Newsletter 1 Summer Term 2022

It's been a lovely, sunny week for the start of the summer term and new topics are well under way. The children have been enjoying the sunshine and playing together on the field. Two of the Trust primary schools have recently had Ofsted inspections and we expect South Tawton to be inspected this term.

Years 4 and 5 are getting excited about their upcoming residential visit to Barton Hall in Torquay on 9th, 10th and 11th of May. Year 2 and 6 are ready to shine in their upcoming SATs tests and Years R, 1 and 2 are looking forward to their rescheduled trip to Northcott theatre which was postponed before Christmas. 

Thank You!

I'd like to say two very big thank yous which make me feel incredibly privileged to be part of the South Tawton Community. 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who have donated items and made so many offers to help our Ukrainian family. They also ask me to pass on their thanks for ensuring that they are so well equipped as they begin their new lives. I'm delighted to say that they seem to be settling in very well and are enjoying the peace and safety of life in Devon. 

Secondly, it was wonderful to see so many of you yesterday for our Groundforce Day. Thank you to everyone who gave their time in painting, power-washing, sweeping, shed tidying, weeding, gardening and rubbish removal. The school is looking amazing! There are some photos in the PTA news section below. 

I include a photo of Hugo in the bluebells near Meldon and recommend a visit there.

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Statutory Testing
This term sees the return of the Y1 phonics screening, Y2 and Year 6 standard assessment tests  (SATS) and also a new times table test for Y4. These tests will take place in school with as much preparation, but as little stress as possible!
We do ask that you support us, as always, with homework. Learning times tables in particular is something you can easily support with at home with games and apps, including Times Tables Rockstars. As always, daily reading and positive attitudes towards problem solving and study will always help you child throughout their primary education and help set them up to have good learning attitudes, independence and self-discipline.   Reading every day is the most important support you can give at home. Sharing books, talking about book characters and plots as well as listening to your child read is so valuable and makes a huge difference across the curriculum.
  
Labelling clothes
This is the time of year that children go out to play with coats and jumpers and then take them off and leave them all over the playground and field! Please can you make sure coats and jumpers are labelled! Wellies, plimsoles and PE kits should be labelled too and make it quick and easy to reunite them with their owners.

PE Kits
Please make sure this your children have a full PE kit in school every day. This should be a white T-shirt, black/navy shorts and plimsolls or trainers. 

Bank Holidays Coming Up
Please note that Monday 2nd May and Monday 6th June are Bank Holidays and children will not be in school. The latter is in lieu of the Queens Jubilee Bank Holiday which falls on the Thursday before during our half term week.

Training Opportunities
Adverse Childhood Experiences - Short Course Registration Link [DMAT]

• These types of adverse childhood experiences can have an impact on a young person's development and mental health, which may continue into adulthood and affect their life chances.
• This free online short course will give you the skills you need to support children and young people affected by adverse childhood experiences. All completed online at your own pace.
• You will also gain insight into how to strengthen your children's resilience and empower them how to overcome the challenges they may face. 

If you would like to find out more click to register your interest with the link above.

PTA News

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came along to kindly share their time and skills at our Ground Force Day! We managed to achieve loads, but there are still a few more jobs on Mrs Marvin’s list that we didn't manage to do, so watch this space for another Ground Force Day date! 

SAVE THE DATE - Summer BBQ and fete is going to be after school on Friday July 8th 

We will be in touch again over the next few weeks to ask for volunteers and various different donations!

The next PTA meeting is on Monday May 16th, 8pm, via Teams. If you would like to join us (everyone welcome!) please email [email protected] and we can send you the link