Summer Term 2025

 

Junior Ten Tors

We are excited to be hosting the Junior Ten Tors teams for the region after school on Thursday 24th April to carry out orienteering in our school grounds. We are delighted to be able to share our wonderful resources with everyone. We will also be teaching the teams how to carry out basic first aid and giving them more information about the event. All Y6 who are interested in being in the team are invited to attend the event before the final team is selected. 

Grenville House

We really enjoyed taking away some of Y3 and Y4 on the residential trip to Grenville House on Monday 28th April. All of the children  worked around the theme of 'Masters of the Air' and learnt about the history of flight. They learnt about how things fly, took part in art activities, and learnt some dance routines. The group also took part in a raft building event and enjoyed the beautiful landscape. We were delighted to see them developing independence and leadership skills.  Those children in Y3 & Y4 who did not attend the trip, enjoyed similar activities and a day Bell boating. 

WW2 Week & D Day

This week we are learning about WW2 and celebrating D Day on Friday with a picnic on the filed at lunchtime. There are also lots of events taking place on the Hoe on Thursday during the day and into the evening if you would like to go and join in. 

Half Marathon

Please do come along and cheer on our half marathon team on Sunday on the Hoe. They will be running their last mile as they have carried out one mile a week for the last twelve weeks. This is a great family day out. 

KS2 SATs Week

On Monday 12th May we will be starting SATs for Y6. The children will be given a special bacon bap and sausage sandwiches in the morning. Please make sure that all children are in school every day on time so we do not delay any of the starting times. 

Spring Term 2025

February 2025
Valentine's Disco

A huge thank you to all of our parents and FOYFs members who made the disco such a success for the children. The children were really well behaved and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We managed to raise £900 which will go towards resources and equipment for the children in school. FOYFs also subsidise school trips to help make them more affordable. 

Half Term

As you will be aware, next week is half term. Children are due to return to school on Monday 24th February. Enjoy the break!

World Book day

We are very excited to be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 6th March with a variety of activities. The children are encouraged to dress up as a character from their favourite book; take part in a variety of activities promoting reading and each class will focus on a different author.

Here are the author's for each class. Please feel free to find out more about them over the half term holiday from your local library. 

	Author
Nursery	Rachel Bright/Jill Murphy
EYFS	Michael Rosen
Year 1	Joseph Coelho
Year 2	Oliver Jeffers
Year 3	Torben Kuhlmann/
Year 4	Michael Morpurgo

British Science Week

We will be celebrating British Science Week during the week beginning Monday 10th March. The theme this year is 'Change & Adapt.' We will be planning a lot of activities for the children to take part in during the week to develop their understanding of science in through this theme. 

January 2025 Update

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone and we are delighted to see everyone returning after the Christmas holidays. We do hope you have all had a restful time. We have been talking to the children about New Year's resolutions today. We have reminded everyone that if we want to change our habits we need to start off with small achievable steps so we feel that we are making progress. As a school, we are working on embedding our culture of positive behaviour. The children are very polite and thoughtful towards each other most of the time, and this is their resolution for the term. We have been talking about walking around the school, smiling at people you pass and saying a positive greeting. This all helps to build the positive culture of belonging within our school. 

Young Voices 

We are excited to be taking a group of 39 KS 2 children to Young Voices at the London O2 arena. The group will leave on Sunday 19th January and return on Tuesday 21st January. We have included an evening walk around central London and a trip to the Natural History Museum this year. This is a fabulous experience where the children get to sing with over 5000 other performers to the audience. There may still be tickets available if you fancy a trip up to watch the children.

Y4 Swimming

In February Y4 will be going swimming every morning at the Life Centre. This is a brilliant opportunity to help develop the children's confidence with swimming in a safe, friendly environment. More news to come for Y4 nearer the time. 

Dates for December

December Updates

Grandparents'Christmas Lunch

Yesterday we had our first Grandparents' Christmas lunch and the children were able to serve their grandparents and perform for them. This was a delightful afternoon and started the Christmas season off well. It was great to see our Y6 children helping the younger children in acts of servitude. At Christmas it is the perfect time to show everyone how much you care about them through simple acts of kindness. We are looking forward to all of the other events that we have planned over the next two weeks. 

KS2 Christmas Show

Our KS2 Christmas show will be taking place on Tuesday 10th December at 2pm and again at 6pm. We still have a few tickets left for the afternoon performance. Please contact the office if you are interested in these. This will be a selection of festive songs and readings. 

