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…
 
HARVEST FESTIVAL
It was lovely to all come together to celebrate our Harvest Festival yesterday...and to see Reverend Jane again after her time away.  We think you’ll agree that the children did us proud.  Many thanks for all your generous donations which will be taken to the food bank at St Mary’s Church in Masham.
 
YOUNG VOICES SONGS
The children have been enjoying singing some of the ‘Young Voices’ songs in singing assemblies with Mrs Harris this half term. It's been great to see their enthusiasm for the songs and so many of them joining in with the dancing and learning the words. All children are welcome to learn the songs at home too - the playlist is available on Spotify/Apple Music and even youtube, simply search for Young Voices 2027. 
 
For those children who are attending the performance we do ask that they spend time learning the song words at home. We can introduce the songs and work on the musical learning in school, but the real work of learning the words is something the children need to do at home. We recommend having the songs playing in the car, at home, just whenever possible and sing along!   Additionally, children will be given a copy of the lyrics to learn at home.
 
They are a really fun collection of songs and I hope you'll enjoy them. The whole Young Voices experience is SO much more enjoyable and worthwhile if the children are confident with the lyrics - and there will be no words allowed on the day.
 
Some parents have asked how you can purchase tickets, these are available on the Young Voices website.  To register, you may need to look for Kirkby Malzeard Primary School as we have had to register as one school so that we can be together.  If you have any questions about this please speak with Mrs Clark.
 
 
Coming up…
 
SPORTING INFLUENCE
Next Tuesday, we shall be welcoming Mr V into school for our next Sporting Influence session.  This time we shall be having a go at Tag Rugby.  Please ensure your child has their PE kit in school that day.  Younger children in Rocket Class may come to school already dressed in their PE kit on Tuesday.  They won't need their PE kit on Thursday next week.

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 Rockets (including Y2) next Wednesday (20th). 
Many thanks to the parent who came along to lend a hand this 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.

Spotlights from Learning…

This week in Art, Rocket Class has been having lots of fun exploring oil pastels, learning how to blend colours and create different autumnal textures. The children have really enjoyed experimenting and getting creative, making a giant piece of artwork to experiment with different oil pastel techniques. I wonder if you could have a go at practising your sketching skills at home. 
In Maths, our Year 1 children have been learning how to use a part-whole model (or "cherry" model) to help them break numbers into different parts. I wonder if you could show your grown-ups how to use one. Our EYFS children have been busy learning about one more and one less. They've also loved using playdough with conkers, pinecones and leaves to make autumn treasures to make patterns, prints and explore numbers.

In Comets, we have been busy looking at efficient ways to count large quantities of objects by grouping into tens (and sometimes hundreds!)  We have also been linking this to place value and learning why we write 3-digit numbers in the way we do.
We have been using lots of onomatopoeia and personification in our diary writing this week, imagining the Great Fire of London as a hungry, ferocious monster devouring everything in its path!  I wonder if our little rat will manage to escape…
 
In Asteroids, we have been learning about Christian, Islamic and Hindu creation stories in RE. We have compared the key beliefs of each religion about how the world was created. We have also explored non-religious worldviews about the origins of the universe. Working in teams, we researched cosmology and theories of evolution. We presented our findings through pictures and then reflected on our own views and beliefs about how the world began. Perhaps you could discuss with your child what they believe about how the world was created? Can they explain their ideas and reasons? We have also enjoyed preparing for our Harvest service and discussing what Harvest means to Christians in our collective worship.
 
Reminders…
TEACHER TRAINING DAY
Just a reminder that school will be closed next Friday 23^rd October for a teacher training day.  The children will break up for half-term at the usual time of 3.25pm on Thursday 22^nd.
 
Last call for…
JAM MESSY CHURCH
Our next JAM session will be taking place after school on Monday 19^th October.  Many thanks to all those who have already signed up.  Please can any remaining responses be sent to Miss Mandelson by the close of today.  You can email her at:
senco@west-tanfield.n-yorks.sch.uk
Please see below for more details about what these sessions are all about:
  -JAM 19.10.26.pdf-  
There is also more information below in 'News from the Benefice'.
 
WELLBEING AMBASSADORS
Any remaining applications from children who are interested in becoming a Wellbeing Ambassador need to be submitted by Monday please.  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.

Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates
Please see the training available on the North Yorkshire Best Start in life portal, parents are encouraged to sign up and use their login to book the courses.
It is recommended that these courses are completed for neurodiversity before requesting a Children & Families worker from Early Help.
Training & Events | Best Start In Life | North Yorkshire – Please follow this link

News from the wider community

NEWS FROM THE BENEFICE
Jane Mansell (one of our JAM Messy Church leaders) writes:
JAM is back – what is JAM? Nothing to do with eating jam sadly! JAM (Jesus and Me) is our free-to-families after school club which we run once a half term. Each one is different! We – who are we? We are volunteers from our local village churches, led by Jane Mansell (North Stainley Church) and Catherine Clowes (Methodist lay pastor) who work alongside the school afterschool club staff.
We take a theme or a Bible story and retell that in some way and then do a variety of fun craft activities and games related to the story.  Next week – on Monday 19^th October after school, we will be having a “whale of a time” in the school hall, thinking about the story of Jonah and the big fish – with lots of cutting, sticking, colouring, making things to bring home and playing games!

At Half-Term…
…St Mary’s, Masham will be running a free Arts and Crafts Activity Day.  Please see below for contact details to book a place: …and please click below for more news from the Benefice.
  -Pew News wc 181026.pdf-  

MESSAGES FROM…
THE FRIENDS PTA GROUP
Please see below for details of fundraising activities:  GIRLS’ RUGBY GROUP
We welcome all girls from Year 6 to come along and try our rugby training sessions. We are keen to grow participation and would love to see more girls joining us, so please feel free to share the invitation with any children, parents or family members who may be interested.
Everyone is welcome to come along to the club, give rugby a try and have some fun in a friendly and inclusive environment.  
…MADELEINE, RACHEL AND HELEN
We have teamed up with the Friends of Hell Wath to run a FREE Autumn Family Fun Forest School Day on the Monday of half-term. See below for further details…