PUPILS and their parents have been praised after more than �1000 was raised by Lympstone Primary School to be donated to the NSPCC. A delighted Tony Priest, head teacher of the school, said children and their families had helped raise nearly three times t

PUPILS and their parents have been praised after more than �1000 was raised by Lympstone Primary School to be donated to the NSPCC.

A delighted Tony Priest, head teacher of the school, said children and their families had helped raise nearly three times the average amount they would typically give to charities.

He said: "We held an event where pupils took part in a round-robin of sporting activities.

"They had a sponsorship form where they had to complete things like a certain number of skips and shuttle runs per minute.

"Normally when we do a fundraising event, there is a nominated charity each term. We expect to raise around �400 or �500.

"But, with the NSPCC, we raised over �1100 which is significantly more than we've done for anything else. It is a real testament to the generosity of our families.

"It is particularly pleasing because it is a children's charity and, when you think it is a time when people, financially, are feeling the pinch a bit."

Mr Priest also thanked staff at the Saddlers Arms, in Lympstone, who provided fireworks for a bonfire night held early in November. The school made �600 from the event to go towards the PTFA.

He said: "It was a pretty wild and windy night, so we thought our attendance would be down a bit but it was very good."

A Big Band evening will be held this Saturday, November 28, where the theme will be the 1940s.

The school will then take part in a carol concert in the first week of December at Pegasus House in Exmouth.

The Lympstone Primary Christingle Service Production will be held in the parish church on Monday, December 7 at 1.30pm and 6pm and Tuesday, December 8 at 6pm.

Excited about the production, Mr Priest said: "Each class will do an element of Their First Christmas nativity through song.

"We are looking forward to this a lot because it we have a lovely image at the end of the service having all the christingles lit and all the children cupping oranges.

"The church, which is a beautiful place at the best of times, will look magical on those two evenings when the lights are out and the room is lit by candle."

The school Christmas disco is on Thursday, December 10 followed by festive parties the following week. Lympstone pre-school will perform their nativity on Tuesday, December 15, at 10am.

And, looking forward to the New Year term, Mr Priest said they would be welcoming new children to the school for their 'taster' days.