Dear Parents and Carers,
What a term is has been! Thank you so much for enabling such a smooth transition into the first autumn term – it has definitely been one of the best for me personally. As staff, we truly appreciate your support in order to provide the best education we can for our children. A huge thank you to those who came for their parent/carer evening appointments – it was pleasure seeing and hearing the progress the children have made.
Values Champion of the Term – Kindness
This week, the children have been voting who they feel has shown true kindness this term. Lots of children were nominated but the overall champion is…….Hallie Osborne! Congratulations to Hallie for showing kindness throughout the term, not only to her peers, but to the younger children and staff. What a role model.
This week, we have been learning about:
Class 1: “We have been learning about scissor safety and how to pass them to another person” (Refferty)
Class 2: “In maths and computing, we have been learning to use the BeeBots!” (Toby)
Class 3: “This week, we have enjoyed writing our stories. We also had an amazing Roman day yesterday!” (Eli)
Class 4: “In maths, we have been exploring BIDMAS to identify which order to complete an equation” (Ned M)
Congratulations to the Class Stars of the week:
Class 1: Luca
Class 2: Molly C
Class 3: Reuben
Class 4: Bea
Our whole school attendance has gone from strength to strength – congratulations to Class 3 who have the best statutory attendance for the term (96.7%)! Below are some figures for the term so far:
Year Groups
2024-25 Attendance
Persistent Absence
Lateness
Reception
99%
 Not stat year
0%
Year 1
97.80%
16.70%
0.75%
Year 2
95.60%
11.80%
0.14%
Year 3
98.20%
0%
0.90%
Year 4
96%
13.30%
0.71%
Year 5
98.10%
0%
0.27%
Year 6
95.10%
25%
0.37%
School Average 
97%
12.00%
0.43%
National Average
95.30%
15.30%
Finally, thank you to those who have completed the parent/carer survey. If you haven’t done so already, please complete the survey below if you have time.
https://forms.microsoft.com/e/t6PNHiNwLw
We hope you have an amazing half term and we look forward to seeing all the children back at school on Monday 4th November.
Kind regards,   Mr Kevin Fry

Admissions policy for 2026-27: Annual Consultation

Along with all other schools and academies in Devon, we are consulting on an admission policy for 2026-27. The Local Authority is also consulting on its admission arrangements. You are invited to look at the proposals and have your say. Our proposed policy is on the website under policies Policies – Georgeham Primary School .  You can see all DCC policies at http://devon.cc/schoolpolicy . Further information is here: www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements
The formal consultation runs until 10th January 2025. Policies will be determined on 29th January 2025 and published in the same places by 15th March 2025.

SCOPAY

Please log on today and settle your balances for all listed items on account – dinners/trips and events/preschool fees / or extended care ie BC or ASC also previously known as Jumpers.
Apologies as it was noticed that all trips from last year had an end date of 31st July (as it was expected that they would have been paid off by the end of the summer term!). The ‘end date’ has now been extended to allow any historical costs to show on your accounts again, please do go back and check.  Was hoping there wouldnot be any over
A letter will be sent out in the first week back giving details of how to register your payment details into the new Arbor system.
You will be asked to check all information we hold on your child/children’s account(‘s) and to email in any changes that need to be made
(parent(s) mobile(s)/email(s) / home address / emergency contacts (if different) / name address and phone of any other authorised persons you allow to collect or for us to call in emergency / name and address of doctor / medical consent (for anything serious) and any dietary requirements) .

Light Party at St George’s House Georgeham.

Don’t forget there is a Light Party on Thursday 31st October at SGH – turn up and pay on the night. £1.50 for food and fun.  5pm – 7.30pm

Operation Christmas Child

We have a few already – thankyou !
Find your leaflet containing gift ideas for decorating and packing a shoe box (including a label to cut out and stick on the box or information on how to purchase a flatpack box if you don’t have an empty shoe box)  or, you can build a box online (choose items from their selection, write your own message and it will be packed for you).
Flat packed boxes are available to purchase from St Georges Church (not here at school) if you want to purchase one from there.
Boxes will be collected from school on Monday 11th November.

Remembrance Sunday 10th November.

We have a selection of poppy products in school should your child wish to actively support and visually Remember. It sparks some great conversation amongst them.  Unfortunately most of the products are not suitable for having/wearing in school so we would have to ask that you do not let children wear or have them even in their bags (temptation !) during school time.

There are paper poppies, a colourful sticker, decorated slap bands, reflective poppies which are great on a coat zip or to attach to a school bag, (and the best buy in my opinion! ) or an adjustable wrist bracelet.

The paper Poppy will attach with a sticker (no pins allowed) however I can see that these will not stay on and will get lost/torn very quickly so may I suggest these (and stickers) are best purchased on Friday 8th November in time for Remembrance Sunday 10th.  It would be lovely to see as many children as possible wearing one in celebration assembly that day  (I have 70 paper poppies, we have 71 school aged children).  I will stand in the playground with the box that morning….

Suggested donations:
£2 for a slap band,
£1.50 for a reflective poppy or an adjustable wrist bracelet
£1 for a paper Poppy
50p Poppy sticker

All items CASH only.

Flu immunisation

Any parents who missed the school immunisation and still wish their child to have the flu vaccine please call  01392 342 678 for information on how toto book into a community clinic over half term.

