7 Apr 2006 - Spring Term 2006 Newsletters
Weekly Newsletter No 13
Friday 7th April 2006
Dear Parents,
A special thanks to everyone for your support and help this term.
We had an enjoyable 'farewell'evening for Janet Ferris on Tuesday. Janet would like to thank everyone for attending and for the leaving gift of 'Monsoon' vouchers.
If your child is learning a musical instrument please encourage him/her to practise each day. Equally important - please make sure your child continues to read on a daily basis. Support with your child's Easter homework (if applicable) is very valuable.
Children learning guitar and flute at school will be bringing home a letter concerning booking for next terms lessons and payment. Please note that you will need to deal with this over the Easter holidays.
We close this afternoon for the Easter Holiday and re-open on Monday 24th April. As always, Cool Kids Club is open every school day until 5.30pm, but you do need to book a place.
A reminder that :
On Thursday 27th April,after school, there will be a 'Paignton Residential' meeting for parents of Years 5 and 6.
On Friday 28th April, Classes 3 and 4 will be commencing swimming lessons. We will leave school at 12.30, so these children will have an early lunch, returning during the middle of the afternoon. Children will need swimming costume, towel and swimming cap please. We ask parents of children in Classes 3 and 4 to kindly donate £10 towards their child's swimming transport; if parents could complete the form below and send a cheque to school, it would be much appreciated.
School will be closed on Monday 1st May for the Bank Holiday.
On Friday 5th May we have booked Cascades Pool, Croyde for a family fun swim from 6.15 to 7.15pm
On Sunday 7th May, our Friends (PTA) Association is organising a Treasure Hunt.
Monday 8th May - the start of 'Test Week'
Monday 15th-18th May - Paignton Residential
Congratulations to Scott Ackland for being awarded the Headteachers Award for being so helpful, especially during lunchtimes, with the younger children.
Well done to the following children for great achievements with their Merit Cards:
Card 1 Georgia Everett-Brown
Card 2 Taite Young
Card 5 Oscar Adams, Travis Lovell, Megan Rippin, Carl Payne, and Scott-Russel Ansell
Card 6 Haydon Vickery and Thomas O'Brien
Card 7 Joe Comerford, Lauren Slape, Jacob Heard and Ethan Young
Card 8 Laura Ackland, Danny Lakeman and Miranda Cockerill
Card 9 Steven Trawin
Card 10 Bryony Newnham
Card 11 Aimee-Kate Ansell
Card 13 Ellie Mansfield
Parents of children going on the Paignton Residential are reminded that the balance of the cost needs to be in school by 29th april please.
HAPPY EASTER
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlstter No 12
Friday 31st March 2006
Dear Parents,
The 'Friends' (PTA) Bingo evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all. The magnificent sum of £567 was raised. Thanks to all the organisers, and everyone who donated prizes.
Please remember we are currently collecting Tesco and Sainsbury's Schools vouchers. If you shop at either of these stores, please collect the vouchers for us and encourage all friends, family and neighbours to do the same. In the past we have received a number of computers from Tesco, and last term had a large amount of extra P.E. equipment from Sainsbury's. This week a large box of P.E. mats was delivered courtesy of Tesco's - thanks to you!
Our special 'thank-you' evening for Janet Ferris has had to be moved to next TUESDAY 4th April at 7.00pm. I am still in need of 'memories' of Janet to use in a 'This if your Life' slot. These, and any donations for a joint gift from parents, governors and staff are welcome as soon as possible.
At 9.15am on Thursday 6th April we will be holding our simple Easter service in the Church. Friends and family are welcome to join us.
Classes 3 and 4 will be having swimming sessions at South Molton pool next term on Friday afternoons. You will appreciate that these sessions cost the school a lot. In the past, parents have kindly helped with transports costs so, once again, we ask if parents of children in Classes 3 and 4 would donate £10 towards their child's swimming transport. Without this we probably won't be able to provide the full 10 weeks of sessions next term. If parents could complete the form below and send a cheque to school, it would be much appreciated. Remember, swimming is the only subject that can save a life!! We are currently planning swimming for September - watch out for details.
Please, please, please remember to phone into school first thing if your child is going to be absent, or will be late. For the well-being of all children, we need to know whether they should be in school or not.
Parents of Year 6 children, please note that there will be no Maths Club next Tuesday 4th April.
To ensure bookings for Cool Kids Club next term, please book in now!!
Flute and Guitar lessons continue next term. We will assume that you wish your child to continue unless you notify us otherwise before the end of term.
As part of our Travel Plan, we are encouraging parents to share car travel wherever possible. Our completed Travel Plan will shortly be on our website, in the Features section. Children were invited to take part in a competition to design a 'car-share' poster within their Family Groups. The groups results were :
Mrs Beechey's group KS1 Simon Bushen
KS2 Olivia Rippin
Mrs Blackett's group KS1 Scott-Russell Ansell
KS2 Bryony Newnham
Mrs McVeigh's group KS1 Lucie Slape
KS2 Madeleine Mansell
Mrs Newnham's group KS1 Joe Comerford
KS2 Isobel Comerford
The overall winner, selected by Ray Pattenden, School Travel Advisor, is Jocie Dyer. Her winning entry is attached. Who knows - it might encourage more car-sharing!!
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Weekly Newsletter No 11
Friday 24th March 2006
Dear Parents,
Tonight is the Friends (PTA) Bingo night in the Jubilee Hall commencing at 7.30pm. Why not bring along your friends and neighbours?
Class 3 have two further outings on Tuesday 4th April and Wednesday 5th April to Exeter and South Molton Community College. Class 1 will be visiting St Johns Garden Centre on Wednesday 5th April. Separate letters have already been sent out about these.
On Thursday 6th April at 9.15am we hope to hold our Easter Service in the Parish Church. This is primarily designed for children, but parents and friends are welcome.
Any Book orders should be in to the school office by Monday please.
Attached to this letter is a leaflet about sporting activities available through NDDC during the easter holidays.
