A slightly calmer week this week, with the awareness of anti bullying being highlighted  across the school by everyone wearing odd socks – it definitely put smiles on people’s faces! The learning going on has been absolutely fantastic across the school and so many golden stickers given out by myself and Mr Hick! We have 4 days to bring our STAR curriculum to an end (with INSET day on Friday 27th November) before we start a wonderful chunk of learning based on Christmas and Winter. On the INSET day, we are all updating our First Aid training, and the teaching staff will be unpicking the art of pedagogy further as well as developing how to teach metacognitive skills.  

Despite Covid and current restrictions, we are still working hard to bring together our school community. Everything organised is within the current guidance and no-one is under any pressure to participate.  My thanks go to the rather small team from the PTFA, who have worked hard to organise these events and raise money for the PTFA, which all children in the school benefit from. Even if you are anxious about Covid and choose not to participate in the activities, I am sure you will join me in thanking the work of the PTFA, especially Carly, Yvonne and Miss Hawken. If you are interested in supporting more events next year, please do not hesitate to contact us – all support is appreciated! 

Ms Teagle

Christmas @ TMS!

As I am sure you are aware, our staff LOVE Christmas time! We have been planning ahead to ensure that our children make the most of this festive time, whilst adhering to the covid restrictions. We will not be having any events which invite the community into school; however, this doesn’t stop us from reaching out! Our EYFS/KS1 nativities will be going ahead – but filmed and emailed out to families; we may have carol singing (in bubbles) in the village after 2nd December, depending on restrictions being lifted (hopefully!); and we will be involved in creating lots of artwork to send on to local care homes, hospitals and other members of our community. If you know of anywhere who would benefit, please let us know!   

Christmas Jumper Day 11th December

We will be supporting Save the Children on 11th December by wearing anything Christmassy. There are many parents who want to pass on previous christmas jumpers – so please make use of platforms such as the year group Facebook pages to swap jumpers! As with everything this Christmas, we recognise financially things may be more challenging than usual. If you can donate, please do – there are many charities who would benefit – if not, then the children will have a great day anyway!

Christmas Foodbank

In support of our local food bank, some parents have asked whether we can use the school as a collection point. Our staff are more than willing to deliver any food packages to the food bank. Please drop anything appropriate into school by 11th December so we have time to quarantine, before handing it over. As you are aware, many of our families use this resource and it is an excellent way to practically support our community. 

PTFA – TMS to LAPLAND CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!

Can we cover the 2,101 miles / 3,381 km distance to travel from Threemilestone School to Lapland? During the weekend of 11th to 13th December, we are inviting all our families to cover a part of this distance together by walking, running, biking or scooting. By inviting our friends and families, we can clock up as many miles/kms as possible.

To raise money, set yourself your own challenge in your own families: £1 per km for every family member? £5 per mile for your whole family? The options are endless! There is also a small prize for the best dressed family and the family who have covered the most distance. The money can be donated through a JUSTGIVING page which will be set up and the money raised will be split between the PTFA and St.Petrocs. More information will be on our website shortly!

Christmas Cards, TMS Christmas Tree & Staff Gifts

Each class is going to have their own post box this year and only open the post box on the 7th, 14th and 18th December, with last posting being on the 16th. If you would like to give a christmas card to children who are in different classes, please give the cards to the class teacher, and they will deliver them after school into the right postbox. Please be aware that we are unable to give out lists of names of the children in a class.

As staff, we never expect any gifts, but I do acknowledge that some families choose to show their appreciation to the adults who work with their children by buying something small. Any gifts which come in, will need to be quarantined for 24 hours before opening. Please do not feel obligated to do this – nothing is expected.

We will be having a Christmas tree arriving on Monday 30th! This year, we will not be able to bring in Christmas decorations for it; however, we have so many decorations from  previous years that we can guarantee the tree will be full of wonderful decorations, and also memories of children from previous years! 

