Weekly Blog Friday 15th March 2024
Date: 13th Mar 2024 @ 2:01pm
Attendance
Every week in our Celebration Assembly, we celebrate the class who has achieved the highest attendance for that week. This week, Mrs Wood's class had the highest attendance with 99.07%! Well done Year 4!
Please see below for the attendance figures for this week. The target attendance for all children is currently set at 97%.
Nursery - 94.74%
Reception - 96.05%
Year 1 Mrs Singh - 96.74%
Year 2 Mrs Davies - 96.88%
Year 3 Miss Scott - 95.70%
Year 4 Mrs Wood - 99.07%
Year 5 Mrs Pickersgill - 98.61%
Year 6 Miss Dunn - 92.26%
Celebrating fantastic attendance!
The children are speeding along now with gathering all the letters from the word MAYFLOWER! As you are aware, each class with 100% attendance on a particular day will receive one letter from the word MAYFLOWER to put on their classroom door. Once a class has spelt out the word MAYFLOWER, a member of the class will bring all their letters down to the office to claim their prize from our box of Awesome Attendance Activities!
Please see below where each class stands at the end of today:
Nursery - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y
Reception - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F
Year 1 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F
Year 2 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F
Year 3 - M A Y F
Year 4 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y
Year 5 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y
Year 6 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F
As you can see, some of the classes are well on their way to spelling out MAYFLOWER for the second time. We can't wait to see what prizes they choose this time!
Is your child a HERO?
Just a reminder that next week we will be having a real push on encouraging all children to be Here, Every day, Ready and On time. Every child who arrives on time for school will receive a raffle ticket. Those with 5 raffle tickets at the end of that week will be entered into a prize draw, with a chance to win a movie night hamper for the whole family to enjoy.
We hope everyone is up for this challenge and will share the winner with you on next Friday's blog.
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.
Nursery & Reception
Stars of the week for Science Week are:
Isaac in Nursery for a super explanation of how to strengthen a bridge that his team had built by using a 'support beam'. Mrs Davies was really impressed!
Jasper in Reception for wowing Miss Dunn and Mrs Sturrock by describing a structure as something that was 3D and man made. He went on to help his group build a structure using dried spaghetti and marshmallows.
Year 1
This week our focus has been Scientists of the Term and in Year 1 we have:
Max: Well done, Max! It has been wonderful to see how inquisitive and intrigued you are, in regards to Science. You are always curious to work out objectives scientifically and challenge the process behind it. Keep up the hard work and I hope you continue to enjoy developing your Science skills.
George: It was wonderful to see how much you enjoyed our STEMathon in school. You made a conscious effort to get involved and further explore your learning. You always display a good understanding in learning about our different Topics in Science and your confidence has grown in sharing your knowledge with your peers. Keep it up!
Year 2
Thomas D and Tommy for being amazing scientists during science week and every week. Their thirst for knowledge is unquenchable! They apply their scientific knowledge and skills to build new learning. They work collaboratively to investigate questions and test theories, understanding that great scientists learn from their mistakes.
Thomas is a budding botanist who thrives when fed with scientific knowledge.
Tommy has a universe of knowledge and is destined for greatness in the field of astrophysics.
Well done to our stunning scientists!
Year 3
Fletcher: Fletcher has LOVED science week. He has been enthusiastic and eager to learn. Fletcher is very interested in science and loves to get involved in practical experiments. He asks great scientific questions and shares his amazing scientific knowledge with others. Well done Fletcher.
Belle: Not only has Belle demonstrated her love for science this week she does this regularly as a science ambassador. Belle has been a great role model in class this week sharing her knowledge and getting involved in all the amazing activities in school. Belle has also been praised this week for her help and support with the younger children during our STEMathon. Well done Belle.
