Here we are at the end of our school year. Staff would like to thank all our pupils and their families for their continued support, positivity and kindness throughout the year. We hope you have a super summer holiday, ready to start the new school year on Wednesday 6th September. Goodbye Year 6 Year 6 treated us to their performance of Mama Mia on the stage this week, ably supported by Year 5 singers and dancers. We were all joining in the Abba classics by the end. They also continued their performing talents in their leavers assembly. The whole school, along with parents and carers, enjoyed the show and they had a last day to remember. Below are photos from of the class in Year R and Year 6. We also said a fond farewell to some of our staff this week. Mrs White, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Watkins and Mrs West have all supported children in our school and preschool for many years and will be greatly missed. We also thank Sally Darken and Amy Foster for their hard work as Mealtime Assistants, it is no mean feat getting the whole school fed each day, and Zenna Jessop who has supported at Little Beacons. Miss Coleman also said her goodbyes as she moves back to Chagford to be a lead teacher there. We wish them all the very best of luck. It was also with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to our wonderful principal, Mrs Marvin. The outpouring of love and gratitude speaks volumes in showing her how much we all value her as a person and leader. Mrs Marvin, we thank you from the whole school community. Sports Day Years R-6 enjoyed a sunny sports day last Wednesday. We were pleased to see so many come along to cheer the children and enjoy a shared lunch on the field. What a great day! Autumn term menu Parents have been emailed the new 3 week menu and allergens list. Choices for Years 1-6 are now live on School Gateway and the catering team request that you make your choices for the first week before 31st August please. New Year R pupils will have a paper list until they are enrolled on the system. PTA News The PTA wish to thank all those who have helped, donated and supported the PTA. We are delighted to announce that this year we have raised nearly £8,000 !!! This money has gone towards paying for school trips, IT equipment, year 6 breakfast and party and teacher's wish list for additional resources. Also a huge thank you to Christine Andrews, who has been a parent with us for 18 years. Her years of dedication to the PTA and selling the pre-loved uniform has helped so many families and raised so much for the school, thank you Christine. Winners of our July 100 club draw are: 1st 29 - Sharon Cooper 2nd 2 - Ali Griffiths 3rd 28 - Claire Grubb Upcoming events to enjoy this summer...
Dartmoor Folk festival An amazing weekend of events for the whole family. Checkout our website and Facebook for more information. This week at school... Music Concert Thursday saw our much anticipated music concert take place. We are proud of each and every child, from Year R to 6, who performed the class songs, solos and instrumental pieces, they were super to listen to. Thank you to all those who came and supported. Even though it was not the open air event we planned we hope you enjoyed it. A huge thank you to Paul Tucker, who has kindly given his time, expertise and equipment to ensure that the sound and music was professional. To the PTA who provided refreshments and of course our wonderful Mrs Dunn who organised the whole thing! Mama Mia – what a show! Those watching the Year 5 and 6 performances of Mama Mia on Monday and Tuesday will be in for a treat. The school had a sneak peek and watched the dress rehearsal on Friday, the show got everyone singing along- especially the staff. In our classes… Some Year 4 pupils enjoyed a morning at Okehampton College taking part in the area football tournament on Wednesday. Mrs Woolnough has taught the Year 3 children about muscles and bones using her physiotherapy knowledge. Year R pupils have been honing their watercolour skills. Years 1 & 2 visited Rosemoor Gardens and Exmouth beach this week. You can also find out more about Year 2s Wild Week by visiting their class blog page: www.southtawton.org/year-2 Summer Fayre and Barbecue Yet again our PTA pulled together to create a super Summer event, their final of the school year. It was lovely to see so many people there enjoying the refreshments, socialising and stalls. Run entirely by volunteers who wish to help our school, the PTA work tirelessly to ensure that our children can have those extra treats and enrichment activities at school. We are most grateful for all they do and how it is given back to the children. Thank you all for supporting the events. Sports Day plans- Wednesday 19th July We very much hope that the weather will be good enough for us to hold our Sports Day on Weds 19th July. The arrangements remain the same. Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch. Bring your own refreshments, there will be no PTA stall. Please bring your own fold up chairs or rugs to sit on. Timings are as follows: 10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races. School children sit with their class. 10-12 Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping). Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 12-1 Lunchtime. Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field. School packed lunches have been booked via School Gateway. 1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class. Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle. Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green). No football kits please. Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day. Please note, school dinners in our final week are a little different to the usual menu. Marina in the office has kindly put the various choices for each day on School Gateway and also emailed parents a menu. In the community... A message from Lucy – Year 4 Are you aged between 7 and 10? Are you free between 6 and 7:30 on Wednesday nights? Do you live between Okehampton & South Tawton? If you do, then sign up for Brownies. I would recommend it and give it a ten out of ten. At Brownies we do a range of things. Some are cooking, nature walks, kite flying, pizza making, clip and climb and mini treasure hunts. You can find out more at www.girlguiding.org.uk Beaver Spaces Available at 1st South Zeal Scouts. We have spaces available for new starter Beavers to join next term (September). Suitable for AGE 6 (or rising 6). Wednesday 5-6:30pm The Scout Hut, South Tawton. Please contact us for more information. south.zeal.scouts@btinternet.com Children seemed to mature overnight for their transition mornings this Thursday. Staff were pleased to meet their upcoming class for September 2023 and children were excited to find out about their new routines and teachers. The new Reception cohort of 2023 met together for the very first time as a class and did a wonderful job of settling in already.
We thank you for your patience and understanding during the strike action and postponed sports day this week. With the end of term fast approaching, below is information about the final 2 weeks. Thursday 13th July- School Music Concert Mrs Dunn has organised a treat for everyone to come and enjoy this Thursday. Join the school on the field for a music concert featuring each class and individual musicians. This is a ticketed event, all proceeds for the school. If you would like to attend, please buy a ticket costing £3 per person to include a glass of non-alcoholic fruit punch and fruit kebab (children under school age can attend for free). See the email that was sent on Monday, which had a booking slip to complete, and order tickets by Wednesday morning at the latest. You can pass your slip and money in an envelope marked ‘music concert’ to your child’s class teacher. Bring your own folding chairs and rugs. Gates open at 12:45pm for an approx 1:15pm start. Friday 14th July – Summer Fayre and School Barbeque 3:30-5:30pm Our annual school barbeque and summer fayre will take place on the playground straight after school on Friday 14th. There will be stalls, ice creams and a barbeque for all the family to enjoy. Come along and support our school and the PTA. Friday 14th will also be a non uniform day at school. If you could bring donations of cakes, children’s books, teddies and draw prizes for the fayre to school this week that would be most appreciated. Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th July – Year 5 & 6 performance. Tickets will be available for these performances, see a separate email which will be sent in due course. Wednesday 19th July- Year R-6 Sports day. Everyone has their fingers crossed for dry weather so we can hold our sports day. The running times will be as planned previously. Bookings will be taken for either a school packed lunch or home picnic that day. Friday 21st July- Final day of the school year 9:15am Year 6 leavers assembly. Open to all parents and carers of Year 6 pupils. 2-3pm Preschool Teddy Bears Picnic and End of Preschool Graduation on the school field. This week saw our Year 6 pupils take a residential trip to the Wye Valley. They returned yesterday evening looking very happy and full of the fun they had whilst away. Thank you to Mrs Donovan, Mrs Budworth, Mrs Bazeley and Mrs White for making this such as super experience for them all. This coming week... Tuesday 4th July - Sports Day Year R-6 Sports day is on the school field on Tuesday, weather permitting. Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch. Please bring your own fold up chairs or rugs to sit on. Timings are as follows: 10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races. School children sit with their class. 10-12 Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping). Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 12-1 Lunchtime. Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field. School packed lunches have been booked via School gateway. 1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class. The PTA will be running a refreshment stall for adults to use, donations of cakes most welcome. Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle. Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green). No football kits please. Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day. Wednesday 5th & Friday 7th July – NEU strike action As per the email sent this week, school will be closed to Years R-6 on these dates. Little Beacons Preschool will be open as usual with their sports day on the school field at 2pm on Friday 7th. Thursday 6th July- Transition Morning As we approach the end of term, children and staff are preparing for the next academic year. We will be a ‘moving up morning’ on Thursday to help pupils transition and meet their new teacher. Please drop your child at their new class between 8:40-8:50. Year R new intake to the cottage gate New Year 1 to the main school gate New Year 2 to the front gate New Years 3,4 & 5 to the playground gate New Year 6 to the front gate. Current Year 6 pupils, who are moving to Year 7 next year, will be in the school hall for the morning. This is only for the morning, so end of day pick ups will be in the usual places. Staffing For next term class teachers are: Pre-school – Ms Rodde-Aust Year R – Mrs Culverhouse Year 1 – Miss Rowe Year 2 – Mrs Dennis Year 3 – Mrs Graham & Mrs Dunn Year 4 – Mr Wilkins Year 5 – Mrs Leslie Year 6 - Mrs Donovan Principal- Mrs Goodwin We will also welcome Mrs Everett back from her maternity leave later in the academic year. Mrs Snell will continue to work across the school teaching specialist lessons during teachers' PPA time. Mrs Armstrong will not have a specific class but will support with cover and PPA. Mrs Goodwin is also looking forward to spending some time teaching different classes to get to know all the children. Support staff will be deployed as per the DMAT restructure. We will be sad to say Goodbye to Sarah Marvin, Sharon Cooper, Dawn Watkins and Jane White at the end of term. They have all worked at our school for so many years and are a big part of our team. PTA Summer BBQ and fair – Friday 14th July, 3:30pm start
This is not only the PTA’s biggest fundraiser, it’s great fun for everyone! There will be a BBQ, stalls and games! The fun couldn’t happen without you though… We would love donations of raffle prizes and bottles please – these can be left with class teachers over the next few weeks. Do you have a business or have access to some thing that could be donated as a raffle prize? If so, please do get in touch and donate what you can! On the day, we will have a non-uniform day in exchange for raffle prizes or bottles please. We will also need donations of : Good quality toys, children’s books, games and cuddly toys, cakes Also, if you are free to help out in any way – from setting up, running a stall or helping to tidy away, please do get in touch – We can’t run the fair without you!! Our email is southtawtonpta@gmail.com Upcoming events…
Timings for the Zale Fayre Big Weekend can be found on the South Zeal Recreation Ground Facebook page. We had a colourful end to the week with our Rainbow day on Friday. In PSHE lessons, classes were taught important messages about diversity and inclusivity through discussion, stories and drama. The sunshine and bright colours certainly put a spring in everyone’s step, as you can see from these photos. Sports Day- Tues 4th July As per the email sent to parents this week, we confirm that the Year R-6 Sports day will be held on the school field on Tuesday 4th July. Apologies for the change from the provisional date and venue. Families are welcome to come along and watch their children (and run in the adults and toddlers races if they wish) and also take part in a family picnic lunch. Timings are as follows: 10-12 Years R,1 & 2 races. School children sit with their class. 10-12 Finals of the KS2 field events (throwing and jumping). Your child will be told if they are taking part in the finals. 12-1 Lunchtime. Families are welcome to bring a picnic and eat with their child on the field. If you would like to book a school picnic lunch for your child, please order this via School Gateway by Thursday 29th June so the kitchen can order ingredients. There will be no main meals or jackets that day. 1-3:30 Years 3,4,5&6 races School children sit with their class. The PTA will be running a refreshment stall for adults to use, donations of cakes most welcome. Please send your child with a sun hat and water bottle. Children can wear trainers or plimsolls, plain PE shorts and a T Shirt in their house colour (red, blue, yellow or green). No football kits please. Children will change in class, so please send in the coloured T shirt on the day. Happy Birthday Lisa! On Monday the whole school got together in the hall to wish Lisa a very Happy Birthday. Lisa works tirelessly each day to serve us our school dinners and was even at work on her special day. We made her a whole school card and the canteen surprised her with birthday cake, which the children and staff enjoyed as pudding for 2 days! NEU Potential Industrial Strike Action The NEU (National Education Union) are calling their members to consider and take strike action on Wednesday 5th July and Friday 7th July. To determine if there will be the need for a full or partial closure on both or either of these days, we will undertake a Risk Assessment and confirm our arrangements to parents as soon as possible. Little Beacons Preschool will be open on these dates. OCRA Quad kids Key stage 2 classes took part in various sporting events on Friday. Run by OCRA, children tried long distance running, vortex throwing, standing long jump and sprints. All perfect practise for our sports day. Upcoming events Here are some upcoming dates for this term. Teachers will be in touch about class specific trips and events.
