This Friday is the Halloween Disco. Please click here for the details, how to buy a ticket (must be bought in advance) and for the signature slip.

All classes have learnt about and aspects of our environment this half term and this week has involved the children sharing what they have learnt, including events such as an Eco themed harvest festival at St Mary’s Church from years 3-6 and children in years 1 an 2 sharing everything they have learnt about bees. Do you know how to make a Bee Bomb or what a Waggle Dance is? If not, ask anyone in years 1 and 2!

I’ve taken children to two events the past couple of days and must say how inspirational they have been. Firstly, attending an environment Expo and being stunned by both the knowledge and passion of young children in this area for caring for their environment. Secondly, taking children to a VERY wet and cold cross country event today and not one moan. 

All in all a great way to end a half term!

A new BBC app to help young smartphone users navigate the online world safely and appropriately has launched in the UK. It is called “own It” and certainly worth investigating. Please read this artilce for more information.

The clever bit is that it features a special keyboard, which works across any app on the phone, and uses machine learning to recognise language that might suggest a child is in trouble. If the user’s behaviour starts to stray outside the norm, the app will respond by offering the user help and advice, and encouraging them to talk to a trusted adult.For example, if a child types something which might be upsetting to the person receiving it, the app encourages them to consider how it could be perceived by others.

A week that has included so much learning about our environment topic this half term for all of our classes that includes plastic in our oceans, the importance of bees and everything you need to know about recycling. Please read on to find out more of what has been happening around here this week…

For me the highlights of this week have been two days on Dartmoor with Year 6 and joining a class for their P4C (Philosophy for Children) lesson, debating the question they raised after hearing a short story Is it ever OK to kill an animal?

Please read on to find out more of what has been happening in and around the classes and parents’ evenings that start next week… 

This week has included for the children gig rowing, a beach clean (an astonishing 79kg of waste collected!), a trip to Quince Honey Farm to learn all about bees and classes participating in World Fitness Day. Add to this our weekly visit to Donnigton House care home and our weekly visit from Northam care Trust to work with our children in the art studio and a class from St Margaret’s School using our art space and art expertise. So not much then!

Another busy week draws to a close. Please read on to find out what hs been happening this week…

And the sun greets us with its return as the end of a busy and successful week. The children have settled well to their new classess, teachers and routines and the school is buzzing with their energy.

Welcome back everybody after an extraordinary summer for so many reasons! This week has been great. The children have returned full of energy, enthusiasm and ideas and the staff have really enjoyed their time getting to know new faces and catching up with the ‘old’ ones.

Please read on to find out what has been happening in and around the classes…

Members of Appledore Band will be doing a demonstration in assembly on Monday 9th September and are keen for children who are interested in learning to play an instrument to get in touch with them. Parents are invited into the hall after school on Monday to find out more about the opportunities available and to meet some of the band members. The music lessons offered through the band are fantastic and there are many opportunities for children to be involved. If you are interested, please go to the hall after school to find out more or email admin@appledore-primary.devon.sch.uk

It is with great sadness that after a courageous battle with illness that Vicki Stephenson died in the morning of Saturday 31st August.  

Vicki began her teaching career at Appledore School and worked here for twenty seven years up until her retirement. Vicki was a much loved colleague and friend who will long be remembered for her great humour, compassion and commitment.  

Vicki’s funeral is at 1.30pm on Monday 16th September at St. Mary’s Church, Appledore.

Cry me a river…and some!  Today has been a very emotional day with our Year 6 children leaving and it is captured so well in the words written by Isabella for the Year 6 newsletter entry below.

We would all like to wish them all the very best of luck and thank them for everything they have contributed to school life. 

Have a great summer everybody and please do read on to find out what has been happening in and around school this week… 

Devon MPs urge the Chancellor to increase education funding and make it fairer. Please read on to find out about them joining a new national campaign for fairer funding for schools.

The end of a truely magnificent week. Last week ended with our summer fayre that was so well attended (thank you) and one of the many highlights of this week had to be Sports Day on Tuesday (also very well attended and thank you again. Many thanks to all involved with organising these events, particularly the PTA and our Year 6 pupils, and everything else that has been happening this week.

Please read on to find out what else has been happening in and around school, including pupils sailing off Instow, a visit to the Wake Park, Ancient Egypt workshops at Exeter Museum and mucm, much more…

Please read the main text of this news item for the full details.