Celebration time!

We have just received news that we are one of sixty six schools in the county to receive the `Sportsmark 2007` for our provision and commitment to sporting activities encouraging pupils to partake in regular exercise.
The KS2 SAT results have been published for the county and this year our school is in the top eight! Fantastic news and enormous credit to pupils, parents and staff who worked so hard to achieve this. Although SAT results are not the `be all and end all` in school life they are one of the benchmarks that our school is judged by. It is vital that our pupils attain the core knowledge and skills that will enable them to make the most of opportunities in the future and that is our commitment.

Diary dates Autumn Term

Monday 17th December
6.30 Carol singing
at school.

Tuesday 18th December
2.00pm Christmas Play
in St Mabena Church

Wednesday 19th December
7.00pm Christmas play
in St Mabena Church

Friday 21st December
1.15 Christingle
St. Mabena Church
End of term at 2.00


Spring Term
Begins Monday 7th January 2008
*

Surveys

Thank you so much to all the parents who contributed to the Travel Plan comment sheet. These have been added to our evidence folder that needs to be sent to the Department of Children, Schools and Families shortly.

Extended School survey

This was requested by the Extended Schools North Cornwall team and we have been able to send the completed questionnaires onto them - thank you for all your responses.

Music Lessons

Music Lessons begin the first week of the Spring Term with guitar on Monday 7th January 2008

Holiday time is ...

READING TIME!
Cold, wet, dark winter days –fed up , bored children - its time to curl up with a book and escape!

Children in Need

Thank you so much for your support for the ` Children in Need`
appeal and especially the yummy cakes - much appreciated. We raised £106

Bulb Planting at Eden

The `Paint Box` is planted at Eden.

Parent Governor

The Governors are very pleased to welcome John Irons as an appointed Parent Governor. Mr. Irons has two daughters who are currently in Y5 and Y2.

Swimming team

Congratulations to the Swimming team.
They won the cup at the Wadebridge Swimming Gala.

Autumn Term Diary 2007

December 18th / 19th Christmas play

Friday 21st 1.15 Christingle
End of term at 2.00

Children in Need

The children enjoyed wearing their own clothes, eating cakes and biscuits and watching or taking part in a dancing competition to raise money for Children in Need.

Class 3 at Eden Project

Class 3 went to Eden to plant Thomas's winning bulb design.

Rama and Sita

Class 2 made puppets and wrote a play based on the Hindu story of Rama and Sita. They performed it to Class 1.

Cardinham Woods

Class 1 enjoyed a visit to Cardinham Woods where a member of the
Forestry Commission set the children challenges and organised
activities such as making bird feeders and a forest treasure hunt.


Showing our collections from the forest treasure hunt!

Ex pupil Jago wins award!

Ex pupil Jago and writer Sally Lloyd Jones have won a Gold Moonbeam award for their book "The Jesus Storybook Bible"
An awards presentation will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, in conjunction with the 2007 Children's Humanities Festival in Chicago USA.
The Moonbeam Awards are designed to honour the year's best children’s books, authors and illustrators, and to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators.
The book was published in March this year and is already into it's second print run.
See more of Jago's illustrations here.

The Cornwall Children and Young People`s Partnership

The Cornwall Children and Young People`s Partnership is a group of organisations responsible for providing services for children and young people in Cornwall. They are writing a document that aims to improve the lives of children and young people in the county, and they would like to know what is important to you and your family.
They would like you to take a few minute to complete a short on-line survey. The links to the on-line surveys, which must be completed by Friday 26th October, are listed below.

www.surveymonkey.com/practitioners

www.surveymonkey.com/parentcarer

www.surveymonkey.com/cyp

9 - 13 Group

Growing up and gaining independence is particularly difficult when you are in the phase between being a child and an adult.
Mrs Gould, who works with Children's Family Services, frequently visits our school to talk about the School Council and pupil protective behaviours. She also has access to a small amount of funding for promoting activities for this age group. So following such a visit we were talking about the 9 - 13 age group and the lack of `out of school` provision there is in the village to keep them out of mischief.
We talked to the pupils and asked them for their views and it transpired that they would greatly appreciate some activities being arranged for them. They came up with really good ideas such as the school computers being available for homework assignments, sporting and physical activities.
I have been in touch with Mr. Bower at Wadebridge Comprehensive School who has very kindly offered support to this project and will advertise our next meeting , which is at 3.30pm on Wednesday 7th November at school, when we hope all the youngsters between 9 - 13 in the village will come along and discuss how we can get this project started.
The idea is that the youngsters organise the project with a helping hand from adults.
Please help us to publicise this meeting as widely as possible and if anyone is interested in supporting this initiative by offering an activity, that would be terrific.

