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’.
Spotlights from Learning…
 
In Rocket Class this week, the EYFS children have enjoyed exploring our new Police Station role play.  If you have any resources that could help to enhance this area then it would be greatly appreciated.
The Year One children have been working hard on addition and subtraction facts within 10.  There are some good interactive games here:
Save The Whale: Learnbonds of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5
Number bonds to 10 | Reception maths | Number bonds to 10 worksheet - BBC Bitesize
Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds
Thank you for your understanding regarding our issue with Numbots.  We are hoping to have this rectified as soon as possible.
 
In Comet Class, we have been busy planning and writing our own traditional tale with a twist based on the story of Goldilocks.  However, in our versions our main character, whilst still being rather mischievous, is also obsessed with books and reading!  We still have some editing to do before we are ready to publish but we are really hoping to have them ready in time to share on World Book Day…
In Maths, the Y2s have been practising using their knowledge of the 2, 5 and 10 times tables whilst the Y4s have started to become familiar with the 4 times table.  I wonder if the children can spot any links between the 2 and 4 times tables?
 
This week in Asteroid Class, we been finishing our complimentary colours self-portraits using poster and power paints.  We are getting really good at mixing our primary colours to make secondary and adding in tones and tints.  We have also started our germination investigation of cress seeds where we are going to produce graphs showing the seeds average height in each of our 3 light conditions.  Do you think the seeds in the dark, shade or light will grow best...and why?!
 
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.
 
Remember to look out for more details of our learning for the term ahead on our class pages on the school website.
 
WEAR YOUR SCARF DAY
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors, Evie and Joey, would like to thank everyone who supported Wear Your Scarf Day.  They are pleased to announce that an amazing £40 has been raised to support the work of Just ‘B’, which is part of independent charity North Yorkshire Hospice Care, a family of services which includes Herriot Hospice Homecare and Saint Michael’s Hospice. Together they offer vital hospice care, emotional wellbeing and bereavement support.  They also provide emotional wellbeing support for children in schools.
 
Coming up…
CASTLE VISITS
Asteroids (including Y3) are looking forward to their visit to Castle Bolton on Monday.  Please be aware that they will be leaving promptly at 9am so children must be on time in order to get organised and board the coach.
And exciting news for Year One and Two who will be hopefully visiting Richmond Castle as part of their History learning on Thursday 19^th March.  More info to follow…
 
WORLD BOOK DAY Thursday 5th March at 9.00 am in the school hall.
We are excited to invite you to celebrate World Book Day with us!
Come along and share a special reading time with your child in our school hall as part of our reading buddies' session. Our library will also be open. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a book together and celebrate the joy of reading.
Children are welcome to come:

• In their school uniform with a prop from their favourite book, or
• Dressed as a prop/character from their favourite book.

We can’t wait to see all the creative costumes and share some fantastic stories together!  See below for options about how to spend your WBD voucher.
Happy Reading! 🌟
 
EASTER SHARING AND CELEBRATION TEA Thursday 26^th March 2pm
Just a reminder that are warmly invited to join us for a special Easter Sharing and Celebration Tea.
During this joyful gathering, we will celebrate Easter together and children are invited to share a special achievement if they wish to.
Your child may pick one personal achievement/award they are especially proud of. This will be a wonderful opportunity to share this with family and friends.
We look forward to sharing tea and treats, as we celebrate the children’s achievements together.

Reminders
Sharon would like to alert parents that there is not always a pizza option on Fridays this half-term.  Please check the new menu options: There will also be a daily jacket potato and sandwich option as usual.
 
News from the wider community

NEWS FROM THE BENEFICE
Many thanks from Mr and Mrs Arnold to the children who helped out with last week’s Family Service.  You all did so well and your help was much appreciated.
A MESSAGE FROM THE LITTLE RIPON BOOKSHOP
With just a week to go until World Book Day I thought I’d remind you that we have all the WBD books in the shop ready for children to pick up in exchange for a WBD token. The books are completely free to the children when they bring in a WBD voucher (see books below). They can also use the voucher to take £1 off a book, if they would rather do that. We also have a fabulous, flashy, noisy, NEW WBD Machine arriving in the shop on Thursday 5^th March, ready to dispense books to eager recipients! It’s bonkers (of course), manufactured with love out of cardboard boxes (don’t tell the kids!) and it will be in use on Thursday and Friday after school and on Saturday from 10am! It’s been very popular the last few years - please let your pupils know that a new machine will be here.
Have fun this week and hope to see you in the shop.
Gill and Team
The Little Ripon Bookshop
 
A message from the Friends:
THE WEST END COMES TO TANFIELD!
 Join us on Saturday 7th March at West Tanfield Memorial Hall for a fun-filled evening of your favourite musical numbers performed live, including hits from Mamma Mia, Wicked and Disney classics! 
Sing along and dance the night away with fellow theatre fans whilst raising funds for the school - children and adults of all ages are welcome (no ticket required for babes in arms).
Tickets are £11 per person and are available exclusively from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/west-end-tanfield  
EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Please see below for information from Madeleine about her popular Forest School holiday club:  
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates
SNAPCHAT AGE REQUIREMENT
Like many other social networks and messaging apps, the minimum age to use Snapchat is 13. Additionally, users under 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to use the app. Parents can set up Family Centre to help monitor their teens’ safety on the app (which might be of interest to our families who have teenage children).
Research and our experience show that children under 13 use the service, despite the age requirement. However, Snapchat says it removes any accounts that belong to an underage user.
Children who use social media underage face additional online risks. Until they reach the age minimum, consider these alternatives suitable for under-13s.
Please click below for further advice for parents:
What is Snapchat? Safety guide for parents | Internet Matters
 
PAPAYA PARENT SURVEY
Our PSHE curriculum is well-supported by Coram Life Education through their SCARF programme.  They are working with a wide variety of professionals who are studying the impact of digital devices (including smartphones) on children’s health and wellbeing and also on their social, emotional and cognitive development.
GP Dr Susie Davies is one of the people they’ve worked with – Susie founded PAPAYA Parents in order to help parents/carers and families navigate the growing issues relating to children’s online activities and behaviours.
PAPAYA Parents and Coram SCARF really want to hear your views so we’re sharing the following short survey that PAPAYA have created so that you can have your say.  The survey (below) is very short and will take just a few minutes to complete – the survey closes on Friday March 6.
Thanks from Coram Life Education for your time in helping them to understand what teachers and parents think about the use of Ed-Tech.
 
Ed Tech Parent+Carer Survey.