Christmas 06 Stogursey School Governors.

As you can imagine, at school we definitely know that Christmas is approaching fast. Children and staff are very busy with Christmas activities as well as working hard at literacy and numeracy. If you multiply the number of wise men times eight how many would you have? No prizes for the answer!

School had a very successful Book Week. It was made far more exciting by the loss of electricity supply on the day when staff and children dressed as a book character. Fortunately dressing up clothes were generally warmer than normal kit although we are not too sure what the electricians thought of it all! Supplies were restored in time to prevent disruption to normal work. Over £400 worth of books were sold enabling the school library to benefit from over £220 worth of new books.

We are delighted that the school has been re-examined and had its Basic Skills Award renewed. The award is given to the school for maintaining their basic skills provision and ensuring targets are met with the SATs results. The governors would like to congratulate our Head and staff for consistently maintaining good standards.

School has recently received what looks like a hand written arithmetic textbook. The book contains neat, hand written worked examples on such subjects as Compound Addition and Cloth Measures. The book belonged to Mary Jane Dyer who was baptised at Stogursey on 1st Jan 1853. Mary Jane was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Dyer who farmed Bullen Farm in Knighton. Bullen Farm is now farm-buildings for Knighton Farm at the top of Bullen Drove. The book is dated 1875, we know that Mary Jane was a scholar at Stogursey School and surmise that she may have taught there at the date of the book. For those of you who do not know, the school opened in 1860.

Is there anybody out there either related to, or with knowledge of the family? We would love to share the history with you and to find out more if possible. For the moment the book will join our little collection of artifacts that provide snap-shots of the history of our school. It is fascinating to compare it with the modern aids to learning, such as computers and white-boards, which are now used by the school.

We hope that you are fully aware of the school Christmas events and are able to attend when possible. The children have already seen a theatre company production of Pinocchio. Next Tuesday they will themselves present a Christmas compendium of a nativity tableau, readings and poems, songs and carols at the Church and in the evening at school. As always the whole school will be involved one way or the other and it will be absolutely lovely. On Thursday we all have Christmas Dinner. School finishes on 19 Dec 06 with song and carols around the Christmas Tree followed by tea and mince pies.

We have been very fortunate to gain the services of Emily Masters who will replace Margaret Mead from 1 Jan 07. Mrs Masters is a very experienced teacher who will share the teaching of the Cheetahs (middle) class with Lisa Dunwood. Emily is already involved with the class, you are most welcome Emily, and we are sure that you will be a major asset to the school.

On behalf of the School Governors, thank you for your continued interest in our school, we wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas with health and fulfillment in the New Year.

Peter Farmery for the School Governors.