Friday 18th September 2026
We’ve had another very busy week in school and it has been great to see all the children getting back into the swing of things and enjoying their learning. Over the last few years as a school, we have been working very hard on developing the teaching of reading and also to promote a love of reading. It has been a joy to go around school this week and see all the reading that has been taking place. All classes have timetabled sessions each week in our welcoming and relaxing library area. Each class also has their class novel; one of the best bits of the day is when everything else stops in the classroom and the teachers read their novel to the class. It’s also been wonderful to see how much our youngest pupils have been enjoying a good book alongside learning phonics for the first time as they begin their own journey this year starting to sound out and blend words.
Research in the UK consistently shows the impact of a strong reading foundation on children’s future educational enjoyment, access and opportunity. Working in partnership with you as families, we want to ensure all of our children can read and, importantly, that they enjoy it! Please continue to support your child at home by ensuring that they read the book their teacher sends home for them during the week. If you ever have any questions or want to know more, please speak to your child’s teacher.
Meanwhile, over in Year 5 this week, in Science the children investigated and tested the properties of different materials, making observations and recording their findings. They explored why understanding material properties is important in everyday life and considered how this knowledge is used in future careers. Great job!
I wanted to take this opportunity at the beginning of the new school year to thank you for your support with getting children ready and into school every day on time. It is important to establish strong routines that enable them to flourish. Thank you. Can I please ask that all parents/carers give due care and consideration to parking safely around the front of the school site. It is important that children can cross the road with their families safely and please be respectful of our neighbours’ access to their properties.
Finally, we are in the process of finalising our calendar for enrichment and parent events, along with our extra-curricular activities. Watch this space with lots more information to follow and dates for your diaries!
In the meantime, thank you for your continued support and see you next week, Mr Greene
Attendance
Update
Our school target is 97%
This week our attendance was : 97%
Nidd – 98%
Aire – 96%
Ouse – 94%
Derwent – 100%
Foss – 96%
Calder – 97%
Humber – 99%
School lunches and breakfast club must be booked and paid for on Arbor. Bookings should be made and paid for at least 24 hours in advance of the day required.
Pupil Lunch – £3.30 Breakfast Club – £4
Dates for your diary:
| Friday 25th September 2026 | Languages Day in school! |
| Monday 12th October 2026 – Friday 16th October 2026 | Black History Week |
| Friday 16th October 2026 | ‘Africa Reborn’ Story Workshops for all pupils throughout the day in phases for Black History Week |
| Friday 23rd October | 3.15pm Break up for Half term |
| Monday 26th October 2026 – Friday 30th October 2026 | Half Term Holiday |
| Saturday 31st October 2026 | Deadline for Secondary School Applications |
| Monday 2nd November 2026 | Back to School |
| Friday 13th November 2026 | Teacher Training Day – School Closed to pupils |
| Friday 18th December 2026 | 3.15pm Break up for Christmas Holidays |
| Monday 21st December 2026 – Friday 1st January 2027 | Christmas Holidays |
| Monday 4th January 2027 | Back to School |
