Newsletters

Our Vision

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’.

New this week…
 
READING JOURNALS
We are looking forward to using new reading journals across the school. Rockets have theirs already and Mrs Pawson (English Lead) will be sending over journals for Y2 – Y6 very soon.  Our reading journals are for us to record any or all of our reading adventures in. We can write or draw, add photos, pictures of books, make recommendations, ask questions and share any reading adventures from home or school. These books can be added to at any time, can children please bring them to school each day.

They are very much a journal for the children but feel free to add to it any reading adventures that you have shared together at home. We always love to read a recommendation.

We would like these books to become something that children treasure and develop throughout the school year. There isn’t a ‘right way’ of recording in your journal and each child will want to make their books their own. We will share inspiration, thoughts and ideas with the children in school to help them get their journals started. We ask that you encourage them to look after their book just as they do the reading books themselves.

During class reading times and in Reading Buddies we will have opportunities to share our reading journals with others and look at recommendations, reviews and things the children would like to share.

Children will no longer use their old yellow reading record books, please feel free to keep these at home if you would like them.

If you have any questions about reading journals or reading please do ask.
 
SCHOOL FOOD STANDARDS
At our school, we want to give every child the very best energy to learn, play, and thrive throughout the day! You might have seen in the news that the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced updated School Food Standards. These national rules ensure school dinners are packed with fibre, fresh fruit and veggies while keeping a healthy lid on sugar, salt, and fats.

To keep things fair, consistent, and wonderfully healthy across the whole school, we extend these nutritious guidelines to our home-prepared packed lunches too!
To help you with your weekly shopping and morning prep, here is a quick, handy guide to what we welcome in lunchboxes, and what we kindly ask you to leave at home:

✅ What to include!

• Wholesome Midday Treats: Lunchtime is the perfect time for a little home-baked goodness! Lower-sugar bakes like a fruit crumble, savoury flapjacks, or small cakes and biscuits are absolutely fine—provided they are free from any confectionery ingredients.
• Healthy Hydration: Fresh, plain drinking water is always available for everyone. Lower-fat or plain milk is also a fantastic choice to keep them hydrated and ready to focus.

 
🚫 What to leave at home...

• Sweets & Chocolate: To protect teeth and keep energy levels stable, we ask that no chocolate, chocolate-coated bars, sweets or confectionery are included in lunchboxes.
• Sugary Drinks & Juices: High-sugar fizzy drinks and heavily sweetened juices can lead to afternoon energy crashes. Please swap these out for water or plain milk.

 
Safety:
In terms of safe eating, we ask that parents are mindful of the following:

That we have the following allergens in school and ask that these are not sent in in lunch boxes:
Sesame, prawn, nuts, rabbit meat

Please can all small fruit (grapes, strawberries etc) be chopped up into quarters in lunch boxes.
 
Thank you so much for your partnership in keeping our school community healthy, energised and ready to learn.

WELLBEING AMBASSADORS
Perhaps inspired by the work of Evie and Joey last year, one member of Y6 has already expressed an interest in becoming a school Wellbeing Ambassador.  These positions are open to any children in Y5/Y6.  There are two vacancies to fill.  Should your child wish to be considered, they can apply in writing to Miss Mandelson, explaining why they would like to become a Wellbeing Ambassador and which skills they feel they could bring to the role.  No rush! The deadline for applications is Monday 19^th October please.

FOREST SCHOOL 
This term’s Forest School sessions will take place on Wednesday afternoons, alternating between Asteroid and Rocket classes.  The next session will be for Asteroids (including Y3) next Wednesday (30th).  Children should bring their Forest School kit in a bag to get changed when it is time for their session. 
Many thanks to the parent who has offered to lend a hand next week.  If any other parents or carers would like to help with a session, do let your child’s class teacher know.  It is always great to have additional volunteers.