Friday 21st July - Last day of the academic year. PTA news PTA 100 Club May and June’s draws took place in this week’s Rainbow assembly. May winners were: 1st 18 Dane Forrester 2nd 36 Mrs L Darken 3rd 53 Sally Darken June winners were: 1st 6 Lisa Symes 2nd 83 Judith Smith 3rd 58 Nan Passmore If you're interested in joining then please contact southtawton100club@gmail.com for details. As always, many thanks for your support. The Kings Arms pub quiz – This Sunday 25th Please go along and have some fun and support the PTA at the same time, as proceeds will be for the PTA (Thank you to the Kings Arms) Sports day - Tuesday July 4th The PTA will be selling refreshments and would really welcome any donations of cakes on the day please. Summer BBQ and fair – Friday July 14th, after school This is not only the PTA’s biggest fundraiser, it’s great fun for everyone! There will be a BBQ, stalls and games! The fun couldn’t happen without you though… We would love donations of raffle prizes and bottles please – these can be left with class teachers over the next few weeks. Do you have a business or have access to some thing that could be donated as a raffle prize? If so, please do get in touch and donate what you can! On the day, we will have a non-uniform day in exchange for raffle prizes or bottles please. We will also need donations of : Good quality toys, children’s books, games and cuddly toys Cakes Also, if you are free to help out in any way – from setting up, running a stall or helping to tidy away, please do get in touch – We can’t run the fair without you!! Our email is southtawtonpta@gmail.com We thank you for bearing with us during staff absences. Our phone line is temporarily redirected so that Elaine at Chagford can take your calls and quickly send us messages. We are also supported by Marina from North Tawton and other school staff during the week. Teachers read their emails but, due to teaching commitments, don’t always get the opportunity to reply within the working day. Rest assured we are all working hard for the childrens' education. Your continued support and kind offers of help are so much appreciated. We ask that you bear with us and help out by:
Rainbow Day As featured in last week’s newsletter, we are taking part in the Multi Academy Trust’s Rainbow Day to celebrate similarities and differences in a respectful and inclusive way. This coming Friday 23rd June, will be a non-uniform with a rainbow or coloured theme for those wishing to take part. There is no cost or donation expectation. Preschool Science Fair There was some super science in action at Little Beacons last week. Parents and carers joined the children for an afternoon of experiments and investigations. Electricity, magnetism, colour mixing, chemical reactions and chromatography were some of the things on offer. Tempest Photography Your child's recent group photograph is now ready to view and purchase by following the links emailed on Friday. There will be a free “deliver to school” option open for approximately 14 days, otherwise home delivery is available for £5 postage and packing. If you need assistance, please call Tempest on 01736 751555 (option 5) or click on contact us on the home page. Wildlife Champions Devon Wildlife Trust held their annual Wildlife Champions Conference on Thursday. Mrs West and Mrs Cooper took our 10 Wildlife Champions to Meeth for the day. As ever, they were a real credit to our school; taking part with interest and an enthusiasm for nature. We continue to welcome the DWT for weekly workshops throughout this term, this month seeing the turn of Yrs 5&6. Dartmoor Cricket Tournament- a write up by Mark Sidaway The Dartmoor Cup is an annual softball cricket tournament organised by OCRA for yr 4 to 6 pupils. This year it was my pleasure to help out with one of the South Tawton sides who entered. The qualification tournament was held at Hatherleigh Cricket Club in May. At the time our Yr 6 were away in France, and so our teams were made up exclusively of Yr 4 and 5 pupils. Despite this, our South Tawton A side won all six of their matches to claim gold medals and a place in the Dartmoor Cup Finals. The finals were held in Okehampton on a warm and humid June day. Again our side was made up of yr 4 and 5 pupils and, as expected, the competition was much stronger, with many of the opposing team fielding Devon County players. After a heavy defeat against Whitchurch (who went on to win the tournament) in the opening game, our team rallied well and some superb bowling and fielding (our catching was outstanding) was backed up by some lusty hitting with the bat. Luck wasn’t with us though and narrow defeats against Tavistock and St Peters meant hopes of winning the cup were over. However as was typical of the team they didn’t not lose heart, and went on to win a tight game against Boasley Cross. The final game was against Meavy, who were in contention for the cup going into the final game and put up a good score. Again the team did not accept defeat and after a ferocious opening spell from Meavy’s fast bowling twins our side found their rhythm, and some excellent hitting and great running took us very close to the Meavy total. So one win from five, but that doesn’t really do justice to how well everyone competed against some much older and bigger opposition. Well done to Abigail, Agatha and Patrick from year 4, and Sam G, Natty, Sid, George and Jack from year 5. The spirit in which the team played and supported each other was a credit to South Tawton. In any sport you learn more from defeat than victory, so I am sure this years’ experience will stand them in good stead for next. Message from Dan Morrow, Trust leader and CEO.
