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This is a communication from Combe Martin Primary School for parents and carers only. 
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Want to know what's for dinner? Click Here? Next week is week 1
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Well done to this week's SUPER LEARNERS! As you know we don't bring work to the front of the hall to celebrate! We look for the learning behaviours that children choose and use during the week. The children who come home with a SUPER LEARNER certificate have stood out in the class this week for doing well developing one or all of the four areas - resilience, reflectiveness, reciprocity or resourcefulness. 
Our fantastic children who have done it right all week and came to Hot Chocolate Friday were Ajay, Saoirse, Rudi and Ava. We also had a guest appearance! 
Is there nothing more inspiring than a good book?
Each year, as part of the Appledore Book Festival, we arrange for authors to visit the children. This year Joseph Coelho visited our Key Stage 1 children and Nick Toczek visted the Lower Junior children. A huge thank you to Mrs Railston for organising this event. The children and teachers were inspired by the authors' enthusiasm, energy, knowledge and passion for literature. speaking with and listening to authors is just as inspiring as reading a good book - and for some children much more inspiring!

Very soon we will be announcing an event where a local author will be speaking to the Key Stage 1 children and then after school we will be running a 'Meet the author' event for parents. This will be in early December.

Using funds provided by the community shop, Mrs Railston has purchased picture books for Reception children to help you develop the children's love for reading at home, alongside the levelled reading books. We hope that you will read these books to and with the children as well as learning phonics etc, so that the children see why they are learning to read and feel more enthused to put in the hard work! The picture books are not levelled and the children will be able to borrow any of them that they like!

We know that the children love reading their books at school and working their way through the levels. You will appreciate that they need to spend a little time working with the same book before they move on to the next. So, to help with this...

The first time they read is to decode and discuss the book and the words in it. To listen to an adult read it to them and to pick out the phonics that they know. The second time they will be getting to know the story better. They can read more themselves and recognise patterns and sounds as they go. The third time they should be much more confident and know the story. All the time they can use the pictures to make meaning and talk about what happens to the characters. Making meaning is very important and growing the children's confidence happens when they have read a book a few times. When it's time to change a book please make sure you stick with the level they are on. The levels are structured to ensure that the right amount of challenge is given in the text.
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Thank you to everyone who supported #helloyellow and sent in money to support cake eating and World Mental Health Day!
Wearing yellow at school started a discussion about mental health as we know it's just as important for children to be mentally healthy as adults! Thank you to Mrs Harding for organising the event.

Children who are growing up with adverse childhood experiences (aces are domestic violence, ‬parental abandonment through separation or divorce, ‬a parent with a mental health condition,‬ being the victim of abuse (physical, sexual and/or emotional),‬ being the victim of neglect (physical and emotional),‬ a member of the household being in prison,‬ growing up in a household in which there are adults experiencing alcohol and drug use problems)‬ are more likely than other children to go to prison, develop heart disease, frequently visit the GP, develop type 2 diabetes, commit violence and have health-harming behaviours (high-risk drinking, smoking, drug use). And of course, anxiety and depression is a growing side effect of an ever growing interconnected complex society where social media sets unrealistic expectations and there never seems like enough time to do what you need to! The message to our children today is simple... look after your mind to keep it healthy (as well as your body) and ask for help! To parents, help your child be a child for as long as possible! Make sure their exposure to the world of problems is limited, that adult problems stay exactly that and keep them connected to the caring and kindness that we all need to share!

ELECTION FOR A PARENT LOCAL SCHOOLS COMMITTEE MEMBER

There is a vacancy for a parent member on our Local School Committee and I am writing to invite nominations to fill this vacancy. Please think about becoming a Committee Member, or encouraging others to volunteer.

Parent Members are welcomed as valued members of the Committee and play an important role. The members of the Local Schools Committee work together as a group, meeting three times a term. Together they are responsible for supporting the strategic direction of the School (which is set by the Multi Academy Trust Board of Directors) and promoting high standards of educational achievement. Life as a Committee Member is interesting and varied and we feel sure that there are parents prepared to take on this important role and give their time and commitment to helping us to continue to improve the school's performance.

