Newsletter 4 Autumn Term 2022

This week, several classes enjoyed visits from The Devon Wildlife Trust, Year 6 travelled to Okehampton to take part in Junior Lifeskills, YR dodged the showers to go blackberry picking and all classes enjoyed the full primary curriculum. 

On Thursday evening, all of the teachers joined in with virtual Subject Communities of Practice meetings virtually with teachers from across all the Trust primary schools. This gave subject leaders the chance to discuss and shape the curriculum in each subject area, to share good practice and resources and to establish professional networks for discussion and support. 

As we enter the 5th week of the term, we have made the decision to postpone the parent information evening and meet the teacher sessions for now. Every date we planned clashed with another event such as the tutor meetings or open evenings at Okehampton College, or our own phonics meetings for children in Year R, 1 and 2. After-school clubs start this week and this also effects the teacher's availability. Instead, we will go ahead with individual parents' evenings over the next few weeks. Please also remember that the staff are present on the gates every morning and will also ring you back for a discussion if you ring or email the school and ask to speak to them. 

After-school Clubs

Thank you to everyone who has already signed their children up to after-school clubs. There are still some spaces available at all clubs. Please sign up through your School Gateway accounts if you would like your child to have a place. Please note that choir will start after October half term and run until Christmas to prepare the children for some Christmas events. 

Menu Change

Next Thursday is census day and there will be a menu change:

Hot Dog or Veggi Hot Dog served with chips and Baked Beans 
Bonfire Toffee Cake 

It really helps our school meals funding if as many children as possible have school dinners on census day. If you would like to change your child's booking for Thursday, please ring the school office on 01837 840242 or email [email protected]

Year 3 Cake Sale

The children of Year 3 will be holding a cake sale for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 during their break times on Thursday 6th October . Cakes will be 50p each. If your child would like to buy a delicious cake, please send in 50 pence (with your child) on Thursday. 

The money will go towards some activities that Year 3 would like to take part in before Mrs Everett takes maternity leave.

Attendance

Congratulations to Year 3 who achieved the highest weekly attendance this week of 98.5%. Please help your child to succeed academically and physically, and to build strong friendships with their classmates by maximising their attendance.

South Zeal Carnival

It’s that time of year again! South Zeal Carnival will take place on 22nd October. It’s not too late to create your entry.
The afternoon parade meets at Kings Arms at 1.30 - no need to enter just turn up.
The evening parade starts by lining in the village at 5.00 then moves off at 7pm.
We hope to see you there.

The committee are missing some trophies if you think you have one could you return them ASAP.

Upcoming Events

Friday 7th October 3:40pm - Meeting for Y6 parents about French Residential
​Week commencing Monday 17th October - Y1-6 Parents' evening appointments by telephone
Week commencing Monday 24th October - Half term holiday
Monday 31st October - Y5 Dartmoor Ranger Walk
Tuesday 8th November - Tempest Individual Photos
Thursday 10th November - Open afternoon for September 2023 intake
Week commencing Monday 14th November -  Anti Bullying week  
Friday 18th November -  Children in Need day 
Monday 28th November -  Flu immunisations
Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th December - YR and KS1 Xmas play 
Wednesday 14th December -  Whole School trip to Northcott Theatre
Thursday 15th December -  Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day
Friday 16th December -  Last Day of Autumn Term
Tuesday 3rd January - Non Pupil Day
Wednesday 4th January - First day of Spring term

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

Mel Stride Christmas Card Competition

Dear Mrs Marvin ,

I am pleased to announce that I will be holding another of my annual Christmas card competitions this year.

I am asking primary school children in Central Devon to design a festive card inspired by their own interpretation of the Christmas celebration. The winning entry will be sent to well over a thousand constituents and fellow Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

This year, I will be sending out an electronic Christmas card. There will be one winner and two runners-up. The winner will have their Christmas design shown as the image upon opening the e-card and will also receive a small prize. The runners-up will also have their designs included in the e-card. All three children will have their name, age, and school displayed under their design.

Entries should be received at [email protected], or my Westminster office at the above address, no later than Friday 4th November. Submissions will preferably be in an electronic format (or if a physical card sized at 190mm x 130mm) and be accompanied by the name, age, and school of the artist responsible.

If you have any questions, please do let me know. I look forward to receiving the pupils' designs.

With best wishes,
 
Mel
 
Rt Hon. Mel Stride MP
Member of Parliament for Central Devon

PTA News

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Annual General meeting on Tuesday, it was wonderful to see you all and welcome some new faces. Committee members were elected and we are pleased to continue as co-chairs for the year ahead. Ali will be stepping down as treasurer with Ruth and Matt taking on the role. We are so grateful to Ali for her tremendous efforts over the past 3 years, a huge thank you from us all. The role of secretary remains vacant. If you would like to join us, we would love to hear from you.
We have started planning some fun fundraising events for the term ahead! You will be pleased to hear we will be holding a cake sale and a disco!!
We agreed each class would receive £300 towards the costs of trips and £100 for resources to support the curriculum.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd November at 8pm via Teams.
As ever if you have any questions or would like to get involved please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected]
Best wishes
Hannah and Liz

​September's draw has been rolled over to next month as we need to boost our numbers to increase the winnings! We will be outside school on Wednesday 5th October at 2.45pm. If you'd like to renew your membership or join the 100 club then please come and see us or contact Emma at [email protected]  
 Many thanks for your support!

Winter Clothes Donations
We are seeking pre-loved winter clothes.
We plan to run a winter clothing sale on Wednesday 19th October after school. We thought this would be a great way to help everyone with rising costs, reuse items to reduce our impact on the environment and raise funds for our children all at the same time!  To make this even sweeter we will have some cakes for sell as well. If you'd like to donate some cakes please bring them to the school office on the morning of Wednesday 19th October.
If you have any of the items listed below in good condition and would like to donate them please send them into school to be collected in a box in the school office.
•       Hats / ear muffs
•       Gloves
•       Coats
•       Fleeces
•       Jumpers
•       Gillets
•       Christmas jumpers and clothing
•       Dressing up clothes (halloween / world book day)
Secondhand Uniform Sales
Did you know we collect donations of school uniform all year round, if you have any out grown uniform, including PE kit please drop it in the school office.
We also sell second hand uniform all year round, It is £1 per item!! There is a rail in the school office and lots more can be seen on our facebook page. Christine does a wonderful job uploading pictures and you can message her on facebook if there is something you would like.
D.I.S.C.O
It is time to get your groove on! Back by popular demand, we are holding a disco on Friday 14th October. More details about payment and timings coming very soon!
It will be the same format as we have done before, £2.50 per child to include a snack and drink. 
Preschool (timing to be arranged)
3.30pm - 4.30pm Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
4.45pm - 5.45pm Year 3 and Year 4.
6pm - 7pm Year 5 and 6.
If you are able to help out at one or more of the sessions we would be grateful if you could email us at [email protected]
​

OCRA ​October Half-Term Holiday Activities 2022

Sport and Art
Breakfast & Afternoon Clubs
Mini Camps
Activity CampsOCRA’s half-term holiday programme is back with a fantastic range of activities for 3-14 year olds!
Sport & Art returns Tuesday 25th and Thursday 27th October with Breakfast Club, Afternoon Club and All Day tickets available.
Our Activity Camps will include Mini Camps for 3-5yrs (athletics, football) and activities for older age groups (athletics, create-and-craft, cyclo-cross, football).
To pay for activities, please click on the ‘Book’ link for your chosen camp. For each child attending, enter the name and age of the child, and select ‘Add to cart.’
You will be asked to complete a paper registration and consent form on the day.