Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our wonderful year 6 children. We wish them every success and happiness in the next stage of their education and beyond. They've risen admirably to the challenges of the last two years and have made us smile every day with their quirky humour and characters. 

We also wished Ms Laybourn all the very best for her next endeavours and bid a fond farewell to Roman who is relocating during the summer holidays.

​Good luck to you all from our whole community.

It's been a hot and hectic final week and suddenly it's the end of the year. Despite the obvious challenges of Covid19, it has been such a pleasure and a privilege to lead the school through this year. The warm relationships, enthusiasm, humour and care shown by all the children and staff to one another make me immeasurably proud and happy.

Thank you to every one of our pupils for your fantastic attitudes and behaviour. You are the reason why the school is such a happy place and we all love working here.

Thank you to all the staff. So many challenges have been faced, new skills learnt, new directives taken on board and tasks completed. There's been delight and despair, and you've shone through both. Thank you and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Thank you to all parents for your lovely messages of support and gratitude through the year. Thank you for riding through the changes and rules and regulations with us, and for your enormous engagement and encouragement through the home learning months.

Thank you to the PTA who have worked tirelessly to raise money and provide us with funds for enrichment activities.

Finally, thank you to our local stakeholder board who've been so supportive through the whole year.

Enjoy the summer holiday. Stay safe and well. 

Pictured above are the winners of our Sports' Day last week. The green team won the KS1 competition and the blue team won overall for key stage 2. Harry and Keira were both presented with shields as the year 6 pupils who won the most points across all events. Congratulations to everyone who took part and helped to make it such a lovely day. 

It seems amazing how much our year 6 pupils have changed since they were in Year R, 7 years ago. As they move towards their secondary education, I thought they might like to see this photo of the current year 13 students both now and when they were starting school at South Tawton. These year 13 students are still close friends as they leave college and prepare for university; I hope you all will be too!

We really can't finish the year without a mention of our breakfast club! They have been such a wonderful, happy group of children and Ruth Elliott, the club leader, asked me to thank them all. Sometimes, it's hard to know whether Ruth or the children are enjoying the club more. Breakfast club is available to children from YR to Y6 and can be booked through school gateway accounts.

​Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust are delighted to announce they will be welcoming a new Free School to its wider network of schools.
Following a successful bid to Devon County Council, the Trust will manage the new Free School presumptive for Devon, which will open in September 2022.
The Free School will be for learners with SEMH (social, emotional and mental health special needs) from the Mid Devon region who will be allocated places by Devon County Council in conjunction with the Trust. 
The new school will be located in Okehampton and have 40 places initially for Early Years to KS4 and will grow year on year up to 100 learners.
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is excited about welcoming the new free school into its community of family-oriented schools. As a MAT with a strong local identity, it is looking forward to using its strong local knowledge and strong local connections to support all young people – both within the Trust, in the wider area and in Devon as a whole – to reach the best possible outcomes.
The Trust is passionate not only about recognising and meeting needs in the region, but truly impacting the life chances of children and young people across Devon.
Dan Morrow, Trust Leader for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said:
                                                                                                      
“DMAT is delighted to have been successful with this bid and we are thrilled that such an important entitlement for our children and communities will be within the DMAT family. This will help us on our journey to be the transformational offer that we know our families so richly deserve
“As part of our Trust, the new free school will impact positively not just on the learners and young people who access it, but the schools, and communities from which they are drawn. We’re excited to get this process underway and continue to positively expand our family of schools.”

Hello, I’m Merryn from Year 5 and I am the youngest member of the West Devon Borough Climate Change Forum. I am very keen on looking after the planet. As part of my roll on the climate forum, I have been asked to help find out what people locally would think about having an electric  car and bike club in this area. This would allow people to use electric vehicles without having  to pay the often prohibitively expensive cost of buying one. I would therefore be very grateful if you could spare a few moment to follow the link attached and complete the survey so we can capture your views and gauge local opinion.

