Kentisbeare Church Of England Primary School > Mrs Hailey's Blog

January

• Kentisbeare opened the door to 3 year olds for the first time. Behind the scenes the school had to work quickly putting together a feasibility study and business plan to assure the county that there was a need for early years provision at the school. There needed to be sufficient numbers to be sustainable. We were anxious not to lose our future intake and were pleased that our proposals were accepted in such a short time period. We have already received a visit from the Early Years adviser who was very pleased with our provision and is keen to support and advise us where necessary.
• Lifeboat men from Exmouth came to visit our KS1 children. Both children and staff were very excited and had a great day.
• The Year 6 children visited The Royal Albert Memorial Museum to support their art work and history topic this term. The museum had been closed for some time for ‘a make-over’ and wow did it look fantastic when it re-opened. Many of the children have taken their families back there since at the weekends.
• The Year 3 children had a WW2 day which involved dressing up, cooking war time recipes, singing popular songs of the time and performing these to their parents. In the Autumn term the children had studied this in more detail and the day was a celebration of all their hard work.
• The Kentisbeare School Association (KSA) organised the annual quiz night which, as always, was very well attended. The fish and chip supper was greatly received and all profit made went towards school resources.

February

• The annual Culm Valley Swimming Gala was held at Tiverton Pool and having won it for the last 4 years we were somewhat apprehensive this year. Congratulations to Hemyock. We came 3^rd, a very creditable performance.
• CVF (kentisbeare, Culmstock and Plymtree) schools went to the Phoenix Theatre to watch professional poets perform, as part of their Poetry Quest involvement this term.
• The KSA organised and ran a Valentine’s Disco. Always good fun although I do prefer to leave it to my younger staff these days!
• A team of year 6 and interested year 5 children participated in the Exmoor Challenge practice walk (1^st of 4 prior to the event). These walks are organised by Mr Wright and Ms Elenor (my deputy who is currently seconded as head at Membury School).
• The Year 5 children attended the annual Fairtrade Conference at Cullompton CC. This is a great day out and much credit goes to the school and pupils who host the event.

March

 As every year the school celebrated World Book Day. Each year group had different class activities.

• The Years 3 and 4 spent an enjoyable day in Bristol, visiting the @ Bristol, Science Museum and SS Great Britain. What a fantastic day they had and well worth a second visit.
• Our year 4 children went off to Culmstock for another poetry workshop as part of their involvement in the Princes Foundation Trust Poetry Quest Project.
• 5 children had the opportunity to spend 2 fantastic days at Embercombe. Mrs P represented the CVLC as the teacher in charge and I’m sure she too had a great time. In fact I think she said she wants to live there!
• The School received a visit from Artsmark assessor Zannah Doan. The school now has to wait to see if it will be awarded Gold. The school has held Arts Council Awards since 2002 and has been a Gold School since 2005.
• As part of their topic work KS2 children dressed up to represent different periods in Modern Britain 1960s through the 1990s .I must say that having lived through all of these I prefer NOW!
• 7 year 5 children went off to Blundell’s to enjoy a Classics Day together with other children from the Culm valley Small Schools group. They particularly enjoyed eating in the refectory.
• Children in year2 and 4 had a visit from an artist from DAISI. During the day they explored print making in order to put together an Olympic Banner. This is part of a bigger project organised by DAISI and involves many other Devon schools. The exhibition will be in Exeter cathedral and will coincide with the day the Olympic flame will pass through Exeter.
• The Year 5 children went cycling and Den making at Haldon Forest. This is always a good day out and Kentisbeare school children are great at cycling.
• The year 4 children together with the other children in the CVF performed for their parents at the Phoenix Theatre. This showcased examples of the poetry they had explored and created as part of their involvement in Poetry Quest.
• For Sports Relief the children participated in running and other strenuous activities during the day.
• He school was well represented at the CVLC Cross Country 2^nd Meet and our girls did exceptionally well bringing home the first place shield.
• Year 4 children spent the day with artist Louise Waugh. Using observational skills and drawings done outside the classroom the children created block prints from recycled materials.
• As last year the Easter ‘Eggstravaganza’ was well attended and  thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was a beautiful ,’summer-like’ evening.
• The school arranged an extra celebration event this term- to congratulate Mr Wright . We wish him all the best on his wedding day and hope that he and Kelly will be very happy together.
• The church service involved much participation from our children and was a perfect end to another busy term.

 Hope you all had a great Easter break and well rested. I know the Summer term will be equally busy- but I will try and find the time to write weekly.

Tracey Hailey