Dear Parents,

What a wonderful term we have all enjoyed! A huge congratulations must be extended to everyone at The Mead, staff and children for all that has been achieved since September and to all our parents who have supported the children so magnificently in so many fields - academic, music and sport. The length and breadth of this letter I hope will give a taster not only of the many successes gained both inside school and in the wider educational field but also the richness and variety of the children’s everyday school lives at The Mead. Let us never forget that a happy, secure and fulfilled child is one who will have the confidence to extend their personal learning to reach their potential and beyond.

THE NEW BUILDING.............

Is truly wonderful and we are revelling in it! The two J1 classrooms are spectacular and enormous, light, bright and a fantastic learning environment. The dining room is proving to be a marvellous multi function asset with a terrific atmosphere. In time my office will move into the new room behind Elizabeth and my current office can become a meeting room and a billet for Debbie Latty and Bron Cowdrey. It is hard to believe that this time last year it was all a rather seedy patio with a dilapidated porta cabin!

RISE AND SHINE BREAKFAST CLUB

We will be starting our “Rise and Shine” Breakfast club at the start of next term. Anita will be serving a breakfast of cereal (porridge when cold!), toast, fruit juice and fruit between 7.45 and 8.15 for a cost of £2.50 per day. Children may arrive at any time during this half hour and will be signed in to the club. They will then be supervised by Anita and staff until 8.25 when they will be sent to their classrooms for 8.30. Should they finish eating prior to 8.25 they will be expected to read or use the time sensibly to complete homework or mental arithmetic books whilst staying in the dining room.

May I remind parents that staff are not expected to be in their classrooms or on duty prior to 8.30.

COMMUNICATION

We are always looking for ways to improve our methods of communication and ensure everyone is aware of school activities. Elizabeth is brilliant in ensuring the noticeboard outside the main entrance is kept up to date and the bulletin board on the website is updated weekly. It is also worth checking your child’s bags regularly, for ‘child post’ is famously erratic particularly in the Junior School. The class parent meetings in the first half of term proved to be very helpful for both staff and parents and I feel are a positive start to a new year and class for everyone. Equally the informal parent consultation arrangement has been very well received by many of you and is an initiative we will continue.

To end the term I hope you find the traditional school reports both informative and helpful. Next term we will hold the traditional more formal parent consultations which will mark the half way point of the school year. Please remember staff are always here to help and don’t hesitate to make an appointment should you wish to speak to your child’s teacher or myself. This can be either by telephone or in person.

PROSPECTUS

We have just had ten thousand new prospectuses delivered! There are some on display outside my office and inside Elizabeth’s. Do take one to read or pass onto a friend!

CLASS ASSEMBLIES

Once a week assembly is taken by a class and each class is expected to take assembly once a year. These are always special and I am delighted that many of you have been given the opportunity to enjoy a repeat performance. The confidence and openness of the children’s delivery, together with a joy of sharing shine through; the whole school support and love these occasions. This term’s presentations include J2’s thoughts on modern communications, J3B explored Gravity and the life of Isaac Newton ending with a quiz to test we had been listening! J1 were Vikings and J4 shared their thoughts on what J4’s should be! Reception Infants B, who are only completing their first term in school, gained huge applause for their ‘Home’ assembly. We look forward to even more next term.

PRAYER GROUP

This group meets about twice a term. The prayer box situated by the front door is for the use of everybody in our community, children, staff and parents. It is checked regularly so please use it should you wish; equally if you would like more information about the group please ask Elizabeth.

ART SUCCESS

Mead children love Art at every level and we were thrilled when Lana Gillah won the ISA London South Art Competition last term. Her beautiful water colour was forwarded to the National ISA Art competition and was awarded Highly Commended in the U11 2D category. Many congratulations.

CHARITY

Always an important part of school life. Our children are so lucky and are particularly sensitive to those less fortunate. Much is organised within the houses as you will read, but we have also supported Barnardo’s raising £1,357.48 by growing beans, the Soup Kitchen through Harvest gifts, Operation Christmas Child and the annual Poppy Appeal. Thank you parents for supporting your children in their endeavours.

HEAD LICE

Since taking a really pro-active stance against these beasts we seem to have enjoyed the cleanest spell yet! I suspect however that whilst winning this battle the war is far from won so please remain aware and on guard. Keeping hair short or plaited has been the key so please book a trip to the hairdressers before the start of term and/or ensure you have plenty of bands!! Ideally hair should be off the ears and collar for these are the favourite hiding places.

