heriton Bishop Community Primary School

Snippets from the Classroom and Beyond

No W59 June 2007

This month, I am starting Snippets with some very welcome news that affects staff and pupils alike. With the hard work of Tony Shearer – as the Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee – and his committee, and in his other hat as the Governor responsible for Health and Safety at the school, it looks very much as though the school will be getting a new building to provide various new facilities lacking in the current set up. The County Council have found the money for the project and planning permission is awaited. The new building will be constructed on the site of the old “swimming” pool and changing rooms etc. The pool was closed some time ago when it became obvious that the relevant health and safety legislation could not be met without vast expense. What facilities will this new edifice contain that are not currently available? Looking at some of the drawings there will be a Staff Room – currently staff meetings take place in the staff area of the Resources Room, by no means ideal: there will be staff and disabled toilet facilities : and a Medical Room offering the privacy that is lacking at the moment. What does this mean for the rest of the classroom buildings? Well, the Resources Room/Staff Room becomes dedicated to teaching resources and the library i.e. the learning process. The opportunity will be taken to upgrade the early years toilet facilities. When is all this going to happen? Given a fair wind by the planning processes, work will get underway during the summer holidays starting with the demolition of the swimming pool area buildings etc. The new building should be ready for occupation in September/October. Here’s hoping that it will be! I’ve inserted a photograph of the school as seen from the church tower. The new construction will be taking place to the right of the right hand block. So, that’s it!! The provision of the third classroom and the resources centre was a major step forward some years ago – just before I became a governor. This next step will definitely be a major plus for the school and staff.

It’s official! The speed limit along Church Lane is now down to 20mph. The school and local people have been calling for this change for some time. I know it’s easy to slip into bad habits and get back up to thirty BUT – let’s obey this limit and keep us all safer! Incidentally, if you are habitually late getting little Johnny to school, please make the effort to get there earlier so that you are not tempted to break the limit.

It’s that time of the year again when the teachers and governors have to decide on the class structures and sizes to achieve the best mix of class numbers and years. This year they have decided to remain as they are which achieves a very reasonable class size. Incidentally, parents are being invited to a Design and Technology Open Day on 16^th July. They will be at liberty to see the children at work in the classrooms.

Well, shiver my timbers. I was found playing trains on Saturday by our peripatetic music teacher. Liz was one of the guests on the Dartmoor Railway’s 10^th Anniversary Special Train to celebrate 10 years since Okehampton station was reopened. I can’t get away with anything these days.

Sport and Tag Rugby and Cricket are in the frame. Cricket coaching by Sandford CC begins after half term for years 5 and 6 every Thursday morning for 5 weeks. Keith Fleming will be coaching years 5 and 6 in Tag Rugby on Monday afternoons both before and after half term. There is a Tag Rugby Tournament on 24^th May.

Before I forget, there will be a combined fête this year on 23^rd June. This will be a joint venture between Pre-School and the School.

So, that just leaves the diary for you:-

24^th May – Mid Devon District Tag Rugby Competition

28^th May-1^st June – Half Term

19^th June – Class 4 Opera performance – Cygnet Theatre

23^rd June – Pre-School/School Fête – school grounds

26^th June – Class 4 – Life Skills at Blundells

27^th June – Devon MXL – Taiko Team and Years 3&4

5^th July – Cricket Tournament – Spreyton School

6^th July – Class 3 – Eden Project visit

10^th July – Annual Report to Parents

11^th July – KS1 Athletics – St Luke’s Sports and Science College

16^th July – Design and Technology – Open Day

20^th July – Sports Afternoon

24^th July – Valedictory Service – St Mary’s Church – 2pm

24^th July – Summer Term Ends

5^th September – Autumn Term Starts.

22^nd-26^th October – Half Term

14^th December – Carol Service – St Mary’s Church – 2pm

18^th December – Autumn Term Ends

Phew, the School Secretary has certainly been at work!

PGR