Dear Parents and Carers,
So much has happened in the past couple of weeks, and as usual the children have been very proactive in their learning, getting the most out of all the opportunities offered to them.
PCSO Rachel Lake visited us last week to talk to the children about what her job involves with some top tips about how they can keep themselves safe. She answered questions from children in Key Stage 2 who were also keen and enthusiastic to share their knowledge with her. She will be visiting us every half term and waxed lyrical about what a well behaved, polite and interested cohort of pupils we have - she is absolutely right!
Children in years 3-5 visited Taunton Cricket ground this week to watch Western Storm v South East Stars compete for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy. This was a wonderful and rather rare opportunity for the children to watch professional women’s cricket.
Swimming has really got under way now and it is fantastic to see the progress that the children are making in their confidence and water skills. Miss Johnstone has grown webbed feet and gills and her scales are positively glowing with pride for how well the children are doing.
Our three teams in the Exmoor Challenge were quite simply amazing, all completing the course, demonstrating determination and grit. I was so proud of them. It is a massive achievement and a true rite of passage in yr 6. Very sadly one person had to drop out due to illness the night before, but Olivia stepped in at the last minute ensuring the team were able to take part and I am most impressed by her performance having only taken part in a couple of the practice walks.
Next week, many of the children are out on trips and the week after that we start our KS2 SATs. The children in yr 6 have worked so hard in the run up to these and I know they will give their all in the tests. We wish them the best of luck.
On Thursday 13th June, we would like to invite you all to our next Open Day and Parent Forum. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the children to show off their learning to you and share their work. The Parent Forum will begin at 2.45 until 3.30. It would be great to hear your views about how we can further improve the school and for us to find out what’s working well and what we could do better.
On Saturday 6th July, we are planning to hold a Summer Fair and BBQ. We thought a Saturday might be easier for parents to attend but would appreciate feedback to know if the morning or the afternoon would be better - being mindful that so many children attend clubs on Saturdays.
Attendance
Please see below the attendance percentages for each class, calculated from the beginning of the term up to and including 8th Feburary 2024.
| Hedgehog Class | 91% |
| Squirrel Class | 94% |
| Fox Class | 95% |
| Stag Class | 96% |
A reminder that breakfast club can be booked via the school app and is open every day of the week from 8 am.
After School Clubs
Monday |
KS2 Tennis with Premier Education |
Tuesday |
KS1 Swimming run by Miss Johnstone - Book via school app - could be subject to change depending on the swimming pool |
Wednesday |
R, KS1 & KS2 Eco club run by Mrs NewmanKS2 Football run by Mr McCutcheon - Book Via School App |
Thursday |
KS2 Art club run by Laura Grant - book on the school appYear 6 Cuppa club run by either Mrs Chant or Mr McCutcheon - book on the school appR, KS1 and KS2 Forest School run by Primary Forest Education - Parents need to book directly |
Friday |
KS1, KS2 - Striking and Fielding – Cricket, Rounders run by Premier Education - Book direct |
9th May - THS Mixed Cricket yr 3/4
9th May - Reception and KS1 visit to Dunster Castle
10th May - Piano recitals from Mrs Grant’s pupils in Celebration Assembly
13th May - 17th May - KS2 SATS week
| Stag Class | Highest Score | Olivia |
| Stag Class | Amazing Effort | Tommy |
| Fox Class | Highest Score | Jack |
| Fox Class | Amazing Effort | Brayden |
| Squirrel Class | Highest Score | Violet |
| Squirrel Class | Amazing Effort | Walter |
Here are this week’s Times Table Rockstars, Superstars! We would like everyone to celebrate our top scorers and those who have made amazing efforts. All staff have been so impressed with children’s enthusiasm and determination to improve their times tables knowledge. If your child’s name is mentioned in the newsletter, then there is a 3 house point reward! Your child has a Times Table Rockstar login, which can be used at home too.
Good luck everyone!
Fieldmice and Hedgehog Class:
We have been enjoying our topic, learning all about minibeasts and life cycles. In literacy, we have been looking at traditional tales and producing some amazing writing! In maths we have been learning about teen numbers and doubles and working on our instant recall of facts. Hedgehogs have been swimming twice a week and are making fantastic progress.
