2nd March 2012 - Ide Primary School

Ide Primary School
Newsletter 23
Knowing Children As Individuals
Tel: 01392 259964 Website: www.ide.devon.sch.uk
Thursday 1 st March 2012
Have you brought in books for the giant
book swap tomorrow?
Dear Parent / Carer
A bit of a long newsletter, but lots of things are happening in school, please do take time to read it so that
you are up to date!
Yesterday we hosted a Gifted and Talented Workshop for mathematically able pupils in our area. Such
workshops have enabled the school to subsidise our children’s attendance at other workshops. No doubt
parents are aware that like many families, schools are experiencing a squeeze on their purses. Our
budgets have been frozen, but costs continue to increase which in real terms is a cut. Schools have to
continue to look at creative ways to maximise the income they have, seek other sources of revenue and
seek to create cost savings through different partnerships. Our governors have been exploring different
models of partnership that might benefit the school and most importantly the children’s learning. Lettings
for the hall and MUGA for birthday parties and events all help. We are also fortunate to have a very active
FIS association and the funds they raise really help and in the future will become increasingly important. It
is great that everyone at Ide helps out and does their bit. All a bit political for our newsletter I know!
Giant Book Swap – World Book Day!
To mark World Book Day tomorrow we shall be holding a giant book swap. I know lots of children have
brought in books and have received tokens in exchange ready for tomorrows book swap. Please also find
attached the World Book Day £1 voucher which can be used at local bookshops.
Walk to School Week
Next week is Walk to School week. There will be a free cereal bar or croissant and fruit juice
everyday for the walking bus users when they arrive at school. If you would like to join the walking bus,
simply collect a form from the office. You can join it anywhere on route to school when you have
registered or from the Twisted Oak each day at 8.30 am. If you can help, volunteers are needed, plus it’s
a great way of walking to school and accompanying your child if you wish to do so.
All other children who walk to school but don’t join the walking bus will receive a free cereal bar and fruit
juice on Thursday 8 th March.
Don’t forget to fill in your Walk the Wizard way card!
Visiting Headteachers
As you may know we are part of the West Exe Learning community, which is a group of schools in this
area that work together to promote the learning of all our children. As part of an approach to a sharing
practice, all of the local headteachers are visiting each others school. So far, we have been visited by the
Headteachers from Bowhill, Alphington, Redhills and St Thomas. All have been very complimentary about
our school, particularly commenting on the children’s behaviour, attitude to learning, our school
environment and the quality of our staff - which I am sure you will agree with. I have been fortunate
enough to have been able to visit Exwick Heights, Montgomery and Bowhill, all of which have been a
pleasure. Every school is different but there are lots that we can still learn from each other.

Maths Evening
Following on from last year’s successful literacy evening, in response to parent’s requests we shall be
running a maths evening. It would be helpful for our planning of the event if parents could indicate the
sorts of things they might like teachers to cover. If you have any suggestions please complete and return
the slip below.
Visits out and about
It has been a busy week for classes being out and about visiting places to support their learning in
different areas of the curriculum.
Class 4 enjoyed a day at
Plymouth Dry Ski
Slope and orienteering
on Dartmoor as part of
their Mountain theme.
The children were
very well behaved
and learnt a great deal. Photos
will follow shortly on the website.
Class 1 explored the village on Monday as part of their ‘Special
Places’ theme and will be off to West Town Farm on Monday.
Class 2 took part in a very exciting day at West Town Farm
based around ‘Badger Tales’ to support their learning in literacy
and had a great time as you can see from the photo.
Next Tuesday we would be grateful if parents could ensure
that children are collected promptly from school as the
teachers will be visiting Doddiscombleigh Primary School
to undertake some moderation for writing with
their teachers and will need to leave school promptly.
Sports Report ... by Bailey, Ianthe and Jasmine
“On Wednesday 23 rd February a group of Year 5 and 6 children went to St Luke’s in order to represent our
school in a netball tournament. We all enjoyed it, although we hadn’t had much practice. What was good
was we got better and better throughout each game, we also played well as a team and supported each
other. We noticed that if we continue to play, we believe we can improve further or even win a match! We
have another arranged for Wednesday 7 th March - we’ll let you know how we get on!”
PE Kit
All children need to have their PE kit in school everyday, particularly Class 1. I have noted that not all
children are bringing in a full kit including shorts which are important especially when using the gymnastic
apparatus in the hall.
Bag to School
Don’t forget FIS are again collecting old clothes and material for ‘Bag to School’, this is such a great and
easy way to raise money for the school. Please send in bags as soon as you can!
A.S.C
Please remember to let A.S.C know if your child will not be attending the club due to illness, school trips or
holidays.

Meet The Governor
This Week our Vice Chair of Governors – Dawn Chapman
I became a parent governor in 2007 and for the last 18 months have been Vice-
Chair. As a primary school teacher myself, I was interested in how the governing
body contributes to the management of the school and also, as a parent of a child
who attends the school, I very much wanted to support the school in any way I
could. My son attended the Pre School too, and this means that I have also tried
to support the work of Ide Childcare Trust whenever possible and am also a governor
trustee of ICT.
I have found the experience hugely rewarding and have learnt that the skills different governors
bring to the role are varied. Governors with little knowledge of education (apart from being at
school themselves!) bring varied and invaluable skills to the table such as project management,
financial planning or recruitment experience. Working with such a wide range of people has taught
me a great deal. As governors, we are linked with members of staff in order to understand their
subject responsibilities. I have also enjoyed interviewing candidates for appointment and am
always glad not to be the person on the other side of the table! I felt a huge sense of responsibility
when we had to find a new Head teacher for the school, but I feel proud that I was involved in
appointing Mr Millar who has led the school to where it is now.
Apart from being able to understand the obscure acronyms that are continually used in education, I
don’t think being a teacher myself has been particularly important in being a governor; I think
what is vital is the desire to support the staff in any way possible and constantly strive for the best
for our children.
Key Dates
Friday 2 nd March
World Book Day – Giant Book Swap
Monday 5 th March
Class 1 to Farm
14 th March Bag 2 School
Friday 16 th March
Class 1 Exeter day - Museum
Monday 19 th March
Choir to sing Jubilee Club
Friday 23 rd March
Art Day Class 3 and Bag Meal
Monday 26 th March
Design and Technology Week
Monday 26 th March
Author Visit – Jan Oke – Naughty Bus
Tuesday 27 th March
Maths Workshop for Parents
Thursday 29 th March
Design and Technology exhibition for parents
W/C 14 th May
W/C 16 th June
Key Stage 2 SAT tests.
Year 1 phonics check
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Suggestions for maths parent workshop:
I suggest:
Signed: ................................................................................ Date: ..........................................
Please return to the school office as soon as possible.