Training and support will be available to help you develop into the role. This will include in-house mentoring and support as well as access to external training, those new to being a Committee Member are expected to attend induction training. The term of office for Parent Committee Members is 3 years. For further information about the role please get in touch with the Headteacher who will be happy to help.

If you would like to stand for election please complete and sign the enclosed nomination form and return to the school office no later than 15:30 on Monday 21st October 2019. If you wish you can include a few details about yourself and why you would like to become a Committee Member (not exceeding 100 words). This will then be circulated to all parents to help them decided who to vote for if an election is required. You do not have to complete this section, but if you don’t you may put yourself at a disadvantage if there is an election. An election, by secret ballot, will be held if more nominations are received than the number of vacancies. If an election is needed details of the procedure will be sent to all parents.

Nominations must be from parents or carers with children at the school on the day that nominations close. The enclosed sheet summarises the disqualification criteria to serve as a Committee Member. Anyone standing for election must certify that he/she is not disqualified for any reason. Parents/carers who have paid employment in the school for 500 hours per academic year or more or who are elected members of the Local Authority are not eligible to stand in these elections.

Please click the link below to see the criteria. You can print out the form to apply or call into the school office for a copy.

Thank you.

Application for Local School Committee

Parents evenings  - Mon 14th - Fri 18th Oct. Sign up sheets now up
  • Please be aware of the change of Bank Holiday closure from the 4th to the 8th of May.
  • Harvest Festival Wednesday 16th October 10.30 - 11.30 whole school - Village Hall
  • Friday 18th October - Flu Vaccinations
  • Fire & Rescue Visit - Tuesday 11th November Year 2 & Year 5
  • Friendship Day Year 6 - Ilfracombe Academy Wednesday 13th November 2019
Thank you to everyone who have given us their up-to-date email addresses. We still need for everyone to update this with us, so we can proceed.  This app will enable you to view and change your child/ren's contacts, update medical information so keeping us up-to-date with the information held on your child whilst at our school.
As a school we are required to review this information annually and you can do this yourselves from an app on your phone.
Your will also be able to give your consent for;
Internet access
All photo consents
Sex education
Webiste and Social Media consent
Class Dojo consent and permission to sign up for the school newsletter.
PLEASE update your email address with us ASAP.
Thank you 

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We would like to remind you that Year 6 Parent/Carers only have 3 weeks left to apply for their Secondary School placements.  The portal will close on 31st October 2019.
The easiest way is to apply online by visiting http://www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline
If you are unable to to apply online, you can contact the customer service centre on 0345 155 1019 or ask for a hard copy of the form from the Admin Office.
It is essential that you apply on time, to give yourselves the best chance of securing a place at one of your preferred schools.


 
DONT FORGET TO BOOK your Parent Consultation with your child's Class teacher during the week beginning Monday 14th October 2019.  Consultation times will be displayed on your child's classroom door.
Please select your time and date which is most convenient for you and pop your name in the box.


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As part of the commitment to keep everyone safe from fire and other dangers, members of the Fire & Rescue Service will visit schools to educate pupils to promote safe practices and highlight unsafe behaviour at home, in school and within the community.
Sessions will be delivered to Year 2 and Year 5.
  • The Role of the Fire Service
  • The dangers of matches, lighters and candles
  • How to make an emergency call and the consequences of hoax calls
  • How to plan a safe escape route from your home in case of fire
  • The value and importance of smoke alarms
  • How to adopt the stop, drop and roll method if clothing became involved in fire.
We would like to say a big thankyou to the Fire and Rescue Service for providing our pupils with this invaluable  education. 

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We have arranged for the Harvest Festival to take place on Wednesday 16th October @ 10.30 - 11.30am at CM Village Hall.  All parents are welcome!
If you would like to make a donation of tinned goods, fresh vegtables or fruit, please bring into school on this day.  All donations will go to the Senior  Citizens.
We thank you for your continued support.
 