Staff from Park School will be visiting to meet their September intake on Tuesday 28th March.
On Wednesday 5th April at 7.00pm everyone is invited into school to join with staff in celebrating Janet Feriss' success and to thank her for 19 years of dedicated service to this school. Contributions to her leaving present are very welcome, but more importantly we would like written memories which you or your children may have of her, so that we can include them in a folder we are preparing to use during the evening.
Please note that there will be no recorder lessons next Monday 27th March.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlstter No 10
Friday 17th March 2006
Dear Parents,
There was a slight error on last week's newsletter; swimming next term will be for Classes 3 and 4, not 2 and 4 as stated.
Dont forget the Friends (PTA) Bingo evening on Friday 24th March in the Jubilee Hall. Prizes are very welcome, so if you have any unwanted Christmas gifts etc. we will be very pleased to receive them in the box in the school office.
Thanks to those who have already contributed to a leaving present for Janet Ferris. Further donations and written memories and messages for her 'This is Your Life' evening are urgently needed.
A special thanks to parents of Class 4 children who all managed to arrive by 8.15am yesterday for their Okehampton field trip.
Last week I mentioned Classes 3 and 4's drama visits on 24th and 23rd March. A contribution of £3 to help with transport would be appreciated, if you haven't already sent yours in.
Class 3 will be taking part in an outdoor Adventure afternoon at South Molton Community College on Wednesday 5th April. The previous day, Mrs McVeigh has arranged for Class 3 to visit the Albert Museum in Exeter once again, as part of their Roman topic; details will follow shortly. Due to the distance, and the cost of the transport and museum workshops, we ask for a contribution of £7.00 per pupil.
Future events;
Egg hunt around school on last day of term.
Monday 24th April first day of summer term.
Friday 28th April - whole school photo
Friday 5th May - Family fun swim at Cascades, Croyde 6.15 to 7.15 pm.
................................................................................................................
Class 3
Dear Mrs McVeigh,
I give permsiion for my child/ren ______________________ to take part in the Outdoor Adventure afternoon at SMCC on 5th April, and the Exeter Museum trip on Tuesday 4th April, for which I enclose a donation of £7 towards the costs.
Signed ___________________________________
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Weekly Newsletter No8
Dear Parents,
School is a very busy place at the moment. Class 4 had a memorable pilgrimage to Exeter Cathedral during which many children were robed as Bishop, Dean, peasants etc. On Wednesday all children participated in our 'Drum Crazy' percussion workshops. I'm sure the village hall still resonates with the rythmic sounds!! (Just out of interest, Peter Scott commented very favourably on the standard of our schoopl dinners!!!!)
Tomorrow (Friday) we will be celebrating World Book Day. Children are encouraged to dress up as a favourite book character for the day. Hopefully, children will be able to tell us about their character and older children could be prepared to read a short passage from their favourite book. Children should wear school uniform if they don't want to dress up. During the day we are hoping to arrange a number of special events and competitions culminating in story time, when children will be able to select which member of staff they wish to listen to reading a special story.
Today our Quiz Team (Aimee-Kate Ansell, Madeleine Mansell and Jacob Heard) took part in the World Book Day Quiz at Barnstaple Library.
Can I remind you that in this cold weather children in Classes 3 and 4 usually need a sweatshirt/jumper for outside games/P.E. This should not be their school sweatshirt, but another one kept in their P.E. bag would be very sensible.
Congratulations to Bethany Balment awarded the Headteachers Award this month.
Many thanks to those of you who completed their Road Safety/Travel questionnaire. Many of you probably forgot. As we need these to be analysed by the weekend, please return them to the school office tomorrow (where extra copies are available if required).
Dont forget : Parent Governor nominations are urgently required!!!!
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Weekly Newsletter No 9
Dear Parents,
Many thanks to those of you who completed the school Travel Plan questionnaire. These will feed into our travel plan 'action plan', along with the findings of a 'working party' of children - details available shortly.
Janet Ferris has been a most valuable member of our teaching staff, recently being seconded by Devon LEA to join the County Literacy Team. She has been such a great success in this post that she has now been appointed as a permanent County Literacy Consultant, which means she will be leaving us officially at the end of this term. The County's gain is our loss. Fortunately, Cathering McVeigh has agreed to continue teaching here on a permanent basis.
To mark Janet's leaving we hope to hold a 'celebration' evening during the last week of term - date and venue to be arranged. In the meantime we welcome :
donations towards a joint school gift (cheques to Swimbridge School please)
stories, memories and letters that we could use for a 'This is
Your Life' feature during the celebration evening (to me please)
Please remember that we are collecting both Tesco and Sainsburys vouchers. The more we collect, the more equipment we can claim for our school. Please encourage your friends, neighbours and extended family to help us.
We had a great day on World Book Day last Friday. Many children came dressed as their favourite book character. Overall, the winner of the fancy dress competition was Toby Ruhleman who appeared as 'The Gruffalo'.
News in Brief :
We took delivery of a number of new computers recently, courtesy of a DfEE grant, fortunately not out of our school budget.
Swimming for Classes 2 and 4 at the South Molton Pool will take place next term.
The remainder of the Year 5/6 Paignton Residential cost (£) needs to be in school by 29th April please. There will be a further meeting about this visit on
Year 6 parents are asked to encourage their children to read their Maths and Science Study books on a regular basis, talking over with them what they have read.
Kate Rippin has been nominated as Parent Governor. As there were no other nominations, she is elected unopposed with effect from 13th March when Andy Comerford steps down as Parent Governor and becomes a 'Church' Governor.
At last Tuesday's 'Friends of Swimbridge School' (PTA) meeting many exciting social and fund-raising events were planned, including a Treasure Hunt on 21st May and Prize Bingo on 24th March. Watch out for the next 'Friends' newsletter for more details.
Next Thursday 16th March, Class 4 are booked to leave school at 8.15am(please note the time) for their Science visit to Okehampton. There is no charge for this, but the permission slip must be returned as soon as possible.
