Newsletter Issue 7
ferncumbe friday
Friday 13th December 2019
the apprentice
Years 2-6 succeeded in putting on two outstanding performances of ’The Apprentice’ this week at the Village Hall. Year 6 led the way with their amazing acting skills, and Years 2-5 were equally impressive with their enthusiastic singing and entertaining dance moves! We were so proud of them all and it was such a joy to see how much all the children enjoyed performing.
I’m gonna shine
We were also treated to two truly wonderful performances of ‘I’m Gonna Shine’ by Reception and Year 1 last week. The children were confident, enthusiastic, and looked fabulous in their costumes. I’m sure you enjoyed the show as much as we all did!
upcoming theatre trips
A huge thank you in advance to The Friends of Ferncumbe who are funding the cost of the coaches to take all the children in school on their annual visit to the theatre, next Thursday. Key Stage 2 pupils will enjoy a staging of ‘Peter Pan’ at Birmingham Rep, while children in Reception and Key Stage 1 are going to Warwick Arts Centre to see Raymond Briggs’ ‘Father Christmas’.
message from the chair of governors
I am writing this contribution to your last school newsletter of the term, indeed of 2019. I recall my parents and grandparents telling me as a schoolchild that time went so much faster when you are older, I can now attest to that, but I also recall as a child wishing term would go so much faster than it ever did. At last, I can sense the excitement that Christmas brings and hear them starting to say, holiday time is so very nearly here ....
The news from the Governors is mixed. Firstly I must say farewell to two retiring Governors. Chris Edmonds, one of our two Foundation Governors who was Miss Morris’s predecessor as Head and who has recently served as Deputy Chair; and Keri Hopkins whose relationship with Ferncumbe encompassed being a parent, working in the school office and a period as a Governor. I wish them both well and they have our heartfelt thanks for all they have done for Ferncumbe. At our early December meeting, we welcomed our new, Local Authority nominated Governor, Paul Wightman and a new Co-opted Governor, Sarah Asprey; both are parents of children at Ferncumbe. We are lucky to continue our great tradition of engaged parents in the oversight and running of Ferncumbe.
Miss Morris updated the Governors on her work on developing a proposal to create a Multi Academy Trust built around Ferncumbe. There is a lot of interest from other schools, but also with the political uncertainty, a reluctance to commit. Miss Morris will return to the school full time after Christmas whilst our efforts will now focus during the Spring term on converting this reluctance into a starter Academy proposal of at least three schools. Mrs Webb will also revert to her Deputy Head/Class teacher role after Christmas.
A number of financial challenges have emerged during this term that have and will eat into our reserves this year. So during the first few weeks of the Spring term a re-casting of our budget will become a priority, to ensure we are not operating a deficit budget. Governors and the Head are determined to do everything to protect the education-added elements that Ferncumbe offers its pupils, as well as the broad and good curriculum. We have been lucky compared to many schools that already have deficits to deal with and where they have had to cut services and jobs. I will update you on this work early in the Spring term.
I had the privilege of representing the Governors at the Reception and Year 1 Nativity Play and also the Years 2-6 Christmas Play in the last week. These not only showed the children at their best, but also the staff who had worked tirelessly to train, encourage, inspire the performances many of you saw. We are very lucky to have them all at Ferncumbe.
Let me finish by repeating the thanks I have offered before to the staff, Deputy Head and Head for working in very challenging circumstances this term with the building work disrupting so much. I am told it is due to be handed over any moment - I do not yet know whether that is optimism or fact on behalf of the builders! Also my thanks to the children who continue to make Ferncumbe what it is. Finally, my thanks to you Parents for the support, interest and involvement you have in Ferncumbe. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas.
Best wishes
David Lane, Chair of Governors
wwf adoption
This year in Wroxall Class, Mrs Grier has bought the class a WWF jaguar adoption instead of a gift each for Christmas. We will receive regular updates on WWF's work in the Amazon with these endangered cats and are using our creative skills to make infographics on them this week. WWF have a very easy adoption scheme for lots of endangered animals - the perfect present for the child who has everything!
just play sport
Due to a reduction in his staffing, Steve Kiernan (Just Play Sport) will unfortunately be reducing the amount of time he (and his team) works at Ferncumbe. As things stand at the moment, Gymnastics Club on a Tuesday morning will still run next term.
We are actively looking for a new provider and are hopeful that new sports clubs will be introduced at some point next term - we will let you know once plans are in place. We are keen to thoroughly quality assure any provider we do take on, which means that there may be some free sessions running.
Steve and Ben have played a significant role in delivering PE sessions and extra-curricular activities at school over recent years; we thank them enormously for their skill, hard work and enthusiasm.
An update from The Friends of Ferncumbe
We've made a great start to our fundraising efforts so far this year. The popular September BBQ to welcome everyone back after the summer raised a fantastic £658.55. Thank you to everyone who came along.
At our AGM we welcomed new members and were pleased to fill our Treasurer Role. Tamson Lepper has taken on the role of Chair for the year, Sarah Cleverley continues as Secretary and Helen Bonnar is our Treasurer. We always welcome new faces, so please feel free to come along to our meetings if you'd like to get more involved. Our next meeting will be on 23/01/20 at 8pm in The Falcon.
We were overwhelmed with offers to help out at the disco, so much so that not everyone who volunteered was needed on the night. However, there will be plenty more opportunities to help out at future events!
The Disco was a great success and was attended by over 140 children, making a profit of £498 before Match Funding. Look out for a letter in the new year detailing how you might be able to help us raise even more through match funding from your employers.
We have an exciting program of events to come, including Quiz Night for adults and a Movie Night for the children in February, Easter Bingo and a return of The Ferncumbe Ball on 16 May 2020 - save the date!
Finally, don't forget to come along to see The Ferncumbe Christmas Choir perform at The Hatton Arms from 6pm on 17th December - 50p from every mince pie sold there is being donated to The Friends of Ferncumbe and we will have collection buckets out on the evening.
We wish you all a happy and relaxing Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you at our events next year.
William (Yr. 2) and Oliver (Yr. 6) were in London during half term singing as part of the mass choirs in this recording, which was released last Friday. They were with Warwickshire Choristers and many other choirs from around the UK (the Fire Service Choir were next to them), rehearsing and recording with the English National Opera chorus and orchestra, along with Bryan Terfel and Leslie Garratt. It was quite an experience and an amazing thing for the boys to be part of.
The song is now released on Amazon and Google Play etc. where it will raise funds to help support those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas.
ferncumbe’s panto star!
Following a successful audition back in July, Lily is starring in ‘Babes in the Wood’ Christmas Family Panto at the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth. The panto runs from 18th December until 5th January 2020.
Further information and tickets can be found by following the link… https://www.priorytheatre.co.uk/productions/201912-babes
Lily started rehearsing in September and appears in 10 live shows; matinee and evening productions. She’s performing 8 dances and the finale and her first show is 19th December. All of us at Ferncumbe wish her the very best of luck. Only a few tickets left, so do hurry if you’d like to go along to support Lily!
With just a week of term left, may I take the opportunity of thanking you for your continuing support during what has been an extremely busy term for everyone.
Myself, Miss Morris and all the staff wish you peace, joy and happiness this Christmas.
We look forward to welcoming your children back to school on Tuesday 7th January 2020.
Very best wishes,
Tracey Webb, Head of School