End of School Dismissal

At the end of the school day staff ensure that all pupils are safely matched with parents/carers. From time to time pupils are unable to be collected immediately and on those occasions these pupils remain in school supervised by staff and are not permitted to leave the premises or play in the field.
It is lovely to see many pupils socialising in the field after school however we would like to stress that supervision is the responsibility of parents. We do suffer from mild vandalism as the schools facilities are used by others outside school hours, benches have been dismantled, skate boarding activities have broken equipment, glass and litter are frequently collected and the hedges have been destroyed to create bike runs. Pupils are taught to care for the environment so it is disappointing to see that younger children are now reinforcing pathways through hedges. Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

A triumphant week!

Congratulations to the football team who with great spirit and determination took part in the Camel Challenge, won their group, won the semi - final and the final even went to extra time when the winning goal was scored by Wadebridge Primary school. A superb team effort - well done. Don`t forget Football Club this Tuesday with Paul Jeffery from 3.00 - 4.00pm.

Eden Bulbs

The whole school joined with Thomas and with the help of the Eden staff planted a variety of bulbs to create Thomas's winning design, a paintbox. We are really looking forward to Spring which should be very colourful .

Hindu day

Fun writing numbers

The Reception children had fun writing numbers in the playground.

Cornish stories

Class 1 enjoyed listening to Trevor who told traditional Cornish stories during book week.

Walk to School Week

Walk to School Week is nearly over!
It would be absolutely fantastic if for just one day, Friday 5th everyone could make a supreme effort and walk at least part of the way to school.

Bulb Planting

This Friday two representatives from the Eden project are visiting the school to make plans for planting the bulb garden to Thomas Farmer`s design. Then the pupils will be involved by planting the bulbs on Friday 12th October. If Wellington boots could be brought to school on that day that would be ideal and prevent ruined shoes.

Harvest Breakfast around the world raised £78 for Food Aid. Thank you so much to those people who donated food items and who so generously donated funds. We hope you all enjoyed a very special occasion.

Football Club

We have been trying hard to secure the services of another coach with little success. However, on Tuesday I was talking to Paul Jeffery, who visits our school onve a fortnight and managed to persuade him to do an after school on the days that he is here. So starting on Tuesday 16th October Football Club will begin.
This means that High 5 for Class 3 will move to Monday instead.
As before there will be a fee for football club which will be £1.50 a session and payable to the secretary.

Road safety

Billy came to teach the children about road safety.

Harvest Breakfast

Everyone enjoyed trying different breakfasts from around the world as part of our Harvest celebration.

Indian Sweets

Class 2 made Indian sweets for the harvest breakfast.

No we are not closing!!

Despite the shock many of us had on Wednesday morning hearing on Radio Cornwall and reading in the local paper that our school was one of the thirty four proposed for closure we can assure you that we are not closing. As you can imagine there were a lot of phone calls from anxious people and we were talking directly to the Local Authority!

Dean Ashton, Director of Services for Children, Young People and Families , categorically stated we were not being viewed for closure so please retain confidence in the school and reassure everyone as the last thing we need is prospective parents deciding to enrol their children elsewhere!

Bulb Garden Winner

We are thrilled to say that Thomas Farmer was the winner of the ‘Design a Bulb Garden’ competition which was in conjunction with Netherlands Bulbs and the Eden Project. Apparently they were inundated with entries but Thomas’ artist’s palette design won. This means that the garden will be planted in school and at the Eden Project in the near future. Well done Thomas!

Wellington Boots spare?

Have you got any old Wellington Boots to spare?
Class 1 would love to continue their outdoor education sessions outside, but the grass areas are often too wet. If you have any Wellingtons that your children have grown out of, Miss Bearns would be delighted to have them.

Message from the School Cook

She is delighted that so many children are enjoying the meals and would like everyone to know about a couple of slight changes to the menu. The ‘Mexican Pork’ is now ‘Mediterranean Pork’ and the ‘Beef Curry’ is now ‘Savoury Mince.’

Camel Sponsored bike Ride

It was wet, wet, wet, but great fun, fun, fun!
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed by cycling or sponsorship. A very special ‘thank you very much’ to all those who sponsored me and many thanks to Mrs Blake as all our efforts are going to be doubled by Barclays Bank!

