School Update 10/09/2021

Good afternoon,

Everyone has had a really good start to our new academic year this week.  Children are settling into routines well and there has been some great learning happening. 

We are cautiously starting to introduce things back into our routines and curriculum that we haven’t been able to do over the past eighteen months due to COVID so this week we had our first assembly, which was brilliant!  We focused on having courage and I will be working with all the children getting their thoughts on how we can have courage this year and if this should be one of our school virtues.

Next week we are starting most of our after school clubs on a Tuesday.  We have organised them all on the same day and I hope this helps with organising time coming to and from school now that children may be doing other activities outside of school.  Science club will not start until the 28th September and Early Years will start the week after next.  All clubs will finish at 4.30pm and children can be collected outside of the Early Years, KS1 and KS2 doors rather than classrooms. 

Swimming lessons also start next Wednesday for upper Key Stage 2.

In a few weeks time Years 4 and 5 will be going on their residential to Kingswood which will be brilliant I am sure.  I am holding a meeting next Thursday straight after school and, for those who cannot make that time or would rather not come in to the hall just yet, a zoom meeting at 5.30pm (zoom meeting details to follow).  Residentials are such a great opportunity for children to shine in different ways so it is great we can go, and plan for more in the future.

Our curriculum focus this term is ‘Identity’.  Please look at the website to see what teachers have planned for this term in each class.  We have loads planned so it should be a great term. 

This week we have started a new phonics programme called ‘Little Wandle’.  We are still waiting for new books and resources (ordered before the holidays) to come, which should be within the next two weeks.  Children will get books to read at home linked to the programme, particularly in Key Stage 1 and Early Years when they arrive.  We will be inviting all parents to a workshop so you know what we are teaching and how you can help at home.  It is a great programme and we are looking forward to sharing it with you.

To be able to give our children the best opportunities in school, attendance is key.  On Monday a detailed letter will go out about the importance of children being in school on time every day so please look out for it.  Please let school know if you are struggling with getting your child to school at any time as we are there to help and support and don’t want any child missing out.  Obviously if children are ill, they should stay at home.  Children will also need to isolate if they have a positive COVID test but, if they are not ill with it, they can access remote learning. 

I will share activities we have planned by the end of next week but we have planned events that everyone can attend if they would like to.  It will be so good to safely get parents and families in to share our learning and celebrations. 

I cannot tell you how good it is to have all the children back in school.  There is such a buzz and it is great to be part of!

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Fletcher

Our school target is 97%

This week our attendance was 94.05%

Nidd – 95.37%

Aire – 96.59%

Ouse – 94.50%

Derwent – 95.65%

Foss – 88.75%

Calder – 95.19%

Humber – 94.05%

Please ensure you pre-book school lunches and breakfast club 48 hours in advance of the day required.