Helping children be the best they can be Dear Parents, Governors and Children,

OUR NEXT HOLIDAY We break for half term on Friday 10 February at 3.30 p.m. and re-open on Monday 20 February at 8.45a.m. There are NO training days attached to this holiday. BALBY BOOKWORMS There was a young bookworm called Billy Who thought reading was terribly silly He could count 1, 2, 3 And sing ABC But would much rather sit and watch telly! Can you help us show Billy how interesting and exciting the world of books can be? We would be grateful of any donations of books, comics, magazines or annuals that we can use in school to set up our Balby Bookworms club. All materials should be in good condition please, as they will be read, hopefully, by lots of our club members. Donations can be handed in to our collection point on the morning of 31st January, 1st and 2nd February. We will remind you nearer the time, but please start hunting out those unwanted written treasures and watch this space for information and news about Balby Bookworms! P E KIT REMINDER Now that we are back to school and the spring term is in full swing, please dont forget to make sure your child has both indoor and outdoor P E kit with them every day. If the weather is fine, dry and not too cold we often take advantage of the PE lesson to go outside and get fresh air while keeping fit, so please make sure your child has the right kit, and it has their name inside. Thank you. LEARNING ABOUT INDIA Hello, our names are Jabjoot, Parkash and Gurmere Singh. At school we are working with Mrs Singh and we are enjoying learning about the country India . We are also going to start entering small facts that we learn about India in this newsletter. If you would like to come and join us or even have any new suggestions, we would be delighted to hear them.

UPDATE TO EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES We are experiencing difficulties at the moment contacting parents when their child is ill, or left behind from an after-school club or activity. Please make sure, if you change your mobile number, or even move house, that you let school know. Thank you. HEAD LICE IN SCHOOL Head Lice are always a problem in schools and we are always open to suggestions to combat them and find ways to eradicate them. Karen McTiernan has kindly forwarded information which she feels is worth sharing with parents who are faced with this problem. It relates to Nitty Gritty combs.

'Nitty Gritty combs are a very good brand to use, although they are expensive. However, you can get your Doctor or Health Visitor to prescribe them free of charge. You will need to go online to the netmums site at the following web address http://www.netmums.com/your-child/preschooler/common-childhood-ailments-nits or alternatively directly to .<http://l.nmimg.net/ch/smilies/icon_wink.gif> ' and print off a letter requesting it be prescribed to you.

CROSSING LITTLEMOOR LANE AND PARKING We now have a new Crossing Patrol Warden, so please impress on your children that they should use the warden when they try to cross the road. Again we are asking that you park sensitively when you bring and collect your children, bearing in mind not blocking our neighbours drives or double parking and causing problems for children trying to cross the roads. Additionally, please do not park ON the pavement, as buggies and wheelchairs need the space on the footpath, as well as it being dangerous for children if you try to drive on the path. Thank you for your co-operation.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NEWSLETTER We are encouraging the children to contribute to our weekly newsletter with stories, pictures and items of interest they have done in the classroom our outside school. The contributions this week are from Year 5, Green & Yellow classes. Look out for more class contributions in the coming weeks

Eve of the War Noisy missiles heading towards Horsell Common, BANG, BANG, BANG BANG! Noise everywhere, from ground to cloud, spacecrafts hovering and firing random coloured lazers on house after house. People bursting into flames and becoming incinerated by the alien destroyer. Fired by the alien captain himself, the evil green general of big green heads, from outer space. The Martians should be travelling back to their home planet, Mars and not bother us anymore.

The invasion was terrible; everything was turned to either fire or ash, flat as a steam roller flattens the ground. Everyone just ran for their lives as fast as they possibly could, trying to sprint away from the colossal, green, alien Martian bobble heads. By Dominic Bow

Eve of the War

Lights, lots of lights, filling the night air above houses, trees reaching as far as you could see.

Green, red, black, the colours that filled the sky with a sizzle like the sound of burning food. BANG! Missiles aiming for Earth, but more terrifyingly Horsell Common! By Ella Cullen ~ Sims

In year 5 we have been invaded by aliens from Mars. We have been listening to the musical version of War of the Worlds and imagining it happening very close to home. The following are possible conversations people could have if Martians had landed in Westfield Park. So have you heard the news? Said Kyra. What news? That an alien spaceship has landed in Westfield Park. I doubt that! Yeah but you doubt everything. Just dont be ridiculous! But this might be real. I bet you any money it isnt. Its been on the news. I think its true. Yeah but any little kid could have told them! And you expect to believe that? Well, you know what people are like these days. I do! Well shall we check it out then? Ill be over in a second. Ive just got to get my bike.
Neve Welburn