25 Sep 2009 - Autumn 2009 Weekly Newsletters

Weekly Newsletter

Friday September 25^th 2009

Dear Parents,

Our Harvest Service is planned for Monday 5th October at 9.00am. Attached to this letter is an envelope for donations towards our sponsorship of Mbawin and Shivcharan through Action Aid.  We need to raise £400, so every £ is vital.  Children can bring the envelopes to the Harvest Service, during which there will be a collection when children are invited to take their envelopes to the front of the church.

Cool Kids Club and Early Birds Breakfast Club are both available to fulfil your childcare needs.  The Cool Kids mobile telephone no is 07909632422.  Please use this number to book Cool Kids or for any emergency contact.  Bookings can also be made in the school office. It won't be long before our childcare facilities move into the brand new community building.

On Friday 2nd October, Cool Kids Club will be showing 'Carries War' especially for Years 5 and 6 (and by special request, Year 4 as well) along with special refreshments.  There are still a few spaces but parents do need to book at the school office.  Normal Cool Kids activities will be available for Years R - 3.

Last Tuesday's swimming session at South Molton Pool went very well.  There were many comments from Pool staff and others about the good behaviour of our children.  Please ensure that your child has a named swimming cap, along with costume and towel.  Nearly all families have kindly sent in their contributions towards swimming transport - thank you!  If you are one of the four families who have overlooked this we would be pleased to receive your donations as soon as possible.

For those concerned, we heard today from the County Admissions team that schools will remain with a two-term entry.  Consultation about a single entry point system has proved unpopular.  This means that, for the foreseeable future, children approaching school age will continue to be admitted at the beginning of the 'admission period' during which they reach their 5th birthday, a term  or so before the statutory requirement.  Admission periods are in line with current Local Authority policy:

Childs Date of birth                  Admission Point

1st September - 28th February          Commencement of autumn term

1st March - 31st August            Commencement of spring term 

Headteacher                   

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Weekly Newsletter

Friday September 18^th 2009

Dear Parents

This term (from 21st September) Years 1, 2 and 3 and Year 4 for 1/2 term will be swimming at South Molton Pool every Monday.  Children will need a named towel, swimming costume and swimming cap please.  It is our aim to develop children's confidence in the water by teaching non-swimmers to swim, and to develop water stamina and water safety techniques for those who can already swim.  Children will leave school at around 12.50pm, after an early lunch, and return around 1.30pm.  You will appreciate that the cost of pool hire, instructors and transport is very high and we can only continue with these vitally important sessions if parental contributions towards the cost of transport are forthcoming.  Many thanks to all those who have already sent in their donations.

Please ensure that all clothing is clearly labelled.  At the end of last term, one child's PE kit vanished, so please check that your child is not wearing someone else’s clothing!

Our school now have the services of a Parent Support Advisor, whose role is to help parents and their children to get the very best from school by providing support, advice and information.  In addition to school staff, she can help you with any worries you may have about your child's education, behaviour or attendance, and provide support on how best to deal with it.  Our Parent Advisor is Jan Hunter who will be around school in the near future.  She can be contacted via school, by mobile phone 07502218482, or by e-mail jhunter@smcc.devon.sch.uk.

On Tuesday 29th September, parents of our new Reception children are invited to a 'support your child with reading' evening at 6.30pm.

We are trying to develop table manners at lunch time and would ask you, at home, to re-inforce this - how to use a knife and fork etc.

If your child is in Years 3 to 6, please ensure that he/she has a recorder in school every Tuesday; the only exception is for children who have other instrument lessons in school.

On Monday, staff from South Molton Community College will be visiting to meet Year 6 children who may be considering going to that school next year.

Parents of all Reception children are asked to return their data collection forms by Tuesday of next week please,

Tuesday 22nd September is Devon Car Free Day.  The challenge is to leave the car at home (if possible) and travel by a different environmentally friendly form of transport.  Already Christopher Cullen (with his Dad) has walked from Landkey to school - well done Christopher!

Earlier today, Class 4 had a visit from Berwick Coates, who 70 years ago this year was evacuated to Swimbridge and our school.  Berwick returned to Devon as an adult and as well as having many historical books published, became a teacher at The Park School and West Buckland.  You can imagine the interest his visit generated among the children who are currently studying children's lifestyles during World War 2.

Be a part of the biggest coffee morning.  Come to the Jubilee Hall on Friday 25th September from 11.00am to 12.30 and help raise funds for McMillan Cancer.  Donations of cakes will be gratefully received.  For more details telephone Mrs Floyd on 830856.

While building work is ongoing, please do not park in the lay-by outside school.  This needs to be left for daily building deliveries.

G D Reed

Headteacher