A Culley

CLASS NEWS

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

Following our extensive alteration and refurbishment programme we have enjoyed a wonderfully busy term. The two Kindergarten classes now share a large, bright space, which is divided into smaller work areas including a literacy area, role play, construction and sand and water. The new space has been carefully planned to enable the children to access resources independently and enjoy a richer play experience. We also have the added advantage of direct access into the new dining room!

We look forward to Emma Harrold joining us next term as our new assistant. Emma has had three children through The Mead so knows us very well!

If you have not done so already, please pop in and visit us – you will be made very welcome!

L Pincott and J Ovenden

RECEPTION INFANTS

Reception have had a very busy but fun first term.

We have learnt the Letterland character names, letter sounds and songs. We have finished Number Zoo and can write numbers 0 – 10 beautifully and can count to 20 with growing confidence. Fourways Farm is loved by all and has taught us many scientific facts from reflective surfaces to how chocolate melts. Yummy! We visited Wilderness Wood and found signs of Autumn and fungi. Everyone enjoyed our Diwali Day … particularly the poppodoms and mango chutney. We are now getting ready for Christmas … plenty of glitter, sparkle and surprises.

Have a super Xmas holiday and we look forward to a fun packed and exciting Spring Term.

Rosalyn Bucklitsch and Jane Morgan.

TOP INFANTS’ FIRST TERM

Top Infants have all been very busy and working hard. They have been listening to rhyming poems and then working individually and in small groups to create their own simple rhyme. They have also learnt how to write instructions for simple activities. In Maths super effort is being made by all children in starting to learn their tables, particularly as we start to mix the first tables learnt. They have all become more confident when using the paint programme on the computer to create their own colourful computer art. We have also looked at the work of Andy Warhol and completed our own portrait picture based on his work. The children enjoyed this task so much that we went on to create a whole class portrait which has been admired many times particularly by visitors.

One of our Science topics has been electricity and great enjoyment was had by all children whilst they were making simple light circuits. They also created circuits that would not work and explained to the class the reasons why.

History was a highlight, the class discussed why we have Poppy Day; they looked at artefacts brought in for our wartime display and all thought of a question to ask Naval War Veteran, George Gaskell. They all sat very quietly whilst he spoke to them on speakerphone and later they wrote short reports on the information they had remembered. George praised them for their excellent questions and for being so attentive at such a young age.

J1 OUTING TO GROOMBRIDGE PLACE

The Enchanted Forest [in Groombridge Place]

Harry H, J1C

J1 VIKING DAY

On Wednesday 21 November, J1 celebrated their Viking Day. Bjarni, our visiting Viking, entertained us for the entire day with stories of Viking Gods, laws and punishment, battles and pillaging not to mention a normal day in the life of a Viking family.

Bjarni brought with him hundreds of very interesting artefacts which we were all allowed to handle and ask questions about. The day culminated in a Viking battle (J1C) against the smelly Saxons (J1F) (they never used to wash!) Not surprisingly J1C won, led on bravely by a bare-chested beserker, alias Harry Holford.

We all had a wonderful day and learnt so much. Thanks to parents and children for the amazing efforts with the costumes.

J Faure & R Crouch

“My favourite part of Viking Day was the show because it was really funny and fun. The spears we saw were really big and so were the swords and shields. I could not believe it! I was allowed to hold a real shield and spear. Everybody looked really, really fantastic! The chain mail was so heavy if you tried to slice the chain mail you couldn’t, you can only wack it with a sword, knife and sometimes a spear. Everybody at Viking Day saw a Saxon helmet and a Viking helmet, the battle at the end was fantastic! My class won, we were Vikings. My brother’s class lost, they were the Saxons.”

Katie Voice

J2 VISIT TO THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS MUSEUM

On a cold November afternoon J2 walked to the local museum as part of our history work on Ancient Greece. Tunbridge Wells may seem an unlikely venue for Greek artefacts but hidden away in the museum’s collection are a number of well-preserved ancient pots and jars.

Fascinated, the children sat quietly as Katrina carefully unwrapped each parcel to reveal a worn and fragile piece of 2000 year old pottery. Everyone was captivated and not a digital image in sight! After guessing what the pot might have been used for the children were allowed to pass the items around and consider for themselves how it might have felt to be an ancient Greek.

