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.

OFSTED inspection

Our inspection has now taken place and we are delighted to say that the feedback from the inspector praises our school's achievements in all areas. The report will be published in about two weeks and will be available to parents on the internet and from the school. A letter from the inspector will also be addressed to the pupils.

The day was gruelling for all concerned but everyone played their part. The children were exemplary and confidently discussed the school with the inspector. Thank you so much to all the parents who were so supportive - much appreciated.

As we are a Church school we will also receive a Diocesan Board inspection which will take place on Tuesday 26th June.

Summer Term Diary

Saturday 16th June Church Fete

Thursday 21st June Swimming Gala


Tuesday 3rd July Sports Day

4th 5th 6th July Y5 & Y6 Residential

Tuesday 10th July District Sports

Wednesday 18th July Presentation Evening

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

Petunias

The Royal Cornwall Show petunias were wonderful. There are many green fingered families out there and the children really enjoyed growing their plants. Many thanks to Mr. Lobb who was invited to do the very tricky job of selecting our entry which was commended by the judges. Our thanks to Trelawney Garden Centre for their sponsorship.

Goonhilly visit

Goonhilly visit - change to arrival home time.
We have been advised that the return home time will now be approximately 4.30pm

Church Fete

The fete is a wonderful village event that takes place this Saturday, 16th June on the Green at 2.30 pm. Pupils are practising Maypole Dancing in preparation for their display. We hope there will be lots of entries for the Fancy Dress competition. Why not dress up as a T.V. or book character just for fun and maybe win a prize!

We have also been asked to make everyone aware that this year the fete is being filmed for a television programme looking at village life.

Most of the school furniture is removed from the building to provide tables and chairs for the event. There are always several willing hands in the morning but at the end of the day there are considerably less! So if you are able to help return the furniture to the school at the end of the day that would be fantastic - thank you.

Summer Term Diary 2007

21st May - 25th Walk to School week
23rd May 9.00am Nursery Parents meeting
24th May 2.45pm Class 2 Parents meeting

28th May - 1st June Half Term

10th June 2.00pm Barnabas celebration Truro Cathedral
12th & 13th June Parent Reporting
16th June Church Fete
21st June Swimming Gala
3rd July Sports Day
4th, 5th & 6th July Y5 & Y6 Residential

Jurassic Residential

Jurassic Residential Y5 & Y6 pupils just a gentle reminder to say that all payment should be complete - thank you.

Deli Cross Country Run

The Deli Cross Country Run begins at 10.00am on Saturday 19th May. Good luck to all the runners !

S.A.T.`s and Parent Reporting

Much to the relief of all, the assessment tests have been completed and will soon be marked apart from the Y6 papers which are marked externally. At a staff meeting the teachers thought it would be an excellent idea to inform parents of the results immediately by arranging `Parent Reporting` evenings after half term. So parents are invited to sign up for an appointment on Tuesday 12th June for YR, Y1, Y2, Y3,Y4, and Y5 or Wednesday 13th for YR, Y1, Y3 and Y4. The appointment lists will be in the corridor soon.
Written reports will be sent home at the end of the term as usual and Miss Henchley will arrange appointments for Y6 parents later in the term.

Silver Award

School Council achieves silver award.
During the year the Council has been working very hard to complete their ten point action plan to attain the silver award for PADL (Promoting Active Democracy Loudly). This included contacting other school councils, managing a budget, collecting ideas for events such as Red Nose Day and developing committee roles. This they have done and following a recent assessment the award has been achieved. Two representatives have been invited to the Alverton Manor in Truro to receive the award next Tuesday.

Walk to School week

All schools are being asked to develop a `Travel Plan` to promote alternative ways of travelling to and from from school. We appreciate that for many parents the distance from home to school is realistically too far for you to walk. However during the week commencing Monday 21st May we are taking part in `walk to school` week. Mr and Mrs Kellow have very kindly agreed to permit parents to park in their yard so that everyone can take part. Exercise is so important for everyone please do take part if you can and don`t forget to collect a green footprint! There will be a reward for the class that collects the most!

5 a day

We have been learning the importance of eating 5 portions of fruit andvegetables a day. Here we have designed posters showing 5 a day to display.

Fruit salads

Class 1 designed, made, ate and evaluated their own fruit salads as part of the eat more fruit and vegetables DT topic.

PE Lesson

Class 1 enjoyed a PE lesson with activities planned and delivered by Year 5 pupils.

May Day

Pupils took part in an ancient local festival on May Day at Padstow, with the Obby Oss.

