News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Fabulous Fishy Business

  Thu 21 Mar 2013

  What a fantastic night of entertainment we had on Monday and Wednesday as Year 3 and Year 4 pupils acted and sang their hearts out during their performance of 'Jonah - a Fishy Tail'. The crowd were delighted by this funky retelling of Jonah and his journey, as he finally realises that God is worth listening to. The props and scenery were amazing thanks to Mrs Cooper and Mrs Moll and Miss Gasson felt  extremely proud of the enthusiasm and professionalism of the children. Thank you to all involved - the pupils, parents, staff and audience for making this such a huge success. 

  To view some photographs go to About Us - Curriculum - Enrichment

• RNLI Visit

  Tue 19 Mar 2013

  We were thrilled to welcome the RNLI to The Dassett this afternoon for a presentation on 'How to Stay Safe on the Beach'. Originally planned for Year 3 and 4 they also invited Year 5 and 6 to join them as it is such an important issue and they wanted all of KS2 to have heard their message. Tyrene and Sean gave an incredibly interesting talk, looking at the safety flags, what to do in an emergency, staying safe on inland waterways and at the seaside as well as showing the varied equipment that they use to help people in difficulty and some lucky pupils were dressed up as lifeguards.
  It was fun and entertaining, but most importantly it was highly informative and invaluable in keeping the children safe around water and what to do in an emergency. We feel incredibly fortunate to have been visited by such an important and inspirational organisation.
  
  
  
  

  

• Roofing Damage - Open Letter

  Mon 18 Mar 2013

  Monday 18^th March

   

  Dear Parents
   

  I am writing to you to inform you that, unfortunately and annoyingly, over the weekend we had a number of leaks from the new skylights including the new Year 6 skylight which has leaked and has damaged a large amount of the Year 6 exercise books containing the pupils’ work. I feel devastated for the children whose work has been damaged, as it is something they had put a lot of effort into and demonstrated the progress they had made so far in Year 6. Thankfully, Mr Hann regularly reviews where the children are and makes records of progress and levels of assessment and so this information is current and we are fully able to identify the levels each child is working at. Fortunately we managed to get to the work early enough so that the majority of this work is salvageable.
   

  I contacted the manager of the roofing company on Saturday morning, as we had noticed a tiny leak in one of the skylights in Reception on Friday night after the workmen had gone, and it had started to rain quite heavily. He sent the workmen to school on Saturday morning and they undertook repairs on the skylights which were leaking and Mr Maries then conducted an internal inspection of the school for me. At this point the Year 6 skylight was apparently not affected.
   

  On Sunday morning, when Mr Maries came into school to check that everything was alright, he found the original skylights and one of the Year 6 skylights were leaking significantly. He moved the Year 6 work, which was beneath the skylight, away as soon as he could and contacted me. As soon as I was aware of these latest developments I called the manager again and informed my contact for this work at Warwickshire County Council. I then came into school to assess the situation, start the drying process with the work and to see what could be salvaged.
   

  I met with the manager, workmen and Mr Maries this morning and expressed my annoyance and disgust with the situation, with regard to the damage to the children’s work as well as the damage to the internal fabric of the building in a number of the classrooms including carpets and ceiling tiles as well as some staining.
   

  Throughout today we have moved the children away from the affected areas, which has meant Year 6 working in the Year 5 classroom, Year 5 working from the large workroom and Reception being in the hall. This is not desirable but my only alternative was to keep both Year 6 and Reception off school and this was a far better solution in terms of the continuity of their education. We should be back to normal tomorrow as I have been given 100% assurance that the areas where the leaks have occurred are structurally sound and safe. I have been in daily contact with Warwickshire County Council about this since Friday and will continue to do so.
   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Mrs Hine

  (Headteacher)

• Oh what a night!

  Sat 16 Mar 2013
  Not 'late December back in '63'.... but the middle of March 2013! The Dassett was the place to be as the children danced the night away to Disco Daryl  and the latest tunes (as well as Gangnam Style!). Competitions were held throughout the night as well as a raffle, and children bought lots of glow sticks, tattoos and sweets (of course!). It was a huge success and we must give a massive thank you to the fabulous Friends of the Dassett for organising this popular event.

  

• Marle Hall Photos

  Wed 13 Mar 2013
  The photos from this Year's amazing visit to Marle Hall are now ready to view in:
  About Us/Curriculum/Enrichment Activities section of the website.
  Scroll down (as it is alphabetical) and don't forget to click 'next' when you get to the bottom of each gallery of photos as there are lots to view! They are grouped according to the teacher the children were with although there are some collective ones in most of the sections. We have put all of the photos on for you to hopefully find one or two you would like to keep - when you have opened the gallery simply right click on the picture you want and then Save Image As to your home computer.
  We hope you enjoy them.

• Fabulous Friday 15th

  Sun 10 Mar 2013
  What an amazing day we have planned for us all to enjoy this coming Friday.
  
  The day starts with the Reception Class Assembly - all parents are welcome - 9am please.
  