Direct link to the survey: https://bit.ly/ElectricWDevon

Link to more information about the survey: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/8081/Community-Led-Electric-Car-and-Bike-Club-Survey-Launched

Thank you very much
Merryn

Please click here to read the latest Covid19 response update from Devon County Council

What a week it has been! This newsletter is very photo heavy as we have so many excellent experiences to share. Although it was sad not to be able to have parents join us at Sports' Day, there didn't seem to be much difference in noise levels from previous years as the children cheered, clapped and encouraged each other through their events. (The noisiest moment was definitely the beginning of the Y6 boys' long distance race when they decided they would sing Sweet Caroline throughout. Admittedly, this singing got progressively quieter after they hit the first hill....) The day was filled with smiles and some shining examples of team spirit and support. Well done to all pupils for making it such a lovely day. 

The enrichment events this week began on Monday with fencing workshops for every class. The children showed great aptitude for fencing, leading me to wonder if we have some future Olympians in our midst!

,Our Science Tricks and Bubbles shows finished off the week. Key Stage 2 children saw one of two 'Tricks' shows with exploding balloons, coloured flames and a variety of other bangs and explosions. Key Stage 1 watched an amazing bubble show in the afternoon. Although the shows were hugely entertaining, they were also filled with science knowledge and skills, some of which I hope the children may have shared with you at home. Sitting in my office, I was able to hear laughter and cheering coming from the hall all through the day. 

The summer term is drawing to an end and the last day for the children is Thursday 22nd July. We will be saying goodbye to our Year 6 pupils and wishing them every success and happiness as they continue their education at secondary school. Sadly, we will also be saying goodbye to Ms Laybourn after many years as a much loved and fantastic Year 6 teaching assistant. Ms Laybourn will be moving on to pursue different dreams and I 'm sure you will wish to join me in wishing her great fulfilment and joy in her new endeavours.

For those of you who haven't heard the happy news, I'm also thrilled to let you know that Miss Pearce (who left this time last year) now has a baby girl named Bella. 

​The forecast for this week is very hot. Please ensure that your child has a hat, sun cream applied, and water bottle in school every day. 

The Autumn Term will begin for children on Wednesday 8th September. We'll be hoping to get the year off to a flying start. Please help us to help the children feel ready for a new year at school by ensuring that they all have the correct uniform including black shoes. We have a few children arriving in non-regulation clothing such as leggings this term: smart school trousers, shorts, skirts or dresses only please. 

Before that, we will have a non-uniform day to celebrate the end of the year and to thank the children for all their hard work and enthusiasm. This will take place on Wednesday 21st July. There will not be a charge for this. 

We currently have a vacancy for a full-time general teaching assistant to join our team. Further details may be found here. To apply, please visit the eteach site.  Ideally, the position will be based in Year 6. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 21.07.21.

There will be ice lollies for sale on Thursday 22nd after school. Please do NOT send your children into school with the money for these - they will be purchased after school with parents. We had a few difficulties with missing pound coins in school last time.

The last lolly sale raised £130 and we took £72 from the recent Bag2School collection. Thank you everyone. 

You should all have received an email on Friday with a link to a Trust wide letter about any changes to risk assessments and arrangements after the 19th July. For anyone who missed it, the letter can be read here.

You will notice in this that we will sadly be unable to have audiences for our Y5/6 Performance or Leavers' Assembly. We are aiming to record both of these events and make the recording available as we did with the KS1 performance at Christmas. If anyone has the skills and technology to help with this, I'd love to hear from you. 

We have made the decision as a Trust to not change our current risk assessment in the last week of term. Please can I urge you to continue to wear a mask at drop off and collection times. 
 
Please bear in mind that not all of our staff, or adults in our families and wider community have had their two vaccinations yet.

Anyone passing the school at any point last Monday can't fail to have heard the peals of laughter as each class visited Rupert Elford for their circus skills workshop. There were demonstrations from Rupert and plenty of opportunities for the children to have a go. As you can see from the photographs, it was a hugely enjoyable day. Thank you to the PTA for making it possible. 

On Friday, we also had a visit from a storyteller. She led the children through stories outside until the rain finally won and Y5 and 6 had to move into the hall. The children also had the opportunity to draw, write and share their own stories. 

