This Week at CGPS

• It's been great to welcome everyone back to school and start new topics. You can now find our curriculum grids for this term on our Class Pages.
• Homework grids are also now available on our Class Pages. We look forward to seeing the homework you bring in.
• Year 6 benefited from an Injury Minimization Workshop from IMPS during which they learnt emergency life-saving skills.  https://www.impsweb.co.uk/
• Three photos from our spring photography have been chosen to be displayed in our staffroom.

Reminders

To help our school continue to run safely and smoothly, we would like to remind all parents and anyone involved in drop-off or collection of the following:

• Mobile phones should not be used in the playground. We encourage you to be fully present and to model this for the children.
• The climbing frame and field are not available for use at collection time, as our after-school provision needs to access these areas promptly.
• Being on time for collection supports our staff, whose priority is to remain with the children.
• Please park and drive considerately along Old Reading Road, as there are many children and families in the area.

We all want the very best for the children and these considerations help.

Amazon Wishlist

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2LH3TUU3K50TX?ref_=wl_share

An Amazon Wish List has been created to help provide those “little extras” that make such a difference to the children’s learning and experiences. With school budgets tighter than ever, this is a wonderful way for anyone who wishes to contribute to do so in a simple and direct way.

EYFS Allotment

Tucked away in our EYFS garden, our allotment area may be looking a little dull at the moment, but hopefully not for much longer. The children have been very busy preparing the planters and carefully sowing a variety of seeds. Before long, we hope to see carrots, potatoes, beans, lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes bringing the area to life. Alongside this, we have created a natural, untouched space to observe what grows on its own. This will support minibeasts and help the children develop their plant identification skills. Keep an eye on this area to see what else might begin to grow!

PTA Update

Amazing news! 

Crowmarsh PTA came second in the Wallingford Waitrose Green Tokens Scheme. A fantastic donation of £1,000 coming our way to go towards enhancing the outdoor areas for our children. 

We had some stiff and very worthy competition so thank you to all of you who put in the handfuls of tokens over the last 3 months. 

Thanks also to the fantastic team at Waitrose for selecting us to benefit from the scheme. 💚💚💚

 🌈Colour Dash, 7^th June, 11.00🌈

More colour, more fun and arguably wetter .....

Tickets go on sale for this years Dash next week. More info to follow......

Finally, good luck to all the quizzers this evening, play fair now 😉

This Week at CGPS

• We were delighted to welcome author and illustrator Steve Antony, who visited the school to share his wonderful books with the children. Many of the children recognised his popular titles, including Please Mr Panda, Thank You Mr Panda and I’ll Wait, Mr Panda. H
• At church, it was lovely to see so many creative Easter hats on display and our Spring Photos. The service was a special occasion, and we are grateful to the church for welcoming us all.

Listen to Ours Podcasts from Jam Coding Club

Football final https://audio.com/coach-kate-1/audio/felcity-lucia-final

Looking after the Sea  https://audio.com/coach-kate-1/audio/isla-s-podcast-1

Lego https://audio.com/coach-kate-1/audio/ava-s-podcast

We’re pleased to be offering a great range of activities in the summer term, including LEGO, Playball, Jam Coding, and Sports with Mr Bint.

Places may fill quickly, so do book early to secure your child’s spot.

Amazon Wish List

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2LH3TUU3K50TX?ref_=wl_share

We are excited to share a new initiative being kindly led by one of our parents to support our school community.

An Amazon Wish List has been created to help provide those “little extras” that make such a difference to the children’s learning and experiences. With school budgets tighter than ever, this is a wonderful way for anyone who wishes to contribute to do so in a simple and direct way.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a generous and supportive parent community, and we are very grateful for any contributions—big or small. Every item donated will go straight towards enriching opportunities for the children.

Thank you, as always, for your continued kindness and support.

ELSA and Counsellor Update

We want to let families know that Jackie, our brilliant ELSA and Counsellor, will be on planned leave after Easter, but she will be back with us soon!

It is a good opportunity  to remind parents of the Safety & Support tab on our website which is full of useful information to help support children's well being.

As ever, our dedicated staff team are here to support all our children, please reach out if you need anything.
 

Easter Holiday Project: Helping Our Community Stay Safe

This Easter holiday, we would love all children to take part in a special project that could make a real difference in our community.

We are working alongside the Parish Council to help tackle speeding in our local area. Research shows that road safety signs designed by children are particularly powerful—they capture drivers’ attention in a memorable and meaningful way and encourage them to slow down.

