Newsletter: 18th March 2022

Village Schools Partnership

Hopefully everyone has received their official notification that both Governing Boards votes unanimously to form a new federation, the “Village Schools Partnership” at their meetings this week. This is a hugely positive and proactive step for all three schools to be taking and we are very much looking forward to getting started on joint working in the coming weeks. Thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts in the Consultation process – in written responses via the Google form, half were from Woolsery parents which was a fantstic endorsement of the plans.

From next week, please remember this Newsletter will be for all three schools, as I described last Friday.

Sunflowers Termly Session Allocations

The allocation process for next term’s Sunflowers Preschool sessions are now open on the Google Form: https://forms.gle/4U8eBSGLWMhtFd637  We’re really pleased to say that we have managed to keep session charges at the same rate as before which I know will be a relief to many of you as the cost of living squeeze continues. Please remember that normally Summer Term bookings are very high and the preschool is already operating at near-capacity so it’s important you return your request as soon as possible. The form will close on Wednesday 30th March so that staffing rotas and session billing can be worked out before the Easter Break.

Family Group Cross Country

Mr Davies picked another ideal-weather day for this year’s Family Group Cross Country competition. Due to illness we didn’t have an assembly as expected on Thursday to present the coveted Cross Country Trophy to the winning Family Group and so it’s not been announced yet. Mrs Kersey will let everyone know at assembly on Monday afternoon.

As always, these events bring out the very best in our school: the children were incredibly encouraging to everyone regardless of ability. I have had lovely comments from parents who came along to watch saying that, above all else, that sportsmanship was very strong and a credit to the children. Well done everyone and congratulations in advance to the winning Group!

Roblox Safety Warning

Safeguarding Forums are beginning to fill up with warnings about Roblox. If this is something your child is in to, please take a read of the following article on the BBC News website and keep a close eye on the content your child is experiencing…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-60314572

There has also been a lot in the news about TikTok having inappropriate content related to the war in Ukraine in particular. Whilst it remains the case that children under the age of 13 should not have TikTok accounts, we’re aware that children much younger are accessing the app. As with all safe parenting, please make sure you know what your child is watching and put appropriate controls in place to ensure they are safe and seeing only appropriate things for their age group.

Gymnastics and Gym Competition

Woolsery School entered a Virtual Dance and Gym Competition for North Devon Schools which was organised by staff at Great Torrington School. We had some very impressive results…

Dance – this was entered by all children in Ashmansworthy Class who did their dance routines as part of their PE lessons – and the group comprising Imogen, Josie, Molly and Georgia came 3rd!

Gymnastics – this was entered by many children across Key Stage 2. Results are as follows:

Bronze Y5/6: 1st: Nate, 2nd: Allan

Silver Y3/4: 1st: Seren, 2nd: Henry, 3rd: Olivia

Silver Y5/6: 1st: Isla D, 2nd: Lola, 3rd: Nate

Gold Y3/4: 1st: Genevieve, 2nd: Tegan

Gold Y5/6: 1st: Hope, 2nd: Josie, 3rd: Isla S

Platinum: 1st: Josie, 2nd: Isla-Mae C, 3rd: Xavier

Well done, everyone, what a superb achievement! There is also a Platinum Standard set of results which we are still waiting to be confirmed. Certificates for all will be awarded in Assembly on Monday.

Rock  Your Socks

Just a reminder we’re inviting all children to wear odd, brightly coloured socks to school on Monday to mark Rock Your Socks Day to raise awareness of Down Syndrome. Charity Voice will be making a collection on Monday, which will go towards the work of Mencap, but this entirely optional and the focus is very much on awareness raising.

 



Well done to everyone who was presented with a Headteacher’s Award this week…

Cranford Class:  Elowen – (tortoise) – taking her time and care with painting, and for persevering in phonics with her letter formation; Charlie (spider) – great contribution to our SCARF session and making links whilst talking about friendships

Burscott Class: Evie (dolphin) – amazing listening and contributions  in all our class discussions; Elsie (spider) – making links with all her learning really well this week- especially her writing and her Mondrian painting.

Stroxworthy Class: Bella – (dolphin) – diving into her learning when being challenged by division in maths; Olivia (tortoise) – being resilient by persisting with her written work even with a broken wrist

Alminstone Class: Tegan (dolphin) – diving into her learning in science by presenting information using Google Slides; Arthur (tortoise) – showing resilience in his learning and trying really hard in all lessons

Ashmansworthy Class: Molly (dolphin) – Diving into her learning with her powerful language used in her elicitation writing to represent suspense and atmosphere; Josie (owl) – looking forwards and backwards whilst creating her intricate clay pot design using a variety of skills previously learnt.

Monday

Burscott Class Forest School (am)

Sunflowers Forest School (pm)

Tuesday Cranford Class trip to Bideford
Wednesday

Reception and Year 1 – VSP Dance Festival at Allardice Hall, Parkham (am)

Ashmansworthy Forest School (pm)

Thursday
Friday ARC Tennis with Cranford and Burscott (am)

Mr Cole’s Work Pattern:

Buckland Parkham Woolsery
Monday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Wednesday Afternoon Morning
Thursday
Friday All Day

Have a great weekend everyone – enjoy the sunshine!

Matt Cole

Headteacher

Skip to toolbar