15 Jul 2005 - Summer Term 2005 School Newsletters
Weekly Newsletter 24
Fri 15th July
Dear Parents,
This is the last newsletter of the school year as we close at 3.30pm on Wednesday 20th July. School re-opens at 8.45am on Tuesday 6th September.
Please remember that the school day is different from next term. We will be starting at 8.45am and closing at 3.13pm. Children can start to arrive from 8.30am onwards, but no earlier please.
Our after school club 'Cool Kids' will operate every school day from the first day of term. The leader of the Club, Rachel Vines, has been appointed and will be in school on Monday to meet the children. If you would like to book your child in to 'Cool Kids' for specific days or whole weeks, you must book in advance - the school office has booking forms.
Also joining us next term will be Mrs Linda French who will be teaching our new morning Reception group, Class 1. Mrs French has considerable experience with the Foundation Stage and will join our hard-working Key Stage 1 team of Mrs Beechey and Mrs Newnham.
All children in Years 3 to 6 have instrumental music lessons in school. Most learn the recorder, but some opt for guitars or flute/fife. Because we 'buy-in' teahcers for these instruments, a charge of approximately £43/44 is made for 10 lessons per term, which represents very good value. To book your child's music tuition, please complete the form below.
Children in Classes 3 and 4 who do not have flute or guitar lessons in school all have recorder lessons, for which there is no charge. These children need a plastic (not wooden) recorder please, available from any music shop at approximately £4-5. Please note that 'toy' recorders are not suitable.
Swimming for 2005/6 has been booked at the South Molton pool for the summer term, nut the usual autumn or spring terms.
We are very grateful that all our children wear the school uniform. Some children's P.E. kit is rather haphazard, however, and a number of children who prefer not to change, have worn their white school polo shirts for P.E. or games, getting them very dirty. Consequently from September we ask that all children wear red polo shirts, available from National Schoolwear at £4.75 without a logo, or £5.75 with school logo (our preferred option). Shorts should be black short shorts, not long shorts!
Our Maypole dancers have excelled themselves recently, dancing at Castle Hill, Filleigh, and a number of Old Folks venues on Wednesday. On Saturday, the Maypole dancers have their last engagement at Swimbridge Parsih Church Summer Fete at East Heddon Farmhouse. Hopefully parents will have received a letter giving details. Dancers should wear :
Boys White polo shirt and school trousers or black short shorts.
Girls White polo shirt and school-provided red/white skirt.
Throughout the year the Headteacher award is given to children who have stood out as especially kind and helpful to others. Unusually on this ocassion the Headteachers award is presented to Mr Geoff Floyd, who is retiring as a Governor at the end of term. Geoff has proved to be a valued Governor serving as Chair of our Finance Committee. Thanks Geoff!!!
Next term school lunches will cost £1.50. Watch out for news of exiting changes to our school meals!
School photographs should now be returned if not wanted, or purchased, please.
Over the summer, cycle training for children is being arranged at school. There are only 8 places for the two late afternoon sessions on Friday 22nd July and 5th August. Please return the attached form immediately if you wish your child to participate - first come, first served.
Wednesday 20th July is our last assembly of the year when we invite the Year 6 children to take a central part. Parents of Year 6 children are welcome to join us from 9.15 to 9.45am - although it may be rather a squash! We would like to ake this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to our Year 6 leavers as they commence their secondary education; they will be missed. We hope they will keep in touch with us.
Happy Summer Holidays
Garry Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 23
Friday 8th July 2005
Dear Parents,
Many thanks to everyone who organised, helped or came to last Friday's PTA Summer Fayre. A tremendous £600+ was raised. Thank you!
Our Year 2 SAT results have once again been most encouraging, as have our Year 6 results which indicate that, once again, standards are high
It is expected that nationally, around 72% of children will achieve Level 4 or above. At Swimbridge School, 92% reached Level 4 or above in Maths (62% attained Level 5), 77% agained Level 4 or above in English (23% Level 5) and 100% reached Level 4 or above in Science (69% being awarded Level 5)!
A great thanks to all parents arranging for their children to take part in the Maypole Dancing at Castle Hill, Filleigh on Saturday afternoon commencing at 3.00pm. A separate letter giving details of clothing (school uniform and trainers please), and location (at the west end of the house on the lawn) etc has already been sent out.
We are currently revising our school Road Safety Policy and formulating a school travel plan. A survey has been carried out and the recommendations include :
Where possible children should walk to school.
If children do come by car, wherever possible, travel should be shared.
Car drivers should park courteously, not on the zig-zag lines. If cars are parked on the opposite side of the road, parents should physically cross children over the road.
Children should always get in and out of the car straight onto the path, never onto the road side of the vehicle.
These recommendations are abvious but are well worth giving attention to.
I'm sure that we all enjoyed our School Sports Day yesterday. Special thanks must go to Mrs Beechey for her excellent organisation.
Remember to get your booking forms in for our after-school club, next term.
Years 5 and 6 had an exhausting morning at the Toplink Athletics meeting at Braunton. Their behaviour was especially good and everyone tried very hard despite the weather. The following children were awarded medals :
Gold Medal Rounders ball throw Whitney Beer
Bronze Rounders Ball throw Ben Mansell
Silver 100mtrs Tom Floyd
Bronze 100mtrs Sarah Spencer
Gold 800mtrs Josh Stoneman
Bronze 800mtrs Alec Smith
School photos are being sent home tonight. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do not wish to do so please return the photo immediately. Payments should be put into the envelope provided and returned to school as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please don't hesitate to let us know.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 22
Wednesday 29th June 2005
Dear Parents,
Please find enclosed your child's annual report. We hope you find this informative and useful.
Teachers spend many hours writing these reports and are very happy to meet parents at our summer parent/teacher consultations between 4pm and 6.45pm on Tuesday 5th July. If you find the reports self-explanatory, please do not feel obliged to attend; the choice is yours.
At the time of writing full Y3 to Y6 SAT results are not available. These will be sent to parents as soon as we receive them.
Provisional class lists for September are now being completed. KS1 will be divided into teo, combining for the afternoon sessions. We feel it will be an advantage if some Year 2 children work with Class 3 during the afternoons at this time.
