Mordiford News RSS

The Italian Connection

2010-06-30T08:03:00.000+01:00

Mrs Broadbridge, Mrs Davies and Mrs Cooper went to Italy aspart of our Comenius Project. They were accompanied by children who stayed with local families.

Eco-Squad Update

2010-06-08T07:32:00.000+01:00

EcoSquad Reporters write: Eco-Squad is an after school club from 3pm – 4pm. We each take it in turn to meet at 2pm – 3pm with Mr Hill who helps us.

We have planted many vegetables in our vegetable patch and we water them daily. Eco also tries to look after the wild life in school. We have made mini-beast hotels and put up bird boxes to attract wild life.

We recycle all unwanted paper in school and it is our job to empty the recycle bins. We love to help nature and are excited about the next steps!

Wake and Shake Time in the playground!

2010-06-08T07:30:00.002+01:00

Year Six Hannah and Lewis report: Recently the whole school took part in a Wake & Shake exercise session after break. It was very unusual but very fun at the same time! The Wake & Shake club stood at the front with Mrs Amos and showed us what do. We did a variety of moments to get all our hearts racing ready for our lessons. We dancing to “Pump it up” it was a very upbeat piece of music which got us all going.

Harvest time for data

2010-06-08T07:24:00.001+01:00

Mr Foggo, a teacher from Bishop’s, has been working with Year 5 and 6 for some months. The children have learnt to collect data using data harvesters also supplied by Bishops.

Year Six wrote: "The science lesson with Mr Foggo was great! First he got some metal camping stoves and put one on each table Mrs Jeysingham set it up for us. Then he got some gas tanks for us, Mr Foggo connected it up for us. After that we got some food labels so we could look at FATS, CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEIN and SUGARS per 100kg. Then we got a wotsit and a piece of bread to find out which had the most energy. I burnt the bread! It took for ever to burn but the wotsit burnt easily. It was great fun!"

Here are a few photos.

Walk to School

2010-06-07T21:26:00.003+01:00

I am really pleased with the response that we have had to “Walk to School Week”. Over the past three weeks many children have arrived at school on foot. This has had many positive impacts: the congestion outside school has been reduced, the opportunity for communication and community engagement is increased as families joined together to walk, children are alert and ready for the school day.

Whilst the weather is good and these good habits have been established, please consider continuing with this into the next half term. I so appreciate that for some of you a walk to school is not an option for safety reason and fully support your decision. The safety of the children should always be placed first.

Health and Well Being Week

2010-06-07T21:25:00.004+01:00

We have had another very successful curriculum week. A big thank you goes to Miss Price and Mrs Amos who organised activities through the week.

A large number of parents joined us for walks, information evening (Secret Sugar Show and Fats for Life), wake and shake, picnic and cooking activities.

As part of the week we enjoyed Morris Dancing lessons. The photo shows Years 5 and 6 enjoying the fun!

Hannah in Year 6 commented: "Morris dancing was really fun! First of all we sat down in a circle while Tony (the Morris dancing teacher) introduced himself and showed us the basic rhythm of Morris dancing. Once Tony had gone through all the safety rules and learnt all about the history of Morris dancing, we all got paired up into partners. We all lined up in pairs down the field and we all leaned two dances of Morris dancing. It was quite tricky at first but eventually we all got the hang of Morris dancing and we enjoyed it thoroughly!"

Security

2010-06-07T21:23:00.001+01:00

Thank you to all of you with your patience while we have established some of our new safeguarding procedures.

Can I remind you all that everybody entering school needs to do so through the front entrance/reception where Mrs Gibbons or Mrs Hewitt will be happy to run through our Health & Safety arrangements and signing in procedures.

Any visitor/parent not wearing a visitors badge will be challenged by a staff member. This is very important in ensuring the safety of all children.

We are always very grateful to the big numbers of parents who help in various roles in school and ask that you continue to do so.

Attendance

2010-06-07T21:20:00.000+01:00

We are still working hard to increase our attendance figures which dipped as a result of illness and the severe weather earlier this year.