Year 4
Jack - Jack has been one of Y4's Science Stars this week! He was a kind and caring team member during our STEMathon and supported the younger children really well. He shared his ideas and listened carefully to other children's ideas. Jack used his communication skills and science knowledge effectively and really shone throughout the day!
Oliver S-C - Oliver has been one of Y4's Science Stars this week! He was a kind and caring team member during our STEMathon and supported the younger children really well. He shared his ideas and listened carefully to other children's ideas. Oliver used his communication skills and science knowledge well and really shone throughout the day!
Year 5
This week in school, it has been science week. This week's Stars of the Week in Year 5 have been chosen with this in mind.
During our STEMathon these two children showed kindness towards others, demonstrated good leadership qualities and shared their knowledge and passion for science with children in their group. They worked cooperatively, shared their ideas and thoughtfuly listened to what others had to say. Well done Ella and Caydon!
Year 6
This week in school has been science week; the children have been involved in lots of exciting STEM activities such as watching The Big Stink Opera and completing a STEMathon day with children from nursery right up to Year 6. Year 6 even attended Queen Elizabeth's High School to take part in their STEM fair. We have been looking out for those children who have been fantastic scientists this week and our Year 6 Stars of the Week have been chosen with this in mind.
Charlie - Charlie was a fantastic role model during the STEMathon day; he worked brilliantly with the younger children and helped and supported them through all the different challenges that were presented to them throughout the day. Charlie helped all the staff members to lead their activities and I have received positive feedback about his attitude from all members of staff - keep this up!
Faith - Faith was a brilliant role model for the younger children during our STEMathon day; she supported our youngest children in school to complete the challenges that they were set, doing this with kindness and patience at all times. Faith worked well collaboratively to ensure that all children were involved in working together in order to be successful. This has not gone unnoticed by the teachers you were with.
Headteacher Award
Each week in our Celebration Assembly, Mrs Powell chooses someone who has really impressed her during the week and presents them with her Headteacher Award trophy. This week’s superstar award goes to Tillie in Year 2. Tillie is always so kind and helpful. She is always there to cheer others up when they need a hug or one of her beautiful smiles. Tillie, you spread joy wherever you go and you really do know when people need that extra bit of support - don't ever change as you are amazing and we love you being part of our Mayflower family!
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. Please click on the link below to see the sign that the children will be learning next week.
https://makaton.org/TMC/News_Stories/SOTW/SOTW_Mosque.aspx
Driving/parking around school
Earlier this week, we had a report of a near miss involving a child and a car. The child was on the pavement waiting for their parent and a car has mounted the kerb and started reversing very closely to where the child was standing.
We do appreciate that parking outside school is not easy and that there is a lot of traffic at the start and end of the school day. We also appreciate that South Avenue in particular is very narrow. Could we please ask that those dropping off and collecting the children do so safely and carefully, whilst also being mindful of our neighbours around school, to ensure that an accident does not occur.
Parents Evenings
Don't forget that Doncaster Council's Schools Catering Team will be joining us for our parents evenings next Tuesday and Wednesday with a selection of delicious food for you to enjoy either before or after your appointment. As well as the meat option, there will also be a vegetarian option and allergen free alternatives, plus a selection of desserts.
Don't be shy, please take some food!
Year 5/6 PTA Social Thursday 21st March
Our PTA will be holding a ‘KS2 Social’ for our Year 5 & Year 6 children on Thursday 21st March in our lower building. This will start straight after school at 3pm and will finish at 3.45pm. This will be an opportunity for the children to chill with friends, play indoor and outdoor games and to take part in some craft activities.
The children in Year 5/6 should have brought home a letter this week regarding this event. If you would like your child to attend and haven't yet returned their reply slip and £3 admission fee, please ensure these are brought in and handed to their class teacher by next Tuesday, 19th March at the very latest please.
Please ensure that the adult named as picking your child up is the one who comes to collect them.
