Newsletter - 20th November 2020

Dear Chagford Families,
 
This week we focused upon thinking about the kind of behaviour we enjoy here at Chagford Primary School. We agreed we like all it best when we are all happy, having fun and feeling safe.
 
We looked at our Behaviour Policy and our Anti Bullying statement. In assemblies we thought about the kind of people we want to be and the kind of behaviour we think is acceptable. We thought about the way Jesus behaved and the meaning of Luke 6:31 ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’

In our PSHE sessions we watched a video about Anti Bullying which introduces the idea of Anti Bullying Ambassadors. I have signed up our school for the training package and will talk about this more in January when we will elect our own ambassadors. Do see www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0_1Z0CAZiE to find out more about this.
 


In every school there are times when children make a mistake, fall out or have a dispute. At Chagford we use a restorative approach where children have the opportunity to talk about what happened, identify the consequence of their actions and find ways to make the situation better. While there may be a sanction such as missing play, the children know that they will be forgiven and we will all move on from the situation.
 

If a child struggles with behaving appropriately we will talk with parents and find ways to help the child learn how to control and manage their own actions. In extreme or persistent cases we use the staggered system described in the behaviour policy which you can see on the website.
 
​Children in Need
Thank you so much for donating to the Children in Need charity last week.  Along with a very generous donation from local business Aylin’s Little Bakery, we raised a total of £217 with an additional £5 donated this week. Thank you very much!
This link shows where the money goes.
https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/changing-lives/the-journey-of-your-donation/
 
 Clubs
We have been given new guidance regarding clubs. This means that we are now able to have our Saints morning and after school clubs on Monday and Craig’s Y6 Football Club on Friday after school from next week. We are waiting for guidance as to when we will be able to resume our other clubs.

Miss Jackson
It is with sadness that I have to announce that Miss Jackson will be leaving us at the end of this term. She is moving out of the area to be closer to her newborn grandchild, which of course is a wonderful occasion for her! I know she is an amazing support to staff and parents, for me she has been not only a valued colleague but also a brilliant friend. We will all miss her greatly. We hope to appoint someone before the end of term so that she can impart all of her wisdom!

Lantern Parade – 10th December 2020
As you know, we are not able to put on a Christmas show in the way we have done in the past. Miss Rowe has been very busy making plans so that we can still do something spectacular. We are very excited to announce that on the evening of Thursday 10th December (weather permitting) we will have a Lantern Parade and Carol Concert through Chagford Town. We will assemble (socially distanced of course) at The Pepper Pot for our Nativity. The children will be working on their class lantern designs next week and learning their songs. We will be in touch about how parents can help with preparations and attend the event. Originally we had thought to do this on the 17th but had to switch to the 10th December; I hope that you are able to keep this date free.
 
Do see how you can be involved in the Chagford ‘Winterlight’ Festival this December - see poster below!

Uniform
Please make sure children are in warm school uniform. It is cold in the classroom with the windows open so jumpers and tights or trousers are a real must. Children also need a waterproof coat for outside. Please make sure that children with long hair have a hair band to hold it back.
 
All the very best,
  
Tara Penny
Head of School

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Please see below links to further Advent and Christmas Resources:
children_christmas_activities.pdf
invitation_to_sw_carols.pdf