Name:…………………………………. Form:…………………………………..

ARNOLD MIDDLE SCHOOL PAGE 2

Dear Parents/ Carers It has been a busy half term, as usual, with lots of emails about our new Phase Three Building. I am still awaiting a final date for the start, owing to difficulties with the specialist windows we are having (coloured glass and a sun filter). Hopefully, we can get digging straight after this half term holiday. Please remember that the school entrance (reception) will be temporarily moved to further along the front of the school. This may mean a slight delay in our office staff being able to respond to visitors pressing the ‘call’ button for assistance. Please be patient – they are working in very difficult accommodation and have further to go to let you in to our school.

Reminder: please would all parents dropping off or collecting their child(ren) by car remember that they should be considerate to other parents trying to get into the car park. I would also remind you that you are not allowed to stop at all, under any circumstances, in the bus lane at ‘dropping off’ and ‘collection’ times at the start and end of the school day. This is because the

buses cannot turn into the school site safely if the bus lane is blocked at the top: we have six buses to get into the bus lane, along with three taxis for children with additional needs. Cars blocking the Hexton Road are causing an obstruction. In addition, you must remember that we have a pedestrian crossing area on our bus lane, which ALL drivers must be aware of. We had a very near miss last Friday, when one of our children was very nearly hit by a driver who did not slow down when approaching the crossing. Cars should keep to less than 10 miles per hour when driving through our school road please.

Remember that the communication between school and parents/carers is essential for everyone’s success! If you get in touch with us we should be able to respond within two working days. The teachers often find this the most challenging because of their individual teaching commitments but there are many other support staff who can also help you resolve difficulties:

Ms Alison Creed is the Administrative Support for our two Key Stage Leaders (Ms Caroline Reeve and Mrs Rachel Moss). She may be able to get a resolution to your concern or arrange for Caroline or Rachel to get back to you. Mrs Beverley Jones leads our First Aid Team and can often put your mind at rest if there is a problem with your child’s health or welfare.

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Mrs Dawn Peacock can assist you with any absence concerns you may have. She is in regular contact (in liaison with Linda Sides) with our Education Welfare Officer, Shelley Hughes. Learning Mentors: Mrs Chesters-Lewis (Monday to Wednesday); Mr Will Sides (Thursday and Fridays) and Mrs Sarah Yates (flexible – as needed to support specific pupils). They can talk to you about additional support for your child with emotional, behavioural, social (friendship) difficulties that affect his or her learning. The number of children given extra help, through our Learning Mentors in the PALM Centre continues to grow and has a high success rate. Our Lead Teaching Assistants, Mrs Tracy Jones (KS2) and Mrs Annalisa McKenna (KS3) will be happy to talk to you about any learning difficulties your child may be having. They can arrange to meet you and talk through the options. They meet regularly with parents of children who have additional learning needs. Email: tjones@arnold.beds.sch.uk or amckenna@arnold.beds.sch.uk.

If you do not get the answers to your queries you can also get in touch with Mrs Linda Sides about pastoral (Form Tutor matters) and behaviour or Mrs Lyn Lyman about curriculum, teaching and assessment. Email: lsides@arnold.beds.sch.uk.

Our Key Stage Leaders (Mrs Rachel Moss – KS3 and Ms Caroline Reeve – KS2) are involved in ‘intervention programmes’ with some of our pupils who need extra help to keep their learning ‘on track’. Parents are involved in this programme with regular reviews of their child’s progress. Email:rmoss@arnold.besd.sch.uk or creeve@arnold.beds.sch.uk. Mrs Lyman has organised a plethora of additional one-to-one programmes with individual pupils who are in need of extra help for English or mathematics. This is based on previous progress and set up in liaison with our teachers. All one-to-one tutors are qualified teach-ers, as required by the government initiative that funds it. Parental support for these programmes is the key to suc-cess: parents being involved in their child’s learning really does make a significant difference.

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We have a Parent Awareness Raising Event on Thursday 17th March and we want you to find out more about the way we share targets with our children and our science and mathematics specialisms. If you have ever wondered what ‘4b’ means; now is your chance to find out! The previous PAREs that

had a ‘circus’ of activities were very popular with parents – so we hope that you will enjoy our ‘hands on’ activities that evening (more information will follow). I have added the other events that are taking place at Arnold in the second half of the Spring Term. Do take time to add them to your diary.

** moved from the original days planned in May because of staff’s personal circumstances (not previously known). Best wishes Ann Payne

SAFETY IN OUR CAR PARK Our car park at the beginning and end of school is becoming a dangerous place for our pupils due to the high number of parents driving in to drop/collect children.

To prevent this we request that:-Speed is GREATLY REDUCED in all areas of the car park and through route. There have recently been near accidents when pupils are trying to cross the road on the pedestrian crossing due to inappropriate speed by parents.

