Newsletter 8th Dec 2024

8th December 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

With one school week to go we are getting very festive in our classrooms. Thank you to everyone who attended our art exhibition last week: the event was a huge success with over half the schools’ parents/carers attending. It was lovely to welcome you all into school: especially the parents/carers of our new starters.  Thank you for your support.

We pass on our congratulations to Emily Morrison who became a qualified teacher this week. Emily has been with us for a number of years, also gaining valuable experience in a mainstream school for an extended period of time. Well done Emily. We are all pleased for you and proud of your achievement.

Art Exhibition

The whole school celebrated a wonderful art exhibition of pupils’ work last month. It was called ‘All About Me’ and followed a series of workshops run by local artist Nic George. These sessions looked at the styles of different artists such as Picasso, which pupils then mirrored their designs on. Budleigh Salterton Arts Club kindly helped to cover the cost of this event and their members helped Nic to prepare the display boards on the day.

Then parents and carers come into school for teas and coffees and the chance to admire the displays. They were also treated to a performance from our Mill Water School Choir, led by Deputy Head Sally Cregan. It was an occasion for pupils and parents to show their pride in their school and range of artistic talents. Nic also donated a piece of art to the school that embodied Mill Water and this project.

Bike Maintenance

Students in Class 12 have been helping to fix our bikes, under the guidance of our bike maintenance volunteer Alan Murdoch. They have learnt to repair punctures, keep tyres pumped up and to fix brakes and chains. Alan, from East Budleigh, has volunteered to come and run the weekly sessions. He said: “They’ve grown in confidence and are picking up the skills really well.” 

Our school!

This half term, class 5 have enjoyed gathering information about Mill Water, and discussing what they like and don't like to do at school. They have used this work to create their own leaflets about Mill Water!

Hanukkah

This week class 9 have been learning about Hanukkah as part of their topic work. To finish the week, we made Latkes that are traditionally made during Hanukkah celebrations. The pupils worked on their peeling and grating skills before cooking and eating them. A favourite part was squeezing out the liquid from the potatoes!

Music Making

Class 7 have enjoyed practicing our Christmas songs during music sessions with Sally. We have also enjoyed making junk modelling guitars, ready to use in a very special performance...!

Gingerbread

Class three have had a "Gingerbread Man" theme this half term and have really enjoyed lots of different Gingerbread man activities including sensory story, and lots of brilliant baking!

Christmas Tree Donations

The school is feeling festive with our two very beautiful Christmas trees. Kings Garden Centre kindly donated our splendid one for the hall, which pupils are in the process of adorning with their hand-made decorations. Dee’s tree in reception was generously donated by Tony Goode, who owns one of the taxi companies that transports our pupils.

Mill Water Christmas Raffle

Last chance to buy your Mill Water School Christmas 2023 raffle tickets! £1 each or £5 for a strip of 5. You can buy tickets using cash or online until Monday 11th December.

All money raised will go directly towards extra enrichment activities and resources for our pupils. If buying tickets with cash, please send your money in an envelope by Monday 11th December. Tickets will be sent home with your child. The raffle draw will be on Wednesday 13th December. Thank you and good luck!