FOAS would like to say a massive thank you for your  support of the Christmas fair last week. They raised £973.35 and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. The next FOAS meeting is 7th January 8pm at the Royal in Appledore for anyone wishing to help organise next year’s fundraisers.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at St. Mary’s Church today and very well done to all the children who sang, danced and acted their socks off. What a fun way to end the term and celebrate Christmas. Thank you for all the help with the learning of words and the supplying of lovely costumes. The children looked amazing.

As the curtain falls on the term and all of our wonderful various nativity celebrations, including a visit from Father Christmas himself, our planning for next term is already in full swing. Starting as soon as we get back after Christmas, the children will participate become involved in an exciting climate project that involves them working with respected local scientists and experts to understand how they can increase biodiversity in the village and the wider community. Please see here for an overview of the project.

Thank you for all your support this term and we wish you all a very happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year on Monday 6th January.

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

Christmas Fair today after school in the school car park!

First the class Christmas hoops in the main corridor and then a week of Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 nativities. Thank you for coming along and being the audiences for these and we look forward to rounding them off next Friday with Key Stage 2 at St Mary’s Church.

Last Friday, year 5 performed Bethlehem Ballroom as part of the Appledore light switch on celebrations. It was tremendous fun. The children put on a great show which was truly enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. They were a bit too enthusiastic actually as they got carried away with the scoring paddles which the children thoroughly enjoyed. Very well done to the year 5 children. I can’t wait to see what happens next Friday. We will be staging the extended version of the show with dancing, singing and lots of Christmas laughs. We look forward to seeing you at St. Mary’s church for a lovely celebration of Christmas.

Diary dates:

• Wear your Christmas jumper to school 20th December
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park
• For details of Christmas activity camps at West Croft School, Bideford, over the Christmas holiday please see here

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

Christmas trees are on sale in the school car park after school today from 3pm and for each sold the school receives a financial donation

The first newsletter of December, so not long now! Judging by the excitement our Christmas hoops caused you’d be mistaken for thinking for thinking it is Christmas day already. Please do come and have look if you have a moment.

Attendance continues to be of utmost importance and please see here for our November attendance newsletter.

Diary dates:

• Christmas trees are on sale in the school car park after school on Friday and for each sold the school receives a financial donation
• Year 1&2 Christmas performance, 2.30pm Monday 9th December and 9.30am Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Turtles and Dolphins Christmas play, 2pm, Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Christmas Lunch at school 11th December
• Wear your Christmas jumper to school days are 11th December and 20th December
• For nursery age children and younger, please see here for info about a Christmas grotto at Bideford Family Hub
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park
• For details of Christmas activity camps at West Croft School, Bideford, over the Christmas holiday please see here

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

Our House Captains have organised a photo competition with Christmas and/or winter being the theme.  All entries to admin@appledoreprimary.co.uk by Monday 9th December please. Please see here for the super poster created by ‘advertising director’ Joe.

Last Friday, the key stage 2 choir performed at The Music Memory Cafe at Bideford Football Ground. It was a joyous and festive occasion with the children singing a programme of some of the most beautiful songs from our productions over the last few years. The organizer described the event as “emotionally nourishing” for the people with dementia and the children were also enriched by the experience. They were enthusiastic, polite and cheerful. As well as singing our songs we joined in with rounds with the attendees of the cafe and the children helped draw the raffle. Well done to all those who took part and thank you Miss Carr for teaching the choir sop well and making this happen.

Devon County Council have grouped together information on how to get support if you don’t have enough money to live on which can be found here 

Diary dates:

• For details of Bideford Parade on Sunday 1st December and the switching on of the lights please see here, here, here and here!
• Year 1&2 Christmas performance, 2.30pm Monday 9th December and 9.30am Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Turtles and Dolphins Christmas play, 2pm, Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Christmas Lunch at school 11th December
• Wear your Christmas jumper to school days are 11th December and 20th December
• For nursery age children and younger, please see here for info about a Christmas grotto at Bideford Family Hub
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park
• For details of Christmas activity camps at West Croft School, Bideford, over the Christmas holiday please see here

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

Another busy week for everyone.  Rehearsals for Christmas are now underway and the sound of children singing festive songs is now a regular feature throughout the school

Spots and stripes last Friday for Children in Need and £185 was raised for this tremendous cause. Thank you everyone.

