4 Apr 2008 - Spring Term 2008
Weekly Newlsetter No 11
Friday 4th April 2008
Today,Friday 4th April, is the last day of term. School will recommence on Monday 21st April, at 8.45 am.
We would remind parents not to park on the zig-zag lines, even when dropping a child off in the morning.If you arrive early for breakfast club, please remember that the layby is used for staff parking and we would be grateful for your co-operation in this.
From April, the cost of a school meal will rise to £1.85 per day. This works out at £9.25 per week, if your child has meals every day.We would remind you that you can also pay online, if you find this more convenient. A new menu is attached to this newsletter.
Parents may be interested to know that we began a drive for a more peaceful playground just before Mr. Reed went on medical leave. Children who are observed playing roughly, in a manner which might hurt others, are warned and have time out. On the second offence, names are recorded in a playtime book and will incur an appropriate loss of priviledge.
We have had an outbreak of headlice in school recently, so please check your child during the holiday period. Thankyou.
We wish you all a pleasant and peaceful spring break.
S Beechey
A message from Mr Reed
Dear Parents, Children and Friends,
As the term comes to an end I would like to express my grateful thanks to you all for your good wishes, cards and other messages following my successful operation in hospital. I now have to spend a few weeks recuperating before I am allowed back to school, which hopefully should be a round the beginning of May.
A special thanks to all the school staff for covering for me during my enforced absence.
Best Wishes
Garry Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 10
Thursday 20th March 2008
Dear Parents,
This may be the last newletter for a few weeks, as explained in last weeks letter.
School is closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday, and re-opens next Tuesday 25th March. Term ends on Friday 4th April, re-opening on Monday 21st April.
The last swimming session for Classes 3 and 4 will be on Tuesday 25th March.
Congratulations to these swimmers :
Georgina Stapleton - Level 1 National Swimming Award
Ben Peters 600M
swimbridge Swimming Challenge 2 :
Lucille Verton, Jocie Dyer, Saskia Beer, Jack Goddard, Bethany Hill, Laura Ackland, Timon Hynes, Jacob Heard, George Corfe, Billy Floyd, Declan Smith, Ethan Young, Alex Deane, Sam Morley-Booth and Nathan Singh.
Attached to this newsletter is a letter about buying school meals on line, which you may find useful, You can still pay at the school office if you prefer. We have been informed that the cost of a school meal will rise in April to £1.85 per day. Dinner money, if paid at the office, should be paid on Mondays for the week ahead (cheques payable to D.C.C. or cash in a named envelope please) or monthly/termly in advance.
For your information, the Jack Russell is holding a live musical event on Saturday and Easter Sunday. On Easter Sunday and Monday there is an Easter Bunny Hunt and Daffodil weekend at Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh.
Mrs Mogford would be grateful to receive any orders from the Suttons catlaogue as soon as possible please.
Children in Year 6 especially need to be preparing for their English, Maths and Science SAT's, from 12th-16th May. Besides reading a couple of pages (with parents) of their CGP KS2 revision books every day, they will also find the BBC KS2 Revisewise site extremely useful in all three subjects as there are practise tests and revision hints readily available. I cannot emphasise the importance of 'little and often' revision so that all of our Year 6 children can achieve their true potential.
A further reminder that the Year 5/6 residential week in Paignton will be from 7th-10th July. There will be a meeting for parents at the end of May.
Please remember that the school continues to collect Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers. We also collect printer cartridges - there is a box in the corridor- as well as old mobile phones and tax discs.
Yesterday afternoon, after school, there was a minor accident outside school. In the interests of safety, please ensure you hold young children's hands and do not let them onto the road without you. The yellow lines are there as a safety feature, partly to ensure drivers have unobstructed visibility of the school entrance. Please NEVER park on the yellow lines. Reminding your child(ren) of the road safety rules would be an excellent way of spending the Easter Weekend!
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newletter No 9
Friday 14th March 2008
Dear Parents,
Our swimming lessons on Tuesday afternoons continue to be very successful, with all children making good, sometimes exceptional, progress. The last swimming session for KS2 will be on Tuesday 25th March. In September we plan to arrange swimming for Clases 1, 2 and 3 as usual at the South Molton pool.