The following week (23rd March) Class 4 has been invited to watch a performance of 'Tattercoats' by the Multistory Theatre Company at The Park Community School. A donation of £3 to help defray costs for this afternoon performance would be gratefully received.
The next afternoon (Friday 24th March, Class 3 will be watching a unique performance of Snow White, partly in French, to encourage children to take an interest in the language. A donation of £3 towards the cost of the transport will be welcome.
Mavis Bluge has been our trusty caretaker for a number of years. She has done a tremendous job and, although she remains a Meal Time Assistant, she retires from her cleaning post as from today. I am sure you join with me in thanking her for her dedication to our school; she will be a hard act for Regent Cleaning, who take over on Monday. to follow.
Next Friday Cool Kids Club will be having another special Film Evening, along with popcorn etc. Normal Booking procedures apply.
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Weekly Newsletter No 7
Friday 17th February 2006
Dear Parents,
We close tonight for the half-term holiday, re-opening on Monday 27th February.
On Tuesday 28th February (Shrove Tuesday) Cool Kids Club will be celebrating with pancakes - so book your child in (at the school office) to join in the fun.
On 1st March we are having a visit from Drum Crazy who will be providing percussion workshops throughout the morning.
To celebrate World Book Day we invite all children to come dressed as a favourite book character on Friday 3rd March. If possible we would like children (depending on age) to be prepared to tell us all who they are, why this character is a favourite and/or older children to be able to read a very short passage from their special book. There will be a variety of book related activities throughout the day including all staff reading to small groups, giving children the opportunity to chose what/who to listen to. If children do not want to take part in the dressing up they should wear normal school uniform.
On Thursday 2nd March a team of 3 children will be taking part in the North Devon Book Quiz at Barnstaple Library. You may remember that Swimbridge School won this competition last year!!!!
Road Safety is a very important issue and it is necessary that children are taught and shown how to use roads carefully, As part of our continued Road Safety Programme we are currently working on a School Travel Plan and involving children in this. On Wednesday 1st and Tuesday 7th March, Ray Pattenden (School Travel Advisor) has agreed to work with a small group of KS2 children on road safety issues; this group will then pass on their skills and knowledge to the rest of their Family Groups or classes. Their work will involve looking for dangerous places in the vicinity of the school.
I attach two leaflets which we hope you will read and consider.
Did you know :
Children who walk or cycle to school are less at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis when they are older.
The decline in walking to school has coincided with a rise in childhood obesity.
To help us with our current travel plan please complete the attached questionnaire and return it on Monday week when we return to school; this will be very helpful.
Andy Comerford is your current very hard-working Parent Governor. He will be continuing as a governor, but will, in future, represent the Church. We are therefore seeking nominations from parents who would like to represent the wishes of all parents in the strategic management of our school. If you are interested, please use the attached form.
Next Monday science booster classes start for Year 6 until 3.45pm. Maths Club continues on Tuesdays.
Please check your child for head-lice over the half term holiday. Your chemist can give you advice on treatment if necessary.
School meals are now £1.60 per day (£8.00 per week) and represent tremendous value, especially now the new Fresh Start healthy menu has started.
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 6
Friday 10th February 2006
Dear Parents,
Those who attended last night's school meal tasting session hopefully enjoyed it. The attached leaflet gives more information. You will have already received monthly menus and should have returned one with your child's daily choices, and retained the other. If menus are not returned we will assume that the main meal has been chosen.
Tonight in the Jubilee Hall we will be holding a children's disco : KS1 from 6.15 to 7.15pm, KS2 from 7.30 to 8.30pm. Children from other schools are welcome so long as they are of the appropriate age. Admission is £1.50 per child to include refreshments.
Attached to this letter is the latest School Term Dates leaflet from Spring Term 2006 to Summer Term 2008. Please note :
1) Non pupil days Friday 16th June and 20th October 2006 (for staff courses)
2) Due to early Easter in 2008 the spring holiday will not be at Easter.
Maths Club (for Year 6) is going well and seems to be benefiting the children who attend. To further help our Year 6 children prepare for the Science SAT's Mrs Blackett will again be running Science Booster Classes on Mondays, starting during school time and finishing at 3.45pm. This will operate each week until early May.
Can I remind parents to keep pre-school children with them when they wait after school. We cannot be responsible for children who, for instance, go on the playhouse unsupervised.
This week our school had an annual review. We are pleased to announce that in the areas under review (Personal development and well-being, Leadership and Management) the 'Ofsted' grading of good was awarded. The summary includes "The school is effective. This is because standards......have been good over time. Most groups of pupils make good progress...... Pupils personal development and well-being is a strength across the school."
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 5
Friday 2nd February 2006
Dear Parents,
By the time you read this we hope the road re-surfacing outside the school will be complete. Thank you for your patience.
Next week we will be holding a book fair after school each day in Class 3 (Mrs McVeigh's room), providing good quality rding material for children. Children can use their £1 book voucher (coming out tonight) if they wish. Parents will have a further opportunity to look at these books on Thursday 9th February when we are holding our Fresh Start food tasting evening for parents, commending at 7.00pm. Children will have their own taster session on Wednesday 15th February during the afternoon.
Don't forget the children's disco in the Jubilee Hall on Friday 10th February (see 'Friends' newsletters).
On Friday 17th February, Class 4 will be visiting Exeter Cathedral as part of their R.E. work on 'Pilgrimages and Religious Journeys'. We hope to make this a spiritual and social occasion, not just a tour of an old building. We hope all children will be able to participate. A donation of £6.50 per child includes transport and cost of the cathedral education. Children will need a packed lunch , normal school uniform, and a coat please. We need to leave school early on this occasion (8.30am); we should arrive back by 3.40pm. Please complete the form below.
More dates for your diary :
Monday-Friday 20th - 24th February - Half Term
Tues 28th February - Pancake night at Cool Kids Club
Wed 1st March - Visit of Drum-Crazy to school
Fri 3rd March - World Book Day. We ask all children to come dressed as their favourite book character - more details nearer the time.