Diary dates:

• For details of Bideford Parade on Sunday 1st December and the switching on of the lights please see here, here, here and here!
• Turtles and Dolphins Christmas play, 2pm, Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Year 1&2 Christmas performance, 2.30pm Monday 9th December and 9.30am Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

We now have a pedestrian road crossing! Please encourage your children to use it and please be aware that with it come parking restrictions that will become clearer as the painting of road markings and signage is complete.

Our Halloween discos last Friday were a big success and thank you to Friends of Appledore School for organising and attending and to school staff who volunteered to attend to ensure the safety of the event. Thank you also to Blak Estate Agents from Bideford for donating the fireworks for our Foundation Stage fireworks night and for a few photos taken on the night please see here.

Please see here for our monthly attendance newsletter which this month includes helpful information regarding how long a child should be off school for specific illnesses.

Assembly this week included remembrance and safeguarding monitoring focused on consent. For both children demonstrated impressive awareness and understanding. Staff received anti-racism training this week.

The PTA would welcome donations of chocolate items for the Chocolate Tombola at our forthcoming Christmas Fair. Please could parents bring in donations to the school office before Friday 6th December. Anything chocolate based would be welcome – small bars of chocolate would be great as well as slightly bigger chocolate products. Please avoid items that obviously contain nuts (I.e. snickers bars)  although we realise most chocolate products seem to contain a nut warning.

Diary dates:

• Online workshop on how to support your child reading at home 2-3pm, 19th November – see here
• Turtles and Dolphins Christmas play, 2pm, Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Year 1&2 Christmas performance, 2.30pm Monday 9th December and 9.30am Tuesday 10th December, school hall
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

Have a good weekend everybody

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

Welcome back and we hope you had a good half term. This half term is always a busy one, so please keep an eye on here and your email and texts for notice of events.

FSU fireworks display last night and Halloween discos tonight conclude a busy week.

Dates for the diary:

• Sport, drama and music scholarship application for year 7 entry into West Buckland School deadline 6th November – see here 
• Halloween Disco, Dolphins-Year 2 5-6pm, Year 3-6 6.30-7.30pm, Friday 8th November, school hall. Tickets on sale in the playground after school on Friday
• Wear spots and stripes for Children in Need, Thursday 14th November, a day early due to school photos on official Children in Need day!
• School photos 15th of November. If you want a photo to include siblings who don’t attend Appledore School these photos will be taken 8-9am
• Online workshop on how to support your child reading at home 2-3pm, 19th November – see here
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, 2pm, Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

Have a good weekend.

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

Last week it was Key Stage 2 celebrating harvest with you and this week it has been Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Thank you for your donations that we will be taking to a homeless charity later today.

Another busy week, including school trips for various classes, so please do read the Around the Classes section later in this post to see what has been happening this week in your child’s class.

Cake sale today after school after school on the bottom playground. Please click here to see the poster made by our (newly appointed) cake sales Director of Marketing and Coms. Cake donation to the school office on Friday 25th please. Thank you.

Dates for the diary:

• Multi-sport holiday camp at Atlantic Racquet Centre, Bideford, during October half term – see here
• Messy play for children (and siblings of) with SEND, 1.30-2.30pm 30th October, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Two Rivers Forest School Halloween stay and play in the woods 31st October  – see here
• Girls only football day camp, 31st October, Barnstaple, see here
• Stories and Fun, 10am-11am Saturday 1st November, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Sport, drama and music scholarship application for year 7 entry into West Buckland School deadline 6th November – see here 
• Halloween Disco, Dolphins-Year 2 5-6pm, Year 3-6 6.30-7.30pm, Friday 8th November, school hall. Tickets on sale in the playground after school on Friday
• Wear spots and stripes for Children in Need, Thursday 14th November, a day early due to school photos on official Children in Need day!
• School photos 15th of November. If you want a photo to include siblings who don’t attend Appledore School these photos will be taken 8-9am.
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, afternoon of Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church (time to be confirmed)
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

Wishing you all a good half term and we look forward top welcoming you back on Monday 4th November

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

A lovely week that included a magical crow and scarecrow celebration of harvest in St Mary’s church, a trip to the Eden Project and some top 3 finishes (in races with well over 150 runners) at a local cross country event. Next week entails more trips out and about, including year 5 on their residential trip and year 2 to Rosemoor. Please read the Around the Classes section later in this post to find out what has been happening this week.

