Snippets from the Classroom and Beyond
No
W54 December 2006 / January 2007
As
per normal, this edition of Snippets has to cover for both December and January
since there will be no Parish Magazine issued in January! I mentioned the
upcoming Halloween party in the last issue. As with last year’s “do” it was
held at
Now,
you may wonder at a couple of the photographs on display this month. In an
effort to give the children the broadest of introductions to other cultures,
they are sometimes given the chance to take part in activities from those
cultures. So it is we see a taste of the Indian sub-continent in Cheriton Bishop where our visitors got the pupils involved
in Indian Dance. The 
great pity is that I can’t do justice to the superb array of
different coloured costumes and tunics that the children were encouraged to
wear in black and white photographs. To see the real colours you will have to
log on to the Village Web Site where Snippets will be updated shortly. If you
look carefully, you might just be able to identify Mrs Liz Watkins taking a full part in
the dancing on the right in the photograph on the next page. I do have evidence
that other members of staff also took part!
Reference
to Mrs Watkins reminds me of an exciting project taking shape under her
guidance. Class 4 are going to write an opera – yes, you read it correctly, an
opera. Under a nationwide opportunity, Liz has been on a course at the Royal
Opera House aimed at the teaching staff to give them the understanding and
capability to encourage their pupils to write an opera. This is not as far out
as it may seem at first. The project is really going to stretch the children’s
imagination to the limit; it will test and encourage teamwork in all respects;
it will stretch and encourage leadership for parts of the project; and, I
suspect, it is going to be most enjoyable as well. The children have already
researched and honed down the subject of their opera – “Celebrities”. They will
also have one day’s help from each of a Composer, a Designer and a Director
from the professional theatre. It will be most interesting to see how they
comment on Celebrities! Good luck to one and all.
On
29th November, we have 14 competitors taking part in the Great West
Run Children’s 
Cross Country at St Luke’s Sports and
At
the bottom of the page is a photograph of teddy bears which all seem to have a
problem with their left eyes. The date written on the board behind them may
give a clue as well. Yes, it was Children in Need Day and CB took part in the
money raising activities. I don’t yet have the total raised but the School
Secretary was seen counting up every last shekel as if it was her own. I’m sure
it was a substantial sum and congratulations are due to all the children for
their participation.
The
Devon Air Ambulance organisation has dropped off some Helibags
to collect any “unwantables” that you want to get rid
of – they have to be in good condition though! They can then be sold to raise
funds for the Service.
Talking
of services, the Remembrance Day Service at the Cross was well attended. I
believe it is essential that we continue to remember the sacrifice of those who
gave their all for us. Thanks to Persis
and Richard Bower for tidying up the area and, as ever, thanks to Paul Mitchell
for his endless efforts to keep the ‘public’ grassy areas looking neat and
tidy.
The
calendar:-
1st
December – Christmas Fayre
5th
December – Full Governors Meeting
11th
December – Ice Skating in
12th
December – School Christmas Lunch
14th
December – Aladdin at the Northcott – Whole School
15th
December – Carol Service 2pm and
15th
December – Autumn Term Ends
3rd
January – Spring Term Begins
Have a happy and
joyous Christmas break and don’t forget that child born in 
PGR