We know from listening to children that Sports Day is one of the many features of normal school life that they are keen to see return – we are very much with them on that! While the good news is that we have a Sports Day planned, the less-good news is that we are currently not in a position to invite parents to join in the fun. While this may save a pulled muscle or two in the parent races we recognise that it is not as we would wish it.

In spite of this we plan to have a Sports Day at Haytor View – 15th July! Children from Key Stage 1 will be having Sports Day fun in the morning, with children from the Key Stage 2 bubbles having their Sports Day in the afternoon. Children from the Foundation Stage will be taking part in sporting activities across the day, so no child will be left out.

We know that you will encourage your child to enjoy the day, even though the most important people – you – cannot be there cheering them on. We promise to share lots of pictures on the school website and via Google Classroom. In the meantime we look forward to getting you on board with future Sports Days as well as the full range of parent-invited activities that we are all missing just as soon as guidance allows.

The weather recently enabled us to enjoy 8 Time to Think visits to Haytor on consecutive school days!  Each day children and parents were able to venture onto Dartmoor in safety and comfort. We are so grateful to parents for enabling their children to take part in this first post-COVID outing together – it was great to have those parents who were able to join us too! The endurance and commitment awards go to the small number of parents who joined us on 3 out of the 8 days – great stuff!

As always at this time of year, the sun is shining, children are smiling and practitioners are planning for the children’s transition for September 2021. There never seems to be enough hours in the day!

Our Time to Think trips have continued this week, and have been so well supported by everyone. Children have been dressed ready for the changeable weather this week and it’s been great to have so many parents and relatives along. We’ve been really lucky with the weather, with every class being able to see their plans for the visit through.

Over the next few weeks, letters will be coming out via the GATEWAY regarding arrangements, this will include information regarding an opportunity to meet with your child’s current Learning Leader on Thursday 8^th July, our non-pupil day. This will be provide a great opportunity to bring you up to date with plans and next steps.

As always please be confident in sharing with us any questions you have, successes or challenges you are experiencing – we will always try to make any approach you make to us worth your while. You know  how to get in touch:

• School Gateway;
• School email address admin@haytorview.devon.sch.uk;

Speaking with school staff via telephone 01626 203040.

– Pack a water bottle for school and when you go out. Try a frozen water bottle in summer.

– Encourage your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity

– Always offer water with meals and snacks

– Encourage your child to drink water, even if they don’t like it!

Having food provided can ease pressure in other areas of household costs. Please don’t wait until you are going short. If you think that support from the foodbank could help, feel free to contact the foodbank direct 01626 437310. They operate respectfully and confidentially.

– Stay in the shade. Shade, especially when you have a small child, is your friend.

– Be extra strict under six months. Babies’ skin is much more sensitive than adult skin.

– Cover up. Dress your children in loose cotton clothes like oversized T-shirts with sleeves.

– Watch their neck and shoulders.

– Slap on the sunscreen.

– Feel free to provide your children with sunscreen in their school bag so that they can apply this themselves during the course of the school day.

It has been great to see so many children’s attendance either maintaining its strong position pre-lockdown, as well as some steady improvements for other children.

As we monitor children’s attendance in line with the DfE and Local Authority requirements, we are taking into account COVID measures parents are taking to support the school in being a safe place. This has seen us lower certain monitoring thresholds.

Therefore please be assured that if your child’s teacher is asking to speak with you about your child’s attendance, it is as a result of a comparable analysis to overall attendance in the school.

Congratulations to a number of children, who will be receiving certificates noting the effort we have seen them place on their attendance this year.