Newsletters

Witheridge Weekly Newsletter - 8th May 2026



Witheridge

Church of England

Academy


Encourage One Another And Build Each Other Up


Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a wonderful and uplifting week in our school community, with many moments that truly reflect our vision to "Encourage one another and build each other up” and our Christian value of Friendship this half-term.

Mr Manning and I were incredibly proud to witness our Year 6 children crossing the finish line together on Sunday during the Exmoor Challenge. It was a powerful example of teamwork, perseverance, and friendship in action, as the children supported and encouraged one another every step of the way. Please do take a moment to read Mr Manning’s write-up for more details about this fantastic achievement.

This week, we have also marked Deaf Awareness Week. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Helen Maiden (Teacher for the Deaf) and Taya for leading a special Collective Worship on Thursday. It was a meaningful opportunity for our children to learn more about inclusion, understanding, and the importance of communication. These experiences help our pupils grow in empathy and kindness, strengthening the friendships within our school.

Looking ahead, next week is SATs Week for our Year 6 pupils. We would like to wish them all the very best of luck. We are incredibly proud of how hard they have worked and the way they have supported one another throughout their learning journey. We know they will do their very best.

There is certainly an exciting time ahead for Year 6. After completing their SATs, they will enjoy their celebration trip on Friday, followed by their residential beginning on Sunday. These are special moments that will no doubt create lasting memories and further strengthen the bonds of friendship they have built during their time at Witheridge C of E.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Together, as a school community, we will keep encouraging one another and building each other up.

Warm regards,

Miss Ratcliffe 

Head of School

 

 

   Central Park Primary School | Ofsted Ratings, Reviews, Exam Results ...

    

This week, we have had a guest cook at Witheridge - Bobbie was back!! Bobbie stepped in to save the day and has cooked delicious meals all week for the children. Thank you so much, Bobbie, for helping us out at such late notice. Bobbie loved seeing all the children again – and thank you to those children who made cards or pictures for Bobbie - I know she appreciated them. Bobbie has very kindly agreed to continue to support us, so you may still see Bobbie in and around the kitchen moving forwards. Miss Ratcliffe 

Life, Love and Learning to the Full


School Attendance


This week's whole school attendance percentage is:

93.7%

At Witheridge C of E Academy, we believe that regular and punctual attendance is key to helping children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Further Information

School Calendar


Y6 SATs Week
All Day
from 11 May until 15 May
11
May
Cancer Research UK - Baking Competition and Bake Sale
3:00pm – 3:30pm
11
May
Class 3 Egyptology Workshop
All Day
15
May
No Stay and Play session today!
9:00am – 10:30am
15
May
Year 6 Residential - Adventure Bude
All Day
from 17 May until 22 May
17
May
Half Term
All Day
from 25 May until 29 May
25
May
Inset Day - No School
All Day
01
June
Back to School
All Day
02
June
Rainbows starting (After School)
All Day
02
June
Multiplication Check Window for Y4
All Day
from 02 Jun until 12 Jun
02
June
Image Musical Theatre for whole school
9:00am – 12:30pm
04
June
Y2 Rock Climbing
1:00pm – 3:30pm
from 04 Jun and on Thursday each week until 09 Jul
04
June
Phonics Screening Check week for Y1
1:00pm – 3:30pm
from 08 Jun until 12 Jun
08
June
School Class Photo
9:30am – 12:30pm
09
June
Y2 Rock Climbing
1:00pm – 3:30pm
from 04 Jun and on Thursday each week until 09 Jul
11
June
View school calendar
View school term dates

School Lunch Menu


The cost of a school lunch is currently Nursery £2.05 per meal, Reception & KS1 Children – Universal Infant Free School Meals & KS2 £2.61 per meal.

Payment is via your Arbor account.