Next week, we have fencing workshops on Monday and Science shows on Friday. Sports' Day will also be next week - we will check the weather on Monday and then decide which day.

June's draw was carried out at last Friday's school assembly and the following numbers/people won:-

1st     8      Jackie Keegan
2nd    65    Vellette Vallance
3rd     39    Katherine Woolnough

Mary MacMillan-Scott will be in touch with all winners to arrange delivery of prizes. 

With class trips outside of school cancelled, we've brought the outside in! We'd like to say a very big thank you to our brilliant PTA who have funded an exciting programme of visitors for the last few weeks of term.

The programme of events began on Friday with the first four classes loving the rock pool workshops, and will continue as follows. Every child from preschool to year 6 will be involved.

We're delighted to announce some additions to our staff team for September:
Mrs Lindsey Graham will be job-sharing alongside Peggy Chalcraft in year 4. Mrs Graham will be teaching on Mondays and Tuesdays and Miss Chalcraft Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Miss Bennett will be working as a full-time SENDCo across the Three Hares Schools.)

Mrs Kayleigh Anderson will join us as a full time additional teaching assistant in our reception class, while Mrs Marion West and Miss Jennifer Williams will take up new roles as teaching assistants in Year 5.

​Congratulations and welcome to them all.

The school meal for Sports Day has been changed to a "Bag Meal", which will consist of the following:

Main - Chicken Goujons, Potato Wedges, Carrot and Cucumber sticks
Vegetarian - Veggie Nuggets, Potato Wedges, Carrot and Cucumber sticks
Packed Lunch - Cheese Roll
Dessert - Cookie

Please note that there will be no Jacket Potato option on that day.

For Sports' Day, please send your children into school in their PE kit including, if possible, a T-shirt in their team colours. 

This Wednesday 7th July, we will be having our 'Moving Up' morning to give all classes a chance to meet their new teachers. The important organisational element of this is that all children should arrive at their usual time. For instance, children who are in year 3 and have arrived at 8:40 all year, should arrive at 8:40 and not worry about what time year 4 arrive.

When the children do arrive, please could they go straight to their new classes and teachers as follows:
New YR pupils to arrive at 8:50 and enter through the gate by the cottage.
New Y1 (current YR) to arrive at 8:50 and enter through the gate at the bottom of the steps.
New Y2 (current Y1) to arrive at 8:40 and enter through the gate by the ramp.
New Y3 (current Y2) to arrive at 8:40 and enter through the gate in the carpark.
New Y4 (current Y3) to arrive at 8:40 and enter through the gate in the carpark.
New Year 5 (current Y4) to arrive at 8:50 and enter through the playground gate.
New Year 6 (current Y5) to arrive at 8:50 and enter through the gate by the ramp.
New Year 7 (current Y6) to arrive at 8:40 and enter through the playground gate.

If your child needs PE kit on that morning, teachers will let you know by email. Snacks and bags will go with children to their new classes and all pupils will return to their current classes in time for lunch. 

​Unfortunately COVID 19 cases are rising again and as a result some schools in the Trust have had to follow PHE advice and send students who were in close proximity home to self-isolate for 10 days from the time of contact. It has been a while since we have needed to follow such advice so below are some FAQs around keeping your child safe at home.

What if my child tests positive using a LFD home test kit?
Keep your child at home, tell school the result and report it via https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.
Your child and whole household should self-isolate at home immediately, and get a PCR test within two days to confirm the result. The student can return to school if the PCR test result (taken within two days of the LFD test) is negative and they have no symptoms.

What if my child tests positive using a PCR test?
Keep your child at home and tell school the result. Your household must self-isolate for 10 full days after your child’s symptoms started, or from the day of their test if they had no symptoms. They can return to school after 10 full days of self-isolation, provided they feel well and have not had a high temperature for 24 hours.

What if my child has COVID-19 symptoms?
Keep your child at home and tell school. Get the child a PCR test as soon as possible via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Your child and household must self-isolate and wait for the results. If their PCR test result is negative the child can return to school provided they feel well and have not had a high temperature for 24 hours. If their PCR test result is positive they must self-isolate at home for 10 full days.

