Friday, 24 th March 2017 Wednesday, 29 th March Thursday, 30 th March Friday, 31 st March Friday, 31 st March DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Easter Lunch (see special menu) Easter Assembly (2:30pm) Whole Federation Assembly (children only) Break up for Easter Tuesday, 18 th April First day of the Summer term 26 th to 28 th April Year 4 Residential: Beam House [led by Mr Akhurst] 22 nd to 23 rd May Year 3 Residential: Escot [led by Mr Kersey] Friday, 26 th May Monday, 5 th June Tuesday, 6 th June Break up for Half Term Non Pupil Day Children return to school 7 th to 9 th June Year 5 Residential: New Barn, Dorchester [led by Mr Jolliffe and Mrs Parkes] Friday, 9 th June Wear something purple for Juvenile Arthritis 9 th to 12 th June Year 6 Residential: Grenville House [led by Mrs Harris] Thursday, 15 th June Sunday, 2 nd July Wednesday, 26 th July Tempest taking class photographs Exe Valley Challenge Walk Break up for the summer Don t forget to check our website for term times, class topics and other information www.exevalleyfederation.co.uk FROM MR JOLLIFFE This has been a very busy week for the performing arts across the Exe Valley Federation. Over the last term all our Year 3 and 4 classes have been working with the Paddleboat Theatre Company to learn techniques such as mime, freeze-framing, movement, creating sound effects and presenting short dramas. They also had an opportunity to write short, descriptive sections of poetry that the actors then turned into the three tableaux that made up the final show. For the last three weeks, the children (in mixed school groups) worked with an actor to develop these pieces, with a final performance at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter on Wednesday this week, which was a great success and was well supported by parents. Every child took some role in the production. Overall, a fantastic experience, and Katy, Michael, Stuart and Hattie were excellent hosts, building an immediate rapport with the children and always conducting themselves professionally. Many thanks to Mrs Alison Golby for organising this event, which was part of a programme of artistic and musical events that the Federation has taken part in this year. Then on Thursday night the Year 5 and 6 classes took part in the Crediton Learning Community s Great Hall event, singing and performing together under the guidance of Mr Andrew Curtis. This is a great opportunity for every child to take part in a large-scale event and to perform in front of a big audience of parents and staff from the CLC schools. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of songs from Mamma Mia! and the great costumes that the children had made. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make both these events such a success and particularly to the children who were such good ambassadors for the Federation. FEDERATION ASSEMBLY Friday 31 st March 2017 At the end of this term we will be holding a Federation Assembly as usual and the children from all three schools will be going to Thorverton to celebrate their learning from this year and to sing Easter songs and learn more about the Easter story. We will also be saying goodbye to Mrs Veda Dymond, who is leaving Thorverton School after 30 years of service. She has made an amazing contribution to the school and to the community and will be very much missed from the school
office. On Wednesday next week the children, parents and community at Thorverton will be saying thank you to Mrs Dymond at the end of her last working day, but we will also be saying goodbye to her at our Federation Assembly. There is no charge to parents for the cost of transport for the Federation Assembly and we will be back at our own schools in time for lunch. Governors Resources Committee Meeting The Resources Committee met on 15 th March at Cheriton Fitzpaine, each term we meet at different schools within the Federation, so governors get the opportunity to see our schools in action. At each resources meeting governors discuss the Federation budget monitoring report (our profit & loss report) with Pauline Woodbridge our School Business Manager, to ensure our expenditure stays within our budget. Our discussions covered the effectiveness of our debt collection, the full use of Sports Funding, and economical maintenance of school buildings and equipment. The Federation s service level agreements (particularly those relating to ICT) were reviewed and new fencing at NSC to control risk to children in the playground was agreed. This month a new 3 year draft budget is being prepared for approval at our Full Governors meeting in April. This budget will drive all future expenditure for the next 3 years. The next Resources meeting will be held in May at Newton St Cyres. FROM MRS HARRIS Dear friends What an exciting week it has been this week; children have been performing at The Phoenix with the Paddleboat Theatre and at The Great Hall with the Movies singing performance as part of the CLC performance what an amazing performance of Abba s most well-known songs; what an amazing production. Friday is a big day. It is the last sports session for Maple and Ash class; all the children have had great fun at Lords Meadow and it has been super to see the progress that they have made over the last 10 weeks. Also today appears to be a sea of red The children look amazing. We are fund raising as part of red nose day hopefully we will have lots of laughs and finish off the day with some treats in the red nose café. Next week is going to be almost as exciting; on Thursday you are all warmly welcome to join us for our Easter assembly. Children from key stage one will be parading in their Easter bonnets and the Key stage two children will be racing their egg vehicles. On the last day of term all the federation schools will be meeting at Thorverton for a federation assembly. Many thanks, here s hoping for a brighter weekend than the weather has proved to be this week. PTA NEWS The End of Term Family Disco is shaping up to be a great event, so dust off your dancing shoes and come and join us for a boogie and a beverage and celebrate the end of term in style. Friday, 31 st March 2017 6:30pm-8:30pm this is a stay with your child event. Entry 1 per child, accompanying adults free. Hot dogs, squash & crisps, licenced bar. If you are able to help out on the night, please let Fay Williams know. PARKING Can I remind parents and staff to please park safely. At the beginning and end of the school day it is particularly important that everyone drives with extreme caution. The car park with the red barrier at the front of the school is for staff parking and the top car park is for parents and visitors to the school. If you are a disabled driver then please do use the allotted car parking spaces. There have been occasions recently when the coach or minibuses have had difficulty turning. If you walk with your children or your children are walking independently please do take care when crossing the road or indeed walking in front of the car park entrances.