Class 1 (Mrs French) mornings - Year R and some Year 1
Class 2 (Mrs Bechey) Year 1 and 2
Class 3 (Mrs McVeigh) Years 3 and 4 (some Year 2 in afternoons)
Class 4 (Mr Reed) Years 5 and 6
Don't forget our PTA Fayre in the Jubilee Hall from 5.30pm on Friday evening. Donations of cakes etc, are very welcome. The Maypole dancers need to be ready at 5.20pm, please, for an early start - on this occasion they can wear their own clothes; normally they should wear school uniform.
Next Thursday afternoon (7th July) we will hold our Sports Day commencing at 1.30pm. Everyone is welcome. Following this, cream teas will be available in the Jubilee Hall (courtesy of Swimbridge Pre-School). At the end of the sports (which might be a little earlier than the usual end of school), children whose parents are present will be free to leave. Local children who normally walk home on their own will be able to do so as long as we receive a note to this effect from parents. Children whose parents are not present will stay with their teachers until 3.30pm and should be collected from the Jubilee Hall please.
Don't forget we still need those Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers.
If you want to be sure of a place for your child at the Cool Kids Club after school from September, please return the booking form.
Thank you for your support for our school - especially to the PTA Officers who have done so much to make this week's Summer Fayre the success it will undoubtedly be!
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 21
Friday 24th June 2005
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to announce that from September our new Class 1 teacher will be Linda French, an experienced reception teacher, who will be working alongside Sue Beechey and Sharon Newnham.
From September, the school will be organised with four classes during mornings, with three classes during afternoons, when some Year 2 children will be joining class 3. Class lists for next term will be arranged shortly.
Don't forget to book places for our new after-school club starting in September. Further copies of the priority booking form are available from the school office.
Next Wednesday 29th June, Class 4 will be participating in the Toplink Athletics Meeting at Braunton Athletic track. Please see the separate letter being sent out today for further details.
School reports will hopefully be sent to parents next week. The parent/teacher consultations will be on Tuesday 5th July.
Please keep the Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers coming in. Our current totals are :
Tesco's 14,000
Sainsbury's 7,300
but we still need more!!!
Dont forget the PTA Summer Fayre on Friday 1st July, to be opened by Lady Vanilla Park-her-Rolls.
Next term we intend to continue guitar and flute/fife lessons for Years 3 to 6 so long as there is sufficient demand. This will be in addition to recorder lessons. To book a place please complete the relevant form. More details to follow.
G Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 20
Thursday 16th June
Dear Parents,
The good news this week is that we have been granted funding to start our after-school club from September. This club will be primarily for our school children so, to ensure a place, please return the priority boking form as soon as possible. Numbers are limited. We are aiming for quality provision, our fees are very comparable for similar clubs in North Devon and, we feel, represent good value for money.
Don't forget, school is closed tomorrow (Friday 17th June) for a staff only day.
Thank you to parents of children in Years 5 and 6 who have responded so far to my letters about Maypole Dancing.
Our Maypole Dancers will, hopefully, be performing at the PTA Summer Fayre (Friday evening 1st July), at Filleigh Estate (South Molton Arts Festival- Saturday afternoon 9th July), at various retirement homes during school time (Wedensday 13th July) and at Swimbridge Parish Church Fete (Saturday afternnon 16th July). More details nearer the time.I attach details for everyone about the South Molton Arts Festival on Saturday 9th July. Our children will be Maypole Dancing during the afternoon and some will also be taking part in the evening musical concert. I understand entrance is free for performers, tickets are available from school for others.
Congratulations to the school Tag Rugby Squad who took part in the area tournament last Wednesday; one of our teams got through to the quarter finals!
Next Tuesday we will be having the annual school photograph. On Friday 24th, 25th and 26th June, Swimbridge will reverberate with the sounds of laughter at the village pantomime; tickets are available from school.
Dont forget the PTA Summer Fayre at 5.30pm on Friday 1st July, and parent/teacher consultations on Tusday 5th July early evening. We hope to hold our sports day on Thursday afternoon 7th July.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newletter No 19
Friday 10th June
Dear Parent,
You will know that school is closed next Friday, 17th June, for a staff training day. Hopefully the weather will be fine and some of you will be able to have a long weekend away!
Staff from South Molton Community College will visit our school to meet Year 6 pupils on Wednesday 15th June followed by a visit to SMCC by pupils on Thursday 30th June and Tuesday 5th July. The Park Induction day will also be on Thursday 30th June. Parents have already been sent letters with these and other details.
Many thanks to the 51.8% of parents who responded to our recent Parents Questionnaire. A summary of the results is attached. The findings will be used to inform our planning for the future, although great strides are already being made in the provision of after school activities with the advent of our regular after-school club from September 2005.
We hope KS1 have a good time visiting Rosemoor Gardens next Monday. Class 4 certainly enjoyed their Geography Field Trip to Watermouth Cove and Heddons Mouth on Wednesday last, as these photographs illustrate.
A group of Y5 and 6 children will be participating in the Small Schools Tag Rugby Tournament on Tuesday 14th June. Notes with permission slips are being sent our today.
Can I remind you that all children should now only bring healthy fruit and vegetable snacks for morning break. Your co-operation is much appreciated.
A short note from Marie, the school cook :
As from September I will no longer be serving potato waffles, pork grills, fish cakes, golden drummers, chicken fingers or sausage rolls. This is all a step closer to providing a healthier menu. Tune, cheese or egg salads are available as a lunch choice, but please let me know if required first thing in the morning. Thankyou.
Don?t forget there is a PTA planning meeting (for the Summer Fayre) on Tuesday 14th June at the Jack Russell at 8.00pm.
The school photographer will (hopefully) be taking the annual school photo on Tuesday 21st June.
Any worries? ? please have a word with your child?s teacher, or myself.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newletter No 18
Friday 27th May 2005
Dear Parents,
School closes this evening for the half term holiday, re-opening on Monday 6th June.
It was good to have so many at the Cascades Fun swim last Friday. A £47 profit was raised towards our continued sponsorship of Sanjay and Atilat through Action Aid.
You will know of the Government?s push towards healthy eating. Younger children only have fruit for mid-morning break, and despite requests a few older children are still occasionally bringing crisps and other less healthy snacks. This is unfair on younger children, so after half term we ask that children only bring fruit for mid-morning breaks. Sweets, of course, are not allowed although some parents do like to bring in a bag of sweets for the entire class on their child?s birthday.