If there is occasion for you to take your child out of school for a planned absence it is essential that we know as far in advance as possible. The request should, in the first instance, be put in writing to the Head Teacher or Governing Body.

You will then get a response to your request within three days. In the case of request for holiday leave you will be required to fill in an additional holiday form. As a school we do not advocate taking you child out of school for the purpose of a family holiday.

Disability Equality Scheme and Accessibility

2010-06-07T21:19:00.001+01:00

As part of the DES (Disability Equality Scheme & Accessibility) plan for schools, Mrs Gregory would like to know please how accessible Newsletters and letters sent home are to parents and whether you would like them in a different format such as larger print.

Knowledge Bank (PTFA)

2010-06-07T21:17:00.002+01:00

I am really pleased that these events continue to come forward. Recently we have benefitted, through this scheme, from a Monnow Class Fire Station visit, Frome Class visit to Subway, Lugg Class bird box making, KS2 Morris Dancing and next term Pentaloe Class will be taking part in a Court drama organised through the Magistrates Court. Thank you to all those parents who help to make these things possible.

Tag Rugby Festival

2010-06-07T21:03:00.001+01:00

A very big well done to our Year 6 boys and girls who earlier this week became the WINNERS of the Herefordshire Tag Rugby Festival. Thank you very much to the group of Dads who worked hard with the children in after school rugby sessions and supporting Mrs Amos and the children on the day.

Lunch Duties

2010-06-07T21:01:00.001+01:00

Thank you to Mr Bryant, Mr Hick, Mr Stinton-Heeley, Mrs Macklin and Mrs Hince for helping at lunchtimes since the beginning of term.

School Security

2010-06-07T20:56:00.006+01:00

We regularly review our school security systems to ensure all children are safe. The back gate next to the playgroup is now locked until 8.35 when there is someone on duty on the playground. The wooden gate from the field towards the road will also be locked, as the field is used daily during the warm weather. If the children are using the play equipment at the end of the school day please ensure that they exit through the large brown gate toward the orchard, thank you.

Road Safety

2010-06-07T20:53:00.000+01:00

The children enjoyed our Road Safety show recently. It was very useful in reminding children of how to stay safe whilst using the roads. The speed sign has definitely helped with the speed of traffic passing school but the road remains very busy.

The safest place to cross the road is immediately outside the church gates where cars are not parked leading into the gateway at school. Children and parents can them easily walk through the staff car park and join the footpath as the gates are not locked.

Garden Project

2010-06-07T20:50:00.000+01:00

Mrs Lucy Wells and the External Funding Committee have once again been successful in identifying and securing funding to develop aspects of our school grounds. Awards for All has allocated money to the school to purchase a tipi for story telling/philosophy sessions and developing the school grounds with a wildlife garden, sensory area and outdoor musical instruments.

We are seeking advice on developing the grounds but are hopeful that later in the term children will be able to help design the garden and undertake some work outside. It would also be fabulous to have the tipi erected and used by children this term.

Sing Up Stop

2010-04-24T11:17:00.003+01:00

Mordiford School has pledged to try to achieve the Sing Up Gold Award.

Gold is award for developments in 4 areas:

People: encouraging everyone in the school to find their voice.
Skills: developing confidence and competence in singing skills.
Choice: providing opportunities for children to compose and enjoy a diverse range of repertoire.
Context: supporting the wider curriculum and school development aims.

Although no time limit is set on the journey process, it is envisaged that the Gold Award can be achieved within an academic year, regardless of whether or not they sing regularly.

Click here for full details.

We are singing in the playground each day with our 'singing stop'. This means that all children have the opportunity to sing at every playtime and lunchtime with Year 5 and 6 children.

