19 Dec 2007 - Autumn Term (second half) Newsletters

 

Friday December 14th 2007

 

Letter 39

 

Dear Parents,

 

This will be the last Newsletter of this term.  We close (for children) on Wednesday 19th December and re-open on Monday 7th January at 8.45am.

 

We hope you all enjoyed the Carol Service held in the Parish Church last night.  Almoast £65 was raised towards our continued sponsorship of Mbawin and Shivcharan through Action Aid.

Bethany Thrower in Class 4, and her family, came up with an intriguing further fund-raiser for our Action Aid appeal - 'guess Mr Reed's middle name'.  If your child would like to have a go, they should bring 20p and Bethany will make a note of the guess.  The family have kindly donated some super prizes.

 

Next term the older children will be swimming in the NDLC on Tuesday afternoons commencing Tuesday 15th January.  Further details next term.

 

You will already know about our two Christmas parties.  Father Christmas hopes to come to Monday's Key Stage 1 party.  Children should be collected from the hall at 3.15pm please.  We ask that every child brings food for the shared party tea.  This should be brought to Mr Reeds office at the start of the school day.  Volunteers to help organise tables and food at lunchtime will be very welcome.  Cool Kids children will be brought back to school .Mrs McVeigh and Mrs French have asked that children come to school in their party clothes in the morning - for one day only!

 

Don't forget that Cool Kids Club and Early Birds Breakfast Club are here to serve you.  Next term Early Birds will be offering a 'no breakfast' option (as an alternative to the standard facility) with a slight reduction in cost.

 

We are still looking for an enthusiastic child-centred person to work as a Meal Time Assistant every lunch time.  Are your interested, or is there someone you know who might like this opportunity.  Please let us know.

 

During the holiday please encourage your child to read every day, and for older children to work hard on their homework assignments.  Perhaps they might have 25th December off though....

 

We are losing Louise Young as a Meal-time assistant this term.  I am sure you join in thanking her for her hard work as a member of staff.

You will have received recently some Christmas Drawa Tickets which we hoped you would be able to purchase or sell.  Ticket stubs and money, or un-sold tickets, need to be returned by Tuesday at the latest please,  The draw will take place at the end of school on the last day of term (Wed. 19th December) when, weather permitting, we will join to sing carols in the playground from 3.00pm.  Come and sing and maybe win!!

Thank you one and all for your help and support this term

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

 

Garry Reed
Headteacher

 

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Friday December 7th

 

Letter 38

Dear Parents,

 

We are approaching a very busy, but very exciting time of the year.

Next Thursday (13th December) we will be holding our School Christmas Carol Service in the Parish Church, commencing at 6.00pm.  This is primarily intended for children and their families and friends, so please come along.  As usual the children will sit with their classes and wear school uniform (unless they have a costume).  We aim that all children will be participating.

 

On Friday 14th December (for classes 3 and 4) and Monday 17th December (for classes 1 and 2) we will be holding our Christmas parties in the Jubilee Hall.  Donations of food and drink can be taken to the office at 8.45am, or to the Jubilee Hall between 12.30 and 1.00pm.  Children should be collected from the Jubilee Hall at 3.15pm.  If they are going to Cool Kids Club, they will be taken back to school by staff.

 

Many of our recorder players are making very good progress and a few have expressed an interest in playing the fife or flute.  As you know all children in Years 3 to 6 have instrumetal music lessons in school.  For recorder lessons there is no charge, but as we have to 'buy-in' teachers for guitars and fife/flutes, a charge has to be made.  If you are interested in your child (from Year 2 onwards) receiving flute/fife lessons next term, please complete the form below.  A few spaces for guitars may also be available.

 

At the end of January we plan to hold a Creative Arts week.  If you have any hidden talents and would like to be involved, please let Mrs French know as soon as possible.

School Christmas Lunch is on Wednesday 12th December.  The cost is £1.75.  If your child does not normally have school dinner, and you would like to book one, please return the form below.  Following this the children will have a special film showing of 'Box of Delights'.

Do you need to find time for Christmas shopping without the children?  Why not book your child into Cool Kids Club and/or Early Birds Breakfast Club.

 

We are looking for an enthusiastic child-centred person to work as a Meal Time assistant every lunch time.  Are you interested?

