Friday 10th October
Dear Parents and Carers,
I cannot quite believe that we are very quickly approaching the end of the first half term of the academic year. We will be having our autumn term parents evenings straight after half term on Thursday 6th November and Tuesday 11th November. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of attending one of these evenings to meet the class teacher, hear how your child has settled into the new year, to hear about the work they are doing in class and what their strengths are and areas of improvement. It is also an opportunity to have a look at the work in their books. For parents and carers new to North Town, we make the children’s work available in the school library. Parents tend to arrive twenty minutes before their appointment to give them time to look at books or they spend time after their appointment. The most important thing for all parents is to come to the library first of all and I (and a member of my Senior Leadership Team) will take parents over in groups at their allotted times. Bookings will go live on MCAS at 6:00pm on Monday 13th October at 6pm. We are aiming for 100% turnout for parents evening. If you have been offered a SEND parent meeting, you only need to attend one meeting; either parents evening or a SEND meeting, not both.
I have seen some superb Spanish work from our Year Six children and was really impressed with how much they had remembered. I have also been delighted with the maths books and writing books I have looked at as I have completed walks around the school.
Our Year 6 children are off on their residential to Charterhouse on Monday. I just wanted to thank Miss Newstead and Miss Fairfax and the team for the many hours of preparation in planning for this. The children will have a really enjoyable experience and I am grateful to the staff team that are attending for making this possible.
Have a smashing weekend everyone!
Best wishes,
Mr Braund
Half-Term Dates Reminder
Just a reminder that we break up for half-term on Friday 24th October and return to school on Wednesday 5th November.
Running Club
We are so pleased with the response and turnout running club has had on a Friday afternoon in KS2 and hope all children attending are enjoying it! Next Friday’s (17th Oct) club will be cancelled due to key staff and Y6 children returning from Charterhouse on this day. It will resume on the 24th.
Sports at North Town
We have had 2 events this week, with a few children from KS2 taking part in a friendly invasion games festival that included football, catchball, handball and learning the rules to ultimate frisbee. Tiago has completed a write up for Thursday’s cyclo-cross event below.
On Thursday a group of children took part in a cycling event. We had to cycle on an off road track for 10 minutes, trying to complete as many laps as we could. The track got really narrow at the start which made it harder, it was hard where there were narrow turns, and hard going up the speed bumps. There quite a few bumps which if you were going too fast you could fall down. Everyone did well and at the end we did a foot race on the track as a school. We all really enjoyed it!
Tiago, 6KN
Brett Baker – New Site Manager
I am absolutely delighted to announce that we have appointed a new site manager for North Town Primary School and Nursery. Brett Baker will start at North Town straight after half term. Paul Reading will continue to visit North Town and the other Huish Primaries to support all site managers.
New Apprentice Teaching Assistant
We have also appointed an apprentice teaching assistant. Megan Whittaker will be starting at North Town after October half-term.
Phonics Support
Just a reminder to all parents and carers with children learning their phonics that Mrs Richards is available after school in the Pippins area if you have any questions or if you need any help with supporting with phonics at home.
Mufti Day
We will be having a mufti-day on Friday 7th November. Instead of bringing in £1 donation, the PTA ask for a donation of chocolate for the ‘Chocolate Tombola’ at the Christmas Fayre on Friday 5th December. The chocolate will be stored safely in Mr Braund’s office for a few weeks 😊.
School Disco
We will be having our first School Disco of the year on Friday 21st November. The PTA will send out information nearer the time but here are the times for the various DISCOS.
5:00pm – 5:45pm – KS1 DISCO
6:00pm – 6:45pm – Years 3 and 4 DISCO
7:00pm – 7:45pm – Years 5 and 6 DISCO
Sweets
As a school it has been decided that going forwards, we will not be allowing children to bring in sweets to give out to their friends for birthdays etc. Parents/carers may hand them to parents/carers on the playground, ensuring that they are happy for their child to have them.
StageCoach Holiday Workshops
Stagecoach Taunton are now enrolling for our Halloween Workshop where spooky drama meets power pop, in the October half term and Our Festive Fun Workshop to kick off the of the Christmas holidays.
Our super-creative team have put together these courses which are suitable for the total novice through to those that live and breathe the performing arts – expect plenty of singing, dancing, musical theatre, plus heaps and heaps of fun! A 10% sibling discount is available, and we accept CHILDCARE VOUCHERS.
Please find information about both workshops below.
Halloween Workshops at Stagecoach Taunton
Join us this October half term for a two-day Halloween workshop where spooky drama meets power pop! Packed with singing, dancing and musical theatre – all with a spooky twist! Perfect for ages 4–18 (with groups split by age).
Here’s what’s in store:
Learn fun choreography with a dash of Halloween drama
Sing along to iconic spooky tracks you’ll still be humming after curtain call
Build confidence, creativity and performance skills in fun age-based sessions
And of course… plenty of fang-tastic Halloween fun
Date: Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th October 2025
Times:
• 9am-4pm (ages 5-18 – full workshop day)
• 12-4pm (4-year-olds – mini session, OFSTED style )
Venue: Parkfield Primary School, Taunton.
Families are invited to join us at 3:45pm for a short showcase – the perfect chance to see what our spooky workshop stars have been working on! Book now… Scan the QR code or visit https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/taunton#workshops
🎄✨ Christmas Holiday Workshops at Stagecoach Taunton! ✨🎄
Get ready for two magical days of festive fun at our pre-Christmas holiday workshops for children aged 4-18 years! (split by age groups)
Our workshops are bursting with:
⭐ Singing, dancing & musical theatre
⭐ Well-known Christmas favourites you’ll be humming for days
⭐ Age-appropriate classes, tailored to bring out the best in every performer with some arts and crafts thrown in for the youngsters too!
⭐ Most importantly… TONS of festive fun! 🎅🎶
While students enjoy their sessions with us, grown-ups can grab the perfect chance to tick off that Christmas prep!
📅 Workshop Dates: 22nd & 23rd December 2025
🕒 Times:
- 10am-4pm (ages 5-18)
- 9am-5pm wraparound available at additional fee (can be booked upon receipt of the deposit payment)
- 12–4pm (for 4 year olds, as per OFSTED guidance)
📍 Location: Parkfield Primary School, Taunton
✨ Special Showcase!
At 3:30pm on the final day, we’ll welcome families to see the wonderful performances the students have been working on.
💚 Open to everyone – you don’t need to be a Stagecoach student to join.
💙 Sibling discounts available.
💛 Childcare Vouchers accepted.
Our Christmas Workshops are a fabulous way to kick off the holidays – so don’t miss out! Places are limited… book your spot today! 🎁
Both workshops are available to book online at www.satgecoach.co.uk/taunton#workshops
For more information on Stagecoach Taunton, visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/taunton or call 07842 944 697.
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
2025/2026 Dates
Autumn Term
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