Christmas Jumper Day

On Thursday 12th December we will join in with Christmas jumper day. Children should bring along £1 which is being donated to Save the Children. This is also Christmas lunch day for the children. 

Christmas Fayre & Santa's Grotto

The Christmas fayre will take place on Friday 13th December at 3.30pm in the school hall. Please come along and join in with this event. We have stall holders in the hall and some children will also be selling additional Christmas Apprentice items. We will also have Santa's Grotto. More information to follow next week. 

November Updates

School Improvement Plan

We have been working hard on our school improvement plan. Our pupil achievement and progress data was very good at the end of last year. However, we are always striving to improve. Our new targets for this year are:

• We have a focus on the fluency element of reading throughout the curriculum to develop reading.

• YFPS will embed our structured daily routine that focuses on number facts to boost children's confidence and fluency in recalling fundamental maths concepts, with particular emphasis on number bonds and place value in KS1 and times tables in KS2.

•  YFPS will build children's retrieval and storage capacity using cognitive science approaches. (This means we will help them to remember what they are learning better.)

Over the next few weeks we will share more details about these strategies how we can work together to help our children achieve even more than they already do. 

Children in Need

A huge thank you to you all for supporting Children in Need today. The children are really enjoying the day and we have raised a good amount of money for the cause.

Christmas Dates

The dates for our Christmas events are listed at the start of this blog. Please refer to them to help you to plan for December. We have a number of lovely events planned. Please be aware that the Grandparents' Christmas lunch is very popular and we can only run this twice, so book up quickly. We also have Father Christmas visiting again in our grotto and a Christmas Fayre. We are looking forward to our Yule celebration where each class will have a forest school session through the day. 

October Update

PANTs Awareness

On Monday 7th October we will be focusing on healthy relationships and teaching the children about Pantysaurus. The is a child friendly approach to enabling children to know how to keep themselves safe. Please click on the link here for further information about these resources. You can also join in with some of the activities at home. 

Harvest Festival

Harvest festival will be on Thursday 24th October at 9am. Each class will perform a short contribution and we will sing some harvest songs. This is usually a very popular event and we will be posting a google form for you to book very soon. Initially we can only allow one family member per family. If you would like to reserve additional seats, please do so on the form. 

Bright Stars Booking

Please remember to book your spaces in Bright Stars for October. If you use vouchers then let Tracey know the amount so she can add it onto your account. We will also be taking booking for half term so please book in plenty of time for us to organise staffing. 

DLD Awareness Day

This year we are once again celebrating DLD awareness day. This will be on Friday 18th October when children will learn more about this theme. Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a communication disorder that interferes with learning, understanding, and using language. These language difficulties are not explained by other conditions, such as hearing loss or autism, or by extenuating circumstances, such as lack of exposure to language. DLD can affect a child’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing. DLD has also been called specific language impairment, language delay, or developmental dysphasia. It is one of the most common developmental disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 14 children in kindergarten. The impact of DLD persists into adulthood. Click this link here for access to resources and further information: 

Summer Term

July Update

Summer BBQ

Please come along to our Summer BBQ today. Unfortunately we are holding it indoors due to the weather today! We have a number of exciting events including a dance performance and several musical performances. We will also be selling food and drinks and we have a number of stalls. The Osbourne book fayre will also be visiting. 

Grounds Day

Due to the weather forecast on Monday we have postponed our Grounds day until Friday 12th July. Please send the children to school in old clothes as they will be weeding and clearing outside areas. If you have a small garden trowel they can bring in please send them. We will provide the children with a gardening glove unless they have their own. If you would like to volunteer to help your class, please contact their teacher. 

Last Week of Term

During the last week of term we have a number of activities taking place. On Monday it will be Dojo Assembly when the children will find out how many Dojo points they have received this term. On Tuesday evening it is the Y6 party only for Y6. In the day, the ice-cream van is coming and we have booked a show in the afternoon for everyone called 'The Railway Children'. The school will cover the cost of this event. On Thursday we have an awards ceremony and those parents whose children are receiving a prize should have been told. 

September Return

We do hope that you all have a lovely summer and return to school on Wednesday 4th September. 

June Update

Welcome back

A warm welcome back to the last half of the summer term. Please remember that children might need suntan cream and hats this term as we do hope for some warmer weather. This is our busiest term and we have lots of lovely events and activities planned for you and your families. Please see the community calendar for full updates of everything. The link is here.  

