First Federation Trust
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Encouraging Good Attendance
Tue 19 Mar 2024 -
Encouraging Good Attendance
Mon 18 Mar 2024Encouraging Good Attendance
At Gatehouse, we constantly strive and look for ways to improve the education for all our children. The target for attendance is 96.5%
Our attendance communication letters are changing at Gatehouse and detailed below are the different stages.
Registers are inspected on a regular basis by school staff (teachers, office staff and our attendance monitoring team).
Our attendance team meet half termly to review the school's attendance, as a whole school, per class and as individual pupils. Their decisions and review may lead to a parent(s) receiving a letter. See below for a summary of the communication that may be sent.
Letter 1
Where a child's attendance is giving the school cause for concern, an attendance letter will be sent advising the parent that their child's attendance has dropped below 96%.
Letter 2
If attendance continues to drop below 92%, letter 2 will be sent to invite parents and carers to a School Attendance Meeting with our Family Support Advisor. The aim of this meeting is to develop an action plan as to how school and parents can best support the pupil in improving their attendance. A date for a review meeting would also be set, so that we can continue to support the pupil and their family.
Letter 3
This is an optional letter, sent to parents following the School Attendance Meeting. It would include the action plan set out in the meeting, and confirmation of review date.
Letter 4
A further letter would be sent following the review meeting, with a further plan if necessary. If attendance has continued to drop, or if further support is required, a review meeting would be arranged with the Family Support Advisor.
Letter 5
In the event that the invited parent or carer does not attend the School Attendance Meeting, a letter would be sent asking parents/carers to contact the school to reschedule the meeting.
If a pupil’s attendance continues to fall to below 90%, they are considered a 'Persistent Absent' pupil. The Attendance Improvement Office (formerly known as Education Welfare Officers), may be contacted to seek advice and be involved. If you, as the parent/carer, do not follow any plan or contract set out, legal proceedings may be considered. More information can be found on our website: https://www.gatehouse.devon.sch.uk/attendance-matters/
Did you know, a child who is absent one day of school per week misses an equivalent of two years of their school life.
We are here to help and support you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can work together.
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Teacher Training
Fri 15 Mar 2024 -
Blossom - our Therapy Dog
Wed 13 Mar 2024Today our therapy dog Blossom is in school, getting use to us all and her new environment. She will be popping around school to meet our children.
Please do let our office team know if you wish your child NOT to come into contact with Blossom, today or in the future, or if you have any concerns or questions. -
Singing Lessons at Gatehouse
Fri 08 Mar 2024https://www.gazmusicsolutions.co.uk/about
Gaz Music Solutions have an amazing local vocalist, Holly Morwenna, who’s got all the necessary credentials and experience for offering vocal lessons at our school.
If you are interested, please contact Gaz direct.
School Office
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Therapy Dog
Wed 06 Mar 2024Dear Parents
We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Gatehouse Primary team: Blossom, our therapy dog!
Blossom, a nearly 2-year-old Labrador, has undergone comprehensive training under the guidance of Mrs. Anderson's family, along with assistance from KC registered trainers and assistance dog specialists, over the past year to prepare for her role at our school. She has completed her KC citizenship in bronze, silver, and gold levels and has been engaged in learning task-based activities to support children. Blossom has been behaviour tested and is known for her calm and loving demeanour. She thoroughly enjoys games and exhibits remarkable acceptance of challenging behaviours. We are confident that her presence will greatly enhance the pastoral support we provide here at Gatehouse Primary.
Why we looked to get a therapy dog ?
The benefits of having a therapy dog in a school setting are well-documented. Research has shown that school dogs significantly contribute to the development of pupils' reading skills, behaviour, attendance, and academic confidence. Additionally, they play a vital role in fostering empathy, nurturing skills, and social responsibility among students. Studies have also highlighted numerous positive effects of therapy dogs in schools, including teaching empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills, helping individuals develop social skills and increasing self-esteem, providing a soothing and calming effect, improving children's ability to pick up on social cues, supporting emotional regulation, increasing motivation for learning, and assisting children with social and emotional learning needs, which can also facilitate literacy development.
We firmly believe that Blossom's presence will not only bring joy and comfort to our students but will also significantly contribute to their overall well-being and academic success.
Where will Blossom be located ?
Blossom will be supervised at all times with the children, during her down time she will be located in the deputy's office. Blossom will always be accompanied by a trained adult and will be on lead. As part of the process of becoming a certified therapy dog, Blossom visits the vet regularly for general health check-ups and for regular and required vaccinations. As part of the process of introducing a therapy dog in school we have risk assessments in place and relevant documentation in place.
Tomorrow Blossom will be having her first visit to our school and meeting with our MH Ambassadors.
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR QUERIES PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE TEAM.
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Careers Fair
Thu 08 Feb 2024Can you help with our Careers Fair? Please get in touch, or share with anyone who may be interested.
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Non uniform - 9th February
Mon 05 Feb 2024 -
Year 5 Residential 2024 - places still available, it's not too late!
Fri 26 Jan 2024We have booked bell tents at their sole use camping site of Stoke Gabriel Football Club. https://reach-outdoors.com/
The children will be taking part in Coasteering, Archery, Orienteering, Bushcraft, Giant Paddleboard, Wacky Races, Rounders, Danish Longball.The cost is £232.60 per child, which includes transport to and from the centre, accommodation, all meals, hire of equipment and tuition from Centre staff.
A deposit of 25% is required, £58.15.
Please note that all deposits are non-refundable.
We suggest a payment plan of monthly payments, the suggested payment plan will be available to view on ParentPay. 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. Ideally, payments need to be made via ParentPay, however we can also accept cheques or cash. All cash payments must be brought in by an adult and a receipt will be given.
Full payment is required by Monday 27th May 2024. If full payment is 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.
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/.../services.../free-school-meals
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Gatehouse Wrap Around Care Autumn Term 2023
Fri 26 Jan 2024Over the Autumn term we have welcomed many new families to Gatehouse Childcare. We were blessed with warm weather and spent time outside playing the first half term. Children have made friends and got reaquainted with old ones.
After half term we had Halloween and then into Christmas. We played games and for Christmas made cards, tree decorations, wrote letters to Santa and serched the room for chocolates hidden my our own naughty elf Oaksey.
This term the weather so far has not been so kind but we’ve still managed to get out a few times, board games and construction has been a great way to spend time with others here, or the children have just sat chatting.