Friday 25th October
Wow! The first half of the autumn term has flown! I am absolutely delighted with how our Pippins children have settled and are enjoying being at primary school. Throughout the school, the children are settled and enthusiastic about their learning. Our Year Six have made a smashing start to their final year at the school, they are excellent role models.
I was invited to listen to a group of Year Five pupils perform during their Ukulele lesson on Thursday. I was blown away by their performance! So confident and all completely focussed. Well done Year Five pupils and Mr Barrett!
I was also visited by a very excited Year Three pupil who showed me a story he had written called ‘The Book of Wraxall’. It was a truly brilliant story that kept me absorbed! I was relieved that there was a happy ending.
Wishing you all a restful half term with your families and friends and we look forward to seeing you all on Monday 4th November!
Best wishes,
Lost Property
Lost property will be out on the picnic table in front of the office at the end of the day. Any unnamed and unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
Scooters and Bikes
Please can we ask that all children who scooter and cycle to school come off them at the very front gate (by the main road). There have been some near misses in the new court yard as we approach the gates where school leaders stand and we want to avoid anyone being hurt.
Playtime Equipment and Pirate Ship
Just a little reminder that the children must not go on the pirate ship and play equipment at the beginning and the end of the school day. There have been times in the past where a child has gone on to the equipment without a parent seeing and hurt themselves. We just want to ensure that the everyone comes on to the premises and leaves the premises safely.
BBC Writing Competition
If your child has a love for writing or has some free time during the half-term holidays, why not enter the UK’s biggest children’s story writing competition! The competition is split into two age categories – 5-7- & 8–11-year-olds. The writers of the best stories will be invited to a grand final, where they’ll announce the bronze, silver and gold winners for each age group.
What you need to know:
- 📝 A creative writing competition for 5–11-year-olds
- 📘 Stories need to be 500 words or less
- 📊 Closing date: Friday 8th November 2024 at 9pm
- 📚 You could win loads of books for you and your school!
Find out more here: Enter 500 Words writing competition – CBBC
School Council
Thank you so much to all of the children who have applied to join the school council! We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you for taking this big step. Your willingness to get involved and help make our school a better place shows great leadership and care for others.
Even if you haven’t been selected this time, please know that your ideas and energy are always important to us, and there will be many more opportunities to contribute. Keep being the amazing and thoughtful students that you are!
Thanks again for your enthusiasm and hard work.
Sports Events
We’ve had another busy week of sporting events after school. A group of Y3/4’s took part in cross country on Thursday, along with invasion games and a football fixture for Y5/6. A few of our Y6 children have done a report for the activities. Our cross country runners were Niamh, Fergus, Freddie, Jack Dy & Kaden from Y3 and Seth, Digby, Bowden, Jack R & Finley from Y4.
We went to Castle School on Monday for an Invasion Games tournament. We played football, handball, ultimate frisbee and netball. North Town won every game we played. There were 2 North Town teams, and we played 2 games of each sport. We cooked in every game. One team had Aleem, Imran, Art, Bobbi, Will, Alasdair & Heitor, and the other was Issy, Megan L, Omer, George P, Ollie, Arthur, Laurence and Theo Sc.
Bobbi M, Art G, Will L – 6KN
On 24th October Y5/6 played in some football matches and played against Wiveliscombe, Milverton and Bishops Hull. We beat Wiveliscombe 4-0, Milverton 2-0 and we needed a draw or win to top the group and we were 1-0 down at half time. Then Mr Grave made some changes and Rufus stepped up and slotted it home to draw 1-1. We’re back at Castle for the Area Finals on the 25th of November. The team was George P, Joey S, Ollie W, Tom B, Bobbi M, Will L, Rufus E & Arthur I.
George P – 6KN
Attendance
Just a reminder to all parents and carers to contact the school if ever your child is absent from school. Unfortunately, if we are not notified of an absence due to sickness, we have to record it as unauthorised.
Attendance is monitored closely at North Town and (as all schools) letters are sent out if absence levels are high or a child is consistently late for school and at times parents and carers are invited in for a meeting to ensure we are doing everything we can for excellent attendance for all children.
