Newsletter 4th November

It has been a strange week weatherwise with torrential rain which made driving in the lanes really quite scary at times and then, on other days, glorious autumn sunshine.
Similarly, for us at school, it has been a week with joys and challenges. We have had a number of staff off sick throughout the week. One colleague caught Covid while away on half term and has been at home isolating since so as to be sure not to pass it onto us. Other staff have had various coughs and colds. I expect the same has been true for parents and carers, so please accept our warmest sympathies - I hope you are able to keep the house warm and to take the rest you need to get better.
The joys of the week have been considerable however. Joining in with the 'Celebrating the Earth' event at the church on Tuesday was very special, and lots of children have been involved in sporting fixtures including tag rugby and netball. The school has been calm, kind and purposeful.
Huge well done and thanks to our Year Ones, Twos and Threes who have been very flexible and accommodating around staff absence. Year Two in particular have shown the best of themselves as they have split up to join Year One and Year Three for their learning. Here's hoping that next year everyone is back in school to teach and that we can get back to normal.

Chagford Eco Pantry

The Chagford Eco Pantry is up and running and ready for business in the recpetion area at the front of our school. It is stocked with a mix of fresh, dry and canned foods and other useful things like cleaning products, nappies and sanitary products. There's some treats in there too. Do come along and have a look.

This project is entirely dependent on two sets of people. Those who donate and those who take the donations - we need both! You do not need to be signposted to the eco-pantry - it's there for everyone. You do not need to be in need or receiving benefits - it's for everyone.
If you see something you fancy in the pantry, it's yours to take. If you have been too busy to grab something for tea please take what you can use. If you like fresh veg and know that the produce in Lidl doesn't last so long, feel free to check out what is in the pantry.
Times are hard for many of us and they are going to get harder through the winter - the eco-pantry can help ease the pressure for every family - come along and help yourself! Similarly, if you have surplus, do please share!

The logo for the eco-pantry was designed by our pupil Max Horncastle. We were very pleased to see this story celebrated in the Parish Magazine!

Town Twinning Project
Friends in Moretonhampstead have been in touch to let me know about their twinning project and to invite us all to get involved. Moretonhampstead has been twinned with Betton in Brittany for over forty years and has an active link. They are really keen to invite younger people and families to get involved in the Twinning Adventure. Twinning, they say, offers a unique cultural, affordable and educational experience. They write;
"We had a very successful visit from our Betton Twinners in August, including a visit to Chagford Show. It was particularly heartwarming to notice how many young people joined in with the activities we provided and mixed well with the young people from Betton.
On Friday 11th November 2022 we are hosting a Bring and Share Supper, combined with a small AGM, which will be held in the Moretonhampstead Community Centre at 7p.m. We will be providing information and encouraging new participants to join us in our planned 2023 visit to Betton."
Families from the Chagford Primary Community are very warmly welcomed to this event.

Local Stakeholder Board Update

This week, we would like to introduce Mike Davies.  He is a solicitor and has been living in Okehampton for 18 months with his wife and two children, who both attend South Tawton Primary School.  Mike has recently joined the Three Hares LSB, and will take on a Lead Role in Resources, which includes interrogating how pupil premium and sports premium money is spent, and its impact on the children.  As a new governor, there is plenty of mandatory training to be undertaken first and actually, all governors annually revisit their training needs to identify any gaps that could be filled.  For example, we have all recently ensured our Safeguarding Young People, The Prevent Duty, and Data Protection training is up to date, so we are fully able to engage safely and appropriately with the pupils and staff at all three schools in the Three Hares. 
 
Away from our desks, Liz and I have recently enjoyed attending harvest festivals at Chagford and North Tawton.  It’s been an absolute joy to see the churches full of youthful energy blasting out Cauliflowers Fluffy, alongside more traditional Harvest hymns. 
 
We have also attended a few meetings led by the Trust, most notably the Chairs Forum, which is a useful opportunity for us to speak with the other LSB Chairs within the Trust, and find out what everyone else is up to, to identify any risks or challenges we are facing, and to raise anything we feel needs to be brought to the Trust’s attention.
 
As always, if you would like to contact us, please email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Mel Holyoak & Liz Davidson