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, we are really proud of the EYFS children who have started to come into the classroom independently in the morning.  Well done!
The Year One children have continued their Geography learning on continents with a particular focus on Antarctica.  Can your child name all of the continents and perhaps give you an interesting fact about Antarctica?
 
In Comet Class, we have embarked on our new class text:  Un Lion à Paris  by Beatrice Alemagna.  Miss M was mightily impressed by the children’s skills in translating the text, using their knowledge of French, spotting words which are similar to English words and looking carefully at the illustrations.  Bravo, les enfants!
I wonder if you can tell your grown-ups about some of the Parisian landmarks we spotted in the story?
 
This week in Asteroid Class, we have had some great afternoons! Monday was Castle Bolton where we had spear lessons, explored Mary Queen of Scots bedroom, made plague pouches and wrote our name using a quill.
On Wednesday we were tasting biscuits before adapting a recipe next week.
Can you tell your adults what adapting a recipe means and what kind of marketing companies do to get you to buy their products? 
 
WORLD BOOK DAY
We really enjoyed celebrating World Book Day together and many thanks to all the family members who were able to pop in to join us.  Hopefully, your child’s voucher has arrived home safely.  See below for a message from Little Ripon Bookshop with information their own WBD event.
 
POEM OF THE WEEK
Mrs Pawson has sent over another poem of the week for us to take a look at:
‘The Door’ by Miroslav Holub
https://poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/the-door-miroslav-holub
This week our word of the week is ‘darkness’ - a word which is formed from two parts, an adjective and suffix, can you think of any other words you can make following this formula?
 
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 suggested by a Y3 pupil 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.

Reminder…
Richmond Castle Trip for Years One and Two
Please note this trip is now on Parent Pay.  Thank you for your contributions as without these the trip will not be able to go ahead.
Just a reminder that the deadline for ordering a school packed lunch is today (Friday) and you need to email helen.clegg@west-tanfield.n-yorks.sch.uk if your child requires one.

Coming up…
SHINE CRICKET
On Tuesday the children will need their PE Kit to take part in a Chance to Shine Engagement Day – a one-day cricket experience designed to give pupils a fun and memorable introduction to the game.  This is being run by YCCC Performance Pathway Coach, Joe Barr, for each class throughout the day.  Please note that the Y4 children will still also need their swimming kit on this day.
 
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.

RED NOSE DAY - Friday 20th March
The School Council have started to plan an event to help to raise money for Comic Relief.  This year, children will be invited to come up with a joke to make their classmates laugh!  More details to follow...
 
News from the wider community
NEWS FROM THE BENEFICE
World Day of Prayer is today Friday, March 6th and will be marked at Masham Methodist Church at 7pm.  The service has been put together by women in Nigeria and the theme is 'I will give you rest, come.'
Everyone is welcome. A MESSAGE FROM THE LITTLE RIPON BOOKSHOP
Just a reminder that the Little Ripon Bookshop will 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:
Unfortunately, we have taken the decision to cancel The West End comes to Tanfield event due to low ticket sales. If you did purchase a ticket, we'll ensure you are refunded promptly. 
 
Our next fundraising event will be a Chocolate Bingo! This will be held in the school hall on Thursday 26^th March at 15:30, immediately after the Easter Sharing and Celebration Tea. Parents and children are welcome to stay and play a fun game of bingo with lots of chocolately prizes up for grabs! 
 
EASTER CLUB  
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates
A question that cropped up at school this week:  What is AI and is it safe?
Guidance for parents & carers
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly common part of online life. As it continues to develop, make sure you know how it works and how to keep your child safe if they use it.  Click below for more information:
What is AI and is it safe for children? | Internet Matters