We are aware there are times that children have sickness bugs or cases of colds/flu and completely understand the need to keep children at home. Please ensure you call the school office to report absence.
It is really important the children are in school for 8:50am ready to start their lessons.
Winter Coats
It has started to get a little colder and it has been good to see the children come to school in their winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Please can all parents and carers ensure their children do come to school with a winter coat.
KS1 New Resources
The new KS1 play areas look amazing and a huge thank you to the many parents who have kindly commented. The children are very much enjoying the new areas. Thank you to the North Town parent who kindly made a donation to the school to make it possible to purchase the resources.
Phonics at North Town
Just a reminder to all parents and carers that Mrs Richards is available at the end of any school day at the Pippins fence if you have any questions about phonics.
Poppies
From Monday 4th November Poppies will be available to purchase for 50p. These will be taken around to classrooms for the children to purchase. Other poppy appeal items will be available to purchase from the school office at the end of the school day from the Monday 4th November. All proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion.
Half-Term & Halloween Activities
There is lots going on in/around Taunton, with various activities to try, including at Museum of Somerset, Monkton Elm Garden Centre, Willows and Wetlands Centre, Compass Wellbeing Centre, Lamb & Flag @ Blagdon Hill, Thurloxton Fruit Farm and a fantastic, decorated garden (for Charity) in Bircham Road Taunton. Further afield Somerset Reindeer Ranch, Shepton Mallet Prison Museum, and Wookey Hole all have events planned. In all cases please see websites/social media for details.
Not into Halloween? Make a bug hotel with sticks, bricks, dried grass/straw/leaves; create a space for hedgehogs to overwinter safely – a big pile of leaves in a sheltered spot will do; go for a scrunchy leaf-walk; use dried fallen leaves to make a hedgehog picture or a collage; look for toadstools/berries/nuts (don’t touch!); help wildlife – put out some food for birds; make an Autumn wreath for the front door. Don’t forget – Bridgwater carnival is on November 2nd!
Whatever you do, have a great time!
Mufti Reminder
On Friday 8th November we will be asking for donations of chocolate in readiness for the chocolate tombola at the Christmas Fayre. The children will be allowed to come in wearing non-uniform for the day. Mr Braund will ensure the chocolate donations are kept safe and secure in his office until the Christmas Fayre!
Christmas Sparkle
Once again, North Town School is supporting the Christmas Sparkle Charity by collecting donations of new gifts. If you are able, please help by purchasing and donating a gift suitable for a child/young person aged 0-18yrs. We have supported this Charity for several years now, and they are always amazed by the generosity shown by parents at our school. Thank you for your support. Our Christmas Sparkle donation box is in the main Reception area. All gifts should be new, and NOT wrapped. If you would prefer to give a cash donation, please leave your preferred amount at the school office – this will be used by the Charity to purchase further gifts/wrapping paper etc.
Flu Community Clinics
Attached is a list of up coming flu vaccination community sessions. If your child did not have the vaccination in school please read to be are aware of other opportunities to do so.
Key Dates Autumn Term 2024
AUTUMN 1
Friday 25th October – End of Autumn Term 1
Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November – SCHOOL CLOSED (Half term)
AUTUMN 2
Monday 4th November – SCHOOL OPEN (Autumn Term 2)
Friday 8th November – Mufti Day
Wednesday 13th November (9:30-10:30) – Open Morning for Prospective Parents
Friday 15th November – Children in Need
Friday 6th December – Christmas Fayre
Monday 9th December – KS1 Shows Dress Rehearsals
Tuesday 10th December – Pippins Christmas Sing Song
Wednesday 11th December – Year One Christmas Show 10am and 2pm
Thursday 12th December – Year Two Christmas Show 10am and 2pm
Friday 13th December – Nursery Christmas Sing Along
Friday 13th December – Christmas Jumper Day for ‘Save the Children.’
Monday 16th December – Class Christmas Parties (pm)
Wednesday 18th December – Christmas Dinner Day
Friday 20th December – KS2 Christmas Service
Friday 20th December – End of Autumn Term 2
Saturday 21st December – Sunday 5th January – SCHOOL CLOSED (Christmas holidays)