LJS News Michaelmas Quarter, Issue 62, 4 November 2015

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Dear Parents and members of the LJS community,

Welcome to the November issue of the LJS News.

I do hope that you have all had an enjoyable two weeks during the mid-term break. It really was wonderful to see everyone back at school on Monday having had an opportunity to recharge their batteries in readiness for the busy Christmas Quarter ahead.

There are a number of special visits and events taking place during November with visits to Duxford, Sulgrave Manor, St Peter's Church, Peterborough Cathedral and the AmeyCespa Recycling Centre in store for the children and there are also plenty of opportunities for parents and friends to get involved with activities at LJS too. The Reception modelling workshops are always great fun, the PFA Christmas Market will afford you the chance of a spot of Christmas shopping and I would particularly like to draw your attention to our Remembrance Assembly on Wednesday 11th at 08:35. All members of the LJS community are very welcome to come and share in this special assembly.

Mark Potter mp@laxtonjunior.org.uk

Direct line: 01832 277274 Twitter: @Head_LJS Facebook: www.facebook.com/laxtonjunior

The Griffin Club: Out of Hours Care for Laxton Junior School children. Monday to Friday: 07:30-08:25 and 15:45-18:00

griffinclub@laxtonjunior.org.uk or 07858 429033

Main Information for Parents this Month Friday 6th November – Music: Prep Strings Day - 12:00-19:00 Monday 9th November – Year Six visit to Duxford and American War Museum at Madingley Monday 9th November – Reception Autumnal Clay Modelling Workshop 14:30 Tuesday 10th November – Year Three visit to Peterborough Cathedral Wednesday 11th November - Remembrance Assembly - 08:35 Wednesday 11th November – Infant swimming Come and See Thursday 12th November – Year Five visit to Sulgrave Manor

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Friday 13th November - Non-Uniform Day - Children in Need Friday 13th November – Bag2School collection Monday 16th to Friday 21st November – Anti-Bullying Awareness Week Monday 16th November – Reception Autumnal Clay Painting Workshop 14:30 Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th November - Scholastic Book Fair Friday 20th November – PFA Christmas Market Monday 23rd to Friday 27th November - Children's Christmas Shopping Friday 27th November - Year 6 Music Assembly - 08:35 Tuesday 24th November – Year Four visit to AmeyCespa Friday 27th November - House Matches Friday 27th November - Books Home – English Monday 30th November – End of Quarter Assessments begin Monday 30th November – ABRSM Exams

Staffing Miss Jessica Williams It gives me great pleasure to be able to tell you that as of Monday 2nd November, Jessica Williams has taken on the role of Key Stage Two Teaching Assistant following Mr Devitt's move to Hampton Vale Primary School. Miss Williams knows a number of the children through the Griffin Club and is already greatly enjoying her new role in our Junior department. Miss Williams will remain as part of the Griffin Club team alongside her KS2 Teaching Assistant duties. I am sure that you will all join me in wishing Miss Williams all the very best in her new role.

Reception Clay Modelling Workshop On Monday 9th November, the Reception children will be making autumnal models out of clay. Parents, grandparents, family members or friends of Reception children are invited to attend the workshop and to help with the modelling. Painting will take place the following week. I am very much looking forward to seeing the children's efforts. Remembrance Day Assembly We will be holding a Remembrance Day Assembly on Wednesday 11th November at 08:35. You are all most welcome to attend. As usual, we will be selling poppies in aid of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. These will be brought round to each class during the reading periods and Form Times from Thursday 5th November until Tuesday 10th November. If the children would like to bring in a donation for The Poppy Appeal, they will be able to buy a poppy from one of the Year 6 children when they visit their class. Children in Need - Non Uniform Day On Friday 13th November, the children are invited to come to school in their own clothes and are asked to make a donation to Children in Need.

Bag2School This Quarter’s collection will be at 10.00 on Friday 13th November. Your children will be bringing home a bag on Monday 9th November so, if you would like to make a donation to this fundraising venture, please could you return the bag to the Junior Entrance for collection on Friday 13th.