Class 3 took part in a Sports day on Wednesday. The children were divided into teams, one of which came second overall. This is a report from Madeleine Mansell, Class 3
?On Wednesday we went to a sports day. We went to South Molton school for it. There were about 10 events in a sports field. Our class got split into 2 teams of 12. The funnest event was the obstacle course. You had to run up, go through the tyres on tip toe then run to the hurdles, go over the first one under the next one and over the next one. Then we had to run round the cone and run in and out a row of cones. We were lucky it was very sunny. We won a trophy we came second. Out of 7 teams we were 2 and 3. It was really fun. Some of the events were hard and some easy and some in the middle.?
Congratulations to all children who took part.
Our maypole dancers are in demand again this summer. Parents of children in Class 4 will have received an important letter about the South Molton Arts Day which includes Maypole dancing. Please read and respond to this.
We have been asked to dance at :
· PTA Summer Fayre on Friday 1st July at about 5.30pm
· South Molton Arts Day at Filleigh Estate on Saturday 9th July.
· An afternoon visit to dance at local retirement homes and the Salvation Army Luncheon Club ? possibly Wednesday 13th July
· Swimbridge Parish Church Fete at East Heddon on Saturday 16th July at about 3.00pm.
On Monday 13th June KS1 children will be visiting Rosemoor Gardens as part of their Science and Art work.
Next term we hope to increase our teaching input with KS1 forming a separate Reception/some Year1 class during the morning. More details later this term.
We hope to make booking forms for our ?after-school? club available soon after half term. We aim that this will provide quality child care from 3.15 to 5.30pm to those who require it.
Congratulations to the following children who have successfully completed merit cards:
Card 1 Declan Smith
Card 2 Simon Bushen and Travis Lovell
Card 3 Laura Trawin, Hayden Vickery and Thomas O?Brien
Card 4 Joseph Comerford
Card 5 Jacob Heard
Card 6 Bethany Hill
Card 7 Saskia Beer and Ellie Lang
Card 8 Jocie Dyer
Card 9 Luke Dawson, James Groombridge & Bryony Newnham
Card 10 Georgie Comerford
Card 11 Whitney Beer
Card 12 Alex H-Higgins and Ellie Mansfield
Card 13 Rachel Snell
Card 17 Sarah Spencer
A Junk/Funk band is about to start in the South Molton area, and Years 5 and 6 are invited. There will be a free taster session on 12th July at South Molton Community College, with weekly sessions continuing in September. To register please phone Nicole Huxtable on 01598 710345
Early notification :
PTA AGM on Wednesday 5th October.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 17
Friday 20th May 2005
Dear Parents,
End the week with a splash!!! Join us at Cascades, Ruda, Croyde, for a fun swim tonight from 6.15 to 7.15pm and bring along your family and friends. The reduced cost of £2 per person will apply; all profit will go to supporting our two Action Aid sponsored children.
Many thanks for sending in your Parents Questionnaires. There is still time to send yours in if you havent already done so. We will let you know the overall responses shortly.
On Wednesday Class 3 will be orienteering at South Molton Community College; parents should have received letters about these already. OnTuesday 7th June Class 4 may be going on a geography coastal field trip. More details later.
The overwhelming view from parents about changing the school day (from September) from 9.00-3.30 to 8.45-3.15, to allow parents to drop children off earlier (from 8.30) has been yes, agree or dont really mind. We have only received two negative responses. The final decision will be made before half term, so watch this space.
Dont forget your PTA meeting at the Jack Russell at 8.00pm on Tuesday evening, 24th May.
The half term holiday will be from Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June.
We are always pleased to receive out-grown items of school uniform, especially larger sizes, for our Thrift Shop. Any profit from the sale of these will go to support our Action Aid children.
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please book an after school appointment.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 16
Friday 13th May 2005
Dear Parents,
Our Test Week is now complete and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, although there are a few assessments outstanding. Children have worked hard and done their best; as has the staff. We will let you know how your child has done once the marking process is complete. School reports will be published towards the end of June with parent/teacher consultations on 5th July.
Tonight in the Jubilee Hall we will be holding our P.T.A. Quiz Night commencing at 8.00pm. Next Friday the school has booked Cascades pool at Ruda, Croyde for all our families and friends to come and enjoy themselves. The special price of just £2 per person includes 25p towards the sponsorship of Atilat and Abagri, the two children we sponsor through Action Aid.
The only nomination we have had for Parent Governor is for Andy Comerford, so he is elected unopposed. If there are any matters you would like to bring to the governors attention please contact Andy. Of course, if you have any problems related to school, please see us first
Parents of Y5 and 6 children will have already received information about the South Molton area Arts day at the Filleigh Estate on 9th July. Basically all Y5 and 6 children are invited to take part in a joint musical concert to be held in the evening. Those who have expressed an interest will need to attend joint rehearsals. We will contact parents about these as soon as we get this information. Our school has been invited to perform Maypole Dancing during the afternoon (between 3pm and 5pm). We therefore hope that all Years 5 and 6 children will be available for this exciting event, even if they are not taking part in the evening concert. Please complete the form below. More details soon. We hope to do a number of Maypole Dancing performances this summer, all being well.
The next P.T.A. meeting is on Tuesday 24th May at 8.00pm in the Jack Russell. Remember, every parent and staff member is a member and can attend.
Dont forget we are still collecting Sainsbury and Tesco vouchers for schools.
Attached to this letter is a parents questionnaire. We would be very grateful if you could read it, give it careful consideration and return it to me by next Friday. Thank you.
Thank you for the support and encouragement you give to our school. If you would like to discuss any matter relating to school life, please book an after school consultation with your child?s teacher.
Induction day for Y6 children going to Park School will be on Thursday 30th June. I understand there will be a Parents Intake evening on Monday 27th June at Park School. Y6 children going to South Molton Community College will also have their Induction day on Thursday 30th June.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Newsletter No 15
Friday 6th May 2005
Dear Parents,
Next week is test week at school when years 2 to 6 take their statutory and school-optional SAT tests. We try to make this week as pressure-free as possible. Parents can help by ensuring that their children have enough sleep each night and that they arrive at school in good time with everything they need (pencils, pens, rulers etc). During the afternoon there may well be some lighter sessions, so please make certain that your childs P.E. kit is in school every day.
