Primary School News

We have lots of new faces at the School this term, with 19 new pupils joining us in September and more due after Christmas. The School Buddies have been very busy.

Opportunities for broadening and enriching the curriculum is an important part of school life, with activities and trips providing different ways of learning.

Year 3 took part in an invasion games festival at Uffculme School, Year 4 went to Killerton to participate in an orienteering event. Foxes Class (Y3/4) spent the day at Tiverton Museum learning about our local history including the Culm Valley Railway.

Carrying on with local history, there was Hemyock Hands on History Day, where, a team of archaeologists with a potter spent the day in school giving the children an opportunity to handle some of the local pottery finds and to learn about the importance of pottery in the area during Tudor times. Children in Hedgehogs and Squirrels worked with Sally Clarke and Nicky Saunter to make Punkie lanterns and write Punkie poems in preparation for Punkie Night - a traditional part of Blackdown Hills folklore.

Harvest Festival, still an important ritual for this rural, agricultural area, had a fresh twist this year where a House Harvest Family Day was held. Children worked in their house teams throughout the day to learn a harvest song, create and present a harvest poem, made a harvest collage and a mud monster in the 'outdoor classroom'. The results of their efforts were shared with parents at the harvest celebration
assembly at the end of the day.

The other important event in the Autumn Term is the Remembrance Service where Squirrels Class led a very moving Assembly, which focused on the significant events that took place during the lifetime of WW1 veteran Harry Patch.

Pre-school and Foundation Stage / Key Stage one held a joint open afternoon for parents to come and see what the children do in school.

Football is well underway with 'The Gov' Mike Travers, looking to repeat the successes of last year with his premier team. So far, the Team have played a few matches and have won one - it is very early days and the players are confident that the distinctive purple shirts will make their mark. What do we call them…..the Damsons? Come on you Damsons!

Finally, we are looking for two new Governors - the vacancies are for Local Authority representatives, which means that anyone can apply, you do not have to be a parent, but of course you can be. The Governing Body has a new Chairman, Hugh Whittaker, and is working very hard to support the school to provide the best environment and standards for all of our pupils. We are always looking for fresh ideas and  perceptions, new skills and above all enthusiasm and commitment. It is a great way of giving something back to the community. Please contact the school office if interested.

Corinne Matthews
Parent Governor