April 08th, 2022

Thank you!
Unbelievably, this break marks the end of my first year as Principal at Chagford Primary. I have to say a big thank you to everyone who has welcomed me, supported me and helped the school along this leg of the journey. There are far too many people to mention by name but the kindness and welcome shown to me by the staff, the community and, most of all, by the pupils of the school is genuinely moving. 
It has been a challenging year for sure - the pandemic has forced us to make a lot of difficult decisions and there's always something surprising around the corner when you're trying to run a school. I hope that parents and carers can see just how hard staff are working  and that5 while, of course, we can't get every decision right for everyone, we really are trying to do our best for the children in our care and for the community we serve.
There is so much to look forward to after Easter - there's our Midsummer Night's Dream production, trips galore, swimming, sports fixtures, a concert... we can't wait to take this next step with you alongside us - 'Let us spur each other on to love and good works' Hebrews 10:24.

Easter Hat Parade
It was a delight to see so may of the children arriving at the school in their Easter Hats. The rain may have dampened the hats a little but we kept our spirits high. Thank you to parents who came along to support and enjoy the occasion. The rendition of 'Spring Chicken' may not have been exactly as it was in the past but the children loved singing it and that put a big smile on my face. if you have any more photos you are happy to share, do email them to me and I shall add them to the slideshow. Lots of prizes were distributed in assembly in the afternoon - I wish I could have given a prize to every single child but alas my money doesn't stretch that far. Well done and thank you to each and every one of you.

Clubs
We have lots of after school clubs running and more starting after Easter. Currently children are participating in multi skills sports, Samba, Netball, chess, football and lego robotics. Aft5er Easter we will be adding a dance club. Perhaps you'd like to run a club. Talk to us and we will try to make that possible. Could yo run a book club, nature club, gardening club, coding club, craft club...? Have you got an idea for a club you'd like to run that we haven't thought of? If so, get in touch and we'll see if we can make it happen.

A Message from the Governors
On behalf of the Three Hares governors, I would like to wish all pupils, their families and all staff a Happy Easter, and to say a huge thank you for all your hard work and support during what has been another tough term.

I would also like to welcome our new governors, Liz Davidson a parent governor who has a daughter at South Tawton, Lucy Dennis a staff governor from South Tawton and Wes Frewin a staff governor from Chagford. We also welcome back Ben Morris who had been on sabbatical so he could concentrate on the COVID vaccination programme. Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to Mark Neave, one of our foundation governors, who is moving to a new parish. It’s been another busy term for governors, and I thank you all for your hard work and support too.

There are still some vacancies for governors, so if you are interested or know someone in the community who may be please contact me at [email protected]. We would particularly welcome someone from the North Tawton community, as both Jo Ware and Lee Pascoe stepped down as governors last term.

We are hopeful that next term we will be able to come into school more so we can see all the wonderful things that are happening in our schools and to meet up with pupils, parents and staff to hear their thoughts about the schools. We also hope to join in with community events. So please keep an eye out for us. Next term we will have our details posted on the school websites so hopefully that will help in recognising us! We are also going to set up a governor blog so you can see what we have been doing for the schools.

Happy Easter

Emma Neath
Chair of Three Hares Governors

Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve visit
Don't forget that our new Patron of Reading, Sarah McIntyre and her friend and colleague Philip Reeve will be visiting us on the first Wednesday after we get back from the Easter break. It's going to be a really great day. As well as everything else they'll be doing. Sarah and Philip will be happy to sign copies of their books. We did send out a form to allow you to pre-order books for your children earlier this week but only a few people have taken advantage of it. Tucker in Astor's Books or any other local bookshops will be very happy to sell you copies of Sarah and Philips books prior to the event so that your child can have their own copy of a book signed by the author and illustrator - this can be a real incentive to build a love of reading so we really do encourage you to buy a book to get signed.
Children in pre-school, reception and Year One might be best served with a copy of Dinosaur Police or Grumpycorn. In Year Two and Three I would suggest one of the 'Kevin' books about the fat flying Dartmoor pony that Sarah and Philip create together. For Year Four 'Philips 'Goblins' might be a good choice. For Five and Six I'd recommend 'Utterly Dark' - Philips newest book, or, for more confident readers, his 'Mortal Engines' series. Sarah and Philip are really high quality, award winning authors,. I'm very proud to have them visiting the school and I know a signed book would be a really powerful way to make the day more effective for your child.

Year Two Staffing
We are very sad to be saying goodbye to Ana Quieroz. Ana joined out team as class teacher for Year two a few weeks ago but due to a change in her personal circumstances she is unable to continue in the role. We have enjoyed her time with us and we wish her all the very best for her future. Audra Fitzgerald who has taught the Year two children for some extended periods in the last few months is returning and will take the class through to the summer break.

Easter Bunny Paw Trail - 9th April to 24th April
Find the twenty eight bunnies hidden around Chagford and claim a prize. Buy a trail sheet for £1 from Beachwood Bakery, The Birdcage, Blacks Deli or Sally's Newsagents.

Postcard form Brazil
Ollie and Eva have been in Brazil visiting their family for the last couple of weeks. They wanted to send a postcard back to their classes at Chagford Primary. With their mum's permission we wanted to share it with you - what a lovely photo of the two of them and what an amazing setting! Ollie and Eva said;
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​Hello everyone at School, 
We are having a wonderful time with our family in Brazil. We went to see the Iguaçu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the World. It was amazing and beautiful! 
We hope you are having fun and have a very Happy Easter. 
Love Ollie and Eva.

Easter Swimming Crash Courses
Learn to swim over the Easter Break. Take a four day crash course and improve your swimming and water skills. Only £24 for four days of lessons. Classes available in Okehampton and Tavistock.