What if my child is identified as a ‘close contact’ of someone who tests positive or has been sent home from school as part of a ‘bubble’?
Keep your child at home. Your child must self-isolate at home for 10 full days, even if they test negative during this time. The rest of your household doesn’t need to self-isolate, unless they are identified as a ‘close contact’ too. The child can return to school after completing 10 full days of self-isolation at home, provided they feel well and do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.

What if someone in my household has COVID-19 symptoms?
Keep your child at home and tell school. The person with COVID-19 symptoms should get a PCR test via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test as soon as possible, your household must self-isolate and wait for the result. Your child can return to school if the person with symptoms tests negative, provided your child feels well and doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms.
​
What if someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19?
Keep your child at home and tell school. If it’s a LFD positive result, get a PCR test within 2 days to confirm the result. If it’s a PCR positive result, your household must self-isolate for 10 full days.

There are a selection of pre-loved, very good condition school sweatshirts on the PTA rail all sizes from 4-5 to 11-12.
Please email admin@southtawton.org.uk if you are interested in having any.
​

Please click here to read the latest update from Devon County Council.

We've been making the most of the better weather this half term and enjoying lots of activities and events outside. Year R are hoping that their caterpillars will soon become butterflies, year 2 have been working together on the field to create team games for each other to enjoy and years 5 and 6 have recently been making the most of having Dartmoor on our doorstep to experience guided walks on Cosdon with a Dartmoor park ranger. More information on all these activities can be found on the class blog pages. 

We have been lucky here in Devon with relatively low cases of coronavirus compared to other communities. However, we cannot avoid the reality that case numbers are now rising both across the country and in Devon.
 
This week, schools in Devon, and within our DMAT, have had to isolate individuals, close bubbles, year groups and in some cases whole schools. The last thing we want to do is to increase the likelihood of this happening here at South Tawton.
 
It is for this reason we have had to change our plans for the end of term and we will not be able to invite parents as spectators for sports' day. We just cannot take this risk. It would be awful to have to keep children at home again. 
 
While some parents have shown their support for the decision, others have aired their concerns and disappointment. Please do accept that this decision has not been made lightly. We have considered the size of the school, and potential risk before making this decision. Whilst we understand that some local schools are allowing spectators at their sports' days, these are much smaller schools where the number of children and staff present will be far less than at South Tawton.
 
It is our intention to use our expertise and staffing to really focus on the children and ensure that they have a positive and enjoyable last few weeks here with safe events and celebrations. We are using social distancing so that we can keep safe in our bubbles whilst still feeling part of the whole school group. Staff will ensure that the children have an exciting and enjoyable sports' day experience with their peers, even though their parents will not be present.

In terms of restrictions, we are still hoping that they will be lifted before the end of term so that we will be able to have live audiences at our Year 5/6 performance and Y6 Leavers' Assembly. Fingers crossed that this becomes possible.
 

For the latest Covid-19 response from Devon County Council, please click here.
​

It was such a disappointment to hear the news on Monday that the government road map out of lockdown has been delayed. This means we remain at Stage 3 with our current school risk assessments and measures in line with the government policy.

For this reason we are not able to go ahead with some of our summer term plans, including parents attending our Sports Day. While many of us are bitterly disappointed, we must all understand this is for the health and wellbeing of our staff and pupils at school, our families and community members. With the new variant, and numbers rising again, it is of course the right decision. We will do our very best to make sure the end of term is a special time, and have booked an exiting programme of visitors to the school to enrich the children's learning and experience. More details of these will follow, but a very big thank you to the PTA who are funding these visits.

On that note, I'm delighted to announce that the recent sponsored events in each class raised just over £2700 for the PTA. This is a staggering amount and I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the children for their efforts in completing the challenges and to all our community for donating so generously. 

Sport's Day will still go ahead (though sadly without spectators) with the children kept in year group bubbles and equipment thoroughly sanitised between each class. 

