Newsletter 29/02/2020

This week's newsletter looks at cross country success, has advice about how to look out for Coronavirus, our World Book Day menu, PTA news, Chocolate Bingo,  junior tennis, school photos and more.

Cross Country Success 
On an unusually sunny afternoon in Okehampton, 31 South Tawton children took part in the West Devon Cross Country finals. There was everything you might expect from cross country, including a lot of mud, a very steep hill and some treacherous steps! Luckily, we’re no strangers to hills as we tackle them weekly at cross country club. There were some outstanding performances and, best of all, lots and lots of smiley faces. Of particular mention are our year4 girls team who won the team prize in their race and qualified for the county finals – the only Okehampton based team to do so! More good news followed the next day when we heard that our Year 6 girls’ A team had qualified for the development race to be run at the same event. A huge well done to all who took part and a big thank you to the many parent drivers and supporters! 

Coranivus Covid-19
Click here to download a leaflet with useful advice in it.

End of term Open Morning
Please note that we are trialling the next Open Afternoon as an Open Morning. You are welcome to visit your child’s class’ from 9am (please let them do the register first) to share their learning. This is an opportunity to sit down with your child, look at their books and discuss their learning.

New Dartmoor MAT policies
The Dartmoor MAT have produced a new Code of Conduct for Parents and Social Media Use Policy. This sets out the Trust’s approach to acceptable behaviour, both on site and off site, and via social media platforms, and can be found on the Dartmoor MAT website: https://www.dartmoormat.org.uk/policies-and-documents.html

Overheard in Year 3
Whilst introducing the ‘Invaders’ topic, Miss Chalcraft shared with the class that her Mum is from Sweden and so we joked about Miss Chalcraft being half Viking. A little later on, some children were talking about the Vikings and were sharing how Miss Chalcraft’s mum was all the way from ‘Swindon’!
Made us all smile anyway, 😊

Year 3 Cake Sale
Thank you to everyone who came and supported the cake sale. Year 3 will have Cake Sale Round 2 on Tuesday 3rd after school in the hall as there were plenty of cakes left over.

World Book Day
We look forward to seeing the children dressed as their favourite book characters on Thursday 5th March for a £1 donation to the library. This is not compulsory – children may wear their school uniform if they would rather!
There is a special menu for World Book Day.

PTA News 
• The PTA are excited to announce that we now have a Facebook page so that we can keep you updated with events and news! Just click here

• As part of World Book Day, the Pre-School would welcome donations of any suitable pre-loved books that are in reasonable condition.

• Thank you to those of you would have already donated raffle prizes for the Chocolate Bingo on 13th March and the Year 3 / 4 plays - we still require more prizes and would be very grateful if you could leave them in the school office.

• The PTA are once again holding the ever-popular chocolate on Friday 13th March in the school hall. Tickets on the door and the hall will be open from 6pm with eyes down at 6.30pm. This is a lovely event for the whole family and everyone is welcome. You are welcome to bring your own picnic and the PTA will be selling refreshments as well as holding a chocolate raffle.

Junior tennis
Please download this flyer detailing tennis opportunities for children at Okehampton Tennis club.

Class Photos 
Class photos will be taken on Monday 27th April. Please make sure that your child has a school jumper or cardigan with them on that day. 
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