PLEASE NOTE: The school closed today for the Easter Holidays and will re-open on Monday 20^th April.

Please also note that on Thursday 4^th June 2009 Northbourne School will be closed to all children for one day because the building will be used as a Polling Station for the European and County Elections.

SICKNESS AND TUMMY BUGS

Recent advice given to the school from the Oxfordshire County Council states that people should stay away from school or work until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. Exclusion from swimming should be for 2 weeks following last episode of diarrhoea. Children can swim following sickness only bugs. If your child has had diarrhoea during the term that he/she is swimming please let us know when you inform us of the absence so that they are not taken swimming. Those who handle food as part of their work should check with their employers and GP before returning.

LOST PROPERTY

Please check the Lost Property Box, which is in the old Library, for any items that you may have lost. The office also has a number of items of lost property. Any items left in the office or in the lost property box at the end of term will be passed to a Charity Shop.

COLLECTING CHILDREN AT THE END OF THE DAY

Our corridors are very narrow and easily congested and so for health and safety reasons we ask you not to bring in buggies and prams.

FITNESS TRAIL AND OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT

A polite reminder that the fitness trail and outdoor play equipment is out of bounds before and after school. Please remember that parents are responsible for their younger children when they bring them into the school grounds and for their own school age children once they have been dismissed by their teacher at the end of the day.

TESCO VOUCHERS

The 2009 Tesco/RM voucher scheme for ICT equipment has begun. This year we are hoping to purchase equipment for a new ICT suite so please help us collect as many vouchers as possible! There are deposit boxes by Reception at school and also at Tesco Metro on Cockcroft Road.

TOKENS

We are currently collecting 2 sets of tokens:

Books For Schools tokens from the Times and Sunday Times

Nestle Box Tops for Books from Nestle cereals and other products.

The collection boxes for these are in reception - please help us increase our stock of library and classroom books by contributing, and please ask family, friends and colleagues for their spare tokens too!

FUNDRAISING FOR NORTHBOURNE

The PTA would like to thank those who have already registered with the online shopping fundraising website. Use the following unique link to register. It is completely free and easy to use: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/northbourneschThere are lots of well known high street stores participating from Next to M & S.

50/50 DRAW

Congratulations to Tanya Church for winning the latest 50/50 draw. The winning number was the number 8 and it was drawn by Mrs Tarling. Should you wish to participate in the remaining 2 draws, please enclose £2 in a sealed envelope per number required with your details and return it to your child's class teacher.

ÇA VA! (FRENCH CLUB)

Mrs Hares would like to remind everyone that Ça va! French club will be starting again the first day of term, the 20th April. If your child already attends s/he should have brought home a note with details of arrangements for after Easter. There will be nine sessions. New members are most welcome. French is learnt in small groups through movement, games and activities. Topics covered will be useful when on holiday in a French-speaking country and at senior school. In addition learning a foreign language has beneficial effects on memory, listening skills and self-confidence. Please get in touch with Mrs Hares directly if you would like more details. The cost is £24.75. Could you please reply to Mrs Hares at her home address by the 15th April.

Joyeuses Pâques! Mrs S.J. Hares, Iden House, Bakers Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, OXON, OX10 OPY. Tel: 01491 837718 email: cavafrenchclub@btconnect.com

GOSPEL CHOIR WORKSHOP AT ST PETER'S CHURCH ON GOOD FRIDAY

Following the recent Gospel Choir events, there will be a Gospel Choir Workshop at St Peter's Church between 10.00am and 12.00noon on Friday 10th April (the Friday of the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend). This will give an opportunity to learn some Gospel songs like 'Oh Happy Day', and everyone of any age is very welcome to attend. For more information call Father James on

01235 811995 or email gospelchoir@stpeters-didcot.org.uk.

Have You Seen What's New In Town???

Neighbourhood Kids

Welcome to our new adventure! Welcome to our neighbourhood! We are just embarking on a new adventure with three schools (Willowcroft, Northbourne, and Lydalls) coming together to offer high quality childcare right in your neighbourhood schools.

Triple the fun! Triple the space! Triple the adventure!

So what are we really on about? Lots and lots of great activities to do mixed with free play sessions where kids can do their own thing with their friends, but in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Neighbourhood Kidsaims to create an environment of fun and relaxation but also one where a child can challenge themselves to try new things all while being supported by the group. We are much more than crafts and sports. Throughout our sessions we aim to provide a diverse mix of activities to meet many interests. Neighbourhood Kids Day Campsare a place for everyone to come and play...not just for children of working parents.

We're now taking bookings for our Easter Day Camp! You can pick up a booking form from the school office and/or download ALL of our other forms and information from the website.

Also this spring Neighbourhood Kids will be expanding to offer a joint After School Club until 5:30 every day of term. Keep an eye out for more information!