Here we are at the end of our school year.  Staff would like to thank all our pupils and their families for their continued support, positivity and kindness throughout the year.  We hope you have a super summer holiday, ready to start the new school year on Wednesday 6th September. 

Goodbye Year 6
Year 6 treated us to their performance of Mama Mia on the stage this week, ably supported by Year 5 singers and dancers.  We were all joining in the Abba classics by the end.  They also continued their performing talents in their leavers assembly.  The whole school, along with parents and carers, enjoyed the show and they had a last day to remember.  
Below are photos from of the class in Year R and Year 6. 

​We also said a fond farewell to some of our staff this week.  Mrs White, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Watkins and Mrs West have all supported children in our school and preschool for many years and will be greatly missed.  We also thank Sally Darken and Amy Foster for their hard work as Mealtime Assistants, it is no mean feat getting the whole school fed each day, and Zenna Jessop who has supported at Little Beacons.  Miss Coleman also said her goodbyes as she moves back to Chagford to be a lead teacher there.  We wish them all the very best of luck.  
 
It was also with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to our wonderful principal, Mrs Marvin.  The outpouring of love and gratitude speaks volumes in showing her how much we all value her as a person and leader.  Mrs Marvin, we thank you from the whole school community.  

Sports Day
​Years R-6 enjoyed a sunny sports day last Wednesday.  We were pleased to see so many come along to cheer the children and enjoy a shared lunch on the field.  What a great day!

Autumn term menu
 
Parents have been emailed the new 3 week menu and allergens list.  Choices for Years 1-6 are now live on School Gateway and the catering team request that you make your choices for the first week before 31st August please. New Year R pupils will have a paper list until they are enrolled on the system. 

PTA News
 
The PTA wish to thank all those who have helped, donated and supported the PTA.  We are delighted to announce that this year we have raised nearly £8,000 !!! This money has gone towards paying for school trips, IT equipment, year 6 breakfast and party and teacher's wish list for additional resources.  
Also a huge thank you to Christine Andrews, who has been a parent with us for 18 years.  Her years of dedication to the PTA and selling the pre-loved uniform has helped so many families and raised so much for the school, thank you Christine. 
 
Winners of our July 100 club draw are:
1st 29 - Sharon Cooper
2nd 2 - Ali Griffiths
3rd 28 - Claire Grubb   

This week at school...

Music Concert
Thursday saw our much anticipated music concert take place.  We are proud of each and every child, from Year R to 6, who performed the class songs, solos and instrumental pieces, they were super to listen to.   
Thank you to all those who came and supported.  Even though it was not the open air event we planned we hope you enjoyed it.
A huge thank you to Paul Tucker, who has kindly given his time, expertise and equipment to ensure that the sound and music was professional.   To the PTA who provided refreshments and of course our wonderful Mrs Dunn who organised the whole thing!  

Mama Mia – what a show!
Those watching the Year 5 and 6 performances of Mama Mia on Monday and Tuesday will be in for a treat.  The school had a sneak peek and watched the dress rehearsal on Friday, the show got everyone singing along- especially the staff.  
 

In our classes…
Some Year 4 pupils enjoyed a morning at Okehampton College taking part in the area football tournament on Wednesday.
Mrs Woolnough has taught the Year 3 children about muscles and bones using her physiotherapy knowledge.
Year R pupils have been honing their watercolour skills.
Years 1 & 2 visited Rosemoor Gardens and Exmouth beach this week.

You can also find out more about Year 2s Wild Week by visiting their class blog page:
​www.southtawton.co.uk/year-2

Summer Fayre and Barbecue

Yet again our PTA pulled together to create a super Summer event, their final of the school year.  It was lovely to see so many people there enjoying the refreshments, socialising and stalls.  Run entirely by volunteers who wish to help our school, the PTA work tirelessly to ensure that our children can have those extra treats and enrichment activities at school.  We are most grateful for all they do and how it is given back to the children.  Thank you all for supporting the events.   

Sports Day plans- Wednesday 19th July 
 
We very much hope that the weather will be good enough for us to hold our Sports Day on Weds 19th July.  The arrangements remain the same. 
Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch.  Bring your own refreshments, there will be no PTA stall.      Please bring your own fold up chairs or rugs to sit on. 

Timings are as follows:
10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races.  School children sit with their class.

10-12  Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping).  Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 

12-1  Lunchtime.  Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field.  School packed lunches have been booked via School Gateway.
 
1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class.

Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle.  Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green).  No football kits please.  Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day.   


Please note, school dinners in our final week are a little different to the usual menu.  Marina in the office has kindly put the various choices for each day on School Gateway and also emailed parents a menu.

Beaver Spaces Available at 1st South Zeal Scouts.
We have spaces available for new starter Beavers to join next term (September). Suitable for AGE 6 (or rising 6).
Wednesday 5-6:30pm
The Scout Hut, South Tawton.
Please contact us for more information.
south.zeal.scouts@btinternet.com

Children seemed to mature overnight for their transition mornings this Thursday.  Staff were pleased to meet their upcoming class for September 2023 and children were excited to find out about their new routines and teachers.   The new Reception cohort of 2023 met together for the very first time as a class and did a wonderful job of settling in already.  
 