We learnt about oil lamps, perfume bottles, olive jars and jugs for wine or water. In her charming and knowledgeable manner Katrina transported us back to a former time. It was a memorable afternoon and a refreshing way of adding to our current project. Back at school the children have been busy with art projects based around the themes of Greek pots and favourite Greek legends.

Mrs Preston Bell

ISLE OF WIGHT

J4 went to the Isle of Wight for a study trip from 11 – 13 September this year. We caught the train to Portsmouth Harbour and we walked over to the Fast Cat which took us to the big pier which we walked over to get to the Isle of Wight.

We first went to Brading Roman Villa and a man called Neville showed us round. We also had a quiz and played games about the Romans.

The youth hostel was very attractive and the food was lovely. We got to choose our rooms. Then we had a great talk with Timber Wood that was really fun; we learnt about some fantastic smugglers.

We really enjoyed the talk, we got to make our own ropes with tissue; we would all like to do it again.

The next day we went to Osborne House, it was where Queen Victoria spent her time on holiday. It was a very big house. Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family visited it because Prince Albert wanted the children to cook meals for them, they also visited it for the pleasure of being normal. Their children had their own little patch of garden.

After that we went to Alum Bay’s Sweet Factory, it was amazing how they made the sweets and we got to try one. Then we went on a boat called Rambling Rose to look at those oddly shaped rocks called the Needles.

At Shanklin Chine we saw a really high waterfall and we took lots of pictures.

The next day we went to Dimbola Lodge and that was where Julia Margaret Cameron lived. We made our own flower photos and we did a quiz about the photos in her house.

We went to Farringford Hotel, looked around for a bit and went down Alfred Lord Tennyson’s escape route. Later we went to the Guildhall Museum; there were dinosaur bones and other artefacts. We got the Fast Cat to Portsmouth Harbour and the train back to Tonbridge.

We were all very tired when we got home but what a trip!

J4 Boys

LIBRARY

A huge ‘thank you’ to all library helpers for their sterling work keeping the library open, friendly and accessible to the children.

We are looking forward to new challenges with the expansion of the library stock and re-labelling of the junior fiction. Without regular support the children would not enjoy their reading as much as we know they do.

Should you wish to become more involved with the library or have books we may be able to re-use please speak to Mrs Preston Bell. Thank you.

Mrs Preston Bell, Literacy Co-ordinator

BAKER BOOKS

A tremendous ‘thank you’ to all those who bought books under the catalogue scheme from Baker Books.

Your generosity enabled the school reference section to benefit from £650 of beautiful new books. We have focused on science, history, additional thesauruses and some art books.

The books, suitable across KS1 and 2, contain high quality illustrations, photographs and accessible text. Once they have been catalogued I’m sure they will be spending little time languishing on a shelf!

Mrs Preston Bell, Literacy Co-ordinator

DRAMA/BALLET

The children have made a great start to the new school year with much enthusiasm and hard work put in by one and all.

Those children new to the school and not accustomed to drama lessons have, without exception, settled in and begun to produce work of a high standard.

J4 and J3 have been lucky enough to have had a visit from The Young Shakespeare Company who presented a performance workshop on the “Scottish” play “Macbeth”. This was a marvellous preparation for our introductory work on Shakespeare the playwright and his world.

J2 have begun to explore and dramatise the life and times of the ancient Greeks, re-enacting scenes from several myths and with their knowledge of the Ancient Gods begun to weave some ‘myths’ of their own.

J1 pupils have been greatly inspired in their investigations of Viking adventures by their assembly play “The Lucky Viking” and their practical knowledge of their lives has been illuminated by their “Viking Day” visit.

The Top Infant class have been introduced to some new drama techniques, namely the use of puppets as storytellers this term with some very amusing results.

Both the Middle Infants and Reception classes have explored many novel stories and used mime to re-enact many of the characters and themes they use.

We look forward to some dramatic moments in our Christmas Carol Service, and to the combined Drama Club and Choir visit to “The Lord of the Rings” musical in London. In preparation for this, all J4 and Drama Club members will have a visit from a professional make-up artist who will demonstrate many of the techniques used to produce these stunning stage effects in practical hands-on workshops.

The Infants and Kindergarten will have a visit from the Classic Fairytale Company who will perform “Jack & The Beanstalk” in school. J1 and J2 will also have a performance performed in school by Support Act Productions of the fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin”.

