Good marks for

Infants school

TORPOINT Infants School has received good marks in a report from Government inspectors.

The Ofsted report says it is a good school whose pupils are making good progress.

The quality of the teaching, the positive attitudes of the pupils towards their work and the partnership with parents and the local community are highlighted.

The report notes that the school was rated highly in its last Ofsted report and says that it has remained a successful school with the same standards of academic achievements which were praised previously.

"Torpoint Infants School is a good school with some very good features," says the report.

"The pupils achieve above average standards in many subjects and, overall, are making good progress.

"The quality of teaching is good and there is a significant amount of very good teaching.

"Staff are responding positively and with commitment to a change in leadership and the new sense of direction which is bringing positive new features to the school.

"Staff work hard to maintain a very attractive learning environment and to ensure that all pupils are given the maximum opportunity for learning. They provide a caring environment in which pupils feel secure."

The report identifies a number of areas for action. Included in these are the need for improvements in maths and information and communication technology (ICT).

Headteacher Debbie Snookes, who took over from Margaret Smith when she retired last year, said: "As a staff we felt that the report gave a very fair reflection of the school.

"We had already identified areas for development in school and these have been borne out in the report.

"I am pleased that Ofsted have recognised all the hard work and commitment shown by everyone within the school community.

"There is a tremendous team spirit here at Torpoint Infants and we are all looking forward to moving on and working together to make our school 'simply the best'."

Mrs Snookes and the schools governors were praised in the report.

The inspectors said: "The new headteacher is providing very good leadership. She has a good understanding of the school's strengths and, through the introduction of new initiatives, is giving the school a new sense of direction.

"Staff and pupils are responding positively to her leadership and have been enthused by her vision for improvement.

"Governors are well-informed, are very effective in carrying out their statutory responsibilities and have been instrumental in influencing the new direction the school is taking.

"The school provides good value for money."

The report also commends the work done with special needs pupils, with particular praise for the support staff.

Millbrook

carnival

A HOST of attractions have been lined up for Millbrook Carnival which is due to take place on bank holiday Monday (May 28).

The Millbrook Festival Committee has organised the carnival day which will be centred on the village playing fields from 10am to 10pm.

The day will feature a live music festival with bands including The Fos Brothers, Nimby and the Ya Yas, and Mor.

Other attractions include the carnival procession, a rodeo challenge, a craft fair, a beer tent, a dog show, pony rides, wrestling, a five-a-side competition, a bouncy castle, a hog roast and children's fancy dress.

There is a £100 prize for the best float in the carnival procession, with £50 for the runner-up and £25 for the entry in third place.

More details are available from Robbie or Jan Ryder on 01752 823970 or John Elliott at the Mark of Friendship on 01752 822253.

Flower Festival at Maker Church

MAKER Church will be filled with reminders of the Rame Peninsula over the bank holiday weekend.

A flower festival runs at the church from today (Friday) until bank holiday Monday and its theme is "Sun, Sea, Sounds on the Rame Peninsula".

A programme of music and entertainment will be staged at the church during the festival which has been organised in conjunction with the Rame Peninsula Flower Club.

Today the Rame Peninsula Male Voice Choir will be singing at the church, while tomorrow (Saturday) there will be a gala concert with Bill Shimell, the WI Choir and Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Fellowship.

On Sunday there will be a Songs of Praise event with Saltash Town Band and on Monday the Liskeard Musical Theatre Company will be performing.

Organ recitals are to be given, there will be visits to the top of the church tower and refreshments will be available.

Concert tickets are on sale at the Village Store, Kingsand, or telephone 01752 823996.

Talk at Library

THE Misadventures of an Unsuccessful Fighter Pilot is the title of a talk being given in Torpoint next month.

The town's library will be hosting the talk by Eric Raybould, who lives in Cornwall, on Thursday, June 7, at 7pm.

Tickets for the event, costing £1 to include refreshments, are available from the library.

"The library will be promoting war books, which are very popular with a section of readers, at the event," said library assistant Lynne Kershaw.

Cricket training

TORPOINT Cricket Club is holding youth training sessions on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The sessions, which cost £1 each week, are being held at Torpoint School's playing field.

More details are available from Chris Davies on 01752 815085.