NEWTON ST. CYRES PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER …

1 NEWTON ST. CYRES PRIMARY . SCHOOL . NEWSLETTER . 17th NOVEMBER 2017. FROM MR. AKHURST. HEAD OF SCHOOL . It's been another productive week in SCHOOL . The children have been busy working on their new FROM MR JOLLIFFE learning projects which they are thoroughly enjoying. In class 1, they have been looking at the EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER book-The Enormous Turnip. Real turnips with Over the 15 years that I have been a Headteacher words written on were hidden in sand and the there have been a number of times [too many, children had to find them and then use their sadly] when I have worked with children who have buttons and bars to decode the words. They also been living in families where domestic violence thought about who would help them pull out has been a part of their everyday lives. When the their very own enormous turnip. In class 2, they police are involved in domestic violence, they have have been creating art and craft Christmas trees not always been aware of the impact that this has to help with their instructional writing.

2 They look on children's wellbeing and schools have often not fabulous on the class washing line. They have been informed about incidents, even though children spend the more of their time there than also performed brilliantly in a 2D and 3D shape anywhere else apart from their home. Yesterday I assessment. In class 3, their new topic is playlist. went to a briefing for Headteachers and They have used music videos to inspire writing in Designated Safeguarding Leads about Operation class. They watched Avicii's Wake Me Up and also Encompass, which is coming to Devon from the The Cave by Mumford and Sons. This inspired end of November. This strategy commits the some letter writing and they have also written police to letting schools know before 9 o'clock in their own raps. In class 4, they have been looking the morning that a child has witnessed a reported at fossils linked to their topic on Charles Darwin. domestic abuse incident. This will enable us to give They read about Mary Anning and her fossils children the necessary support that they will need hunting before creating their own fossils using as they arrive in SCHOOL , possibly anxious, clay, plaster of Paris and sand.

3 They look great! frightened or exhausted. I will be able to send more information about the details of Operation This afternoon we are holding our Children in Compass in the next few weeks but in the Need caf in SCHOOL . All the children look super in meantime I am very pleased that the police and their spotty outfits. Please do come along and schools will be able to work more closely in future have a slice of cake and a cup of tea. I hope you to share information about difficult situations at all have a wonderful weekend home. Best Wishes James Akhurst CALENDAR DATES. Monday 20th November 2017 FANS Bingo - Village Hall - All welcome Monday 20th November 2017 FANS Bingo - Village Hall - All welcome Friday 1st December 2017 Nativity Rehearsal - Pre- SCHOOL Class 1 and Class 2. Friday 1st December 2017 Class 4 Assembly - Parents welcome Monday 4th December 2017 1st Nativity Performance Parents & Nippers Tuesday 5th December 2017 2nd Nativity Performance Parents & Nippers Thursday 7th December 2017 Christingle KS2 at the church Parents welcome Friday 8th December 2017 - Class 3 Assembly - Parents welcome Friday 15th December 2017 - Federation Christmas Carol Service Crediton Parish Church Friday, 15th December Last day of autumn term TERM DATES - CLICK ON THE LINK- DATES FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR 2017/2018 - NEWTON St CYRES PRIMARY SCHOOL CLUBS.

4 Monday Tag Rugby Mr. Hookway/Mr. Akhurst Years 3,4,5 and 6. Monday Homework Mrs. Wilkinson KS1 and KS2. Tuesday Football Mr. Hamiduallah/ Mr James Years 3,4,5 and 6. Tuesday Drama Miss Scott-Hake R, 1 and 2. Thursday Craft Mrs. Theedom KS1 & KS2. Thursday Dance Mrs Tempest KS1. Friday Recorder Mrs. Dunn Years 2 and 3. BIRTHDAYS. Wishing the following children, a tremendous birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Phoebe STAR AWARDS. STA. CLASS 1: OSHI FOR AN EXCLLENT CLASS 3: HANNAH- REALLY. ARTWORK LINKED TO REMEMBRANCE THOUGHTFUL WRITING ALL WEEK. CLASS 4: OSCAR- FOR SHOWING A REAL. CLASS 2: RUBY- FOR EXCELLENT LOGICAL IMPROVEMENT IN EFFORT. THINKING AND BEING SUPER IN ALL YOU DO! I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL. ON TOP TABLE NEXT WEDNESDAY! REMEMBER, DON'T FORGET TO INVITE A. FRIEND ALONG AS WELL. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed cakes this morning. The children look fantastic in their spotty outfits. Our caf is open from this afternoon. The classes will be staggered so there isn't a huge rush.