Congratulations to the following children for their swimming achievements:
Carl Payne 17m
Ben Peters 100m
Scott Ansell 200m
Amanda Knill 200m
Travis Lovell 300m
Bronze A.S.A. Challenge award* : George Corfe, Nick Bushen, Jacob Heard, Ethan Young, Sam Morley-Booth, Declan Smith and Paul Crossley
Silver A.S.A. Challenge Award* : Jocie Dyer, Laura Ackland, Beth Hill and Lucie Slape
* Children who achieved the Bronze and Silver awards receive special illuminated certificates and badges from the Amateur Swimming Association which cost £1.70. If you would like to purchase one for your child, please forward the remittance in a named envelope as soon as possible.
You will have realised that the usual Easter holidays are very different this year. School will be closed for the Easter weekend (Good Friday 21st March and Easter Monday 24th March) and term term ends on 4th April, re-opening on Monday 21st April. After Easter I will be away from school for a few weeks for an operation and should be back early next term, around the beginning of May, or earlier if I get my way. I am sure you will support the staff during my absence. Mrs Wadsworth should, as usual, be your first point of call if you have any admin matters. Please see your child's teacher if you have any concerns about your child. Mrs Beechey is taking over some of my responsibilities so if you have a serious concern please see her; she will be acting head, although I hope to be able to deal with many matters during my recuperation, from home. Class 4 will be taught by Mrs Davies on Monday mornings, Mrs Blackett (as usual) Monday afternoons and all day Thursdays, and Mr John Blackett all day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All of these teachers are well known to the children, and will be following the normal curriculum plans during the 4 school weeks or so of my absence. During this time there will be no recorder lessons or Maths Club, although Year 6 children are strongly recommended to read through their KS2 Maths and Science books with their parents, a few pages every evening to ensure they are at a peak for the SAT tests in May (commencing 12th May). Newsletters will probably not be issued regularly during this period.
On Saturday the Friends Association will be holding an Easter Craft afternoon from 2.00pm to 4.00pm - everyone welcome.
Next Thursday, 20th March, we plan to hold our simple Easter Service in the Parish Church commecning at 9.15am. Parents and friends are welcome.
A reminder that we continue to collect Sainsbury and Tesco vouchers, Nestle boxtops and any unwanted mobile phones.
If you have any concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to book an after-school appointment with your child's teacher.
G Reed
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Weekly Newlsetter No 7
Friday 7th March 2008
Dear Parents,
Attached to this letter is the latest report from the National Society of Anglican Schools. You will see how encouraging this is. You should have already received the Ofsted report.
Congratulations to these swimmers :
If you visit the children's section of WH Smith in Barnstaple High Street, you should see many examples of our pupil's written work, to mark World Book Day.
Congratulations to Steven Trawin and Jocie Dyer, both awarded the Headteachers Award for great helpfulness around the school.
Congratulations also to our school World Book Day Quiz team who represented our school at the inter-school competition yesterday at Barnstaple Library. They did well, coming in the top 4 and were 'a credit to the school'.
Reminders :
Book Club orders need to be in by MONDAY 10th March at the latest please.
The next Governors meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11th March.
The Paignton Residential Visit for Years 5 and 6 is booked for Monday 7th July - Thursday 10th July. Guide price is approximately £175. The balance of the amount payable will be required mid May.
GDReed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter
Dear Parents,
Next Thursday is World Book Day and so every child will be given a £1 book token next week. On Thursday a small team of 'bookworms' will be participating in the North Devon Book Quiz at Barnstaple Library. A separate letter is on its way to the parents of the children concerned.
Congratulations to these swimmers :
Chloe Morley-Booth 500m
Miranda Cockerill 450m
Megan Dullam 400m
George Wicks 125m
....and to these children for completing merit cards :
Card 1 Archie Gammon and Georgina Stapleton
Card 2 Alfie Corfe
Card 3 Philip Mogford and Myer Urry-Clark
Card 5 Joe Coysh
Card 6 Taite Young
Card 10 Joe Comerford
Card 11 Natalia Ferreira
Card 12 Laura Ackland, Saskia Beer and George Corfe
Don't forget we are collecting Sainsbury's and Tesco's schools vouchers. Please help.
Parents of children in Year 6 will be aware that we continue Maths Club on Wednesdays after school until 4.15pm. We also strongly recommend that all Year 6 children read and discuss (with their parents) all of the CGP KS2 Maths and Science study books - ideally a few pages 2 or 3 times a week. These are available from book shops at £3.50 each, or from school at £2.50 each while stocks last.
