New Christ Church Primary pupils in the pink for Breast Cancer

Generous pupils at New Christ Church Primary School in Whitley were in the pink as they raised £200 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

Pupils across the school in Milman Road were invited to dress down or in pink on October 21 for a 50p donation with some even colouring their hair and painting their nails to support the charity.

The Breast Cancer Campaign Wear It Pink Day, which officially took place last Friday, supports thousands of people affected by the disease from across the UK.

The fundraising also included a sponsored run of five laps around the school field as well as a cake sale featuring pink cupcakes made by teachers, parents and children, washed down with strawberry squash.

Year Three teacher Joanna Cross, said: “My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and thanks to treatment enjoyed a full and active life until it returned in 2007.

“Research and awareness is so important, it makes a massive difference to people’s lives."”

It was also an emotional day for newly-appointed headteacher Stacey Howarth, who was given the all clear in December after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Mrs Howarth, who has been acting headteacher since former headteacher became head of Jennett’s Park Primary School in Bracknell in December, took over the post last week.

She said: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and one of the parents here whose daughter goes to the school is also in remission so it is a charity very close to our hearts.

“The school was very supportive during that time. This was about raising awareness as much as it was about raising money and know it is good to talk about cancer as the survival rate is now much better.”

Sharon Adams, who is also in remission from breast cancer and whose daughter attended the school, added: “I am so proud that the school are supporting this. The children at the New Christ Church really understand the true meaning of charity and how it makes a difference to their lives and those of others.”

Breast Cancer Campaign currently supports 101 research projects worth more than £17.2 million in 34 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland.

For more information about the Breast Cancer Campaign call 0800 107 3104 or visit www.wearitpink.co.uk

© Reading Evening Post, 02.11.'11 - reproduced with permission.

New Christ Church Primary go solar

Eco-friendly children at New Christ Church Primary School in Whitley are the latest to jump on board Solar Schools.

The campaign, run by green organisation 10:10 and supported by the Reading Post, is inviting schools to raise funds for solar panels on the roofs of their schools to reduce energy costs.

Pupils and staff heard all about the scheme from Amy Cameron, Solar Schools co-ordinator at 10:10, during a special assembly to officially launch the scheme at the Milman Road school on Monday.

The campaign asks teachers and pupils to sell virtual tiles on solar panels which appear on their own Solar Schools website to friends, parents, groups and organisations.

The school has already raised £545, having received backing from Wokingham sustainable energy firm InstaGroup and Whitley graphic business VGL, along with several personal donations.

David Robson, managing director of InstaGroup, said: “We are always looking to support local projects, especially one which is so close to our hearts, and we wish the school all the best with it’s project.”

Jane Light, school finance officer, was delighted at the positive start to the fundraising.

She said: “This is a great opportunity for the school to save money on electricity bills in the future and to provide a fantastic educational resource for our children at the same time.

“It’s great to have had support from local businesses already and we are looking into how we can get more companies involved.

“Businesses who donate £100 or more get to personalise the panel with their business logo, a message of support for their donation and a link to their website.”

School governor Claire Newbold added: “With fuel costs increasing, and electricity being a large part of the school’s fuel bill, this is a fantastic opportunity for the school to generate its own electricity.”

Michael Ayerst, director of printing company VGL in Elgar Road, said: “Environmentally friendly technology is something we continue to invest in at VGL and we were more than happy to sponsor the purchase of the Solar Panels for New Christ Church Primary School.”

For more information visit www.solarschools.org.uk.

© Reading Evening Post, 13.10.'11 - reproduced with permission.

New Christ Church Primary opens its doors

A primary school praised by government inspectors for the “excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development” of its pupils now has room for more.

New Christ Church Primary in Milman Road in Whitley is now a one form entry school with seven classes.

The change came in at the beginning of this term – the school used to have six classes, with mixes of Years Three and Four, Four and Five and Five and Six.

Each of the new classes – Foundation and Years One to Six in straight year groups – can take up to 30, so New Christ Church now has the capacity for 210 youngsters.

Before the change, the admission figure was 180.

The extra places are mainly in Key Stage Two. Staff will warmly welcome anyone who wants to go and see what the school can offer and visitors may be surprised when they step inside.

The school may be in a beautiful Victorian building, but efforts have been made to ensure pupils are equipped with all the IT skills they need.   

New Christ Church, which is Church of England aided, has become more and more popular over the last few years and prides itself on its family feeling and how the children care for each other.

A ‘good’ rating in its 2010 Ofsted report has also given its reputation a boost. Inspectors commented on how pupils “thoroughly enjoy” lessons and benefit from a host of opportunities.

