12 Jul 2001 - Last Newsletter for the Summer Term

This is an important Newsletter and the last one of the term. Please read it and keep it for future reference.

Summer Fete
This year's fete raised over £1,500 for FROGS and OSPA funds. A big thank you to everyone who gave their skills, help and valuable time to make this event a success, also to all those who attended, despite the lack of blue skies!

Classes and Groupings for the Academic Year 2001-2002
Key Stage 1
Miss Spencer's Class will continue to be a Reception/Year 1 class. We are expecting 14 Reception children in September and the younger children in Year 1 will remain with Miss Spencer for at least the Autumn Term.
Mrs. Mortimer's Class - This will be Year 2 and the older Year 1 children.
Key Stage 2
This will be run differently next year for two reasons; firstly because of the increased number of children and secondly the way they split as year groups. There is no educationally justifiable way of dividing the children into 2 classes of about 30 children each and so we shall be working as 3 small groups of Year 3, Year 4 and Years 5/6 for part of the timetable and then as one large group and one small group for the rest of the time. The groups will change during the year for different subjects. Mrs. Sexon, Mrs. Mitchell and I will be teaching the groups in three areas, Fred's Room, the large classroom and the library at least until the new building work has been completed.

I will be responsible for teaching Maths, ICT, Music, PE and Design and Technology in the whole of Key Stage 2 and have particular responsibility for PSHE and the class teacher role for Years 4, 5 and 6.
Mrs. Sexon will be responsible for teaching Science, History, Geography and RE in the whole of Key Stage 2 and have particular responsibility for PSHE and the class teacher role for Year 3.
Mrs. Mitchell with Mrs. Lifford will be responsible for English including reading, spelling, writing, speaking and listening as well as drama throughout the Key Stage. Mrs. Mitchell will ensure a balance of this provision within all the other subjects.
Art will be a shared responsibility.

We have put a great deal of thought into this plan and there will be a timetable in the hallway next term for the children to refer to.

Devon Primary SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training)
You may have read in the North Devon Journal or heard from Governors that as a school, over the last two years, we have been a part of an exciting new initiative in Devon in setting up a course to train teachers in school rather than at University. These trainees are all graduates and Mrs. Nicola Feesey and Mr. Matthew Jenkins will join us in September for a year. We expect them to be a great asset to our school, and a welcome support for both staff and children during their time with us.

SATS Results
As a staff we are delighted with our results which reflect a great deal of hard work and effort especially in maintaining the continuity at Key Stage 1. During my visits and teaching time I have seen enormous progress in children of all abilities and I am continually updated by the staff with the achievements of all the children throughout the school. We are delighted to have Mrs. Mortimer back with us but a special thank you must go to Mrs. Mitchell supported by Mrs. Milton, Kate Dando and Mrs. Upward.

Parents of Year 2 and Year 6 will receive a letter today with their child(ren?s) results and the National results from last year. The Key Stage 1 school results will be published for all parents in the Governors report to parents at the beginning of next term. The Key Stage 2 school results will not be published as there was a cohort of less than 10 children.

Mrs. Aggie Clinch
Mrs. Clinch will be leaving at the end of term to take up a new post at Kentisbury School. We wish her well and thank her for her support during the past year.

Cycling Proficiency
Congratulations to all Year 5?s and Hannah, Bridie and Charlotte in Year 6 who have completed their cycle training this week. Thanks again to Graham Lees as we all appreciate what an important aspect of the children?s education this cycle training is.

Trips
Thank you to all the parents who helped with the school trips this week. They were a great success and we managed to avoid the bad weather.

School Uniform
Please see attached sheet which the Governors and staff have prepared and wish to implement next term. (See attached document at the bottom of the page.)

New Buildings
Accompanying this Newsletter is a letter from Robert Cornell, Chair of the Buildings Sub Committee with information concerning the new buildings. The plans that have been submitted are now on display in the entrance hall.(Click at the bottom of this page for a copy of the letter)

Photographs
Please remember to either send in the money in the envelope provided or return any unwanted photographs before the end of term.

School Dinners Next Term
If you have not returned the slip indicating whether you wish your child(ren) to have school dinners next term please return it early next week.

Returns
Will you have a good search at home please for any school books, recorders, guitars etc and return them before the end of term.

Friday July 20th
The last day of term! There will be a final assembly at 11.30 a.m. on Friday and all Year 6 parents and Governors are invited to this. The afternoon will be in family groups and the only thing they need to have in school that day is their Special Book which will be taken home to share with family and friends over the holidays.

Please remember that the children break up for the Summer Holiday on Friday 20th July and the Autumn Term will commence for children on Wednesday 5th September.

There will be no Newsletter next week. We hope that everyone enjoys the summer and we look forward to seeing you all in the autumn Term. June Tamlyn and Staff.