Oak Class Paddleboat Theatre Experience Over the last two months, the children have been extremely fortunate to have been working alongside the Paddleboat Theatre Group learning a range of drama skills. The final performance at the Phoenix Arts Centre was a great success. We headed into Exeter, picking up Newton St Cyres and meeting Thorverton there. The morning was spent in rehearsals and reviewing the high points of our eight weeks, along with some children being interviewed by members of the company. After rehearsals, Paddleboat previewed their next play which has been inspired by the work they have done with us and the other schools in the project. Just like their first play According to Arthur, it was creative, involving and funny. The children loved it but were keen to show their work. Our show followed and was really well performed, with every child taking part and contributing in this fantastic venue. The show was well supported by parents for which we thank you. Overall a great experience and the children (and staff) will miss our weekly acting sessions with Katy, Michael, Stuart and Hattie of Paddleboat Theatre. Mr Kersey
After School Clubs for the Summer Term (starting Tuesday, April 18 th ) Please note: There will be no tag rugby/football club during the last week of term LUNCHTIME CLUBS (Children just come along) AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS 3:30 4:30 MONDAYS Netball Club with Mrs Harris Years 3-6 Dance Club with Karina Gracia Years 2-6 (fee payable) Chess Club with Ms Benyon & Ms Brookman TUESDAYS Lego club with Mr Kersey Tag Rugby with Mr Hookway Years 3-6 WEDNESDAYS Revision Club with Miss Bellamy or Mrs Carpenter Year 6 THURSDAYS Craft Club With Mrs Wright Football Club with Mr Hookway Years R-6 FRIDAYS Revision Club with Miss Bellamy Year 6 Elastic Band with Alison Golby (fee payable) CHERITON FITZPAINE GARDEN CLUB SPRING EXHIBITION This year, the Floral Art Children's Classes will be: Saturday, 1 st April, 2017 2.30 p.m. at the Parish Hall 8-11 the Easter Bunny Flowers and Foliage 15" (40cm) 12 16 A Spring Flower Arrangement Flowers & Foliage 15" (40cm) If you would like help with this, please come to the Methodist Hall on Thursday, 30 th March from 4.30 p.m. - 6 p.m. bringing some flowers and foliage. ALSO: There are Children's Classes (each class has age groups 8 to 11 years and 12-16years): A painting or drawing of a spring garden up to 12" x 8" (30cm x 20cm) 5 Decorated biscuits on a plate.
Easter Egg Hunt 15 th April, 2-4pm Stockleigh Pomeroy village hall Join us on an Easter egg trail round Stockleigh Pomeroy village, collect all the clues and you'll win an egg! There are 3 trails - one for little ones, one for slightly older ones and even a challenging one for adults. There will be baby chicks to see Lots of kids crafts including eggs and animal masks to decorate Yummy homemade cakes and treats for Tea. Costs 2 per child (includes Easter egg trail and crafts) A Special Thank you to all the lovely mums who have given up their time, despite being busy, to help at the Leisure Centre every Friday morning for the past 10 weeks. Namely; Anna Yeandle, Leigh Pursey, Emma Hilton and Vicky Ritchens