By the time Christ Church pupils make the huge step up to secondary school they are “mature and thoughtful young people who have high self esteem and genuinely care for each other”, according to the report.

And there was more praise for the careful fostering of the school’s Christian ethos, the “positive racial harmony” and the “best possible support” given to children with behavioural or emotional difficulties.

And in her welcome message, acting headteacher Stacey Howarth underlines the importance of pastoral care at Christ Church, saying “love, compassion, gentleness, friendship, kindness, joy and self-control” underpin all the school’s work.

© Reading Evening Post, 21.09.'11 - reproduced with permission.

‘Why does yellow paint take so long?

Parents and staff at New Christ Church School say their efforts to get road safety improvements are being frustrated.

The 170-pupil school in Milman Road has seen increased numbers of cars parking on double yellow lines and yellow zigzags in recent months – many from people using the nearby medical centre and community centre.

More than 120 parents have so far signed a petition in support of a number of improvements.

They want:

- A 20mph restriction in Milman Road. - An extension of yellow zigzag lines around the side of the school. - Increased traffic wardens or police presence. - Widening of the pavement near the school. - A commitment from Reading Borough Council to work in partnership for further improvements.

But according to headteacher Maria Soulsby attempts to get action have attracted little enthusiasm from the local authority.

She said: “What we have been told so far is that it is a complicated process and involves money.

“The parents are quite bemused why a bit of yellow paint can cost a lot of money and why this takes so long.”

She added: “There just seems to be a whole stack of hurdles in the way for something that strikes us as quite simple and reasonable. I don’t think we are asking for something unreasonable.

“It feels like hurdles are being put in front of us that don’t need to be there.”

Ms Soulsby said she has contacted all three ward councillors as well as going direct to the council.

Katesgrove councillor Warren Swaine said some of the areas where parking was a problem are on land controlled by the housing department which has made enforcement difficult.

He said: “The traffic wardens can do nothing about housing land.

“I am trying to get housing to give up the road to highways.”

Council spokesman Oscar Mortali said: “We are sympathetic to the headteacher’s concerns, and members of our highways team have visited the school to discuss them and to look at what could be done to address them.

“We have also had some email correspondence about these issues.

“A recent speed survey in Milman Road shows that the average speed of traffic is 21 miles per hour, which makes it suitable for a 20mph speed limit, in line with the council’s developing policy of introducing lower speed limits in suitable urban streets.

“However, there is a legal process which must be observed before this can happen.

“Similarly, it would be possible to extend the zigzag road markings around the school but this also must go through a legal process.

“Both these measures would also have a financial cost, at a time of tighter budget restrictions.

“We have stepped up patrols by parking enforcement officers, especially around the beginning and end of the school day, in light of the headteacher’s concerns.

“We have discussed the issue of large delivery vans using Milman Road with the company concerned, and it has agreed to use smaller vehicles after Christmas.”

© Reading Evening Post, 14.12.'10 - reproduced with permission.

New Christ Church Primary School’s Ofsted delight

Pupils, staff and parents at New Christ Church Primary School are celebrating after receiving a positive Ofsted inspection.

The governing body rated the Milman Road school “good with outstanding features” and highlighted pupils’ “outstanding” behaviour and the “excellent” work of the headteacher.

In the report, inspector Keith Sadler praised teachers for making “good progress for making lessons interesting” and the staff that make sure “the school runs smoothly and well”.

Headteacher Maria Soulsby said: “I am delighted with these extremely positive inspections, which recognise the hard work and commitment of all involved with our school.

“I am particularly pleased our distinctive ethos is highlighted by inspectors as having such a positive impact on the well-being and academic progress of all our children.

“Our children are absolutely brilliant and it is a privilege to work with and for them; to see their efforts praised in these reports is just wonderful.”

Chairwoman of governors Judith Thurlow added: “As governors, we are delighted with everything our committed staff have achieved.

“Their determination, hard work and dedication to the school are inspirational and we are extremely proud of them, and of the children who are a credit to us all.

“We are grateful to our parents for their unfailing support. It is a privilege to be a governor at New Christ Church.”

© Reading Evening Post, 28.04.'10 - reproduced with permission.

New Christ Church Primary rated good by Ofsted

A Katesgrove primary has been deemed good by Ofsted inspectors.

In a report published at the end of last month New Christ Church Primary in Milman Road was praised.

In a letter to pupils, lead inspector Keith Sadler said: “We really enjoyed meeting you and listening to what you had to say about your school.

“We enjoyed listening to all your positive comments about your school.

“We were all really impressed by the way in which you were so calm and well behaved when the fire alarm went off and with your singing practice on the school field.”

But he added there were things which could be improved.

He continued: “We have asked your headteacher, staff and governors to do two things.

