FODS Newsletter December 2011
WOW, what a busy Autumn term we’ve had! The last newsletter that I wrote in September seems many moons ago now. Some of you will have been kept up-to-date with events and “newsflashes” sent to your e-mail addresses registered with the FODS website. If you’ve not registered your e-mail address yet, please do so to obtain the latest news: http://friendsofdiptfordschool.wordpress.com/ . What’s been happening then?
Nearly New Sale – Sat 24th September 2011 South Brent Village hall looked amazing on the day with all stalls sold out and the cakes and refreshments looking delicious. Well done to everyone who helped and contributed to cakes etc on the day. We were a bit disappointed with the footfall in South Brent expecting more local people to visit but they didn’t seem to. In any event we raised around £330 (including the sale of the photography sessions). Thanks to Ali Hockings for all her hard work in arranging this event.
Apple Pressing – Sunday 9th October 2011 we were blessed with the weather for our outdoor activity which was a great community event, the aim was for the children and families to have fun pressing the apples and baking apple bannocks on an open fire. Everyone loved it and a visitor from outside the area even wrote a great blog about the day. It wasn’t meant to be a big fundraiser but we still made nearly £250. Thanks to Paula and Mike Cox for all their hard work in arranging this event.
Bags 2 School – 7th November 2011: By asking the Parish, through our monthly write up in the Parish Magazine, to donate items as well as school families, we managed to raise £155. Well done and keep those unwanted items for next time as we will be doing this again!
Diptford Arms – 19th November 2011: an amazing evening set up by Mike Cox and Ian Bullen. A huge thank you goes to these dads whose amazing efforts (assisted by Simon Walton and Paul Lunt) meant many families had a great evening. Mr Callcut’s ukulele band were fantastic and really made the evening go with a swing. The proceeds, donated to FODS, were over £250, which is great. If this is to happen again though at least 7 volunteers will be needed so if you can help please do make yourself known as we need named helpers to put themselves forward now!
Field Opening, tree planting and Open Day – 24th November: With Cllr Steer doing the honours, the field was officially opened and a tree planted in memory of Rod Barrow, the school’s caretaker who died tragically last year. This was followed by the School’s open day and it was busy! Everyone loving the new Diptford Den in Class 2, an area for all children to enjoy some chill out time, and it was fitted out with the money we raised from the Nearly New Sale. You can see directly what our fundraising goes into but also thanks to the staff and Shelly Palmer for the finishing touches making it so cosy.
Tea Towels: don’t they look great! Still available to buy but not many left. Once they go, they’ve gone! Wonderful job done by Alice Faulkner who organised all this. ThanksAlice.
WHAT’S COMING NEXT!! Well, we’ve got a lot to live up to now so we are trying some new events as well as our traditional ones:
Christmas Carols 15th December – drinks from 5.45pm (service at 6.30)
After you’ve dropped the children off, or even earlier if you wish, why not pop down to the village hall where we will be offering mulled wine and mince pies. Please join us and it’s the last chance to get your Christmas present tea towels!!
Sleeping Beauty 12th January am
FODS have, with Mr Callcut’s input,
decided to provide something a little different for all the children for Christmas, rather than do a Christmas party or disco. We are paying for a professional theatre group to come and do a production during school hours for all the children. Check it out at http://www.magicoftheatre.com/Panto/sleeping-beauty.html. What better thing to look forward to than a show after the Christmas holidays, let’s just hope the snow doesn’t interfere!
Life Coaching Taster Day – Thursday 19th January 10am til 3 pm – £15 in the book bags you should have had a flyer about our Review, Refresh and Renew event in aid of FODS and run by Kate Harris. Only 5 places left at the time of going to print so come along and take some time for yourself and enjoy free refreshments and lunch too. Contact Kate (Sienna’s mum) on 01803 847674.
Wheeldon Bicylce Event: A date for the diary Sunday 18th March, we are hoping to do a family event at Wheeldon’s indoor dirt track with parents, children and their bikes (BMX or otherwise). More details to follow but save the date if your children are into their bikes!
DIPTFORD VILLAGE EVENTS:
The village lets us know what is happening in the village and welcomes all to attend the fantastic activities arranged:
Fun Family Kurling Tournament Saturday 28th January Parish Hall at 6.30pm in aid of Shelterbox Lots of games, lots of prizes, lots of fun. A tournament with a twist! Singles, pairs, groups, family teams, all ages, all abilities. Entry, only £1 per person.
Puppetcraft Theatre – A Circle of Tales Sunday 5th February 3pm Parish Hall
A Villages in Action event followed by tea and cakes and a chance to meet the puppets. Cost Family £20 (Adults £6, Child/Concessions £5). Tickets on the door or from 01548 821704.
Other News:
Injet Cartridges: remember we are running a fundraiser through recycling old inkjet cartridges, toners and old mobile phones. The donation box is in the school office but note that empty printer cartridges need to be those supplied by the printer companies, (eg HP, Canon, Brother etc) and not own brand (Viking, Staples).
Treasurer Position : Catherine Parnell is the Parent Governor forDiptfordSchool on the Federation’s Governing body as well as continuing to sit on the School Committee so she is stepping down as treasurer at our next AGM in the Spring Term. It would be good to have a handover period with Catherine, who says the role involves around 2 hours a month, plus the odd trip to the bank! You will also need to become a trustee of the FODS charity but that does not involve any extra work, just means you are a charitable trustee! Please do step forward and contact Catherine if you would be interested in helping us.
Adventure Challenge Day: As a result of the monies raised from Apple Pressing, FODS have paid for all the children to enjoy during a school day, an activity run by Adventure Challenge. This consisted of team building and problem solving activities, the children learnt that in order to achieve, they need to co-operate, communicate, talk and listen to each other. The activities were on a large scale which the children love, so physical skills are required to solve some of the problems as well as thinking skills. Mr Callcut thinks this is an invaluable event and the children certainly seemed to enjoy it. So thanks to all our contributors on Apple Pressing Day!
School Committee Post for the Chair of FODS: following the creation of the Federation of Village Schools, a new Diptford School Committee has been created which will have a key communication role to perform between the Governors of the Federation Body, the community, parents, the Church and other interested parties. The serving Chair of FODS has been asked to join this School Committee and I am delighted to be the first to do so. We hope this will strengthen the links between the school FODS and all parents. If there are issues you would like me to take to the School Committee please don’t hesitate to ask.
Uniform . We will be putting a new order in for more jumpers (we’ve run out of the middle sizes) at the end of term so please do get your orders in ASAP if you need anything. You can pick up a form from the school office or find it on the FODS website under the Uniform tab. On behalf of all the FODS committee I wish you a
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!
Denise Hawkins, Chair of FODS
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