Most importantly, according to our Year 6 House Captains, there is a cake sale next Friday after school on the bottom playground. Please click here to see the poster made by our (newly appointed) cake sales Director of Marketing and Coms. Cake donation to the school office on Friday 25th please. Thank you.

Dates for the diary:

• Turtles and Dolphins Harvest Festival, 2.45pm Tuesday 22nd October in the school hall
• Years 1&2 harvest festival, 2.30pm Friday 25th October, school hall
• Messy play for children (and siblings of) with SEND, 1.30-2.30pm 30th October, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Two Rivers Forest School Halloween stay and play in the woods 31st October  – see here
• Stories and Fun, 10am-11am Saturday 1st November, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Sport, drama and music scholarship application for year 7 entry into West Buckland School deadline 6th November – see here 
• Halloween Disco, Dolphins-Year 2 5-6pm, Year 3-6 6.30-7.30pm, Friday 8th November, school hall. Tickets on sale in the playground after school on Friday
• School photos 15th of November. If you want a photo to include siblings who don’t attend Appledore School these photos will be taken 8-9am.
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, afternoon of Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church (time to be confirmed)
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

Harvest festival rehearsals are fully underway. Please see below for the details. Each year we collect donations of ‘harvest’ that we donate to Harbour ‘hope for homeless’ charity. If you want to make a donation, please hand it in to our school office from Monday 21st October

Do you know anyone who might be interested in the following school vacancies? For more information see here 

School cleaner, term time only, 2 hours per day (3.30-5.30pm or could be later start if required), Monday to Friday. £11.59 per hour (pay increase pending) and to start asap

Meal Time Assistant and Kitchen Assistant, 2 hours per day (12pm-1pm supporting children on the playground and 1pm-2pm clearing the kitchen), Monday to Friday. £11.59 per hour (pay increase pending) and to start Monday 4th November or as soon as possible thereafter.

Flu vaccinations will take place in school on the 4th of November for children in Dolphins/Reception to Year 6. If you haven’t already, please complete the form available here, even if you do not want your child to take part. Our school code is DV113125

Dates for the diary:

• Years 3-6 Harvest Festival, 2.15pm, Wednesday 16th October at St Mary’s Church
• Turtles and Dolphins Harvest Festival, 2.45pm Tuesday 22nd October in the school hall
• Years 1&2 harvest festival, 2.30pm Friday 25th October, school hall
• Messy play for children (and siblings of) with SEND, 1.30-2.30pm 30th October, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Two Rivers Forest School Halloween stay and play in the woods 31st October  – see here
• Stories and Fun, 10am-11am Saturday 1st November, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Halloween Disco, Dolphins-Year 2 5-6pm, Year 3-6 6.30-7.30pm, Friday 8th November, school hall. Tickets on sale in the playground after school on Friday
• School photos 15th of November. If you want a photo to include siblings who don’t attend Appledore School these photos will be taken 8-9am.
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, afternoon of Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church (time to be confirmed)
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

The school calendar is filling up, so please take a look at the dates below for various school events.

Some really good attendance percentages this week that can be seen here.

Dates for the diary:

• Messy play for children (and siblings of) with SEND, 1.30-2.30pm 30th October, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford.
• Stories and Fun, 10am-11am Saturday 1st November, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Years 3-6 Harvest Festival, 2.15pm, Wednesday 16th October at St Mary’s Church
• Turtles and Dolphins Harvest Festival, 2.45pm Tuesday 22nd October in the school hall
• Halloween Disco, time to be confirmed, Friday 8th November, school hall
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, afternoon of Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church (time to be confirmed)
• Christmas fair, after school, Friday 13th December in the car park

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

A busy week dodging the rain with lots going on, as reported in Around the Classes below, including book festival author visits, so please read on… 

FOAS (Friends of Appledore School, ie our Parents Association) is holding their annual general meeting this evening at 7pm in our Art Studio. The art studio is the building at ethe bottom, of our front playground. everybody is welcome. 