The Ballet Department are delighted to welcome so many new little ones to our class. The Juniors were very privileged to have been able to see a daily ballet class with Members of the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, followed by a wonderful performance by the whole company of “La Bayedere”. A breath-taking experience! One I hope which will inspire everyone towards excellent ballet exam results from our session at the end of next term.

Toni Hassan

MUSIC

There has been tremendously enthusiastic activity in the Music Department this term, some predictable and some quite surprising.

This year the Infants led the Harvest Festival, performing beautifully with their songs, rhymes and prayer. The Strings and Wind Band played, but also a J4 class band with a rendering of Cauliflowers Fluffy (always popular but very tricky on recorder with the extra sharps and flats).

After this the Wind Band seemed to take off, acquiring more and more percussionists (largely due to Claudia’s enthusiasm).

The Strings continue to work hard and it has been good to welcome Sasha on cello. No less than five violins have taken exams this term, plus one cellist, two clarinets, one flute and six pianists. Most of these played at an informal concert to try out their programmes. We hope for some excellent results. Thanks are due to all the peripatetic teachers for their hard work and encouragement and to parents who help with practice!

The second half of term has been dominated by the inaugural Mead Music Festival. Each house had to prepare a song and a round for everyone to sing and also a solo and group piece. Initially anyone could perform a solo either in class or without audience. Points were awarded from 3 – 8. These points then went to each house’s total. The performances ranged from “Hot Cross Buns” to “Edelweiss”. Census Rock was a favourite choice and there was a Handel Minuet on Treble recorder, “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” on clarinet, Polish Dance on guitar and Floral dance on ocarina. After one week Thackeray were clearly in the lead. This in turn spurred Chalybeate to get their act together. Many more courageously sang their solo. The total number of solos was 135! Lottie Collins performed on four instruments and sang gaining a grand total of 32. On the final day, it was Wellington who scored best for the House singing, solo and group. However Thackeray won because of all their solos. Chalybeate just pipped Wellington into second place.

Our Adjudicator on the final day was Derek Watmough, who said he was surprised at the standard and particularly enjoyed the group pieces especially arranged for the players of each house. We have a DVD of the afternoon’s performance.

Thanks to everyone involved, especially the staff in each house who organised the songs. The event seems to have been a big hit with everyone concerned and although sometimes a bit scary gave everyone a chance to enjoy performing. Well done!

The choir this term has increased hugely with an influx of J4 and J1 and this has led to solo opportunities for J4 in the Christmas Carol Service. The Choir sang at the ‘No. 1 Club’ (a day centre for the ‘Young at Heart’), on The Pantiles and at the Christmas Fayre. They certainly deserved their party.

This term we say goodbye to Lianna Jeffery who, although has not been at The Mead long, has made her mark with her pupils. Lianna has been offered work with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Lucy McIntyre will be taking over flute teaching. She gave us a dazzling demonstration on flute and piccolo.

Jane Hanna gave a brass demonstration and has attracted a dozen children who want to ‘have a go’ on either the trumpet or Tenor horn.

Finally, next term we have another exciting choral challenge. There will be a concert at King Charles the Martyr on Sunday 2 March at 6.30 pm. The main choral work will be Vivaldi’s Gloria. There will be an opportunity for staff, parents and friends to sing in the choir together with the King Charles Singers and The Mead School Choir. More about this next term.

Sarah Stuart Pennink

THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Chalybeate

Thackeray

Wellington

FRENCH

This has been a very productive term!

The Kindergarten children already have a good ear for the language and are eager to perform – I am honoured to be greeted in French even in the school corridors!

The Infants came back in September having memorised everything they learnt last year! They have settled well and had fun with the role plays, games and new songs including the Christmas carol “Petit Papa Noel”.

The J1 have grown in confidence and maturity. They are inquisitive and proud of their French folder and dictionary. I could not wish for keener pupils!

The remaining Juniors have worked hard with great understanding, pronunciation and sense of communication. After many rehearsals we are ready to sing the Christmas carol “Vive le vent…”, a version of “Jingle Bells” during the Christmas Service – well done everyone!

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année à tous!

Christine Sautereau-Chandley

COUNTRY DANCING CLUB

Country dancing has proved to be a very popular activity and lots of enjoyment has been had by the children participating and Ms Gaskell herself. During the first few weeks the children learnt the basic steps and got used to counting the beats of music. After this they all got used to mixing these basic steps together and then began to learn several different dances. Everyone did so well each week that the group have already performed twice in assembly with the whole school clapping along to the energetic music. The girls have enjoyed wearing their own skirts when they performed to the school and their exuberance certainly brought a smile to all our faces. We look forward to learning and practicing many more dances in the Spring term.

