Living Our Christian Vision

At Ashlands C of E Primary School, we are committed to living out our Christian vision;  ‘Love of Learning, Love of Life, Love of One Another’.

Our vison and values are central to our school life and are embedded in all that we do. They go hand in hand with our curriculum to help children ‘live life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10).

As a school, we believe that charity and partnership is an active way our children can really participate and understand being in service to others whilst developing the our values. 

Each year, our children and staff work together to choose to support charities that are meaningful to our school’s vision. We are extremely proud of our children’s courageous advocacy.  This term means, championing causes which are special and meaningful to us.  These may be global issues or matters far more personal and closer to home. 

We believe this develops resilience, teamwork, courage and independence and an understanding of the wider world and how they can help make it a better place, enabling our children to flourish.

We Are Writers

Above, are the fabulous picture books that the children have been using this term within their English lessons.  At Ashlands, we use picture books as the starting point and inspiration for both our fiction and non-fiction writing.  Picture books play a major role in a child’s development. They blend words with art, harmoniously working together to tell a story.  These beautiful books are such powerful tools in promoting discussion and broadening children’s understanding of different beliefs and cultures. They can navigate children through tough and sensitive topics and build empathy and compassion.  Picture books turn young listeners into readers and readers into writers.  This is what we strive for in all of our children. 

As I have walked around the school this month, I have been delighted to see the children so engaged in their writing. Both Mole and Red Squirrel Class couldn’t wait to finish their own books entitled, ‘Super Duper Me,’ where they have written about all of the things that make each of them so amazing. 

This week, Mrs Cottle excitedly told me about the beautiful descriptive writing that the children produced when writing their own adapted versions of the book, ‘Our Tower.’ 

We want all of our children to see themselves as writers and this week has really made me smile as I have   definitely seen lots of evidence of this across the school.—Mrs Radford

 

Ukulele Band 

It was lovely to hear the children in the Ukulele band having fun this week. They were practising known notes and Nick, our expert Ukulele tutor from The Somerset Music Academy was a great support when learning a new tune.  The band meets once a week on Thursday lunchtime. This is a free club for all children in Year Two and above. 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 5 & 6 Football Festival at Wadham 17th January-By Beauden and Teddy

A mixed group of year 5 and 6 took their football skills to Wadham to compete in a tournament between the local primary schools.  We were split into two teams of equal talent.  Team A lost one game, drew 1 and won the rest.  Team B lost 2 games, drew 1 and won the rest. 

It was a very tight competition, and it was very close between both of our teams and St Bartholomew’s and Herne View. 

In the end, Herne View and St Bartholomew’s played in the final and our two teams competed against each other for third and fourth place.   Both of these games were so tight and went through to penalties.  Overall, Herne View won the competition with our team A coming 3rd and our team B coming in fourth.

Mrs Radford took us to the competition and said, “The children represented our school brilliantly.  Their behaviour was excellent and they showed great team spirit throughout.  They ensured they rotated who was playing to ensure everyone had a fair amount of time on the pitch.  The children made me very proud.”

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School Silent Disco December 2024 – Our first fully Inclusive Disco

The school’s silent disco was an incredible success, the children had a blast, dancing and enjoying the unique experience of selecting their own music channels. It was a fun and memorable night for everyone involved, providing an exciting opportunity for the kids to express themselves and enjoy the event in their own way. We would like to extend a huge thank you to the PTA for organising such a fantastic event, as well as to all the staff who stayed to assist. A special mention for Mr Lawrence, our SEND Governor who came to help with refreshments.

A massive £330.90 was raised by ticket sales. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in making this event a truly special occasion!

 

Children in Need– Break the Rules Day – November 2024

We celebrated Children in Need with a successful ‘Break the rules’ day. The School Council enjoyed meeting to decide the rules that could be broken on the day.

Students and staff came into school wearing non uniform, different hair colours and face paint. By far the best part of the day was the choices children made to bring their belongings to school. Some students used suitcases to carry their things, a pillowcase and even a cake box!

Thank you for your continued support with our fundraising efforts.– Miss Wines

On the 15th November, we celebrated Children in Need by having a Break the Rules Day. By Star and Dolly, Year 5

For every rule we broke, we had to pay 50p.  Some people had wacky hair, others had lovely painted nails, and everyone wore non-school uniform.  One of the funniest rule breaks was that some people even bought their stuff to school in something other than a school bag.  In

Fox class, Ashlee had a suitcase, Bobby had a washing up bowl and Star had a pillow case. At break time, we could buy either a Twix, Mars bar or a bag of Haribo as an unhealthy snack.

Owl class said the unhealthy snack was incredible. Red Squirrel class said the day was amazing and fantastic.  Elodie in Butterfly Class loved everything about the day and wore her PJs. Walter wore orange nail varnish and Prue had rainbow coloured hair. Children in Need. It was a great way to raise money for an  important charity and we hope to do it again.

Poppy Appeal 2024

Our children raised a mighty £165.18 through our poppy sales. The School Counselors took responsibility for ensuring regular sales at breaktimes.  The School Council were presented with this lovely certificate to celebrate their courageous advocacy on behalf of the Royal British Legion. 

 

School Fete September 2024 – fundraising for our school community

We had a fantastic time at the school fete on Saturday and the sun was shining! We were honoured to have the Mayor Alice Davies join us to officially open the event. There was a wonderful variety of stalls, games and  activities. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support it and to everyone that volunteered and helped make it a success. A heartfelt thank you to the Friends of Ashlands PTA for organising such a wonderful event. We are delighted to have raised a massive £1820.90 So thank you all!