The bus lane is NOT to be used to drop/collect pupils, please use the main car park left hand side and THEN LEAVE PROMPTLY. (Cars parking and waiting are causing a major obstruction for other car park users)

Thank you for your co-operation. We must make sure that our pupils and staff are safe when arriving and leaving school and ask all parents to support us in this matter.

Parent Awareness Raising Event Thursday 17th March 2011

Dance and Drama Celebration Event**

Wednesday 30th March 2011

Spring Music Concert Tuesday 5th April 2011

Reports out to parents Week beginning Monday 4th April 2011

DISCO – for pupils (PTA run) Thursday 7th April 2011

Break up for Easter holidays Friday 8th April 2011 (15:30pm)

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VLE News There will be many benefits from our new learning platform with ITS Learning. We are well aware that some pupils have experienced difficulty accessing the new VLE and realise that this can cause frustration for families.

It is essential that any pupils having difficulty let us know at school straight away. In most cases pupils have been forgetting to add ‘ar’ after their user name which is their initial, lastname. ar for example jbrown.ar the ‘ar’ denotes Arnold Middle School. Some pupils search for ITS Learning rather than use the Central Bedfordshire log in, this again causes a problem. Please see the help sheets included in this newsletter. Should you wish to receive electronic copies please request from sdye@arnold.beds.sch.uk

Homework / enrichment tasks are now available on the new ITS platform. It is essential that the pupils click on the ITS link not ‘my desktop’ as the latter linked to the old platform

We look forward to the exciting opportunities that the new VLE will provide as well as enabling further communication and collaboration between home and school.

Mrs S Dye ICT Leader

Westoning Disco

Friday 4th March

Westoning Village Hall

7-9pm

Entry £3

Refreshments available

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Using ITS Learning

You can access the link to login to the VLE through our Central Bedfordshire home page: http://www.learning.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/

Make sure that you click ITS

not my desktop as this was the

old VLE.

It is a good idea to have this link added to your favourites both in school and at home. Remember user is initialllastname.ar The password is the same as the one used in the old VLE. Please see SD if you have forgotten your password

To ensure your browser is working at home please use this link. http://support.itslearning.com/browsertest/TestPage.aspx

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Access to homework tasks

1. Once that you are logged into ITS Learning you need to click on courses

and this will take you to all the activities you have available to you.

2 Pupils only see the homework tasks for their own year.

3 You will be prompted to view only secure information click yes, the page

will then load.

There are animations on the page telling you the current tasks and a table

gives the dates and subjects due.

4 When you choose a file you will see

You can choose to open and print the file or save to your computer or a

memory stick.

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ART

It is with mixed emotions, that I say goodbye to all of you at Arnold. I would like to say thank you to all my colleagues and the pupils who have inspired me, all who have made my last three and a half years so rewarding prior to my retirement. I hope that you will be as supportive to the next Leader of Art, Miss Worboys, who will be taking over this role in the Summer Term. These last few weeks have been as productive and as exciting as ever; Year 6 visit to The Northampton Shoe Museum was a tremendous success, and already the pupils have been inspired to produce some exciting designs for their clay shoes.

The talk by the expert was very illuminating and the pupils were able to try on shoes from all ages from the Romans onwards. Particularly popular was the shoe crime exhibition, ‘My Shoes Are Killing Me!’ The Sports Shoe Exhibition was also quite popular.

The homework for the shoe project is now on the VLE, but I am not expecting it to be completed before April, as it is taking the form of a competition, in which prizes will be awarded. Pupils have been asked to decorate/customise an old shoe, and to decorate or change it in an interesting way. The Year 8 trip to The Tate Modern and to see ‘War Horse’ was one of the best experiences of taking pupils out of school, that I have ever had.

We had a chance to look at the Tate Modern and to see the work of one of the Artists that we have studied, Rene Magritte and some of the other Surrealist Artists. The shop was particularly popular! After a lunch in the rather drafty Turbine Hall, we made our way back to the coach and eventually to The New London Theatre, Drury Lane.

We were spell bound by the incredible performance of ‘War Horse’ and at the end of the performance there was not a dry eye in the house, but oddly also a lot of smiling faces. It was amazing how real the horses looked and after a while you simply did not notice the men and women working them. Year 8 are still talking about this amazing show and I will most certainly go back to see it again!

ARNOLD ARNOLD ARNOLD ARNOLD

‘ARTY’CLES‘ARTY’CLES‘ARTY’CLES‘ARTY’CLES

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The next half term will see Year 8 very busy indeed, getting ready their sketchbooks to take with them to Upper School, and taking their timed drawing test just after the half term break. I would urge them to practice their drawing skills at home in their sketchbooks, in order to be prepared for this next important stage. It would be good if parents can check their books to make sure everything is nicely presented for Upper School. Well done to 5JS for making their delightful monsters, which are now on display in the cabinet outside the Art Room.