The Year 6 test programme is:
Monday Science A; Science B
Tuesday English writing; spelling
Wednesday English Reading
Thursday Maths A; Mental Maths
Friday Maths B
Other years may be following a similar pattern, but days and types of tests may alter.
There will be a meeting on Tuesday 17th May at 3.40pm in the Library for parents to discuss the proposed change of the school day (starting next September). The proposal is that we start school at 8.45am (allowing children to arrive at school at 8.30am) and finish at 3.15pm. This is designed to help parents get to work by 9.00am; we hope that our after-school club will then be in operation.
At the present time, however, children should not be in school before 8.45am, when we can provide supervision.
Dont forget the PTA Quiz in the Jubilee Hall on Friday 13th May. Raffle prizes are needed, so if you feel you can help, please see any PTA officer (Kate Rippin, Emma Dawson, Lisa Adams, John Groombridge).
Other dates for your diary :
Sat 14th May & Sat 11th June Play course, open to staff and parents
20th May (6.15 to 7.15 pm) Cascades family swim at Ruda, Croyde
Finally, for the first time ever, the Headteachers award goes to a parent, Andy Comerford, for his dedicated work (filling in dozens of forms and compiling numerous policies) in leading us towards the goal of achieving our after-school club. Thanks Andy!!!!
Thank to those parents who attended the sports coaching open evening. To those who couldnt make it, but are still interested in sports coaching, there are a few spaces left on the course.
Sports Coaching for Parents/Volunteers starting June 6th at 6.30pm 4 weeks at South Molton Community College.
To register for more information contact :
Nicole Huxtable : 01598 710345
G D Reed
Headteacher
p.s. Sainsburys and Tesco Vouchers are still desperately needed please.
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Letter 14
Friday 29th April 2005
Dear Parents,
Earlier this week you should have received a letter notifying you of our Parent Governor election. If your child did not bring your copy home, please get a copy from the school office. This has become necessary because of the reconstitution of our Governing Body. I am sure you would wish to thank Andy Comerford, the current Parent Governor, for his dedicated service to date. Nominations are invited.
Judith Heard has been re-appointed to represent Devon County Council on our Governing Body.
As you know we are currently seeking applications for Playleaders and Assistants for our after school club. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please let us have a letter of application and a C.V. Just ask for further information.
In the future we may be able to offer holiday childcare. In the meantime this might be useful to some parents :
Arts Play is an inclusive holiday childcare scheme, offering a high standard of care tat meets the needs of families and children at affordable rates. They welcome children of all abilities from the age of 4 (in full time education) to 14 years. The scheme is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday, during school holidays, at Orchard Vale Community School, Barnstaple. Arts Play employs fully trained and experienced staff on a ratio of at least one member of staff to 8 children. Arts Play offers a range of arts-based activities that develop the individual childs creative talents through a programme of practical and participatory workshops, which are supported by professional childrens theatre and local artist visits. These include crafts, games, drama, sports and structured play activities. For the long summer holidays, special day trips will be arranged, visiting local attractions (extra charges are made to cover entry fees). Visit www.canplay.co.uk/holiday.htm
We are holding a free course for anyone who is interested in play an Introduction to Playwork. Parents are invited to apply for places on this course to be held on Saturdays 14th May and 11th June at school; please see the poster for details.
Dates for your diary:
Monday 2nd May School closed (Bank Holiday)
Monday-Friday 9th to 13th May Test Week (SATs etc)
Friday 13th May PTA Quiz Night
Friday 20th May Cascades Pool 6.15 ? 7.15pm
Tuesday 24th May PTA Meeting
Dont forget we are collecting Tesco and Sainsburys vouchers. The totals collected so far are:
Tesco Vouchers 3,700
Sainsburys Vouchers 2,300
Due to illness the school photograph was not taken today. It has been rearranged for Tuesday afternoon.
Congratulations to these children for completing merit cards :
Card 2 Megan Rippin & Alexander Snell
Card 3 Hannah Trawin
Card 4 Charlie Thompson, Catriona Wetherill-S & Lauren Slape
Card 5 Laura Ackland & Peter Dawson
Card 6 Paul Crossley, Shannon Straughan & Billy Floyd
Card 9 Andrew Dyer
Card 12 Madeleine Mansell
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please book an after-school consultation with your childs teacher.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Letter 12
Friday April 15th
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the Summer Term. As you are aware, Mrs McVeigh is now teaching Class 3. If you have any concerns relating to special educational needs in the school, please see Mrs Beechey, as she is our S.E.N.C.O. for the next year.
Our planned after school stay and play club is gaining momentum. We hope to be operating from September. Currently we are advertising for staff. Please let us know if you are interested, or know of anyone else who would like this worthwhile employment.
Dates for your diary :
Tue 19/4 PTA Meeting
Fri 29/4 School photo
Mon 2/5 Bank holiday (school closed)
9-13/5 Festival week
Fri 13/5 PTA Quiz Night
Fri 20/5 Cascades
Tue 7/6 Governors Meeting
Tue 14/6 Tag Rugby Festival
Fri 17/6 Non-pupil day
Wed 22/6 Football Tournament
Wed 29/6 Athletics Day
Tue 5/7 Parent/Teacher consultations
Thurs 7/7 Sports Day
Sat 9/7 Castle Hill Music/Drama Day
Wed 20/7 Last day of term
From mid-May class 4 will have additional P.E. sessions on Tuesday mornings. Please ensure that all P.E. kit is in school every day as, with the good weather extra sessions might be planned at short notice.
We always seem to have a considerable number of unnamed school sweatshirts and other articles of clothing. Please, please, please label your child?s clothing.
We are planning to put on a course at school for anyone who would like to understand more about children?s play. This will cover the roles and responsibilities of a playworker, how to build relationships with children and how to keep children safe. The course also provides opportunities for playworkers to gain practical playwork experience. The ?Introductions to Playwork? course run by Playlines also has the additional benefit of providing Level 2 equivalent qualifications accepted by OFSTED ? ideal to work in after-school clubs, nurseries or schools etc. National Centre for Playwork Education accreditation/qualification is awarded at the end of the 15 hour course. This is the minimum requirement by DfES for out-of-school carers. This course will operate later in the term ? times and dates to be decided. To register an interest, please see me to collect an application form.
We have just discovered that our school is one of only 760 schools in the prestigious ?Good Schools Guide?. WOW!!!
