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This is a communication from Combe Martin Primary School for parents and carers only. 
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Our Newsletter Archive
The "How well is my child learning" issue...
Dear Parents,

We are now half way through the academic year! Time flies!

We have just completed our first assessments with the children. We use this information to make sure they are on track for their learning. We do more tests at the end of May so we can see how much progress they are making this year and since starting at school. It’s really important that the children are happy at school and are developing their learning behaviours. I’m very pleased to say that every time I visit all the classrooms the learning behaviour I see is excellent. I have told the children in assembly how proud I am of them! The choices that most of the children are making are fantastic and are a sign that our behaviour expectations are working well. That said we always strive to be better. With fantastic behaviour comes the opportunity to accelerate our learning by applying our Super Learner knowledge and skills to our tasks. I say “our” as we all work together at CMPS.

Since leaving the South West Schools' Federation to create and become an academy working within the Alumnis  Multi Academy Trust we have had the opportunity to form our own Local School Committee. Part of the role of the LSC is to adopt local policies unique to the individual School. This is one of the ways we will ensure that we always have unique schools that can serve their community. The Behaviour Policy is one of the areas we have some control over. I have attached it here for you to read. The policy goes some way to describe the vision of behaviour and how children's needs are met at CMPS. It is not a list of punishments - it is a Policy whose aim is to ensure a visible kindness is extended to all children at CMPS and a guide for the adults working with the children to ensure all angles are assessed when we try and meet needs. If you have any comments to make on this draft policy I would be very interested to hear d.railston@alumnismat.org 
Draft Behaviour Policy
You can also see other School policies, such as the Anti Bullying Policy, on our website here.
George Albert Collacott Cup
Point scoring for the George Albert Collacott Cup for attendance and learning is in full swing.
Each child's attendance is multiplied by the number of Dojo points they have been awarded this term and then averaged by House members.
At the moment, children in Raleigh House are just in the lead, followed by Grenville and then Drake.
REMEMBER, the only way to influence this score and get your House in the lead is to be in school and be recognised for good learning dispositions!
Parents, when you get notification of a Dojo point coming through please discuss the learning behaviour that led to this award... it gives you a lovely way into a discussion about your child's learning.
There are, sadly, a large number of children whose attendance is below 95% and a significant number of them are under 90%. Taking time off on holiday is a decision that parents don't take lightly. Can I remind you that a holiday request cannot be approved unless there are exceptional circumstances and your child has a very good attendance record. I will not sign off holidays at all if I haven't seen the parents for a meeting prior to the form arriving. Attendance below 95% is proven to have a detrimental effect on learning. 
Mid Term Reports:
We hope that parent consultations have gone well. The end of term report is there to help you understand your child's performance in the class over time. At the end of this half term you will have 3 points to consider the improvement that has been going on. 
In the example below the child is always respectful; their contribution in class has improved very well; they need to improve their presentation of work. This has not improved and we need to find out why. Sea School has gone very well, as has the love of reading and homework. The effort that this child has put into their learning has gone from red to green, which is fantastic. 
The parental conversation on the back of this report is very good. There is a need to make presentation better - which can be worked on at home as well as school. However, from this snapshot, this child should be congratulated for the effort they have put into their learning so far. They need to keep this up now for the rest of the year. 

I hope this helps you have a positive and supportive conversation with your child about their learning. If you'd like further support please see your teacher or myself.
Clubs@CMPS
 
  • February Half Term - Monday 18th February - Friday 22nd February 2019.
  • NON PUPIL DAY- Monday 25th February. Return to school on Tuesday 26th February 2019.
  • Year 6 Sea School morning - Wednesday 27th February 2019 (please remember wellies)
  • World Book Day - Friday 8th March. 
  • Aquatic Scientist Workshop - Monday 11th March, Year 5 visit to Heddon Valley. Letter to follow.
  • Pinkery Centre, Year 3, Thursday 14th March returning on Friday 15th March. (one night).
  • Pinkery Centre, Year 5, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th returning on Friday 29th March (two nights).
We have 2 x vacancies for Meal-Time Assistants to start ASAP!
1 x MTA will assist on a 1:1 basis
1 x MTA general duties
You will need to be friendly, caring, enthusiastic and enjoy working with children.  An interest in PE and Fitness is desirable as we encourage children to take part in games that you will help to lead.
Salary Scale: A.6 £8.50 per hour Monday-Friday.
Please apply for an application form at the School Admin Office or email recruitment@alumnismat.org
Combe Martin is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
Please contact as soon as possible if you are interested in joining our team.

 
Unfortunately our website will be unavailable until after half term. We have had a few problems and our ICT expert is working on a new site!
We apologise for any inconvenience. 
Museum Children's Winter Wonderland Craft Workshop

Wednesday 20th February 1.30 - 3.30
In the Museum Sail Loft
£2 per accompanied child, to include all materials
20 places available, Booking advisable - 889031
Year 2 will be joined by Year 3 for swimming next half term.
The cost will be £24 for the half term which can be paid  by Scopay from Monday 25th February.
You should have received a letter with more details.
Pinkery Centre Residential

Year 3 will now have received the SOE3 Parental Consent Form for their Pinkery Residential Learning experience.  Would you please return this form on our return to school Tuesday 26th February 2019.  There is a short 'what to bring' list attached which you can view on the CMPS website. Please note, you will need to provide your child with a sleeping bag.  If you do not own one, bedding can be provided with a small charge of £3.00, please see Mrs Read in the Admin Office. 
Last payment please by 1st March 2018.
                                                
Year 5:
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March returning on Friday 29th, 2 night stay @ £100. Please can parents make full payment by the 1st March.