The Year 6 classroom now has secondary glazing and a new, lower ceiling installed. It looks fantastic and the acoustics are also much better. The walls have been freshly repainted and we have made the decision to re-paint the wood panelling, shelves and skirting boards in the summer holidays rather than now, so that the children can move back in this week. 

Hot Weather
We have been reminding the children how to keep healthy and comfortable in the recent hot weather:

Take off thick jumpers but cover sensitive skin, apply sun cream, wear a hat, seek out the shady spaces, slide on a pair of sunglasses and drink plenty of water.

Please make sure that all children have water bottles and sunhats with their names on in school every day. They do also need a jumper and light coat because, as we know, our hot weather often doesn’t last!

Many of you will have noticed that there seems to be a high number of ticks around at the moment. Please click here for a government leaflet about ticks.

​Key tick awareness messages
• ‘be tick aware’ and remember that you could be exposed to ticks whenever you spend time outdoors, including when in your garden or the local park
• ticks mainly attach to animals, but sometimes they may bite you or your family
• you can prevent tick bites by walking on clearly defined paths, using insect repellent and performing regular tick checks
• some tick bites can result in infection, so it is important to remove ticks safely and as quickly as possible
• the safest way to remove a tick is by using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
• contact your GP or dial NHS 111 promptly if you begin to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms or develop a spreading circular red rash. Remember to tell them you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors
More information For more information, search for the phrases 'ticks' and 'Lyme disease' on these websites: www.nhs.uk www.gov.uk

To make our stunning new wooden additions feel at home Sarah and Mark Bazeley and Peggy Chalcraft set to on a planter re-furbishment, replant, rehoming session over the half term. As you can see from the photos, they even found a home for a snail who rather liked it's new bug hotel. We will continue to develop the area between the bike shed and mud kitchen and make it into a lovely outdoor classroom / storytelling space with our new throne. The planters near the friendship bench in the playground will be planted with stimulating sensory plants such as Lavendar, Chive, Mint, Curry plants, grasses for example. So far, they have a yellow Buddleia and Rosemary and Thyme plants.

Any donations of plants greatly appreciated as are donations of topsoil or compost, please let either Mrs Bazeley or Miss Chalcraft know.  Many thanks!
​

May's 100 Club draw took place at school before the half term break with the help of some very lovely Egyptians from Year 4. The following numbers/people won.

1st     80     Nan Passmore
2nd    65     Vellette Valance
3rd     63     Dani Tansley

Further to our our Easter newsletter, please remember that we have another Bag2School collection scheduled for Monday 21 June. We hope that you may have had a chance of a spring clean and sort out of your wardrobes, cupboards and lofts. Please bring in on the day and drop in the school car park (please avoid bringing in beforehand as there is no facility to store at the school).
 
Bag2School WILL/WILL NOT accept the following items for re-use.
 
WE ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING GOOD QUALITY ITEMS: 

• Men’s, Ladies’ and Children’s clothing
• Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around)
• Handbags
• Hats
• Bags
• Scarves and ties
• Jewellery
• Lingerie
• Socks
• Belts
• Household linen
• Household curtains
• Household towels
• Household bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers)

 
We DO NOT accept:

• Duvets and blankets
• Pillows and cushions
• Carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats)
• Soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing
• School uniforms with and without logo
• Corporate clothing and workwear
• Textile off cuts, yarns or threaded material

 

Do you have a daughter age 10 - 14 who would be interested in finding out more about joining a local Guide unit? South Zeal has always had an excellent Brownie Pack but unfortunately the Guide unit closed down many years ago. If you would like to continue in Guiding or have never been a member there are local units who would be pleased to meet you. North Tawton Guides are on a Monday evening from 6.30 - 8.30pm and Okehampton Guides meet on a Thursday from 7.00 - 9.00pm. If you would like more information then please contact Jane on 01837 89160.'

Thank you
Jane Simons - North Tawton Guide Guider

The 5th week of the summer term has somehow passed with barely a glimpse of sunshine. However, we're hopeful that things may be feeling a bit more summery by the end of next week and, as ever, are extremely proud of the children for maintaining excellent standards of behaviour and enthusiasm despite frequent wet breaks and indoor lunch times. 