Red Nose Day – March 2024

This year’s Red Nose Day was another fantastic success thanks to all of your support. The School Council asked children to come to school dressed in red or in a red costume. We had lots of Spidermans, footballers and even a queen of hearts! We raised £109.25 for this great cause so thank you very much for your donations.

On the day, the School Council ran a joke telling competition. Fred and Holly E enjoyed going around each class sharing jokes and choosing the funniest joke.

The winners from each class were:

Butterfly Class- Henry             Mole Class– Aubrey                 Red Squirrels– Jack

Hedgehog Class– Wren           Dormice Class– Willow          Fox Class-Tom

Owl Class-Aurelio

 Children In Need November 2023

 The School Council are very excited to share that the school raised an incredible £1684.18 for Children in Need with our sponsored walk last year. The children were challenged to walk 4000 steps around Crewkerne, which they absolutely smashed!

Mental Health Awareness Day

Childrens Mental Health week tea and talk café!

Mrs Chick and Mrs Bell organised a tea and talk café for all the children. The children had a great time and they all managed to chat or play a game with their friends in their house groups. The children were very lucky to be able to have a drink and a delicious cake to enjoy the day.

A big thank you to Mrs Noake and Miss Vuna for their positive input and smiley faces in the café to allow this to happen and serve the children their delightful treats.

School Council Fund Raiser Break The Rules Day

 “On Friday the 9th  February, we had a break the rules day and there were specific rules we could break which were: 

  • Crazy hair
  • Funky socks or tights
  • Wearing shoes that aren’t meant for school.
  • Painted nails. 
  • Temporary tattoos. 
  • Face paints. 
  • And finally, an unhealthy snack. 

 These were the only rules you could break, but it was still very fun. You had to wear school uniform, but it didn’t really matter as we enjoyed wearing things we wouldn’t normally be allowed.  In the morning, most children walked in with vibrantly coloured hair or face paint.” Shared Maddison from Fox Class.

 I like the face paint, unhealthy snack and I had even more fun with my friends,’ ’ said Violet Year 5 from Dormice

“I had so much fun, and I like the unhealthy snack” Sky Year 5 From Dormice

 

Ashlands Children In Need Fundraising walk

Many thanks go to The School Council and Mrs Wines, for listening to the ideas of Jake in Year Four, and organising our Children In Need Fundraising Walk.    Dressed in colourful spots and warm coats, the children set off in good spirits to walk a circuit of Crewkerne.  They enjoyed the scenery at Bincombe, waved to residents as they walked though Faulkland Square and finished off walking up by St Bartholomew’s Church.  The walk started and ended with smiles and good cheer – although they were happy to get back for a rest!  So far the fundraiser has raised a mighty £468.77.  The deadline for handing in sponsorship has passed – but we know there are a couple of children who are still collecting.  Please could all funds go to the school office by Friday December 8th. 

Anti-Bullying week 

Anti-Bullying week is a week where we learnt about different types of bullying and what to do if we are ever feeling worried at home or school.  We started the week by coming into school with odd socks. Some of us had stripy socks, some of us had spotty socks and some of us had Christmas socks but just the one! We wore odd socks to show that everyone is different and unique in their own special way.  In Dormice class, we thought about what makes each of us unique. We are proud of our differences and should celebrate them.  Written by Dormice Class 

Bullying Week report by Charlie (Y6) and William H (Y6)    

On Monday 21st November, we were asked to come into school in odd socks to represent our differences. Some people came in very cool socks such as football socks and stripy socks. That same day we watched a music video explaining why we wear odd socks by a kid’s band called Andy and the Odd Socks.   

We thought about all of the different things that we as a class have in common and all of the things that make us unique.  We discussed how we should be proud of our differences and celebrate who we are.  We then went on to think about people in the wider community who might be different and why some people might be unkind to them.  We all agreed that it is never acceptable to be unkind to others because they are different.  We talked about how a bystander can help others who are being bullied and the different trusted adults that we can turn to if we experience bullying. 

Other things we did in school 

On Friday 24th November, we did a PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) lesson where we watched a video where someone read the book Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph. We then proceeded to fill in a template of a dog and put a funky design on it to make it our own ‘Odd Dog Out.’

 

World Mental Health Day!

We celebrated World Mental Health Day with the staff and children by wearing something yellow and organising a talk and drink. This was a great success. The feedback from the children was very positive and they thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the talk and drink time.

Here are a few of the children’s comments… “Be the voice not the echo”.

“Be happy”

“Be kind its free”.

“It was great to chat”.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody involved for making this happen. Mrs Chick, Mrs Noake and Mrs Bell.

 

 

The Lords Larder

The Lords Larder were grateful for the food donations and it was great to see the children engaging in conversations around why we need to help others in this way. Our two Owl Class school councilors George (Y5) and Freddie (Y6) collected £37 at the end of the Service and this has been added to the donation.

 

Checking in on the Elderly

Teddy has been talking to old people from his mum’s church weekly to cheer them up and make sure they are ok. What a lovely thing to do, well done Teddy!

Charity Walk

On Saturday 20th June Poppy completed an 8k Rainbow ? Run/Walk for the Children’s Hospice South West. She raised £95. She loved it and would have kept on walking!