Walk to School!

Walk to School Week coincides with Book Week this time but we will still be encouraging children to walk to school and gather ‘green feet!’
Mr & Mrs Kellow have kindly offered their yard again for car parking for parents travelling to the village.

Book Week

1st-5th October. We are celebrating by inviting a Cornish storyteller, Trevor Lawrence, to share tales with us. Classes 2 & 3 will be visiting Wadebridge Library where author John Cleave will present the ‘Big Wild Read’ certificates and learning about the library facilities, (members can bring along their cards to change books and new members can join if parents wish. Please ask for a form from the Secretary). We shall also be holding a Book Fair which will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday after school and on Tuesday the children can choose to dress up on the theme of ‘Enchanted’. Pupils will also be asked to bring along a favourite book to share.

Governors

Our Governing Body has an enormously responsible job being involved in all aspects of school life. They are volunteers who bring a wealth of different skills and views to the meeting but all have one aim and that is to support the school and ensure the best educational opportunities for all its pupils. We are currently looking for two Parent Governors to be elected onto the team. This can be a challenging but very worthwhile post, so if you are interested and would like further details, please contact us.
The Clerk to the Governors will shortly be sending out the necessary paperwork, but please do not let this put you off!

After School clubs

We are really sorry that ‘After School clubs’ have not begun as smoothly as planned. Following Darren’s departure another coach for Football, who had visited the school and was very enthusiastic, was prepared to run the sessions. However, due to personal reasons, he is now no longer able to fulfil this commitment. We are searching for another coach but as yet have been unsuccessful. The manager of the Dragon Centre has offered training if any parent would be interested in taking on this role. Please contact us if you are interested as the pupils love their football and would very much like to play again soon.
Children have found it difficult deciding between Runfit and Drama, so we have changed the timetable to accommodate them. The revised club timetable is as follows:
Tuesday—Class 3 High5 Class 2 Runfit
Thursday—Drama/Cookery
Next Buzz Club is Friday 19th October

Class 2 Still Life

This year our theme is "Reaching Out" and we have started the term looking at fruit and vegetables from around the world.

Autumn Term Diary 2007

September Wednesday 12th
Swimming begins
Friday 21st - 1.15pm
Tempest individual and family photographs
Sunday 23rd
Sponsored Cycle Ride
Friday 28th - 9.00
Harvest Breakfast in
St Mabena Church
October 1st - 5th
Book Week
Tuesday 2nd
H.S.A. Coffee morning
Friday 26th
School closure
Half Term
29th October-2nd
November
December 18th / 19th
Christmas play
Friday 21st
1.15 Christingle
End of term at 2.00

Morgan Lewis is a winner!

CONGRATULATIONS to Morgan Lewis, winner of the Tintagel Heritage Art competition. Morgan`s painting is currently being exhibited at Tintagel Castle.

School meals

School meals will cost £1.76 from the beginning of this term. Now that we have our very own cook, Angela Renals, the meals have greatly improved offering a greater choice and a balanced diet with a vegetarian option always available.

Swimming

Swimming at the Dragon Leisure Centre begins on Wednesday 12th September for all pupils from Y2 - Y6. This will be followed by a games session. The children will return to school between 3.15 - 3.30. Unfortunately with the increases in the cost of transport, lifeguards and the hire of the pool facilities, we are asking parents to contribute £2.50 towards this very worthwhile activity.

Welcome back!

Welcome back everyone to the new school year. One that we are sure will be as busy as always. We hope that all pupils will be keen and eager to do their best and make the most of their opportunities. Parents and school working together is vitally important for the children to succeed.

At the end of the Summer term we received our OFSTED inspection and were delighted with the findings as everyone works so hard at St. Mabyn to ensure that the pupils succeed. This was followed by the `Section 48` inspection which only applies to Church schools. The focus of this inspection is to measure the quality of Religious Education, Collective Worship and the spiritual, moral and social aspects of pupil development. We were very pleased to receive an excellent report from the inspection which was also endorsed by the Truro Diocese.

During the holidays Class 3 classroom has been refurbished. The ceiling has been lowered with improved lighting and redecorated. A further twelve computer stations have been installed so that the older children will learn how to incorporate I.C.T. skills into their personalised learning. All pupils will have their own file space for storing their work.

