Read this newsletter in Adobe Acrobat format
or Word document



November 2007

1 Jeans for Genes Day
2 Reminders
3 Mini Tennis
4 Friends of Hawkes Farm
5 Making Good Progress
6 FAQs
7 Diary Dates
8 FoHF News

Dear Parents

Thank you to everyone who supported us at last week’s Ofsted Inspection. We were contacted on Monday afternoon, 29th October and informed that the Ofsted would take place on Wednesday, 31st October. As you are aware the Ofsted questionnaire to parents went out on the Tuesday with a prompt reply by 12.00 pm the following day! We were impressed with the number of responses – 61% and appreciated your support with the overwhelming positive comments.

It was an extremely encouraging and successful day, in which we were able to share and celebrate the school’s achievements. We are now awaiting the official report which should be with us within three weeks. I know that once this is published that you will join with us in congratulating the whole school community – staff, children, governors, FoHF and parents on its continued successes.

1 JEANS FOR GENES DAY
a) I would like to extend my huge thanks to everyone who supported the Jeans for Genes Day on 5th October. We raised £374.71. You can keep up-to-date with more information by visiting www.jeansforgenes.com
b) Our Harvest Festival celebration was once again well supported by the whole community. The food was delivered to Hare Lodge and Grangemead by the School Council children. We also raised £131.63 for Christian Aid.

2 REMINDERS
a) We do ask that you keep our children safe by NOT parking on the zig-zag lines outside the school.
b) Adventure Playground Equipment is for us during the school day 9.00am – 3.15pm when staff from the school will supervise the children. Please do not let your child/ren use the equipment before or after school.
c) All children need to bring a coat to school at this time of the year.

3 MINI TENNIS
Mini Tennis is tennis with mini rackets and sponge balls played indoors in the school hall. It is the ideal introduction to tennis before they try and qualify for Wimbledon!!!

6-WEEK COURSES are currently running on MONDAYS & FRIDAYS from 3.15 – 4.15 pm or 4.15 – 5.15 pm.
Come and watch this term if you would like to see it in action.
SPACES are available after half-term. Pupils on the current course will have priority to rebook.
COST £18.00 for a 6 week course (age 5 – 10 year olds)
There are currently a few spaces available (telephone Jenny Hughes on 01323 847665)

4 FRIENDS OF HAWKES FARM
Thank you once again to the huge response from parents to all involved with the FoHF. The previous committee have been extremely supportive in passing on relevant information to the new committee. My thanks once again to Melanie Izon and her team for all the effort and fundraising they put in.

Please take time to read the FoHF article which is part of this newsletter to find out what is going on.

Second Hand Uniform Sale - Wednesday, 7th November – 3.00-3.30pm Infant Playground (weather permitting)

Mufti Day - Friday, 7th December – support by contributing to the Christmas Fair (tombola or raffle prizes).
Mufti Day Theme – ‘Shades of Christmas’ red, green, white and/or gold.

Christmas Fair - Saturday, 8th December (2.00 – 5.00pm). If you are able to help, please let us know.

5 MAKING GOOD PROGRESS
If your child is in KS2, you should receive with this newsletter an information leaflet regarding our participation in a pilot study in which we will be trialling a new approach to assessment. Normally children are not awarded a confirmed national curriculum level until the end of the key stage, in Year 6. During the pilot we will be able to enter children for new single-level tests as soon as we feel they are secure at levels 3, 4 or 5 – in Reading, Writing and Maths. The first round of single-level testing will take place in December. If your child has been entered for a test at this time, you will receive a separate letter in a few days’ time.

6 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How is first aid administered?
When a child has an accident or hurts themselves, a trained first aider will administer first aid. All incidents are recorded in the first aid book. If a child bumps their head, they will have a ‘Bumped Head Sticker’ to alert other members of staff and parents that they need to be monitored.
Once the first aider has made an assessment, a decision will be made whether it needs to be reported to the classteacher and/or parent. In very serious incidents, the Head will be informed and the appropriate action taken, eg, contact parent.
We follow Government policy on the administration of first aid which means we are not allowed to administer cream or solutions, only water and cold compress.

Can schools administer medicines?
Schools decide if they wish to have nominated members of staff to support in the administering of medicines. At Hawkes Farm we administer prescribed medicines from the GP/hospital if required during school hours. Parents must complete a form giving details and permission for this to take place. Forms are obtained from the office.