5 Class 1 from , class 2 from , class 3 from and class 4 from We look forward to seeing you then! MRS LYNN CLIFTON. After 12 years of dedicated service behind the scenes organising the federation's finances, Mrs Lynn Clifton has decided to put away her calculator and spreadsheets for the last time and will be leaving us at the end of November. She has worked incredibly hard during this time and supported the creation of the original federation and has also looked after the office at Cheriton Fitzpaine on a Wednesday. We are very grateful to Mrs Clifton for all her hard work and commitment and wish her every success and happiness in the future. GOVERNORS NEWS. The EVF Resources Committee met at Brampford Speke on Tuesday 14th November. Pauline Woodbridge started the meeting with her budget monitor report and an update on income streams. She reported that the timing of the meeting had meant she was able to include the most up to date figures, as pupil numbers had been confirmed following census day.

6 She explained that there had been an unexpected overspend at Thorverton as two panic bars had feen fitted on doors at a cost of 800, however it was agreed that the staff and children's safety was paramount. She also shared the positive news that the Foundation Stage at Cheriton Fitzpaine, and NEWTON Nipper have been doing better than expected, with an increase in uptake of hours including government funded hours. Pauline was able to suggest that the new funding formula would be in our favour, with a small increase in funding across the four SCHOOL , although this has not yet been finalised and confirmed. Mr Jolliffe gave a positive update to governors on the progress of the new SCHOOL in NEWTON st CYRES . Driving past you are able to see the metal frame which will form the hall, and the contractors will assemble and fit the panels on this imminently. He was able to confirm that the build is on time, and that the site is reasonably dry, meaning progress has been good. Mr Jolliffe and Mr Akhurst have been involved in decisions about colour schemes and a coloured plan will be drawn up by Elliots.

7 Mr Jolliffe explained that Soft Egg had been involved with technical issues with the new build, alongside the IT provision which will be included. He stressed the importance of looking at futureproofing as much as possible, so that the infrastructure is in place for any further additions of technology. It is expected that in the next few weeks the modules for the rest of the build will commence. A very exciting update indeed! There has also been progress with improvements at the other schools. Brampford Speke have seen their Hub cleared out, making it a much more usable space. The fridge in the staff room has been replaced and staff are currently looking at purchasing a dishwasher too. Unfortunately at Thorverton the contractor was unable to erect the fence on the field at half term, as originally planned. As the children are not currently using the field, it will be easier to erect during term-time and will hopefully happen soon. Mr Jolliffe reported a positive turnout at the recent parent forum at Brampford Speke.

8 It was agreed that this was a positive model which should be rolled out at all schools to give parents the opportunities to discuss their schools. It was felt that there should be a governor presence at these meetings too! The Resources Committee are due to meet again on Tuesday 16th January 2018. _____. FEDERATION CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE. For the first time we will be holding a Federation Christmas Carol Service with children from all four schools taking part in lots of different ways. The Carol Service will be held at Crediton Parish Church [the largest venue we could find nearby] on Friday 15th December 2017 at All parents and friends of the schools are welcome to join us so please put this date in your diaries. More details nearer the time. _____. Emily Meldon and Ollie Morrish, two aspiring thespians from Brampford Speke SCHOOL have successfully auditioned for Beauty & The Beast, this years pantomime being performed by the Exeter Little Theatre Company at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.

9 Emily & Ollie have both been working hard to learn their lines and some challenging choreography alongside the adult cast. If you are looking for a great family Panto to watch this Christmas Emily and Ollie would love to have your support, they are performing on the following dates. 21st December - 7pm, 23rd December - 2pm, 27th December - 7pm, 29th December- 7pm 30th December - 4pm, 1st January - 2pm, 4th January - 7pm & 6th January - 2pm (sold out). NEWTON NIPPERS REPORT. This week we have been reading The Ugly Duckling story. The children chose their favourite part of the story, and then retold it in their own words. We had some great descriptive accounts and it definitely showed us how much the children had enjoyed the story and had listened. We talked about what makes us all unique and about our families and the similarities and differences we have with our parents and siblings. We also talked about feelings and what makes us feel happy and what makes us feel sad. The children and staff had great fun dressing up in spots for children in need today.

10 We enjoyed joined class one for some Pudsey bear activities and ate yummy Cakes from the SCHOOL caf . Thank you to everyone who made a donation for such a good cause. Next week we will be reading Jack and the Beanstalk . If you have a Jack and the Beanstalk book your child would like to share please feel free to bring it in for us to read. If you have any dressing up fit for a king or queen and a dolls pushchair you would like to donate we would be very grateful. Now that the weather is turning cold and wet, please can you make sure your child brings a warm, waterproof coat to SCHOOL . I hope you have a wonderful weekend Shelley Choudhury- Foundation stage senior practitioner