Fri 17th March - Film Night at Cool Kids Club
Fri 23rd March - 'Friends' Bingo night
Tue 4th April - Class 3 visit to Exeter (in search of Romans!)
Wed 5th April - Outdoor Adventure Activities for Yr 3 and 4 at S.M.C.C.
Fri 7th April - Last day of term
There will be no recorder lessons next Monday (6th February)
Congratulations to the following children for completing merit cards :
Card 1 April Cockerill
Card 3 Hannah O'Brien
Card 4 Alexander Snell
Card 6 Joe Comerford
Card 10 Timon Hynes, Jocie Dyer
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 3
Friday 20th January 2006
Dear Parents,
As mentioned previously our Fresh Start Menu for school lunches is due to start in February. A copy of the menu from that date is attached - it certainly looks very exciting. You will see that there is a choice each day, but our school cook will need to know well in advance what individual children will want, so when the system starts we will send you a 'tick sheet' type menu which will need to be returned, there will also be a copy for you to keep to remind your child what they have ordered each day. All parents are invited to a FREE food tasting session on Thursday 9th February at 7.00pm, prior to our new style menu starting on Monday 13th February.
Watch out for more information about the Fresh Start Menu.
Next Tuesday (3.30pm to 4.15pm) Maths Club starts for all Year 6 pupils - we hope they all attend on a regular basis. This is designed to further their mathematical confidence and skills especially in light of the forthcoming SATs in May. There is no cost but parents are requested to take it in turns to provide light refreshments to increase the enjoyment as children 'munch while they work'. There is a refreshments rota on the class door.
Every year we make available to Year 6 pupils KS2 Study Books in Science and Maths. These retail at £4.95 each, but we can offer them both at £3 each or £5 for both! They are excellent books which, if children read carefully on a daily basis, will do a lot to raise standards even higher. Please complete the attached form.
Our Cool Kids Club is proving a great success not only as a provider of quality child care, but also because of the range of activities provided. Special activity days are Craft on Wednesday, Cookery each Thursday and starting next week Sewing and Knitting on Mondays along with all the other range of activities. Special film nights are booked for Friday 3rd February and Friday 17th March. On Tuesday 28th February, Cool Kids Club will be organising a pancake tea and pancake races. Book early at the school office as we are sometimes full!
On Friday 16th June, school is closed for a staff training day. For those who need childcare we may be able to operate Cool Kids Club for the whole day. Please see me if you wish to book a place - don't leave it.
Our Friends Association (to which all parents and staff belong) work tirelessly to support our school, last term alone raising £1700. There will be a children's disco on Friday 10th February (6.15pm for KS1 and 7.30pm for KS2) and a Bingo night on Friday 24th March commencing at 8.00pm; both in the Jubilee Hall.
Swimming for Yeaars 3 - 6 will take place during the summer term at South Molton Pool. We are currently looking at our swimming programme for September 2006 onwards.
On Saturday 28th January there will be a Family Fun Day at the PIP Centre, South Molton - see the attached notice.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlsetter No 2
Friday 13th January 2006
Dear Parents,
Please be aware that the road and layby's outside the school will be re-surfaced starting on 26th January.
We hope to take Class 4 to Exeter Cathedral on Friday 17th Feburary as part of their Pilgimage project. We are also planning for a 'Roman' visit for Class 3 - watch out for details.
Please could you ensure that your child has a coat and P.E. kit in school every day.
Dinner money (for those who pay half-termly) is due now. The cost is £49.50. You can also pay weekly or monthly in advance (£7.50 and £30 respectively) Please would you put cash into a named envelope. There are also some Parents who still owe for Calendars, we would be grateful to receive these payments as soon as possible.
A reminder that recorder lessons are every Monday, flutes on Wednesday and guitars on Thursday. Children will probably need to be reminded to bring their instruments!
If your child has lost any items of clothing there is a good chance it is in our over-flowing lost property box. If clothing was all labelled it might not get lost.
We still have some storage boxes from Christmas party food in our staff room. Please see Mrs Wadsworth if you think one of them may belong to you.
The next Friends (PTA) meeting is due to take place in the Jack Russell next Tuesday 17th January at 8pm. You are welcome!
Please, please make sure your child knows every day whether he or she is having school or packed lunch, or is staying to Cool Kids or other after school activities. Quite a few children still don't know!
If you would like to discuss your child's progress at school, please make an after school appointment with his/her teacher.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 1
Friday 6th January 2006
Dear Parents,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Our 'Freshstart' menu starts on 13th February. If your child does not already have school lunches, they do have the opportunity. Meals are just £1.50 per day, or £49.50 for this half term. We hope to arrange special events, maybe a taster session for parents; watch out for more information.
Cool Kids Club continues with more children attending. This is primarily designed to be high quality child care, but we are finding more and more children come because they want to take part in the various activities. To book a place please see Mrs Wadsworth in the school office. Watch out for special 'Cool Kids' events.
Plans are advancing for the Paignton Zoo residential trip for Years 5 and 6 in May. Please see me for more information if required. There will be another meeting later in the term to explain the detailed programme.
Computer Club for Years 5 and 6 continues for the next two Tuesdays (3.20 to 4.00pm). From Tuesday 24th January, we start Maths Club from 3.20 to 4.15pm. This is for all Year 6 pupils. Besides broadening their mathematical experience, we hope that it will help prepare them for their SAT tests in May. This should be an enjoyable occasion, and to this end parents have usually taken it in turns to provide a drink and snack for the group; a rota will soon appear on the class door. Computer Club will restart during the summer term.
You might be interested in visiting the following web-site with your children: www.hedgehogs.gov.uk. Hopefully this, along with imput from school, will help to raise awareness of road safety and help children understand and use the Green Cross Code.
The next Friends meeting is on Tuesday 17th January at 8.00pm in the Jack Russell. All those connected with the school are invited.
School calendars are still available at £3. If you would like to purchase one, or if you have not paid for those ordered, please see Mrs Wadsworth in the school office.
Please, please make sure your child knows every day whether he or she is having school or packed lunch, or is staying to Cool Kids or other after school activities. All too often children don't know!
