Newsletter 6 Autumn Term 2022

It was such a pleasure to see so many children having such a great time with their friends at the disco on Friday evening! Amidst the excitement of the event, I was delighted to see that what I notice in classrooms during the working day, still held true: namely that the relationships between the children are strong and positive, and that South Tawton pupils are good friends to one another. In class, I notice the children being quick to help and support each other - lending equipment, offering help and treating others with warmth and respect. On the playground, we see pupils looking out for each other and making sure that no one is left out, sharing the craze box equipment and playing together across classes. As ever, I'm proud and so happy to be part of this school. 

On Tuesday, we went to St Andrew's Church for our Harvest Festival. It was so lovely to be able to do this again after many years of Covid restrictions. Years R and 1 walked to and from the church with their Year 5 and 6 buddies amid much chatter and smiles. Big thank yous to Rev Paul for leading the service, Mrs Dunn who has taught the whole school such uplifting and lovely harvest songs and Y6 for delivering the readings and prayers. 

Thank you also to all those of you who have donated items to our collection for Okehampton Food Bank. 

Birthdays

It is lovely that so many children wis to bring in gifts for their classmates on their birthdays. However, please help us to limit the use of single use plastics and promote healthier eating but not bringing in bags of sweets. 

PE lessons

Please ensure that your children have PE kits (white t-shirts and black/navy shorts in school every day for PE lessons. Stud earrings should be taped over for every PE lesson and sports club. 

Attendance

Well done to Y3 who once again had the highest attendance this week at 99.3%.

Please help to maximise attendance by arranging medical and dental appointments for outside of school hours whenever possible. 

Upcoming Events

Week commencing Monday 17th 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.

Extra curricular activities survey

Dear Parents and Carers,

As part of our work with our community we would like to establish a comprehensive directory of opportunities available to our young people and their families within the town and villages covered by the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust. With this in mind, I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to complete the below survey to help us with the development of this directory. The information you share will be anonymous and the survey should take no more than 3 minutes. 

Please include information for all your children on one survey.

Thank you in advance for your support with this project.

Derrick Brett, Executive Director of Civic Leadership

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=kG0HO7J4vUqeBcIPJiicRivAgEf75BVHtZHFCAI-fPFUQjdERThQRUI2RU5CSTJJMVJSVDJIR0M4WC4u

Primary Enrichment Programme - University of Exeter

The University of Exeter are once again offering primary enrichment workshops. Details of the events taking place can be found here.

If you would your child to attend one or more of these workshops, please use the following booking link: https://store.exeter.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/graduate-school-of-education/primary-enrichment-programme-autumn-2022
​
Every child in receipt of Pupil Premium funding is eligible to attend two free places each, per term. You will need to checkout via Option B on the website, and enter the access code: AU22/PP

Transport to and from Exeter will be the parents' responsibility. 

If you would like your child to attend any workshops, please complete a Request for Absence form. These requests will authorised as 'Educated offsite' and will not count against your child's attendance.

PTA News

We had a fantastic time at this Friday’s School Disco -  hope the children enjoyed getting their glad rags on and dancing shoes boogying! A huge thanks to everyone who came along to help set up, keep an eye on the revellers and tidy away! We made over £400 so a great fundraiser as well as the children having fun!​

Winter Clothes Donations
We still are seeking pre-loved winter clothes for our winter clothing sale which is this Wednesday 19th October after school. We thought this would be a great way to help everyone with rising costs, by reusing 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)

PTA 100 club
 
It’s never too late to get a number! We only have a few remaining so contact Emma at [email protected] to get yours!
 
Next meeting
 
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd November at 8pm via Teams where we will begin planning for our fantastic Christmas events so come along and get involved!
 
Many thanks for your support!

South Zeal Carnival

Don't forget 22nd October South Zeal Carnival.

The afternoon parade starts at the Kings Arms at 1.30. Then the evening parade moves off at 7pm and will take in the South Zeal and Sticklepath. 
It is not to late to enter, come along and support this event!

South Zeal pre carnival workshop with Beacon Arts

Beacon Arts will have a walking group in  South Zeal carnival on Saturday 22nd Oct  with  a Garden theme. All are welcome to join us, dressed up as something you find in the garden or carrying a flower  themed paper lantern. 
Email Sarah on [email protected] to register an interest. 

Beacon Arts are  running two drop in workshops this weekend for anyone who would like to make a costume, prop or  lantern   for South Zeal  carnival, Halloween or just for fun.
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October, 10-3 Sticklepath Village Hall. 
Families are very welcome to drop in, kids should bring a grown up with them as there will be tools and glue in use.