12th September 2014
Dear Parents
Newsletter
Class Topics
Below is a taster of what the children will be studying in class this term. For further details
please look at the class pages on the school website.
This term the Unicorn class have the exciting topic of ‘Superheroes’! Through this topic they
will be investigating how and why Superheroes select different materials for their clothes.
They will also create their own superhero characters by using a computer program called
‘Puppet Pals’. Reading and creating their own comics about superhero characters will
improve their Literacy skills.
The Phoenix class will be researching and exploring Viking life. They will be learning all about
the Viking way of life and the fact that they were not just terrifying, blood-thirsty marauders,
but were peaceful, farming settlers and traders. In Science, the class will be investigating
similarities and differences between animals and humans and in Literacy they will be writing
their own historical stories and researching about invaders for a newspaper report.
Griffin class, will be studying Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Using this novel they
will be investigating a range of materials that would be suitable for building a shelter on a
desert island. In geography they will be learning about the oceans, continents and countries
that are linked in with Kensuke’s Kingdom. As artists, the children will be exploring Japanese
calligraphy and other art and design inspired by Japanese culture.
Encouraging Independence
All our new starters have settled into school routine brilliantly. To encourage this further, we
recommend that you bring your child into school, help them with their coats and bags in the
cloakroom and then say ‘Goodbye’ at the classroom door. With this, we find that the
children settle down to their morning learning activities much easier.
Cross Country
Next Tuesday morning, all the children in the school, except for the Reception children, will
be taking part in a cross country run at Boroughbridge High School. The children in Years 1 &
2 will take part in a fun run and those in Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 will take part in a competitive cross
country run. Please ensure that your child comes dressed in their PE kit with their school
uniform in their PE bag. They will need to wear outdoor trainers and have a bottle of water
with them. We will be back in time for lunch.
After School Clubs
We have an exciting array of after school clubs starting in the next few weeks. Please read
the attached letter carefully and sign up for those that interest you. First come, first served!
School Uniform
It is very important to school and families that children wear the correct school uniform. We
encourage children to wear the following:
Boys - royal blue jumper or sweatshirt preferably with school logo, royal blue or white polo
shirt, grey shorts or trousers, grey socks, sensible shoes not trainers.
Girls - Royal blue cardigan/jumper or sweatshirt preferably with school logo, royal blue or
white polo shirt, grey trousers/skirts/pinafore dresses, white socks or grey tights, sensible
shoes not trainers.
PE kit - plain red t-shirt, navy blue shorts, sweatshirt and jogging bottoms, black pumps
suitable for indoor use, trainers for outdoor PE. All to be put into a named bag.
All items of clothing and footwear brought into school must be clearly labelled. We do not
allow jewellery to be worn in school, with the exception of a wristwatch.
Items of uniform, book bags and PE kit bags can be bought from Broadbank and Empson
(Knaresborough or Ripon) at any time.
Open Afternoon Correction
To ensure that we give this important occasion the detailed planning it requires, it has been
decided to postpone our open afternoon to Thursday 9th October from 2pm – 3pm. There
will be no Saturday open morning. This will give time to print our new prospectus and
publicise our open afternoon properly. If you know any families who are interested in
joining our school, please encourage them to ring the school office to make an appointment
to look round. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Parent Pay
If you use parent pay please could we ask you check your account for arrears.
DEN News
Nuzzlets
The DEN is delighted to invite Nuzzlets into school on Monday 22nd September. Please sign
up immediately to the DEN for this occasion. This is a very popular activity and places will fill
up extremely quickly. Please contact the school office to put your name down. Thank you.
FOGOS Parent Welcome
Please join us on Thursday 18th September at the Aldwark Arms pub in Aldwark village from
7.30pm. This is a chance to have a drink, catch up on news and meet some new friends.
Everyone is welcome.
Beer Festival - The school shift on the bar is 5.00 - 7.00 on Saturday 11th October - we need
10 willing volunteers to work behind the bar - please let the school office know if you can
pull a few pints for us - this is a great fundraiser for school.
Let’s Grow Vouchers
We are now collecting Morrisons Lets Grow vouchers. There is a box in the school office,
and the Post Office is also collecting vouchers on our behalf.
Diary Dates
Open Afternoon
Thursday 9th October 2.00pm-3.00pm
Half-term break
27th October – 31st October
Training Day
Monday 3rd November