Newsletter 2 Summer Term 2023

Coronation Plans

For homework, we would like all the children to make a crown. These can be made out of paper, crocheted from wool, woven from twigs, or produced in any way you choose. There are lots of ideas for homemade crowns on the internet. The only rule is that the crowns must be homemade and not bought from a shop or online. Please can the children bring their crowns to school with them on Friday.

On Friday 5th May, we intend to stage a royal procession and walk all of the children through the village to display their magnificent crowns. We will start the procession from the recreation ground at 1:30pm and walk up to Zeal Head and back to school for our school picnic. You are welcome to come and watch the parade.

We would like the children to come to school wearing red, white and blue and to bring their crowns. On Friday afternoon, we shall gather the whole school together for a royal picnic on the field. Your son/daughter will bring home details of food items they have chosen or been asked to bring. The children will not need their uniforms in school.

NEU Industrial Action Tuesday 2nd May

Members of the NEU at South Tawton took strike action on Thursday of last week. Although the government has made an offer on pay, six sevenths of this pay offer were to be unfunded, meaning that teachers wages would be coming from existing school budgets. Teachers know that school budgets are already at, or beyond, breaking point. The unions refused the government's offer insisting that any increase in pay should be funded. Otherwise, they say, it will do more harm than good.
Another day of action has been called for Tuesday 2nd May. The school will be open to Little Beacons, Year 2 and specifically identifiable pupils only. Pupils from these groups should attend school at the usual time wearing school uniform. School dinners will be available.
Home learning for all other groups will be posted on the school blog page by Tuesday morning. 

Specialist Cricket Coaching Across the School

The Pirates of Year R

We have had a swashbuckling time this week, culminating in our pirate dressing up day.  The children's costumes and accessories looked fantastic and did the treasure chests, maps and wanted posters they created. We ended the week with a treasure hunt where we followed the clues and found our tasty treasure hidden up a tree!  ​

Year 1 Family Trees

This week, in History, we have been thinking about our family history and ancestors. The children made their family trees at home and had a super time talking about their relatives; it was lovely to hear their discussions. ​

Science in Y5

In Science, we are learning about Materials and it looks like pupils had fun mixing unusual combinations! ​

Attendance

Attendance on Friday was at our highest for this academic year - 99%! Thank you, all! Attendance for the week was 97% and for the school year so far it stands at 95%.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 2nd May - School partially closed due NEU industrial action. Open to Preschool and Y2 only.
Wednesday 3rd May - Cricket festival for Y4 at Hatherleigh Cricket Club
​Friday 5th May - Royal crown parade and picnic
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 disco (TBC)
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.

PTA News

We've had a lot of requests for another disco - so back by popular demand, we will be holding a summer school disco on Friday May 19th! 

The schedule will run like previous discos:
Years R, 1 and 2 - 3.30 - 4.30pm
Years 3 & 4 - 4.45 - 5.45pm
Years 5 & 6 - 6 - 7pm

£2.50 per child and this includes unlimited squash and a bag of crisps! Plus Years 3& 4 and 5&6 are allowed to bring some extra money for the tuck shop!

We do appreciate that year 2 have a school trip on that day (but finding an alternative date proved impossible) so please bear this in mind and only sign up your year 2 child if you're confident they won't be too hot and exhausted from their fun day away!!

Permission slips will be sent out with the children next week. Please return them with the money by Friday 19th at the latest!!

Bags2School
Fancy having a clear out of your cupboards?? We are holding another Bags2school donation event on Tuesday June 6th - more information to follow!