Head Teacher: Mr Adams

Telephone: 01803 853347 www.furzehamprimary.org

Newsletter No: 6 Spring Term

Dear Parents, It’s been a ‘snowy’ Spring half term and what a surprise for us all! Not only one snow school day but two! I cannot remember the school closing for bad weather but thanks to all staff, parents and children in keeping all our school community safe. It was wonderful to see the children (and parents ) enjoying themselves. Our year five children wrote newspaper reports on ‘Storm Emma’ and I’d like to share one with you. Lots of other things have happened this term including; football matches, continued sports partnership games, singing in North Devon for Teachers Rock Choir , Our Furzeham Performing Arts (FPA) performed at the Torbay Festival and our children celebrated World Book Day and raised money for Sport Relief. Our Year 3 and 4 showcases took place in Ancient Egypt and we all couldn’t be prouder of the children – they were fantastic! I’d like to say a thank you for our very kind PTA who continues to come up with wonderful fund raising ideas and give of their time freely. If you would like to help in any way please see the office. Storm Emma – by Helena Marshall

World Book Day

Our Year 6 children all look fantastic on World Book Day. Brilliant effort everyone! Some ‘buddy reading’ between our Year 6 class and Mr Bennett’s Year 1/2 class. So inspiring to watch and listen to the children read to each other! Scholastic Book Fair

A big thank you for your support at recent book fairs. We have just spent the money raised for the school on a selection of exciting books which were requested by the children. Parking Could parents please try and avoid the busy junction of the building site where possible as large delivery lorries are accessing the site on a regular basis. School Dinners to be ordered online with effect Tuesday 17th April 2018.

So Universal Free School meal children (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils) will need to book meals online but will not need to make any payments. Some parents have already started booking online; however, some children have been ordering different meals to what their parents have already ordered. Please can you ensure that your child/ren are happy with the meal choice as we will be unable to cook double portions or different choices. If you do not have access to the internet there will be a facility to book lunches in advance in the main school hall. Please ask at the school office if you need assistance.

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Football The year 5/6 boys football team reached the semi-finals of the Bewley Cup (the Torbay schools version of the FA cup) for the first time in a number of years. We beat Curledge St. 3-1 (Oscar 2, Charlie 1) and they are one of the strongest footballing schools in the bay. The team was Luke Adams, Callum Beeson, William Griffiths, Luke Thomas, Sam Rodger, Oscar O'Sullivan, Charlie Wheatley, Harry Graves and Saul Chappell. The Year 3/4 Boy’s Football team have had an incredible season. On Tuesday 20th March, we played against Galmpton and we won 2-1. The first goal was scored by Jake Thomas, and the second by Daniel Ayling. Such a fantastic effort by everyone on our team. Frankie Horton was player of the match for making some absolutely amazing saves and ultimately ensuring we won the match! Well done everyone! We are all very proud of you. The girls completed their league fixture with a draw against Galmpton. They have had a fantastic season only losing once against Sacred Heart. The final league table hasn't been produced yet so we are not sure if we are champions or runners up.

Teachers Rock choir and teachers youth choir Teachers Rock Choir is an initiative that has been running for about five years and started in North Devon. It’s been running in Torbay for about a year. Staff from many schools in Devon sing together in a massed choir and learn techniques and gather resources to take back into the classroom. There is a Torbay section of the choir which is predominately made up of Furzeham Primary school staff! We attend a couple times a term and have been singing in concerts for about a year now and we generally sing popular songs. Then the exciting news broke that the Musical Director, Debbie Kent would be extending the choir to form a Teachers Youth Choir. We were asked if some of our children would come along and sing in a live feed to a school in Manchester and record a few songs. Some of our children agreed to go and we all sang with 120 other children and approx. 100 adults in a village hall in North Devon. It’s an exciting project which I’m sure will build and they are looking to form a Teachers Youth Choir here in Torbay. If you child is interested in joining then look out for the next information letter. Our next performance for Furzeham Primary Teachers Rock adult section is at the International Riveria Centre in Torquay for the Torbay Festival of Music and Arts on Wednesday. Here’s are teachers rock choir; Mrs Hewitt, Mrs Tooley, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Job, Mrs Hall and Mrs Lund Here’s our Youth Choir Joesph Adams, Lily Shipton, Finlay Srang, Jack McPartlin Morey, Heidi Booth, and Amelie Stone.