This week we have two day trips: Y6 have gone bell boating and Foundation are visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary on Wednesday 5th June. 

We would like to welcome Miss Whiteley into Y1 as she is covering Miss Alford's maternity leave this year. I am sure you will join me in making sure she settles into our school routines. 

Walk to School Week

We were delighted to have been awarded with a prize for our success in walk to school week. We have another BMX performance booked for Wednesday 12th June at 2pm in the KS2 playground. Please remember that children will be able to ride their bikes at lunchtime this term. Please check the rota for their correct day: KS1 and Foundation will use the track on Tuesday and Thursday
KS2 will use the track on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

School Discos

FOYFs are planning another school disco on Wednesday 12th June. You will be able to book and pay for this online to reserve a place. You will also be able to volunteer through the online system if you are able to help. Due to health and safety, you will only be able to stay if you have booked to volunteer. We hope this will make our systems more efficient. 

Spring Term 2024

March Update 2024

Science Week

The children are having a fabulous week enjoying many activities related to the theme 'Time'. Each year group is working on the following areas of interest: 

• EYFS- Our Planet Through Time
• Year 1- Observation Over Time
• Year 2- Right On Time-Marble Run
• Year 3- Sailing Through Time
• Year 4- Frozen In Time
• Year 5- The Development Of Time
• Year 6- Technology Through Time

Please look at Dojo posts to find out more about what your child is learning.

Early Years Nursery Position

We are looking to appoint a part time early years practitioner to our team. This role is eighteen hours a week and is all year round. The ideal candidate will have at least level 2 qualifications in Early years practice. Please contact the office for further details about the application process. 

Plymouth Youth Community Choir and Orchestra

A really fantastic opportunity has been created for our amazing singers and musicians to join together with Plympton Academy!
We are excited to introduce to you the: Plympton Youth Community Choir and Orchestra! Sessions will run every Tuesday during term time starting on the 16th April 2024. Any child in KS2 is welcome to join the choir.
The orchestra will be through invite depending on progress made on their classroom instruments.
This is a really fantastic opportunity for our YFPS singers and musicians to learn alongside their secondary school peers!
If you feel your child would like to join with the choir, please complete the form to register their interest: https://forms.gle/CGGL4wtewyLf1JxVA

Red Nose Day

On Friday 15th March, it is Red Nose Day. Children can come into school either in red or the theme this year is ‘Do something funny for money’. We are asking for £1 donation. Looking forward to seeing the amazing outfits!

World Book Day

Last week we all dressed up as book characters for World Book Day. WE had a number of visitors in to read stories to the children and we all learnt more about our favourite authors. 

January 2024

Attendance

Welcome back to the new term. The government is very keen to improve children's attendance across the country and we are encouraging all of you to try and make sure that your child attends school every day and is on time. Please make this your priority this term to help us to make the most of the quality of their education. We monitor attendance weekly and we will be in touch if we have any concerns. Please contact us if you you need help in any way.

Junior Field Gun Representation

On Wednesday we have been invited by the leaders of the Junior Field Gun event to represent the schools in Plymouth and receive an award at The Lord Mayor's Parlour. Two members of our team have been invited to represent the school and take part in this event.

Singing at the O2 Arena

On Tuesday 16th January we have a small group of thirty children from our KS2 choir travelling to London and taking part in a singing event with 20000 other children in the country at the O2 arena. We are very excited to be representing the school at this event. We will take lots of video for you to be able to share in this experience.

Indoor Rowing

On Wednesday 17th our KS2 children will be competing in an indoor rowing event at school. This is a very exciting event and our winners will be put forward to a city wide event later in the term.

Maths Workshops

Mrs Milford has planned to run two maths workshops this term. The first will be on Wednesday 10th January at 9am in the music room; second on Wednesday 17th and third on Wednesday 24th. Please do come along and find out how we teach maths and how you can help your child. More details to follow. 

Y4 Swimming

Our Y4 will start their three weeks of swimming on Monday 22nd January. This is a great way to increase their confidence in the water and takes place at the Life Centre which we travel to by coach every morning. 

Autumn Term 2023

24/11/23

Junior Field Gun Awards

In assembly today one of our field gun teams that went to represent the school at Stover Primary school a few weeks ago received individual awards for their contribution to the team. They achieved the fastest time recorded so far this year.