 

Last week each family received some Christmas Draw Tickets which we hoped you would be able to purchase or seel on behalf of the Friends Association.  Stubs and money, or un-sold tickets, need to be returned as soon as possible please. The draw will take place at the end of school on the last day of term (Wednesday 19th December) when, weather permitting, we will join to sing carols in the playground from 3.00pm.

The value-added (the progress individual children make) Primary School League Tables were published yesaterday.  Incredibly Swimbridge has come top in North Devon once again, 6th in Devon.

 

In Design and Technology, Class 4 have been making moving vehicles.  The motors and other components are quite costly, so if your child wishes to take his/her vehicle home, a donation of £1.50 would be much appreciated please.

 

G D Reed
Headteacher

 

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Friday November 30th

Letter 37

 

Dear Parents,

 

Don't forget the school Christmas Carol Service for all children, parents and friends on Thursday 13th December, commencing at 6.00pm in the Parish Church.  All children will be participating, so we hope they will be able to attend.

 

What a great occasion our Christmas Fayre was, on Saturday.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and over £700 was raised to enhance the education of our children.  Thanks to everyone who attended, donated items or helped organise the event.

 

Attached to this letter you will find some Christmas Draw Tickets, which we hope you will be able to purchase or sell.  Stubs and money, or un-sold tickets need to be returned as soon as possible please.

 

We are still collecting Tesco Sports Vouchers - please help.

 

Monday was the last swimming session for this term.  The progress Year R to 4 have made this term has been incredible, as the following list indicates.  Next term Years 5 and 6 (and hopefully Year 4) will have ten weeks swimming at the North Devon Leisure Centre.

 

Congratulations to the following swimmers :

Curtis Vickery - 2 mtrs, Phillip Mogford - 2 mtrs, April Cockerill - 4 mtrs, Alexander Snell - 7 mtrs, Ellie McLaughlin - 7 mtrs, Georgina Stapleton - 8 mtrs, Liam Wallis-Reep - 50 mtrs, Declan Smith - 450 mtrs, Simon Bushen - 450 mtrs, Thomas O'Brien - 550 mtrs, Lauren Slape - 1080 mtrs, Lucie Slape - 1080 mtrs, Matthew Surridge-Smale - 4 mtrs, Joe Coysh - 16 mtrs, Joe Money - 12 mtrs, Carl Payne - 4 mtrs,Paige Cawkwell - 5mtrs, Florence Gillard - 60 mtrs, Joe Comerford - 65 mtrs, Lois Cawkwell - 8 mtrs, Lara Dullam - 7 mtrs, Rebecca Heard - 4 mtrs, Joseph Annear-Hill - 4 mtrs, Haydon Vickery - 300 mtrs, Emily Deane - 45 mtrs, Christopher Cullen - 2 mtrs, Callum Huxtable - 4 mtrs, Laura Trawin - 350 mtrs, Hannah Trawin - 365 mtrs, Hannah O'Brien - 400 mtrs, Harry Dyer - 34 mtrs, Isobel Turley - 8 mtrs, Taite Young - 300 mtrs, Isaac Tredant - 675 mtrs, Sam Morley-Booth - 425 mtrs

Underwater Exploration A - Hannah and Laura Trawin, Hannah and Thomas O'Brien
Underwater Exploration B - Isaac Tredant, Sam Morley-Booth, Taite Young and Lucie Slape
Underwater Exploration C - Simon Bushen, Lauren Slape and Declan Smith

 

From early December, each school has to have a Disability Equality Action Plan.  Should you be interested, a copy can be seen on our school website.

 

Congratulations to Laura Ackland and George Corfe who have received the Headteachers Award for helping with school dinners so happily and efficiently.

G D Reed
Headteacher

 

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Friday November 23rd 2007

 

Letter 36

 

Dear Parents,

 

This Saturday our long awaited Christmas Fayre will take place in the Jubilee Hall.  There will be lots of exciting games and stalls.  Donations of cakes and sweets, chocolate for the chocolate tombola and items for the Christmas Hamper would be appreciated.  Santa should be there, all being well. Bring your friends, family and neighbours.

