Headteacher Mr M.Brady BEd (Hons), NPQH
Bridestowe School Newsletter October 2009
See website ‘calendar’ page for event dates - www.bridestowe-primary.devon.sch.uk
Hi everyone,
It has been a fine start to the new academic year – there is a very positive feeling about the
school and a real sense that the children are keen to participate and enjoy their learning. This year
we will have a strong focus on developing the children’s writing skills, as always, your support in
these matters is vital. We will provide more details as the year progresses but for now would ask
that you to take every opportunity to help your child, for example, by ensuring that they are
regularly learning their spelling words. There are some new initiatives to make you aware of and of
course, seasonal events too. I look forward to working together as we strive to improve the rate of
progress for our children’s learning in 2009/10.
Text messaging service
We shall shortly be introducing this form of communication in order to provide a more efficient
means of contacting you. For example, emergency closures, cancellation of school clubs, praise and
congratulations, reminders for school trips, dinner money etc. There will still be letters and notes
home as appropriate but we are sure you can appreciate our move towards using less paper. Please
remember to update the school if you change emergency contact numbers.
5-11th October is ‘Learn to sign’ week
Every year the British Deaf Association (BDA) holds a national event to help raise awareness and
encourage people to learn British sign Language (BSL). We are hoping to raise at least £50 to
support this initiative and will be having a non-uniform day on Tuesday 6th October. In exchange
we would ask that the children bring a donation of £1 towards our fundraising.
Cake Stall
The Barn Owls children and School Council will be running a cake stall on Monday 12th October at
3.00pm in the front playground. Second-hand uniform will also be available for a small donation.
Parent Support Adviser
We are delighted to inform you that we now have a Parent Support Adviser (PSA), linked to our
school. Mrs Sam Holliday is available to discuss any concerns you may have for your child. She
will be in school for an informal chat and to say hello on our parent consultation afternoon
(Wednesday 21st October). Sam will be able to advise on the support networks available in Devon
and provide a sympathetic ear to the demands of parenting, between 1.30 and 3.30; please feel free
to say hello. Sam’s contact details are as follows; 01837 650910 ext 217,
sholliday@okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk
New Governors
The new term brings changes to our Governing Body. We are delighted to welcome Mrs J.Kerwin
(parent), Mrs I.Burrage (staff) and Mr B.Whitehorn (Local Authority – as of 8.10.09), on board.
Mrs C.England will be stepping down from her role as Chair of the Governing Body as of 7.10.09.
We would like to thank her for the many hours of hard work and dedication she has given to the
school since 1995. Also, we would like to thank Mrs J.Shannon and Mrs Duncan-Adams for their
commitment to moving the school forward in recent years.
New resources
Our new ICT Suite is now up and running – this fantastic learning resource is providing the
children with the opportunity to enhance their skills for this increasingly important area of the
curriculum. The early morning RM Maths group have been very busy each day moving their
learning forward – thank you parents for your support and well done children!
The village hall is now being used as our indoor PE facility on a daily basis. The children are
making great progress with their gymnastics and dance work.
Operation Christmas Child
Once again, we shall be playing our part in sending shoe boxes to children less fortunate than our
own this Christmas. Details to follow, but please bear in mind the use of any shoe boxes you may
have.
Christmas Pantomime
We shall be taking the children to Exeter for the x-mas panto on Friday 11th December – details to
follow.
Treetops Breakfast Club
Treetops pre-school are running a breakfast club; Mon – Thurs from 8am - £2 per session, which
can include breakfast if required. Children are then safely walked down to school. If you would like
to make use of this excellent service, please call Laura on 01837 861761
Tuck Shop and spoons!
The tuck shop now provides ‘home cooking’ and each child requires 20p only to purchase one
item. Please help by sending in the correct amount on Tuesdays. If your child is bringing yoghurt to
school in a packed lunch, would you kindly provide a spoon for them – our supply of teaspoons is
dwindling rapidly.
Vouchers
We are actively collecting the following vouchers and would be very grateful for any that you can
send in: Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Nestle, Times reading. Thank you.
Library Books
Would you please make sure that your child’s library book has been returned to school by 15th
October. This will enable us to make a new selection of books from the Library van which will
visit our school shortly.
Non pupil day
A reminder that Friday 23rd October is a non-pupil day and the school will be closed as staff
attend training at Okehampton College.
National Curriculum Swimming
We anticipate taking all children to ‘Parklands’ for swimming lessons beginning Monday 11th
January 2010 from 1.30-2.30 - for a period of eleven weeks.
Mon 5th Oct
Learn to sign week
Mon 5th Oct
FOBS meeting - Fox & Hounds 8pm
Tues 6th Oct
non-uniform day - in aid of British Deaf Assoc
Wed 7th Oct
Full Governing Body Meeting
Tues 13th Oct
football/netball tournament - North Tawton
Wed 21st Oct
Parent consultations 1 -5pm
Friday 23rd Oct
Non-Pupil Day
Mon 26th - Fri 30th Oct
Half-Term
Tues 3rd Nov
cooking club starts
Thurs 19th Nov
Governors Finance and Personnel Committee
Wed 25th Nov
Full Governing Body Meeting
Fri 11th Dec
Christmas Panto' - Mother Goose - Exeter North' 1.30pm
Wed 16th Dec (TBC)
Christmas Performance – Village Hall
Friday 18th December
End of Term
Spring Term 2010
Mon 4th and Tues 5th Jan
Non-Pupil Days
Mon 11th Jan
Swimming lessons begin
Wednesday 6th Jan
New Term
Mon 15th - Fri 19th Feb
Half-Term
Thursday 1st April
End of Term
Mr M.Brady