On Monday afternoons Mrs Blackett will be working with Year 6, from 2.45pm, on Science preparation for the SAT's in May. She would like to continue this until 3.30pm if parents are able to collect their children at this time.
These days Cool Kids Club is often full after school, so please book up in advance if you wish to use this facility.
A reminder thast the Year 5/6 Paignton Residential will be in the week commencing 7th July.
Teachers are always happy to meet parents for after-school consultations. Just book an appointment.
A new starters guitar group will commence next term. Ask Mrs Wadsworth for a booking form if your child is interested.
GD Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 6
Dear Parents,
Attached to this letter is a copy of our recent Ofsted Inspection Report. We are very pleased by it's comments. Overall we are a GOOD school (satisfactory would be average), with some outstanding features.
This week's Religious Education Inspection (report to follow when received) apparently will state similar (if not greater) gradings.
Thanks must go to the dedicated staff who work so hard, coupled with motivated pupils and supportive parents and Governors.
We close for the half-term break next week (Monday 18th - Friday 23rd February) and re-open on Monday 25th February. Don't forget our Friends Association have arranged a disco for children on Friday 15th February commencing at 6.16pm for KS1 and 7.30 for KS2.
After half term, Class 2 will be joined by Mrs Julie Ansell who is doing some of her teaching practice at our school.
On Friday 29th February and Friday 14th March, a Design and Technology day is being organised at South Molton Community College for Year 5 pupils. Places are restricted so we are unable to send all children - details early next school week.
Mrs Trisha Ford is away from school for a few weeks. Her place in Early Birds Breakfast Club is being covered by MMavis Bluge (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Lee Wadsworth (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).
If you would like an update on your child's progress at school, or would like to discuss any matters relating to your child's school life, please book an after school meeting with your child's teacher.
Congratulations to the following swimmers :
Callum 35m
... and to these children for passing Swimming Stamina 3:
Timon Hynes, Paul Crossley, George Corfe, Jacob Heard, Lucille Verton, Nick Bushen, Declan Smith, Ethan Young and Sam Morley-Booth. The following children have passed Swimming Stamina 4:
Jack Goddard, Peter Dawson, Saskia Beer, Bethany Hill, Jocie Dyer and Lauren and Lucie Slape.
Last Friday's Class 4 pilgrimage went very well. The children were, as always, exceptionally well behaved and responsive. The short service which we have when we arrive was led by the Bishop himself! See the features section of the school website for some photos and reports.
GD Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newlsetter No 5
Dear Parents,
For once this is a very short newsletter!
Next week we will hopefully be able to send you a copy of last week's very encouraging Ofsted Inspection Report.
Ethan Young is collecting 'Soup Tins' for the homeless with his Church Group. It would be good if we could support him, so next week any spare soup tins will be collected in the school office.
Congratulations to the following swimmers for their achievements :
Chloe Morley-Booth 50m
Bethany Thrower 13m
Natalia Ferreira 50m
..... and to these children for passing Swimming Stamina 2 by treading water for 3 mins, swimming unaided 100m, swimming with a float 200m, removing clothing in the water, swimming underwater for at least 4m and using clothing as a bouyancy aid:
Timon Hynes, Paul Crossley, George Corfe, Jacob Heard, Lucille Verton, Nick Bushen, Alex Deane, Ethan Young and Peter Dawson.
Please could you check your child's sweatshirt, as at least one named jumper has disappeared, probably being worn by another child.
Don't forget the half-term holiday from Monday 18th- Friday 22nd February.
A number of children are currently bringing football cards to school. We do not wish to squash their enthusiasm for hobbies (from which they learn a lot), but we ask children to only bring a few cards to school, and leave their folders and most of the cards at home.
Dont forget the Valentines Disco Friday 15th February, in the Jubilee Hall. KS1 children from 6.15 - 7.15pm, KS2 children from 7.30-8.30pm. Admission is just £1 to include a drink and snack. Prizes given for the best dancers!!
GD Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 4
Friday 1st February 2008
Dear Parents,
Our inspection this week was a great success. Thanks for your support and good wishes. The inspectors were especially impressed by the supportive nature of the parental questionnaires - apparently there was not one negative comment!
I would also like to express my thanks to the staff who consistently work so hard to make our school so special - a fact that has been recognised by the Ofsted Inspectors. They were also very impressed by the caring behaviour of our children.