Last week, year 4 managed to choose the one dry day for a lovely walk on Dartmoor, while year 5 weren't so lucky and had to postpone theirs. Our Friday celebration assembly had to move back to being virtual as rain lashed the playground, but it was lovely to see so many children awarded for kindness and effort as well as academic achievement.

Next week, will see year 6 temporarily relocating into the school hall whilst the year 6 classroom undergoes a rather necessary refurbishment that will see the installation of secondary glazing and a lowered ceiling to keep the room warmer in the winter months. We're delighted that the costs of this are covered by grants to improve energy efficiency. Thank you to all members of year 6 for this move.

In other news, earlier this week, we received some initial drawings for a proposed new building which will enable us to bring our preschool on to the school site. Obviously, there is still a long way to go with this in terms of both planning permissions and building works, but it will make a huge difference to the school experience of all children going forward when we are all together on one site. 

The photos above show the year 6 children becoming the first pupils to benefit from the very generous donation of 15 new Chromebooks. These will be used for computing lessons as well as in other lessons across the curriculum. 11 of these devices were donated by the PTA with the remaining 4 coming from very generous parental donations. We are delighted that we have another 3 on order which have also been donated by parents and grandparents. We would love to have eventually have enough for a whole class to use one each. The photos below show year 1 also enjoying their computing lesson this week. 

As the photos above show, despite the very wet weather,  a lot of outdoor learning took place this week. Teepees were built, gingerbread men were made, team building games played and habitats created for a range of clay creatures. The rain didn't seem to dampen enthusiasm in the slightest. It's lovely to see cross curricula lessons taking place outside of the classrooms. 

​Please scroll down the documents below to view the lunch menu. We're still losing time each morning sorting out lunches for children who do not have a booking made through school gateway. Please help your children and the teachers by booking meals in advance. This can be several weeks in advance or in the morning before coming to school. If you are having an problems booking lunches online, please let us know. 

The photo above gives an idea of how busy the cut through road between Sticklepath and South Zeal gets at the start and end of the school day. Please keep our families safe by avoiding this road and driving very slowly and carefully on all roads in and around the village. 

I would also like to remind all families that the staff car park should not be used by parents/carers/grandparents for dropping off, picking up or turning their cars. Two classes use the carpark as pedestrian access to their classes and the bus also needs to turn here. It is simply not safe or practical to have parent cars in the area. Please park in the Kings' Arms or recreation ground carparks and walk your children to and from school. 

​Please follow the link below to find out more about becoming a parent governor and having your voice heard on our Local Stakeholder Committee.
​
https://www.southtawton.co.uk/school-news/parent-governor-elections

From the Social, Emotional and Mental Health Team

Do you ever feel you are about to explode? That your child might too?
We can help turn tantrums into calm connections
A free, informal workshop for parents and carers.
Held virtually on 30 June 2021, 10am – 11.30am

There are times when we all feel overwhelmed with our emotions.  Children feel like this too.  In this workshop, we will explore why your child behaves in the way that they do; how you can respond to help them calm and how to re-connect to strengthen your relationship with them.  We will also offer some specific de-stressing techniques that both you and your child can start using straight away.

Join us to find out how you can help build a healthier relationship with your child and develop a sense of inner calm.
To book your free place: sue.vanstone@babaockinternational.com
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From the Communication and Interaction Team and the Social, Emotional and Mental Health Team

Think behaviour, think language. I wonder if …

A free, informal workshop for parents and carers to consider the links between behaviour and speech, language and communication needs.
This event will be held virtually on Tuesday 15th June 2021, 10am – 12pm
Does your child have difficulty with:

• Listening?
• Attention?
• Communication?
• Friendships?
• Literacy?

The session raises awareness of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and considers the impact on a child’s social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). SLCN can become apparent through a child’s behaviour in a variety of ways and we shall provide further insight into these complex links.

To book your free place, email ​sue.vanstone@babcockinternational.com