Stakeholder Consultation Process Summary Over the course of the consultation period and process, staff, parents and carers have posed a number of questions to understand the process and decision-making more fully. Please follow this link to find a summary of the process and also responses to a range of questions posed by stakeholders for openness and transparency. Thank you all for your support, as well as challenge, and for ensuring that we continue to improve and serve your children. With the wonderful weather this week, we have seen the playground, field and nature areas busy with outdoor learning. As well as PE and playtimes, there have been stories, PSHE circle times, wildlife workshops and so much more happening outdoors. Thank you for continuing to apply sun cream and sending in a hat. Please ensure everything is named; as children are getting hot and removing layers, then can get lost. We are most grateful for the patience and kindness you have shown, a big thank you from all the staff at South Tawton. Bookery VisitThe school enjoyed a fantastic visit from The Bookery, Crediton on Wednesday. Kathie and Jennie shared extracts from some of their favourite books and then the children had the opportunity to explore the books and purchase them if they wished. As a School we have also purchased the Bookery’s top 20 titles for the children to read in school. Rainbow DayFriday 23rd June is our Trust Rainbow Day. This will be a non-uniform day for children wishing to take part and wear favourite colours to celebrate. It is an opportunity for us to reflect upon our similarities and differences so that all of our children learn to understand that there are people in the community and wider world with characteristics similar and different to their own. It is a day steeped in respect and inclusion. The rainbow flag is steeped in history from a symbol of maritime peace, the cooperative movement, LGBT equality and more recently, support for the NHS. The colours of the rainbow are different but come together to make something beautiful. We will be asking children to think about equality and when people may be treated unfavourable. We anticipate they will think about people with different physical abilities, cultures, religions and families. We are careful to talk in an age appropriate way and give children space to explore questions and develop their own thinking. Message from Phil Whittley- DMAT Lead Primary PrincipalIt has been lovely to get to know so many of you better this previous week whilst I have been at South Tawton. I will pass your get well wishes to Sarah Marvin, who will be back as soon as she is well enough. In the meantime, I shall be based most of the week at the school. We have also benefitted from our Trust colleagues supporting with Administration covering Wendy in the office. Marina Cassel will be in the office Monday to Wednesday this week. I will be on the gate as much as can during the week, so please come and say hello. Uniform reminderWhite or pale blue polo shirts or shirts, Navy blue jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan Grey, navy or black trousers, shorts, skirt, pinafore (not leggings or jogging bottoms) Please keep skirts at a sensible length- you may wish to add shorts underneath Blue check summer dress White, grey or black socks Plain black shoes/boots For PE lessons White T-shirt Black or navy shorts Trainers or plimsolls The only jewellery which may be worn to school are watches and stud earrings. Make up and dyed hair colours are not allowed. Upcoming eventsHere are some upcoming dates for this term. Teachers will be in touch about class specific trips and events.
Monday 12th June - Friday 16th June - Year 1 Phonics screening check Friday 23rd June - Trust Rainbow Day. See details above. Non uniform, wear a colour. Friday 23rd June - PTA Disco will be postponed. Wednesday 5th July - proposed Sports' Day TBC Thursday 13th July 1pm - Music Concert Friday 14th July - PTA BBQ 3:30pm start. Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July - Y5/6 production Friday 21st July - Year 6 Leavers' assembly Friday 21st July - Last day of the academic year. |
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