Your challenge: Design a bright, eye-catching road safety sign that encourages drivers to slow down.

Things to think about:

• Clear messages such as “Slow Down”, “30 Means 30” or “Please Drive Carefully”
• Bold colours and simple designs that can be seen from a distance
• Pictures or symbols that quickly get your message across
• A positive and easy-to-understand message

Why this matters:
This is a wonderful opportunity for children to contribute to the safety of our village. A selection of designs may be chosen by the Parish Council to be professionally printed and displayed around the community.

How to take part:

• Create your design on A4 or A3 paper
• Use pens, pencils or paints
• Bring your finished design back to school after the Easter break

We hope many children will feel inspired to take part. By working together, we can help keep our community safe while living out our values of Care, Grow, Persevere and Shine.

We can’t wait to see your fantastic creations!

 PTA update 

Please book your quiz tickets as soon as possible. Deadline is Tuesday 14^th April but we'd all sleep easier if we knew you were coming 😉! 

Booking early helps us with planning and organising everything to give you the best evening.

We can't wait! Here's the details. 

Friday 17th April, 7pm for 7.30 start. 

£12.50 (plus a small transaction charge) per person includes entry, jacket spuds and yummy chilli. 

Bar available selling wine, prosecco, beer, lager and soft drinks. Please preorder wine so we have an idea of quantities.

Fun, games and brain aching questions.

Teams of up to 6 or join a team when you arrive. Open to all so do bring friends and family too.

Raising funds for the outdoor areas at school.

Please support and please book early! Cut off date Tuesday 14^th April.

See you there!

 https://www.pta-events.co.uk/crowmarshprimaryschool/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=113268

 

Waitrose Green Tokens 🟢🟢

Just a few days to go for Waitrose green tokens for the PTA. Don't forget to pop a few in our box when you nip in for essentials. 

Huge thank you to Waitrose for this opportunity to add more funds to our pot for improving the outside areas at school. 🙏

The PTA Committee wish you all a lovely Easter. We'll see you on the other side.

Thames Run

Entries Open for the Wallingford Thames Run; Volunteers Urgently Required

Calling all runners! Registration is now open for the Wallingford Thames Run – a much-loved fixture of the summer sporting calendar.

This year’s race takes place at 9am on Sunday June 7, starting and ending at Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School. Runners can opt to enter the 5k or the 10k event, with a delightfully messy Colour Dash race for budding young athletes of school age following the main races.

There’s good news for junior racers, too: As of this year, anyone aged 11 or above on race day can enter the 5k, with those aged 15 and above eligible for the 10k.

Boasting an almost entirely flat course and (fingers crossed) optimal running conditions, this is an unmissable event for beginners – or veterans chasing a personal best time!

All proceeds go to the Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School’s PTA, which helps the school with much-needed funding, and the Crowmarsh-based charity Style Acre – which helps local people with learning disabilities and autism.

Please visit https://wallingfordthamesrun.co.uk/ to enter today!

If running isn’t your thing, the committee urgently needs volunteers who can help marshal the race, help set everything up, hand out water and medals… and much, much more!

No previous experience is required – and the committee has promised to provide plenty of snacks and refreshments to everyone who kindly gives up their Sunday morning to help raise money for the school and Style Acre. Please register your interest by sending an email to thamesruncommittee@gmail.com.

Can you help support the Thames Run?

We’re looking for local parents and residents to help spread the word about this fantastic community event on 7th June!

Thanks to the generous support of In-House Estate Agents, we have advertising boards ready to be placed outside homes across Wallingford and the surrounding villages.

 Displaying a board is a simple but powerful way to raise awareness and boost participation.

 If you’re happy to have a board outside your home, we’d love to hear from you!

 Email: thamesruncommittee@gmail.com

  WhatsApp Josie: 07812 586988

 Thank you for making the Thames Run such a success.

Dates for Your Diary

Term Dates up until 2028 are available here

 Monday 13^th April: School Reopens for all children

Friday 17^th April: PTA Parent Quiz Night

Wednesday 6^th May: Wallingford Book Fair in school (1 day only)

Half term: Monday 25^th – Friday 29^th May

Monday 1^st June: INSET Day, school closed for children

Friday 5^th June: Make the Rules Day

Sunday 7^th June: Thames Run

Saturday 20^th June: Wallingford Carnival

Thursday 25^th June : Year 6 Production – 2pm, Year 6 parents welcome

Friday 26^th June: Sports Day (Reception -Year 6 morning races, All - picnic lunch, Pres School races after lunch)

Week beginning 29^th June: Penny Wars

Thursday 2^nd July: Transition Day. Year 6 visit new secondary schools.

