firstfederation
Our Houses:
Houses are named after famous explorers who were local to Devon: Sir Francis Drake, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Sir Robert Falcon Scott and Mary Kingsley. Each child is placed into a house which they compete for. There are a number of house events, such as sports day, which the children collaborate in their houses against others in competitive situations. Children can also attain house points for a number of reasons which are given by all adults across the school. These house points are totaled for celebration assembly where the house winner is decided. Each house has a designated charity which they will raise money by holding different events over the course of the year.
House Points and Stars
Stars and House Points can be awarded by all staff to children for a variety of reasons. For example:
• Polite, well-mannered behaviour
• Demonstrating a caring attitude towards peers
• Working to the best of their ability
• Putting special effort into a piece of work
• Neatly presented work
• Positive attitude towards work
• Sporting or ARTS achievement
• Taking part in competitions and events
• Helpful approaches to different situations
House points can be awarded by any member of staff that work within the school. Depending on the achievement, the member of staff can give between 1 and 5 house points for any of the above.
Every week, the house points are counted by our House Captains and a weekly winner is announced during our Celebration Assembly every Friday. House points are then tallied over the course of a term, a winner is announced, and the children in that house are rewarded with a special event or treat. At the end of the year, once all house points are tallied, the House Champions will be announced. The winning house will be awarded their ribbons on the House Cup.
For a star to be awarded, this must be something above and beyond. Examples of this could be: an outstanding piece of work which is above the standard that they are usually capable of; an act of generosity or kindness towards someone in and around the school community; representing the school at an extremely high level or working to raise money towards their house charity in their spare time. All children will start the year with a clean slate and will aim to beat their previous year score.
As well as achieving a star, the child will receive 10 house points.
As children accumulate stars throughout the year, they will be awarded bronze (10 stars), silver (20 stars) and gold (30 stars) stars and certificates which will be presented in Celebration Assembly on a Friday. Certificates will be awarded for those children that reach 5, 15 and 25 star landmarks.
This system aims to encourage a real sense of pride and achievement for the children. It fosters community spirit and gives the children an opportunity to contribute to something bigger, which involves children from all year groups. The older children are positive role models and take on a pastoral role for the younger children.
Wellington Boots
The children in Voss regularly undertake a ‘Welly Walk’. It would be really helpful if children could be provided with a pair of wellingtons to keep in school.
Volunteers in Schools
We are always delighted to be offered voluntary help in school, either on a regular or casual basis. If you would like to assist with reading or any of the workshops that are offered during the term, please see either your child’s class teacher or Mr Brown.
It is a requirement that all volunteer helpers undergo a check with the Disclosure & Barring Service as well as safeguarding training. These checks are now carried out on-line. Please contact the school office for more information.
Dillons
The residents of our neighbours in the bungalows at Dillons are elderly and some are infirm. Please do not park in the bays that are reserved for Dillons. We would ask you also to respect the privacy of the residents and not use their paths as a walk-through to the main road. Thank you
Cake Raffle
A cake raffle takes place each Friday and tickets may be purchased on the day at 25p each (maximum of 4 tickets per child). The cakes are made by willing volunteers and we will happily add any names to the rota which is kept in the school office.
Proceeds from the raffle go to boost PTFA funds.
Parking and Bicycles
The limited parking within the school grounds is for staff (school and playgroup) use only. However, there are also two disabled bays for anyone requiring this facility. Parents bringing or collecting children from school are asked to park, with consideration, outside of the school.
Parking for Bicycles and Scooters is provided outside the main entrance door. For the health and safety of everyone, please ensure that cycles etc, are not ridden whilst on school premises.
Applying for Secondary Schools
Parents will receive a package containing letters addressed to them containing the UID’s (unique identifying numbers) enabling parents to make application for their secondary school(s) via the online Admissions Application facility which opens on 1st September.
The system opens on 1st September and closes on 31st October. It is very important that parents apply within this timescale as late applications may be disadvantaged where schools are oversubscribed. The letter contains links to Open Events at Secondary Schools, transport information, supplementary forms where necessary and designated area maps. The actual application facility will be open at
www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline, parents may express up to three preferences ranked in priority order. Any queries should be directed in the first instance to the Customer Service Centre on 0345 155 1019.
Parents may still complete a hard copy form of course and this can be obtained from the Customer Service Centre (pdf) but applying online is encouraged. The facility now operates on smartphones and other devices and applicants will receive email confirmation of receipt, as well as electronic notification on Allocation Day, Thursday 1st March 2018, of the outcome.