Cheriton Bishop Community Primary School

Snippets from the Classroom and Beyond

W50 August 2006

If my numbering system is trustworthy and correct, this issue of Snippets is the fiftieth edition to appear on the World Wide Web and in the Cheriton Bishop Village website. What is more, all 50 issues are available from the Snippets slot. Wow !! I never thought it would last so long. It has been interesting to look back at the issues on the web. It started off with just the printed word in February 2002 and has progressed through the use of black and white photographs to the use of colour photos. The Village Newsletter edition is up to issue 79. I hope you all find the reading interesting and worthwhile. Incidentally, I am trying out the school badge/symbol that we used in the school calendar in 2005. It appears at the top of the page on the right and replaces the black and white image. I would welcome comments on its inclusion. I can always go back to the old image.

On, then, to school matters; term ended on Friday, 21^st July, with a Valedictory Service in St. Mary’s when we said goodbye to seventeen of our number. For a small village school that is a lot of pupils to say goodbye to at one go. We wish them all the very best for the future as they enter into secondary education.

Before that final act of the term, the last few weeks were hectic, to say the least. The third edition of “The Cherry B” has been published under the watchful eye of Mr. Glen Everton. The editors for this term’s edition were Yasmin Temple, James Saffin, Jack Strong, Edward Marshall, Millie Everton, Daniel Grist. Brittani Waylett, Scarlett Brown and Thomas Barclay. The top half of the front page appears above. All in all, as we are coming to expect, the Cherry B is a class act which could really stand it’s own against any similar publications.

In the June edition of Snippets I made mention of the end-of term production that the children would be performing – Bugsy Malone. Well, I don’t think I have ever seen a more Gangster – looking mob in my life. I regret to say that your correspondent couldn’t get a ticket to the evening performances and was unavailable for the Matinée show. I have to go on hearsay and that has all been positive. I hope this doesn’t mean that the school is unleashing a pack of gangsters on the unsuspecting public. Well done all concerned with the production especially Miss Goddard, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Donaghy and Mrs. Tripp. There was a great picture of some of the cast in the Exeter Express and Echo newspaper.

One of our teachers, Steve McKenzie, has been away on sabbatical for a year. Now that that year is over he has decided to leave us and steer his career in a different direction. I believe it was either 1998 or 1999 that he first joined us. Thanks, Steve, for all that you have done for us while you were here. It was very much appreciated. All the best for the future. It’s a great shame that he has gone because the country as a whole is crying out for male primary school teachers.

Also leaving us at the end of term were Mrs. Donaghy and Mrs. Buckland. In their time here they have put in a lot of hard work with the children and really made their presence felt. I hope the future will smile on you both.

Now for some sports results. We’ll start with the cricket team. On 7^th July they were runners up to Landscore in a tournament at Spreyton in which 8 teams took part. And all this was after only a few training sessions. The following week they took part in a 12 team tournament and acquitted themselves well coming a very creditable 5^th overall. On the way they had some very close matches finally in the playoffs winning in style over their old rivals, Tedburn. The team displayed a great spirit throughout.

More accolades are due to those who represented Mid Devon in the Devon Youth Games at Tiverton on 15^th July. Of particular note was the performance of Stuart Dodgeon who had been chosen as one of the athletics team . He came 2^nd individually in the Long Distance Race. The team came 3^rd overall.

On the same day Amy Kiff, Harry Strong, Rachel Stocks, Alexandra Marshall, Charlotte Hill, Daniel Grist and Katie Grist formed the High 5’s Netball Team and came 3^rd overall

On the musical front, the Taiko Drums have continued to do well, impressing audiences with their skills. Individually, Alexandra Wood and Yasmin Ley have gained their Grade 2 on the violin and Michael Brady has gained Grade 4 with a merit. The OFSTED report praised the school for it’s extra-curricular activities of which music plays a big part.

Looking ahead to next term and the new academic year, plans have already been laid for swimming lessons at the Crediton Leisure Centre for all the children. Years 5 and 6 will be the first in the swim. Even Grenville House has already been booked for Year 4 in February!!! You have to get in early with these bookings.

The summer holidays beckon now. I hope everybody can experience a really good break this summer and for those concerned, I trust the children will return to school in September, fit, refreshed and raring to go. The same, of course, applies to The Staff !!

The calendar:-

5^th September – Autumn Term Begins

23^rd October–27^th October - Half Term

15^th December – Autumn Term Ends

Just a note about the two other photos in this issue. The shot of the church is unusual in that it is taken from the north eastern corner of the churchyard. It was taken in 2004. The photo of The Old Thatch is just to remind us of what it was like before the fire of May 13^th. This shot was taken by Roy Naylor in the summer of 2003

Finally, don’t forget that I can be contacted on cbsnippets@btinternet.com

PGR