G D Reed
Headteacher
Fri 15th July
Dear Parents,
This is the last newsletter of the school year as we close at 3.30pm on Wednesday 20th July. School re-opens at 8.45am on Tuesday 6th September.
Please remember that the school day is different from next term. We will be starting at 8.45am and closing at 3.13pm. Children can start to arrive from 8.30am onwards, but no earlier please.
Our after school club 'Cool Kids' will operate every school day from the first day of term. The leader of the Club, Rachel Vines, has been appointed and will be in school on Monday to meet the children. If you would like to book your child in to 'Cool Kids' for specific days or whole weeks, you must book in advance - the school office has booking forms.
Also joining us next term will be Mrs Linda French who will be teaching our new morning Reception group, Class 1. Mrs French has considerable experience with the Foundation Stage and will join our hard-working Key Stage 1 team of Mrs Beechey and Mrs Newnham.
All children in Years 3 to 6 have instrumental music lessons in school. Most learn the recorder, but some opt for guitars or flute/fife. Because we 'buy-in' teahcers for these instruments, a charge of approximately £43/44 is made for 10 lessons per term, which represents very good value. To book your child's music tuition, please complete the form below.
Children in Classes 3 and 4 who do not have flute or guitar lessons in school all have recorder lessons, for which there is no charge. These children need a plastic (not wooden) recorder please, available from any music shop at approximately £4-5. Please note that 'toy' recorders are not suitable.
Swimming for 2005/6 has been booked at the South Molton pool for the summer term, nut the usual autumn or spring terms.
We are very grateful that all our children wear the school uniform. Some children's P.E. kit is rather haphazard, however, and a number of children who prefer not to change, have worn their white school polo shirts for P.E. or games, getting them very dirty. Consequently from September we ask that all children wear red polo shirts, available from National Schoolwear at £4.75 without a logo, or £5.75 with school logo (our preferred option). Shorts should be black short shorts, not long shorts!
Our Maypole dancers have excelled themselves recently, dancing at Castle Hill, Filleigh, and a number of Old Folks venues on Wednesday. On Saturday, the Maypole dancers have their last engagement at Swimbridge Parsih Church Summer Fete at East Heddon Farmhouse. Hopefully parents will have received a letter giving details. Dancers should wear :
Boys White polo shirt and school trousers or black short shorts.
Girls White polo shirt and school-provided red/white skirt.
Throughout the year the Headteacher award is given to children who have stood out as especially kind and helpful to others. Unusually on this ocassion the Headteachers award is presented to Mr Geoff Floyd, who is retiring as a Governor at the end of term. Geoff has proved to be a valued Governor serving as Chair of our Finance Committee. Thanks Geoff!!!
Next term school lunches will cost £1.50. Watch out for news of exiting changes to our school meals!
School photographs should now be returned if not wanted, or purchased, please.
Over the summer, cycle training for children is being arranged at school. There are only 8 places for the two late afternoon sessions on Friday 22nd July and 5th August. Please return the attached form immediately if you wish your child to participate - first come, first served.
Wednesday 20th July is our last assembly of the year when we invite the Year 6 children to take a central part. Parents of Year 6 children are welcome to join us from 9.15 to 9.45am - although it may be rather a squash! We would like to ake this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to our Year 6 leavers as they commence their secondary education; they will be missed. We hope they will keep in touch with us.
Happy Summer Holidays
Garry Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 23
Friday 8th July 2005
Dear Parents,
Many thanks to everyone who organised, helped or came to last Friday's PTA Summer Fayre. A tremendous £600+ was raised. Thank you!
Our Year 2 SAT results have once again been most encouraging, as have our Year 6 results which indicate that, once again, standards are high
It is expected that nationally, around 72% of children will achieve Level 4 or above. At Swimbridge School, 92% reached Level 4 or above in Maths (62% attained Level 5), 77% agained Level 4 or above in English (23% Level 5) and 100% reached Level 4 or above in Science (69% being awarded Level 5)!
A great thanks to all parents arranging for their children to take part in the Maypole Dancing at Castle Hill, Filleigh on Saturday afternoon commencing at 3.00pm. A separate letter giving details of clothing (school uniform and trainers please), and location (at the west end of the house on the lawn) etc has already been sent out.
We are currently revising our school Road Safety Policy and formulating a school travel plan. A survey has been carried out and the recommendations include :
Where possible children should walk to school.
If children do come by car, wherever possible, travel should be shared.
Car drivers should park courteously, not on the zig-zag lines. If cars are parked on the opposite side of the road, parents should physically cross children over the road.
Children should always get in and out of the car straight onto the path, never onto the road side of the vehicle.
These recommendations are abvious but are well worth giving attention to.
I'm sure that we all enjoyed our School Sports Day yesterday. Special thanks must go to Mrs Beechey for her excellent organisation.
Remember to get your booking forms in for our after-school club, next term.
Years 5 and 6 had an exhausting morning at the Toplink Athletics meeting at Braunton. Their behaviour was especially good and everyone tried very hard despite the weather. The following children were awarded medals :
Gold Medal Rounders ball throw Whitney Beer
Bronze Rounders Ball throw Ben Mansell
Silver 100mtrs Tom Floyd
Bronze 100mtrs Sarah Spencer
Gold 800mtrs Josh Stoneman
Bronze 800mtrs Alec Smith
School photos are being sent home tonight. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do not wish to do so please return the photo immediately. Payments should be put into the envelope provided and returned to school as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please don't hesitate to let us know.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 22
Wednesday 29th June 2005
Dear Parents,
Please find enclosed your child's annual report. We hope you find this informative and useful.
Teachers spend many hours writing these reports and are very happy to meet parents at our summer parent/teacher consultations between 4pm and 6.45pm on Tuesday 5th July. If you find the reports self-explanatory, please do not feel obliged to attend; the choice is yours.
At the time of writing full Y3 to Y6 SAT results are not available. These will be sent to parents as soon as we receive them.
Provisional class lists for September are now being completed. KS1 will be divided into teo, combining for the afternoon sessions. We feel it will be an advantage if some Year 2 children work with Class 3 during the afternoons at this time.
