WINTERBOURNE VALLEY CE VA FIRST SCHOOL

A message from Mrs Horne, Headteacher

In the last edition of the Parish Magazine I mentioned the work we have been doing in school about Rights and Responsibilities. By encouraging the children to remember their responsibilities to be caring, considerate, communicative, courteous, confident, co-operative and conscientious we continue to ensure our school remains a happy, safe and fair place to be. A Rights Respecting Day in school was held on April 9th and this was followed by an Exhibition in the school hall of the work carried out by the children. The Exhibition was visited by many parents, teachers and children from other schools in the Dorchester Area and by Mike Hilary and David Powell from the Local Authority.

The following week we had a visit from Mr Peter Barton, Education Officer from UNICEF. Mr Barton spent a morning talking to children in all year groups who spoke about their understanding of rights and responsibilities. We have since received a super report from UNICEF confirming that we have been successful in achieving Level 1 Rights Respecting School status. Mr Barton reports:

‘The values and language of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are now an established part of daily life at Winterbourne Valley First School. All sections of the school community – children, staff, parents and governors – are fully aware of the school’s commitment to the UNCRC and all it stands for. Importantly, as a Church of England school, the links between the UNCRC and the core moral messages of the Christian faith have been endorsed by the school and highlighted for the children.

The children describe how the adults who teach and support them make use of the language of ‘rights, respect and responsibility’. They report that the introduction of the language and values of the UNCRC has made a positive impact on relationships, with one pupil expressing the view that ‘We are kinder to each other’. Another pupil said that the views of children are now taken more seriously and they have more opportunities to express their opinions about school. The values of the school are very inclusive and the children express strong values of respect for cultural and ethnic diversity. This is now underpinned by their understanding that all children have a right to their own beliefs and values and to be safe and cared for. The children report that there is no bullying at the school and everyone feels very secure.

Wnterbourne Valley First School Summer Fair

Thankyou to everyone who supported and helped our well attended Summer Fair on Saturday 5th July. The rain held off until the very end, by which time all the burgers and sausages had been cooked and sold by our BBQ king - Mr Peter Kelsall. Thankyou!

Everyone had a relaxed and enjoyable time, especially the children. The school's Trim Trail was officially opened at Midday - thanks to the fathers and friends who raised the money by rowing from Weymouth to Lulworth a couple of years ago. It was a fantastic achievement to raise enough money to build this as well as being able to donate half the money to CLIC.

The amount raised from the Summer Fair was £320.00. so again, thankyou everyone.

The AGM for Parent, Teacher and Friends Association of Winterbourne valley First School will be held in the school hall at a date to be confirmed. It will be a Cheese and Wine Evening. The new committee will be elected and everyone is most welcome. Anyone with ideas for events or is able to support us in other ways - please contact myself on 01305 889197.

Lorna Miles (Chair)

Torchlight Procession

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the torchlight procession around the fields of Martinstown. Over 50 people turned up which was fantastic and the children all enjoyed themselves. Luckily the weather stayed dry although wellie boots were needed through the fields.

We finished at the Brewers arms with a warm welcome from John and Jackie, much needed on a cold November night, so thank you. A big thank you also to the BBQers who were busy cooking hot dogs and hamburgers in the pub garden ready for our return. We all needed the warm food and a drink.

Funds were also raised on the night for the PTFA of Winterbourne Valley School which will be spent on the children. Thank you once again and hope to see you all next year!

Tessa Ferguson  - Secretary PTFA

ACTIVITIES

SPORTS

We have also been very busy taking part in a number of sporting events recently. This month I have asked Harry Buttle and Andrew Ennals, who took part in all three events, to write for the magazine to tell you all about how we got on:

On April 27th 2008, Winterbourne Valley First School took part in a Biathlon at Clayesmore School.  We had to swim 25 metres and run 400 metres. There was a boys team with Harry Buttle, Andrew Ennals and Adam Kirby and a girls team with Millie Hallet, Melissa Abbot and Lily Loader. Overall both teams came 4th, although the girls team came 2nd in the run out of 10 teams, and the boys came 3rd in the run out of 6 teams.

On May 6th there was a swimming gala at Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre. In the girls team there were Anna Elford, Lilly Loader, Melissa Abbot and Pheobe Unwin.  In the boys team there were Harry Buttle, Andrew Ennals, Lewis Wortley and Edmund Shackleton. We swam relays, and both Harry Buttle and Andrew Ennals swam individually.

On May 10th there was a football tournament at Cerne Abbas. There were teams from Piddle Valley, Charminster, Manor Park, Cerne Abbas and Winterbourne Valley. Our team had Lewis Wortley, Adam Kirby, Christopher Clarke, Edmund Shackelton, Andrew Ennals, Harry Buttle and Angus Gaukroger. We came 4th out of five. Andrew Ennals won a medal for Player of the Team and Lewis Wortley was Team Captain. 

Congratulations to all those who took part and thank-you to all parents who helped to support these events.