1 Nov 2003 - COMMUNITY VALUES IN SCHOOL
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes a good school, but a big part of it is surely the people within it and the contributions of those that make up the wider school community. At Newton St Cyres we can proudly say that the community spirit is usually one of kindness and support, with everyone rallying around to create a safe and caring environment. It is therefore with pleasure that I report on three recent community events.
The most celebrated example that I have to report is that the threat of a telecommunications mast sited directly opposite the school has now been removed. This decision was not taken lightly by the developers (who stood to gain a lot from utilising the available BT site) but only following receipt of many incisive letters of protest from parents and local residents, and following heavy negotiations held with Staff and Governors at the school earlier this term. It would seem that the pressure was powerful enough to effect a change of plan and provides an excellent example of the school and the local community coming together for a good cause.
On a less contentious note, last month saw the older children enjoying an opportunity to share with the community, with the distribution of our Harvest baskets to the sick and elderly in the village and surrounding areas. It is difficult to appreciate the pleasure that this small act of giving provides for our children but their enthusiasm in preparing and delivering the baskets is tremendous. Thank you to all those people who wrote letters of appreciation to the school, and for your kind words on the doorstep. Thanks also to the parent community who provided such a fabulous Harvest display and made this distribution possible.
Which brings me to yet another important part of our school community; our parents, who work so closely with us to provide the best for their children. FANS, our school association, is really thriving this year, with a dedicated committee and a new chair, Sally Gallagher. All parents are automatically members of the association, which works to provide social and fund raising events for the school. At the time of writing, plans are underway for a Halloween Family Disco just before half term, which promises to be a lot of fun. On a more serious note though, FANS also looks at issues that affect the community. Currently, with car parking a main issue, every effort is being made to relieve the situation. To help minimise the problem, Julia Walters is arranging to set up a virtual walking bus from the school to the village car park each afternoon, starting in the New Year. We are very keen to watch this initiative develop, and hope it will go at least some way towards relieving the car parking pressures and associated problems around school.
HEATHER M PERRY
HEADTEACHER
The most celebrated example that I have to report is that the threat of a telecommunications mast sited directly opposite the school has now been removed. This decision was not taken lightly by the developers (who stood to gain a lot from utilising the available BT site) but only following receipt of many incisive letters of protest from parents and local residents, and following heavy negotiations held with Staff and Governors at the school earlier this term. It would seem that the pressure was powerful enough to effect a change of plan and provides an excellent example of the school and the local community coming together for a good cause.
On a less contentious note, last month saw the older children enjoying an opportunity to share with the community, with the distribution of our Harvest baskets to the sick and elderly in the village and surrounding areas. It is difficult to appreciate the pleasure that this small act of giving provides for our children but their enthusiasm in preparing and delivering the baskets is tremendous. Thank you to all those people who wrote letters of appreciation to the school, and for your kind words on the doorstep. Thanks also to the parent community who provided such a fabulous Harvest display and made this distribution possible.
Which brings me to yet another important part of our school community; our parents, who work so closely with us to provide the best for their children. FANS, our school association, is really thriving this year, with a dedicated committee and a new chair, Sally Gallagher. All parents are automatically members of the association, which works to provide social and fund raising events for the school. At the time of writing, plans are underway for a Halloween Family Disco just before half term, which promises to be a lot of fun. On a more serious note though, FANS also looks at issues that affect the community. Currently, with car parking a main issue, every effort is being made to relieve the situation. To help minimise the problem, Julia Walters is arranging to set up a virtual walking bus from the school to the village car park each afternoon, starting in the New Year. We are very keen to watch this initiative develop, and hope it will go at least some way towards relieving the car parking pressures and associated problems around school.
HEATHER M PERRY
HEADTEACHER