Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been brilliant to see our Pippins children join us this week and spend the full day with us today. A huge thank you to our Pippins parents for your support throughout the week. We are delighted with how the children are settling in. The quote of the week from one of our new Pippins was when I walked off after being on the wooden car with some of the children, a child pointed at me and said to a member of staff, ‘That boy over there, he opened the gate for everyone today!’ It certainly made me chuckle!
It has been a week of interesting weather, and I was so proud of how the children were during the thunder and lightning on Monday afternoon. I made a point of walking throughout the school and observed the children in classes focusing on their work and tasks – brilliant!
I have really enjoyed walking from class to class these past days seeing what the children are learning. Their focus has impressed me greatly. They all seem happy and excited to be in school. I took our Chair of Governors, Phil Jones, on a tour of the school on Wednesday morning and I was really proud to walk into every class that I walked into.
Have a smashing weekend everyone and fingers crossed for a Somerset Finals Day win!
Best wishes,
Mr Braund
Coffee Morning
We will be starting our coffee mornings again this term on Friday 26th September from 8:45am – 9:30am. We welcome all parents to join Heidi Screech (Deputy Head Teacher) for a hot drink and biscuits. This is a great opportunity to network with other parents and speak to school staff if you have any concerns or worries.
We look forwards to welcoming you.
Coffee Mornings will run once a month. Please see dates below:
Friday 26th September
Friday 24th October
Friday 28th November
Friday 12th December
Friday 23rd January
Friday 27th February
Friday 27th March
Friday 24th April
Friday 22nd May
Friday 19th June
Friday 17th July
Individual Photos
We have the school photographer visiting North Town on Thursday 25th September for individual photos. All children to come to school in full uniform. Can we please ask that if your child usually wears PE kit on a Thursday, that they don’t on this day.
Play Equipment and Pirate Ship
Just a reminder to all parents that children are prohibited from using the play equipment at the start and the end of the school day.
Class Dojo
Please remember to sign up to Class Dojo so that you are kept up to date with everything that is happening in school. We have 94% of the school community (not including Pippins) signed up and we are aiming for 100%!
Second-Hand Uniform
Thank you very much for all the donations of second-hand uniform we are now fully stocked and do not require anymore.
If you would like to request any second-hand uniform for your child, please follow the link and complete the form.
This form will also be available to access on our website on the ‘School Uniform’ page.
Applying for Secondary School
If your child is due to transfer to secondary school next September, please be aware that places in Taunton and Wellington are limited due to a high birth rate. It is important that you apply on time (deadline 31st October 2025) and choose 3 preferences of school. We also strongly recommend you include your catchment school as one of your preferences.
If you do not include your catchment school among your preferences and are refused your preferred schools, we cannot guarantee your child a place in the local area. Your child may then be offered a place at a school further away with no entitlement to travel assistance.
Secondary School Open Events
- Monkton Wood Academy Open Evening Thursday 11/09/25 from 4.30pm
- Pyrland School Open Evening Thursday 25/09/25 5:15pm – 7:30pm
- Pyrland School Open Mornings Tuesday 30/09/25 & Wednesday 01/10/25 9:30am – 10:30am
- Robert Blake School Open Evening Monday 22/09/25 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Robert Blake Open Days Thursday 30/09/25 9:30am & Thursday 6/10/25 9:30am
- The Castle School Tuesday 09/09/25, Tuesday 16/09/25 7 Thursday 18/09/25 9:30am
- Bishop Fox’s Thursday 18/09/25 5:00pm-7:00pm
Flu Vaccinations
It has been confirmed that the nasal flu vaccination program for 2025 is being offered to all school aged children from Reception up to and including Year 11. This will take place at North Town on Friday 10th October.
The vaccine is given as a simple spray up the nose. It is painless, quick, and serious side effects are uncommon. It is designed to protect your child against flu which can be an unpleasant illness and, although rarely may cause serious complications.
Please complete the decision form (one for each child, please) using the link below. Please complete even if you do not consent to the vaccination.
https://www.somersetsaint.co.uk/Forms/Flu
Unique school code: (North Town Academy) SM137126
Open Mornings
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
2025/2026 Dates
Autumn Term
Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September Pippins settling in sessions
Friday 12th September Pippins start Full time
Wednesday 17th September – Y3 Sports Festival
Wednesday 24th September – Y2 Sports Festival
Thursday 25th September – Individual photographs
Friday 3rd October – MUFTI Day
Friday 10th October Flu vaccinations
Monday 13th-17th October – Year 6 Charterhouse
Thursday 23rd October – Open morning for new intake
27th October – 3rd November – SCHOOL CLOSED Half term
Autumn 2
Tuesday 4th November – INSET DAY
Wednesday 5th November – SCHOOOL OPEN – Start of Autumn 2
Thursday 6th November (3:30pm – 6:15pm) – Parents’ Evening
7th November – MUFTI Day – Chocolate Donations
Tuesday 11th November (3:30pm – 6:15pm) – Parents’ Evening
Thursday 13th November – Open morning for new Intake
Friday 21st November Children in Need and DISCO
Friday 5th December – MUFTI Day
Friday 5th December (3:30pm – 5:00pm) – Christmas Fayre
Monday 8th December – YR, Y1, Y2 Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday 9th December – Year 2 Singalong
Wednesday 10th December – Reception Singalong
Thursday 11th December – Year 1 Singalong
Friday 12th December – Nursery Singalong
Friday 12th December – Christmas Jumper Day
Wednesday 17th December – Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 18th December (am) – KS2 Christmas Service
Thursday 18th December (pm) – Christmas parties
Friday 19th December – INSET DAY
20th December – 4th January – Christmas Holidays
Huish Tigers Basketball
Huish Tigers have opportunities to join their basketball teams, with teams from reception up to Y6 and girls only teams from age 9 upwards.
Taunton Vale Rotary Club Primary Young Photographer Competition 2025 – 2026
The Taunton Vale Rotary Club is delighted to be organising the Rotary Young Photographer 2025 – 2026.
All Rotary Youth Competitions are promoted by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland.
The Young Photographer competition theme this year is –
“HAPPINESS IN NATURE”
We feel the Photographic competition is unique within the school’s curriculum as it provides an opportunity for all students, no matter what their ability or gender, to take part and express themselves through photography whilst interpreting the competition’s annual theme in an imaginative way.
This is the Primary section of the competition and is open to all young people below the age of 11years (as of 31stAugust 2025).
Entry forms to be submitted to me no later than 1 December 2025.
We hope that you will take part in this year’s competition and please contact me at Taunton Vale Rotary for any additional advice, guidance and support if needed.
The winner of our local Primary age competition will receive a £30 Amazon voucher and will then be sent forward to the next (District) round during the first part of January 2026.
Everyone who enters will receive a certificate.
https://rotarygbi.org/members/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PHOTOGRAPHER-POSTER_FOR-CLUBS.pdf