ASDA CASH POT FOR SCHOOLS

If you haven’t already heard & signed up, between 2nd September and 30th November 2024 – every time you shop with Asda using your Asda Rewards app, Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of your shop to your chosen Primary school. Also, every time somebody opts-in to support our Primary school, Asda will give an additional £1 to the school Cashpot. Plus, it doesn’t stop there – Asda are also giving £50 to every school to get them started.

The supermarket has joined forces with Joe Wicks to support the initiative – look out for the TV advert, radio ads and social media coverage!

It’s as easy as 1,2,3

1. Download the Asda Rewards app, register and opt-in to Cashpot for Schools (make sure you have the latest version of the app installed)

2. Choose our Primary School – either searching by name or postcode

3. Shop instore across Asda and George, or online at Asda.com and start filling your Cashpot as you shop

Asda does the rest, all money raised will go to FROGS who will help the school to spend it on the things they need the most.
Remember, anyone can sign up – so start spreading the news and raising funds for our school.
Get Xmas shopping and help the school at the same time.

EXTRA CURRICULA MUSIC

PIANO: If you would like to try PIANO LESSONS – please contact alicrossmanpiano@gmail.com  Places on a Thursday or Friday still available – FIRST LESSON FREE.

EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUITAR AND FRENCH CLASSES!

There are a few more spaces for guitar and singing lessons taking place within the school day. This is a wonderful experience for the children, boosting confidence and broadening horizons! If your child is interested, please contact Sarah Cox on sarahcoxtutoring@gmail.com. First come first serve basis.
Also new, is a French Club for beginners, which will be held on Thursdays after school, from 3.15-4pm. Again, contact Sarah on the above email, to let her know your interest.

Panto surprise Fri 13th Dec.

The FROGS Christmas present to the school this year is a trip to see Beauty and the Beast at the Barnstaple theatre !
This is just a sneaky heads up in case you were thinking of booking it too.
NB:

  • Packed lunches only for all KS2 because we need to leave early so the kitchen cannot operate as usual.
  • KS1 (Rec, Yr1 & Yr2) will be provided for, but should you wish to provide your own we will need to know 2 weeks before so we have correct numbers for catering. (MS form to be sent by email for you to opt in or out of a school packed lunch.)
  • Coach there, you will need to collect from Barnstaple afterwards. (will let you know time and a safe place to collect, more than likely NOT outside the theatre, do share lifts where you can).
  • R to Yr6 only
  • Preschool will be closed from 11.30am.  sorry little ones, it was felt they were just too young for us to take too. (They will party too, in other ways on other days, for sure 😉  Usual Friday attendees may come in for the first part of the day, or not at all. Just let us know what you would like to do. (MS form for that too!)

 Diary Dates :

click here  for the school calendar which can be found at the bottom of the website home page.

Please take note of our term dates for 2025-26  G’Ham term dates 25-26 pdf

Thurs 7th Nov – Netball High 5 (Ms McCormick will communicate)

Thurs 14th Nov – Tag rugby festival yrs 5&6 (tbc)

Mon 25th Nov – Basketball, am only, Braunton Academy (tbc)

Mon 2nd Dec – Danceathon, whole school.

Mon 9th Dec – year 3&4 Volleyball Festival, am only, Braunton Academy (tbc)

Tuesday 10th December – Robin Hood Production. Afternoon and evening performances. GHM village Hall.

Thurs 12th Dec – Children in Need Charity Christmas Jumper day

Fri 13th Dec – whole school to Panto in Barnstaple. Packed lunch please. Pick up from Barnstaple. details on that nearer the time.
Fri 13th Dec – preschool closed.

Wed 18th Dec – Christmas lunch day – the whole school will lunch together (no packed lunches) and the staff will serve !

Fri 20th Dec – Basketball yr 5 ?  – afternoon event- pick up from Braunton Academy. (Ms McCormick will communicate)

G’Ham term dates 24-25

G’Ham term dates 25-26 pdf

The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Kevin Fry
Our Deputy Safeguarding Leads are  Emma Hill and Lucy Rinvolucri
Our SENCo is Mrs Lucy Rinvolucri.
Make contact with us via  dsl@georgeham-primary.devon.sch.uk

If you have any concerns that you’d like to discuss, please call through to Lottie and ask for an appointment.
You may also find some useful or helpful information on our Safeguarding webpage… https://georgehamceps.wpengine.com/staying-safe/

  • Attendance… We report the attendance of individual year groups as it’s a really good way to see if school attendance is at a good percentage…  as high as possible of course! The DfE have a target of 96.5%
    Attending school regularly is vital to help children achieve and to give them the best possible start in life. It’s also the legal requirement of parents once children are of school age and enrolled in mainstream education. Ofsted has a strong view about attendance of course. Too many absences can lead into difficult discussions about how we can support children to achieve and do well – we could even be downgraded for our current Good status as a result.
    Absences will only be authorised if they meet exceptional circumstances. With only 190 statutory school days in the year, there are 175 days (weekends and school holidays) left to plan for family visits, non-urgent medical/dental appointments, holidays etc. School holidays are published well in advance and parents are expected to plan and take family holidays at this time so as not to disrupt their child’s education.
    Holidays… are almost always not recognised as meeting ‘exceptional circumstances’ and therefore an absence would be unauthorised. This could result in a penalty notice being issued by DCC.
    Punctuality is important too, and the earlier we get our children into the right habits, the better. You may not realise that being just 5 minutes late every day equals 3 days of school lost a year. Please bring your child for 8.45am when they door is open and the classroom has a learning activity ready for them.