YOGA CLUB

We have had a much larger group this term including children with a variety of yoga experience with each child participating fully and with enthusiasm. Our sessions have included previous favourite stories and postures and also new ones. At present the group have been working on putting together another yoga assembly which will also include participation from the whole school! There is no doubt that the end of the session is very popular with all children as they wrap themselves in their yoga fleeces and pop on eye bags ready to relax. The group are also very independent in setting out and clearing everything away at the end. We have enjoyed being able to use the drama studio for our activity.

COOKERY CLUB

This term, due to popular demand, we have been running two cookery clubs. It has been an exciting club and we hope the children have not only enjoyed it, but have learnt some useful tips.

We have tried to introduce some new recipes along with the old favourites, to try and broaden children’s culinary knowledge.

We are often limited to what we can cook in the time we have but we have now moved into the dining room which gives us a lot more room for preparation and we would like to say a very big ‘Thank You’ to James Wood’s parents of Trevor Mottrams who have been extremely generous and given us a lot of kitchen equipment which makes our lives so much easier!

The highlight of the term, and we think the children would agree, was the making of our Christmas cakes. This took some time to arrange and sort out so we would like to thank Anita in the kitchen for her help and enthusiasm!

The making of the cakes started several weeks ago with the baking. Lots of staff came to see how we were getting on and when it came to putting a bit of ‘elbow grease’ into the mixing, Dave was at hand! Then came the soaking with brandy, marzipanning and finally, what the children were most excited about, the icing and decorating.

We decided that we would aware a prize to each group for the most imaginative and eye-catching cake. The winners were Isla Burt (J4) who decorated her cake with lots of holly leaves made out of icing and finishing off with a dusting of icing sugar snow, and Lauren Barnes (J3F) with her exquisite decorations she had made herself. Well done. We would like to say that all the cakes looked absolutely fantastic and we hope the children were as pleased with the end results as we were.

Throughout all of this, Mrs Crowhurst was not only there to help, but all her expertise were invaluable. Thank you Janice.

Next term Cookery Club will be on a Monday and Wednesday and we hope to end the term with a Simnel Cake for Easter.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mrs Debbie Latty & Mrs Jane Morgan

ECO CLUB

The Little Rotters continue to work hard to ensure our school runs in an Eco fashion. This term we have been feeling creative and have been working hard to make a Rainbow Collage using pictures from seed and plant catalogues. We have been commissioned by Mrs Culley to design a piece of art to adorn our new dining room and, having discussed it within the group, have decided to make a “Recycled Weaving” in the style of Michael Brennand-Wood and Ruth Spaak. To enable us to have a wide variety of materials to work with, we would greatly appreciate donations, eg. buttons, ribbons, fabric, keys, etc, etc. We will keep you updated on the progress of this masterpiece…!!

Thank you.

Little Rotters

SCIENCE CLUB

Science club has started this term and the children have participated enthusiastically in a number of ‘hands-on’ activities. We have now registered with the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and will be taking part in the CREST* Investigators award scheme. This aims to engage children in science and technology. Each child that comes to Science club has the opportunity to work towards the SuperStar award by completing twelve scientific problems. The children will be given a log book to record their progress and a badge to show that they are a CREST* Investigator. On completion, each child will receive an award badge and certificate from the BA to celebrate their success. They then progress to the next award level. The CREST* Investigators activities have been developed to ensure a smooth transition to the BA CREST award scheme for 11 – 19 year olds, that continues at secondary school.

Mr Piper, from Sutton Valence School, has returned to educate and entertain us once again this term, with his Physics Roadshow. The children thoroughly enjoyed the event and we look forward to his return next year.

“WHIZZING SHARKS!”

The enrichment of the curriculum at The Mead, through pertinent use of computer programmes, internet initiatives and CD Roms in the school continues to flourish. Differentiated activities for all year groups present the children with visual resources and activities, which provide an alternative dimension to their learning.

Our use of Maths Whizz continues to provide the children with an enjoyable platform for both consolidating and extending their learning in maths. The interactive ‘lessons’ offer children both an enthralling and focused opportunity to tackle a huge diversity of mathematical topics and concepts. With the onset of Christmas I am certain that the children will thoroughly enjoy all the seasonal special treats that they will find in their virtual bedrooms!

