Education

School’s out for summer

North Cadbury Primary School children ended the strangest of years on a high, with their PTA Summer Fair raising more than £1,200. Wincanton Police brought one of their patrol cars and the children loved being a policeman or policewoman for a while. During the year there were activity trips for the classes including Lyme Regis, Glastonbury Abbey and the Melbury Estate. The school play, Wow, What a Year! about the trials and tribulations of lockdown, was a huge success –despite having to cancel the live performances, everyone was able to enjoy the movie instead.

Farewell to Year 6 pupils

It was a busy final week of term at Chilmark Fonthill Bishop CofE Primary School. Elm class performed a marvellous end of term musical production Wow What a Year. There were comedy moments with scientists Professor Hans Facenspace and Pam Demic. A Harry Potter themed party was held to say farewell to the Year 6 pupils as they start their onward educational journeys to secondary school. Finally, on the last day of term the whole school gathered, for the first time in 18 months, at St Margaret’s Church.

Weekends of fun activities

Clayesmore School has launched LEX – a bold and ambitious weekend programme to equip every pupil with the essential skills to live their lives well. Gone is the traditional six-day week education, and academic lessons on Saturday have been replaced with a supercharged weekend of trips, experiences and events, designed to enable pupils to seize new opportunities, develop new skills and provide them with memories and mastery to draw upon forever. Head of Clayesmore Jo Thomson said: “It has become abundantly clear that alongside a strong core academic curriculum, young people need more than ever to be outdoors; developing an appreciation and a passion for the environment with all the opportunities for physical fitness, exhilaration, adventure and sheer good fun that includes!” The last year has been a year of change, and a year of reflection on how we live our lives, run our businesses and teach our children. From cipher challenges to fashion design, kitesurfing, bushcraft and filmmaking, to country pursuits, horse riding and exploring the Jurassic coast, every term time weekend will be packed with excitement, events and trips.

Uniform donations needed

Blandford Cares are working with schools and other agencies to increase the distribution of children’s clothes and toys to local families, this month focusing on helping those in most need obtain or upgrade school uniforms. Anyone with children attending a Blandford school who have outgrown their uniforms is being asked to donate them to the group, whose sorting rooms are open every Tuesday in Blandford United Reformed Church 10am 1pm, or at Blandford Food Bank, at the same venue. There will be a special ‘uniform day’ at the church between 10.30am and 2pm on Monday, August 23. They aim to bring Community Kitchen events to more sections of the Blandford society, not just the elderly or lonely, and inviting selected groups and families to coffee mornings and cream teas. Picnic and Play sessions, for which sessions need to be booked in advance by calling 01258 456260 or emailing ppbook@bfpc.org, are being run for local families every Wednesday in August 11.30am to 2pm, and there will be occasional opportunities to buy books, toys and children’s clothes. They have been able to recruit several new helpers, including two new drivers, but need people to help with food preparation and anyone able to provide “First Aid at Work” cover at their events. For details and to offer donations, call 07768 403512 or email hearn@forumsprings.plus.com