This week the Ducklings enjoyed a spontaneous trip to Shearwater to explore Autumn hues.  We played hide and seek in the dens that we found in the forest and shared our morning snack with the ducks on the lake. 

Year 5 followed their class assembly with an autumn walk for their Go Explore session. The children explored the changes that have been taking place in our local environment. These observations were used as a starting point for some ICT and poetry work. 

Year 6 had a great time learning about insulation and comparing a variety of shelter designs; ideas, which they then used to keep Action Men and Barbies warm and dry.  Teams of two worked hard using their science knowledge combined with design technology skills to compete in a Dolls’ Shelter Challenge – well done, Eagles, you created some super structures.

On a very cold afternoon, 15 children represented Springmead in the 4 events at Collet Park, all running to a high standard.  Well done to Charlie Powell, Campbell Goff, Mia Ralph, Tom Brown, James Welbourn and Tom Taylor who all improved on their places from the last league and a fantastic 1^st place from Elena Sidman repeating her success from the previous fixture.

Well done to Miles Kamerkar who competed in his first cross country league- a superb effort! 

The results can be seen on the playground notice board or at www.MendipJuniorAthletics.org.uk

On Friday 11^th February we are planning to take the Ducklings to see the Elves and the Shoemaker at The Egg theatre in Bath.  The performance starts at 10:30am.   All Ducklings are invited.  Parents are very welcome to accompany their children.  The coach will leave school at 9am.  All children need to wear uniform.  The cost of the tickets are £11.00 each, this includes the coach.  Adult tickets are £7.00. 

If you would like your child to attend, please let Shirley Offer know by Wednesday 17^th November at the latest.

As you already know our lower school children are busy rehearsing their Christmas production, The Landlord’s Cat.  We will shortly be issuing tickets for the event.  To cover the costs of the costumes and sound equipment we will be charging £4.00 per ticket, which will be added to next term’s invoice.  This year we are going to use St George’s Church for the event as the village hall is being used over the period for the village Old Time Music Hall production.  However, we have decided to put on two performances and limit the tickets so that the audience can all see the young performers.  Parents may only be able to come to one performance, depending on the demand for the tickets. 

Out of consideration for our young performers we would ask adults bringing toddlers and babies to stay at the back of the church in order to be able to take them outside promptly should they become restless during the service.  

Tickets will be issued to parents of the children involved in the first instance and then to other parents, friends and family, ‘out of a hat’, depending on the number left.  To avoid disappointment, please could we ask you to complete the attached slip indicating the number of parents wishing to attend, along with the number of additional tickets, and return to Class Teachers by Friday 19th November.  We will then let you know how many tickets you have been allocated. 

Tickets will need to be produced on entry, therefore, please ensure that you bring

your tickets with you.

As is our tradition we are having our candlelit carol service at St George’s Church, Beckington, led by our prep department.  As usual we will be joined by former pupils of Springmead and by the Beckington Choir.  Younger children are welcome to come along to the service and sit with their parents but please be aware that this will be a traditional service of carols and lessons that will suit our older children and adults.  Out of consideration for our young performers we would ask adults bringing toddlers and babies to stay at the back of the church in order to be able to take them outside promptly should they become restless during the service.

All children in Years 3-6, need to be seated in their place in church by 6:50pm.  Children need to be in full school uniform with fleeces.   Please do not arrive before 6:40pm as the church will not be set up and we do not want the children to have to sit and wait quietly for too long! 

Due to the lack of parking near the church on Church Hill and Church Street, please park in the usual area on the Frome Road and walk to the church, you may need to allow extra time to do this! 

Whilst we would hope that all children will be involved, if any child, in Year 3-6, is unable to attend for unavoidable reasons, can you please let us know by Friday 19^th November.

As in previous years we have invited the Travelling Book Company to display their books in school.  Children will go down with their class during the day on Thursday.  Orders taken should be delivered the next week.

 Children can bring in money for books on the Thursday, or they can choose a book on the Thursday for their parent to purchase on the Friday morning. 

We are hoping to raise money for Children in Need by asking the children to bring in a donation on Friday 19^th November in order for them to wear ‘mufti’ for the day.  Please dig deep for this worthy cause!

Wow!  Weren’t the children amazing?  Once again the prep children (with the support of parents, grandparents and friends) impressed us with their knowledge and enthusiasm for their chosen topics.  The standard of work and presentations improves year on year. 

This year the subjects were even more diverse than ever and varied from horrible hair to dancing raisins, from shooting stars to aerodynamics, and not an erupting volcano in sight!  Past parents particularly comment on how the experience helps develop their child’s confidence in presentations and interviews for secondary school places. 

The science fair has become a real highlight of the Springmead calendar – thank you for all your hard work.

Our children joined Beckington First School for a joint assembly to remember those lost during wars.  Thank you for your kind donations for the poppy appeal, we will have a final total raised next week.