Newsletter Issue 8

Dragon’s Den Special!

Year 5 and 6 were learning about Elec-tricity in Science last term, in a very hands-on and practical way. They decided to put their new skills into action by set-ting up a Dragon’s Den competition! Each group of 4 pupils created a design from scratch for a wonderful Christmas Deco-ration. Displaying incredible Growth Mindsets and trial and error, designs began to evolve over a period of a few weeks, culminating in their presen-tations just before Christmas. Mr Jones from DCA Designs in Warwick visited school for the afternoon and showed the pu-pils the range of new designs he has helped to bring about, from insulin pens to chil-dren’s toothbrush-es. Each group then presented their designs to Mr Jones and Mrs Grier, demonstrating brilliant scientific knowledge as well as fabulous ideas. From light-up trees and stockings, to a spinning gingerbread man and glow-ing sleigh, the children exceeded all ex-pectations and did themselves proud. Well done everyone!

E-Safety

As part of our computing curriculum, the children will be learning about e-safety and how to keep themselves protected online. With two-thirds of 5-7 year olds going online and 81% of children aged 5-15 having access to a tablet at home (childnet.com), it is important that we work together to keep children safe and acting responsibly online.

We would appreciate your support in discussing online safety with your child. Be-low are some links containing information about how to keep settings safe on your devices, understanding symbols for games and what they contain, as well as how to help your child remain safe online.

Websites for more information:

http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33/ find what PEGI (symbols on the back of games) mean

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/parents/ advice and information to protect your child

www.facebook.com/stayingsafeonline Coventry and Warwickshire run page with advice and tips

www.thinkuknow.co.uk – Visit the “Parent/Carer” Section and use the “Click CEOP” button to seek advice and report online abuse

www.childnet.com – Visit the ‘Know It All’ Section for an interactive guide about online safety

www.bbc.co.uk/onlinesafety - advice for parents for how to keep your child safe

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/curations/stay-safe child friendly videos

New school website

We are launching our new school website next week:

www.ferncumbefamily.co.uk

Key Stage 2 Primary Performance 2016

The Government recently published comparison figures relating to the performance of pupils in the statutory SATs taken last May by Year 6. Whilst test results are clearly only one measure of a school's success, we are extremely proud of our children’s attainment. In terms of the per-centage of children achieving the new and challenging ‘expected standard’ across all tested subjects at the end of Key Stage 2 we were in the top 20% of 231 Primary Schools in Warwickshire, and in relation to children performing at the ‘higher standard’ across all tested subjects we were in the top 15%.

Message from The Friends of Ferncumbe

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all from The Friends of Ferncumbe. We wanted to start the year by extending a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the children, parents, families and friends who continue to support our fundraising activities and events. From the BBQ, Movie Night, School Disco, Easter Bingo, Summer Fête through to the range of Christmas fund-raising activities we do, such as the children’s Christmas cards, the DVDs of the school Christmas performances and the calendars, you have helped to make each activity a great success. Most of all, you have helped us raise funds to support school itself and enhance the daily school life of our pupils.

Last academic year (September 2015 to August 2016) you helped us raise a fabulous £5,200 (after costs). This academic year since September, you have already helped us raise almost £1,000, and that’s not including cal-endar or DVD orders, which will add to that total. What a great start to the fund-raising year! Almost 80% of families ordered Christmas cards this year, which is incredible.

The money you help us raise goes to support some really great activities and causes in everyday school life. These include:

Regular Annual Friends of Ferncumbe Donations Towards:

Tools and materials for the pupil’s Enrichment activities
The cost of the coaches which take pupils to the Christmas Pantomime
A Christmas gift for each child (and then wrap them all up!)
The School Leaver’s Party.

Additional Friends of Ferncumbe Donations Made in the Academic Year 2015/2016:

Funds to support Bikeability sessions
Repairs for the Melissa’s Gift area
A new shed for school

A Friends of Ferncumbe Donation for The Pupil’s Own Choice of Use:

Last year, we donated some money for the children to decide themselves what they would like to invest in.

It was a very democratic process, organised through their School Council, and it meant that every child got the chance to have a say. They decided to buy the Monkey Bars which were installed near the adven-ture play area. Great choice and they have certainly been well enjoyed.

This year, the Friends of Ferncumbe will be allocating a further £1,500 to the School Council. They are cur-rently working with their fellow pupils to decide what they would like to invest in this time.

As you can see, your money and support makes a big difference. A huge ‘thank you’ from the Friends of Fern-cumbe for the support you have given us to date and we look forward to continuing this great work over the course of the rest of this Academic Year and beyond.

We wish you all the very best for 2017.

The Friends of Ferncumbe Committee

Tamson Lepper, Mike Dove, Cathy Corby, Claire Digweed, Emma Holdsworth, Gregg Smith

Message from Chair of Governors

James Kirby, who has served as a Parent Governor for over 6 years, resigned at the end of last term.

James has been an active member of the Governing Body and has used his skills, knowledge and commitment to support the school over the years. James has been Chair of the Resources Committee, Wren’s nest Governor and more latterly one of our two expert Finance Governors. Being a governor is not an easy task but James always approached each meeting or task with wit, fairness and the best interests of the chil-dren and staff foremost in his mind.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the governing body, to thank James for his service to the school and to wish him all the best for the future.

Parent Governor Elections

As a result of James’ resignation we will be holding Parent Governor Elections and a formal invitation for nominations will follow shortly from Miss Morris. If you would like to know more about being a Governor at Ferncumbe then you may find the following links useful:

What does a Governor at Ferncumbe do?

How do we work?

Becoming a Governor at Ferncumbe

Alternately, governors will be available on both Parents’ Evenings for an informal chat about becoming a governor and indeed any other questions you may have.