Year 6 have been invited to this year's FriendshipDay at Ilfracombe Academy.  It ties in again with National Anti-Bullying week and is being used to support the integration of Year 6 students to the Academy.
The event will take place on Wednesday 13th November and a reminder will be sent nearer the time.


 
All children who have been signed up will be vaccinated on Friday 18th October.
Please note that this program is run by Virgincare and we are unable to sign any more children up for the vaccination at this point.
If you have not signed up and would like your child to have the vaccination you will need to contact your GP or pharmacist.
Breakfast Club will be now be available from Monday to Thursday morning 7.40am - 8.40am.  Unfortunately, we are unable to cover Fridays at this point. We will endeavour to put this in place as soon as possible.
After School Care will be available Monday to Friday 3.15pm - 5.30pm each day.

 
Year 2 & Year 6 will be swimming every Thursday afternoon this half term. 
Sessions will be from Thursday 12th September– Thursday 17th October.
 
Swimming is part of the PE National Curriculum and all children will be expected to take part. As you are aware, the costs of transport and the hire of the pool and any instruction falls directly onto the school and whilst  we have endeavoured to keep costs at a minimum, and is greatly subsidised by the school budget.  A weekly contribution of £4.00 or the full 6 weekly sessions @ £24 can be paid online weekly or in full.
 
Please see below payment dates for the London Residential.
Friday 18th October 2019 - £65.00
Friday 22nd November 2019 - £65.00
Friday 20th December 2019 - £65.00
Friday 17th January 2020 - £65.00
Thank you 



 
School Uniform
As previously informed, you may now order directly from our supplier for your school uniform and accessories.  We believe this will be a quicker and more convenient service for you.
We will continue to stock only a SMALL selection of SWEATSHIRTS ONLY in each size. Cardigans, book bags, PE bags, T-Shirts and Polo Shirts with logos can be ordered only from the shop retailer. You will not be able to order these items now on Scopay.
Plain white Polo shirts & PE-shirts can be bought at a selection of retailers including your local supermarket!

Please visit their shop at the address below.
Express Embroidery
Tracey Stantiford
3 Moxham Court
EX32 8HR
(By Barnstaple Bus Station)

Your may also email your uniform order directly to them  wathen528@aol.com
Thank you



 
The Club timetable for the Autumn Term is now available on the School Website and in the notice board outside reception..
It can be found here https://combemartin-sch.org/home/clubs-at-combe-martin-primary/
Devonshire Tennis academy will also be running Tennis and Gym clubs again and a letter with instructions on how to sign up is on reception now.
All clubs should be booked and paid for in advance online with the exception of Tennis and Gym which should be booked directly with the Tennis academy.
Haines Motor Museum Black cap.  If found please return to the Admin Office.
A child in Class 2 has lost a named jumper
A child in Class 4 has lost 3 school jumpers, 2 are named
A child in class 3 has lost a named jumper
 
Medicines form

Term Dates 2019 - 2020

Non-pupil day on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September.
School starts on Wednesday 4th September, 2019.

Autumn Half-term 21-25th October, 2019.

Last day of Autumn term is the 20th December, 2019.

Non-pupil day Monday 6th January.

Spring term begins on Tuesday 7th January, 2020.

Spring Half-term 17-21st February, 2020.

Last day of Spring term is Friday 27th March, 2020.

Easter Half Term - Monday 30th March - Monday 13th April.

Non-pupil day Tuesday 14th April.

Summer Term begins on 15th April, 2020.

School closed for Bank Holiday 8th May (This has changed from the 4th in line with the Government change).

Summer Half-term 25-29th May, 2020.

Non Pupil Day - Monday 29th June.

Last day of the Summer term is Tuesday 21st July, 2020.
Combe Martin School is part of the Alumnis Multi-Academy Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 11409631
Copyright © 2019 Combe Martin Primary School, All rights reserved.


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