Newsletter 3 Summer Term 2021

Friendship benches

The sun was shining and the clouds were just wispy pastel strikes across the sky on Friday morning when Marc from Wild Work delivered two bespoke benches and a storytelling throne to us here at South Tawton. He was received by a very enthusiastic year 4 class with their equally excited teacher, Peggy Chalcraft! The benches were funded by the sales of our incredible Lockdown Cookbook, which took our community by storm with baking recipes, original poems and art back in the Autumn term of 2020. 
Marc spent time nattering with Peggy Chalcraft discussing what we wanted to achieve, and he created masterpieces from locally sourced Chestnut and Oak. Marc was quoted to have said it was the best reception to a job he has ever had and he was very touched by the compliments.

Please see the link to his website below:

http://www.wild-work.co.uk/

A big thank you to the PTA, Peggy Chalcraft and Marc for making this possible. The benches have been installed in the KS1 and 2 playgrounds. If a child feels lonely, they can go to the bench as a signal that they need someone to play with. Another child will see them, go and talk to them and include them in their games. We look forward to seeing them in action. 

The story telling thrones will be used for class story times as well as for the children to tell stories and read to each other.

Stars of the Week

On Friday, we were delighted to get together for a whole school assembly in person instead of virtually. We gathered on the playground for our weekly celebration assembly and look forward to warmer weather and being able to do this more often. The children pictured below received certificates for their attitude, behaviour and efforts over the past week. They became the first children to sit on one of the friendship benches. Year 6 were also praised for their mature attitude through the week. Unfortunately, year 4 couldn't join us as they had some very special tortoise visitors to link in with the work they have been doing in English. 

School dinners

School dinners. The menu can be found here. Please note that, although every week is labelled as Week 02 on School Gateway, this is because every week the options for main, vegetarian and packed remain the same. If you are choosing meals for next week, please use the three week rolling menu. Next week is week one . 

Parent Governor Vacancies

We have vacancies for two new parents governors for our Three Hares hub. More information will follow next week. 
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Road Safety

Once more, a heartfelt plea to all parents to drive slowly in the village and around the lanes. 
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The Moorlander

Congratulations to all pupils whose art work has been published in The Moorlander magazine.

Heroes Stamp Design Competition

Many children will have bought home a sheet on which to  design a stamp for the Royal Mail Stamp competition. Please could these be completed and returned to school. 
​Further details can be found here.

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Please click here to read the latest update from Devon County Council.

Have your say on the Okehampton Hospital Community Space!
 
Healthwatch Devon has been asked to assist North Dartmoor Primary Care Network (PCN) Advisory Group, to find out from the local community about their health and wellbeing needs, together with ideas for how to use the community space at Okehampton Hospital.
Healthwatch Devon is an independent consumer champion for Health and Social Care service in Devon, ensuring the voice of the community is used to influence and improve services for local people.
North Dartmoor Primary Care network consists of Black Torrington, Chagford, Moretonhampstead and Okehampton GP Practices. PCNs build on existing primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care for people close to home. North Dartmoor PCN Advisory Group comprises of these GP practices working closely together, along with local healthcare partners and community, voluntary and statutory services to provide joined up, patients centred, primary and community-based care, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

How can you have your say?
It is important that the views of the community are collected to ensure the space in the hospital is best utilised to suit the needs of the community. Healthwatch would like to work with key community groups in the area to ensure everyone is given a chance to share their feedback.

To have your say and share your views, please complete this survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NorthDartmoorPCN. 
If you would like to speak to us  directly contact Healthwatch Devon Office, Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm on freephone 0800 520 0640 and someone can help you to complete the survey over the phone.

We will be holding a digital drop in session on:
Thursday 13th May 17:00-18:00
I look forward to hearing from you, please let me know if you would like further information, or to simply say you do not wish to be involved. If I have received no response from your group by next week I will follow up with a phone call to ensure you have received the information above and been given a chance to share your feedback.

Kind regards,
Abby Read
Engagement Officer, Healthwatch Devon

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