Newsletter 9 Summer Term 2022

South Tawton Primary School Ofsted Inspection

We'd like to say a huge thank you to all those of you who filled in the Parent View survey as requested by our Ofsted inspector last week. We are delighted that 96% of respondents said that they would recommend the school to other parents and that 95% said that their children are happy at the school. 

Jane Dennis, the inspector, also fed-back to us that an unusually high number of parents took the time not just to fill in the form, but also to write your views about the school. This feedback is confidential between you and the inspection team, so staff do not see it, but we were told there were many messages of support and praise for the school. Thank you all.

Over the two days of inspection, Jane Dennis observed lessons and playtimes, scrutinised pupil’s work, discussed our school priorities and studied some of our policies.  She met with pupils, staff, curriculum leaders, SENDCO, Trust leaders, Trustees and Governors   She fed back her report to the Trust leaders at the end of the second day.  The outcomes remain confidential until the report is published, but we are delighted that her views of the school are in line with our own.

Staffing for Next Year

The children all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their transition day on Thursday and are looking forward to September. As a reminder, you can find the term dates fro the 22/23 academic year on our website here.

The staffing for September is as follows:
Little Beacons Mrs Rodde-Aust, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Cooper
YR Mrs Culverhouse, Mrs Bond, Miss Ireland, Mrs Glover
Y1 Miss Rowe, Mrs Bazeley, Mrs Cooper(Mon, Tues), Miss Williams (Weds, Thurs, Fri)
Y2 Mrs Dennis, Mrs Murphy
Y3 Mrs Everett, Mrs Glover (Mon - Thurs) Mrs Woolnough (Friday)
Y4 Mrs Graham/Mr Wilkins, Mrs Woolnough (Monday), Mrs White (Tues- Fri), Mrs Watkins
Y5 Mrs Leslie/Mrs Bonnett, Mrs Watts
Y6 Mrs Donovan, Mrs Budworth, Mrs West

Mrs Dunn and Mrs Snell will continue to provide PPA cover
Miss Bennett SENDCo
Mrs Meardon Administrator
Mrs Elliott Breakfast club leader
Mrs Humphreys, Mrs Foster, Mrs Darken MTAs
Mrs Liversidge Catering Assistant
Mrs Marvin Principal

There will be an opportunity to meet your child's new teacher early in September - date tbc.

Cricket: England vs South Africa

Olive: Watching the women's cricket on Monday was an amazing experience. As well as watching the match, I could also get professional tips from the best. We had a perfect view of the cricket pitch from the grandstands; we even got a sneaky peak of some of the England players. There were also some fabulous catches from the home team. 

Matthew: When I arrived at the Taunton ground, the game was almost about to start. The two teams' national anthems were sung by a famous singer; her voice was exquisite. The play started reasonably slowly, with the amount of runs far below the number of balls, but it eventually picked up. When we left, it was roughly 180 for 6; a decent score for South Africa. It was great fun!

Sports' Day

AM session: 9:15
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children will be in coloured teams and will take part in different sport-based activities. 
Alongside this, the Key Stage 2 field events finals will take place. Heats for the finals will have already taken place in PE lessons, so that all children have a chance to compete in all events. Unfortunately there is simply not enough time for all children to do all the events on the day.

We would like to invite parents to come along and support the children. 

When the sports-based activities are finished, the Key Stage 1 children will complete their flat races, obstacles races and relay races. Key Stage 2 children, who are not competing in field events, will be able to watch the Key Stage 1 races.

Lunch time: 12pm
For the parents who are able to come along, we would like to invite you to bring a picnic so that you can have lunch with your child/children. Everyone will have lunch at the Recreation Ground before the afternoon session begins. 
School dinners will still be available that day, but a bag meal will be provided instead and served at the Recreation Ground. If you would like a pasty for your lunch on Sports' Day, these are available to preorder from the shop.

PM session: 1pm
Key Stage 1 children will return to school.

Key Stage 2 classes will take part in the heats of their flat races which will be followed by a final and then the middle-distance races.
The afternoon will end with the relay races. 

All children will then return to school where they can be collected. Please note that no children will be allowed to be collected from the Recreation Ground.