Easter Chocolate Raffle
Don't forget that raffle tickets are now on sale for our fabulous Easter Chocolate Raffle. Tickets are on sale in classrooms or available from the school office, priced at £1 per strip of 5 tickets.
The raffle will be drawn on Monday 25th March during our morning assembly.
Good luck everyone!
Bawtry Arts Festival Project
As part of the Bawtry Arts Festival, we have teamed up with a local artist to work on a project. The children have all been given a piece of A5 paper to draw a picture that represents their thoughts about Bawtry in the past, present or the future. The design will then be used as part of a design project which will be displayed on the bus shelter at the top of Market Hill ready for Bawtry Arts Week in June this year. The art will be, using AI, designed in the style of Austrian artist Hundertwasser.
Please just add their name and class on the back of the design and return to the school office by Monday 18th March or email the drawing to artlabjd@gmail.com
Family Quiz Monday 18th March
Don't forget we will be holding a family quiz next Monday 18th March, straight after school, as part of our Ageism Action Week. The quiz will be held in our lower hall. If you would like to enter a team for the quiz, please call in at the school office to sign up - please think of a fabulous team name! We hope you can join us.
Teams should be a maximum of 5 and we would like each team to consist of as many generations of family members as possible.
Refreshments will be available at the event.
We don't currently have any families who have let us know they will be joining in with the quiz. Unfortunately, if we don't have enough interest, this event will have to be cancelled. We will update parents/carers on Monday morning.
Church Service Tuesday 19th March
Children in Years 1 to 6 will be leaving school straight after morning registration next Tuesday, 19th March to head to St Nicholas' Church for our Easter Service.
If you would like to join us on the walk to and from church and enjoy the service with the children, please let your child's class teacher know if you haven't done so already.
Easter Bonnet Competition
Don't forget about our Easter Bonnet Competition. All entries need to be in school next Friday 22nd March - please also send in your child's reply slip together with the £1 entry fee. If you would like another letter, please call in at the school office.
The Easter Bonnet parade will take place on Monday 25th March during assembly time, with winners being announced afterwards.
All monies raised will be put towards a revamp of our Early Years Foundation outdoor area.
Good luck and happy Easter bonnet making!
Year 6 STEM visit
This week, our Year 6 children visited Queen Elizabeth's High School in Gainsborough to attend their STEM event. There were lots of different activities to take part in and the children had a fantastic time.
STEMathon
Mrs Davies is our Science Superstar! She organised the most fantastic STEMathon this week to celebrate Science Week. Groups of children from across school each had the opportunity to take part in lots of exciting science activities and certainly made the most of it! Some of the Year 2 children have shared their thoughts of the day with us.
Leo - the last one in Year 4 had 111 centimetres tall of cups. We had to use cups and lollipop sticks to make a tower. Our tower needed more cups and sticks because it was so tall.
Tommy - we were only allowed 20 cups and 12 lollipop sticks to make the tower. My favourite one was in Mrs Singh's class. We were making a boat out of foil and had to put some coins in. You had to try and make the boat strong so it could fit as many coins inside before it sank. Our boat had 40 or 50 coins and the highest score was 257!
Jagoda - when we went into Miss Dunn's room, she told us what to do. We had to build a sculpture of marshmallows and spaghetti. We had three marshmallows, then put some spaghetti, then another marshmallow on top. Your sculpture could be any size.
Isabella - in Mrs Davies' class we had to build a bridge. The teachers came round and put 100 books on top of the bridge to see if the bridge was strong enough. Our bridge fell over!
Spelling Bee
Four of our Year 6 children attended a Spelling Bee at Hill House on Tuesday. Annabelle, Ella, Aria and Skyla had been chosen to go through to the event at Hill House following a first round competition which was held in school.
There were 17 schools taking place in the event. The girls firstly had to do a written round, where they were given 6 words to spell. Following this the top ten children from across all the schools took part in a verbal spelling round. Unfortunately, our girls didn't get the chance to take part in this round. They really did us proud at the event and looked so confident, even though some of them said they didn't feel that confident at the time.