Class 1 (Mrs French) mornings - Year R and some Year 1
Class 2 (Mrs Bechey) Year 1 and 2
Class 3 (Mrs McVeigh) Years 3 and 4 (some Year 2 in afternoons)
Class 4 (Mr Reed) Years 5 and 6
Don't forget our PTA Fayre in the Jubilee Hall from 5.30pm on Friday evening. Donations of cakes etc, are very welcome. The Maypole dancers need to be ready at 5.20pm, please, for an early start - on this occasion they can wear their own clothes; normally they should wear school uniform.
Next Thursday afternoon (7th July) we will hold our Sports Day commencing at 1.30pm. Everyone is welcome. Following this, cream teas will be available in the Jubilee Hall (courtesy of Swimbridge Pre-School). At the end of the sports (which might be a little earlier than the usual end of school), children whose parents are present will be free to leave. Local children who normally walk home on their own will be able to do so as long as we receive a note to this effect from parents. Children whose parents are not present will stay with their teachers until 3.30pm and should be collected from the Jubilee Hall please.
Don't forget we still need those Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers.
If you want to be sure of a place for your child at the Cool Kids Club after school from September, please return the booking form.
Thank you for your support for our school - especially to the PTA Officers who have done so much to make this week's Summer Fayre the success it will undoubtedly be!
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 21
Friday 24th June 2005
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to announce that from September our new Class 1 teacher will be Linda French, an experienced reception teacher, who will be working alongside Sue Beechey and Sharon Newnham.
From September, the school will be organised with four classes during mornings, with three classes during afternoons, when some Year 2 children will be joining class 3. Class lists for next term will be arranged shortly.
Don't forget to book places for our new after-school club starting in September. Further copies of the priority booking form are available from the school office.
Next Wednesday 29th June, Class 4 will be participating in the Toplink Athletics Meeting at Braunton Athletic track. Please see the separate letter being sent out today for further details.
School reports will hopefully be sent to parents next week. The parent/teacher consultations will be on Tuesday 5th July.
Please keep the Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers coming in. Our current totals are :
Tesco's 14,000
Sainsbury's 7,300
but we still need more!!!
Dont forget the PTA Summer Fayre on Friday 1st July, to be opened by Lady Vanilla Park-her-Rolls.
Next term we intend to continue guitar and flute/fife lessons for Years 3 to 6 so long as there is sufficient demand. This will be in addition to recorder lessons. To book a place please complete the relevant form. More details to follow.
G Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 20
Thursday 16th June
Dear Parents,
The good news this week is that we have been granted funding to start our after-school club from September. This club will be primarily for our school children so, to ensure a place, please return the priority boking form as soon as possible. Numbers are limited. We are aiming for quality provision, our fees are very comparable for similar clubs in North Devon and, we feel, represent good value for money.
Don't forget, school is closed tomorrow (Friday 17th June) for a staff only day.
Thank you to parents of children in Years 5 and 6 who have responded so far to my letters about Maypole Dancing.
Our Maypole Dancers will, hopefully, be performing at the PTA Summer Fayre (Friday evening 1st July), at Filleigh Estate (South Molton Arts Festival- Saturday afternoon 9th July), at various retirement homes during school time (Wedensday 13th July) and at Swimbridge Parish Church Fete (Saturday afternnon 16th July). More details nearer the time.I attach details for everyone about the South Molton Arts Festival on Saturday 9th July. Our children will be Maypole Dancing during the afternoon and some will also be taking part in the evening musical concert. I understand entrance is free for performers, tickets are available from school for others.
Congratulations to the school Tag Rugby Squad who took part in the area tournament last Wednesday; one of our teams got through to the quarter finals!
Next Tuesday we will be having the annual school photograph. On Friday 24th, 25th and 26th June, Swimbridge will reverberate with the sounds of laughter at the village pantomime; tickets are available from school.
Dont forget the PTA Summer Fayre at 5.30pm on Friday 1st July, and parent/teacher consultations on Tusday 5th July early evening. We hope to hold our sports day on Thursday afternoon 7th July.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newletter No 19
Friday 10th June
Dear Parent,
You will know that school is closed next Friday, 17th June, for a staff training day. Hopefully the weather will be fine and some of you will be able to have a long weekend away!
Staff from South Molton Community College will visit our school to meet Year 6 pupils on Wednesday 15th June followed by a visit to SMCC by pupils on Thursday 30th June and Tuesday 5th July. The Park Induction day will also be on Thursday 30th June. Parents have already been sent letters with these and other details.
Many thanks to the 51.8% of parents who responded to our recent Parents Questionnaire. A summary of the results is attached. The findings will be used to inform our planning for the future, although great strides are already being made in the provision of after school activities with the advent of our regular after-school club from September 2005.
We hope KS1 have a good time visiting Rosemoor Gardens next Monday. Class 4 certainly enjoyed their Geography Field Trip to Watermouth Cove and Heddons Mouth on Wednesday last, as these photographs illustrate.
A group of Y5 and 6 children will be participating in the Small Schools Tag Rugby Tournament on Tuesday 14th June. Notes with permission slips are being sent our today.
Can I remind you that all children should now only bring healthy fruit and vegetable snacks for morning break. Your co-operation is much appreciated.
A short note from Marie, the school cook :
As from September I will no longer be serving potato waffles, pork grills, fish cakes, golden drummers, chicken fingers or sausage rolls. This is all a step closer to providing a healthier menu. Tune, cheese or egg salads are available as a lunch choice, but please let me know if required first thing in the morning. Thankyou.
Don?t forget there is a PTA planning meeting (for the Summer Fayre) on Tuesday 14th June at the Jack Russell at 8.00pm.
The school photographer will (hopefully) be taking the annual school photo on Tuesday 21st June.
Any worries? ? please have a word with your child?s teacher, or myself.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newletter No 18
Friday 27th May 2005
Dear Parents,
School closes this evening for the half term holiday, re-opening on Monday 6th June.
It was good to have so many at the Cascades Fun swim last Friday. A £47 profit was raised towards our continued sponsorship of Sanjay and Atilat through Action Aid.
You will know of the Government?s push towards healthy eating. Younger children only have fruit for mid-morning break, and despite requests a few older children are still occasionally bringing crisps and other less healthy snacks. This is unfair on younger children, so after half term we ask that children only bring fruit for mid-morning breaks. Sweets, of course, are not allowed although some parents do like to bring in a bag of sweets for the entire class on their child?s birthday.
