I hope that, by the time you read this, work will have begun at last on our building project. We still have some way to go to raise our contribution of £50,000 but we are optimistic that we shall achieve it by the time our payment is due next Spring. Target 50K are continuing to organise fundraising events with a Chinese New Year celebration planned for January and Sing Alonga Grease in March. We hope this will be well supported and details will be available later.

Since last writing the children have been involved in many activities and events. We have had drama workshops, a dance workshop and Year 3 went to the Science Museum as part of their Space topic. Year 2 made delicious tomato soup using our glut of tomatoes from the polytunnel and they made chutney with the green tomatoes left at the end of the season. Just this morning (Friday 10^th November) the Key Stage Two children were entertained in assembly by one of our guitar tutors. He played classical and electric guitars with many children singing along to the tunes. Later in the morning the whole school took part in a short Service of Remembrance during which we planted memorial crosses  at the front of the school and a moment of silence was observed. Each cross had the name of one of the men from Elstead, Shackleford and Thursley who died  in the two world wars. Andrew Jones came from the British Legion and lowered the Elstead Standard during our minute of silence.

Children in Eagles and Woodpeckers classes have written about two of the activities that they have been involved in.

Year. 6 cycling proficiency  by Emma, age 10
Last week Eagles Class did cycling proficiency, it was great fun. We had instructors from the Surrey Road Safety Unit come into school to train us. On the first day we were practising our signals, on the second day we went on the road and did our turns. At the Red House Lane junction we did a right turn.

I found it great, I wasn't at all nervous on the grading day I thought I would just have to do what I have been doing all week then after I did my grading I passed.

I recommend to you that you should do cycling as well, it was so much fun. I also feel a lot safer and I don't have to ride on the pavement any more. So I think if you do cycling proficiency when you are ready you might even pass like I did.

Year. 4 visit to the Weald and Downland Museum by Bella and Sarah

As part of Woodpeckers class Victorian topic we visited the Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton. When we arrived the first thing we did was cooking in the Victorian kitchen. It was great fun because we made drop scones and got to eat them afterwards, with butter or jam.

Then we did household chores in the cottage. We had to polish the silver, make the beds, beat the rugs and polish the furniture. It was fun fluffing up the pillows and shaking the mattress.

After lunch, we went round the Open Air Museum and looked at the animals, including the stinky pigs and Rosie the Shire horse. We fed her an apple. Next we went to school and had to pretend that we were Victorian children, we all had different names. The teacher was very strict. The schoolroom was very small and we had to write on slates. We all had to pay a penny so that all children could have boots to wear to school.

It was a great day and we all found out lots more about life in Victorian times.