Access to School During School Hours

2010-04-06T20:31:00.000+01:00

Due to Fire and Health & Safety Regulations we politely request that once the school day has started at 08.50 that access to the school is strictly via the main reception only. All children arriving late or leaving school during the school day are required to be signed in or out at the school office. Parents with appointments or attending activities are required to sign in and out of the school visitor’s book, which is kept in the school office. Also, please drop off any items for your child at the school office for a member of staff to pass on to your child. Thank you for your co-operation.

Summer Term News

2010-04-06T20:18:00.001+01:00

During the summer term children in Wye (Yr3/4) and Lugg (Reception) will be swimming on a Monday morning. We do ask for a contribution towards instruction of £10 for the term (please put payment in a marked envelope). If you would like to assist with these sessions please see Mr Sibcy/Mrs Davies, who have a helpers rota.

Year 3 & 4 will receive coaching for Tag Rugby and Year 5 cricket coaching. Year 4, 1 and Reception will be visiting Forest School next term. Year 1 first half term. Reception second half term and Year 4 for the whole week in May. Please look out for a separate letter from Mrs Parrett giving specific dates and times.

Year 5 will undertake a series of lessons with Hilary St Clair from Bible Explore during the first half of the term, exploring stories from the Old Testament.

Our curriculum week next term will be ‘Health & Well Being’ during the week beginning 24 May. If you have any ideas for this or think you may be able to help please see Miss Price or Mrs Amos who are organising this.

Our thanks go to Mrs Upham who organised the ‘Wear Wellies for Wildlife’ collection, which coincided with our welly throwing competition; £55 was raised for this charity.

I hope you have an enjoyable Easter break and we will see you all back in school on Monday 19 April for the start of the new term.

After School Clubs

2010-04-06T20:16:00.001+01:00

A reminder that there will be no After School Clubs the first week of Summer Term. A letter will be sent out at the beginning of term with new options to choose from.

Parking in The Moon Inn

2010-04-06T20:14:00.005+01:00

It has been brought to my attention that The Moon Inn car park has become increasingly busy. We are very fortunate in being able to use this facility and would hate to jeopardise this by abusing the good will of the current Landlord. Could I request that only those vehicles entering the village from the Woolhope or Fownhope direction use the car park, if the car park is full please exit the car park and park at the curb side outside the front of school. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter.

Choir

2010-04-06T20:12:00.001+01:00

A very big well done goes to our school choir who entered the Herefordshire Performing Arts Festival. This was our first competitive event. The choir received a merit for their performance, which I personally was very proud of. Well done to the children who took part and a big thank you to Mrs Oakley for all her hard work.

Attendance

2010-04-06T20:11:00.001+01:00

We have had a large number of requests for holidays during term time. This is having a negative impact on our attendance figures! Ofsted (the body which carry out school inspections) have attendance as a limiting judgment ie if attendance is only satisfactory then the school’s overall grade can be no better than good. I would ask all of you to think carefully before requesting time from school for the purpose of a family holiday. Time away from school adversely affects children’s progress and school’s data. The school’s target attendance is 97% and so far this school year we are down at 93.35%. Please can we make every effort to improve this next term.

Website updates

2010-04-06T20:06:00.001+01:00

The latest PTFA minutes are now available, and we have also uploaded some photos of a visit by our teachers to our link school in Spain.

Healthy Schools

2010-02-26T20:29:00.000Z

We are currently in the process of applying for Enhanced Healthy School status. We have
made alterations to our breakfast menu to ensure a healthy start to the day. A group of
Year 4 children have successfully set up the fruit tuck shop for a healthy mid morning
snack. Could I ask that you support this healthy approach to food in school by selecting healthy options for your child’s lunch box, limiting the amount of sugary, high calorie food? Good eating habits at a young age ensure a healthy attitude in adulthood.

Changes of Information

2010-02-26T20:28:00.000Z

Please could I ask that all parents keep the school informed of any changes to contact or medical details. It is essential that we have up to date information on how to contact parents in an emergency. We periodically send out both records for updating but should information change between these times could you please inform Mrs Gibbons in the school office, you can do this by visiting in person, e-mail or telephone. Thank you.