March 2010

In 1997, during the last few weeks of John Crossman’s headship here at Woolsery Primary School, an already dilapidated double mobile classroom was craned onto the site where the swimming pool once stood. It was put in place to meet the bulge in numbers (about the same as today’s roll) and was intended as a stop-gap for up to four years. That same dilapidated classroom is still in use; one room houses Sunflowers Preschool and the other a classroom for the school. Now, however, 13 years later, we can see daylight through gaps in the walls and the wind whistles through the ill fitting windows and doors. Why am I bothering to retell this story? Well, I am delighted to say that finally, after years of campaigning by the school Governing Body the County Council have allocated funds to replace this horrible eyesore with something much more suitable for our needs. Sunflowers will at last have a suitable range of accommodation, including kitchenette, dedicated toilets and storage and the school will have a classroom which doesn’t freeze in winter and cook the children and staff in summer. Subject to planning permission, the work will begin shortly after the May bank holiday and we will have a new cedar-clad building with aluminium barrelled roof on site ready for September. The footprint of the building will be a couple of metres longer than the existing hut, extending into part of the school’s adventure trail play park. At last our children will have learning space fit for purpose - hopefully by next month’s issue, I will be able to give you more details!

 

Meanwhile, though, life carries on at school. This half term, all classes are following the common theme of In Our World but will spend the weeks learning about somewhere that contrasts with the UK; from the Dominican Republic to South Africa and Australia. We are also looking forward to hosting a visit from our partner school in Swindon later in the month, when 21 Year 4 children will spend two days with Class 4, sleeping overnight in the school and learning about life in a rural setting.

Year 5 and 6 children will also take part in their “Bikeability” course, the modern version of Cycling Proficiency. Instead of weeks of after-school sessions, children will spend blocks of four mornings undergoing an intensive course in small groups during March, both on the school playground and out on the roads of Woolsery.

Finally, I am pleased to say that the sundial, presented to the school in 1994 by the Beuvron-Woolsery twinning association has now come to light (no pun intended!) once more and will be put up in school as soon as possible. I will arrange a date with the Twinning Association for a proper unveiling once a suitable location and fixing can be found.

With best wishes,

Matt Cole, Headteacher

From the Log Books

21st March 1983 – Ten 4th Year (Y6) pupils with 11 from Abbotsham set off for the annual residential visit to Paignton Zoo. Cost was £47 per child including transport, hotel and visits (NB this trip is now running once more – the cost for 2010 is £130)

13th March 1942 – Mr Mitchell ran the school conveyance today for the last time this month due to a shortage of petrol.

19th March 1924 – Owing to the rough, uneven surface of the playground, there have been several accidents lately. One girl fell today and cut her knees and face.