ROUND DIAMOND SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2008
CELEBRATING OUR HEADTEACHER’S AWARDS
SUCCESSES
Twelve Year 5 pupils took part in a Cross Last half term I was delighted to present awards
Country Competition at Fairlands Valley Lakes. to the following pupils:
All the children managed to finish the course with
Holly Amott being our fastest girl and Joshua Churchill, Melissa Parry,
Wesley Brown being the first boy over the finish Freya Ford, Mikee Loizides,
line from Round Diamond. Well done to all the Ashley Woolhead, Rebecca Jull,
children, and in particular, Holly and Wesley. Reece Day, Clare Holtham,
Ellie Ward, Amy Barrett,
A group of Year 5 and 6 boys and girls also took Sophie Swain, Cillian Mills,
part in a Tag Rugby Festival. There were Dylan O’Donnell, Jordan Allardyce,
20 schools with a total of 200 children. The Daisy Scott, Reece Elliott,
children won two matches and lost 2 matches (but Dasha George-Ochelli,
only marginally). They were an excellent Thomas Newman, Aaushi Kaur,
example of good sportsmanship. Tom Sanderson, Abbie Leake,
Daniel Matthews, Bethany Pelling,
Our Gardening Club was awarded Gold in the Erin Campbell.
school’s section of the Stevenage in Bloom
competition. The courtyard garden was praised These awards are very special and are given to
by judges for its well kept and attractive children who have made a significant
appearance and the multi-sensory tiles created by contribution to the school or who have shown
Year 6 pupils were greatly admired. exceptional performance in an aspect of the
curriculum. They could also be given to
children who have made a huge improvement
over the last half term or who consistently show
a positive attitude. The children and their
parents should be very proud.
DINNER MONEY KINGSWOOD SCHOOL
JOURNEY
Dinner money must be paid in advance, please In the middle of last month, our Year 6 pupils
ensure all dinner money accounts are cleared. went to Kingswood in the Isle of Wight. The
Dinners for this half term - £59.50 children took part in a wide range of adventurous
(£1.75 per day) activities including karting, abseiling and caving.
£12.25 for 7 Friday Fundays. Enormous fun was had and wonderful memories
Free meals must be applied for each academic created. The children were very well behaved
year by phoning 01438 737370. during the week and represented the school well.
HARVEST FESTIVALS
Both our Harvest Festivals were very well supported by parents, and the children enjoyed presenting their
learning and reflections about water. The Ministers from Great Ashby Community Church, who attended our
two assemblies, praised the children’s behaviour very highly both for the assemblies on the Thursday and the
workshops on the Tuesday. I was very proud of how well they sat, listened and joined in. Thank you also for
your generous donations to the Samaritan’s Purse “Turn on the Tap” appeal. Round Diamond School has
helped to make a real difference to the lives of others.
EVENTS THIS MONTH
On Tuesday, 4th November the children were engaged in a range of activities to promote their learning about
other cultures. We will be displaying this work in our corridors and main hall so please pop in to look at it.
A theatre company are visiting the school on Friday, 7th November and they will be performing the pantomime
“Excalibur” to the children in Years 2 to 6. Our Year 1 pupils will be travelling to North Herts College to see
Peter Pan performed by the college drama students.
Pret-a-Portrait are holding a family portrait session in school on Saturday, 8th November. This is the company
who took our class and individual photos this year. The photos are contemporary and fun. Ask your children
about the photo sessions and they will tell you about the fun they had actually posing for the photos. To book a
session for your family, please phone 0800 021 7626. The sessions last 30 minutes per family and will be held
in Monet classroom.
FAMILY ART CLUB PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOURS
We are hoping to arrange a family Art Club We are pleased to welcome Fiona Benjamin,
for parents/carers/grandparents to attend with Protective Behaviours Trainer, to Round Diamond
their children. This will be held weekly after School on Wednesday, 10th December from 1.30 –
school and one adult can attend with one 3.15 pm. She will be talking to parents/carers
child. As we need to ensure that we have about “Protective Behaviours”. This is a practical
adequate numbers to run the club, could you down to earth approach to personal safety and
please phone the school to register your building self-esteem. We have run several courses
interest. If you wish to discuss this further for children in the school and they have benefited
please phone Jane Grange who will be happy enormously. All parents/carers and friends
to answer any questions. welcome.
DATES FOR THE REST OF THIS TERM
There are lots of things already planned for this term. Please see the
dates below and please join us for your children’s assemblies.
We have a Parent Drop In each Thursday morning 9am – 10am. It is an opportunity to
chat informally about any childhood issues. This is hosted by Vaneessa Sudan, Inclusion
Co-ordinator and Jane Grange, Behaviour Support and Family Liaison Manager.
7th November Pantomime for Pupils in Years 2 – 6
8th November Family Photo Day
18th November Y1 Science Workshop
19th November Governing Body Meeting 7.30 pm
20th November 3.05 pm Picasso Class Assembly
21st November Y4 to Hendon Museum
26th November Toy Box Museum to visit Year 1 classes
27th November 3.05 pm Constable Class Assembly
1st December Parents Evening 4.00 – 6.30 pm
4th December Parents Evening 6.00 – 9.00 pm
10th December KS1 Christmas Show 2.00 pm
11th December KS1 Christmas Show 6.00 pm
11th December Kingswood Assembly
12th December Father Christmas visiting
12th December Foundation Stage Party 1.15 – 3.30 pm
(NO MORNING NURSERY)
15th December Foundation Stage Show 2.00 pm
16th December Foundation Stage Show 10.30 am
16th December Christmas Dinner
17th December Entertainers Perform to the Children
18th December School Christmas Parties
19th December Term Ends 2.15 pm
Spring Term 2009
Monday 5th January – Friday 3rd April 2009
Half term 16th – 20th February 2009
Summer Term 2009
Monday 20th April – Friday 17th July 2009
Half term 25th – 29th May 2009
SCHOOL CLOSED Monday 4th May 2009
SCHOOL CLOSED Monday 1st June 2009
Deborah Godbold