Newsletters

Weekly Update 2.10.26
 
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…
 
TTRS/NUMBOTS
As a school we have access to the online platforms of TTRS (Times Table Rockstars) and NumBots. These are fun game-style platforms to support the children practise their maths foundational facts. Children from Y1 upwards have a login created for them by school so that the children can access these platforms as part of their home learning. There is further guidance on the website class pages for which platform to use with each year group and some information around which facts we are wanting to build. Don’t worry if you have lost your child’s log in details, we shall be sending home letters with a reminder of the details next week. If you have any questions, please speak to your child's class teacher.

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 (7th).  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 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 Rocket Class, we have been exploring numbers. Our Nursery and Reception children have loved working with numbers up to 4.  Earlier in the week, they enjoyed creating a picnic for the Three Bears, carefully making sure there was just enough food for everyone.  Our Year 1 children have been learning to compare sets of objects. We explored lots of different ways to compare them, including by height, length, weight, capacity and quantity. I wonder if you can find any more ways to compare objects over the weekend?

In English, we learned about onomatopoeia and discovered what this exciting word means. We thought about the sounds that might be made when the cheeky fox walks into the rake as he follows Rosie around the farm. The children came up with lots of fantastic sound words! We also discussed how we actually use onomatopoeia every day without even realising it. I wonder how many examples you can spot and use at home?

In our Science learning, we are exploring how objects can be made from different materials. The children have enjoyed investigating everyday objects and discussing what they are made from... maybe you might be able to find some more examples at home or out and about over the weekend?

In Comets, we have been out and about on our annual great conker hunt!  Returning to school with our haul, we set about using them to explore the number system and place value.  We showed some great estimating skills when thinking about our individual collections and then went on to use these to estimate how many we might have found altogether.  Maybe you can explain to your grown-ups how we used our hundred grids to show the grand total?  In English, we have carried on with our diaries, really getting into role as a worried rat who has decided that choosing the cosy bakery on Pudding Lane as a place to sleep might not have been such a good idea afterall!!
 
In Asteroids, we have continued our writing based on the story of The Iron Man by Ted Hughes and enjoyed playing in the role of seagulls to create a dialogue about what the Seagulls thought about the Iron Man falling from the cliff and scattering into pieces.  This involved thinking about how we know a character is speaking in a text and the words that aren't spoken by the character.  Perhaps you could share a book and look for inverted commas and other punctuation used that show a character is speaking and different words for 'said'.  If you enjoy reading graphic novels, you could write the speech bubbles in a sentence using inverted commas.   In Geography, we have looked at human and physical features in West Tanfield and highlighted them on a map.  Perhaps there is another local place that you like to visit that you could discuss which geographical features have been made or modified by humans and which are physical (natural) features.

WORD OF THE WEEK
This week we have been exploring the meaning and etymology of the word 'flourish' in Collective Worship.   We have been thinking about who helps us to flourish and live life in all its fullness.
 
Reminders…
YOUNG VOICES
Just a reminder that if your child would like to sign up for the Young Voices concert in January, you need to do that as soon as possible as we need to confirm numbers with the event organisers.
 
Y3 & Y4 DODGE BALL FESTIVAL
Some of our Y3 & Y4 children have put themselves forward to represent our school in a Dodgeball Festival next week (see email sent earlier this week).  This will take place on Tuesday 6th October at Outwood Academy, Ripon. The festival will run between 9:40-11:30am. 
The team will be travelling to Outwood on a coach leaving school at 08:50 and returning to school for 12.15 in time for normal lunchtime routines at school.
Your child will need to arrive at school in their full PE kit; Children are to wear comfortable trainers as they will be on their feet moving around most of the morning.
Please ensure your child has a hoodie/coat and a water bottle, if the weather is sunny please make sure they have a sun hat and have applied sun cream.
Please let Mrs Clark know if your child has any additional medical needs which she needs to be aware of before the event. 
 
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Save the date for our school Harvest Festival which will take place on Thursday 15^th October at 2.30pm in St Nicholas Church.  All welcome and more details to follow next week…
 
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.  The deadline for applications is Monday 19^th October please.

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
It was lovely to welcome Reverend Simon into school for Collective Worship this week.  Please click below for more news from the Benefice.
  -Pew News wc 41026.pdf-  

MESSAGES FROM…

…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