Class 3 took part in a Sports day on Wednesday. The children were divided into teams, one of which came second overall. This is a report from Madeleine Mansell, Class 3
?On Wednesday we went to a sports day. We went to South Molton school for it. There were about 10 events in a sports field. Our class got split into 2 teams of 12. The funnest event was the obstacle course. You had to run up, go through the tyres on tip toe then run to the hurdles, go over the first one under the next one and over the next one. Then we had to run round the cone and run in and out a row of cones. We were lucky it was very sunny. We won a trophy we came second. Out of 7 teams we were 2 and 3. It was really fun. Some of the events were hard and some easy and some in the middle.?
Congratulations to all children who took part.
Our maypole dancers are in demand again this summer. Parents of children in Class 4 will have received an important letter about the South Molton Arts Day which includes Maypole dancing. Please read and respond to this.
We have been asked to dance at :
· PTA Summer Fayre on Friday 1st July at about 5.30pm
· South Molton Arts Day at Filleigh Estate on Saturday 9th July.
· An afternoon visit to dance at local retirement homes and the Salvation Army Luncheon Club ? possibly Wednesday 13th July
· Swimbridge Parish Church Fete at East Heddon on Saturday 16th July at about 3.00pm.
On Monday 13th June KS1 children will be visiting Rosemoor Gardens as part of their Science and Art work.
Next term we hope to increase our teaching input with KS1 forming a separate Reception/some Year1 class during the morning. More details later this term.
We hope to make booking forms for our ?after-school? club available soon after half term. We aim that this will provide quality child care from 3.15 to 5.30pm to those who require it.
Congratulations to the following children who have successfully completed merit cards:
Card 1 Declan Smith
Card 2 Simon Bushen and Travis Lovell
Card 3 Laura Trawin, Hayden Vickery and Thomas O?Brien
Card 4 Joseph Comerford
Card 5 Jacob Heard
Card 6 Bethany Hill
Card 7 Saskia Beer and Ellie Lang
Card 8 Jocie Dyer
Card 9 Luke Dawson, James Groombridge & Bryony Newnham
Card 10 Georgie Comerford
Card 11 Whitney Beer
Card 12 Alex H-Higgins and Ellie Mansfield
Card 13 Rachel Snell
Card 17 Sarah Spencer
A Junk/Funk band is about to start in the South Molton area, and Years 5 and 6 are invited. There will be a free taster session on 12th July at South Molton Community College, with weekly sessions continuing in September. To register please phone Nicole Huxtable on 01598 710345
Early notification :
PTA AGM on Wednesday 5th October.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 17
Friday 20th May 2005
Dear Parents,
End the week with a splash!!! Join us at Cascades, Ruda, Croyde, for a fun swim tonight from 6.15 to 7.15pm and bring along your family and friends. The reduced cost of £2 per person will apply; all profit will go to supporting our two Action Aid sponsored children.
Many thanks for sending in your Parents Questionnaires. There is still time to send yours in if you havent already done so. We will let you know the overall responses shortly.
On Wednesday Class 3 will be orienteering at South Molton Community College; parents should have received letters about these already. OnTuesday 7th June Class 4 may be going on a geography coastal field trip. More details later.
The overwhelming view from parents about changing the school day (from September) from 9.00-3.30 to 8.45-3.15, to allow parents to drop children off earlier (from 8.30) has been yes, agree or dont really mind. We have only received two negative responses. The final decision will be made before half term, so watch this space.
Dont forget your PTA meeting at the Jack Russell at 8.00pm on Tuesday evening, 24th May.
The half term holiday will be from Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June.
We are always pleased to receive out-grown items of school uniform, especially larger sizes, for our Thrift Shop. Any profit from the sale of these will go to support our Action Aid children.
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please book an after school appointment.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 16
Friday 13th May 2005
Dear Parents,
Our Test Week is now complete and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, although there are a few assessments outstanding. Children have worked hard and done their best; as has the staff. We will let you know how your child has done once the marking process is complete. School reports will be published towards the end of June with parent/teacher consultations on 5th July.
Tonight in the Jubilee Hall we will be holding our P.T.A. Quiz Night commencing at 8.00pm. Next Friday the school has booked Cascades pool at Ruda, Croyde for all our families and friends to come and enjoy themselves. The special price of just £2 per person includes 25p towards the sponsorship of Atilat and Abagri, the two children we sponsor through Action Aid.
The only nomination we have had for Parent Governor is for Andy Comerford, so he is elected unopposed. If there are any matters you would like to bring to the governors attention please contact Andy. Of course, if you have any problems related to school, please see us first
Parents of Y5 and 6 children will have already received information about the South Molton area Arts day at the Filleigh Estate on 9th July. Basically all Y5 and 6 children are invited to take part in a joint musical concert to be held in the evening. Those who have expressed an interest will need to attend joint rehearsals. We will contact parents about these as soon as we get this information. Our school has been invited to perform Maypole Dancing during the afternoon (between 3pm and 5pm). We therefore hope that all Years 5 and 6 children will be available for this exciting event, even if they are not taking part in the evening concert. Please complete the form below. More details soon. We hope to do a number of Maypole Dancing performances this summer, all being well.
The next P.T.A. meeting is on Tuesday 24th May at 8.00pm in the Jack Russell. Remember, every parent and staff member is a member and can attend.
Dont forget we are still collecting Sainsbury and Tesco vouchers for schools.
Attached to this letter is a parents questionnaire. We would be very grateful if you could read it, give it careful consideration and return it to me by next Friday. Thank you.
Thank you for the support and encouragement you give to our school. If you would like to discuss any matter relating to school life, please book an after school consultation with your child?s teacher.
Induction day for Y6 children going to Park School will be on Thursday 30th June. I understand there will be a Parents Intake evening on Monday 27th June at Park School. Y6 children going to South Molton Community College will also have their Induction day on Thursday 30th June.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Newsletter No 15
Friday 6th May 2005
Dear Parents,
Next week is test week at school when years 2 to 6 take their statutory and school-optional SAT tests. We try to make this week as pressure-free as possible. Parents can help by ensuring that their children have enough sleep each night and that they arrive at school in good time with everything they need (pencils, pens, rulers etc). During the afternoon there may well be some lighter sessions, so please make certain that your childs P.E. kit is in school every day.
