Newsletter – 21st June 2019
Posted on June 21, 2019 | By Mr Cole
Sports Day
Although I’m writing this well before Sports Day actually happens, the sun is already shining on what promises to be a very special day! I hope you like Mr Davies’ re-working of our Sports Day programme and that your children very much enjoy spending the day competing for the Sprot Day Cup. Photos will be added here after the event. Thank you (in anticipation!) for your support today – it makes such a difference to the children to have family members cheering them on, and adds to a real sense of school community.
(Today’s Newsletter is brief due to Sports Day and there being no certificates etc to present in assembly this afternoon)
Lundy
A huge thank you too to all of the parents who worked with our very-extended day yesterday to make Ashmansworthy’s trip to Lundy so successful. I know a 6:30am start is a massive upheaval for your morning routines, but hopefully the tales you’ve heard of puffins, lighthouses, walks, cabbages, seasickness and dolphins made up for that. Thank you also for being so prompt at pick-up as well. Also thank you to Janey and Sarah who came along as parent helpers for the day and to Frances and Sian, our guides, who looked after us so well throughout the visit.
The children’s behaviour and enthusiasm was outstanding throughout the day and we had many compliments from island staff and day-trippers alike. There were some very special moments throughout the day, and I know the separate Post has lots of pictures for you to enjoy! Miss Butler has lots of follow-up work planned from the day so I know the children will have plenty of time to reflect on their learning in such an iconic location.
Buckfast Trip
Looking at the pictures already on the Blog, it looks like Burscott and Stroxworthy Classes had an amazing time at Buckfast Abbey and were filled with awe and wonder when looking around the site. I have already heard some amazing things from the teachers and am looking forward to hearing all about it from the children later. Thank you to the parents who went on the trip to make the visit possible!
Staffing
I am delighted to say that we were able to appoint Mrs Sarah Appleton as a new Teaching Assistant to replace Mrs Furse when she retires next month. Sarah is well-known to many of you already is Jenson and Alfie’s mum. Sarah has many, many years experience as a teaching assistant across the Primary phase both at Pathfield School and at East-the-Water Primary. From September she will be based with Miss Butler in Ashmansworthy Class.
We’re also very proud to say that Mr Steve Pennington has been appointed as a teaching assistant in the new school, St James’, in Okehampton. Mr Pennington takes up his post in September and will be hugely missed by our whole school community. Nevertheless, we are very proud that one of our home-grown members of staff has been appointed in such an exciting post and, of course, we will continue to have some links with him through our work with the Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance. Initially, Mr Pennington’s post will be covered by existing foundation stage staff.
Photos
The Whole School 140th Anniversary Photo is ready for ordering. You can view it and place your order at this website: www.alanschofield.gotphoto.co.
Parents with children in Year 6 can also view and order the Leavers’ Photo under the same terms as above. The photo can be viewed on the same website, but use the access code WPS2019L. Thanks.
- Monday: Clay project in Cranford Class (am), in Alminstone (pm)
- Tuesday:
- Wednesday: Mr Davies and Miss Butler out all day
- Thursday: Bideford College Y6 Transition Day #1
- Friday: Bideford College Y6 Transition Day #2; New Classes in school (am)
- Sunday: Year 6 Adventure International Residential departs pm
With best wishes,
Matt Cole, Headteacher.