Please click here for an overview of what your children will be learning each term this year. 

Clarification regarding the 48 hours absence rule regarding diarrhoea and vomiting.
A change in bowel pattern in young children that has resulted in liquid or semi-liquid stools within a 24 hours period necessitates 48 hours absence from school after symptoms have stopped and provided your child is well enough to return. Vomiting on more than one occasion during 24 hours necessitates the same period of absence. If your child is unsure and you are unsure what to do, please call the school when your child is ill for guidance. If your child is able to attend school following such a call, please be reassured that we will keep an eye on your child and if we become aware of further diarrhoea, vomiting or other related symptoms we will notify you for collection of your child.

Dates for the diary:

• Stories and Fun, 10am-11am Saturday 1st November, Bideford Family Centre, Victoria Park, Bideford
• Years 3-6 Harvest Festival, 2.15pm, Wednesday 16th October at St Mary’s Church
• Year 3-6 Christmas Service, afternoon of Friday 20th December, St Mary’s Church (time to be confirmed)

Have a lovely weekend everybody

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

It’s always good to get the minibus on the road, because it means the children are busy enjoy extra curricular activities and this week has seen a tag rugby festival and tennis at ARC, Bideford, with Judy Murray.

Secondary school open days are coming up for year 7 entry are approaching. Typically aimed at pupils currently in Years 5 & 6, please click on the school name for a link to the details and check whether it applies to current Year 5 and/or Year 6 pupils.  For current year 6 pupils Atlantic Academy, Bideford College, Great Torrington School, Kingsley School, Park Community School, Pilton Community College and West Buckland School.

Next Wednesday (25th September) a free community cricket programme starts for children aged 8 years+ ate starting at 6.45pm at Pilton Community College. For more information please see here and here.

Dates for the diary:

• Years 3-6 Harvest Festival, 2.15pm, Wednesday 16th October at St Mary’s Church

Have a great weekend everybody

From Jeremy Cooper and all the children and staff

(more…)

The end of the first full week back and the children look like they are ready for the weekend – hopefully you will all get a lie in as a result!

Success at the Appledore Carnival with 1st place for the Junior Float. Thank you and well done everybody involved.

Please click here to view the notification letter regarding the pedestrian crossing that is being installed on Richmond Road. Work is planned to begin on 9th October with a planned duration of four weeks.

Starting at the end of September, and once a month, the North Devon Cross Country league holds a race for both children and adults at a beautiful locations . The children’s races are for u9 and u11 and prove very popular and for more information see here .If your child does participate and wants to do so wearing a school running vest, please let us know and they can borrow one for the season.

For parents and carers of children with additional needs, drop-in mornings are scheduled to meet and socialise with others in similar situations once a month on a Friday morning. For more information, please see here.

Dates for the diary:

• Years 3-6 Harvest Festival, 2.15pm, Wednesday 16th October at St Mary’s Church
• Book Festival Free Family Fun Day, Saturday 14th September, 10.30am-3pm see here for more information

Have a super weekend and see you all on Monday.

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

Welcome back everybody and we hope you had a good summer. A shorter than usual first week and the children have returned full of enthusiasm and ready to go.

We are running after school clubs (Lego – Tuesday, multi-sports – Wednesday, football- Thursday and eco – Friday) during the week in addition to our usual before and after school club (AOOSC) and you should have received an email earlier this week with a letter with more details. There are few spaces in some of the clubs and please contact the office if you are interested. If you didn’t receive the email, here is the letter and please confirm with us that we have your correct contact details.

For any girls in Year 6 interested in rugby, Barnstaple Rugby Club is looking for new players. Just turn up at 6.30pm on a Friday ate Barnstaple Rugby Club. More information here

Our term dates for this academic year and the next are available here.

As part of our art curriculum the children have the opportunity to work towards an art award. Mrs Bannister, our art subject leader, has written a piece about this that was recently published. You can read her article here.

Instilling good attendance habits is very important to ensure children don’t miss a step of their sequenced lessons. Of course children get ill and please only keep them off school if they are unable to come to school. If you are unsure, please call us and be reassured that if we see that your child is unwell and we believe unfit for school we will contact you. For our latest attendance newsletter please see here

Wishing you all a good weekend and see you on Monday

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