Weekly Blog Friday 15th December 2023
Date: 15th Dec 2023 @ 12:54pm
Attendance
Every week in our Celebration Assembly, we celebrate the class who has achieved the highest attendance for that week. This week, Miss Hoggart's class had the highest attendance with 100%! Well done Nursery!
Please see below for the attendance figures for this week. The target attendance for all children is currently set at 97%.
Attendance for this week
Nursery - 100%
Reception - 98.25%
Year 1 Miss Singh - 95.17%
Year 2 Mrs Davies - 93.91%
Year 3 Miss Scott - 94.61%
Year 4 Mrs Wood - 98.29%
Year 5 Mrs Pickersgill - 97.30%
Year 6 Miss Dunn - 89.95%
Attendance Celebrations!
Next week during our Celebration assembly, we will be presenting certificates to those children who have met our attendance target of 97% for this term. We will also be presenting certificates and a small gift to those children who have achieved 100% attendance this term.
Stars of the week
Each week in our Friday Celebration Assembly, we celebrate our stars of the week. Each class teacher chooses 2 children from their class each week who have really impressed them. Please see below for who has been chosen this week, together with the reason for them being chosen.
This week, we have chosen everyone in school to be our stars of the week! There has been lots going on in school this week and the children have coped really well with the change to routine. On Wednesday, the children in Years 1 to 6 went on their visit to see 'Beauty and the Beast' at Cast Theatre in Doncaster. The children all behaved impeccably and had the most amazing time. While the rest of school were at the pantomime in Doncaster, our Nursery and Reception children were being treated to a performance of 'The Littlest Christmas Elf'. All the children behaved so well during the performance and really enjoyed themselves.
Well done everyone!
Makaton Sign Of The Week
The children have recently started learning Makaton's 'Sign of the week' each week. Each Monday, the children learn the new sign for that week. We thought it would be useful to share the following week's sign with parents/carers on our Friday blog so you can get involved too if you wish.
During the festive period, the Makaton Charity are doing their 'Countdown to Christmas' Advent, where they are joined by different schools, families, organisations, community groups, and choirs to help them sign. Please click on the link below to view their festive videos that have been posted so far this month.
The Makaton Advent 'Countdown to Christmas'
Today's sign is 'Jingle Bells'.
Events happening in school next week
We can’t believe that next week is our last week before Christmas! Time has really flown, particularly during this festive period in school when there has been lots happening. We have loved welcoming families in to school and look forward to continuing to do so next week.
In addition to being in the diary dates below and on the school website calendar, we thought it would be useful to provide details of the events that are happening in school next week.
Monday 18th December - Key Stage 1 craft afternoon 1.30pm. Could parents/carers please come to the school office to sign in.
Monday 18th December - Discos after school - Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 3pm to 3.45pm (Nursery and Reception parents/carers to stay at the disco with their child please). Years 3 to 6 4pm to 4.45pm. There will be a shop at each disco selling sweets and drinks. If your child will be bringing in some money to spend at the disco, please ensure it is in an envelope or purse/wallet with their name on. Please ensure that the adult named as picking your child up is the one who comes to collect them.
Tuesday 19th December - Rocksteady Concert 2pm - for those parents/carers whose children are involved in the Rocksteady music lessons.
Tuesday 19th December - Carols round the tree straight after school. Please come in through the school office. Refreshments will be served (free of charge).
Wednesday 20th December - On Wednesday 20th October, the children from Year 1 to Year 6 will be walking to St Nicholas' church for our annual Christmas Service. We will be setting off straight after morning registration (approx 9.15am). If you would like to walk there and back to church with us to enjoy the Christmas Service, please let your child's teacher know as soon as possible.
Wednesday 20th December - Christmas Dinner Day. The children will be having Christmas dinner. If your child didn't want the dinner and/or you didn't complete the online form which was sent out at the end of November, they will need to bring their packed lunch as normal on this day please.
Thursday 21st December - Pyjama and film afternoon. We would like the children to bring in their pyjamas to change into for the afternoon please. They will be relaxing, getting comfy and watching some films.
Friday 22nd December - Party Day! We would like the children to wear party clothes/Christmas jumpers on this day please. The children will be having party food for dinner. If your child didn't want the dinner and/or you didn't complete the online form which was sent out at the end of November, they will need to bring their packed lunch as normal on this day please.
Friday 22nd December - Christmas raffle to be drawn during Celebration assembly.
Christmas Raffle
Raffle tickets for our chocolate raffle are still on sale in each class and also from the school office before and after school each day (with the exception of a Tuesday afternoon, when the school office is closed). Tickets are priced at £1 per strip of 5 tickets.