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Friday 7th April 2006
Dear Parents,
A special thanks to everyone for your support and help this term.
We had an enjoyable 'farewell'evening for Janet Ferris on Tuesday. Janet would like to thank everyone for attending and for the leaving gift of 'Monsoon' vouchers.
If your child is learning a musical instrument please encourage him/her to practise each day. Equally important - please make sure your child continues to read on a daily basis. Support with your child's Easter homework (if applicable) is very valuable.
Children learning guitar and flute at school will be bringing home a letter concerning booking for next terms lessons and payment. Please note that you will need to deal with this over the Easter holidays.
We close this afternoon for the Easter Holiday and re-open on Monday 24th April. As always, Cool Kids Club is open every school day until 5.30pm, but you do need to book a place.
A reminder that :
On Thursday 27th April,after school, there will be a 'Paignton Residential' meeting for parents of Years 5 and 6.
On Friday 28th April, Classes 3 and 4 will be commencing swimming lessons. We will leave school at 12.30, so these children will have an early lunch, returning during the middle of the afternoon. Children will need swimming costume, towel and swimming cap please. We ask parents of children in Classes 3 and 4 to kindly donate £10 towards their child's swimming transport; if parents could complete the form below and send a cheque to school, it would be much appreciated.
School will be closed on Monday 1st May for the Bank Holiday.
On Friday 5th May we have booked Cascades Pool, Croyde for a family fun swim from 6.15 to 7.15pm
On Sunday 7th May, our Friends (PTA) Association is organising a Treasure Hunt.
Monday 8th May - the start of 'Test Week'
Monday 15th-18th May - Paignton Residential
Congratulations to Scott Ackland for being awarded the Headteachers Award for being so helpful, especially during lunchtimes, with the younger children.
Well done to the following children for great achievements with their Merit Cards:
Card 1 Georgia Everett-Brown
Card 2 Taite Young
Card 5 Oscar Adams, Travis Lovell, Megan Rippin, Carl Payne, and Scott-Russel Ansell
Card 6 Haydon Vickery and Thomas O'Brien
Card 7 Joe Comerford, Lauren Slape, Jacob Heard and Ethan Young
Card 8 Laura Ackland, Danny Lakeman and Miranda Cockerill
Card 9 Steven Trawin
Card 10 Bryony Newnham
Card 11 Aimee-Kate Ansell
Card 13 Ellie Mansfield
Parents of children going on the Paignton Residential are reminded that the balance of the cost needs to be in school by 29th april please.
HAPPY EASTER
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlstter No 12
Friday 31st March 2006
Dear Parents,
The 'Friends' (PTA) Bingo evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all. The magnificent sum of £567 was raised. Thanks to all the organisers, and everyone who donated prizes.
Please remember we are currently collecting Tesco and Sainsbury's Schools vouchers. If you shop at either of these stores, please collect the vouchers for us and encourage all friends, family and neighbours to do the same. In the past we have received a number of computers from Tesco, and last term had a large amount of extra P.E. equipment from Sainsbury's. This week a large box of P.E. mats was delivered courtesy of Tesco's - thanks to you!
Our special 'thank-you' evening for Janet Ferris has had to be moved to next TUESDAY 4th April at 7.00pm. I am still in need of 'memories' of Janet to use in a 'This if your Life' slot. These, and any donations for a joint gift from parents, governors and staff are welcome as soon as possible.
At 9.15am on Thursday 6th April we will be holding our simple Easter service in the Church. Friends and family are welcome to join us.
Classes 3 and 4 will be having swimming sessions at South Molton pool next term on Friday afternoons. You will appreciate that these sessions cost the school a lot. In the past, parents have kindly helped with transports costs so, once again, we ask if parents of children in Classes 3 and 4 would donate £10 towards their child's swimming transport. Without this we probably won't be able to provide the full 10 weeks of sessions next term. If parents could complete the form below and send a cheque to school, it would be much appreciated. Remember, swimming is the only subject that can save a life!! We are currently planning swimming for September - watch out for details.
Please, please, please remember to phone into school first thing if your child is going to be absent, or will be late. For the well-being of all children, we need to know whether they should be in school or not.
Parents of Year 6 children, please note that there will be no Maths Club next Tuesday 4th April.
To ensure bookings for Cool Kids Club next term, please book in now!!
Flute and Guitar lessons continue next term. We will assume that you wish your child to continue unless you notify us otherwise before the end of term.
As part of our Travel Plan, we are encouraging parents to share car travel wherever possible. Our completed Travel Plan will shortly be on our website, in the Features section. Children were invited to take part in a competition to design a 'car-share' poster within their Family Groups. The groups results were :
Mrs Beechey's group KS1 Simon Bushen
KS2 Olivia Rippin
Mrs Blackett's group KS1 Scott-Russell Ansell
KS2 Bryony Newnham
Mrs McVeigh's group KS1 Lucie Slape
KS2 Madeleine Mansell
Mrs Newnham's group KS1 Joe Comerford
KS2 Isobel Comerford
The overall winner, selected by Ray Pattenden, School Travel Advisor, is Jocie Dyer. Her winning entry is attached. Who knows - it might encourage more car-sharing!!
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Weekly Newsletter No 11
Friday 24th March 2006
Dear Parents,
Tonight is the Friends (PTA) Bingo night in the Jubilee Hall commencing at 7.30pm. Why not bring along your friends and neighbours?
Class 3 have two further outings on Tuesday 4th April and Wednesday 5th April to Exeter and South Molton Community College. Class 1 will be visiting St Johns Garden Centre on Wednesday 5th April. Separate letters have already been sent out about these.
On Thursday 6th April at 9.15am we hope to hold our Easter Service in the Parish Church. This is primarily designed for children, but parents and friends are welcome.
Any Book orders should be in to the school office by Monday please.
Attached to this letter is a leaflet about sporting activities available through NDDC during the easter holidays.
Staff from Park School will be visiting to meet their September intake on Tuesday 28th March.