“First, we have asked them to make sure that they let you know how close you are to meeting your targets when they mark your work and also for them to question you so that it really makes you think and explain what you know.

“This is to help you to attain above average standards in English, mathematics and science.

“Second, we have asked your governors to visit you in school more often so that they can find out for themselves how well you are doing.”

© Reading Evening Post, 06.04.'10 - reproduced with permission.

School has art of gold

Pupils at a South Reading primary are in very good art after winning a top accolade.

Arts Council England has awarded an Artsmark Gold to New Christ Church Primary School in recognition of its commitment to, and excellence in, arts education.

Since Artsmark began nine years ago, almost 10,000 awards have been made, with 1,649 schools receiving the award this year.

Maria Soulsby, headteacher of New Christ Church School in Milman Road, said: “I’m delighted that the Arts Council has recognised our dynamic arts education programme.

“Our children really enjoy the opportunities we provide to enhance and develop their learning within the arts.

“I am so proud of their enthusiasm and talent, which is evident across our whole school.

“It’s wonderful for our work to be recognised with this prestigious award and I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work in achieving this award, especially Jane Taylor, our arts co-ordinator.”

Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “Arts Council England is committed to great art for everyone and we believe that the earlier children are creatively inspired, the more likely they are to have a lifelong engagement with art.

“Artsmark sets the standard for an outstanding arts offer in schools and it’s to see so many new schools attaining the Artsmark award this year.

“The award recognises New Christ Church’s passion for the arts and belief in the power of creativity.”

A school must dedicate a minimum of 10 per cent of its curricular teaching time to the arts to receive an Artsmark; 12 per cent wins a Silver Artsmark and 15 per cent qualifies for Artsmark Gold.

An Artsmark school also provides teachers’ professional development and involvement with local artists and arts groups.

Any school in England can apply for Artsmark at www.artsmark.org.uk.

© Reading Evening Post, 18.06.'09 - reproduced with permission.

School of quality praised

Original Article

Children at New Christ Church Primary School had lots to celebrate as they returned to school after the summer break.

They were told the school had been recommended to receive the prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark, in recognition of the very good work it does in supporting all the children in its care.

Assessor Barbara Curry visited the Milman Road, South Reading, school in the summer term and spent time meeting children, staff, parents and governors, as well as inspecting school records and policies.

She made judgements of the school in 10 areas, identifying many strengths. In conclusion she found that New Christ Church was a “truly inclusive school”, with a “strong learning culture”, and “harmonious” relationships, which have led to the school achieving good standards in learning and behaviour.

Headteacher Maria Solsby said “We have a very strong family ethos at New Christ Church, and welcome children from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds.

“I am very proud that all our hard work in welcoming, supporting and caring for every child has been recognised in this report.”

© Reading Evening Post, 16.10.'08 - reproduced with permission.

Pupils out - to be streetwise!

Children from Class 5/6 joined the police and Reading Borough Council to carry out an Environmental Visual Audit. We want to try to help keep our community safe.

Original Article

Pupils from New Christ Church School in Katesgrove joined police officers and environmental officers to inspect the state of their neighbourhood.

The headteacher of the Milman Road school, Maria Soulsby, accompanied the seven children on the environmental visual audit, during which they identified general litter, overhanging vegetation, broken glass bottles, abandoned shopping trolleys, graffiti, and exposed junction boxes.

The audit was organised by Katesgrove Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), which conducts an environmental audit every month.

This was the first time schoolchildren took part.

© Reading Weekend Post, 23.05.'08 - reproduced with permission.

Teachers willing to 'go the extra mile'

Original Article

Two Reading teachers have been nominated for the Pride of Reading awards after making a special contribution to their schools.

Maria Soulsby, the headteacher at New Christ Church Primary School in Milman Road, Katesgrove, and Maggie Donaldson of St. john's and St. Stephen's Primary School in Orts Road, Newtown, have both been put forward in the Community Champion category.

Michelle Isley, whose daughter attends New Christ Church Primary School, said Mrs Soulsby was a "special headteacher".

She added: "My daughter has been going through some tough times in her life but Maria has always been there for her.

"She always checks that she is okay. She is very special as she really cares for the children and treats them like her own.

"Whenever my daughter has been sad she has always been there for her. She always checks that she is okay, even though these problems are out of school she always asks how my daughter feels about things.

"My daughter loves her very much. Maria goes that extra mile to care for the children at New Christ Church. Parents, children and teachers, we are all a big family."

Nominator Angela Armstrong said Mrs Donaldson had improved a number of schools in the area .

She said "Not only is she our headmistress at our school she had also changed around quite a few of the primary schools in Reading for the better."

© Thom Airs 30.10.'07