  It is also Red Nose Day and we have Abbie in Year 5 running her own Cake Sale (20p per cake) for comic relief, if any parents would like to help her by contributing cakes they are most welcome, and we are doing a Mad March Hair Day for a £1 donation - mad styles, colour, whatever takes your fancy!
  
  In the evening we have the (weather rearranged) School Discos - Reception, Y1 and Y2 is 6 - 7.15pm and Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 is 7.30 till 8.45pm. £2 entry with drinks, sweets, tattoos and raffle (please remember to bring your free raffle entry). Current pupils only. In aid of The Friends of The Dassett.

• The Dassett Monthly Comic - ON SALE NOW

  Sun 10 Mar 2013
  The finishing touches have now been completed and the first edition of The Dassett Monthly – a magazine by the children for the children is ready for publication. It is looking fabulous and the Year 6 editors have impressed us so much with their enthusiasm, dedication and entrepreneurship. We will be selling copies for £1, to cover printing costs, from Monday 11th. You won’t want to miss out on this marvellous magazine so order your copy today.

  

• Marle Hall Updates

  Mon 04 Mar 2013

  We're home 2.15.
  A massive well done to all the children - enjoy your weekend and have a well deserved rest.
  
  1.50 We are South of Birmingham, have left the M42 and are on the M40. Weather and traffic dependent we should be at The Dassett by 2.15.
  
  12.25 We have left Knutsford.
  
  11.40 Stopped for lunch in the rain at Knutsford services.
  
  10.20 Coach has now departed Marle Hall and is on its way back home.
  
  7.30 The bags are packed and being brought to the entrance hall, beds are stripped and the dorms are being made pristine.
  It was so hard to wake everyone this morning – but a great nights’ sleep was had by all. Breakfast from 8.00 and afterwards our farewells to Marle Hall and the team.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  We have had an amazing week and the children are so excited about seeing you all again but be prepared for wall to wall talk about their adventures coupled with a rather extended catch up sleep.

  Marle Hall have looked after us so well, the facilities were amazing, we have eaten like kings, the opportunities for adventure and experience were outstanding and the Marle Hall team could not do enough for us. It has been an absolutely wonderful week.
  The team have commented on how well behaved The Dassett children are and on how well they have done this week – we should all feel very proud of them.
  
  
  
  

  Our planned departure time is still 10.00.
  
  FRIDAY
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  7.15 Well what a day that was! We got back to Marle Hall just after 5.00 from an incredible days adventures in the mountains. The storm clouds were rolling in all day with driving rain which still persists even now.
  
  
  
  

  On arrival back we had to clean all the kit and return everything to normal and hand it all back in. The children then packed their bags ready for the morning departure. The tuck shop was open in the small amount of free time left and then it was dinner 6 – 6.45 with home-made pizza, chicken kebabs and home-made syrup sponge pudding. Yet another absolutely delicious meal to go with all the others throughout the week – really first class catering.

  The last evening activities are now on-going in the rain and will finish at 8.00 with a final tuck shop and free time/ diary moment before bed at 9.00 with 9.15 lights out. An awful lot of incredibly tired children now but all bursting with pride at their achievements this week and excitement at their return home tomorrow.

  Normal alarm time in the morning with final packing and room inspection after breakfast and anticipated departure at 10.00.

  Updates on the coach progress will be available here throughout the journey.

  
  1.45 We are still on the mountains – some of us have been up to Cym Idwal and the rest have been Bouldering and Weaseling (don't ask), and Gorge Walking amongst many other things. We have stopped for lunch very much in the wilds and it is very misty and raining, however, it is fabulous fun and everyone is having a wonderful time. The weather doesn’t seem to get in the way out here. We should be back to the hall by around 5.00.
  8.00 We finally have awake children if a little jaded. Breakfast is happening now and then morning adventures start at 9.00. The plan is to be away from the centre all day up in the mountains. We will update the latest news as and when we can.
  
  7.15 There are a lot of aching bodies this morning and that's just the teachers. The children are still sleeping soundly - not a peep! We will have to go and wake them shortly.
  
  THURSDAY
  
  9.00 Bedtime has arrived at the end of an incredibly busy day. We have lots of increasingly tired young people, in spite of a few protestations to the contrary and a few already asleep. No doubt a good night sleep will be had by all ahead of what promises to be another action packed day. Without exception, the behaviour has been exemplary, the spirit unstoppable, the teamwork something to behold and they have all learnt a host of new skills and achieved many goals. Well done to them all.
  Their alarm call is 7.00 - 7.15 in the morning.
  
  5.00 Blimey!
  Three of the four groups have been off site all day - up mountains, on lakes and down the valleys and we have just got back now. An amazing day was had by all with no rain despite the forecast, although a few got more than a little damp when canoeing!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Its quick snack time now with some well-earned free time till 6.00 when it is dinner.

