April

• An informal playground survey reported that the children of Sherington CE First School consumed between 2 to 25 Easter eggs in the school vacation. It's good to know they are playing their part in reducing the cocoa mountain!
• School ended last term with a lovely parade of bonnets; the 'winners' chosen by Mrs Stanton-Saringer receiving, yes you guessed it, chocolate from the PTFA. Egg rolling followed with a variety of techniques from the 'lob-and-splat' through the 'throw-and-crunch' to the 'roll-and-follow-through' which netted the winning prize.

• Good news awaited the school on our return. Mrs Barnard and the Governors have successfully bid for grant monies to refurbish areas of the school. More details to follow.
• The old swimming pool area is under re-development the first stage of which is to open it for bike and scooter parking to encourage the children to take a healthier route to and from school.
• The new term is well underway after only a few days with both classes growing plants and tending them with great care.
• Stop press! The incident of the 'frog-in the-drain' was dramatic but brief and young Craig Peart showed great presence of mind throughout the incident whereby the unfortunate animal was successfully returned to the pond still chewing a sizeable worm.

  March

• A busy month!
• Class 1 shared a coach and a lively afternoon visit to Bedford Museum with the Year 1 children from Stoke Goldington First School. Many thanks to Mrs Heggy for sharing her photographs with us. The children were complimented on their attentive behaviour for which we thank them. We looked at 'Toys' and life in a Victorian Nursery. The 'hands-on' section, playing with replica toys was definitely voted the most enjoyable part of the afternoon. This trip was arranged by our successful student Miss Cathy Bone who, now qualified, is looking for her first teaching placement. We wish her well and the school that employs her will be lucky indeed.

• The children's entrance developed a real jungle feel to begin our 'Mexican week' and the pace did not slow thereafter. Melanie Beeston-Morton carried out two very active dance workshops. These were followed by a more contemplative day of textile art with Alana Jolley, weaver-in-residence at Haversham First School. Mrs Helen Maitland and Mrs Lisa Rogers arranged Spanish language and Mexican cooking activities respectively. The week was nicely 'rounded off', as was the staff, by a generous Mexican lunch on Friday at which pupils, staff and Governors shared the food prepared by the children. All that was missing was the opportunity for an afternoon siesta!
• Our traditional Mother's afternoon was carried out in good style and many thanks are due to Mrs Feasey for playing the piano and Mr Crook from Sherington Nursery for his donation of the flowers as gifts.

• We took part in the annual service for church schools at Christ the Cornerstone where the children sang and spoke to their great credit.
• Lastly many, many thanks to the hardworking group of parents who helped with our ongoing programme of grounds improvements. This year's project was to extend gardening opportunities to Class 2 and our hard-working 'volunteers' managed two weekend' worth of work in one. When the flowers bloom and the vegetables swell we will thank you over again.

  February

• At our last Governor’s meeting Mr Ian Collinge was invited to report progress on the section of the Sherington Village website www.sherington.org.uk devoted to school affairs. The Governing body were unanimous in expressing their thanks and praise for the high quality of Ian’s technical work. The website will contain an illustrated version of this article each month.
• The whole school enjoyed an impromptu closure die to the recent heavy snowfall but returned the following week to enjoy the first snowdrops and daffodils in the school grounds. Class 1 capitalised on the fine weather to undertake a field trip to the village hall play park to investigate materials and structures with Miss Bone. They continued their work back in the classroom by designing and making model play park equipment and testing it with small plastic Playmobil figures.

• Class 2 also investigating materials have made some lovely mixed natural/manmade weavings with Mrs Lund. They have also begun to generate their own ideas for the re-designing of the old swimming pool enclosure. The plans will be submitted to staff and governors for costing and editing before a final design is decided upon for the commencement of work later in the year.
• Forthcoming events will be Pancake Day when the children will be able to design pancake toppings both traditional and novel and Class 1’s trip to Bedford Museum to investigate toys old and new.

• Mrs Stanton-Saringer gave the school two thoughtful assemblies following her recent trip to Ethiopia with the Rector. The children talked afterwards of the contrasting life styles compared to their own and the older ones remembered of Ghanaian project of a few years ago.
• Mrs Barnard would like to thank all those who have welcomed her warmly to the school and those who continue to give up time to help the children with their activities throughout the week.

  January

• The new school year begins with a very much 'business as usual' feel about the school. We warmly welcome our new Headteacher Mrs Lesley Barnard and her teaching job-share partner Mrs Helen Lund. Class 2 has sailed on through the changes showing all the friendly maturity that we have to expect from our oldest pupils. They have begun their new topics with great enthusiasm especially 'The Romans - invaders and settlers' and the initial art work is stunning.
• Oh yes it is! Our annual trip to the Theatre Royal to see 'Cinderella' was greatly enjoyed by all who came. This years' production was one of the most professional and enjoyable music hall treats we have seen in recent years.
• Football club began again the day following the snow fall. The latter was greatly enjoyed by Class 1 as we went out to experience the large soft fall of snow that many of our youngest could remember. The football was made more interesting by a very wet and soggy field resulting in a very 'authentic' colouring to the kit when removed at the end of the session.

• We also welcome Miss Catherine Bone a final year BEd Honours student teacher from De Montfort University at Bedford who has begun her experience with Class 1 in fine style with a celebration of the Chinese New Year.
• Class 2 hardly drawing breath from our Christmas nativity have been taking part in the Milton Keynes Dance Exchange, partnering Willen Combined School in a performance at the city theatre. Many fine young budding performers! This was organised by Lindsey Taylor who we sadly said goodbye to after six years at Sherington School as our Science and PE coordinator. Staff, pupils, parents and Governors were all represented in a final assembly as we wished her and her family all good luck for their new life in Australia.

  Linda Nouch - 'A Big Thank You!'

• "It seems slightly inadequate but I would just like to say a HUGE 'Thank You' to everyone for making my last day at Sherington School such a memorable and happy occasion. I was bowled over by the kind words and best wishes I received from so many parents, children, staff and friends. My 'leaving assembly' at the end of the day was wonderful and it was delightful to see all those little faces singing their hearts out and it was, also, astonishing to see so many parents, Governors and helpers!"
• "Not only was I spoilt with so many kind words but I was also spoilt with so many gifts! The orange tree and pot look just right in my conservatory and I have been admiring them everyday when I drink my morning coffee. The velvet wrap and jewellery (given to me at lunchtime by the staff) looked stunning on Christmas Day. My fountain pen is getting plenty of use writing 'thank you' notes and will remind me of Sherington every day when I fill out yet more paper for 'Mr Clarke' and the DfES! My letter opener, from the PTFA, will be put to frequent use opening big brown envelopes! The picture and book of Class 2 poems and Class 1 portraits have brought smiles to my family's faces and mine during the holidays. I have also received many other gifts from individuals and so once again THANK YOU!"
• "Mrs Stanton-Saringer was right when she said that Sherington School will be, and is, very different to Willen School and therefore holds a special place in my memories and like a certain actor 'I'll be back'."
• "My time at Sherington has been a joy and a great privelege and I know that the school will continue to thrive and be a great success because of the committment of the staff, governors, parents and friends. So once again THANK YOU and I hope you will all have a peaceful and happy 2004."

  School Re-organisation

• Milton Keynes Council and the School Governors have issued the formal statutory notice announcing changes to the ages at which pupils transfer between schools. Locally, it means Sherington C of E First School becomes an Infant School serving the 4 to 7 age range as from September 2006. Pupils will transfer to Lovat School a year earlier than at present. Further details.