At The Mead we are using a second initiative that complements “Maths Whizz” perfectly. We have bought into the Word Shark programme and are utilising this literacy and spelling based interactive package in a plethora of ways.

Word Shark is undoubtedly the best package of its sort that is on the market at present. It is enormously comprehensive in its coverage of spelling conventions.

Word Shark not only supports every single aspect of the spelling and word level work of the National Literacy Strategy but it is also a powerful tool for teaching staff within their classrooms.

For younger children Word Shark helps them in their development of reading and spelling, it also provides support for those who need reinforcement with their letter/sound knowledge, blending and segmenting skills. The programme contains ‘courses’ that contain all the word lists that our children are required to study throughout both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.

For purposes of extension, Word Shark offers a full range of curriculum linked vocabulary and spelling terminology, that Mead children will face when they move to their future schools in Key Stage Three. Practise in these is offered now to those who enjoy the challenge and would benefit from this extension work!

The games and activities of both Word Shark and Maths Whizz are offered to all junior Mead children in the form of lunch time clubs from Monday to Thursday inclusive and in after school activities on Thursday evening. As well as this, every classroom in the school has these programmes available on their computers.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding either your child’s Maths Whizz programme or Word Shark, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line or come in and see me!

Isobel Feaver

INTERNET DANGER

We are all well aware that whilst the internet is a wonderful information tool it can too easily turn into a frighteningly dangerous monster. The Computer Room in school is doubly protected but we are very concerned that many of our children appear to be messaging and ‘surfing’ at home. Whilst recognising it is very difficult to monitor all that your child does, I do strongly advise parents to visit one or more of the given sites below where very helpful guidelines for parents are laid out.

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

http://www.ceop.gov.uk/

http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com/

http://www.getsafeonline.org

http://www.soca.gov.uk/

http://www.childnet-int.org/sorted/

http://www.chatdanger.com

http://www.there4me.com

F.O.M.

Another term over and my what a busy one it has been. The Spooky Night, although a little hot at times, was a great success with the children and families alike. The hats were fabulously tall, the wands amazing and the masks … very spooky indeed!

Quiz Night, as always, was a huge amount of fun and congratulations to the winners. The Langton Green curry was delicious and everyone tucked into the Mr Whippy ice creams lovingly prepared by Jenny Harrold and friend, Jenny.

Thank you everybody who has helped to run the events this term and come along to support. We look forward to the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 8 December and would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Jane Morgan and Janette Dodd

THACKERAY END OF TERM NEWS

Dear Parents

Here we are at the end of another busy term and Christmas is upon us once more!

We have had some new faces join us this term and it is lovely to see them settled and joining in with all our activities.

Our house captain Lydia and sports captains Eve and Jack H have been very busy arranging many events with the help of Daniel and Sasha, noticeably our fundraising cake sale for ‘Children in Need’ in which we raised a fantastic £165. Thank you all again.

When Mrs Pennink suggested the Inter House Music Competition, we really didn’t know how we were going to find the time to rehearse, but time we found and thanks to Mrs Preston Bell’s tuition and all the children gaining points by having played or sung to Mrs Pennink during their breaks, we entered the competition in the lead.

Competition was strong and all the houses did incredibly well. I know that many of the staff found it very moving to watch the children brimming with confidence and giving their all. We emerged victorious but we would like to say well done to the entire school who had a lot of fun.

It just leaves us to wish you all a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year and if anyone would like to give Miss Seymour a calculator with great big buttons on, I’m sure she would appreciate it and so would we!!

Thackeray Staff

WELLINGTON NEWS

Near the end of half-term we had a cake sale in aid of Folly Wildlife Trust and we raised a very pleasing amount. At first it was cancelled because we didn’t have enough cakes on the first day, so we rescheduled it for the next day and hoped by then we would have enough cakes. We were successful and we had loads more cakes than we expected. We even had enough so that we could do the sale the next day as well.

Soon after the cake sale we had a music festival. We had loads of soloists who came and played different types of instruments and some sang. It took a lot of practice to learn our house round. We sang “I Wore My Coat” from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” beautifully but we still came third. We suppose someone had to come last and this time it was us!

Our House Captain this term is Amelia Hepburn and our Sports Captains are Jemima Hepburn and Jack Maynard.