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Y2/3 Sleeping with Sharks

We are intending to organise the ‘Sleeping with Sharks’ residential for both Year 2 and 3 in January. At the moment, as you can imagine, the Aquarium is closed. We will not book anywhere, unless we can guarantee a full refund if covid restrictions are still in place.

Y4 Camp

Y4 camp to Delaware is organised by Cornwall Outdoors. All children should have received a letter and lots are bringing the slips back! Cornwall Outdoors have agreed to a full refund if the residential is cancelled due to covid.

Y5/6 camp

Y5 and Y6 will be off to Porthpean (Cornwall Outdoors!). Due to the popularity of the camp, we have already booked an additional ‘village’ meaning that we have 108 places for children from years 5 and 6. We will have one village (Y5) going from 12th-14th May, and the rest will go during 19th-21st. The adults in school are already fighting over who is going!

EYFS TAPESTRY

Parents of children in reception will have received an email which will allow them to activate their Tapestry account and create a password. If you haven’t been able to do this yet or if you are having any problems then please let us know.

We thank you for understanding that due to the absence of both Mrs Beckett and Mrs Brown, this has been a little slower in starting than we would have liked. We have now started to publish some observations.

EYFS Maths Parent Session

Parents of children in EYFS are invited to join Mr Hick and Mrs Brown on Thursday evening for a short parents session which will focus on maths in EYFS. The session will run for approximately 40 minutes and begin at 7pm – you will have received an invitation and link for the meeting via email. Our intention is to give you an overview of what the children are learning, will be learning and some practical ideas about how you can best support your child at home.

Covid update

With the heightened restrictions, we are asking for parents/carers to wear masks and/or  have increased vigilance in social distancing on school site. Staff cannot and will not enforce this, but we request for all adults to respect each other in this aspect of Covid safety. If you have meetings in school, or come into the office, we are asking all adults to wear masks. 

It is statutory that we provide learning opportunities for children who are off school for covid related difficulties. From day one of isolation, whether it be as a family, or the closure of a bubble, learning will be provided. Please take time to read and be aware of the information on https://www.threemilestone.cornwall.sch.uk/remote-learning/

Please also contact the school immediately if you require use of the Free School Meals entitlement.

With families unable to meet other families and friends outside, please ensure that your child is only collected by an adult in your family bubble, or support bubble. Again, we cannot police this, but we trust adults will work together in the common aim for public safety.   

All mitigating procedures of handwashing, ventilation and remaining in bubbles are in place. With the cold weather approaching, it would be helpful if children wore additional layers, such as vests. Fleeces/lightweight dark colourerd outdoor coats/garments may be worn in the classroom if it gets cold, as we need to provide ventilation. However, hoodies are still not to be worn in the classroom or out at play. 

Shells, Pebbles and Bibbles

It is clear that our wrap around care can continue, due to it being a consistent group of children. Procedures are in place to mitigate risk and to keep this provision ‘Covid safe’. We are now opening up additional spaces, so please contact Miss Hawken to book your children in. 

We are also taking the opportunity to look at our provision, and we are asking parents/carers to sign a wrap around care agreement so that we have a shared understanding of the provision, including behaviour.  We will email this out to parents in the coming week which will ask for you to complete an online form.

Free School Meals

Many family situations are changing due to this ongoing pandemic. If you are needing support and unsure whether you are eligible to claim for Free School meals, click on this link to find out more. We currently have 20% of our children eligible for Free School meals – the current economic crisis is tough – please seek help if you need it. 

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/school-meals/application-for-free-school-meals-and-pupil-premium/

Letters/emails home to Parents

EYFS – Via Parent Pay, zoom link to Maths zoom session.

Year 4, 5, 6 – Camp letters

Cool Milk Christmas card entry form. 2020 Entry Form- Cool milk Nov 2020

Christmas Raffle tickets – 1 book per child

Wraparound care agreement – Via parent pay

Christmas lunch letters

Diary Dates