Items that can be collected by Bag2School: Men’s, Ladies and Children’s clothing

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Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) Handbags Hats Bags Scarves and ties Belts Soft toys Travelling Book Fair Laxton Junior School will once again be hosting a Book Fair provided by Travelling Books. With plenty of titles to choose from there is sure to be something for everyone. Plus, every book you buy helps us to earn free books for the school. Gift vouchers can be purchased at a discount from http://shop.travellingbooks.co.uk/categories/Book-Fair-Vouchers/ You can print an email voucher to give to your child or bring it in and use yourself. We will also accept cash, cheque, or credit card. The Fair will be held in the Junior Entrance on Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, and Friday 20th November between 12.30 and 1.00pm and 3.30 and 5.00pm. The children will be able to browse or buy during their lunch break, or adults can come in after school to supervise purchases or to do a little Christmas shopping themselves. Parents' and Friends' Association Christmas Market The Parents' and Friends' Association have once again organised a Christmas Market for the parents of LJS and the wider Oundle community. The event will take place at Laxton Junior School between 13:30 and 16:30 on Friday 20th November. There really should be something for everyone and I would encourage you to attend the event if you are able. Please note that Clubs will take place as usual on this day. Outdoor Clubs Outdoor clubs will continue as normal throughout the Christmas Quarter. However, when the nights draw in and the darkness makes the outdoor Clubs impossible, the staff responsible for the outdoor activities will make alternative indoor arrangements. At this time, should you prefer to collect your child at the end of the school day instead, please liaise with the member of staff leading your child's Club in advance. PE/Sport Attire – A message from Mr T On behalf of the PE staff, I would like to express my thanks to those children and parents who have begun this academic year in such an organised fashion. It is noticeable how smart each class looks as we make the transition into the new style PE kit and how much pride some of the children take in their appearance. Can I also take this opportunity to refer all parents to the uniform handbook when looking to purchase items of clothing for sport? In particular, it would be most helpful if all would conform to the predominantly white trainers rule and, as the weather may soon get colder, the need for all pupils to have a tracksuit available in school. Senior School Open Days Oundle School's next open day is being held on 30th January 2016. For an invitation, please contact the Admissions' Office on 01832 277125

M J Potter November 2015

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Calendar of Events for November 2015

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Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun 2 08:25 Christmas Quarter commences Instrumental lessons and After School Activities start 13:30 - 14:30 Yr 5 visit to St Peter's Church

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4 14:30 Hockey U11A, B, C, D v Wellingborough (A) 14:45 Rugby U11A, B v Stoneygate (A)

5 Hockey: IAPS Tournament at Ashford School (A)

6 08:35 - 09:00 3A Class Assembly 09:00 - 10:15 Y3: Cripps Library visit 12:00 - 19:00 Music: Prep Strings Day

7 10:00 Hockey U11A, B Kimbolton (A)

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9 Yr 6 visit to Duxford 14:30 Reception Autumnal Clay Workshop

10 Y3 visit to Peterborough Cathedral

11 08:35 Remembrance Assembly Swimming: Infant Come & See 13:00 Hockey U10 Tournament Witham Hall 15:00 Rugby U11 U8 v Grantham Prep (H)

12 Yr 5 visit to Sulgrave Manor School Council Meeting

13 Children in Need non-uniform day IAPS Hockey Finals Day 10:00 Bag2School collection 12:30 Music: Come & Play: Singing

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16 14:30 Reception Painting Clay Models Workshop

17 08:30 - 09:30 PFA Committee meeting 13:15 Yr 6 to visit SciTec

18 Travelling Book Fair (lunchtime and after school) 15:00 Rugby U11A&B, U10A&B v Magdalene House (H) 15:15 Hockey U11 v Witham Hall (A)

19 Travelling Book Fair (lunchtime and after school)

20 Travelling Book Fair (lunchtime and after school) Hockey: IAPS Reserve date 12:30 - 13:00 Music come & play: Strings 14:00 - 17:00 PFA Christmas Market 14:30 Y1 Visitor: Kay Harrison re Christingle and The Children's Society

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23 PFA: Christmas Presents sold at lunchtime

24 PFA: Christmas Presents sold at lunchtime Yr 4 visit to AmeyCespa

25 PFA: Christmas Presents sold at lunchtime 15:45 Hockey U9A B Witham Hall

26 PFA: Christmas Presents sold at lunchtime School Council Meeting

27 PFA: Christmas Presents sold at lunchtime 08:35 - 09:00 Yr 6 Music Assembly 13:15 Rugby, Tag Rugby & Hockey House matches (pm) 15:45 - 15:45 Books home - English

28 Hockey U9 Witham Tournament

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30 Assessment Week Music exams ABRMS

1 Dec Assessment Week Music exams ABRMS

2 Dec Assessment Week Music exams Rock School 15:00 Rugby U11A, B, U10A, B v Witham Hall(H) 15:30 Hockey U11A, B Stoneygate (H)

3 Dec Assessment Week Music exams Trinity

4 Dec Assessment Week Music exams Trinity 13:15 Rugby & Hockey House matches Reserve date After School activities end

5 Dec

6 Dec