St.

Andrews Church of England (VC) Primary School

Newsletter
Mill Race, Stanstead Abbotts, Nr. Ware, SG12 8BZ Email:admin@standrews323.herts.sch.uk Website:www.standrews323herts.sch.uk Phone 01920 870097

Newsletter 2 Spring 2014 Dear Parents and Carers, Time is flying by at a ridiculous speed and another packed week comes to an end! This week in our work on Respect, we along with Disneys rabbit Thumper, learnt that if we have nothing kind to say, it is better to say nothing! Like shaving foam from a can or the genie from the lamp, once unkind words are said, they cannot be unsaid and even a heartfelt apology doesnt take away the hurt! Respect involves a consideration of the feelings of others to treat one another as we would wish to be treated, or in Christian terms, to go even further and to love one another as Jesus loves us. Sometimes this is a hard task. We love our children, but they do not come with a rule book or a manual. We all do our very best, but there is no training for what is definitely the hardest job in the world and the biggest responsibility. Sometimes we just know that there must be an easier way! Now, help is at hand. This week you should have received an invitation to join The Nurturing Programme. This 10 week course is being run on Tuesday afternoons (21 st January 1st April) in the Bobtails building by Family Links, who aim to help us to put the jigsaw pieces together in order to get the best out of family life. Mrs. Lewis (Nursery) did this course when her children were small and recommends it highly. We are so convinced that the course will be helpful that we are offering both course and child care FREE to St. Andrews parents. Please speak to the Office ASAP if you are interested, at the time of writing 5 places remain. Family and friends of children in Year 5 are invited to join us for the first Class Assembly of the new term, next Friday (24th January) at 9.05am in the School Hall.

Friday 17h January 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS to Busy Bees who have recently been graded again as outstanding by Ofsted. The official report is packed with praise, stating that childrens progress and achievements are exceptional because teaching is outstanding. Partnerships with parents, carers and others are brilliant and enhance all aspects of childrens overall care and well-being. Children are extremely happy and content and enjoy a fantastic range of activities and experiences. Well done to all the Busy Bees team. If you would like to take advantage of such exceptional preschool education, there are places available on Mon, Wed, Thurs. and Fri. afternoon in the Nursery rooms. Please contact Lynn Taylor on 07710039128.

Attendance Matters: This weeks Star Attendees are Year 1. Well done to you all - enjoy your extra playtime!

Keeping you and your children safe...

This week one of our parents, suffered a nasty fall down the last few steps from the Junior Playground to the Year 4 path. There are handrails, the steps are yellow-lined, and the surfaces are coated with non-slip paint. Nevertheless, his feet just went from under him and it was a nasty fall. Please take great care when moving around our multi-levelled grounds especially in this cold, wet weather. We were really sorry to learn of the fall and wish him a speedy recovery.
Easter is coming! The Real Easter Egg is a Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg that contains an accessible version of the Easter story as well as chocolate chunky buttons. Costing only 3.99, each one sold includes a donation to Traidcraft, working to ensure that farmers and their communities in under-developed countries can trade fairly. If you would like to order one of these high-quality Easter eggs please do so via

From the Office: Thank you to all those who returned the questionnaires that were sent out last week. The Mathletics responses were overwhelmingly positive and as a result we will be ordering the program. There has been some additional interest in the Year 3-6 Physikids, however there are still some spare places. Challenge Sport are prepared to let children attend a one-off session as a trial next Monday 20th January. (Parents who have already paid will have a further session added next half term.) Any child doing this can express their wish for a particular sport to be included. St. Andrews Church will be holding their first Messy Church of 2014 this Sunday from 4pm-6pm. Lots of craft and finishing with a sit down tea! It's for all the family - parents, even grandparents. No cost, but the church ask that families book (on 01920 411924) so that they get enough materials in!! Broxbourne Theatre Company offer you one child ticket free with each adult ticket in the stalls for this evenings Puss in Boots (Book on 01992 441946). Bobtails are holding a Bingo Night on Friday 31st January in the School Hall. Tickets are 5 each and are available from Dawn Gardner (Years 1 and 4) and Teresa Crabb (Year 6). Mr. Fone, who teaches brass in school on Mondays has an unexpected vacancy for a junior-aged child to learn the cornet. An instrument is available for use. Please let the Office know if you are interested.
Welcomes this week to the youngest seven of our Nursery children who have now joined us, as well as to Olivia Barnett who has settled seamlessly into Year 2. We hope that they and their families will be very happy with us. Have a good weekend, Rosemary Woodall (Headteacher)