The report will be published in a couple of weeks; parents will be sent a copy as soon as it is available.
Congratulations to the following children for their swimming achievements :
Simon Bushen 850m
Oliver Brown 900m
Alex Deane 1000m
Ethan Young 1050m
and to these children for completing merit cards for good work and considerate, caring behaviour:
Card 1 Joseph Annear-Hill and Christopher Cullen
Card 2 Charlie Coysh
Card 3 Oliver Glover
Card 4 Ellie McLaughlin
Card 6 Matthew Surridge-Smale and Isaac Tredant
Card 7 Carl Payne
WANTED
Enthusiastic, temporary child-centred staff to work as :
Meal Time Assistant (lunch time)
Breakfast Club Supervisor (before school)
Cool Kids Club Supervisor (after school)
If you are interested in any (or all) of these positions either everyday or occasional days, please see Mrs Wadsworth or Mr Reed as soon as possible.
A reminder that on Friday next week (8th February) Class 4 will be visiting Exeter Cathedral as part of their R.E. work on 'Pilgrimages and Religeous 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 £8.50 per child includes transport and the cost of the cathedral education. Children will need a packed lunch, formal school uniform, and a coat please. We need to leave school early on this occasion at 8.30am and we will be unable to wait; children should arrive at about 8.25am please. we should arrive back by 3.30pm. Please complete the form below and return to the school office if you have not done so already.
For your information, the school will have a Religious Education inspection on Monday 11th February. Because of our foundation status, Ofsted inspect everything except RE. The RE Inspector would like to meet a few parents (during the afternoon). If you are interested please let me know.
Don't forget that the half term holiday is the week commencing 18th February.
GD Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter no 3
Friday 25th January 2008
Dear Parents,
This has been a most productive and enjoyable Arts Week. A special thankyou must go to Mrs French who co-ordinated the events, and all of the volunteers who, along with the school staff have worked hard to make this so successful.
Attached to this letter is the usual 'Life in Class 4' curriculum newlsetter for parents of children in Years 5 and 6. Other classes will have received their class information, or will be receiving it shortly.
On Friday 8th February, Class 4 will be visiting Exeter Cathedral as part of their R.E. work on 'Pilgrimages and Religeous 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 £8.50 per child includes transport and the cost of the cathedral education. Children will need a packed lunch, formal school uniform, and a coat please. We need to leave school early on this occasion (8.30am); we should arrive back by 3.30pm. Please complete the form below and return to the school office.
As usual if you have any concerns about your child at school, or would like an update, please make an after-school appointment with your child's teacher.
A number of children currently bring football cards to school. We do not wish to squash their enthusiasm for hobbies, and swapping is a great social activity, but we ask children only to bring their cards to school, and leave their valuable folders at home.
Congratulations to Sam Morley-Booth - he receives the Headteachers Award for consideration to others, helpfulness around the school and politeness.
Congratulations to the following children for their swimming achievements :
Nathan Singh 700m
Jacob Heard 800m
Paul Crossley 1000m
George Corfe 1100m
You will also find atttached a letter from Ofsted informing you of the school's inspection, which will take place next Tuesday 29th January. They are inviting your comments about our school, so please fill in the questionnaire and return it to school as requested. You will also find attached a 'Guide for Parents.
G D Reed
Headteacher
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Weekly Newsletter No 2
Friday 18th January January 2008
Dear Parents,
Swimming on Tuesday started very well. There were a number of favourable comments from NDLC staff and others about good behaviour and standard of swimming. Many thanks to parents who have already contributed their donation of £12 per child towards transport. Without this financial support (and the kind donation from the Friends Ass.)it may not be possible to sustain this level of swimming teaching - so please support this.
Congratulations to the following children for their swimming achievements :
Sam Morley-Booth 650m
Lauren Slape 850m
Lucie Slape 1000m
Declan Smith 450m
Lucille Verton 450m
Billy Floyd 900m
Jack Goddard 1200m
Bethany Hill 1000m
Jocie Dyer 1600m
Peter Dawson 1200m
Saskia Beer 1600m
Nick Bushen 800m
Laura Ackland 1000m
Don't forget tonight's family bingo in the Jubilee Hall starting at 6.15pm. Bring the whole family and win some grand prizes. The Friends Christmas Fayre and draw raised £714. Thanks once again.