J4 Wellies

CHALYBEATE HOUSE NEWS

House Captain: Charlie McVickers
Sports Captains: Jack Bear & Imogen Clark

With less than two weeks to go to the end of term we have had no minuses this half-term and we hope this will continue to the end of term.

On 22 November the school had a music festival and Chalybeate came second. We had an ensemble with Jack Bear (drum), Charlotte Dixon on violin and Paul Forster on clarinet. They were brilliant and the whole house sang.

Our house charity is ‘Help Tibet’ and over the years we have raised a lot of money for this cause. The money is used to help support a small school high in the mountains. The children there have very little and so far the money we have raised has helped to pay for mats to cover the concrete floor and blankets for the children when they have their afternoon nap. Our money has also paid for basic school equipment.

Next term we hope to hold a cake or crisp sale to raise some more money for our house charity.

Chalybeate is a very friendly house, we always do our very best and we are faithful and caring.

SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL

After many, many months there is now a light at the end of the tunnel as it looks like Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will finally grant permission for a crossing. An inspection and risk assessment has been carried out by the council and the report submitted was very positive. Certain changes to the road will be required such as signage, zigzag lining outside the school and tactile paving with dropped kerbs and the cost for this will be met by the school. We are now awaiting news from the Transportation Team for Mid Kent as to when the works can be programmed and when David Douse, already one of our maintenance staff, can be trained. It is intended that he will be on duty from 8.00 – 9.00 am but this will probably be extended to incorporate children arriving for the Breakfast Club.

PERSONAL EFFECTS INSURANCE

As from the Spring Term the optional personal effects insurance will no longer be offered by the school. This policy was designed to cover expensive personal items such as musical instruments and as very few pupils had taken up this option, the vast majority of pupils will not be effected. However, for those few who do still require this separate insurance, we have negotiated with HSBC for parents to take out the policy direct with them. For contact details please see me.

However, I would like to reiterate that pupils are covered for accident, dental and multi-trip travel, an insurance which is paid for by the school. This cover extends to weekends, holidays, etc., and not just limited to term time and/or school activities. Any claim will be subject to the appropriate excess which will be deducted from the settlement.

Darren Sumner

SPORT REPORT

The Sports Department have had a busy term. The U10 and in particular the U11 netball teams have enjoyed considerable success and some most enjoyable and entertaining matches.

The boys have played a number of matches at U9, U10 and U11 at both football and tag rugby. Their greatest success came on Friday 23 November when the U11 tag rugby team travelled to Sidcup for a tournament involving 10 teams, where following several exciting matches, involving a lot of hard work, they came away overall winners, proudly wearing their well-deserved medals. Well done boys!

Inter-house netball and football matches have also been played this term for both J1/J2 and J3/J4. A great deal of rivalry and enjoyment has been witnessed. Well done to everyone.

Swimming has again been good this term with a large number of badges being awarded throughout the school.

Once again may we please ask that all PE kit is clearly named so that when items go astray they are easily returned to their owner.

We look forward to another busy Spring term.

“THE SWEET TASTE OF RUGBY VICTORY”

“Amazing to start with; all the players really speedy. Jack Bear scored nearly all the tries mostly due to Chris setting them up. Daniel, Guy, Jack H, James Gray and Hamish also all scored tries.

What made it such a sweet victory was that we all worked together. All the other teams played well but we had the advantage as they didn’t know how good we were because our shirts looked so scruffy but we really surprised them!!

The best bit was just like Johnny Wilkinson kicking the ball over the bar to win!! We beat the host team.

We loved it. Thank you to Mr Leroy for taking us.”

Chris Threshie, Capt.
Guy Dexter
Winners of ISA London South Tag Rugby Tournament

SWIMMING

The last few weeks of term have seen staff and children battling with some horrible ‘bugs’. We recognise that even though children are often well enough to return to school, swimming would be foolish. In these instances we ask that if at all possible children are collected from school at 1.30 pm after lunch. Should this prove difficult then we will take the children on the coach to the pool where they can sit in the supervised balcony with a book. Whilst this is possible, anyone who has spent time in the viewing gallery will be only too aware of the stuffy and very unpleasant atmosphere! As all teaching staff go to the swimming pool it is not possible for ‘non swimming’ children to remain in school. If your child is ‘off swimming’ please ensure Mr Leroy is informed in writing.

Our School Council

Once again Mead children have come up trumps in their enthusiasm to spend their free time debating and discussing matters and issues linked to our own school development.