Annabelle won the top speller award for our school - well done Annabelle!
The girls have shared some of their thoughts about the event below.
Annabelle - It was fun!
Ella - It was very entertaining and Hill House did a great job setting up the event. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Aria - I thought it was a really great experience, even if we didn't get on to the verbal round.
Skyla - It was a shame that not everyone got to go through to the verbal round.
English Touring Opera - 'The Big Stink'!
On Monday, the English Touring Opera gave us an amazing performance of 'The Big Stink'!. They nearly blew the roof off with their wonderful singing! What a treat for everyone. We hope to welcome them back to Mayflower in the future, as they really are brilliant!
Congratulations!
Henry in Year 1 has recently been awarded some certificates in his swimming lessons. Henry had to demonstrate push and glide on his back, demonstrate butterfly arm and leg action, retrieve an object from the shallow end of the pool and jump into the pool unassisted to obtain his level 6. He also swam 20m backstroke.
Well done Henry! We have shared some of your swimming successes before on our previous blogs and love updating everyone with how amazingly you are doing in your lessons. Keep up the hard work!
Free Rugby Tickets
We have been offered some free children's tickets for this game. The free tickets would be for those aged 16 and under only and children would need to be accompanied by a paying adult. Adults can buy their tickets online or on the day. Prices online start from £8.
As soon as we receive the free children's tickets, we will let parents/carers know.
Easter Activities
Support available
Free Parenting Talk
Lunch Menu for week commencing 18th March 2024
Please see the menu below for next week. There may need to be last minute changes to the menus on occasion, to take into account availability of items or delivery issues.
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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.
Monday 18th March to Friday 22nd March – Ageism Action Week
Monday 18th March – Family Quiz 3pm
Tuesday 19th March - Year 1 to Year 6 Easter Church Service at St Nicholas’ Church. Leaving school straight after morning registration. Family members welcome to walk to and from church with us. Change of date (was originally 27th March)
Tuesday 19th March - parents evening
Wednesday 20th March - parents evening
Wednesday 20th March - Rocksteady concert 10am (for those parents whose children are taking part in the Rocksteady music sessions). Change of date and time due to change of Rocksteady day.
Thursday 21st March - Year 5/6 PTA Social 3pm to 4pm - further details to follow
Friday 22nd March – elderly residents to be invited into school from 1pm to spend the afternoon with the children (playing board games, chatting etc). Refreshments to be served.
Monday 25th March – Easter raffle to be drawn during assembly
Monday 25th March - whole school Easter Bonnet competition and parade
Monday 25th March – Key Stage 1 dance after school club performance 3.40pm
Monday 25th March - KS2 SATs meeting for Year 6 parents/carers 3pm in Year 6 classroom
Wednesday 27th March - Early Years craft morning
Wednesday 27th March – Key Stage 2 dance after school club performance 3.40pm
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
Friday 19th April - Nursery Stay and Play session 9am to 10am
Monday 22nd April to Wednesday 24th April - Year 5 residential to Caythorpe
Tuesday 23rd April – Boggledybooks Children’s Bookshop in school
Friday 26th April - Bags2School clothing collection - further details to follow
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 – timings now arranged – Nursery/Reception 11am start, Year 1 to Year 6 1.15pm start
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 9th July & Wednesday 10th July - Year 6 transition days at The Hayfield School - further details to follow
Thursday 11th July - PTA Colour Run - further details to follow (change of date)
Friday 12th July – Music Concert 9.15am (guitars, woodwind and brass)
Wednesday 17th July - Rocksteady concert 10am (for those parents whose children are taking part in the Rocksteady music sessions). Change of date and time due to change of Rocksteady day.
Friday 19th July – Year 6 Leavers assembly 9.30am. Parents/carers to come in to school from 8.45am for refreshments before the assembly starts
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
