01209 842542 secretary@portreath.cornwall.sch.uk

11th September 2020 Issue 1

Portreath Primary School Newsletter

Wow-what a week! The children never fail to amaze me with their positivity, resilience and adaptability.

I am so happy to see them back in school. I think they are delighted to be back, all children have

returned and our attendance this week is very good at 97.6%- let’s keep this up! The children are

coping so well with all the changes, new routines, handwashing and sanitising. There are many

systems in place to keep everyone safe! At the same time we are trying to make things as comfortable

and as normal as possible for the children. You will see from the photos that children are not socially

distancing within their class, instead we are keeping the classes separate and from Sycamore up the

children all sit at desks facing forward. Thank you for your patience and understanding with the

staggered starts it seems to be working well at the moment.

The new Reception children have been enjoying their settling sessions this week and this morning we

had all of them in together for the first time. Mrs Forsdick, Mrs Goldsboro and Mrs Shirlow have told

me that they think that it is a wonderful class and that they are so excited about the year.

Thanks to all those who completed the wraparound survey. Yesterday I had a meeting with some other

Crofty school heads and we are now putting plans in place for wraparound care - I will be sending out

details as soon as possible.

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff! They have been amazing and are working

so hard. We have such a strong team here and I feel very grateful to them all. Cassie Pamplin

Stars of the Week

Maple Class: Lowen - For a super growth mindset on his return

to school.

Rowan Class: Alex - For displaying a growth mindset and

having a positive attitude towards to learning.

Sycamore Class: Lianna - For a fantastic positive attitude upon

returning to school.

Oak Class: Amelia - For being so focussed and enthusiastic.

Cherry Class: Joey - For a fantastic effort in all his work this

week.

Thought of the week:

Linked to this week’s assembly about

calming ourselves:

Kindness Tree

From next week each class will be

nominating someone from their

class for a kindness heart. This will

give the children opportunity to

discuss and celebrate good deeds

and kindness each week. Then in

the online assembly the classes will

let me know who received the heart so that the school

can celebrate it together. The children will get to pin

their heart on the tree which is on the way to the hall.

This week’s Attendance

Maple Class - 100%

Rowan Class - 96.2%

Sycamore Class - 96.7%

Oak Class - 96.7%

Cherry Class - 99.7%

Whole School attendance

for the year is currently at:

97.6%

Sports Star

This week’s

sporting star is:

Samuel

Safeguarding Information

Road Safety - Please walk to school whenever possible- it is better for the environment and better for

your child’s health. If you are driving please take extra care and think carefully about where you pull in to

drop off. Don’t forget, The Portreath Arms are happy for you to use their car park for free and walk to

school from there. Thank you for following our new entrance and exit system it seems to be making things

safer in terms of road safety and is causing less congestion.

Permission Letters - Remember that if your child is in Oak or Cherry Class we need permission granted

via email or letter if you would like them to walk home by themselves.

New Staff

Congratulations to our new staff who have all had a great first week. Miss Tonkin has loved her first week

teaching in Sycamore. Mrs Shirlow has enjoyed getting to know and working with the Year 1 children in

Maple and welcoming our new Reception children. Miss Hilton is loving teaching maths and supporting in

Oak. Mrs Wilkins is enjoying being part of the Rowan Class team and getting to know the children.

Jeans for Genes

On Friday 18th September we will be holding a Jeans for Genes Day, when

everyone can wear jeans with their school jumper. Rather than bringing in cash

we are going to set up a Just Giving page-details to follow.

Maple Tree Class

Miss Tonkin Mrs Shirlow Miss Hilton Mrs Wilkins

Oak Class

Sycamore Tree Class

Rowan Tree Class

Cherry Class

Diary dates:

Term start date:

Y1-6 Friday 4th September

Reception Transition:

Mornings only w/c14th September

Full time w/c 21st September

Friday 18th September - Jeans for Genes Day

Friday 23rd October - Inset Day

Monday 26th - Friday 30th October - Half term

Friday 17th December - Last day of term, 2pm finish.

Community News

Last week one of our parents, Claire Tripp, was given the honour of becoming a bard. The ceremony was

streamed and I was watching it as a friend of mine was also being made a bard. I spotted Claire so

asked her permission to share this news with the community.

Congratulations Claire. Gorsedh Kernow - the Gorsedh of the Bards of

Cornwall help maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall by studying

their own Cornish history and the Cornish language and literature, art,

music, dance and sport. They help promote a spirit of peace and co-

operation among those who love Cornwall. Thanks to Gorsedh Kernow

for this picture of Claire in her robes at the ceremony.

Crafty Kids

It is with huge disappointment that I have decided not to undertake Crafty Kids this term. In the present and foreseeable next few months we must abide by distancing rules wherever possible. This would not be possible at Crafty Kids, as one of the main joys is working physically very closely with the children. It is a huge sadness to both myself and all of the fabulous volunteers who all enjoy the experience just as much as the children. Hopefully, as soon as sensibly possible, we can begin again. Keep watching this space. Get crafty at home!!!!

Xxxxxx Penny Platts xxxxxxxx

PTA News

This week the children have been enjoying using the new Chromebooks

and thanks to the PTA they are using our new headphones with them.

The school bought a set and then the PTA kindly paid for the second so

that the whole class can be working at once on the computers without it

being too noisy. I wanted to also say thanks to the PTA for paying for the

hire of instruments throughout last year for the whole class music lessons.