Archive for March, 2007

30th March 2007

Friday, March 30th, 2007

Body Popping Year 3

Year 3 performed their dance brilliantly at the ‘Lets Dance’ festival on Tuesday evening. Every one was impressed with and very proud of Year 3. Well done to all and thank you to Ms Busby and all those that helped on the night.

Cross Country Runners

Well done to all those children who took part in the Brighton Schools Cross-Country competition on Saturday. Coltrane Chead and Nathan Davis Winstanley from Year 6 and Kai Scott-Bridge, Molly Martin, Tabby Titcombe, Alice Mudie, Mia Ebdon, Georgia Ousley, Oscar Klein, Liela Vilirrubie and Amelia Thornton from Year 5 ran really well and were excellent ambassadors for the school. Thank you to all of you.

Easter Afternoon Tea

Once again we enjoyed a marvellous afternoon tea provided by the School Association. We had many, many Easter eggs donated for the raffle, which meant there were lots of winners. We also had a guess the weight of the cake competition. Two lucky winners took home a delicious cake each. Gary Shipp our Bike-it co-ordinator raised £25 for the school with his Easter Tombola. The winners of the Easter Hat competition are Mimi Waters Stewart, Jed Hughes in Year 2 and Daisy Carville in Reception. Well done!

Teachers Pet Competition

The Guess the teacher’s pet competition will run for a little longer after Easter. It is 50p to enter. Please ask for an entry form at the office.

We Have Worms!

We now have a Wormery in our garden. The worms are very busy making compost for us. Thank you to Paley O Conner, Nisha’s mum who arranged for our school to have the Wormery .

Fair-Trade Recipe Competition Winners

Kai Scott Bridge won the Fair-trade Recipe competition with his recipe for ‘Ren’s Wrap’. The prize was a Fair- Trade bag of Fair-Trade goodies. The class enjoyed a visit from Geoff the Chef who came in to help Kai cook up his recipe. Kai was assisted by Danny and together they produced a very tasty ‘Ren’s Wrap’ which was shared with Kai’s classmates and some staff members who were lured to the hall (where the cooking took place in true Ready Steady Cook style) by the delicious aromas swirling in the air. Runners up in the competition were Harrie Wells, Tabby Titcombe, Hannah Dunsmore, Sivan Schechner and Molly Simmons

After School Care

We now have two after school care providers who will collect from our school. ZiPPies who are based at St Bartholomews School offer after school care with activities, a snack and are open until 6 in the evening. They also offer care in the holidays except the May half term. Your child will bring a leaflet home with details today. You may also ask at the office for more details.

Starfish Kids Club also offer after school care and are based at the Baptist Church in Montpelier Place. Again, if you wish for further information please ask at the office.

Easter Holidays

We break today for the Easter holidays and return to school on Monday 16th April.

The Easter bunny has told me that he will make sure there’s lots of chocolate over Easter for everyone because Middle Street is his favourite school!

23rd March 2007

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

Year 3 Dance

Year 3 put on a stunning performance for us this morning in assembly. They performed their body popping dance for the whole school and year 3 parents. On Tuesday evening they will perform once again only this time they will do so on stage at the Dome at the very popular school’s dance festival.

School Association Afternoon Tea

We can’t wait until Thursday afternoon. We are already thinking about those delicious sandwiches and cakes. I am sure you feel the same. The School Association and school staff are looking forward to seeing you all at the Afternoon Tea on Thursday from 3.00pm

Easter Hat Competition

Children can enter the Easter hat competition by making an Easter themed hat to wear at the afternoon tea.

Easter Egg Raffle

Donated Easter eggs will be gratefully received at the office for the raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased from the office at 20p a ticket.

Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act

You are invited by Brighton and Hove Council in collaboration with BBC Southern Counties Radio to join a symbolic gathering on Brighton seafront to launch the commemorations of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

The commemorations will take place on the beach in the area between the old paddling pool and the Ellipse (Gemini Bar) at 3.00pm. For more details please contact jenni.lewin-turner@brighton-hove.gov.uk (tel no: 293907)

Red Nose Day

Ruby Webber in Year 6 managed to raise £25 selling her delicious homemade chocolate brownies for Red Nose Day. Well done Ruby.

Reminders

A reminder to all children not to bring chewing gum into school. Mrs Spencer is finding chewing gum trod into carpets etc and is finding it difficult to remove. Chewing gum is not allowed in school at anytime.

Please lock your bikes up to the bike racks. Please do not lock bikes to the wooden fence as they cause a dangerous obstruction. Please could scooters also be left out side at the bike racks and not hung on children’s pegs.

Please remember that only fruit or vegetables are permissible snacks at breaktime.

Change of Day for Basketball club

Next week Basket ball Club will take place on Tuesday not Thursday.

