How is FODIS spending the money we’ve raised?

We are really pleased to be funding the construction of a new outdoor classroom – a kind of pergola – which will be built near the pond in the corner of the middle playground.  As you can see from the outline sketch here, it’ll have climbing grapevines and kiwis all over it to provide some shade.

It’ll be used by all the year groups and will provide a lovely alternative to the classroom for use on dry days.

In the near future we also plan to buy some new permanent markings for the playground for the children to create their own games at breaktimes.

Further ahead, the plan for the new building on the site of the greenhouse is still not quite finalised, but there has been progress and we hope that work will begin soon.  The school has a shortage of non-teaching space and this building is greatly needed for SEN groups, breakout groups and meetings.  Although the building itself will be funded by the school, FODIS funds will go towards furnishing it.

New date

April’s postponed Fun ‘n Fitness event will now take place on Sunday 27^th May.

Details

Once again we’re going to celebrate Spring by descending on Preston Park for some fresh air and (this being 2012) exercise! For those of a nervous disposition – don’t worry, there will also be cake.

We will meet by the clock tower at the top of the park at 11:00 on Sunday 27th May where the children will have the chance to take part in a set of fun challenges (egg races, obstacle courses, mini-fitness challenge). Everyone who completes the course will get a medal!

The activities are kindly being provided by BMF (British Military Fitness) who will be familiar to many of you from the determined-looking adults seen being cajoled through exercises in the park in the evenings and weekends.
After a bit of vigorous exercise (for the children at least), why not hang around to eat cake, enjoy a picnic, chat to friends and generally chill.

It would be really helpful if you could fill out the slip in the March newsletter (pdf) and bung it in the FODIS box so we can get some idea of numbers.

Cake

…Did we mention cake? It would be really great if you could bake cakes, build brownies ,fabricate flapjacks or contribute chocolate to the cake stall. Let us know at volunteer@fodis.org.uk or just turn up with lovely stuff.

The theme for this year’s FODIS summer fair is the circus.

The first meeting to discuss the fair is taking place this Friday, 27th April, at 0915 in the staff room.

All FODIS committee members and class reps should attend – please make sure your child’s class is represented.

If you’re not sure who your class rep is, check out the Committee members and class reps details page.

The fair is taking place on Sunday 1st July, so put the date in your diary.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO EYE POPPERS ON FRIDAY 27th APRIL, HOWEVER, AS THE SCHOOL HALL IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO AN ART GALLERY.

On Monday 30^th April there will be an Easter bonnet parade at the school.

The parade will start at 9.15 and will last for about 20 mins.  Children should come to school with an Easter bonnet (preferably homemade), and parents are invited to watch from the playground as the children complete a circuit around the outside of the school.

Are you green-fingered? Over the years there have been several planting and gardening initiatives at the school that sadly have fallen by the wayside.  Are you interested taking part in a new a new scheme?

If you’d like to volunteer to maintain and water plants regularly, ideally after school, please contact us for more details.

The annual book fair will be running in the main hall from Mon 5th – Thu 8th March. Please come along!

Volunteers needed

The book fair raises funds for the school but the school needs your help to run it. We’ve been asked to find volunteers to help on all 4 days from 0845 – 0915 and from 1500 – 1530. Please contact us if you’d like to help. Thanks!

Eye Poppers, our children’s DVD membership club, is open every Friday from 1450 – 1530.

It’s in the main hall and membership is £1 per week: please drop by at pick-up time and take a look.

Volunteers wanted

We need your help to staff Eye Poppers. If you can volunteer either on a regular basis, say once a month, once a half term, or even just once, please contact us. It’s probably easier if you ask a friend to watch your children while you do it, but not essential. We’d rather have you helping out with your children than not helping out at all! It’s easy to do and full instructions are available.

We realise that everyone’s busy, and we really appreciate the time and effort our volunteers give. If you enjoy Eye Poppers and other FODIS events, please consider helping us out and volunteer.

Donations needed

If you have any unwanted DVDs we will gladly accept donations to Eye Poppers. Just bring them along on Friday afternoon. All other times you can pop them in the Eye Poppers returns box, on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf outside the school office, with a note in to say they’re a donation, not a return.

For news of the FODIS quiz (including your application form), Eyepoppers and more, download the January 2012 newsletter below.

FODIS January 2012 Newsletter

(PDF, 305k)

27th January – Annual FODIS quiz night.  For most of us, January is not the most exciting month, so this is a chance to put your thinking cap on, get together with some other parents to make up a team, and enjoy fish and chips (there is, of course, a vegetarian alternative) and a glass of wine or two.  It’s at the end of the month – a celebration that January is nearly over, if you like.

Eye-Poppers is back!

Those of you who had children at the school last year will remember the popular DVD membership club, which lends DVDs to parents on Friday afternoons in return for a £1 weekly membership fee.

We listened to comments from parents who said that although they liked the club, it was sometimes stressful and tricky to keep an eye on children around the covered walkway area.  That’s why we’ve moved it indoors – this year it will be in the school hall, from 2.50 – 3.30, every Friday, starting THIS WEEK: Friday 13th!