There may be vacancies for Early Birds and Cool Kids staffing. If you are interested plase let me know.
Next week is Arts week when children will be engaged in an exciting variety of art, craft, music and dance based on the elements - fire, water and earth. This means that for one week only much of the curriculum will be 'on hold'. Swimming (for classes 3 and 4) will continue on Tuesday and recorders (for classes 3 and 4) will start again on Monday afternoon.
Did you know that parents of children using Early Birds Breakfast Club and Cool Kids Club are eligible for the childcare element of working tax credit? Details can bo obtained from Mrs Wadsworth in the school office.
On Friday 8th February. Class 4 will hopefully be visiting Exeter Cathedral for the day; details next week.
We are constantly trying to provide the best education, and best services, for our pupils and their families. Currently we are appraising our before school child care facilities and would welcome your comments. Please consider the questions on the attached questionnaire and return to the office by 25th January. The questions about school times are just to gauge opinions - there is no proposal to change school hours.
Cool Kids Club is still trying to obtain some more Duplo and Lego. If you have any out-grown or unwanted sets, please consider donating them. We are also still collecting old mobile phones for the Salvation Army.
Please check your child for head lice this weekend and treat accordingly. No children should be in school with head lice please. This is the reason why all long hair needs to be tied back. Thankyou for your co-operation.
The winner of Swimbridge Pre-school Christmas Quiz was Mrs L Wallis-Reep of Landkey. A huge thankyou to all who have supported the pre-school fund-rasing efforts over the last twelve months, raising over £1200.
G D Reed
Headteacher
Weekly Newlsetter No 1
Friday 15th January 2008
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year.
We welcome our new pupils and their families, and a new member of staff, Penny Lewis, who joins us as a Meal Time Assistant and will join us in Cool Kids Club to replace Felicity Reid who is sadly leaving us for another post.
From next Tuesday 15th January, Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be swimming at the North Devon Leisure Centre every Tuesday afternoon until mid-March. Children will need a named towel, swimming costume and swimming cap please. It is our aim to help develop children's confidence in the water, and to develop stamina and water safety techniques for those who can already swim. Children will leave school around 12.50pm and return by around 3.00pm. You will appreciate that the cost of pool hire and transport is very expensive. Fortunately, our Friends Association is going to cover some of the cost. To help further, we request a contribution of £12 towards transport costs for the 10 week session (£17 for 2 children). PLease complete the form below. You will notice that Year 3/4 children are having additional swimming lessons, they swam last term as well.
From Wednesday 16th January, we start computer club from 3.20pm to 4.15pm. This is for all Year 6 pupils. Besides broadening their mathematical experience, we hope it will help prepare them for their SAT tests in May. These should be enjoyable occasions, and to this end parents have usually taken it in turns to provide a drink and a snack for the group; a rota will appear on the class door. Computer Club will re-start in the summer term.
Recorders for Class 3 and 4 re-start on Monday 21st January. Please ensure that your child has his/her music and instrument in school. Guitars have re-started this week, but there are still spaces available if you wish to book your child in.
Please note that the Paignton Residential visit planned for May will now, hopefully, take place in July from Monday 7th to Thursday 10th. The reasons for this will become evident later. If this change of date presents a problem, please let me know. There will be more details shortly - please do keep saving up!!!
A number of events are being organised by our Friends Association :
Friday 18th January - Bingo
Friday 15th February - Valentine Disco
Saturday 15th March - Easter Craft afternoon
Did you know... Swimbridge has a small extremely well-run pre-school? The emphasis is on learning through fun and is a great start for children, preparing them for their first years in school. The pre-school offers a varied programme of activities to meet the Early Learning Goals and has a lovely family feel where children are made to feel welcome and valued. The pre-school runs five mornings a week for 3-5 year olds, with an optional lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays. In order to help with future planning the pre-school would love to hear from anyone in the village (or beyond) who has children aged 0-5 who might like a place at the pre-school in the next few years. We are extremely lucky to have such an excellent facility in the village so sign up now!
For more information or to arrange a visit, please call Amy on 01271 830089
Cool Kids Club is trying to obtain some more Duplo and Lego. If your family has out-grown theirs, we would welcome donations. Don't forget we are still collecting old mobile phones, worth £5 each, for the Salvation Army.
GDReed
Headteacher