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Dear parents and carers

Please see below reminders for various events happening across the school next week:

• Tuesday 4th 9am: Year 1 parents invited to watch early reading and writing in practice - please contact the office to book

• Tuesday 4th: Unit 2 Local Geography walk - please ensure your child has a waterproof coat and suitable footwear/wellies

• Thursday 6th: Years 3&4 1.00pm – Years 5&6 2.00pm - KS2 sports afternoon - families welcome to come and watch

• Thursday 6th 9.30am and 10.00am: EYFS 2023 tour and drop in session. - please contact the office to book a place

• Thursday 6th 9.15am: Murray class assembly - families welcome

If you have any queries, or would like to book in to any of the sessions, please contact the school office.

Many thanks

School Office

Year 6 Residential Trip – June 2023

 

We are pleased to inform you that we have provisionally booked our Residential Visit to YHA Adventure Okehampton from  Monday 26^th to 30^th June 2023 and have places available for all our current Year 6 children.

 

The cost of living has been increasing across the UK since early 2021. In May 2022, the annual rate of inflation was the highest it has been since 1982, affecting the affordability of goods and services for households.

 

At Gatehouse we researched many primary school residential facilities to ensure we have obtained value for money.  Last year’s cohort, and in previous years,  gave us the feedback that a week’s residential is the preferred option compared to a shorter trip.

 

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with some details of the planned residential, giving you enough notice to start planning your payments, if your child is interested in attending. 

 

Why take children on a Residential?

The purpose of the residential trip is to provide children with experiences that will increase their confidence, help develop a new level of independence and give them an education beyond the classroom.

 

Where are we going?

YHA Adventure Okehampton

https://groups.yha.org.uk/school-trips/

 

What will the children do?

The children will have opportunities to experience a range of outdoor and adventurous activities, which will encourage them to work together and challenge themselves, both physically and mentally.  These activities are led by fully trained and experienced instructors from the Centre and the children will be supported by school staff from Gatehouse.

 

Parents Information Meeting

We will be holding a Parents’ Information Meeting next term and this will give you the opportunity to learn a little more about the activities the children will be undertaking, the venue they will be staying at and any other questions you may have.

 

How much will it cost?

The cost is £330.00, which includes transport to and from the centre, accommodation, all meals, hire of equipment  and tuition from Centre staff. 

 

We suggest a payment plan of monthly payments (October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May ) for 9 months or please view parentpay for a payment plan.  You are of course, welcome to make payments as often as you like or can make a payment in one lump sum if that is preferable. Any time prior to the trip payments can be made to the school office by cash or cheque or you can pay online via the school payment system.  All cash payments must be brought in by an adult and a receipt will be given.  Unless full payment is received prior to the trip, due date for full payment is the 31^st May 2023, if not received your child will be unable to attend.

 

If you foresee any problems with the payments for this visit, please do come and see Mrs Rowsell, in the office, or myself.

 

If you would like your child to go on the trip, a consent form and the payment plan will be visible on parentpay for you to complete and confirm your child wishes to attend, if you do experience difficulties with parentpay please do call the ladies in the office who can help and assist.

A deposit is due by Monday 30^th September of £50.00.

 

Parents who can provide evidence that they are in receipt of the free school meals benefit are exempt from paying the cost of board and lodgings, the price quoted would be reduced for those families. If you feel you are eligible please apply via https://www.devon.gov.uk/supportforschools/services-and-contacts/free-school-meals

 

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to experience a variety of activities they may not have before and also to work together with their school friends and staff. 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mr Jason Stephens

Head of School

Dear Parents/carers

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey regarding the opportunity for our Year 5’s sailing residential.

The Island Trust out of Plymouth have three boats that the children would stay on for three days (two nights) accompanied on each boat by two adults from Gatehouse as well as two sea staff from The Island Trust who would teach them how to sail the boats. Whilst on board they would learn all about sailing the boat, from helping to get the sails up and down, having a go at helming (steering) and lots of other things to do with the sea and the natural environment.

Sailing is a really beneficial activity that can help children develop their confidence, improve their well being and allow them to gain some important life skills.

The dates offered are Monday 22nd to Friday 26thMay 2023 with half the group going Monday to Wednesday and half the group going Wednesday to Friday to allow as many children to sail as possible.

At this stage we have an approximate costing of £247.00 per child. Unlike a residential costing the accommodation element is per boat not per child. It is difficult to predict the overall price per child until parents/carers have committed to the project with a deposit. The more children that attend, the cost will reduce per child.

Children who are eligible for free school meals are exempt from paying for food and lodging.

https://www.devon.gov.uk/.../services.../free-school-meals

With any holiday there are particular rules about payments and refunds, we have attached to the letter the terms of conditions of our booking from the Island Trust, please read them very carefully. We would like to bring your attention to the Charter Fees and Cancellation sections. Once we pay the deposit for the vessels we are committed to the project.

As you can imagine this type of venture is booked up quite quickly and therefore we are asking at this stage for a deposit of £50.00 per child, payable on parentpay by the Friday 14th October.

Once this payment is made, consent has been given for your child, also our expectation is that you understand the terms and conditions and will continue with your instalments to complete the full commitment, per child pricing. You are fully aware of the terms and conditions regarding refunds and cancellation.

https://www.theislandtrust.org.uk/

Once deposits have been made we will then know the number of children committed to going and can plan how many vessels we will need, a booking can be made and the final overall costing per child can be confirmed.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Jason Stephens

Dear Parent / Carer

 

Year 3 and the Eco Group – Sawmills Farm Solar Park Site Visit –  Tuesday 27^th September

 

This site visit to the Sawmills Farm Solar Park Site will provide our children with a real life experience illustrating the challenges of energy consumption, production and an insight into business development and the considerations of planners and the local community.

 

There will various activities for the children to do once they reach the site.  We will leave the school at approximately 12.00  and return before home time as normal.

 

The children’s requirements:-

• Sensible comfortable footwear, not sandals or flip flops
• Sun hat, sun cream and raincoat depending on the weather!
• Packed lunch and a drink (in disposable containers) in a small rucksack
• Please advise the teacher if your child is free school meals and if you require a packed lunch from our cook
• The children will need to wear their school polo shirts and jumper but can wear non-uniform on their bottom half

 

Please complete the consent on parentpay, if you are unable to do this online please contact the office who will be happy to help.

www.parentpay.com

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

 

Bank Holiday – Monday 19th September 2022

 

As you will have probably heard, Monday 19th September 2022 will be a national Bank Holiday in respect of the State Funeral for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

 

The Department for Education announcement to Headteachers and school leaders stated the following:

 

The official date of the State Funeral is 19 September 2022. This day will be a bank holiday and settings that are normally closed on a bank holiday should close on this day as a mark of respect. This will include schools and colleges.

 

Therefore, Gatehouse Primary Academy will be closed on Monday 19th September. The school will re-open and continue as normal the following day, Tuesday 20th September.

 

I would like to extend thanks to the staff, parent/carers and pupils for their skilled and sensitive handling of the death of the Queen with our children.

 

Whilst the country mourns the death of our monarch, a family have lost their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother – our thoughts, sympathies, and condolences are with them.

If you require any support in light of this recent news, please do not hesitate to contact us through the normal communication channels. We are here to support you.

 

Thanks for your co-operation and support as always.

 

Kind regards,

Mr Stephens and the Gatehouse Team

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

 

If you need help or internet access please give our office team a call.