The Year 6 test programme is:
Monday Science A; Science B
Tuesday English writing; spelling
Wednesday English Reading
Thursday Maths A; Mental Maths
Friday Maths B
Other years may be following a similar pattern, but days and types of tests may alter.
There will be a meeting on Tuesday 17th May at 3.40pm in the Library for parents to discuss the proposed change of the school day (starting next September). The proposal is that we start school at 8.45am (allowing children to arrive at school at 8.30am) and finish at 3.15pm. This is designed to help parents get to work by 9.00am; we hope that our after-school club will then be in operation.
At the present time, however, children should not be in school before 8.45am, when we can provide supervision.
Dont forget the PTA Quiz in the Jubilee Hall on Friday 13th May. Raffle prizes are needed, so if you feel you can help, please see any PTA officer (Kate Rippin, Emma Dawson, Lisa Adams, John Groombridge).
Other dates for your diary :
Sat 14th May & Sat 11th June Play course, open to staff and parents
20th May (6.15 to 7.15 pm) Cascades family swim at Ruda, Croyde
Finally, for the first time ever, the Headteachers award goes to a parent, Andy Comerford, for his dedicated work (filling in dozens of forms and compiling numerous policies) in leading us towards the goal of achieving our after-school club. Thanks Andy!!!!
Thank to those parents who attended the sports coaching open evening. To those who couldnt make it, but are still interested in sports coaching, there are a few spaces left on the course.
Sports Coaching for Parents/Volunteers starting June 6th at 6.30pm 4 weeks at South Molton Community College.
To register for more information contact :
Nicole Huxtable : 01598 710345
G D Reed
Headteacher
p.s. Sainsburys and Tesco Vouchers are still desperately needed please.
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Letter 14
Friday 29th April 2005
Dear Parents,
Earlier this week you should have received a letter notifying you of our Parent Governor election. If your child did not bring your copy home, please get a copy from the school office. This has become necessary because of the reconstitution of our Governing Body. I am sure you would wish to thank Andy Comerford, the current Parent Governor, for his dedicated service to date. Nominations are invited.
Judith Heard has been re-appointed to represent Devon County Council on our Governing Body.
As you know we are currently seeking applications for Playleaders and Assistants for our after school club. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please let us have a letter of application and a C.V. Just ask for further information.
In the future we may be able to offer holiday childcare. In the meantime this might be useful to some parents :
Arts Play is an inclusive holiday childcare scheme, offering a high standard of care tat meets the needs of families and children at affordable rates. They welcome children of all abilities from the age of 4 (in full time education) to 14 years. The scheme is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday, during school holidays, at Orchard Vale Community School, Barnstaple. Arts Play employs fully trained and experienced staff on a ratio of at least one member of staff to 8 children. Arts Play offers a range of arts-based activities that develop the individual childs creative talents through a programme of practical and participatory workshops, which are supported by professional childrens theatre and local artist visits. These include crafts, games, drama, sports and structured play activities. For the long summer holidays, special day trips will be arranged, visiting local attractions (extra charges are made to cover entry fees). Visit www.canplay.co.uk/holiday.htm
We are holding a free course for anyone who is interested in play an Introduction to Playwork. Parents are invited to apply for places on this course to be held on Saturdays 14th May and 11th June at school; please see the poster for details.
Dates for your diary:
Monday 2nd May School closed (Bank Holiday)
Monday-Friday 9th to 13th May Test Week (SATs etc)
Friday 13th May PTA Quiz Night
Friday 20th May Cascades Pool 6.15 ? 7.15pm
Tuesday 24th May PTA Meeting
Dont forget we are collecting Tesco and Sainsburys vouchers. The totals collected so far are:
Tesco Vouchers 3,700
Sainsburys Vouchers 2,300
Due to illness the school photograph was not taken today. It has been rearranged for Tuesday afternoon.
Congratulations to these children for completing merit cards :
Card 2 Megan Rippin & Alexander Snell
Card 3 Hannah Trawin
Card 4 Charlie Thompson, Catriona Wetherill-S & Lauren Slape
Card 5 Laura Ackland & Peter Dawson
Card 6 Paul Crossley, Shannon Straughan & Billy Floyd
Card 9 Andrew Dyer
Card 12 Madeleine Mansell
If you have any concerns about your child at school, please book an after-school consultation with your childs teacher.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Letter 12
Friday April 15th
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the Summer Term. As you are aware, Mrs McVeigh is now teaching Class 3. If you have any concerns relating to special educational needs in the school, please see Mrs Beechey, as she is our S.E.N.C.O. for the next year.
Our planned after school stay and play club is gaining momentum. We hope to be operating from September. Currently we are advertising for staff. Please let us know if you are interested, or know of anyone else who would like this worthwhile employment.
Dates for your diary :
Tue 19/4 PTA Meeting
Fri 29/4 School photo
Mon 2/5 Bank holiday (school closed)
9-13/5 Festival week
Fri 13/5 PTA Quiz Night
Fri 20/5 Cascades
Tue 7/6 Governors Meeting
Tue 14/6 Tag Rugby Festival
Fri 17/6 Non-pupil day
Wed 22/6 Football Tournament
Wed 29/6 Athletics Day
Tue 5/7 Parent/Teacher consultations
Thurs 7/7 Sports Day
Sat 9/7 Castle Hill Music/Drama Day
Wed 20/7 Last day of term
From mid-May class 4 will have additional P.E. sessions on Tuesday mornings. Please ensure that all P.E. kit is in school every day as, with the good weather extra sessions might be planned at short notice.
We always seem to have a considerable number of unnamed school sweatshirts and other articles of clothing. Please, please, please label your child?s clothing.
We are planning to put on a course at school for anyone who would like to understand more about children?s play. This will cover the roles and responsibilities of a playworker, how to build relationships with children and how to keep children safe. The course also provides opportunities for playworkers to gain practical playwork experience. The ?Introductions to Playwork? course run by Playlines also has the additional benefit of providing Level 2 equivalent qualifications accepted by OFSTED ? ideal to work in after-school clubs, nurseries or schools etc. National Centre for Playwork Education accreditation/qualification is awarded at the end of the 15 hour course. This is the minimum requirement by DfES for out-of-school carers. This course will operate later in the term ? times and dates to be decided. To register an interest, please see me to collect an application form.
We have just discovered that our school is one of only 760 schools in the prestigious ?Good Schools Guide?. WOW!!!
G D Reed
Headteacher