Latest News


07 May 2026
🌲🔥 Outdoor Learning Fun This Week! 🐞🦉
This week our outdoor learning adventure began with a cosy story time around the firepit 🔥
Read more
05 May 2026
🌞🐑 A Sunny Essebeare Farm Adventure! 🐔🌼
What a bright and sunny day for our trip to the farm this week!
Read more
02 May 2026
Exmoor Challenge 2026
On Saturday, eight of our Year 6 children took part in the Exmoor Challenge. In preparation, they completed over 30 miles of training and developed valuable map-reading skills to support them on the day.
Read more
01 May 2026
Witheridge & Devon goodies for Sanjivani International School, Kharghar.
We’re excited to share that next week one of our parents, Jamie Burrows, will be travelling to India and has very kindly offered to visit our partnership school, Sanjivani International School, during his trip.
Read more
30 Apr 2026
After School Club News: Dragon Creations Take Flight! 🐉
It’s been a roaring success at our After School Club this week, as the children have been busy creating their very own dragons
Read more
30 Apr 2026
Mr Manning Match Report - Witheridge vs South Molton Community Primary School
We got off to a strong start, defending resolutely and creating counter-attacking opportunities of our own.
Read more

Celebration of Achievements


Class Awards
Nursery Tommy for excellent cooperation during phonics.
Reception Elaina – super effort making good choices in difficult situations!
Class 1 Imogen for being such a responsible member of the class and always ensuring she has done every activity.
Class 2 Mitchell for perseverance in all areas of the curriculum.
Class 3 Luxton – Being a great new member of our class.
Class 4 Scarlett for having a curious attitude during SAT's revision.
Writer of the Week
Reception Lucy for excellent word writing.
Class 1 Harvey for using classroom resources effectively to help with spelling tricky words.
Class 2 Isabel for trying hard to sound out her words.
Class 3 Lily – For superb vocabulary in your mystery writing.
Class 4 Jacob for careful dictation during spelling and grammar sessions.
School Contribution Award
Class 2 Nancy for always helping others during PE.
Class 4 Exmoor Challengers - For representing the school perfectly on ALL practise walks.
Book Review 
20 Merit Awards
Reception Charlie P, Oliver S & Lily-Rose
40 Merit Awards
Reception Oscar, Elena, Elaina & Ada
Class 1 Toby, imogen & Felicity
Class 2 Barney, Nancy, Chester, Bethan, Georgia & Olivia
Class 3 Lacey, 
Class 4 Freddie, Arthur C & Khalid
60 Merit Awards
Class 3 Noah J & Sam
Class 4 Ayla
House Points
Discovery 86 Endeavour 94
Enterprise 84 Voyager 124

TEAM Multi-Academy Trust Vacancies


Further Information and Apply Here

 


PTFA News


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Dear parents and carers, 

As we are well into the summer term, it is time to update you with some exciting PTFA news and events coming up already this term. 

As of next week, we will be selling names at £1 each to name our giant St John's Fayre Bear. There are prizes for 1st , 2nd and 3rd place, of course the first prize being our John's Fayre Bear and a meat box from Essebeare farm. Thank you to Farmer Olly for this generous prize. Names will be available for purchase every Friday from next week after-school until St John's Fayre. 

We are planning a KS1 after-school disco and a KS2 leavers disco after half-term. The dates for your diary are:

KS1 disco: 20th May 

KS2 disco: 5th July 

We hope to also bring you other exciting events and fundraisers during the summer term. Watch this space! 


Important Notices


School Council News - Charity of the Year: Cancer Research UK

Reminder: School Council Baking Competition  Monday 11th May

The School Council would like to remind everyone that our exciting Baking Competition will take place on Monday 11th May in aid of our school charity of the year.

Our School Councillors have worked incredibly hard to organise the competition — creating posters and emails and confidently presenting their ideas to the whole school during Collective Worship, last week. We are very proud of all their effort and enthusiasm.

We are really looking forward to seeing everybody’s delicious creations on Monday and hope to raise lots of money for this fantastic cause.

If you would like to support our fundraising, donations can be made via our giving page:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/witheridgecofeacademy-giving-page-27107223 

Thank you for your support and good luck to all our bakers!

 

May be an image of text that says "CANCER RESEARCH Witheridge CofE UK Academy WITHERIOGE 《式材 Cancer Research UK Bakina Monday 11th May Please bring entries to the school office on the morning of Monday 11th May. Judging will take place during the day, and all cakes will be sold at the end of the day to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Any cakes, bakes or cookies are welcome. (No nuts, please!) Prizes will be given to the winning cake maker from each class. 3:30M- PLAYGROUND organised by the School Council"






Community News


Any articles which appear in the school newsletter that have not been organised by or on behalf of the school, have not been verified by TEAM Multi-Academy Trust as to the suitability for children.  The news items are for parent information only! 