On Wednesday 5th April at 7.00pm everyone is invited into school to join with staff in celebrating Janet Feriss' success and to thank her for 19 years of dedicated service to this school. Contributions to her leaving present are very welcome, but more importantly we would like written memories which you or your children may have of her, so that we can include them in a folder we are preparing to use during the evening.
Please note that there will be no recorder lessons next Monday 27th March.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlstter No 10
Friday 17th March 2006
Dear Parents,
There was a slight error on last week's newsletter; swimming next term will be for Classes 3 and 4, not 2 and 4 as stated.
Dont forget the Friends (PTA) Bingo evening on Friday 24th March in the Jubilee Hall. Prizes are very welcome, so if you have any unwanted Christmas gifts etc. we will be very pleased to receive them in the box in the school office.
Thanks to those who have already contributed to a leaving present for Janet Ferris. Further donations and written memories and messages for her 'This is Your Life' evening are urgently needed.
A special thanks to parents of Class 4 children who all managed to arrive by 8.15am yesterday for their Okehampton field trip.
Last week I mentioned Classes 3 and 4's drama visits on 24th and 23rd March. A contribution of £3 to help with transport would be appreciated, if you haven't already sent yours in.
Class 3 will be taking part in an outdoor Adventure afternoon at South Molton Community College on Wednesday 5th April. The previous day, Mrs McVeigh has arranged for Class 3 to visit the Albert Museum in Exeter once again, as part of their Roman topic; details will follow shortly. Due to the distance, and the cost of the transport and museum workshops, we ask for a contribution of £7.00 per pupil.
Future events;
Egg hunt around school on last day of term.
Monday 24th April first day of summer term.
Friday 28th April - whole school photo
Friday 5th May - Family fun swim at Cascades, Croyde 6.15 to 7.15 pm.
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Class 3
Dear Mrs McVeigh,
I give permsiion for my child/ren ______________________ to take part in the Outdoor Adventure afternoon at SMCC on 5th April, and the Exeter Museum trip on Tuesday 4th April, for which I enclose a donation of £7 towards the costs.
Signed ___________________________________
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Weekly Newsletter No8
Dear Parents,
School is a very busy place at the moment. Class 4 had a memorable pilgrimage to Exeter Cathedral during which many children were robed as Bishop, Dean, peasants etc. On Wednesday all children participated in our 'Drum Crazy' percussion workshops. I'm sure the village hall still resonates with the rythmic sounds!! (Just out of interest, Peter Scott commented very favourably on the standard of our schoopl dinners!!!!)
Tomorrow (Friday) we will be celebrating World Book Day. Children are encouraged to dress up as a favourite book character for the day. Hopefully, children will be able to tell us about their character and older children could be prepared to read a short passage from their favourite book. Children should wear school uniform if they don't want to dress up. During the day we are hoping to arrange a number of special events and competitions culminating in story time, when children will be able to select which member of staff they wish to listen to reading a special story.
Today our Quiz Team (Aimee-Kate Ansell, Madeleine Mansell and Jacob Heard) took part in the World Book Day Quiz at Barnstaple Library.
Can I remind you that in this cold weather children in Classes 3 and 4 usually need a sweatshirt/jumper for outside games/P.E. This should not be their school sweatshirt, but another one kept in their P.E. bag would be very sensible.
Congratulations to Bethany Balment awarded the Headteachers Award this month.
Many thanks to those of you who completed their Road Safety/Travel questionnaire. Many of you probably forgot. As we need these to be analysed by the weekend, please return them to the school office tomorrow (where extra copies are available if required).
Dont forget : Parent Governor nominations are urgently required!!!!
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Weekly Newsletter No 9
Dear Parents,
Many thanks to those of you who completed the school Travel Plan questionnaire. These will feed into our travel plan 'action plan', along with the findings of a 'working party' of children - details available shortly.
Janet Ferris has been a most valuable member of our teaching staff, recently being seconded by Devon LEA to join the County Literacy Team. She has been such a great success in this post that she has now been appointed as a permanent County Literacy Consultant, which means she will be leaving us officially at the end of this term. The County's gain is our loss. Fortunately, Cathering McVeigh has agreed to continue teaching here on a permanent basis.
To mark Janet's leaving we hope to hold a 'celebration' evening during the last week of term - date and venue to be arranged. In the meantime we welcome :
donations towards a joint school gift (cheques to Swimbridge School please)
stories, memories and letters that we could use for a 'This is
Your Life' feature during the celebration evening (to me please)
Please remember that we are collecting both Tesco and Sainsburys vouchers. The more we collect, the more equipment we can claim for our school. Please encourage your friends, neighbours and extended family to help us.
We had a great day on World Book Day last Friday. Many children came dressed as their favourite book character. Overall, the winner of the fancy dress competition was Toby Ruhleman who appeared as 'The Gruffalo'.
News in Brief :
We took delivery of a number of new computers recently, courtesy of a DfEE grant, fortunately not out of our school budget.
Swimming for Classes 2 and 4 at the South Molton Pool will take place next term.
The remainder of the Year 5/6 Paignton Residential cost (£) needs to be in school by 29th April please. There will be a further meeting about this visit on
Year 6 parents are asked to encourage their children to read their Maths and Science Study books on a regular basis, talking over with them what they have read.
Kate Rippin has been nominated as Parent Governor. As there were no other nominations, she is elected unopposed with effect from 13th March when Andy Comerford steps down as Parent Governor and becomes a 'Church' Governor.
At last Tuesday's 'Friends of Swimbridge School' (PTA) meeting many exciting social and fund-raising events were planned, including a Treasure Hunt on 21st May and Prize Bingo on 24th March. Watch out for the next 'Friends' newsletter for more details.
Next Thursday 16th March, Class 4 are booked to leave school at 8.15am(please note the time) for their Science visit to Okehampton. There is no charge for this, but the permission slip must be returned as soon as possible.
The following week (23rd March) Class 4 has been invited to watch a performance of 'Tattercoats' by the Multistory Theatre Company at The Park Community School. A donation of £3 to help defray costs for this afternoon performance would be gratefully received.
