Newsletter Issue 2
ferncumbe friday
friday 27th September 2019
goodbye mrs newsome!
Today we said goodbye to Mrs Newsome who, after almost 20 years as a Learning Support Assistant, has left Ferncumbe to take on a new challenge outside of education. She is our longest serving staff member and, as such, has supported hundreds of children during her time with us. Mrs Newsome has also seen numerous changes to the school - when she started working at the school Ferncumbe was a small school of 45 pupils!
We thank Mrs Newsome sincerely for all she has contributed to Ferncumbe over the years. We are all very sorry to see her go and wish her the very best for the future. She will be much missed by pupils and staff alike, and we look forward to welcoming her back whenever she is able.
ferncumbe’s school council
Our new School Council representatives have been elected and held their first meeting of the new academic year last Thursday. Year 6 comprise the committee (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Publicity Officer and Treasurer) and there are also elected members from each class. School Council is of high priority in school and one of the means by which pupils’ ideas, comments and suggestions are clearly heard. Meetings are held fortnightly and at last week's meeting, amongst other things, the children discussed their new roles and responsibilities and also whether we should hold a Christmas Jumper Day! They all voted in agreement that there should be one! Further information will follow but the date is set for Friday 13th December.
Please do have a look at their notice board in the corridor, the upkeep of which is maintained by the children.
ferncumbe’s very own climate change teacher!
Congratulations to Mrs Grier who, over the summer, completed a course run by an organisation called UN CC:Learn in partnership with Harwood Education, to become a ‘Climate Change Teacher’. It is their aim to have an accredited climate change teacher in every school across the country, if not the world. A global community is developing, where expertise and support are being shared. The modules included Climate change and Children, Health, Cities, Gender and International Legislation.
The whole school community is so looking forward to Mrs Grier sharing her passion for, and expertise in, Climate Change!
parent governor vacancy
We currently have a parent governor vacancy. If you think you might be interested, please find further detailed information about a school governor role here - https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/whatdogovernorsdo
Please get in touch with the school office for an application form if you are interested in applying, or have a chat with Miss Morris or Mrs Webb. Our Clerk to Governors will also be happy to answer any queries via the following email address - governors3210@welearn365.com - which is also where applications should be emailed by Friday 11th October.
Alternatively, paper copies can be returned to the school office, addressed for the attention of Clerk to Governors.
BBC Music Day!
As part of our link with Singing Playgrounds and Ex Cathedra, we were invited to Warwick School to celebrate BBC’s Music Day with them. A group of KS2 pupils, along with Miss Forbes, Mrs Newsome and our parent helpers spent the morning working with the Ex Cathedra team in a workshop.
It was filmed for the BBC and was livestreamed to the Ex-Cathedra facebook page! Please follow this link to see the whole event! https://www.facebook.com/excathedra/videos/576377179568185/
Miss Forbes
spare PE kit and uniform
If you have any size of outgrown or spare PE kit at home (including pumps) please do send them into school so that they can be used as spares. Hatton Class (Reception) would also appreciate any donations of school uniform which could be used as spare for our youngest children.
Any items of PE kit or Reception size uniform should be sent in to the school office - they will be very welcome and put to good use.
birthday books!
Thank you to those parents who have celebrated their child’s birthday by purchasing a book for their class to share together. A book or even a playtime game is so much more impactful than sweets or treats!
Year 1 children have been thoroughly enjoying this book donated to them by the Deakin family!
ks2 reading passport
Parents of children in Key Stage 2 will have received an email this week about the relaunch of our Ferncumbe Reading Passport. The passport is specifically designed to encourage pupils to read a breadth of literature, whilst having fun and developing a love of reading.
enrichment volunteers
If you are able to support our sewing enrichment group on a Thursday afternoon from 2-3 pm. please do contact the school office. You don’t need to be an expert sewer, just willing, enthusiastic and prepared to support the children during the activity!
twinning project
If you get a chance do think about attending the event below, in Leamington Spa. There will be a variety of our children’s artwork on display.
With very best wishes for a lovely weekend,
Tracey Webb, Head of School