Dear Parents and Carers,
The Year 5 and 6 children taking part in our Germany trip to Potsdam and Berlin have enjoyed a fantastic week of experiences, education and culture, while building relationships with children, staff and families. Opportunities like these are incredibly valuable, helping our children to develop a greater understanding of themselves, others and the wider world.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Bater, Mr Turner, Ms Halpin and Mrs Tate for all the hard work, dedication, commitment and care that have gone into making this trip such a success. These experiences take a great deal of planning and preparation, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they have done.
Importantly, the children who have not travelled to Germany will also benefit from these learning opportunities. Through cross-curricular work and Teams meetings with our partner school, they will explore the country, its culture and its people. At Pilton Bluecoat, we want all our children to have opportunities to broaden their horizons and develop their understanding of the world around them.
We continue to work closely with our Local Authority Inclusion Partner, including termly meetings to review attendance and punctuality. There is a strong focus on ensuring that children are in school, on time and able to access the many opportunities available to them.
Being in school every day and arriving on time really matters. Every morning provides opportunities to learn, develop friendships and build confidence. Late arrival can mean children miss important learning and the start of their day with their class.
Please continue to work with us by ensuring your children attend regularly and arrive on time. We know that family life can sometimes be challenging, and we are always keen to work in partnership with you to help children get the very best from their education.
We always aim to provide our children with the very best opportunities and experiences. At the same time, we are continually mindful of how we manage our finances to ensure that we make the most of the resources available to us and provide enriching experiences for our children and families.
This week, I met with two parents who are keen to help us develop a wider fundraising initiative alongside our Parent Group. One of the exciting ideas being explored is a German-style market here at Pilton Bluecoat at the beginning of December.
The vision is to create a community event for Barnstaple, bringing families and local people together, with the proceeds helping to fund resources, trips and additional opportunities for our children and families.
We are currently exploring interest in this idea before deciding whether we can take it forward. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in running a stall at the market, please contact the school office to register your interest. This will help us understand the level of support available and decide on the next steps. It certainly appeals to local businesses, big or small, to provide a platform to sell their products.
It would be wonderful to bring our community together for an event that celebrates Pilton Bluecoat, supports local families and helps us continue Building Brighter Futures for every child.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support, encouragement and partnership. Together, we can make a real difference to the opportunities and experiences our children enjoy.
Kind regards,
Mathew Harts
Head of School
