Newsletter 13 Autumn 2020

Santa Dash
The children fully embraced the challenges of rain, sunshine, mud and tarmac to take part in our Santa Dash today. There were Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, baubles, bells, antlers  and tinsel and we all enjoyed some lovely, festive activity. If you'd like to join in the Santa Selfie competition, please click here.

What's On Next Week?
On Monday and Tuesday afternoons, KS1 will be presenting their wonderful festive performance to the children in KS2. Two classes will view it each afternoon to ensure that we can maintain social distancing. The performance will be recorded and made available to parents later in the week.

Wednesday 16th December will be our Christmas dinner and Christmas jumper day. Please let us know if you have not yet ordered a dinner for your child, but want one so that we can adjust our numbers accordingly.

On Friday morning, we we hold our annual Christingle service. Unfortunately, we will not be able to visit the church as usual, but will do our best to maintain some important South Tawton traditions by sharing some carols and readings and lighting the Christingle candles. We will use TEAMs to help each class to see the others and feel part of a whole school celebration. 

Friday will be the last day of school before the Christmas holidays.

Contact Tracing during the Christmas Holidays
If your child has a positive test for COVID during the Christmas holidays, please inform me by email at smarvin@southtawton.org. I will then follow the guidance as to whether I need to contact families of children in the same bubble. Where a child or staff member has tested positive for COVID but has not been in school in the time period 2 days before the onset of symptoms to 10 days after, there is no requirement for any contact tracing to be carried out by the school, but we still need to know of any cases for our records.

More information from Devon County Council can be found here.

Waitrose Hamper PTA raffle
Waitrose have kindly donated a wonderful Christmas hamper to the school. This is presented in a lovely wooden box and includes biscuits, chocolates, mince pies etc. The PTA are selling raffle tickets to win this hamper for £1 a strip. Children can give the money to their teacher who will then give them the raffle tickets. The raffle will be held during the school Christmas Dinner on Wednesday 16th December. ​

Three Hares Update
Please click here or visit the Three Hares blog to read an update from Mrs Underwood.

The packs cost £3 - please put the money in a clearly marked envelope, and ask your children to give them to their teachers. They will then be given a pack to take home and enjoy!
These packs are selling really well but we only have a limited number, so to avoid disappointment, get your money in asap!
The packs cost £3 - please put the money in a clearly marked envelope, and ask your children to give them to their teachers. They will then be given a pack to take home and enjoy!

Virtual Balloon Race
The report from eco racing has been received and we are very proud to announce the winners of our first virtual balloon race!

1st Carolyn George - King Louie - 227.5 km
2nd Beth Burton - Go go Bobby - 206.2 km
3rd Louise Watts - Matthew - 193.1 km

We will be in touch to arrange your prizes getting to you!

The overall winner travelled 335.7km having travelled over Wales and into the Irish Sea (where it popped!)
The distribution of balloons is fascinating and a great reason for making balloon races virtual rather than spreading plastic waste so far and wide

Thank you so much for your support

​Virtual Festive Family Activity Challenge HO, HO, HO! Active Devon and the Devon School Games Organisers are hosting a FREE Virtual Festive Family Activity Challenge. The challenge will open at 10.00am on Monday 14th December 2020 and will close at 10.00am on Monday 4th January 2021. Taking part in this fun challenge is a great way to keep your family active, moving and motivated over the festive season. This will help towards the whole family feeling happier and healthier. The main challenge is made up of three separate challenges: the 7 Days Challenge; 14 Days Challenge or 21 Days Challenge. As a family you can choose which one you would like to do. Plus, which Certificate Award you would like to go for, either Bronze, Silver or Gold, For full details or watch the promotion video here: https://www.activedevon.org/festivefamily-activity-challenge/
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