  The day had canoeing on a mountain lake with some inventive catamaraning to boot. Some very serious rock climbing, gorge walking, high ropes and mountain walking were all on the agenda today. We put up shelters in the woods, learnt how to make fire just using sticks (no matches) and then cooked up a toast and marshmallow feast in Bush craft. It has been so very busy and we are back out again at 7.00 for the evening adventures!
  It might well be an even earlier bed time and lights out tonight – for the adults as much as the children! - we will update a little more before bedtime.
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  1.30 It really is non-stop. Lunch out in the wilds today and a bushwhacking afternoon planned. Updates properly when we return to Marle Hall! At 5ish.
  
  7.15 A little bit of a struggle waking up for some this morning and a lot of tired eyes moving around but everyone in good spirits. Breakfast is at 8.00 and activities start at 9.00. A mist is rolling in across the hills and the forecast is cloudy with some rain this afternoon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  WEDNESDAY
  
  9.00 PJs are on and teeth are being brushed - bed time has arrived and lights out is in half an hour. I strongly suspect that many of the children will be sound asleep before lights out and they will all sleep very soundly after our incredibly busy day out in the fresh Welsh air. More news tomorrow.
  
  7.50 The evening activities are just finishing now and we will be returning indoors where the tuck shop will open briefly. Mrs Harris has kindly volunteered to watch the Man Utd. game with some of the boys but it is bed at 9.00 and lights out at 9.30.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  But what a day! All the children have been amazing – challenging themselves and supporting others. We have had an incredibly fun packed and enjoyable day in the sun and there are a lot of very happy and very tired children right now. They should be really proud of themselves as they have conducted themselves superbly throughout the day.
   
  
  
  
  

  6.55 We had a scrummy dinner (including Banoffi Pie) and got straight on with the evening.
   
  
  
  
  

  5.05 We are now all back from some highly entertaining afternoon activities and all the children have just had a well-earned snack. The tuck shop is open and room inspections are just about to take place!
  It is free time for everyone at the moment until dinner at six and then the evening activities commence from 7pm.
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  1.35 We have finished the first activity of the day and have come back for lunch and then going straight onto the second activity. There are a lot of very smiley faces among the children after an incredible morning. Whether they could accomplish the tasks first time or not there was so much perseverance and determination shown by everyone and such a huge amount of fun was had.
  Hard to believe the day isn’t even half way done yet!
  And the sun is still shining brightly.
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  9.00 Morning activities commence
  
  8.00 Breakfast
  
  7.45 Morning duties including setting the tables and weather reporting. The weather is looking gorgeous - the sun already breaking through and warm, sunny, cloudless conditions forecast.
  
  6.30 - 7.00 Everyone slept very well and are all waking refreshed after a very full day and evening.
  
  TUESDAY
  
  8.30 Supper has now been devoured and children are tucked up in their dormitories writing up their diaries with lights out at 9.30, although judging by the tired eyes there may be a few earlier participants. Hopefully sleep will follow quickly for the remainder. It has been an action packed start to what promises to be a fun filled week. Next update in the morning.
  
  8.15 The evening activities are now completed and everyone has had an absolutely fabulous time. With the low ropes, the Juggernaut problem solver, night line and skiing/ spiders web, the children have been working in groups, overcoming obstacles and pitting their wits against all sorts of challenges.
  
  5.45 Everyone is back safely and had a great time. Finishing unpacking prior to dinner at 6pm. Evening activities start at 7pm.
  
  4.00 Everyone has received their kit and equipment and have been given their rooms and got settled in. They are all out on the Marle Hall Woodland Adventure now.
  
  1.55 Arrived at Marle Hall
  
  12.20 Stopped for lunch in the sunshine at Knutsford services
  
  9.30 And we're off
  
  MONDAY
  
  The weeks activity schedule is attached below.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• The Dassett Comedy Evening - Ginny Davis

  Sun 03 Mar 2013

  The follow up comedy night to Ginny Davis’ ‘Ten Days that shook the Kitchen’ was the fabulous ‘Family Matters’ at the village hall on Saturday 2nd March. A full house was treated to another wonderful evening exploring the trials and tribulations of the Rich family on their return from Australia.

  Dragging herself to consciousness from dreams of close encounters with Colin Firth, she charted a path through piercings, driving lessons, teenage smoking, dog walking without a dog, arguments over sleeping arrangements, accidental online orders of 144 loo rolls and what to call your son’s rather incongruous homework. Through a process of trial and (mostly) error, these were resolved and Ruth learnt how not to behave at school football matches and what not to say about your friends’ cosmetic surgery and sex lives and it was brought to a hilarious conclusion at a homecoming party to reintegrate the family into the local community with hilarious and explosive consequences. The moral of the story:  family matters. 

  It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with superb food courtesy of The Merrie Lion, an array of absolutely amazing raffle prizes and an amply stocked bar. Our thanks go again to Helen Wilce and the Friends of The Dassett for organising such a wonderful night, all of the willing helpers in setting up the hall, the Friends for running the evening and to Ginny for bringing her excellent play to Fenny.