Newsletter - 6th July 2020

Dear Families, 
 
I do hope you are all keeping well. As the social distancing advice has changed, this week we have been able to offer more places to the children of our Key Worker families and the other identified priority groups. We do still have some space, so please get in touch if this would be helpful to you.
 
As we approach the end of term, we have lots of information to share about the year ahead. ​

Staffing news
 
Parents of current Reception – Year 5 pupils have received this information in a letter on Friday.
 
As you are aware, in April, Ashley Smith left Chagford Primary to embrace a new career opportunity. In anticipation of his departure, we successfully appointed a teacher to replace him, although due to contractual commitments, was not able to join us until September. In the interim, Lisa Rowe has willingly stepped in to take responsibility for Yew class. Our new appointment, Emily Coleman, is an experienced teacher, currently working in a school in Croydon and relocating to Chagford. She impressed our recruitment panel, demonstrating huge enthusiasm and drive, and comes highly recommended. Emily has remained in regular contact and is looking forward to joining the Chagford staff team.
 
Chloe Bennett has taken on the role of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) and has been working one day a week with us since Ashley Smith left, bringing a wealth of new ideas, creativity and professionalism to the role.
 
I am sure you will join us in offering them a warm welcome to our school, in the new year, with a fresh start and new beginnings.
 
In recent meetings with the finance team, tough decisions have had to be made. As it stands, in order to comply with DfE budget-setting restrictions, we have had to make some adjustments to our staffing plan for the new year.  Like the other Heads of School, I will return to having a timetabled teaching commitment, working alongside Lisa Rowe. Unfortunately, for this same reason, we have not been able to renew Seantelle Green’s temporary contract, so sadly, she will be leaving us at the end of term. I know you will join me in wishing her all the very best for her career ahead. She has worked incredibly hard throughout her first year of teaching and we are proud of her achievements, particularly during this challenging term. She will be greatly missed by staff, children, parents and governors.
 
We also need to bid a fond farewell to Chantal Sorrel who has led outdoor enrichment activities for a number of years here. She has been instrumental in developing the garden beds, introducing wild flowers and working with the children to enrich their learning beyond the classroom. We are very grateful for her work. The wild flowers and beds look absolutely stunning at the moment!
 
Isobel Clark, who has been covering Lyn Stoner during her medical absence, has been a great asset to the team as a whole. I am delighted to report that Izzy is going to university to study graphic design, which is wonderful for her career path but a sad loss to Chagford. Again I know you will join me in wishing her all the very best and she will be much missed. 
 
Classes for September 2020
Therefore, staffing for the new academic year is as follows:
 
Nursery and Reception: Miss Sara Halsey, Mrs Tina Adams and Mrs Dani Rout
Year 1&2: Miss Emily Coleman and Mrs Pam Dunnage
Year 3:  Miss Lisa Rowe, Miss Tara Penny and Mrs Claire Shauna Saunders
Year 4&5: Miss Liz Ovens and Mrs Lyn Stoner
Year 6:  Mr Lee Billinghurst and Miss Betsy Rowe
 
Mr James Dray and Miss Emily Glanville will support learning across classes
Miss Jade Hanley will be on maternity leave. 
 
Move Up day
We are planning a transition day on Tuesday 21st July which will be an opportunity for our new Year 1 – new Year 6 children to meet their class teachers, in a safe, socially distanced format. We will arrange to have half the class in school in the morning and the other half in the afternoon, with time for cleaning in between. More details to follow. 
 
Reports
End of year reports will look very different this year. Due to the partial school closure, we do not have the end of year data we would usually share with you at this time. Reports reflect learning up until March, with a brief comment about the summer term. Reports will be ready for collection on Wednesday 15th July from 3pm, if you wish this to be posted, pleased let us know ([email protected]) . If you wish to discuss your report with your child’s teacher, please call or email to make an appointment. 
 
Silly Squad Summer Reading 
Did you know you can borrow books from Chagford Library again? Simply tell us what you'd like ([email protected], 01647 433651) and collect your books from the library.  This year's Summer Reading Challenge is already up and running! Join the Silly Squad at www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/children-src and discover awesome books to read. Play games, earn badges and rewards and everyone who reads six books before 5th September receives a certificate and medal. A fantastic number of children in Chagford complete the Summer Reading Challenge every year... don't miss out on the 2020 Silly Squad! 
 
School website
We finally have a new website platform! The site is still under construction and over the following weeks we will be adding to it.  We would like to populate it with new photos and blogs, but of course with the school closure this has made this challenging. It is really important that we adhere to GDPR rules and only use photos of your children if we have your permission to.  Please check Parent SIMS to make sure we have the correct permissions.  
 
Miss Penny’s Weekly Family Challenge – Design a coat of arms for your family
A coat of arms is an emblem or badge, historically popular with royalty and nobility to signify a family. They often include a decorated shield, animals to portray the family and a motto.  If you Google ‘coat of arms’ or ‘family crest’ you will see lots of examples. What images represent your family? What could your family motto be? Try and get everyone involved so the whole family is represented. I’d love to see them!
 
Keep safe everybody,
 
All the very best
Tara Penny
Head of School