Coloured t-shirts
As the children will be arranged into teams, we would like the children to wear a t-shirt that matches their team colour (red, blue, green or yellow). If you do not have a t-shirt in your child's team colour, please send them to school in their usual white PE t-shirt. 

If the weather is sunny and hot, please ensure your child has a hat, sun cream and plenty of water with them. If it is cool and showery, please ensure they have a warm layer and coat.

Upcoming Events

04/07/2022 - 08/07/2022 Festival of Hope (Trust Wide)
07/07/2022 - Sports' Day
08/07/2022 - PTA Summer Fayre
08/07/22 - Y3 to OCRA Multi-Skills event
11/07/2022 - 15/07/2022 Y2 Wild Week
11/07/2022 - Y1 Trip to Quince Honey Farm
13/07/2022 - Y3/4 cricket teams Meldon Cup 
19/07/2022 - Y5/6 Performance 4pm
20/07/2022 - Y5/6 Performance 2pm and 6pm
22/07/2022 - Y6 Leavers' Assembly
22/07/2022 - Last Day of Term

Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust Festival of Hope
04/07/22 - Y5/6 to visit North Tawton Primary School for a French Theatre Production
04/07/22 - Y3/4 to Okehampton College for a Rounders Festival
05/07/22 - Y5/6 Netball Team to Holsworthy Community College for a Netball Tournament
06/07/22 - Y1/2 to Chagford Cricket Club for a Cricket Festival

Attendance

We have recently updated our attendance procedures across Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust. The link between a child’s attendance at school and improved outcomes and life chances is well documented. We want to help all children and young people to fulfil their potential and get the most out of their education.
In line with our policy and government expectations all schools have the following procedures:
· If a child’s attendance starts to drop the school will speak to the child/parent and discuss the reason for absence and any support needed.
· After 10 sessions of absence, you will receive a first attendance letter (there are 2 sessions in the school day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
· After 15 sessions of absence, you will receive a second attendance letter and you will be invited to have a meeting to discuss how we can best support your child to attend school more often. You will also be offered an Early Help meeting.
· If your child’s attendance does not improve you will receive a third attendance letter and the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) will be informed.
Of course, there will be unavoidable absences for illness or medical appointments, but we want to minimise these where possible. Pupils and families will not be penalised for legitimate non-attendance due to Covid 19.
No term time holidays will be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances. Every day in school counts, even a small drop in attendance can lead to a child missing a significant part of their education.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with school at any time if you have any queries around attendance expectations and procedures.

PTA News

 Sports Day Thursday 7th July
 
We will be selling refreshments so please bring some cash with you!
If you are able to bake any cakes or bakes for us to sell we’d be very grateful.
We also need volunteers to help us so if you are able to help for any part of the day please email us on [email protected]

​It's here! This Friday it's the Summer Fair!
Don't forget....
To bring cash, the more change the better!!
Friday 8th is a non uniform day with donations of cakes, bottles or plants.
Entries for the Pet competition need to be to Mrs Marvin by Monday 4th July. Include a named photo and £1 entry fee.
We will have a BBQ, delicious treats including candy floss, Taw River Dairy ice creams and cakes, and why not get your nails done or get a tattoo or hair feather?!
New prizes are being added to the raffle all the time, new this week....a family admission to Castle Drogo,  a voucher for The Wellness Room and a child's haircut!!!
There will be entertainment from the fantastic school choir and some really exciting games with great prizes for you to try your hand at thanks to Year 6 and don't forget the egg toss!!!
.... It's not too late to help…….
We still need DONATIONS
If you have any of the following items to donate Please bring them in to the school office where there is a box waiting! Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Bottles
Pre-loved toys and games
Pre-loved books
Cuddly toys
Filled jam jars - Your family may find this one fun – Fill a jam Jar with anything you think would be nice to win – lego, sweets, little toys, hair bands, Playmobil – anything!
Volunteers Needed
We really want to make sure no one is on a stall for too long so the more volunteers the better! If you can help at all, either to set up from 1.30pm, during the fair 3.30pm-5.30pm or to tidy up afterwards we would love to hear from you. Speak to your child's class teacher, message us on facebook or email [email protected].
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to help make this a really fun afternoon!

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