Squirrel Class:
This week Squirrel class have shown determination in maths as we continue with multiplication and fractions. The children’s fluency has improved with many more 10 out of 10 scores in our daily Tough Ten arithmetic challenge. In Science we are learning about life cycles and how to stay healthy. We enjoyed measuring our heart rates after exercise and identified other factors such as good sleep, hygiene and a balanced diet to keep our bodies healthy.
Fox Class:
have demonstrated the Character virtues of determination and creativity. Over the last two weeks, Fox class have started swimming lessons again. This has made them all very happy as they have said that they are getting better at swimming with every lesson they have. Thank you, Miss Johnstone. We have been to the County Cricket ground in Taunton and have learnt new cricket skills and techniques from professional players! In Art, we have started to learn about Edgar Degas and have made fantastic sculptures of dancers in Modroc.
Stag Class:
have shown the character virtue of curiosity this fortnight in learning about World War Two for our History unit. They really impressed Miss Johnstone with their ability to understand and then recall the causes of World War Two, and showed great empathy when thinking about what it would have felt like to have been an evacuee. Parents may have found children coming home wearing evacuee labels leftover from the lesson! Next week, we will be writing letters home from the point of view of an evacuee.
Hedgehog
Isla in Hedgehog Class
For demonstrating the virtues of motivation and kindness. Isla has been a star in all areas, including reading, writing and swimming. She is also incredibly kind and hard-working and I am delighted to have her in my class. Well done Isla!
Jesse In Hedgehog Class
For demonstrating the virtues of motivation and confidence.. Jesse has made huge progress with his writing, not just in phonics, but also his independent work. Jesse is not afraid to try to spell complex words using his subject knowledge. Well done Jesse!
Squirrels
Gulliver in Squirrel Class
For demonstrating the character virtues of courage and motivation. We have been impressed with Gully’s courage in the swimming pool, going under water to pick up a sinker and the development of his front paddle stroke.
William in Squirrel Class
For resilience and determination in phonics, maths and swimming. William has remained really focussed this week in all his learning. In phonics Mr M has been really impressed with his conduct, joining in and trying his hardest in writing. In maths William has been listening really carefully and used resources to help him with multiplication.
Foxes
Annabelle in Fox Class
Annabelle has demonstrated the character virtues of curiosity and determination. She is a pleasure to have in class as she is so keen to learn and determined to improve her understanding. Annabelle makes great presentations about school work at
home, and is always positive about everything we do.
Thomas in Fox Class
Thomas has demonstrated the character virtues of determination and motivation. He has had a fantastic first week at Bampton! I have been so impressed with his effort in lessons
and to get to know the class, his presentation and great attitude for learning. Thank you Thomas for working so hard; you have
been an absolute pleasure to have in Fox class.
Harry in Fox Class
Harry has demonstrated the character virtues of curiosity and determination. He was a pleasure to take to the cricket match at Taunton as he was so keen to learn more about the game. Thomas has had a fantastic first week at Bampton, and it has been great to see his determination to improve his understanding.
Stags
Archie in Stag Class
For showing the character virtue of confidence in his learning this year. Archie, we are so incredibly proud of everything you’ve done in Year 6. From Youth Speaks to standing up to present work in Celebration Assembly, from sharing ideas in class to performing in our drumming workshops, your self-belief and willingness to have a go just keeps growing. We will all miss you hugely, and we wish you all the best.
Orla in Stag Class
Orla demonstrates the character virtues of compassion and friendliness every day in Stag class. She is such a thoughtful, kind person, who is quick to notice anyone in the class who is upset and always does her very best to help cheer them up. Orla also makes me laugh every day with her quick wit and superb sense of humour - she is a joy to have in class!
Well done Everybody
The PTFA is made up of parents, carers, teachers, and friends of Bampton School with a shared interest in raising funds for equipment, resources, and activities to enhance the children’s learning experience.
We meet monthly to discuss how we as a school community can develop and improve school facilities and students’ opportunities, through planning fundraising events such as Bingo events, the Christmas Community Evening, Easter Extravaganza etc.
We welcome new and old members and are hoping for more support in the coming months.
If you can help in any way, or would like more information on the work we do then please contact bamptonptfa@gmail.com or look out for meeting dates on the school website, posters around the school or for notes in your child’s book bag.