AUTUMN CONCERT

We are currently rehearsing for our Spring Concert which will take place on Tuesday 6th April at 7.30pm. This will in-volve the school Orchestra and Wind Band as well as sev-eral smaller ensembles and solos by pupils on a variety of instruments. Tickets for this event will be available from the Music Department soon after half term – Adults £4, Pupils £2.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS The County Music Service is going through some major changes at the moment as I am sure you will have heard. If your child is already receiving lessons the impact of these changes will be notified to you by the Music Service in the near future. It is likely to involve an increase in fees and possible other changes. If you wish to discuss this please do not hesitate to contact me. In the mean time we still have spaces for pupils to start to learn Piano and electric guitar. If your child would like to learn one of these instruments please contact the Music Department. C D Cadd Leader of Music

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KITCHEN GARDEN CLUB

Kitchen Garden Club starts again as an after school club following half term. It takes place on Wednesday from 3.30 to 4.30pm – children are welcome from all year groups. You are welcome to keep a pair of wellies in school, a pair of gardening gloves is a good idea too. Children need to be collected at 4.30pm – feel free to walk round to the garden when you arrive as we sometimes lose track of the time, and we love to show off our work. Below are some photos to show you how the garden is growing. Mrs Wood

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Share in the joy of a shoebox… It's amazing what a simple gift-filled shoebox can do for a child in need. It can put a smile on a face. It can make a child feel loved. It can even bring lasting joy into difficult circumstances. Our Year 5’s sent another 50+ shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse at Christmas.

A Haitian girl loses everything in the earthquake, but finds hope.... When 11-year-old Amaica Clement received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, she was thrilled. THANK YOU FOR HELPING

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OUT OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

In April of last year, the producers of The Weakest Link phoned some people who had previously been contestants on the show. I had appeared in 2006 (and been the last one to do the walk of shame) I was invited to be a reserve contestant for a 'Golden Oldies' version of the show. This was to be recorded in early September of 2010. I travelled up to Glasgow with my husband for the show. Glasgow has many happy memories for us as it is the city where our eldest grand-daughter was

born. Luckily, one of the contestants didn't turn up for the show, which meant I was on the team! The rest, as they say, is history.

I consider myself very lucky to have won and am grateful to the other contestants for voting fairly. As a result of my win, our grandchildren had the best Christmas they are ever likely to have, I had a lovely holiday in Tenerife with my husband just after Christmas.

Mrs Doreen Thakoordin

Spring term fundraising special

Our Council members have been busy trying to give you the chance to win extra special prizes this term. Ever mindful of Healthy Schools they have opted out of the Easter Egg bonanza. Can you or the company / business you work for help out with any other prizes for the raffle to be drawn in early March? Further details to follow after half term. Here are some of the prizes we have to date: A meal for 2 with a glass of wine at Gios. A VIP ticket for any Luton FC match. A free hair session at Kropps & Bobbers. If any parent would like to contribute a prize for the raffle we would be delighted to accept. Please send prizes to the school office for ‘School Council’ and include your name so we can acknowledge your fantastic support in the Easter Newsletter.

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Email address: pta@arnold.beds.sch.uk Have fun…….Make new friends……Get involved

Welcome to our first newsletter article of 2011. We have some exciting events planned this year and we hope that parents, pupils and family members will enjoy getting involved in raising vital funds for our school. Since September 2010, FASA has made £471.17 profit and we would like to thank everyone who supported events held during the Autumn term. The Christmas disco was a great success – the profit was split between FASA and the school council. School council representatives did a great job of selling tick-ets to pupils and raised £92 for the council. FASA gave £300 to Chiltern Class which will be used for gardening equipment, planters, soil and bulbs. The Parish grant of £255 was spent on playground equipment, equipment in the PALM centre and tennis balls and buckets.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Indoor Car Boot Sale – Sunday 20th March 8.30am – 12.30pm Pupils’ Disco – Thursday 7th April 6.30pm – 8.30pm

We would be very grateful if parents could, once again, donate cakes for our indoor car boot sale. These should be sent to the school office on Friday 18th March, thank you.

Also, anyone who can help at the 10K run to be held on 12th June 2011, should email us at the address above.

Enjoy the half term break and we look forward to seeing many

of you at the Indoor Car Boot !!

Charity number: 1037814

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P.E. News It has been an eventful term in the PE department. With the start of the football league season under way and numerous friendly fixtures arranged to give our players more game time many matches have been taking place. The year 8 boys have made excellent progress as the season has progressed. Since Christmas the A team have played 3 matches, 2 league games and 1 friendly. The boys had an excellent first league game, beating Alameda 6-0 away. The boys played some fantastic football and the game also saw Anton Testa score a stunning goal from approximately 25 yards into the top corner.