We thank you for your patience and understanding during the strike action and postponed sports day this week.  
With the end of term fast approaching, below is information about the final 2 weeks.   
 
 
Thursday 13th July-  School Music Concert 
 
Mrs Dunn has organised a treat for everyone to come and enjoy this Thursday.  Join the school on the field for a music concert featuring each class and individual musicians.  This is a ticketed event, all proceeds for the school.  If you would like to attend, please buy a ticket costing £3 per person to include a glass of non-alcoholic fruit punch and fruit kebab (children under school age can attend for free).  See the email that was sent on Monday, which had a booking slip to complete, and order tickets by Wednesday morning at the latest.  You can pass your slip and money in an envelope marked ‘music concert’ to your child’s class teacher.  Bring your own folding chairs and rugs.  Gates open at 12:45pm for an approx 1:15pm start.   
 
 
Friday 14th July – Summer Fayre and School Barbeque 3:30-5:30pm
 
Our annual school barbeque and summer fayre will take place on the playground straight after school on Friday 14th.  There will be stalls, ice creams and a barbeque for all the family to enjoy.  Come along and support our school and the PTA. 
 
Friday 14th will also be a non uniform day at school.  If you could bring donations of cakes, children’s books, teddies and draw prizes for the fayre to school this week that would be most appreciated.    
 

Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th July – Year 5 & 6 performance.
Tickets will be available for these performances, see a separate email which will be sent in due course. 
 

Wednesday 19th July- Year R-6 Sports day.
 
Everyone has their fingers crossed for dry weather so we can hold our sports day. The running times will be as planned previously.  Bookings will be taken for either a school packed lunch or home picnic that day.   
 

Friday 21st July- Final day of the school year

9:15am Year 6 leavers assembly.  Open to all parents and carers of Year 6 pupils.
2-3pm Preschool Teddy Bears Picnic and End of Preschool Graduation on the school field. 

This week saw our Year 6 pupils take a residential trip to the Wye Valley.  They returned yesterday evening looking very happy and full of the fun they had whilst away.  Thank you to Mrs Donovan, Mrs Budworth, Mrs Bazeley and Mrs White for making this such as super experience for them all.   

This coming week...

Tuesday 4th July - Sports Day
 
Year R-6 Sports day is on the school field on Tuesday, weather permitting.  Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch.      Please bring your own fold up chairs or rugs to sit on. 

Timings are as follows:
10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races.  School children sit with their class.

10-12  Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping).  Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 

12-1  Lunchtime.  Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field.  School packed lunches have been booked via School gateway.
 
1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class.

​The PTA will be running a refreshment stall for adults to use, donations of cakes most welcome. 
Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle.  Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green).  No football kits please.  Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day.   
 
Wednesday 5th & Friday 7th July – NEU strike action 
 
As per the email sent this week, school will be closed to Years R-6 on these dates.  
Little Beacons Preschool will be open as usual with their sports day on the school field at 2pm on Friday 7th. 
 
Thursday 6th July- Transition Morning 
 
As we approach the end of term, children and staff are preparing for the next academic year.  We will be a ‘moving up morning’ on Thursday to help pupils transition and meet their new teacher.  
 
Please drop your child at their new class between 8:40-8:50.
Year R new intake to the cottage gate
New Year 1 to the main school gate
New Year 2 to the front gate
New Years 3,4 & 5 to the playground gate
New Year 6 to the front gate.
Current Year 6 pupils, who are moving to Year 7 next year, will be in the school hall for the morning. 

This is only for the morning, so end of day pick ups will be in the usual places. 

Staffing     For next term class teachers are: 

Pre-school – Ms Rodde-Aust 
Year R – Mrs Culverhouse 
Year 1 – Miss Rowe 
Year 2 – Mrs Dennis 
Year 3 – Mrs Graham & Mrs Dunn 
Year 4 – Mr Wilkins 
Year 5 – Mrs Leslie 
Year 6 - Mrs Donovan 
 
Principal- Mrs Goodwin 
 
We will also welcome Mrs Everett back from her maternity leave later in the academic year.  
Mrs Snell will continue to work across the school teaching specialist lessons during teachers' PPA time. Mrs Armstrong will not have a specific class but will support with cover and PPA. Mrs Goodwin is also looking forward to spending some time teaching different classes to get to know all the children.  
 
Support staff will be deployed as per the DMAT restructure.  
 
We will be sad to say Goodbye to Sarah Marvin, Sharon Cooper, Dawn Watkins and Jane White at the end of term.  They have all worked at our school for so many years and are a big part of our team.    