The Fayre starts at 2.oopm.   Helpers to set up would be welcome during the morning.  At the end of the Fayre, volunteers to help clear up would be very much appreciated. 

 

Congratulations to these swimmers :

Archie Gammon       7 metres
Hannah Trawin, Laura Trawin, Hannah O'Brien and Thomas O'Brien  Underwater Exploration 1
Isaac Tredant, Sam Morley-Booth, and Taite Young   Underwater Exploration 2
Lucy Slape       Underwater Exploration 3
Please ensure that your child has a swimming cap.

 

On Wednesday we had a visit from 4 staff from the Chikankata Hospital in Zambia.  I'm sure all children enjoyed the visit, especially their unique singing!  Their visit also helped Years 5 and 6 with their understanding of life in Africa.

 

Last Friday's Children in Need events were a great success, raising £166, which together with the £248 previously raised means that we have achieved our target by collecting £414 for our children in need, Mbawin in Ghana and Shivcharan in India. A cheque for this amount is on it's way to Action Aid.  Thank you one and all!

 

A reminder that the school photographer will be taking family/individual photographs on Thursday 29th November.  There will be no obligation to purchase.  If you have a pre-school child and wish for him/her to be included please bring him/her to the school office at 1.10pm.

 

Fancy some extra time for Christmas shopping?  Why not book your child into Cool Kids Club? Need to get to work early,  Why not book your child into Early Birds Breakfast Club?

We have a special Posada box in school which we are hoping to circulate amongst families each night.  If you would like to borrow the Posada box please see Mrs Newnham or myself.  Posada is an old Mexican tradition where young people dressed as Mary and Joseph travelled from house to house asking for a room for the night and telling people about the imminent arrival of Jesus in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  On Christmas Eve they would visit the local Church to re-enact the nativity and place figures of Mary and Joseph in a crib.

 

Modern day Posada uses nativity figures of Mary and Joseph who travel from place to place.  This gives each 'host' the chance to create their own celebration making room for Jesus in their homes.

Your child can bring home the Posada figures for one night.  Please return the figures the next school day for another family to take home.

 

For the evening you 'host' Mary and Joseph you can choose to do whatever you like.  Perhaps you or your child/ren could set up the crib figures and listen to the Christmas Story being read to them or maybe read it themselves.   A favourite Carol could be sung.  All this helps to prepare our hearts and minds for the Festival of Christmas.

 

Watch out for Christmas Draw Tickets.  The Friends Association will be sending one pack of 5 X £1 tickets to each family.  We hope you will be able to purchase or sell these.  If you do not wish to receive these, please let any of the PTA Officers or myself, know.  Stubs and money or unsold tickets need to be returned as soon as possible.

 

We are still collecting Tesco Sports vouchers - please help.

 

Don't forget our Christmas Carol Service at 6.00pm on Wednesday 13th December - for all the family.

 

G.D.Reed

Headteacher

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Friday November 16th 2007

 

Letter 35

 

Dear Parents,

 

Our Children in Need activities have raised £  towards the continued sponsorship of Mbawin and Schivcharan,  Many thanks to all concerned.

 

Congratulations to the following children for their swimming achievements :

Liam Wallis-Reep 30 metres
Travis Lovell  45 metres
Haydon Vickery  50 metres

 

Next Wednesday we should have four Zambian visitors who are interested in seeing a 'typical' British primary school.  On Friday we hope to watch a performance by 'Sunshine Stories' followed by a workshop for the older children.

 

The school photographer will be taking family/individual photographs on Thursday 29th Nov ember.  There will be no obligation to purchase.  If you have a pre-school child and wish for him/her to be included please bring him/her to the school office at 1.10pm.

 

I am sure we are all looking forward to the Christmas Fayre in the Jubilee Hall on Saturday 24th November.  Please offer your services to help if you can - and do please bring the whole family along!

 

Next Thursday we may be experiencing an interruption to the power supply during the morning. We will therefore be providing a cold lunch on that day.

 

Please would you send any book club orders in to the office on Monday at the latest, as we will have to send the order in on that day to ensure delivery by Christmas.

 

As always, if you have any concerns about your child at school, or wish an update on his/her progress, please book an after school appointment.

 

G D Reed
Headteacher

 

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