Net ball Coaching

Junior netball coaching sessions are available at Kingsway Multiplay in Brighton. The sessions take place evey Monday from 16th April at 5.00pm – 6.00pm. Each session costs £2.50. The sessions are run on a pay as you go basis. For more information please contact Nicky Salmon on 292570

Easter Holidays

School closes for the Easter break at 3.05 on Friday 30th March and reopens on Monday 16th April.

16th March 2007

Friday, March 16th, 2007

Festival Parade

After a few annoying problems we have been told we can now join the Children’s Parade. Mr Brazil will be leading the Samba Band and Mrs Purdy in Reception will be organising costumes etc. Please let Mrs Purdy know if you would like to help.

Violin Concert

We have a very talented group of children who are learning to play the violin. They will be performing with their violin teacher to the rest of the school on Tuesday 20th March at 1.30 Parents of the children performing are invited.

Guitar Teacher

Mr Brazil has arranged for a guitar teacher to come and perform for the children in an assembly. The assembly will take place on Thursday 22nd March. If children are interested in learning to play the guitar they can let Mr Brazil know after the assembly.

No Swimming

The final swimming lesson for year 5 will be on Wednesday 21st March. There will be no lesson on Wednesday 28th March.

Year 3 Class Assembly

Year 3 will be performing their fantastic dance in assembly on Friday 23rd March. They will then perform at the Dome Dance Festival on Tuesday 27th March.

Nursery visiting Fire Station

The morning Nursery children are looking forward to visiting the Fire Station on Thursday 22nd March.

Easter Tea

The School Association is putting on one of the fabulous and delicious afternoon teas on Thursday 29th March from 3.00. There will be Easter activities for the children, an Easter Hat competition and an Easter egg raffle. So please come along and help the school raise funds whilst enjoying yourselves.
We are now accepting Easter egg donations for the raffle.

Gardening Club

Mrs Purdy’s Gardening club will be selling bedding plants, herbs and other plants at the Easter Afternoon Tea.

Scrooge DVD

We have on sale in school DVD of the schools Christmas performance of Scrooge. The money raised from the sale of the DVDs goes to the School Associations fund raising account.

Acting Opportunity

If your child is interested in auditioning for a part in ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ (see last weeks Friday News) Please contact Pippa the casting director on the number supplied on the information sheet. I believe Pippa is holding auditions in the area this Saturday.

Petition for Safety Improvements in Boyces Street

Gary Shipp (Bike It Co-ordinator) and I are eager to make Boyces Street a safer street. We would like the council to make improvements to the street to restrict traffic and make it a safer street for the children of our school. We have put together a petition for staff and parent/carers to sign, which we can then present to the council. You can sign the petition at the office. Please help us to make the environment around the school a safe one.

Unwanted Graffiti!

I am very disappointed to inform you that we have found some rather unpleasant words scrawled on our lovely Story Telling chair in the playground. It happened during parents evening but I have no idea who the culprit is. We all have responsibility for ensuring the children respect school property what ever time of day they happen to be here so please, if you observe children (or adults) behaving inappropriately whilst on school property challenge them or come and ask for help.

INSET dates

A reminder that we have an INSET day (teachers training day) on Monday June 4th and the final INSET on Wednesday 25th July.

School Closure – Polling day 3rd May

On May 3rd the school is being used as a polling station for the elections and will close on that day for obvious security and safety reasons.

Easter Hols

School closes for the Easter break at 3.05 on Friday 30th March and reopens on Monday 16th April.

9th March 2007

Friday, March 9th, 2007

Waving at the Queen

Year 5 and Year 6 did some excellent waving at the Queen yesterday. The Queen had a chat with one or two Middle Street children before moving on to visit the Library. I do hope the Queen had time to return her library books during the visit. Members of the School Council enjoyed a special concert in the Theatre Royal, which the Queen and Prince Phillip also attended. Children and young people from Brighton and Hove’s Music and Performing Arts performed a selection of British music from the last 200 years. Zoe Ward from Year 4 was also at the Theatre as she is a member of the Brighton and Hove’s Music and Performing Arts choir who sung beautifully for the Queen. I believe there are a selection of photographs in today’s Argus, which you may like to take a look at.

Year 4 Assembly

This morning Year 4 entertained us with their well-performed show ‘Book Report.’ They showed us how they, as with so many Middle Street children, take naturally and confidently to the stage. Thank you for giving us all an amusing start to our day!

Bike Exchange

Gary Shipp was a bit sad that he didn’t have many bikes for exchange or to sell but he did enjoy his day with us yesterday. Dr Bike and Gary were able to provide some safety and maintenance tips to a few children at the end of the day. A big thank you from Gary to those families who did bring bikes in for exchange or to sell.

Gary Shipp Bike It co-ordinator will be in school again for Parents evenings.

Parent Consultation Evenings

We will be holding Parent/Carer consultation evenings on the following dates: 13th and 15th March. You should have received a letter from the class teacher with more information. If you have not received the letter please ask for one at the office.