The next afternoon (Friday 24th March, Class 3 will be watching a unique performance of Snow White, partly in French, to encourage children to take an interest in the language. A donation of £3 towards the cost of the transport will be welcome.
Mavis Bluge has been our trusty caretaker for a number of years. She has done a tremendous job and, although she remains a Meal Time Assistant, she retires from her cleaning post as from today. I am sure you join with me in thanking her for her dedication to our school; she will be a hard act for Regent Cleaning, who take over on Monday. to follow.
Next Friday Cool Kids Club will be having another special Film Evening, along with popcorn etc. Normal Booking procedures apply.
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Weekly Newsletter No 7
Friday 17th February 2006
Dear Parents,
We close tonight for the half-term holiday, re-opening on Monday 27th February.
On Tuesday 28th February (Shrove Tuesday) Cool Kids Club will be celebrating with pancakes - so book your child in (at the school office) to join in the fun.
On 1st March we are having a visit from Drum Crazy who will be providing percussion workshops throughout the morning.
To celebrate World Book Day we invite all children to come dressed as a favourite book character on Friday 3rd March. If possible we would like children (depending on age) to be prepared to tell us all who they are, why this character is a favourite and/or older children to be able to read a very short passage from their special book. There will be a variety of book related activities throughout the day including all staff reading to small groups, giving children the opportunity to chose what/who to listen to. If children do not want to take part in the dressing up they should wear normal school uniform.
On Thursday 2nd March a team of 3 children will be taking part in the North Devon Book Quiz at Barnstaple Library. You may remember that Swimbridge School won this competition last year!!!!
Road Safety is a very important issue and it is necessary that children are taught and shown how to use roads carefully, As part of our continued Road Safety Programme we are currently working on a School Travel Plan and involving children in this. On Wednesday 1st and Tuesday 7th March, Ray Pattenden (School Travel Advisor) has agreed to work with a small group of KS2 children on road safety issues; this group will then pass on their skills and knowledge to the rest of their Family Groups or classes. Their work will involve looking for dangerous places in the vicinity of the school.
I attach two leaflets which we hope you will read and consider.
Did you know :
Children who walk or cycle to school are less at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis when they are older.
The decline in walking to school has coincided with a rise in childhood obesity.
To help us with our current travel plan please complete the attached questionnaire and return it on Monday week when we return to school; this will be very helpful.
Andy Comerford is your current very hard-working Parent Governor. He will be continuing as a governor, but will, in future, represent the Church. We are therefore seeking nominations from parents who would like to represent the wishes of all parents in the strategic management of our school. If you are interested, please use the attached form.
Next Monday science booster classes start for Year 6 until 3.45pm. Maths Club continues on Tuesdays.
Please check your child for head-lice over the half term holiday. Your chemist can give you advice on treatment if necessary.
School meals are now £1.60 per day (£8.00 per week) and represent tremendous value, especially now the new Fresh Start healthy menu has started.
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 6
Friday 10th February 2006
Dear Parents,
Those who attended last night's school meal tasting session hopefully enjoyed it. The attached leaflet gives more information. You will have already received monthly menus and should have returned one with your child's daily choices, and retained the other. If menus are not returned we will assume that the main meal has been chosen.
Tonight in the Jubilee Hall we will be holding a children's disco : KS1 from 6.15 to 7.15pm, KS2 from 7.30 to 8.30pm. Children from other schools are welcome so long as they are of the appropriate age. Admission is £1.50 per child to include refreshments.
Attached to this letter is the latest School Term Dates leaflet from Spring Term 2006 to Summer Term 2008. Please note :
1) Non pupil days Friday 16th June and 20th October 2006 (for staff courses)
2) Due to early Easter in 2008 the spring holiday will not be at Easter.
Maths Club (for Year 6) is going well and seems to be benefiting the children who attend. To further help our Year 6 children prepare for the Science SAT's Mrs Blackett will again be running Science Booster Classes on Mondays, starting during school time and finishing at 3.45pm. This will operate each week until early May.
Can I remind parents to keep pre-school children with them when they wait after school. We cannot be responsible for children who, for instance, go on the playhouse unsupervised.
This week our school had an annual review. We are pleased to announce that in the areas under review (Personal development and well-being, Leadership and Management) the 'Ofsted' grading of good was awarded. The summary includes "The school is effective. This is because standards......have been good over time. Most groups of pupils make good progress...... Pupils personal development and well-being is a strength across the school."
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 5
Friday 2nd February 2006
Dear Parents,
By the time you read this we hope the road re-surfacing outside the school will be complete. Thank you for your patience.
Next week we will be holding a book fair after school each day in Class 3 (Mrs McVeigh's room), providing good quality rding material for children. Children can use their £1 book voucher (coming out tonight) if they wish. Parents will have a further opportunity to look at these books on Thursday 9th February when we are holding our Fresh Start food tasting evening for parents, commending at 7.00pm. Children will have their own taster session on Wednesday 15th February during the afternoon.
Don't forget the children's disco in the Jubilee Hall on Friday 10th February (see 'Friends' newsletters).
On Friday 17th February, Class 4 will be visiting Exeter Cathedral as part of their R.E. work on 'Pilgrimages and Religious Journeys'. We hope to make this a spiritual and social occasion, not just a tour of an old building. We hope all children will be able to participate. A donation of £6.50 per child includes transport and cost of the cathedral education. Children will need a packed lunch , normal school uniform, and a coat please. We need to leave school early on this occasion (8.30am); we should arrive back by 3.40pm. Please complete the form below.
More dates for your diary :
Monday-Friday 20th - 24th February - Half Term
Tues 28th February - Pancake night at Cool Kids Club
Wed 1st March - Visit of Drum-Crazy to school
Fri 3rd March - World Book Day. We ask all children to come dressed as their favourite book character - more details nearer the time.
Fri 17th March - Film Night at Cool Kids Club
Fri 23rd March - 'Friends' Bingo night
Tue 4th April - Class 3 visit to Exeter (in search of Romans!)
