Newsletter 12 Spring Term 2023

Oliver!

The highlight of the Spring Term for me was the outstanding performances of Oliver by years 3 and 4. Huge congratulations are due to everyone involved - both pupils and staff - for creating and producing something so very special. Thank you, all!

After a very, very wet week at school, suddenly it is the end of term, and the holiday and more spring-like weather are with us. We wish all of our families a very happy and restful Easter break. I'd also like to express my thanks and admiration for every one of the school staff who work together tirelessly to ensure the best possible support and education for our pupils. 

We look forward to welcoming all of the children back to school on Monday 17th April. There is new menu for the Summer Term which can be found here. Please book all meals, including home packed lunch, in advance. Bookings for the school bus and breakfast club are also now open for the Summer Term. 

Goodbye, Miss Bennett

This week, we had to say goodbye to Miss Bennett who leaves us to take up a new position as SENDCo and Assistant Principal at a school in Exeter. Miss Bennett first came to South Tawton as a temporary, newly qualified, Year 6 teacher in 2007. She's been with us ever since and will be much missed by both staff and children. She takes her son, George, with her and we wish them both every success and happiness in their new school. 

Festival of Hope Football Tournament and Book Club

On Thursday, we took two teams of footballers to the Festival of Hope tournament at Okehampton College. It was very, very wet so sadly there are no photos. However, our teams weren't in the least bit daunted by the driving rain or surface water and played brilliantly throughout. Final results have not yet been received, but the A team won 3 of their 5 matches and drew the other two. The B team won one, drew one and lost two. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to Dom for training the teams and accompanying us. 

Year 6 enjoyed an afternoon of Book Club with Year 7 transition ambassadors to introduce the pupils to new texts and support their transition into year 7 in September. There will be further transition opportunities for both years 5 and 6 in the summer term. 

PTA Easter Egg Competition

There was great excitement in our celebration assembly on Friday when the winners of the PTA Easter Eggs competition were announced. 

The winners are featured in the photo alongside their winning designs and the school council members who judged the competition. 

The standard of entries was extremely high - well done to everyone who took part. 

​Guitar Lessons in South Tawton Primary School

Hello, my name is David Cottam,
I trained at the Guildhall School Of Music in London and have many years experience as a performing musician and teacher.
Children will be able to sign up for guitar lessons in school for the Summer term.
Tuition is one to one for 30 minutes each week.
I teach finger style classical guitar to children from 7 years upwards.
The rate is £18 a lesson and payment is half termly for blocks of 5 lessons. If the term is long and more than 10 lessons are received adjustments will be made at the end of each term.
Please pay for each half term in advance by BACS to Mr.David R Cottam Coop Bank a/c 78127708 Sort Code : 089300 (ref child’s name) to enrol your child for each block of 5 lessons. See agreement below.
In the event of a scheduled school activity or school closure, a lesson will not be charged for.
An absence through illness can be be made up later with an online lesson rather than incurring a loss.
Please let me know by text if your child is going to be absent and be sure to give half a term’s notice if you intend to stop lessons.
I’m happy to receive emails and answer any questions.
Please encourage lots of practice!
Best wishes
David Cottam
[email protected]
Mobile 07790 114025

Upcoming Events

Monday 3rd April - Friday 14th April - Easter holiday
Monday 17th April 6pm - French Trip meeting for parents about the Y6 French residential at Okehampton College
Friday 21st April - Final round of Cross Country competition at Chagford Cricket Club.
Monday 8th May - School closed for Coronation
Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th May - Year 6 SATS week
Sunday 14th - Friday 19th May - Year 6 residential to France
​Friday 19th May - PTA Quiz
Monday 29th May - Friday 2nd June - Half term
Monday 5th June - Friday 16th June - Year 4 Multiplication Check
Monday 12th June - Friday 16th June - Year 1 Phonics screening check
​Thursday 15th June 1pm - Music Concert
​Tuesday 23rd June - Trust Rainbow Day. Details to follow
Wednesday 5th July - proposed Sports' Day TBC
Friday 14th July - PTA BBQ
Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July - proposed Y5/6 production
Friday 21st July - Year 6 Leavers' assembly
Friday 21st July - Last day of the academic year.

Many calendar and term dates can be found in the calendar at the bottom of our website home page.
2022 23 Term dates can be found here.
2023 24 Term dates can be found here.

SAINTS Southwest after-school clubs

Parents/Guardians need to simply follow the link below and find the correct school and day they would like to book on to.

Class for Kids Booking Link - https://saints-southwest.class4kids.co.uk/term/87

Holiday Activities at Okehampton Library

April EVENTS  
  
Easter Character Hunt - Saturday 1 – Saturday 15 April 
Look for the nine chicks hiding in the library. Find them and collect a sweet treat. 
FREE character hunt, available during library opening hours. 


Easter colouring - Saturday 1 – Saturday 15 April 
FREE, available during library opening hours. 


‘Storm In A Teapot’ from Boo to A Goose – Thursday 13 April 11:00-12:00 
This exciting show from Boo To A Goose Theatre has been created for children aged 4-10 and their families and will appeal to the whole family. Grandma Kettlepot is causing a stir at the local book club, she decides to write her own story but needs the children’s help. This accessible, multi-sensory show, with puppets and original music, will have everyone laughing and singing along with the characters. 
 
Tickets: £3 per child. One adult free with each paying ticket.  
Free for children aged 2 and under. The show will be at the Ockment Centre Hall. 
Booking in advance, from the library, is essential.  
 



Plus Regular Events
Bounce & Rhyme - Tuesdays 10:00-10:20 & 11:00-11:20   
Suitable for under 5s. FREE, no booking necessary.  
  
Baby Weigh – Tuesdays 09:30-11:30  
FREE self-weigh facilities for parents to weigh their babies, are available in a screened area within the library. This is in partnership with Devon Public Health Nursing. No booking necessary. Parents and babies welcome to stay for Bounce & Rhyme!  
  
Duplo Builders & Storytime - Wednesdays 09:30–10:15   
Suitable for under 5s. FREE, no booking necessary.  
  
Lego Builders - Saturdays 10:30–11:30   
Suitable for ages 5+. FREE, just drop in.  
  
The Secret Book Quest   
A completely FREE year-round reading challenge for 5–12-year-olds across Devon. To take part, children sign up in the library, read 50 library books at their own pace, and collect stickers to solve the secret code. Finishers will receive a certificate and a small prize.  


With kind regards

Fiona Mokandpuri
First Assistant
Okehampton Library 
0183752805 
www.librariesunlimited.org.uk
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