Brazilian Football Tournament 16th March

A team of Year 6 boys and girls will be going to Sussex University Sports Centre next Friday to take part in a Brazilian Football Tournament. The team were picked as a result of their Brazilian Football coaching.

Easter Afternoon Tea 29th March

The School Association are holding an Easter Afternoon Tea on Thursday 29th March at 3.00pm in the school hall. There will be activities for the children to do, a raffle and an Easter hat competition. It’s going to be fun so do come along.

Wanted Library Volunteer

We are in desperate need of a parent/carer volunteer who would like to look after our school Library for us. The volunteer would need to give up a couple of hours a week to come in and tidy the shelves, use the Library computer system (very easy to use) to check in books and place books back on the shelves. If you feel you are able to help please pop in for a chat with either Mr Collins or me.

Congratulations to…

Robbie Clancy in Reception has received a runners up prize in the ‘Seedy Sunday’ Colouring competition.
Hannah Dunsmore in Year 5 won silver in her group at the S.E. Regional Gymnastics Championships and passed her Compulsory Level 4, last Sunday. Well done Hannah – what fantastic achievements!

School Closure – Polling day 3rd May

On May 3rd the school is being used as a polling station for the elections. For security reasons the school will close on that day. Many apologies for the inconvenience but the children’s safety is paramount. With the school gates open all day and the general public in and out of the building it would be extremely hard to guarantee the children’s safety.

Acting Opportunity

I have been asked by a casting director if we have any children who have acting expertise and would like to audition for a film ‘The Boy in Striped Pyjamas’. If you would like to know more I can pass on details to you. I know nothing of the company or of the actual casting director so it would be up to parent/carers to research and check the person and company out. The casting director’s name is Pippa Hall. Please contact me for further information if you wish.

Easter Holidays

School closes for the Easter break at 3.05 on Friday 30th March and reopens on Monday 16th April.

2nd March 2007

Friday, March 2nd, 2007

Queen’s Visit to Brighton

We are very pleased and excited to tell you that Year 5 and Year 6 will be waving to the Queen during the Queen’s visit to Brighton on Thursday 8th March. The children have a place allocated to them and their teachers in New Road where the Queen and Prince Phillip will be passing through. Mr Collins and I will also be accompanying the older members of the School Council to a musical recital at the Theatre Royal, which the Queen will be attending before her walkabout in New Road.

Scrooge DVD Now Available

Great news! We have on sale copies of DVDs of the Middle Street Christmas production of Scrooge. It’s a fantastic film of the show and well worth the £5 it’s on sale at. If you would like a copy of the DVD please place your order at the school office. Thanks to Brett Fancy for all his hard work and time producing the DVD.

Year 5 visit St Paul’s Church

Year 5 visited St Paul’s church during the week as part of their RE topic. The children lit candles in remembrance of the dead, explored the confession box and discussed prayer and praying.

Year 2 at Borders Books

Year 2 enjoyed their visit to Borders books on Thursday. They meet with Polly Dunbar the author and illustrator. Ms Moriarty tells me the session with Polly was brilliant. The children came back with some illustrations for their classroom and were all given a little bag full of goodies.

Year 5 and Year 6 meet Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Year 5 and Year 6 have been invited to Borders Books on Tuesday afternoon to meet with the authors Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.

Year 4 Assembly

Year 4 will be holding their class assembly next Friday (9th March) morning. Year 4 parents are welcome to join us for the assembly.

Coffee Morning

The School Association are holding their monthly coffee morning on Wednesday 7th March. Please come along for a coffee, biscuit and a chat. If you are a new parent/carer to the school it’s a great way to meet new friends and get to know every one.

Parents Consultation Evening

We will be holding Parent/Carer consultation evenings on the following dates: 13th and 15th March. A letter will follow shortly from the class teacher with more information.

Bike It

Gary Shipp our Bike It co-ordinator will be around for Parents evening. Gary is also holding a Bike Swap Day next Thursday 8th March. The plan for the Bike Swap Day is for children and adults to bring bikes to be checked over for safety and at the end of the day from 3.00 people can collect their bikes or sell or swap bikes. Gary has also arranged for Dr Bike to come in from 2.45 who will also give bike checks for free. Gary will send a letter home soon providing you with further information on this exciting event.

Parent Support Group Members Needed

If you are interested in joining a Family Support Group which begins meeting on Wednesday 7th March or want to find out more please contact Heather on tel: 707782 or email: heather.robinson@hoveymca.org.uk

Congratulations to…

Curtis Barrell Shearer in Year 3 has achieved 6th Kyu in the art of Wado-Ryu. Well done Curtis!
Georgia Ousley in Year 5 has achieved her Red Belt in Martial Arts. Well done Georgia!
Coltrane Chead in Year 6 who was on the under 11s rugby tour. They went to Bath and played 3 games. They won all 3 games and obviously a good time was had by all. Well done Coltrane!