Wed 5th April - Outdoor Adventure Activities for Yr 3 and 4 at S.M.C.C.
Fri 7th April - Last day of term
There will be no recorder lessons next Monday (6th February)
Congratulations to the following children for completing merit cards :
Card 1 April Cockerill
Card 3 Hannah O'Brien
Card 4 Alexander Snell
Card 6 Joe Comerford
Card 10 Timon Hynes, Jocie Dyer
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 3
Friday 20th January 2006
Dear Parents,
As mentioned previously our Fresh Start Menu for school lunches is due to start in February. A copy of the menu from that date is attached - it certainly looks very exciting. You will see that there is a choice each day, but our school cook will need to know well in advance what individual children will want, so when the system starts we will send you a 'tick sheet' type menu which will need to be returned, there will also be a copy for you to keep to remind your child what they have ordered each day. All parents are invited to a FREE food tasting session on Thursday 9th February at 7.00pm, prior to our new style menu starting on Monday 13th February.
Watch out for more information about the Fresh Start Menu.
Next Tuesday (3.30pm to 4.15pm) Maths Club starts for all Year 6 pupils - we hope they all attend on a regular basis. This is designed to further their mathematical confidence and skills especially in light of the forthcoming SATs in May. There is no cost but parents are requested to take it in turns to provide light refreshments to increase the enjoyment as children 'munch while they work'. There is a refreshments rota on the class door.
Every year we make available to Year 6 pupils KS2 Study Books in Science and Maths. These retail at £4.95 each, but we can offer them both at £3 each or £5 for both! They are excellent books which, if children read carefully on a daily basis, will do a lot to raise standards even higher. Please complete the attached form.
Our Cool Kids Club is proving a great success not only as a provider of quality child care, but also because of the range of activities provided. Special activity days are Craft on Wednesday, Cookery each Thursday and starting next week Sewing and Knitting on Mondays along with all the other range of activities. Special film nights are booked for Friday 3rd February and Friday 17th March. On Tuesday 28th February, Cool Kids Club will be organising a pancake tea and pancake races. Book early at the school office as we are sometimes full!
On Friday 16th June, school is closed for a staff training day. For those who need childcare we may be able to operate Cool Kids Club for the whole day. Please see me if you wish to book a place - don't leave it.
Our Friends Association (to which all parents and staff belong) work tirelessly to support our school, last term alone raising £1700. There will be a children's disco on Friday 10th February (6.15pm for KS1 and 7.30pm for KS2) and a Bingo night on Friday 24th March commencing at 8.00pm; both in the Jubilee Hall.
Swimming for Yeaars 3 - 6 will take place during the summer term at South Molton Pool. We are currently looking at our swimming programme for September 2006 onwards.
On Saturday 28th January there will be a Family Fun Day at the PIP Centre, South Molton - see the attached notice.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlsetter No 2
Friday 13th January 2006
Dear Parents,
Please be aware that the road and layby's outside the school will be re-surfaced starting on 26th January.
We hope to take Class 4 to Exeter Cathedral on Friday 17th Feburary as part of their Pilgimage project. We are also planning for a 'Roman' visit for Class 3 - watch out for details.
Please could you ensure that your child has a coat and P.E. kit in school every day.
Dinner money (for those who pay half-termly) is due now. The cost is £49.50. You can also pay weekly or monthly in advance (£7.50 and £30 respectively) Please would you put cash into a named envelope. There are also some Parents who still owe for Calendars, we would be grateful to receive these payments as soon as possible.
A reminder that recorder lessons are every Monday, flutes on Wednesday and guitars on Thursday. Children will probably need to be reminded to bring their instruments!
If your child has lost any items of clothing there is a good chance it is in our over-flowing lost property box. If clothing was all labelled it might not get lost.
We still have some storage boxes from Christmas party food in our staff room. Please see Mrs Wadsworth if you think one of them may belong to you.
The next Friends (PTA) meeting is due to take place in the Jack Russell next Tuesday 17th January at 8pm. You are welcome!
Please, please make sure your child knows every day whether he or she is having school or packed lunch, or is staying to Cool Kids or other after school activities. Quite a few children still don't know!
If you would like to discuss your child's progress at school, please make an after school appointment with his/her teacher.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 1
Friday 6th January 2006
Dear Parents,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Our 'Freshstart' menu starts on 13th February. If your child does not already have school lunches, they do have the opportunity. Meals are just £1.50 per day, or £49.50 for this half term. We hope to arrange special events, maybe a taster session for parents; watch out for more information.
Cool Kids Club continues with more children attending. This is primarily designed to be high quality child care, but we are finding more and more children come because they want to take part in the various activities. To book a place please see Mrs Wadsworth in the school office. Watch out for special 'Cool Kids' events.
Plans are advancing for the Paignton Zoo residential trip for Years 5 and 6 in May. Please see me for more information if required. There will be another meeting later in the term to explain the detailed programme.
Computer Club for Years 5 and 6 continues for the next two Tuesdays (3.20 to 4.00pm). From Tuesday 24th January, we start Maths Club from 3.20 to 4.15pm. This is for all Year 6 pupils. Besides broadening their mathematical experience, we hope that it will help prepare them for their SAT tests in May. This should be an enjoyable occasion, and to this end parents have usually taken it in turns to provide a drink and snack for the group; a rota will soon appear on the class door. Computer Club will restart during the summer term.
You might be interested in visiting the following web-site with your children: www.hedgehogs.gov.uk. Hopefully this, along with imput from school, will help to raise awareness of road safety and help children understand and use the Green Cross Code.
The next Friends meeting is on Tuesday 17th January at 8.00pm in the Jack Russell. All those connected with the school are invited.
School calendars are still available at £3. If you would like to purchase one, or if you have not paid for those ordered, please see Mrs Wadsworth in the school office.
Please, please make sure your child knows every day whether he or she is having school or packed lunch, or is staying to Cool Kids or other after school activities. All too often children don't know!
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