This was followed up by a close friendly defeat to Parkfields. Despite taking the lead through an excellent Luke Jeffrey lob, the team lost 2-1 in a very close match. The game proved to be a really interesting game to watch.

The last of the 8 games, saw us travel to Marston Vale. With the game all square at half time, the boys had a shaky 10 minute spell. Whilst the boys recovered from this, we went on to lose 4-2, but finished off with a fantastic strike by Reece Smith. The Year 7 A team have continued their success by reaching the semi-final of the County Cup after beating Linslade where they will face last years final opponents Robert Bloomfield. The game which will be a home fixture, will be arranged for a date after half term.

In the league the boys have got off to an excellent start beating Marston Vale 5-1. With the score 1-1 at half time, the boys put in an excellent second half display to score 4, with the scorers being Sam McClelland (2), Jack Keenan (2) and Darian Graham.

In other fixtures the year 7 team lost a friendly to Parkfields, and beat Kings Houghton 9-1, with Conner Penning scoring 4. In both year 7 and year 8, B teams have been set-up to provide competitive footballing opportunities for more of our pupils. The turn-out at fixtures, many of which have been played at lunch-times, has been absolutely fantastic and it has been great to see so many of our pupils enjoying being involved in the game.

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The Year 6 team are also due to start their season and have been training in preparation for what will be an enjoyable and successful season. The team had an excellent win over Year 7 B during a lunchtime fixture, we hope that all of the boys, whether they are in the team or not, will continue to turn up at lunchtime training sessions.

This term has also seen a very busy Girls basketball season take place. The year 7 team have had an excellent season and have achieved the fantastic milestone of going through all of their fixtures undefeated. The girls can now look forward to the upcoming finals. Meanwhile, the year 8 Girls basketball team have also achieved that milestone in their season and having played their fixtures also remain unbeaten. Well done to both these teams for all your efforts.

Finally, the year 8 Girls Netball team had their rescheduled County Finals event in Bedford. Throughout an excellent day of Netball, the girls put together a fantastic run of performances that resulted in them reaching the Final. Unfortunately they lost to a very strong side, the girls should be proud of their achievements.

A special mention must also go to all of our pupils who have been composing dances during their PE lessons. It is hoped that some of these dances will be showcased at the upcoming drama and dance evening in March.

This term has also seen Luke Jeffrey, Reece Smith, Alex Evans, and Oliver Malczyk coaching rugby at Ramsay Lower. The boys, all members of our year 8 squad, have thoroughly enjoyed being able to pass on their knowledge to younger pupils. Well done to all our pupils for their sporting efforts this term, both during lessons and during our busy extra-curricular timetable. K Tfifha Leader of PE

ARNOLD MIDDLE SCHOOL PAGE 15

ARNOLD SCHOOL DIARY 2010-2011 Friday 18th February Staff Training Day (no pupils in school) Monday 21st February Half term week – return Monday 28th February Thursday 3rd March World Book Day Thursday 17th March Parents’ Awareness Raising Evening (2) 14th – 18th March Science Week and Earth Hour Tuesday 29th March Music Concert Wednesday 30th March Arts Performance (Drama, Gym and Dance) Wednesday 6th April Yr 3 / 4 Parents of Children with Additional Needs Meeting Friday 8th April Spring Term Ends (last day of term) Tuesday 26th April Training Day (Parents’ Day - pupils not in school) Wednesday 27th April Summer Term Commences Wednesday 27th April Parents’ Evening (16.00 – 21.00) Friday 29th April Royal Wedding – Public Holiday Monday 2nd May May Day Bank Holiday – school closed 9th – 13th May Key Stage 2 SATs Week 16th – 20th May Year 6 PGL Activity Week Sun 22nd – Sat 28th May Year 7 French visit 23rd May – 27th May Enrichment Week 30th May – 3rd June Half Term Week – return Monday 6th June Tuesday 7th June Year 8, Music and PE photographs Wednesday 8th June Year 4 Maths & Rounders Day Thursday 16th June Parents’ Forum Evening (3) Fri 24th – Sun 26th June G&T Grafham Water Sports Thursday 30th June Drama Performance Friday 1st July Training Day (pupils not in school) Tuesday 5th July Music Concert Thursday 7th July Year 8 Curriculum Induction Day Friday 8th July All Pupils Induction Day Tuesday 12th July Parents’ Awareness Raising Evening (3) Friday 15th July Multi Activity Day Monday 18th July Multi Activity Day Monday 18th July Year 5 Intake Evening Thursday 21st July Year 8 Leavers’ Celebration Friday 22nd July Year 8 Day Trip Friday 22nd July Summer Term Ends Tues 6th September 2011 Autumn Term commences