Tickets will be on sale up to and including Thursday 21st December. The raffle will be drawn during our Celebration assembly next Friday.
Good luck everyone!
This week in school
We don't know how we have done it, but we have managed to fit in so many wonderful events and opportunities for our children this week!
We started on Monday with a visit from Houghton Park reindeers. We had kept their visit a surprise from the children and we don't know who was more excited to see the reindeer - the children, the parents/carers or the staff! Each class had an opportunity to visit the reindeer and find out lots of interesting facts about them. They were absolutely beautiful animals and the children asked lots of interesting questions during their visit. We also held craft activities in the lower hall and our wonderful PTA set up their Christmas Grotto so that the children could visit another very special visitor - SANTA! Santa spent time with each of the classes and every child received a gift.
On Monday after school, our Key Stage 1 dance club held a performance for their families. They had been working very hard on their dance moves for the whole of this term and all their hard work certainly paid off. It is amazing how confident the children were considering their age and they performed for their families like it was something they did every day! Paige, who runs the dance club, was incredibly proud of the children for their effort and determination throughout their dance sessions. Well done Key Stage 1!
On Tuesday, our Foundation children took part in a craft morning with their families. There were a wide range of craft activities available and there were some lovely masterpieces made throughout the morning. Inviting parents/carers and other family members into school is really special to us and something we love doing. We hope our families enjoyed this session with the children.
As if the week couldn't get more exciting, we then had our pantomime visit and performance on Wednesday! Our Nursery and Reception children were treated to 'The Littlest Christmas Elf' in school. The Christmas Elf entertained the children with dancing, singing and stories. All the children had a fantastic time and it was lovely that they had their own piece of magic that day like the rest of the children. The children from Year 1 to Year 6 were treated to 'Beauty and the Beast' at Cast Theatre Doncaster. 4 coaches travelled in convoy to the theatre and as we made our way in to the theatre, the children were mesmerised by the whole experience. The set was brilliant and really set the scene for the whole performance. It was wonderful for everyone to be together having fun - the children laughed at the jokes (there were some jokes for the adults too of course!) and joined in with the booing and cheering. There was also an opportunity for lots of clapping and singing and dancing at the end of the performance. What a truly magical experience. Thank you to our PTA and everyone who has helped and supported at PTA events, as the PTA has provided funding towards the panto again this year.
Wednesday was a very busy day, as after school it was the turn of our Key Stage 2 dance group to perform for their families. Like Key Stage 1, their performance was unbelievable! They were confident, self-assured and put on a fantastic show for everyone. To see their progress from the first dance lesson to their performance this week was brilliant - they showed that they had really listened to everything Paige had taught them and put it into practice during their show. Well done Key Stage 2!
Yesterday, our PTA were back in school for our Key Stage 1 film night. We welcomed parents/carers and children to enjoy some snacks and a drink while watching a family-friendly film. We were really pleased with how many families attended the event and hope that they really enjoyed it. Thank you PTA - you are amazing!
Today, our PTA were in school again (we bet it feels to some of the members like they live here at the moment, but we are extremely grateful!) for their annual Christmas Shop. The range of presents available was fantastic! Each class came to the shop and bought something for their loved one (there were definitely some purchases for the children themselves too!). The gifts were wrapped and the children got the opportunity to write on their gift tag. It is really special for our children to be able to do this and it wouldn't be possible without the support of our PTA members and helpers.
This afternoon, 11 members of our choir went along to Peakes Croft supported housing with Mrs Wood and Mrs Sturrock to sing for the residents. They were accompanied to Peakes Croft by Mrs Gilfedder and Mr Greer, 2 of our ASK after school club leaders who had volunteered to attend the event with our choir. They all sang beautifully and even told some jokes, which went down really well! Mrs Wood would like to make this an annual event and we really hope that we will be invited back again next year.
Last but definitely not least, the children who are learning to play guitar with Miss Hill treated their parents/carers to a beautiful performance this afternoon. They all played with such confidence and it was clear that they all enjoy learning to play a musical instrument. Miss Hill is so good with the children and it is clear that she loves what she does, which in turn provides the children with determination and enthusiasm to do their very best. Thank you children and Miss Hill - you were brilliant!
Ella and Annabelle from Year 6 have created a video of some of our festivities this week - please visit our Twitter page to view this and other posts. Our Twitter page is regularly updated with what's been happening in school.
Lunch Menu for week commencing 18th December 2023
The lunch menu for next Tuesday and Thursday will be circulated on Monday, as there are changes due to deliveries.
Monday is Pizza Day - margarita or ham, cheese and pineapple pizza served with seasoned wedges, peas and sweetcorn followed by jelly and cream swirl.
