Friday 24th October
Dear Parents and Carers,
What an incredibly busy but enjoyable first half term to the academic year at North Town. I very much enjoy seeing the children looking so excited and enthusiastic for the school day on the gate every morning. I very much appreciate the relationships between the community and the staff at North Town – working together with the aim to achieve the best we can for every child.
Yesterday was our first Open Morning of the year for families that have children starting primary school in September 2026. It was an absolute pleasure for members of the senior leadership team to give the families a tour of North Town. We had eight Year Six children supporting the staff with the tours and we could not have been prouder of them with how they spoke about North Town. They were so enthusiastic and really confident. The feedback we received was really positive. We had one parent comment, ‘Thank you for the thorough tour, everything was great and the children were amazing.’ Another parent commented, ‘The children were very helpful. The school is very welcoming. Amazing. We’d love for our son to come here.’
The second half of the autumn term only gets busier and with a lot to look forward to as we count down the days until Christmas.
It is now time for the children and staff to have a well-deserved break. I wish you all a really enjoyable break and I very much look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 5th November.
Have a smashing half-term!
Best wishes,
Mr Braund
Amazing Pumpkins
Wow, I was absolutely blown away by the amazing pumpkins that the children brought in for our pumpkin competition. Staff found it very amusing seeing me at the tables various times throughout the day deciding on the winners! A huge well done to Verity in Year 3 on winning the KS2 competition and Everly Rose in Year 3 on being runner up and Winnie in Year 2 on winning the KS1 competition and Florence in Year 1 on being runner up. A huge well done to all our entrants. I will aim for my own pumpkin to be the same standard as the ones that the children did. Well done everyone!
Running Club
From Friday 7th November (after half term), running club will finish at 4:15pm instead of 4:30pm. All other clubs will remain the same.
Sports at North Town
On Thursday, Sienna, Carys, Poppy, Lili, Annabelle and Safia went to Taunton Rugby Club to do T1 Rugby. We did some tagging warm up games and then we played West Monkton, Bishops Henderson and West Buckland. We were really good at passing and we could have been a bit better at running forwards when we go the ball. It was really fun!
Sienna P, 6KN
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.
Half Term Holiday Activities – Free Or Low Cost Ideas
Taunton October Half Term Holiday Club | Book Now | Primary Forest School & Outdoor Education
What’s On – The Museum of Somerset
Halloween 2025 – South West Heritage Trust
Kidz Halloween Disco, Compass Wellbeing, Taunton, 29 October 2025 | AllEvents
Family Prize Bingo, Compass Wellbeing, Taunton, 29 October 2025 | AllEvents
Graffiti Workshop Taster Session with Aerosol Art at YMCA Taunton | Facebook
Secret World Wildlife Rescue | Highbridge | Facebook
North Town Readathon
It is almost time for this year’s North Town Readathon! Last year, we read over 600 hours as a school and raised over £2000. This money was put towards new books in the library, dictionaries and atlases, story resources and having Matt Oldfield (author of the Ultimate Football Heroes series) visit in KS2. We are grateful for all the guidance and encouragement you, as parents, gave the children, as this would not have been possible without their amazing efforts in reading. We are hoping that the encouragement and enthusiasm will continue this year, along with the opportunities for children to share their brilliant reading with their friends and family.
We are aiming to be able to read over 720 hours (30 days), on the week 10th November – 14th November. This year’s money will be split between purchasing more reading resources, to keep our library as up to date as possible, and money to support the improvement of the school. The total hours and sponsorships will start to be calculated on Friday 21st November. More information about how you can sponsor our readathon will be given after half term. Thank you in advance for your support and contributing towards benefitting North Town.
Signing in at the Office
A polite reminder to sign in at the school office if you have a meeting on the school site, even if this is at drop off or collection times.
Parent’s Evening Reminder
Just a reminder that our booking system for Parent’s Evenings is now open. We will be having our autumn term Parent’s 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.
Please only book one meeting.
Mufti Reminder
Just a reminder that 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 😊.
Children in Need
Children in Need is on Friday 14th November and we are inviting the children to come to North Town for the day in mufti for a monetary donation.
Learning Support Assistant Vacancy
We currently have a vacancy for a part time Learning Support Assistant until Easter 2026.If you are interested in the position, please follow the below link for more details and to apply.
Learning Support Assistant, Somerset – Tes Jobs
Christmas Sparkle Gift Donations
Across the past few years we have supported the Christmas Sparkle project. They offer a gift to children aged 0 -16yrs in the Taunton area who might otherwise receive very little on Christmas morning. We would like to continue our support for this local project by collecting donations of NEW gifts that we can pass on to the project organisers.
As usual, after the Half Term break, a box will be placed in the Reception area outside the Office for UNWRAPPED gifts to be placed into.
As stated, gifts should be new and NOT wrapped up.
If you are able to donate a small gift for this worthwhile cause, we would be very grateful for your help.
Children Out Alone
With another school holiday on the horizon some of your children may be asking to go out alone or with friends, or to stay at home by themselves. The link below will take you to a guide which may help you to decide if this is right for your child, and how to ensure they stay as safe as they are able to.
Key Dates for the Autumn Term
2025/2026 Dates
Autumn Term
27th October – 3rd November – SCHOOL CLOSED Half term
Autumn 2
Tuesday 4th November – INSET DAY
Wednesday 5th November – SCHOOL 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
