Weekly Update 21.11.25
21 Nov 2025
We believe that our children should have the aspiration and opportunity to ‘Live life in all its fullness’ and ‘Shine like stars in the sky’.
Spotlights from Learning…
In
Rocket Class this week, EYFS children have enjoyed exploring the ice formations in the mud kitchen and then painting with water colours onto the icy shapes. Maybe you could try this at home too?
The KS1 children have been making cylinders to test successful materials in preparation for designing Baby Bear's chair in DT. Do you have any materials at home that you could use to make a cylinder?
In
Comet Class, we have started our new unit in English which is based around a short film entitled My Christmas Star. The children have been busy studying the lyrics of the soundtrack, hunting for musical language. How many music-related words can you think of? Take a look at the word of the week to start you off...
This week in
Asteroid Class we have been planning out our new additional part of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. We have used our narrative map to plot out 4 new paragraphs...does the Snowman visit the local village or park? Does he have an adventure when at the North Pole with Santa and Rudolph? Can you tell your adult what success criteria you are using and give them an example of alliteration, inner thought or a simile?
Also, this week…
Our Y6 children had a fantastic Crucial Crew session at the beginning of the week. Along with youngsters from other schools, they learned how to keep safe. They were excited to spot a very familiar face there…PCSO Heather! Next Friday, PCSOs Heather and Charlotte will be back in school to recap ‘Clever Never Goes’ with our children. They will be around in the playground at the end of the school day if any parents would like to catch them for any information or support.
There has been a lovely aroma of cottage pie lingering in the air this week as some of the Y3 children took their turn to have a cookery session. Huge thanks to Mrs Brassington who is giving up her time to ensure that every child in KS2 has the chance to cook a delicious meal.
You may be wondering how much money was raised at school for Children in Need last Friday. There are a lot of coins to count but the School Council should be ready to share the total next week…
Reminder
MUSICAL SHOWCASE
Please come and join us for a Musical Showcase on
today at 2.45pm. Children learning instruments in school will have a chance to perform and the whole school will sing some of the songs we've been enjoying in our singing assembly time.
FAMILY SERVICE
Many thanks to all the children who have volunteered to represent school at this Sunday’s family service. It is wonderful to have so many willing helpers! Mrs Arnold will be leading the service in St Nicholas Church at 9.15am – we are all looking forward to seeing what is inside her bags this month! All welcome.
JAM MESSY CHURCH
Last call for any children who would like to stay for our JAM Messy Church on
Tuesday 25th November 3.30-5pm. Please let Miss Mandelson know by the close of today so that we have the correct numbers for catering and resources. Many thanks.
WORD OF THE WEEK
To help children develop their vocabulary and a love of words, a focus ‘word of the week’ is introduced each week for the children to investigate. This week’s word is:
The children are encouraged to find out what the word means and perhaps use it in a sentence or explore its etymology. Their efforts are then displayed in the hall. Although aimed more at the KS2 children, everyone is welcome to join in.
Coming Up
ROCKETS’ NATIVITY
Rocket Class will soon be busy putting together their Nativity which they will perform for their families on
Tuesday 16th December. This year, we realise that we will need to limit audience sizes. Due to growing numbers of children in school, we no longer have the capacity to fit all our families in the school hall! With this in mind, we invite parents and family members of children in Rocket Class to join us for the Nativity performances. Parents and family members of children in Asteroid Class are warmly invited to join our Carols Around the Tree on
Friday 19th December at 1.30pm, when the KS2 children will lead our celebrations as we finish for the Christmas break.
THEATRE VISITS
We have been lucky enough to reserve seats for a theatre trip for all children in school. We would like to take:
Reception, Year One and Year Two children to see
‘Stickman’ at Leeds Playhouse on
Friday 12th December during the afternoon, arriving back to school at around 4pm.
The cost of the trip is £16.00 per child and we ask parents to support us by making a voluntary contribution of this amount.
Year Three, Four, Five and Six children to see
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Leeds Playhouse on
Wednesday 7th January 2026 for an evening performance we will leave school at 3pm arriving back to school around 9.20pm.
The cost of the trip is also £16.00 per child and we ask parents to support us by making a voluntary contribution of this amount. Payments can now be accepted via ParentPay accounts.
News from the wider community
PATRONAL CELEBRATIONS
Hopefully everyone has spotted their invitation (which came home with the children yesterday) to celebrate
St Nicholas’ Eve at Tanfield Lodge on Saturday 6th December 6-9pm. All our families are welcome. Please RSVP to Daphne Bourne-Arton on 07703 262392 or email daphneba@aol.com