This week included continuation of two of two of our Royal Society ‘tomorrow’s climate scientists’ investigations. Year 4 with follow-on work with the British Trust for Ornithology on data they collected and Year 5 storyboarding for their day at Pertoc where they will be extending their leaning about plastic in the sea.

FOAS (Friends Of Appledore School) are a small group of dedicated parents who organise events (eg cake sales, discos, fairs etc) to raise money for the school. This money is used not only to fund some ‘extras’ that wouldn’t otherwise happen, but also to help with ensuring those ‘extras’ that the always school does that make the school what is is and aren’t typically available in other schools. Please see here for a lovely glossy newsletter they have produced and if you can spend a few hours each term helping them, your help would be very much appreciated.

We are delighted Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Stephens are returning to us later this term from maternity leave. Mrs Wilkins will return immediately after the Easter holiday to Year 1 in a part time capacity and we are equally delighted that Mrs Malyn will continue to teach in Year 1 for the rest of the week. The week before the Easter holiday, Mrs Stephens will return the to Year 2 and resume the successful partnership she has shared for a number of years with Mrs Stanbury. Both arrangements will ensure continuity for the children this year and Mr Stephens and Mrs Wilkins will visit to get to now the children before their return dates.

To read our attendance letter for January, please see here

Next half term our value is Healthy and children will continue to learn about how they can keep themselves safe and healthy. Included within this is the statutory curriculum for relationship, sex and health education. Information has been sent to parents via email and to see the content of the email and for the links to understand what is being taught please see here.

Diary dates:

• Cake sale after school today on the bottom playground (or the hall if it is wet and/or too windy)
• For half term holiday football camps see here
• Saturday 22nd February, 10am-12pm, free Bird Box Workshop in Appledore Library
• World Book Day 2025 is Thursday 6th March. Turtles, Dolphins, Years 1 and 2 can come to school dressed in pyjamas for a bedtime story. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 can dress in pyjamas or as a character from a book they have read
• 9.30am-12.30pm Wednesday 12th March Torridge Family Hub, Victoria Park, Bideford is holding a free drop-in for parents to chat to Speech and Language therapists and Special Educational Needs Advisors. See here for more information.
• Sport Day Tuesday 17th June and reserve date is Tuesday 24th June

Wishing you all a good half term

From Jeremy Cooper and all the children and staff (more…)

Dear parents and carers

Next half term our value is Healthy and children will continue to learn about how they can keep themselves safe and healthy. Included within this is the statutory curriculum for relationship, sex and health education.

To support you with understanding what will be taught and to address initial questions and concerns we have published information, including relevant outline lesson plans and FAQs, on our school website

The lesson plans content meets the Department of Education statutory requirements of what we have to teach and the timing of the content, which may have been earlier than some expect, is based on guidance that ensures children become aware of what they need to know before it could happen, e.g. girls menstruating.

The lessons are designed to ensure children are safe and safeguarded and delivered sensitively and in a way to eliminate stigma, which is why lessons will be taught to boys and girls. Opportunities for children to ask questions 1:1 or in small same sex groups will be provided if proving necessary.

Please follow the links to understand what will be taught and to prepare yourself for questions your children may ask following their lessons. If you have any questions, please email admin@appledoreprimary.co.uk and we will respond asap and prior to the delivery of the lessons.

A fun week that included Year 5 sharing their space models and continuing writing their space logs! Please read the Around the Classes section to find out more…

We are working closely with Martha Boalch, Appledore Community Animator for the North Devon Biosphere’s new Community Project, is very much involved with our Royal Society ‘Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists’ project where we are encouraging the children to also get involved in community environmental projects. In addition to assisting the school in many of our year group science investigations, Martha is also inviting families to complete the Biosphere Online Survey, which will help the Biosphere to understand any barriers to engaging with the environment, and the issues that matter to communities.

Next half term our value is Healthy and children will continue to learn about how they can keep themselves safe and healthy. Included within this is the statutory curriculum for relationship, sex and health education. Information has been sent to parents via email and to see the content of the email and for the links to understand what is being taught please see here.

Torridge Family Hub, Victoria Park, Bideford is holding a free drop-in for parents to chat to Speech and Language therapists and Special Educational Needs Advisors if you worried about your child’s developing language skills, want to know how you can help at with language development in the home, what ‘behaviour is communication’ really means and how talking with your child can support their reading and writing. See here for more information.

Diary dates:

• After school on Friday 14th February, the last day before half term, there will be a cake sale run by FOAS and our year 6 children. Cake donations please and if you want to donate themed cakes it is Valentines Day after all!
• Saturday 22nd February, 10am-12pm, free Bird Box Workshop in Appledore Library
• World Book Day 2025 is Thursday 6th March. Turtles, Dolphins, Years 1 and 2 can come to school dressed in pyjamas for a bedtime story. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 can dress in pyjamas or as a character from a book they have read

Wishing you all a good weekend

From Jeremy Cooper and all the children and staff

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