Riveria International Conference Centre CLA Celebration Awards Evening Miss Smoothy and Mrs Griffiths attended a special awards evening this week to celebrate schools who mentor and coach students in the Early Years. Here at Furzeham Primary we coach many students in the Early Years provision and are proud of the students who come and benefit from their experiences. Our Early Years provison was nominated for the best school setting for students in the bay. Achieving the prestigious Champions Setting Award. We are very proud of our teachers and students and what they have achieved.

Music at Furzeham We are so lucky to have Steve Wiltshire come in to school and teach some of our pupil to play an instrument. On Friday 23rd March we were treated to a wonderful performance from our very talented pupils. I was amazed at their talent and bravery to perform. Well done children. If anyone else is interested inn learning please contact the school office.

Sport Relief and Run for life Furzeham is activity involved in the ‘Run for life’ and the ‘Golden Mile’ which are fantastic initiatives aimed at encouraging children to become more engaged in activity. The children at Furzeham really are excited about joining in and love running around our playground as part of the Run for Life. It is essential that it becomes part of their lifestyle and not just a moment in time. Alongside this, we have been busy raising money for Sport Relief and our school – thanks to everyone who has donated money.

Torbay Music Festival Some of our children represented Furzeham Primary School at the Torbay Festival on the 27th March 2018. We did a medley from our summer show 2017 Little Mermaid. The children were amazing and the costumes and make up were superb. Thanks to all the children, the Furzeham Team and the parents for their support. Very proud of our children. Please see our twitter page for a link to some photos.

School Uniform Please ensure that children wear plain black suitable shoes or trainers and plain grey or black tights.

Boys Girls

Royal blue sweatshirt or jumper White or pale blue polo shirt Grey or black trousers Plain black shoes or trainers

Royal blue sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan White or pale blue polo shirt, Grey skirt or trousers Plain black shoes or trainers

Please can you make sure that all clothes are clearly labelled with your child’s name. School Clubs Clubs will start week commening Monday 23rd April – details to follow. Attendance You may be surprised to know that if your child misses 10 days of school their attendance cannot get any higher than 94.74%.

Diary Dates

28th March Colouring competition entries due in. (Mark judging entries) Easter raffle – tickets being sold at school entrance after school. 29th March Cake sale 7 and 8 (Mrs Chapman and Miss Wilkinson’s class) 29th March Colouring competition winners announced in whole school assembly. Raffle ticket winners announced and prizes given in assembly. 16th April NON PUPIL DAY 19th April Mini Marathon - All Year 6 – Brixham College 20th April We will have the Cake sale for the classes that were missed due to snow day? Nursery/ Mrs Shaw-Giles and Mrs Smoothy’s Class 23rd April After school Clubs start week beginning 23rd April 23rd – 27th The BIG PEDDLE – Put Furzeham on the map –Ride your bikes and scooters to school 26th April Mini Red Tennis – Brixham College – Mrs Hewitt’s class 3rd May Gymnastics – Brixham College – Miss James class 7th May BANK HOLIDAY 10th May Gymnastics – Brixham College – Mrs Shaw-Giles and Miss Smoothy’s class 10th May Paignton Zoo Trip – Mrs Hewitt, Miss Shears and Mr Ward’s class 14th May SATs A reminder to parents that SATs week for KS2 begins on May 14th. Please ensure that your child is in school during this week. Saturday 12th May PTA Event at Wetherspoons – The Vigilance – Smoothy Bike/Cake Sale/Raffle The ‘smoothie bike’ will also be here on this day for children to ‘cycle’ their own smoothies. 17th May Tri-Golf – Brixham College – Miss Shears class 24th May Tri-Golf – Brixham College – Mrs Chapman’s class 25th May Furzehams’ Got Talent

I am continually reminded how wonderful our school is with all our sporting and musical events and how our community supports each other. I hope you have a wonderful Easter. Let’s hope the sun shines!

C. Thompson

Mrs. C. Thompson Deputy Head teacher Inspired to learn, Inspired for life.