Monday 13^th July: Rock Steady Concert for Rock Steady Parents 2:30pm

Friday 17^th July: Year 6 Leavers Event – 2pm, Year 6 parents’ welcome

Monday 20^th July:  School closes for summer a full day, no after school club

Thursday 3^rd September: School reopens for all children

Term Dates up until 2028 are available on the school website

This Week at CGPS

• Red Nose Day!  Donate vis this link
• Chicks: The chicks have been visiting classes, and the children have been practising “Spring Chicken” for our Easter Service next week.
• Special Visitors: Reverend Simon and his hedgehog, Christian, joined us for assembly, as well as Linda, our Church Warden and Governor.
• Bikeability: Pupils have been taking part in Bikeability sessions, both on school grounds and out on the road.
• Year 1 Visit: Year 1 had an exciting trip to Marwell Zoo this week.
• The Field: We’re delighted that the field has been back in use this week during break and lunch.

Places Available!

We have Pre-School places available for September. There is also some availability in our current Reception class and Year 3. If you are interested, please contact the school office to find out more or to arrange a visit.

Useful Educational Psychologist Advice on Fidget 'tools' 

• Being able to listen and do is a key step in the development of attention, and until age 5-6 it is difficult for children to both at once.   Some older children can't do this.  However, if objects that children are fiddling with are require concentration in order to operate them, they may well not be listening/looking at the task at hand.   If you need to stop thinking about the listening/looking to operate your fidget, then it's very likely not the right one to have picked. 
• I always suggest teaching kids the difference between tools and toys. Tools have a purpose and a job to do, we don't play with them, we work with them.  Toys are for fun.  Thus we need them to be using fidget tools, not fidget toys. 
•  We discussed this with two groups, and in one group all ended up with rubber fidget rings.

Cronka Bar Own Clothes Days

Some children have earned Own Clothes Days for their class through the Cronka Bars. These will take place on:

• Wednesday 25 March – Year 4
• Thursday 26 March – Year 1
• Friday 27^th March – Year 2

Check Out Our Spring Photos on Instagram

Spring is in the air, and our school community has already started capturing it! Head over to our Instagram page to see the wonderful spring moments shared so far, and then join in by entering our Spring Photo Competition.

How to enter:
• Snap a photo that shows the magic of spring – flowers, wildlife, skies, outdoor fun, or a special moment
• Email your photo to the school office
• Include your child’s name and class

Deadline: Monday 23rd March

Selected photos will be featured on Instagram and displayed in our local church. Get outside, explore, and start snapping – we can’t wait to see spring through your eyes!

Easter Bonnet/Hat/Cap Celebration

Children are warmly invited to make an Easter bonnet/hat/cap at home and bring it to school to wear during our Easter Service on Friday 27th March. We always love seeing the children’s creative designs filled with the colours and joy of spring.

Bonnet ideas might include flowers, chicks, eggs, ribbons or other signs of new life and springtime.

Unfortunately, there is not enough space for parents to attend the service at church, but we will make sure to share photographs. We look forward to celebrating together and seeing the children’s fantastic creations!

 

KS2 SATs 2026: What parents need to know -The Government page

 

 PTA update 

Tickets now on sale for Crowmarsh Quiz Night! 

Friday 17th April, 7pm for 7.30 start. 

£12.50 (plus a small transaction charge) per person includes entry, jacket spuds and yummy chilli. 

Bar available selling wine, prosecco, beer, lager and soft drinks. Please preorder wine so we have an idea of quantities.

Fun, games and brain aching questions.

Teams of up to 6 or join a team when you arrive. Open to all so do bring friends and family too.

Raising funds for the outdoor areas at school.

Please support and please book early! Cut off date Tuesday 14th April.

See you there!

 https://www.pta-events.co.uk/crowmarshprimaryschool/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=113268

Thames Run

Entries Open for the Wallingford Thames Run; Volunteers Urgently Required

Calling all runners! Registration is now open for the Wallingford Thames Run – a much-loved fixture of the summer sporting calendar.

