Newsletter 5 Autumn Term 2022

This week, we've had times of warm sunshine and times of torrential rain. Luckily, we've made the most of the sunny parts and had plenty of outdoor learning and PE sessions whilst we can. We welcomed the Devon library bus to school and children from each class were able to go into the bus and choose books for their classes. Year 2 and year 6 are now going to Okehampton Parklands each week for swimming (Y2) and survival (Y6) lessons. We had another visit from Devon Wildlife Trust who worked with the older pupils this time. We also welcomed Rev Paul Seaton-Burns into school for his regular Tuesday assembly. 

Special mention and thanks is due to the parents and children in year 2 for always having their lunch bookings completed on school gateway. Please could all parents make the lunch bookings in advance of the children coming to school in the mornings. If the children are having home packed lunches, we still waste valuable time each morning checking this if it is not recorded on school gateway. 

Congratulations to years 2, 3 and 4 who all achieved 98% attendance this week. 

Harvest Festival and Okehampton Food Bank

On Tuesday morning, we will be taking the whole school to St Andrews church for our annual harvest festival. We are looking forward to watching Year 6 lead the service and listening to all the classes singing. Please ensure that all children have a coat in school on Tuesday in case we have rain, wind or cold. Unfortunately, due to the size of the church, we are unable to invite parents to join us for this service. 

To celebrate the harvest, we are asking families to contribute a donation to Okehampton food bank. More details about the food bank and how you can help them can be found here: okehamptonfoodbank.co.uk/

This month, rather then foodstuffs, the foodbank particularly need the following items:

• Tooth paste
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorants
• Kitchen cleaners
• Soap
• Shampoo

Please bring any of these, or other items you are happy to donate, into school by Friday 14th October and we will arrange for them to be delivered to the foodbank. Many thanks.

Year 5/6 Football Tournament

18 children from Year 5 and 6 attended the football tournament, at Okehampton Primary School, on Friday. They all played brilliantly and were excellent role models for the school! The B team also came away with silver medals - a fantastic achievement. Well done to all of those children who took part and a big thank you to the Mrs Watts and Mrs West for accompanying the children. 

Upcoming Events

Week commencing Monday 10th October - 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.
2022 23 Term dates can be found here.
2023 24 Term dates can be found here.

From the Three Hares Local Stakeholder Board ​

This week, we would like to introduce James Warner.  James, who has seen two generations passing through Chagford Primary (sorry James!) is the most experienced governor on our LSB, having been a member of the Board in its various guises for about eight years. He is the Safeguarding Lead, and this role is key to understanding the effectiveness of safeguarding for everyone in the schools. He has to understand the requirements of safeguarding guidance and legislation and is ‘confident in his challenge to executive leaders on strategies for monitoring and improving the behaviour and safety of pupils.'  He supports the work of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), reports back to the LSB about how effective safeguarding is, and ensures that the school is compliant with statutory guidance, with all the appropriate policies in place and reviewed in a timely way.  He also checks whether there is a consistency in safeguarding across the whole school (approach and reporting), and ensures that there are effective systems in place to keep vulnerable children safe.
 
It is an extremely important role, and with his impending retirement from the Board (having served two full terms), we are seeking to replace him.  If you have an interest in exploring this governor role further, please do contact me or Liz (details below).

We have recently welcomed a couple of new governors to the LSB and will introduce you to them, once all the mandatory training has been completed.  All governors annually revisit their training needs to identify any gaps that could be filled.  For example, we have all recently ensured our Safeguarding Young People, The Prevent Duty, and Data Protection training is up to date. 

We are looking forward to seeing you all at our impending Community Forums, and the principals of each school will let you know when those are to be held.  Parent voice is incredibly important to the schools, so please do try and attend if you are able!  It is an important opportunity to let your voice be heard.

Best wishes,

Mel & Liz
[email protected]
[email protected]

Free School Meals

With rising costs for food and fuel, many families will be worried about their finances this winter. It is always worth checking if you are eligible for free school meals as this funding means we may be able to help with the costs of trips and activities as well as lunches. Please check the Devon Citizen Portal to see if you are eligible even if your child is currently in Year R, 1 or 2. 

Year 6 parents can use the same link above to apply for their child's secondary school place. Please also note that the Devon admissions team have a new facebook page all about school admissions which you may find useful:
https://www.facebook.com/DCCSchoolAdmissions/  ​

PTA News

​We had a very successful AGM last month and wanted to introduce you to the PTA team for the year. From left to right we have our co-chairs, Hannah and Liz. Then on the right we have our new treasurers Ruth and Matt who we’d like to welcome to the team!

Thank you to everyone who came and signed up for the 100 club this week. We hope you were entertained by our lovely PTA banner threatening to take off in the wind! We were so pleased to be able to use our card payment machine which worked, thanks to Alex's tech support ! We will endeavor to bring this along to all future events.
We want to say a huge thank you to Saffron O’Neil and family who have been selling their surplus homegrown produce this summer. This raised £39.35 and has kindly been donated to the PTA. Thank you!
You should have received a letter regarding the Disco on Friday 14th October. If you are able to come and help at any of the sessions please do let us know by dropping us an email or come and find us at drop off or pick up.
We are still seeking winter clothes donations, there is a box in the school office for you to drop them in. Thanks to those who have already donated. If you have clothing you are keen to get rid of but it isn’t suitable for the winter clothing sale, never fear we have another ‘bags to school’ collection booked for Friday 25th November. More information to follow!
If you have any questions or would like to get involved please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] or speak to one of us at the school gate, now that you can see who we are!!
Don’t forget our next meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd November at 8pm via teams.
​

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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 sale 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)

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. Please remember to return permission slips and payment by Wednesday 12th to allow us to make arrangements.
It will be the same format as we have done before, £2.50 per child to include a snack and drink. 
2.30pm - 3.15pm Preschool 
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]
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​PTA 100 club
There is still time to buy your number for Octobers draws! We only have a few remaining to contact Emma at [email protected] 
 Many thanks for your support!
 
 
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd November at 8pm via Teams.