacher
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