We have also been invited by the Military Kids Club to represent the city in a ceremony to receive funding from the MOD in February.

Assessment week

Next week we have assessment week to see how the children are making progress. We will be assessing maths, reading, phonics and writing.

Christmas Events

Please make sure you have all of the events in your diary and have booked and paid for your tickets.

Tuesday 5th December: KS2 Christmas Concert @ 2pm & 6pm

Wednesday 6th December: Brass Day for children in KS2 playing brass instruments

Thursday 7th December: Christmas Jumper Day (£1 donation for Save the Children) Grandparents' Christmas lunch

Friday 8th December: The choir sings in the city centre, all welcome

Monday 11th December: Christmas Discos F& KS1 @ 5-6pm, KS2 @ 6.30-7.45pm

Tuesday 12th December: Grandparents' Christmsa lunch

Wednesday 13th December: F&KS1 Christmas Nativity @ 9.30am

Thursday 14th December: Children's Christmas lunch

Friday 15th December: Santa's Grotto in the afternoon, St Andrew's church choir @ 1pm

Monday 18th December: Yule celebrations

Tuesday 19th December: Last Day of term

10/11/23

Firework Event

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our firework event on Friday 10th November. There will still be tickets available on the gate from 5.30pm. The display will take place at 7pm and we will be selling drinks, food and glow sticks. Please come and join in this wonderful event for our community. The display should be spectacular.

Anti-Bullying Week

From Monday 13th November it will be anti-bullying week. Children can wear odd socks on Monday and we will be having assemblies all week to discuss anti-bullying with the children. We have daily prefects and Play Leaders who support children in the playground and help our children to feel safe.

Children in Need

On Friday 17th November it will be Children in Need and we will be celebrating by dressing in anything with spots on it. We will be asking for £1 donation for mufti, selling cakes and collecting any loose change.

Grandparents' Christmas Lunch

We have now sent out the booking form for Grandparents' Christmas lunch. Please make sure you book in plenty of time as we can only have 80 people in each sitting. We will keep a waiting list if you are not successful in booking a place.

18/09/23

Junior Field Gun Event

Mr Deady and Mr Lamay have been blown away by the overwhelming number of responses to Field Gun this year! As a club, we pride ourselves on our ability to let children enjoy a fun and inclusive environment with a comfortable level of competition, ready for a competitive event in the summer. The fact that so many children know they are up to the challenge is something we are very excited about! This Saturday 23rd September we will be taking part in a showcase event in Stover. Please do come along and support us if you are in the area as the event is on throughout the day.

Harvest Festival

ON Thursday 12th October at 9am we will be having our annual harvest festival and you are welcome to come along and watch the children perform. The theme this year is 'Harvest around the World' and we will be collecting for the Foodbank charity.

A visit from Pantysaurus

On Tuesday 10th October we will be having a visit from Pantysaurus to talk about keeping safe. Please click the link here for more information from the NSPCC.

Volunteer Gardeners

Thank you to all those who volunteered to help with the garden. Can you pop in for a short meeting on Thursday 28th September at 9am? If not, please message me on Dojo and we will arrange another visit time.

Week Beginning 4/09/23

A Warm Welcome!

We would like to say a warm welcome to everyone to the new Autumn term. We had an excellent start to the term yesterday and the children have already settled into the daily routines. Your class teachers will let you know timetables and topics for the term through the Dojo app so make sure you are signed up! Pop in and see your class teacher if you still need to get this done. 

A reminder that children cannot arrive in school unattended until 8.40am. We have an excellent breakfast club available that they can be booked into if you need to drop them off earlier. Please book into this club in advance so we can ensure adequate staffing. We also have after school care running every day until 6pm but you must book in advance. Our prices are very reasonable. Please click the link here to see prices.

Attendance

Currently there is a national drive to improve attendance across the country and our local authority have a promotion to encourage this. Please watch the video to get the key messages by clicking here. Please try and ensure your child is at school on time everyday and avoid booking holidays in term time if possible. 

Grass Cutting and Gardening

We have the grass cutters coming into school today to work on the site and we are replacing the planters in front of the entrance. If anyone is a keen volunteer gardener, we would welcome some help to weed the flowerbeds and keep the vegetable patch under control. If you would like to be involved with this, you will need to have a short informal interview and we will carry out a DBS check.