The creation of the `Sense of Place Garden` is now under way with the removal of some of the trees and shrubbery in preparation for the installation of an outdoor learning area which will double as a wet weather shelter and provide extra shade. Staff from Trelawney Garden Centre are then going to help the children plant the garden following a combination of ideas already suggested by pupil designs. Please support the Home School Association (H.S.A.) who are arranging a number of events to fund raise for this project.

Personal T-shirts

The children in class 1 made a design on the computer which was
printed out on special paper then ironed onto t-shirts. As you can
see, they are very proud of their work!

The Silver Thread

The children in classes 2 and 3 performed "The Silver Thread" for presentation evening. This was a pageant of Cornish history based on the "Sense of Place" work they have done throughout the year.

Class 2 Salads

Class 2 designed and made salads. many children tried vegetables they had not eaten before and most of them liked them! celery was especially popular.

Class 2 Clay Tiles

Class 2 made clay tiles, decorated with patterns based on the Cornish landscape.

Ofsted Celebration!

Following a rigorous inspection St Mabyn was praised as a "good school with outstanding features"
The report declares that pupils achieve very well as a result of good teaching throughout the school and the school meets the ambitious targets it sets itself.
The curriculum is good with an excellent range of additional activities which pupils enjoy greatly.
Pupils personal development and well being are outstanding and pupil behaviour is excellent.
The schools Christian ethos promotes excellent spiritual, social and moral development.Their contribution to the community is outstanding. The skills pupils will need in adult life are developing well especially in the use of ICT, co- operation and teamwork.
The school has benefited from a long period of stability in leadership and management, hence an effective team provides good leadership at all levels.
Headteacher Daphne Puttock said " We are delighted with this report and it's recognition of all the staff. Now we are ready for a great summer break"
Full report

Diary Summer term

Monday 16th Sports Day 1.15pm

Tuesday 17th District Sports Day

Wednesday 18th Presentation Evening
in St Mabena Church at 7.00pm

Friday 20th Leavers Assembly at 1.15pm
End of term at 2.00pm

Sports Days

The weather is absolutely playing havoc with all the sporting arrangements. As the District Sports were cancelled today and then re– scheduled for Tuesday, 17th July this clashed with our rearranged Sports Day. So, we have once again had to change the date to Monday 16th July at 1.15pm. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Fingers crossed that the sun will shine next week!

School meals

Finally we have been able to appoint a new cook and we warmly welcome
Angela Renals to our team. Already the wonderful smell of on site cooking wafting through the school makes us all feel hungry at lunchtime. The meals have greatly improved and our dinner numbers are definitely on the up. A new menu has been produced and will be circulated at the beginning of the Autumn term. Why not give them a try next term.

Class Organisation

We continuously monitor and tailor our classes to best meet the needs of the pupils so following much discussion with Governors, staff and parents next year the classes will be arranged as follows;
Class 1 - Reception and Y1 with Miss Bearns
Class 2 - Y2 and Y3 with Mrs Titcomb and Miss Curtis
Class 3 - Y4, Y5 and Y6 with Miss Henchley
Our classes remain comparatively small to many other schools and all classes will have additional support from HLTA`s ( Higher Level Teaching Assistant) and Teaching Assistants.

Class 3 refurbishment

During the holiday period the Class 3 classroom is being refurbished which will involve lowering the ceiling, redecoration and the installation of twelve computer stations to provide greater opportunities for developing ICT skills.

KS2 SAT results

The results are outstanding this year and a credit to all the hard work of pupils, staff and parents. The results were as follows:
English Level 4 100% Level 5 58%
Mathematics Level 4 91% Level 5 58%
Science Level 4 100% Level 5 66%
Level 4 is the expected attainment for Y6 pupils. Congratulations everyone and especially the pupils. We are very proud of you all.

The Big Wild Read!

This scheme has been launched in our school by a Librarian from Wadebridge Library Service. The summer holidays can seem long so why not encourage your children to take part and continue to develop their reading skills.

Travel Agents!

As Class 1's topic is 'holidays' this half term, students from St
Austell College came into school to talk and show what is involved inworking at a Travel Agents. The children enjoyed listening and takingpart in role play, so who knows where we are going this summer holidays!

Tintagel castle

Class 2 visited Tintagel castle and found about it's legends and history.

Blue Reef Aquarium

Class 1 enjoyed a visit to the Blue Reef Aquarium at Newquay. We had a guided tour of the aquarium followed by searching in the rock pools for marine wildlife.