Dear Parents and Carers,

The final newsletter of 2019! It’s always a good time to reflect on all that we continue to achieve and our

targets for next year. Just within the past few months I can think of so much to be proud of; the arrival

of our new Year 5 pupils, Focus Days, Osmington Bay, theatre and pantomime trips, open evening,

countless charity fundraising events to name but a few of our achievements over the Autumn Term.

Schools are always special places to be at this time of year and I am privileged to be the Headteacher of

a school with young people who have such a wonderful sense of fun and enthusiasm but also know

when the time is to stop. As I write this newsletter, children next door are rehearsing for the Christmas

Show (Thursday), the singing sounds just wonderful and I’m finding it difficult to stop myself from

popping next door to watch!

This morning (Friday) we are taking over 250 pupils (in six coaches!) to Yeovil for the Pantomime ‘Snow

White and the Seven Dwarfs’. This will be, I’m sure, a fantastic experience and I have reminded the

children how lucky they are to attend a school where every single pupil was invited to go along to the

theatre.

Finally, as we come towards the end of another calendar year, can I take the opportunity to, once again,

thank everybody for the support they give the school. Swanmead has had another successful year and

we are all very proud of our achievements. One thing that is always consistent, and has been crucial

towards our prosperous year, is the backing of the school’s parent community. Through all the

challenges, it is always made easier knowing that you continue to back me and my colleagues in how we

try to provide the best for our young people.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and I look forward to writing to you again in 2020. A reminder that

we return to school on Monday 6th January 2020. Mark Walker

Headteacher

Check us out online www.swanmeadschool.co.uk Follow us on Facebook – ‘Swanmead Community School’

Telephone: 01460 52431 e-mail: Swanmead@educ.somerset.gov.uk Web Address: www.swanmeadschool.co.uk

The Swanmead ‘Festive’ Pen Parents’ Newsletter – Autumn Term 1.6 DATE: Friday 20th December 2019

Swanmead Community School

Ditton Street

Ilminster

Somerset

TA19 0BL

Headteacher: Mr Mark Walker

Year 7 Parkour morning

Some parents may not have heard of Parkour. Parkour is a training discipline using movement

developed from military obstacle course training, where individuals aim to get from one point to another

in a complex environment in the fastest and most efficient way possible. Last week school invited a

Parkour trainer into the school to spend the morning with our Year 7s. What a great opportunity and

many of them were complete naturals!

Headteacher’s Award

E-Safety in Computing: Ryan B Mathematics: Harrison R

Cost of Christmas Project: Kieran F Sean T Owen M Marcus W

Playscript: Sonny T Martha O’N Charlie G-A Jaclyne D Teyah C

Rags to Riches Story: Robbie L Lucy W Emily W Lucy S Alfie C Lily B Freddie P Florence L Isaac G

Chloe M Harley M Eli C Leah C Theodoore C Josephine A Casey W

An Outstanding Register Monitor: Dolly B

Accelerated Reader Certificates

Platinum Award Harry W Toby M

Gold Award Ruby C Harry W Harry B Toby M Sophie D Jessica D Charlton B Noah B

Silver Award Oliver S Ruby C Keira H JJ T Harry W Emily W Ruby A Gabriella C Emma J Marcus K

Molly B Freya D Rebecca E Sydney I

Bronze Award Stanley B Dolly B Phoebe B Leah C Millie D Summer G Evita L Barnaby S Darcy B Josie B

Esme H Robert L Layla-Rose P Iolo S JJ T Emily W Teyah C Megan G Lilja P Percy B Gabriella C Kazuki G Marcus K Phoebe L Edith P Sophie R Jodie H Joseph T Lewis W Ryan B Emilee-Jade P Thomas S Riley B Ryan C Freya D Jack D Fraser H Alexander P Jessica C Samuel H Ethan B George C Rebecca E Sydney I Jaike N Joseph S Emma S Emma W