Let’s Celebrate!
Well done to all those who took part in yesterday’s Bikeability training.  Dave was impressed with your effort and positive mindset.  Miss Mandelson witnessed some very competent left turns at the T-junction as she passed on her way to the post box – well done Y6s! Spotlights from Learning…

This week, Rocket Class has been enjoying reading Rosie's Walk and have started exploring ideas for our own writing. We have been thinking about the characters and how that cheeky fox might be sneaking around the farm following Rosie the hen on her adventures!
In History, we have been exploring how the way we travel has changed over time. We discovered when different types of transport were invented and worked together to place them on a timeline. We were curious to find out about other forms of transport too, including buses, helicopters, rockets and even roller skates! I wonder if anyone could do some research at home to find out when a different type of transport was invented - maybe you might be able to find out if they were invented within living memory or beyond living memory?
 
In Comets, we have fast-forwarded six decades to 1666 from the Gunpowder Plot to the time of the Great Fire of London.  We have done lots of sheep-tracking, excited to share all our knowledge from our History lessons in the summer term – Mrs Clegg would be very proud!  Using all our knowledge and a bit of imagination, we have embarked on some diary writing in role as a rat, scurrying about in the streets of London.
In Maths, we have been learning to add and subtract bridging through 10.  This has involved partitioning the second addend when adding or the subtrahend when subtracting. I wonder if your grown-ups know what these words mean?!
 
In Asteroids, we are really settling into our new year groups and have worked really hard this week.  In art, we have started to learn about architecture and the depiction of buildings/built environments in art.
Several famous artists represent architecture at some point in their work and this week we have explored some of the work of Stephen Wiltshire, analysing his artwork and asking questions about his work. Perhaps you could research some of his work together and discuss his art or even have a go at drawing in his style. We are starting to learn our songs for the Young Voices Concert next year and if your child would like to attend the concert, I would encourage you to confirm by 30 September so that we can confirm numbers with the event organisers. So far, we have been singing along to the Bowie Birthday Bangers and the ABBA Medley. It has been great fun!
 
Reminders…
PE KIT
Just a reminder that, for children in Y2 upwards, PE kits can be kept in school all week.  It is handy to have them to hand in case of additional events or if a change of clothes is needed.  It also reduces the risk of children forgetting their kit on PE days!  Younger children in Rocket Class may come dressed in their PE kit on Thursdays when they have PE.

MEET THE TEACHER DROP-IN
Please feel free to pop into your child(ren)’s classroom between 3.30-4pm next Wednesday 30^th September if you would like to have a look round and/or ask any questions you might have about new routines.  We look forward to seeing you.
  
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates

Allergens in school, lunches and snacks

Just a reminder we have the following allergens in school and ask that these are not sent in in lunch boxes:

Please can all small fruit (grapes, strawberries etc) be chopped up into quarters in lunch boxes.


News from the wider community
NEWS FROM THE BENEFICE
This Sunday the Parish Harvest Festival will take place at St Nicholas Church at 10.45am – all welcome.
  -Pew News wc 27926.pdf-  

MESSAGES FROM…
…BURTON CONSTABLE FOUNDATION
Our upcoming 1940s Weekend at Burton Constable Hall promises to be a fantastic family day out, bringing the 1940s to life with historical displays, entertainment and activities – and a great opportunity to visit Burton Constable and enjoy a day out together.
Please see below and feel free to spread the word. We hope to welcome some of your school community to Burton Constable!
…THORP PERROW
Thorp Perrow is a 100-acre Arboretum with Bird of Prey and Mammal Centre near Bedale and perfect for a family day out this Autumn!
Look out for upcoming Halloween Trail!  This year there are some new surprises, travel through Widow’s Web, Captain’s Creek and CarnEVIL, plus much, much more.
 
…YORKSHIRE PUMPKINS
As October quickly approaches, we thought we’d reach out and tell you about events at Yorkshire Pumpkins. Tickets are just from £2pp with tonnes of free activities included, so we hope accessible for everyone.
We’re running every weekend in October, then also every day from Thursday 22^nd through until the 31^st. Tickets available here: Tickets | Yorkshire Pumpkins