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December 2007

1 Charity Support
2 Friends of HF
3 Walking Bus
4 Adult ICT Course
5 Diary Dates
6 Message from Governors
7 FoHF News
8 Midday Supervisor Vacancy

Dear Parents

Our Christmas celebrations this year were outstanding. These began with the Big Sing at the Winter Gardens by the Year 6 choir. Then our youngest children’s performance of Whoops-a-Daisy Angel and the Year 2 performance of Mary’s Knitting. Thank you to Miss Porter and the staff for all their hard work with the children for making it yet another Christmas to remember.

The Junior Carol Concert at St Mary’s Church is always a festive occasion. Once again the children sang beautifully – we sang various carols and had performances from the violin and recorder players. Thank you to Rev. Tomalin who always has a Christmas message to us all.

REMINDER Term 2 Ends on Thursday, 20th December.
There is an Inset Training Day for Staff on Friday, 21st December.

1 CHARITY SUPPORT
Thank you to everyone who has supported the fundraising events this term. Feed a Kid for a Quid organised by the Quicken Trust was very well supported as was the collection for the RSPCA in Brighton.

2 FRIENDS OF HAWKES FARM
The new FoHF Committee worked extremely hard together in putting on a fantastic Christmas Fair. There were plenty of stalls for everyone and more children’s stalls on offer this year. We moved the seating area into the Junior Hall so they could be accompanied by the Wonderful Wealden Brass Band. They raised an amazing £2,700. Thank you to everyone for all your support and to the Committee and Volunteers for making it such a fun afternoon.

3 WALKING BUS
Just a reminder that the school ran an initiative earlier this year to make a special effort trying to at least, ‘Walk to School on Wednesdays’. I hope that you can help us to support this initiative and thank those of you who walk to school every day whatever the weather with obvious benefits to children, community and environment.

The School’s Walking Bus that runs from Anglesey Avenue is always looking for more keen walkers to keep the ‘wheels turning’ (you can join the bus at various points along the way.) ‘The Bus’ has been running for over three years now and as the older children and parent helpers leave we desperately need new volunteers for just one day a week to bridge the gaps.’ If you are interested, then please leave your details at the School Office.

4 ADULT ICT TASTER SESSION
A letter went out last week informing parents of another opportunity to find out about computers. The next session will start on Friday, 11th January at 1.15 – 3.15pm. You do need to return your form to the School Office as numbers are restricted to 15 for the first course. We hope to cover such things as computer set up (if any has a new computer at Christmas), internet & security, internet shopping and an introduction to software. It is a flexible ICT agenda, so you can come with your ideas to add to the list.

5 DIARY DATES
Mon 7/1 Start of Term 3
Fri 11/1 ICT session for parents (see above)
Thur 17/1 Flute recital for children in school
Tue 22/1 Flute Recital – meeting for parents 2.45pm
Thur 24/1 Clarinet Recital for children in school
(meeting for parents to be arranged)
Mon 4/2 Environment Theme Week
Tue 5/2 Re-think Rubbish Bus
Wed 6/2 Re-think Rubbish Bus
Thur 7/2 Quantum Theatre
Fri 15/2 Last Day of Term 3

Mon 25/2 Start of Term 4
“ “ Scholastic Books on sale
Tue 11/3 Parents’ Evening 3.30 – 6.00pm
Wed 12/3 Rotary Club Yr 6 Quiz – Marshlands School
Thur 13/3 Parents’ Evening 4.30 - 7.00pm
Fri 21/3 Good Friday (school closed)
Mon 24/3 Easter Monday (school closed)
Fri 4/4 Last Day of Term 4

Mon 21/4 Start of Term 5
Thur 24/4 Class and Team Photos
Mon 12/5 Year 6 SATS test week

REMINDER - Years 2, 3, 4 & 5 tests take place in Term 5

Tue 20/5 Year 6 Residential Trip to Blacklands Farm
Fri 23/5 Last Day of Term 5

Mon 2/6 Inset Training Day (staff only)
Tue 3/6 Start of Term 6
Mon 23/6 Healthy School’s Week
Tue 22/7 Last Day of Term 6
Wed 23/7 Inset Training Day (staff only)

6 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

By now I'm sure you'll have read the OfSTED report for the school and seen the coverage in the local newspapers. The report records grades for almost all areas of the school, but there is a significant gap - parents. I think this is a little unfair as an outstanding school depends on a partnership between children, the staff, parents and carers.
I'd like to say thank you for your contribution to the school. The letter to the pupils said that the they "all behave extremely well ...". We know that good behaviour starts at home and is reinforced and supported by the school. It also said that that they "... make excellent progress in their work ...". Again we know that you contribute by listening to your children read, and by finding them time and space to do their homework regularly and punctually.
The children arrive at school on time, bright and happy. The Inspector wrote of the "... pupils' enthusiasm to learn ..." and again, I know that this is an attitude fostered at home.
You also contribute in many other ways, including your support for the Friends Of Hawkes Farm, initiatives such as the Walking Bus scheme, by volunteering as parent helpers in the classroom and helping with the after school clubs.
So for all that you do to help make Hawkes Farm the outstanding school it is, thank you.
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas.

Michael Hardwick - Chair of Governors

7 FRIENDS OF HAWKES FARM NEWS – Dec, 2007

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!

The FOHF team hope you enjoyed the Christmas Fair and we are glad you all chose to brave the appalling weather to support it.
Thank you very much to all those parents and their partners that were involved in providing the muscle and energy in the preparations the evenings before and clearing afterwards. Years 5 and 6 really got into the spirit of things and did a fabulous job of running, and sometimes creating, their own stalls. It was lovely seeing so many of our teachers involved too.
And, what about that grotto eh? I am sure Father Christmas will come again if he gets a home-from-home like that every year. It was a real treat that he brought 'Kevin' the unknown reindeer along too.
The FOHF Committee had a great time putting the Fair together for you and your family and we are all looking forward to creating that fun atmosphere again next year.
We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to Mrs Cobb and Mr Driver who provided a tremendous amount of help and support throughout. There were so many offers of help, such that we were not able to use everybody - but we do have your details and hope that we can call upon you another time.
Here is the bit you really want to know... with your help we raised a staggering net figure of £2,700. Well done everybody.
When we next meet we will be deciding how the money raised will be best used; on a few small projects or on one big one. You can be sure that we will be planning more events in order to achieve these goals, and be assured that at all times we will endeavour to maintain the emphasis on the 'fun' of fundraising.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jenny Seale (Chair)
on behalf of your
Friends of Hawkes Farm School

8 MIDDAY SUPERVISOR NEEDED
We need a Midday Supervisor to work on Thursday and Friday each week from 11.55am – 1.10pm. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the school and find out what other career opportunities are available. The closing date for this post is Friday, 11th January, 2008. Application forms and details are available from the school office.

Thank you once again for your support this term. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours sincerely

Mrs V Cobb
Headteacher