Wednesday is Christmas Dinner Day - the dinner will be Turkey, Chipolata Sausage, Stuffing, Roast/Mashed potatoes, peas/carrots followed by an ice cream and Christmas tree biscuit.
Friday is Party Food for dinner - Vegan roll, sausages, pizza, carrot sticks and chips followed by a muffin.
Diary Dates
Please see below our current diary dates. It may be that there are dates on here that involve your child that you haven't had any information for yet. Please don't worry, information will come out in plenty of time prior to the date concerned. Dates that have been added since the last blog are shown in bold.
2023
Saturday 16th December - Flu Vaccination Drop In Session - Kings Chamber Thorne 9.30am to 11.30am
Saturday 16th December - Flu Vaccination Drop In Session - Dearne Valley Leisure Centre 1pm to 3pm
Monday 18th December - Key Stage 1 Craft afternoon (with parents/carers)
Monday 18th December - PTA Christmas Disco - Foundation & Year 1/2 3pm to 3.45pm, Years 3 to 6 4pm to 4.45pm
Tuesday 19th December - Rocksteady concert 2pm (for those parents whose children are taking part in the Rocksteady music sessions)
Tuesday 19th December - Carols round the tree straight after school in lower hall
Wednesday 20th December - Christmas Service at St Nicholas Church - leaving school straight after morning registration. Family members welcome to walk to and from church with us.
Wednesday 20th December - Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 21st December - Pyjama and Film Afternoon - further details to follow
Friday 22nd December - Christmas Party Food at lunchtime
Friday 22nd December - last day before Christmas holidays
Monday 25th December to Friday 5th January - Christmas holidays
2024
Saturday 6th January - Flu Vaccination Drop In Session - Lakeside Shopping Centre Doncaster 9am to 3.30pm
Monday 8th January - first day back after Christmas Holidays
Monday 15th January - closing date for Reception applications for September 2024
Wednesday 17th January - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Tuesday 30th January - Year 1 Safe Touch talk
Wednesday 7th February - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Friday 9th February - last day before half term
Monday 12th February to Friday 16th February - half term
Monday 19th February - first day back after half term
Wednesday 21st February - Young Voices concert at Sheffield Utilita Arena this evening for our choir children
Wednesday 6th March - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Friday 8th March - PTA Mothers Day Shop during the school day - further details to follow
Monday 11th March - English Touring Opera 'The Big Stink'
Wednesday 13th March - Year 6 at STEM event at Queen Elizabeth's High School
Thursday 14th March - Year 3/4 PTA Social 3pm to 4pm - further details to follow
Thursday 21st March - Year 5/6 PTA Social 3pm to 4pm - further details to follow
Tuesday 26th March - Rocksteady concert 2pm (for those parents whose children are taking part in the Rocksteady music sessions)
Thursday 28th March - last day before Easter holidays
Thursday 28th March - PTA Easter Hunt during the school day - further details to follow
Friday 29th March - bank holiday - school closed
Monday 1st April to Friday 12th April - Easter holidays
Monday 22nd April to Wednesday 24th April - Year 5 residential to Caythorpe
Monday 6th May - bank holiday - school closed
Monday 13th May to Friday 17th May - Key Stage 2 SATs tests
Wednesday 15th May - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Thursday 16th May - Year 4 Hollowford residential parents meeting
Thursday 23rd May - class photos (change of date from 15th May due to Key Stage 2 SATs)
Friday 24th May - last day before half term
Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May - half term
Monday 3rd June to Friday 14th June - Year 4 multiplication checks to be completed during this 2 week period
Monday 3rd June - Training Day - school is closed to pupils
Tuesday 4th June - Training Day - school is closed to pupils
Wednesday 5th June to Thursday 6th June - Year 4 residential to Hollowford
Monday 10th June to Friday 14th June - Phonics screening check Key Stage 1
Wednesday 12th June - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Thursday 13th June - PTA Fathers Day Shop during the school day - further details to follow
Thursday 20th June - Sports Day - further details and timings to follow
Thursday 20th June - Summer Fair straight after school - further details to follow
Wednesday 3rd July - Tea and Talk parent drop-in session 8.45am to 9.45am
Thursday 4th July - PTA Summer Disco - Year 1/2 3pm to 3.45pm, Years 3 to 6 4pm to 4.45pm - further details to follow
Tuesday 16th July - Rocksteady concert 2pm (for those parents whose children are taking part in the Rocksteady music sessions)
Thursday 18th July - PTA Colour Run - further details to follow
Friday 19th July - last day before Summer holidays
Monday 22nd July - Training Day - school is closed to pupils
Tuesday 23rd July - Training Day - school is closed to pupils