Mead children continue to play an active role through our School Council by:

• Looking for solutions to particular issues that may have been raised,
• Acting as the voices and representatives for the opinions of their peers from their own classes
• Liaising with other members of staff, Mrs Culley and our Bursar

Indeed it should be with real satisfaction that the children can reflect on the salad bar, for they suggested it, explored the options and feasibility of such an initiative and finally with the advent of the new dining room have seen it transformed from idea to hard and fast reality. A real achievement! Well done!

This term our School Council has again been busy. As well as focusing on the ‘recipe’ for a happy classroom – and indeed some truly delicious ideas have been created, the children has been discussing the library and the ways in which the flow and usage of our books can be maximised – in short watch this space!




	J4 Amelia Hepburn Christopher Threshie	Our Mead School Council representatives for the academic year 2007 – 2008
J3F Charlotte Dixon Jonathan Lloyd-Davies	J2 William Taylor Jessica Daubeny	J3B Charlotte Collins Jordan Spooner
J1C Katie Voice Oliver Basset	Top Infants Isaac Bepy Emily Dodd-Pacitti	J1F Isabel Petts Tom Chandler


Isobel Feaver Director of Studies

I end with a timely piece of writing which reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas:

“THE GREAT CHRISTMAS NEWS"

Mary had a great big house and children played by it. Mary loved children. One day she was cleaning her food when she took a short break. As she sat down the room became lighter and lighter. Soon it was so light everybody in Nazareth could see it. There stood in the air was angel Gabriel. Mary was stunned. Gabriel said, “God has granted you a son you must call Him Jesus, He is God’s son so take a lot of care” and she was off with a flash. Mary was over the moon and went to see her loving cousin Elizabeth who lived on the other side of Nazareth.”

James Skelly J1C

With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas Season to you all and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday 8 January.

MATCHES FOR SPRING TERM 2008


	BOYS	GIRLS
Wed 30 Jan	2.45 pm – away U11 mixed tag rugby at Beechwood (two teams)
Wed 6 Feb	3.00 pm – away Football (A & B teams) at Fosse Bank
Thurs 7 Feb	U11 football ISA 5-aside at Sidcup	3.00 pm – away U9 netball at Skippers Hill
Wed 13 Feb	2.30 pm – away U10 9-aside rugby at Skippers Hill
Thurs 28 Feb	3.00 pm – away U9 tag rugby at Fosse Bank
Tues 4 March	2.45 pm – away U9 tag rugby at Beechwood (boys)	2.45 pm – away U9 netball at Beechwood (girls)
Wed 5 March	2.30 pm – away U11 9-aside rugby at Skippers Hill	2.30 pm – home U11 netball v Skippers Hill
Wed 12 March	2.45 pm – home 7-aside contact rugby (B team) v Beechwood	2.45 pm – home U10 & U11 netball v Beechwood (two teams)

KEY DATES FOR SPRING TERM 2008

Monday 7 January	11+ practice papers for pupils taking exams – 9.00 am – 12.00 noon
Tuesday 8 January	First day of term & first Infant swim 11+ exams
Wednesday 9 January	11+  exams First Kindergarten swim & performance of “Rumpelstiltskin” for J1 & J2 at school
Friday 11 January	First Junior swim
Thursday 17 January	Prayer Meeting at 2.00 pm at Emma Hepburn’s, 87 Frant Road
Thursday 24 January	Make-up artist’s workshop
Monday 28 January	J4 trip to Imperial War Museum, London
Thursday 31 January	Trip to see matinee performance of “Lord of the Rings”, London by drama club & choir
Wednesday 13 February	Classic Fairytale Company presenting “Jack & The Beanstalk & the Three Wishes” to the Infants and Kindergarten at school
Friday 15 February	End of Half Term at Noon
Monday 25 February	Back to school
Sunday 2 March	Vivaldi’s Gloria at King Charles the Martyr at 6.30 pm
Tuesday 4 March	Parent Consultations – no after school activities
Thursday 6 March	Prayer Meeting at 2.00 pm at Emma Hepburn’s, 87 Frant Road Parent Consultations – no after school activities
Wednesday 12 March	Last Kindergarten fun swim
Friday 14 March	Last Junior fun swim
Tuesday 18 March	Last Infant fun swim
Thursday 20 March	Easter Service at King Charles the Martyr Church at 11.00 am Ballet exams – to be confirmed End of Term at Noon