May be an image of text that says "THE LIGHT LIGHTTHOUSE HOUSE LIGHTHOUSE HOLIDAY CLUB MAY HALF TERM Wed 27th Fri 29th 10am- 3pm Morchard Bishop Playing Fields fur welcome Come and join us on the Starship 'Eternity' for games, craft, music & Bible stories All Children Reception to Yr6 Dress for Space if you want. -Packed lunch (nut free) & water bottle required- Afternoon snacks provided day site security. All staff are DBS checked Please use code or register at; https:/tinyurl.com/may2026lhc Registration closes MONDAY 18th May For further information please email; info@lighthouseclub.fun"

May be an image of text that says "WITHERIDGE CRAFT GROUP Get Creative, Get Crafting! Looking for a fun, friendly place to craft and chat? Come join our welcoming community of makers! Every Friday 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM At The Rest-a-While Bring your favourite craft: Knitting• Crochet Sewing Card Making & more! Just £2.00 per session Tea, coffee & biscuits included Just £2.00 per session Relax, create, and make new friends! All crafters welcome- beginners to experts! Come along andj the fun! For more information contact Alison Jeatt 07368686224"

May be an image of text

May be an image of text that says "MAY 16TH FAMILY DISCO ን CK SHOP BAR HnR Discos RAFFLE £2 PER TICKET UNDER 3s FREE AT WITHERIDGE PARISH HALL 7PM-10PM DOORS DOORSOPENAT7P OPEN AT 7PM BAR OPENS AT 7.30PM ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY RESPONSIBLE ADULT. CASH & CARD ACCEPTED FUNDRAISING FOR WITHERIDGE GIFTS OF KINDNESS TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: https:/stsiiesieisipi https://witheridge-gifts WITHERIDGE GIFTS GIFTSOFKINDNESS OF KINDNESS"

May be an image of martial arts and text that says "TAGB BTC APPROVED WITHERIDGE TAEKWONDO cMauuH 6 TILL 7 THURSDAYS AGES 8 & ABOVE WITHERIDGE VILLAGE HALL FITNESS- DISCIPLINE CONFIDENCE Contact:07966982889 Contact: 07966982889 f"

May be an image of American football, football and text that says "AFC WITHERIDGE WITHERIDGE WARRIORS The sun is shining... Training is ON! 語 Thursdays 6:00 6:00-7:00p 7:00 PM Witheridge Sports Club Reception School year 9 SUMMER TERM FREE to ALL NEW PLAYERS! Join the fun, make friends, and develop your skills! All abilities welcome! Find us on Facebook Witheridge Warriors YFC or pop Tommy a message 07969 485366 WitheridgeWariorsYFC@gmail.com f"

May be a graphic of football, American football and text that says "OUR TEAMS NEXT YEAR! FROM SEPTEMBER MINI KICKERS MINI KICKERS MIXED YEAR 1 & 2 COACHED B4 TABATHA & DAN U8's U8's (YEAR 3) MIXED COACHED BY TOMM U9 U10 U9 & U10 (YEARS 4 & 5) GIRLS TEAM COACHED BY ELEANOR U10& & U11 U10 & U11 (YEARS 5 & 6) MIXED TEAM COACHED BY MICHAEL U12-U14 U12-U14 U14 U12 (YEARS 7,8&9) & MIXED TEAM COACHED BY JAMIE ONE CLUB. ONE TEAM. TOGETHER WE PLAY. TOGETHER WE GROW."

May be an image of football, American football and text that says "AFC WITH WITHERIDGE RIOGE MINI KICKERS WITHERIDGE FOR RECEPTION & YEAR 1 AFC Thursday evening 7pm at Witheridge Sports Club Free to all new children for the Summer term level Our friendly coaches are DBS checked and have qualification Children have fun, make friends and learn new skills Boots and shin pads must be worn but we have plenty available to borrow coaching 07969 485366 Witheridge Warriors YFC Witheridge EX16 8AH"