PTA Summer BBQ and fair – Friday 14th July, 3:30pm start 
​
This is not only the PTA’s biggest fundraiser, it’s great fun for everyone! There will be a BBQ, stalls and games! The fun couldn’t happen without you though…
 
We would love donations of raffle prizes and bottles please – these can be left with class teachers over the next few weeks.
 
Do you have a business or have access to some thing that could be donated as a raffle prize? If so, please do get in touch and donate what you can!
 
On the day, we will have a non-uniform day in exchange for raffle prizes or bottles please.  We will also need donations of : 
Good quality toys, children’s books, games and cuddly toys, cakes
 
Also, if you are free to help out in any way – from setting up, running a stall or helping to tidy away, please do get in touch – We can’t run the fair without you!!
Our email is southtawtonpta@gmail.com
 
 
Upcoming events…

• Thursday 13th July 1pm - Music Concert on the school field 
• Friday 14th July – non uniform day, donations of bottles or raffle prize
• Friday 14th July  PTA BBQ 3:30pm start. 
• Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July - Y5/6 production
• Friday 21st July - Year 6 Leavers' assembly- 9:15am
• Friday 21st July – Little Beacons Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Graduation 2-3pm 

Timings for the Zale Fayre Big Weekend can be found on the South Zeal Recreation Ground Facebook page.

We had a colourful end to the week with our Rainbow day on Friday.  In PSHE lessons, classes were taught important messages about diversity and inclusivity through discussion, stories and drama.   The sunshine and bright colours certainly put a spring in everyone’s step, as you can see from these photos.

Sports Day- Tues 4th July

As per the email sent to parents this week, we confirm that the Year R-6 Sports day will be held on the school field on Tuesday 4th July. Apologies for the change from the provisional date and venue.  
Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch.
Timings are as follows:
10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races.  School children sit with their class.

10-12  Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping).  Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 

12-1  Lunchtime.  Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field.  If you would like to book a school picnic lunch for your child, please order this via School Gateway by Thursday 29th June so the kitchen can order ingredients.  There will be no main meals or jackets that day.  

1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class.

​The PTA will be running a refreshment stall for adults to use, donations of cakes most welcome. 
Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle.  Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green).  No football kits please.  Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day.   

Happy Birthday Lisa!
On Monday the whole school got together in the hall to wish Lisa a very Happy Birthday.  Lisa works tirelessly each day to serve us our school dinners and was even at work on her special day.  We made her a whole school card and the canteen surprised her with birthday cake, which the children and staff enjoyed as pudding for 2 days! 

​
​

NEU Potential Industrial Strike Action

The NEU (National Education Union) are calling their members to consider and take strike action on Wednesday 5th July and Friday 7th July.  To determine if there will be the need for a full or partial closure on both or either of these days, we will undertake a Risk Assessment and confirm our arrangements to parents as soon as possible.

Little Beacons Preschool will be open on these dates.    

Upcoming events

Here are some upcoming dates for this term.  Teachers will be in touch about class specific trips and events. 
​

• Tuesday 4th July – Sports day (see above for details)
• Weds 5th and Fri 7th July – Potential NEU strike action – To Be Confirmed
• Fri 7th July – Little Beacons Sports Day 2-3pm 
• Thursday 13th July 1pm - Music Concert on the school field 
• Friday 14th July – Non uniform day   PTA BBQ 3:30pm start. 
• Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July - Y5/6 production
• Friday 21st July - Year 6 Leavers' assembly- 9:15am
• Friday 21st July – Little Beacons Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Graduation 2-3pm 

Friday 21st July - Last day of the academic year.

PTA news

PTA 100 Club
May and June’s draws took place in this week’s Rainbow assembly.

May winners were:
1st 18 Dane Forrester
2nd 36 Mrs L Darken
3rd 53 Sally Darken
 
June winners were:
1st 6 Lisa Symes
2nd 83 Judith Smith 
3rd 58 Nan Passmore

If you're interested in joining then please contact southtawton100club@gmail.com for details. As always, many thanks for your support. ​
 
The Kings Arms pub quiz – This Sunday 25th
Please go along and have some fun and support the PTA at the same time, as proceeds will be for the PTA (Thank you to the Kings Arms)
 
Sports day - Tuesday July 4th 
The PTA will be selling refreshments and would really welcome any donations of cakes on the day please.
 
Summer BBQ and fair – Friday July 14th, after school
This is not only the PTA’s biggest fundraiser, it’s great fun for everyone! There will be a BBQ, stalls and games! The fun couldn’t happen without you though…
 
We would love donations of raffle prizes and bottles please – these can be left with class teachers over the next few weeks.
 
Do you have a business or have access to some thing that could be donated as a raffle prize? If so, please do get in touch and donate what you can!
 
On the day, we will have a non-uniform day in exchange for raffle prizes or bottles please.  We will also need donations of : 
Good quality toys, children’s books, games and cuddly toys
Cakes
 
Also, if you are free to help out in any way – from setting up, running a stall or helping to tidy away, please do get in touch – We can’t run the fair without you!!
Our email is southtawtonpta@gmail.com