Newsletters

We believe that our children should have the aspiration and opportunity to ‘Live life in all its fullness’ and ‘Shine like stars in the sky’.
 
In Rocket Class this week, the EYFS children have enjoyed exploring the playdough.  They have practised rolling snakes and coiling them up as well as rolling spheres in their hands.  Playdough is fantastic for strengthening finger, wrist and arm muscles which are prerequisites for being able to hold a pencil and make a mark.  Playdough is really easy to make at home- maybe a good activity for a rainy weekend?
The Year One children have been working on 'first, then, now' stories in Maths and how to record these as an equation.  Can they give you an example of one of these stories and show you how they would record it?
 
In Comet Class, we have been adding dialogue to our stories, remembering to use inverted commas to punctuate.  We have been building suspense as the wolf hatches his cunning plan.  I wonder what will happen once Red Reading Hood arrives at the library?!  In maths, the Y2 children have been looking at different ways to represent the two times table…whilst the Y3 children have been exploring lots of different strategies for addition and subtraction.  Can you remember the top tips we have learned so far for column addition?
 
This week in Asteroid Class, we have been looking at plants in science and discussing how different plants reproduce.  We are going to be investigating the parts of a flowering plant next week.  We have also been looking in more detail at our Colour Wheels in Art and adding tints and tones to our Primary, Secondary and Tertiary colours.  Do you know what a tint and tone are?

WORD OF THE WEEK
To help children develop their vocabulary and a love of words, a focus ‘word of the week’ is introduced each week for the children to investigate.  This week’s word is: The children are encouraged to find out what the word means and perhaps use it in a sentence or explore its etymology.  Their efforts are then displayed in the hall.  Although aimed more at the KS2 children, everyone is welcome to join in.

POEM OF THE WEEK
This week’s poem is Up in the Morning, Early by Robert Burns (see below) and the focus word is: chittering
Poetry By Heart | Up In The Morning Early

Remember to look out for more details of our learning for the term ahead on our class pages on the school website.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
It has been great that so many children have put themselves forward to run in the School Council elections.  Votes will be cast today and the results shared on Monday.  Good luck to all our candidates.

Coming up…
SPORTING INFLUENCE
On Tuesday morning we shall be welcoming the Sporting Influence team in to run Dodge-Bench Ball sessions for all classes.  Please ensure that all children have their PE kit in school on this day.

LAST CALL FOR JAM MESSY CHURCH
Many thanks to all the parents who have responded to book their child(ren) in for next Tuesday’s JAM session.  Please can any further replies be received by the close of today (Friday) so that we have the correct numbers for catering and resources.

FOREST SCHOOL
…will take place for Rocket Class (including Y2) on Friday.  Please make sure that your child comes to school wearing their Forest School kit with their waterproofs in a bag ready to put on top.  Thank you.

WEAR YOUR SCARF DAY – Friday 13^th February
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors are busy preparing to tell the children about ‘Wear Your Scarf Day’ – an event to promote wellbeing for Children’s Mental Health Week.  Evie and Joey would like the children to come to school on Friday 13^th February wearing a scarf of their choice to raise awareness of the importance of looking after your mental health and as a symbol of support for children’s wellbeing. They will be speaking to the children about this in Collective Worship on Monday 9^th February to explain some fun activities that they are preparing.  They will be inviting the children to pay a small sum of 50p to take part in a Design a SCARF competition to win a mystery prize! The proceeds of the competition will be given to a children’s mental health charity.
 
News from the wider community

News from the Benefice  Pew News wc 1226.pdf  

VILLAGE PANTOMIME
FREECYCLE EVENT
NORTH YORKSHIRE AND YORK MUSIC HUB…
…is delighted to offer a series of free musical opportunities for children and young people across our region.
They are running two strands of activity this spring and summer: Vocal Project Days – Free Singing Workshops (Years 4–13)
A fun and inspiring space for young singers from across North Yorkshire and York to rehearse, learn, and grow together.
Dates:

• 7 March
• 18 April
• 16 May
• 20 June

Venue: Escrick C of E Primary School, YO19 6JQ
Time: 10am–3pm
Open to: All young people in Years 4 to 13
Cost: Free
Contact: Countyhall.Music@northyorks.gov.uk Instrumental Ensemble Project Days – Free Ensemble Workshops (Grade 2+)
A fantastic opportunity to rehearse, perform, and develop ensemble skills in a welcoming environment alongside other young musicians from across the region.
Dates:

• 15 March
• 19 April
• 14 June
• 20 June

Venue: The Regen Centre, YO19 6PW
Time: 10am–3pm
Open to: Young musicians working at Grade 2+ on their instrument
Cost: Free
Contact: Countyhall.Music@northyorks.gov.uk

  -Ensemble Project Days - Poster.pdf-  

  -Vocal Project Days - Poster.pdf-  

Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates

COURSES FOR PARENTS
Parent webinars on county lines and criminal exploitation (Ivison Trust)
The Ivison Trust (formerly Pace) is a national charity working to keep children safe from exploitation by supporting parents, disrupting exploiters, and working in partnership with police and family services. Their work is grounded in a trauma-informed, family-centred approach.
During March 2026, the Ivison Trust is delivering a series of live webinars for parents and carers focused on county lines and criminal exploitation. The sessions help parents understand how exploitation happens, how children are groomed, what warning signs to look out for, and where to access advice and support. Each webinar includes local context, time for questions, and input from a parent with lived experience.
More information and booking details are available at:
https://ivisontrust.org.uk/webinars/
 
FAMILY LEARNING
Adult Learning North Yorkshire have passed on this flyer detailing family activities for the school holidays: These sessions offer fantastic opportunities for parents, carers, and children to learn together through a range of hands-on craft activities. Families will discover fun and practical ways to support children’s learning both at home and in school. Each school holiday there is a different theme, February half term looks at a range of craft activities celebrating Valentine’s Day, Shrove Tuesday and Chinese New Year. Our Easter courses are themed around a STEM activity building towers to support eggs along with other fantastic activities.