Newsletter for Former Pupils

This Newsletter is designed to help former pupils of Uffculme School keep in touch with developments at the school and with one another. If you would like to be on the mailing list and to be registered as a member, contact Mrs A Pannifer, The Larches, Washfield, Tiverton, EX16 9QZ (01884 258637)

Reunion
There will be a Reunion for any former pupils who want to visit the school from 7.30 p.m. on Friday 18^th June. There is a bar and there will be guided tours of the new buildings for any who want to see them. Further details from Mrs Pannifer, (address above) or Esther Hagelstein at 4 Commercial Road, Uffculme.
hagelstein@callnetuk.com

Numbers
We expect to have over 800 in the school in September.

Staff
I printed a list of staff who had been at the school for 10 years or more in the last edition. More have now retired and this list is a little shorter than last time. We have a gallery of staff photographs in the entrance hall.

Mr Blewett	Mr Bradford	Mrs Browse	Mr Corke	Mrs Corke	Mr Edmunds
Mr Gillett	Mr Gordon	Mr Higgins	Mrs Mason	Mr Nichols	Miss Nuttall
Mr Rhodes	Miss Smith	Mr Spalding	Mrs Spencer	Ms Tabb	Mr Wishlade
Mrs Alford	Mr Maddrell	Mrs Spicer	Mr Gloyn

At the end of the summer term Mrs Spencer intends to take early retirement. She is at present the longest serving member of staff and has devoted her whole teaching career to Uffculme School as an inspiring teacher of art and a very competent Deputy Head.

Mr Gillett also retired at Easter, having led the science department with great distinction for a number of years. He is still on the list above as he continues to teach part-time.

Site and Buildings
The past five years as a Grant Maintained school have enabled us to transform the school site. Many of the old huts have gone and we have large and pleasant new classrooms and a new laboratory. Almost completed are two new mathematics rooms which will mean that the whole department is under one roof. In the final part of the summer term the library is to be extended into the classroom next door, giving much more space for our 12,000 books and for our video and CD ROM collection. There will also be much more space for pupils to work. We are looking for funding to build a new music and performing arts centre. The grounds are looking very good now and we have planted over 700 trees.

Sport
School sport continues to be very strong. Regular successes in County Competitions have made Uffculme School known not only in Devon but throughout the Southwest for the quality of its rugby. Other sports flourish: netball, hockey, soccer, athletics, tennis and basketball are all important. As mentioned last year cricket has benefited immensely from being able to install the Notts wicket - a sports hall and all-weather pitch would make a vast difference to our ability to provide proper facilities for the other sports.

Outdoor Activities
Ten Tors continues: we must be getting close to our 30^th year of taking part. This year we have entered the Exmoor Challenge with five teams to give a different range of experience. The school has its own kayaks, caving and climbing gear and there are many expeditions. The River Wye canoe trip is popular as is after school canoeing at Haven banks in the summer and first part of the Autumn term. The Pixies Holt visits which many former pupils remember with great affection are still running.

Honours Boards
One of the tasks Mrs Spencer has undertaken in the past years is to keep our school honours boards up to date. Names are added each year and they now provide a very good record going back to the beginning of the school.

Houses
Those who approve of tradition will be pleased that we still keep the House system with the same names: Bridwell, Craddock, Gaddon and Yondercott. There is still a competition for the Governors' Shield each term and for the whole year. Credit marks are given and pupils get a Commendation for every 25, which gives 10 points to the house. Sports competitions are also organised on a House basis but there are probably fewer of the other types of house competition - only drama and the quiz remain whereas in the old days there were handicraft and similar displays.