Car Boot sale

The recent car boot sale organised in aid of St Mabyn Home School Association raised an impressive £270

Carnyorth Banners

Carnyorth Residential

Class 2 set off on a beautiful sunny morning for West Cornwall. We visited Chysauster iron age village where we spent time exploring and drawing, looking for patterns in the landscape.After lunch we went to Carnyorth where we were to stay the night.The children worked with Ali at the centre to produce banners using shapes based on their sketches. Still full of energy after unpacking and playing in the garden, we set off for the moorland above Carnyorth. In the evening we were entertained by a visiting smuggler who told stories and sang songs.As everyone was awake early the next morning and the sun was still shining we set off again for a walk on the moor before Ali came to do more drawing and printing to complete the banners.Then it was time for pasties in the garden and back to school.

Carnyorth Slideshow

Class 1 enjoyed a visit to Bodmin firestation

looking after plants

A parent who is a gardener came into class 1 to talk about looking after plants

Homework

May we remind parents that pupils are expected to do homework daily by reading and learning their multiplication tables and spellings. The older children will receive set homework as well. A curriculum letter is sent home each term to share with parents the topics we are studying at the time and are accompanied by Maths Target pamphlets. Much learning can be achieved if children can use their knowledge - for example handling money, telling the time or weighing ingredients etc. - practically.

Water bottles

We actively welcome water bottles in the classroom for children to use throughout the day. Hydration is very important to learning ensuring that pupils continue to feel alert. Please ensure that water bottles are sent to school daily.

Sun Smart

It is vitally important that children develop sun - smart skills.
Slip on a `T ` shirt. Slop on the sun cream and Slap on a hat !
With all this beautiful weather please encourage your children to bring sun cream and a hat to school for daily personal use.

Book Fair

There will be a Book Fair in school on Friday 27th April.

Internet Safety

No one can deny that the internet has revolutionised our lives and can be very useful however there are also significant areas of concern especially for children using the internet independently. Parents need to be aware of a range of issues concerning the use of the internet such as `filtering` , `chat rooms` monitoring web sites, e-mail bullying etc. Our Primary cluster of schools has arranged a meeting to help and support parents by raising their awareness to the pitfalls and offer advice to ensure that our children are kept safe. This is to be held at Wadebridge Primary School on Wednesday 25th April - please do come along if you can.

Barnabas Award

Barnabas Award Distinction for our school.


Each year schools are invited to compete in the Barnabas Award which is a competition to celebrate the Religious Knowledge curriculum taught in the county`s schools. Our entry this year focussed on the KS2 curriculum and all the work the children have been studying centred around the theme a ` Sense of Place`. Cornwall is often called `The Land of Saints` and Class 3 used their I.C.T., Art and Drama skills to discover more about the lives of local saints. In Literacy and Art Class 2 wrote an illustrated story based on Tudy and Mabena . Following our visit to Minions the children in both classes wrote some amazing poems that really impressed the judges with their imagery, sensitivity and reflective quality. Representatives from both classes were interviewed by the judges and did a splendid job. This all resulted in our school being awarded a distinction and invited to take part in the Barnabas presentations at Truro Cathedral on Sunday 10th June. On that occasion Class 3 will be presenting their play. Families and friends are welcome to accompany us and there will be a coach leaving the school at 12.00pm. More details will follow so do keep this afternoon free.

Clubs

This term we are offering the following activities;
Monday - Football with Darren
Tuesday - Board Games with Mrs Waters
- Cookery with Miss Bearns
Wednesday - Rounders with Miss Henchley / Mrs Puttock
Thursday - Runfit with Miss Bearns

We are asking the children to `sign up` if they would like to take part in a club so that we can arrange groups for the various activities. Clubs start straight after school and finish at 3.45pm apart from football.
Clubs will begin next week on the 23rd April.

Refurbished toilets!

The contractors have been very busy over the Easter holidays and all the toilets have been completely refurbished much to the delight of pupils.

The Summer term is here!

Welcome back to the Summer term which promises to be very busy and as exciting as usual with residentials to Carnyorth and the Jurassic Coast, visits to Goonhilly and May Day, adventure days out canoeing and water safety training with the RNLI, sports days, the swimming gala and the fete to mention just a few events!
A very special welcome to all the new Nursery pupils and their families. We hope you will all enjoy a very happy educational experience with us. We would like to invite all parents of Nursery pupils to an informal meeting on Tuesday 22nd May at 9.15 am. Hopefully by then everyone will have settled into a new routine but it provides an opportunity to chat about any queries anyone might have.

Easter Cards

Class 2 painted watercolour paintings of flowers and made them into Easter cards.

Class 2 planting Petunias

Voyage of the Mystery

Class 3 used paint print and collage to create their own interpretations of the Voyage of the Mystery