Being the best we can be for

ourselves and God’s world

NewsletterNo.44

14thFebruary2020

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Dear Parents/ Carers What a very busy half term this has been, with lots of good news to be shared in particular - our Courageous Advocacy projects have really taken off this term, with a Mufti Day and cake sale for the Hope Project raising £322.44, enabling children in India to have an education; Year 4's library box is now completed and hopefully will reside in its new home in the Coop if the year 4 negotiations with the Co-op are successful, enabling Cranbrook to have access to books for sharing. Watch this space! However, we also know that the news of Mrs Beard's early retirement will have come as a blow, and we will be working really hard over the next half term to ensure that quality time with Mrs Beard is maximised for all children - I know that Mrs Beard is also looking forward to spending time alongside children in class and at play, and she wants to find time to speak with parents too. St Martin's is such a special school, Mrs Beard made it so - there are many members of staff, who have worked across other schools in Devon and beyond, who will tell you that her leadership has been unique, inspiring and above all nurturing - she always highly valued every member of the school community, supporting us all to be even more creative and courageous in the work we do - despite the challenges of reduced funding for schools. The St Martin's staff are committed to 'being the best we can be' for your children, for Mrs Beard and for every member of the school community during this time of change, and we know you will support us with this. I hope you all have an enjoyable half term - and I hope the sun shines a little bit for us all Steph Harvey

Date for your Diary

Ø Half Term - 17th February – 24th February (return to school 25th

February)

Ø 5th March – World Book Day - Children are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite character from a book.

Ø 6th March – Family Tea Party – After school @ 3pm we will be holding a Family Tea Party in the Hall (Free entry, Refreshments available - PTFA).

Ø 17th March - Easter Mufti day – Children can wear their own clothes

to school for a donation of an Easter Egg (PTFA event)

Ø 20th March - Easter Bingo – More information to follow (PTFA event)

Ø 26th March - Easter disco (PTFA event)

Ø 27th March @ 2pm - Easter Service with Rev Nev

Ø Easter Holidays - 30th March - 14th April (return to school 15th April)

Ø Class Photos - TBC

Ø 3rd July - Sports Day (Time to TBC - backup date 10th July)

Ø 26th June @ 3pm - Summer Fair

Ø Leavers Assembly - TBC

Creative Writing

This term our children have been working very hard on their Creative Writing and we would like to take this opportunity to share some it with you. The individual pieces will also be available on our website shortly.

A poem about girls who are strong By Summer Bennett Year 5 I am I am a human Whatever the gender I may not be capable In your mind I am a girl Powerful and strong Kind and smart But you think otherwise I am a woman Indeed capable For what our world holds Ready for the weight of the world We are a community Powerful together Ready together Strong together

Extract from Betty Meerkat Mail invent write (Year 2) Many moons ago there lived a playful puppy called Sian. Sian lived in a huge family far away in a village but the house was too small and chilly. Sian dreamed of living somewhere else. Sian and her family barked together, played together and dreamed together. They did absolutely everything together. Sian packed a pale blue dawn spirit unicorn patterned suitcase and wrote a loving letter to all her family saying that she was going on a quest to find a brand new home. On Monday Sian visited Uncle Nathan but she felt something wasn’t right even though Uncle Nathan’s family made her feel welcome. On Tuesday Sian visited Auntie Rebecca. Auntie Rebecca’s family made Sian feel very comfortable but something funny looped round in circles in Sian’s mind.

Developing Action Writing Heart thudding, ears ringing and eyes wide, Lizzy thought her fate had already been answered. At this moment, nothing mattered to her except pushing and pulling buttons aggressively. She had no parachute. No hope left. As she tried to escape, the path towards death, she saw the ground coming closer to her - now her head buzzed frantically. Then, all of a sudden, she pulled the lever and put all her weight on the pedal; the plane began to rise - inch by inch. Was it too late? Lucia - Chestnut Class

Lisa shut her eyes tightly, with heart pounding, wrenching wildly at the controls. Now her destiny was disappearing, all her work crumbling, all those precious hours wasted. Lisa had nothing. No hope. No parachute. Chaos filled the air, frantically, she tried to turn out of the way to escape the horror of death’s grasp. She could hear the engine buzzing and then pausing again. Each gun shot thudded on the metal. She pulled herself up, pulling the emergency lever up, a glimmer of hope reached out as the plane began to rise, inch by inch … Ella - Chestnut Class

Molly – Year 2 – Meerkat Mail

Thankyouforyourcontinued

support!

WithBestWishes,Tania

Phase One Collective Worship – Spring 2020 Everyone is welcome to come and join us in our Phase Collective Worship which takes place every Friday morning at 8:45am in the school hall. Each week Head Teacher’s Awards will be given out and the Eco Warriors will be awarding Eco badges to children who have been ‘spotted’ looking after our environment. Over the term each class will take a turn to lead Collective Worship where they will have the opportunity to share their learning with us all. Our local minister ‘Rev Nev’ will also be joining us this term to talk about ‘Messy Church’ which takes place on the 2nd Sunday of every month in the school hall.

Date Class 14th February Collective Worship led by Ducklings Class

HALF TERM 28th February Collective Worship 6th March Collective Worship with Rev Nev 13th March Collective Worship led by Little Parrots Class 20th March Collective Worship led by Robins Class 27th March Collective Worship with Rev Nev

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Phase Two and Three Collective Worship – Spring 2020 Each week a different class will share their learning with the rest of the school and the parents, grandparents and guests who would like to join us. Any child who has been awarded with a Headteacher’s Award will be presented with their certificate.

Head Teacher Award Certificates

If your child has received a Headteacher’s Award during the week then they will have their certificate presented to them during Collective Worship at the times above. Family members are always welcome J

Date Class 14th February Collective Worship led by Finches Class

HALF TERM 28th February Collective Worship led by Oak Class 6th March Collective Worship led by Elm Class 13th March Collective Worship led by Sycamore Class 20th March Outdoor Celebration - Forest Champions 27th March @ 2PM Phase 2 Easter Service

EASTER

Friday morning at 8:45am Friday afternoon at 2:30pm