Numeracy Ninjas Numeracy Ninjas – Grand Master – Ruler Prize (20 x Black Belts)

Harry B

Numeracy Ninjas – Grand Master - (3 x Black Belts) Emma S Ethan B Billy L Jack B

Numeracy Ninjas – Black Belt Emma J Edie P Percy B

Readers of The Half Term Billy L – nominated by Mrs Donkersley Keira H – nominated by Miss Cox

William B – nominated by Miss Cox Jess H – nominated by Mr Whitfield

Ivy H – nominated by Mr Whitfield Barnaby S – nominated by Mr Whitfield

Emilee-Jade P – nominated by Mrs Aylward Rebecca E – nominated by Mrs Aylward

Alex P – nominated by Mrs Aylward

Millionaire’s Club Tea Party

What an incredible achievement for Harry,

Charlton, Harry, Toby, Sky and Ruby. The

talented group have all read one million words

during the course of this term. In reward for

this phenomenal feat, the group were invited

to a special afternoon tea party. Their parents

joined them for tea, cakes and scones and a

celebration afternoon in the school library.

Many congratulations to this team of book

lovers and many thanks to their family

members for joining them to recognise this

wonderful triumph.

Parents’ Evening Dates

Please make a note of the Parents’ Evenings taking place in the Spring/Summer Term.

Year 6 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday 15th January

Year 7 Parents’ Evening - Tuesday 3rd March

Year 8 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday 25th March

Year 5 Parents’ Evening - Tuesday 28th April

Arts Award Pottery

What a great day children from

all year groups had last Friday

enjoying a pottery workshop.

Our talented children, who are

studying for their arts award,

spent the day working alongside

professional potters. Whilst

some worked on their own

designs and projects, each pupil

had the chance to try out their skills on the potter’s wheel. A great

opportunity and some fantastic results.

Christmas at Swanmead

It has been a busy week of festivities for us at Swanmead with

one event after another taking place to welcome in the

Christmas break.

Christmas Concert

The school community enjoyed the ever popular Christmas Show last night. Fantastic

performances, beautiful singing and comedy moments sent everyone home feeling far more

Christmassy than when they arrived! Many thanks to all our school community for

supporting.

Money raised for ‘Save the Children’

Thank you to parents who

helped their children support

our ‘Christmas Jumper Day’

yesterday. Many of our staff

and pupils swapped

sweatshirts and cardigans for

Christmas jumpers in order to

raise money for ‘Save the Children’. Children brought in contributions

from their piggy banks and we were able to send off a cheque for just over £250.00 to the

charity. Some dodgy jumpers on show but well worth it!

Christmas at the Minster We are so grateful for parents and community members coming along to join us at The

Minster yesterday. It is always very special to be in our town’s wonderful church to

celebrate this time of year. The performances by the children were fantastic and our thanks

to parents for joining in with the carols! The walk back to school in the rain was an

interesting one!

DT projects for Christmas

I’ve enjoyed working with our Years 7 pupils on some festive projects over the past week or

two. With a cloud of icing sugar still over Room 17, check out these delicious looking Yule

Logs!

Diary Dates

DECEMBER

20th Friday Final Day of the Term

Christmas Holiday – Monday, 23rd December 2019 – Friday, 3rd January 2020

JANUARY

6th Monday First Day back after Half Term

15th Wednesday Year 6 Parents Evening – 4.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.

22nd Wednesday PSHE Focus Day 3

23rd Thursday Meeting of The Governing Body – 5.30 p.m.

FEBRUARY

10th – 12th Mon – Wed Year 6 Cardiff Experience

13th Thursday Last Day of Half Term for Children

14th Friday INSET Day

Half Term Holiday – Monday, 17th February – Friday, 21st February 2020

24th Monday First Day back after Half Term

27th Thursday Meeting of The Governing Body – 5.30 p.m.

Wishing all the families, friends and members of our school community a great Christmas and a Happy 2020