Cheriton Bishop Community Primary School

Snippets from the Classroom and Beyond

No W71 October 2008

Well, they’re back at school again after a windswept and rainy summer break. I hope that most of you did get the break that you all deserved and are now fit and raring to go – I say raring to go but the term started on 3^rd of this month so the “going” is well under way. We welcome a “new” member of staff to the school, Mrs. Laura Berry. Yes, Laura was married over the summer break and Miss Moulding returns as Mrs Berry. She reports that she had a super Wedding Day and thanks everyone for their kindness. On the academic side, congratulations are due to Miss Goddard who achieved Leading Literacy status at the end of last term. It does mean that we lose her for a few days each academic year as she carries out duties that come with her elevated status and works in other schools alongside other teachers. That’s the price of fame!!!

One of the first “Outside” visits came from “The Barn Owl Trust” who came in and gave the children an insight into the battle there has been to try and save the Barn owl. Over the years its numbers had been decreasing bringing it almost into the “Endangered Species” classification. Recently the trend has reversed and the numbers are very gradually increasing. They even brought an owl into school and that is the subject of the photos in this issue. The first photo shows a very handsome looking owl seemingly full of “wisdom” as legend has it. The second sees the owl in flight in the school hall. I think the curtain is being held across the door to stop the owl from going that way rather than an attempt at an emergency exit!!!

After School Clubs are up and running once again with ICT/Games Club, Dance Club, Netball and football clubs taking place during the week between 1530 and 1630. The ICT/Games is for KS1 children and Dance is for KS2. The Busy Bees Club is also up and running as are the Taiko sessions. Certainly, there is plenty to keep everyone happy.

The school has put some emphasis on timing for the working day. If lessons are to start on time at 0900, then the children should reach school by 0850 and, from the Church Lane residents point of view, don’t forget the 20mph speed limit down the lane. It is, after all, there to protect your children as well. While on the start of the working day, the Walking Bus is looking for new volunteer “drivers”. Come on some of you. This is one way of adding to the health of your child by getting him/her/it (depending on mood) to walk to school and the system cannot go on for much longer without some more parents to assist. It would be a pity to see the scheme fold after eight years of successful operation.

Mrs. Joanna Tripp has started up the Healthy Snacks scheme again promoting health giving food suitable as a snack for the children – keeps them off the sweets and stickies. Food for the birds is available from Class 4 who are still selling bird seed and fat balls for our feathered friends. Talking about feathered friends, here is the other photo of the owl which shows it in flight.

So, what is in store so far for this term? Swimming classes for Class 3 start at Lord’s Meadow on 26^th September and go on for 5 weeks. Class 4 start their training on 7^th November, again for 5 weeks Fund raising starts in earnest on 3^rd October with Jeans for Genes Day to raise money for charities involved in research into childhood diseases and afflictions. The school’s Harvest Festival takes place in the Methodist Church on 7^th October. Class 4 will miss this Festival as they will be on their residential course at Grenville House from 6^th October. That is one experience that all the pupils and staff enjoy. Half Term comes between 27^th and 31^st October then it is in to the lead up to the festive season. (I’ve told myself that it is too early to start mentioning Christmas except in the term calendar below).

The Calendar:-

26^th September – Class 3 Swimming commences

3^rd October – Jeans for Genes day

6^th October – Class 4 to Grenville House

6^th October – Start of Book Week

7^th October – Harvest Festival

27^th-31^st October – Half Term

7^th November – Class 4 Swimming commences

5^th December – School Christmas Fayre

10^th December – School Christmas Lunch

12^th December – Carol Service – St Mary’s Church – 1400 and 1830

17^th December – Whole School Pantomime – Northcott Theatre

17^th December – End of Autumn Term

Well, as you can see, the term is beginning to look busy and there will be more to come, I’m sure. I don’t yet have any sporting news or sports fixtures to report. That’s all from the school for the moment. Following on from the mention I gave to the Dartmoor Railway in September’s Snippets, I can confirm that Mr Ed Ellis, President of Iowa Pacific Holdings, has bought the railway. He is very positive about its future. Although his initial thrust will be to build up the freight traffic, he is keen on opening up Yeoford for Okehampton passengers after building more flexibility into the system. I think the message is “Watch this space!”

Isn’t it grand to see the sun again and to see the harvest under way at last. I hope the dry spell lasts for some time. That’s all for now.

PGR