You can pay as little or as much as you like via SCOPAY up to the trip date. For further information see the school website .
Friday 8th March 2019

This year we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 8th March and we would like the children to come to school that day dressed as one of their favourite book characters and to bring one of their favourite books to school with them.
We will also be running a 'Book in a jar' competition. You should have received a letter with information regarding this. Closing date is Monday 4th March.
PTFA will be supplying cakes decorated by CMPS Council @ 25p each at break time on Friday 15th March for Red Nose Day.
Please remember, if you have not previously ordered a Red Nose this week, there will be none available to buy on the day.  Red Noses will be available from your local Sainsbury's supermarket.
The School Council will be taking an assembly to inform the rest of the school on the merits of Red Nose Day.
All monies donated will go to Comic Relief. 
Thank you
 
School Uniform
Unfortunately, we have had a delay in re-stocking our school uniform.  For this we apologise and re-assure you that orders already paid for will be with you shortly.
However, after a discussion with our supplier, it has been agreed that you may order drectly from them.
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
We believe this may be a quicker and a more convenient service for you.
We thank you for your patience.



 

School Clubs will resume week beginning 4th March 2019 apart from Tennis 28th February and Gym club 1st March 2019.
Next half-term clubs are available to book online via scopay.
A timetable is available on the school notice board.






 

We would like to advise you of the services for which childcare vouchers/tax free childcare can be accepted as payment in our school.
Breakfast Club
After School Care
After School Extra-curricular activity clubs (if delivered onsite at school)

Regulations state that the vouchers can be used to pay for onsite and out of school hours childcare.  We regret to inform you that this rule prevents us from accepting childcare vouchers, as payment for school lunches, educational visits or residential trips, despite what some voucher companies are advertising to parents on their website.
Thank you



 
A child in Class 4 has lost their coat. It is named and is dark blue with a hood and a furry lining.  
Two jumpers have gone missing from Class 1,  both are named.
A pair of stormtrooper wellies in a named bag and a grey hoodie with NY on the front are also missing. 
A child in Class 6 has lost her coat.  It is green/grey in colour and is named.  
Please could you check your child's belongings.  Thank you.

 
We still have an  amount of consent forms outstanding for your children to do activities off-site both on foot and for short bus journeys.   Without this consent form we will be unable to take your children off-site.

We have distributed another form for the children who are outstanding..  Please fill out asap so we can include your children in our outside learning local visits.

 
Tennis Camps - February Half Term

The Devonshire Tennis Academy are running Tennis Camps from Monday 18th - Friday 22nd February in Rock Park, Barnstaple.
Tiny Tots Camp - 3-4 year olds/ 10am-11am/ £6 per day
Junior Camp - 5-14 year olds/ 10am - 1pm/ £20 per day
They also have a bring a friend or sibling free offer running.
For more information cal 01271 600855 or email bookings@devonshiretennisacademy.com

We as a school have the responsibility to regularly monitor the attendance of its pupils and report back you.  It is the law that it is the parents responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly.  Many cases of absence are for genuine reasons and we understand that each individual situation is unique.  However, we must make every effort to get your children into school to increase their chances of having a successful education.
Letters will be received by some of you for children who has dropped below the national average.  If you have any queries about your child's attendance, please do not hesitate to come and see me.


We have been enjoying the sunny weather this week at Tiddlers. We are hoping to make a digging area for the children and to make the outside provision more inviting.If you have any compost, plants,saucepans(for our mud kitchen) to donate that would be really helpful. 
Please remember to provide water in your child's drinking bottle rather than squash. We also have water available for the children all the time and milk at snack times.
Our morning session starts at 9.You are welcome to wait in the entrance of Tinies or Tiddlers but due to staffing and preparation your child cannot access the room until 9. If you require earlier care we have a breakfast club that needs to be booked in advance.Thank you for your understanding.
We also have an after school club after 3 which also needs to be booked in advance.
As always, if you have any questions or comments we are available at the start and end of sessions and if you require longer an appointment can be made for a convenient time for all. We will continue to feed back regularly following your child's focus week.
Have a great half term and we'll be back on the following Tuesday.
From the Tiddlers team.
 
If you think you may be entitled to either 30 hours childcare or 2 year old funding or you would like to find out more information please go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If you have a golden ticket please see Debbie or the Tiny Tiddlers team as soon as possible so that we can book your child in.

Places are booking fast for the Summer term. If you would like your child to start attending Tiddlers or Tiny Tiddlers please see one of the team as soon as possible.

 
Term Dates 2018 - 2019


Spring Half-term 18-22nd February.

Non-pupil day Monday 25th February

Last day of Spring term is Friday 5th April.

Easter Half Term - Monday 8th February - Tuesday 23rd April.

Summer term begins on 23rd April.

School closed for Bank Holiday 6th May.

Summer Half-term 27-31st May.

Last day of the Summer term is Monday 22nd July.


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 4th May.

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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