Please forward your FAQs via the office and I will try and answer them in the monthly newsletters.

7 DIARY DATES
Tue 6/11 EDF Energy Talk Yrs 4/5/6
Mon 12/11 Year 6 IMPS training
Mon 19/11 Year 6 IMPS training
Wed 21/11 Fire Safety Training
Thur 22/11 “ “ “ “ “
Mon 26/11 Year 3 Roman Day
Wed 28/11 School Nurse – Autumn Born Health Checks
Mon 3/12 Years 5 & 6 – Big Sing at Winter Gardens
Fri 7/12 Mufti Day “Shades of Christmas”
Sat 8/12 FoHF Christmas Fair - 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Tue 11/12 Rec & Year 1 Christmas Play – 9.30 am
Wed 12/12 “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Thur 13/12 Year 2 Christmas Play – 9.30 am
Mon 17/12 KS2 Christmas Service – St Mary’s Church
Tue 18/12 Christmas Lunch
Thur 20/12 Last day of Term 2
Fri 21/12 INSET DAY

8 News from FoHF – PTA November 2007

Firstly, I would like to thank all the parents, teachers, carers and other supporters who 'stepped up to the plate' in order to rescue the school's PTA from the possibility of closure. We now have a very healthy and supportive Committee, both in terms of numbers and enthusiasm. I am sure the FOHF will now be safe well into the future.
Thanks also to my predecessor, Melanie and her team for all the hard work and their passion for raising so much money to the benefit of the school over the years, enabling some outstanding contributions from which all our children have benefitted.
Our first event is a rummage through the second hand uniform items on Wednesday, 7th November 3.00 - 3.30pm on the infant playground.

Then, we hope you will join in our various competitions, contributions of cakes and raffle ticket selling in advance of the Fair including our 'Shades of Christmas' Mufti day on Friday, 7th December. The theme is to wear red, green, white and/or gold in exchange for bringing along a prize that can be put onto the tombola stall at the school fair, which is on December 8th from 2pm to 5pm. The atmosphere will be created by Wealden Brass, Mr Yo Ho Ho (Father Christmas) himself will be dropping by, there will be plenty of pocket money stalls and you may even get a chance to win your Christmas turkey or your tree.
We are sorry that the Pumpkin disco wasn't possible this year due to time constraints, but we are hoping to fill that flat period after the excitement of Christmas with a New Year Disco instead.

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

It gives me great pleasure in announcing that publicity does pay off and that many of you out there do care that the FOHF-PTA continues! We had a great turn out at our follow-up AGM. So good to know that we have support! Thank you to all those members on the committee that committed their time and labour for last year and welcome to those who have come on board for this next year. Please welcome and acknowledge the following members that were voted into designated posts:
• Chairperson: Jenny Seale
• Treasurer: Sarah Callaway
• Joint Vice-chair: Mark Allen and Jazz Dixon
• Secretary: Jo Pudsey
• Teacher Liaison: Joann Bedford
And to those that have opted for ordinary membership: Rachel Wallace, Luke Boorer, Gary Alexander, Emma Houghton, Catherine Johnson, Gina Mills, Katrina Morley, Marianne Patel, Lynn and Pete Riggs, Alyson Smith, Jan Ward, Tamsin Webb and Debbie White.
FUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN RAISED SINCE LAST FOHF NEWS:
Second hand uniform sale: £31
Re-distribution of the School’s Events Programme: £26
Yellow Moon Spring Catalogues: £71
Charity box collections: £15
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
The friends are pleased to announce a further donation to the school of £4,700 to enable the COMPLETION of the school’s SECOND ICT suite. An official presentation will be made at our next major event.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
• Second Hand Uniform Sale: Wednesday, 7th November 3.00 – 3.30 pm
• Yellow Moon fundraising Catalogues: Distribution in the next week, via book-bags.
• Christmas Fair: Saturday, 8th December
• Recycling of inkjet cartridges or mobile phones: You can recycle your inkjet cartridges and mobile phones from home or work place. Bring them into school and drop them off in the box provided at the main entrance. All funds raised from this will go towards Friends’ projects.
NOTE: Should you like to contact the FOHF-PTA with any comments, information or support you may be able to offer. Please do so by dropping a note into the school office which will be put into the Friend’s pigeon hole for action.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish good luck and every success to the 2007/8 committee’s fundraising events.

Melanie Izon – Chairperson 2005 to 2007 (Retired)