This year’s race takes place at 9am on Sunday June 7, starting and ending at Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School. Runners can opt to enter the 5k or the 10k event, with a delightfully messy Colour Dash race for budding young athletes of school age following the main races.

There’s good news for junior racers, too: As of this year, anyone aged 11 or above on race day can enter the 5k, with those aged 15 and above eligible for the 10k.

Boasting an almost entirely flat course and (fingers crossed) optimal running conditions, this is an unmissable event for beginners – or veterans chasing a personal best time!

All proceeds go to the Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School’s PTA, which helps the school with much-needed funding, and the Crowmarsh-based charity Style Acre – which helps local people with learning disabilities and autism.

Please visit https://wallingfordthamesrun.co.uk/ to enter today!

If running isn’t your thing, the committee urgently needs volunteers who can help marshal the race, help set everything up, hand out water and medals… and much, much more!

No previous experience is required – and the committee has promised to provide plenty of snacks and refreshments to everyone who kindly gives up their Sunday morning to help raise money for the school and Style Acre. Please register your interest by sending an email to thamesruncommittee@gmail.com.

Can you help support the Thames Run?

We’re looking for local parents and residents to help spread the word about this fantastic community event on 7th June!

Thanks to the generous support of In-House Estate Agents, we have advertising boards ready to be placed outside homes across Wallingford and the surrounding villages.

 Displaying a board is a simple but powerful way to raise awareness and boost participation.

 If you’re happy to have a board outside your home, we’d love to hear from you!

 Email: thamesruncommittee@gmail.com

  WhatsApp Josie: 07812 586988

 Thank you for making the Thames Run such a success.

 

Dates for Your Diary

Term Dates up until 2028 are available here

Monday 23^rd March: Rock Steady Concert for Rock Steady Parents 2:30pm

Wednesday 25th March: Parent Open Classrooms, after school

Friday 27^th March: Easter Service – wear an Easter bonnet.

School closes for Easter a full day, no after school club

Monday 13^th April: School Reopens for all children

Friday 17^th April: PTA Parent Quiz Night

Wednesday 6^th May: Wallingford Book Fair in school (1 day only)

Half term: Monday 25^th – Friday 29^th May

Monday 1^st June: INSET Day, school closed for children

Friday 5^th June: Make the Rules Day

Sunday 7^th June: Thames Run

Saturday 20^th June: Wallingford Carnival

Thursday 25^th June : Year 6 Production – 2pm, Year 6 parents welcome

Friday 26^th June: Sports Day (Reception -Year 6 morning races, All - picnic lunch, Pres School races after lunch)

Week beginning 29^th June: Penny Wars

Thursday 2^nd July: Transition Day. Year 6 visit new secondary schools.

Monday 13^th July: Rock Steady Concert for Rock Steady Parents 2:30pm

Friday 17^th July: Year 6 Leavers Event – 2pm, Year 6 parents’ welcome

Monday 20^th July:  School closes for summer a full day, no after school club

Thursday 3^rd September: School reopens for all children

 

🎾 FREE Tennis Open Day – This Sunday! 🎾

These guys are coming to school next week! …..Looking for something fun, active and completely free this weekend? Why not give tennis a go! Children are invited to join a FREE 60-minute tennis taster session at a local club this Sunday. These sessions are perfect for beginners and a great way to build confidence, learn new skills and have lots of fun.

What to expect:
✔ Fun games and mini challenges
✔ Friendly, experienced coaches
✔ All equipment provided
✔ A welcoming environment for all abilities

📅 Sunday 22 March

Choose from two local venues:

🎾 Portcullis Tennis Club – 10:00–11:00
📍 Wallingford Sports Park, Hithercroft, Wallingford, OX10 9RB
🔗 Book here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/NTASouthOxon/Coaching/Session/5becf869-477d-4ed4-aaed-2e3beac5d4ab

🎾 Blewbury Tennis Club – 14:00–15:00
📍 The Recreation Ground, Bohams Road, Didcot, OX11 9HB
🔗 Book here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/NTASouthOxon/Coaching/Session/69de0fea-9a45-4e0e-a607-2ba7ea8dff09

What to bring:

• Trainers
• Water bottle
• Big smiles and lots of energy!

⭐ Plus, all attendees will receive an exclusive on-the-day offer!

Spaces are limited – booking is essential, so please use the links above to secure your place.

If you have any questions, please contact:
📧 hello@nationaltennis.org.uk
📞 0330 551 9496