Newsletters

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’.
 
In Rocket Class this week, the EYFS children have enjoyed printing dot patterns to consolidate their subitising skills.  Maybe you could do this at home or even out in the garden with sticks and mud?
The Year One children have learnt how to write questions, thinking carefully about which words to use at the beginning and how to punctuate it at the end.  I wonder if they could write some questions for you to answer at home?
Just a little reminder that Year One children should complete the 'favourite book' in their reading record each week as well as doing ten minutes on TT Rockstars five times per week.
 
In Comet Class, we have been creating suspense in our story writing by using pathetic fallacy and ominous sounds as Little Red Reading Hood heads through the forest to return her library book.  I wonder if your grown-ups know what pathetic fallacy is?  Perhaps you could explain it to them…
 
This week in Asteroid Class, we have been looking at the colour wheel in Art.  First, we checked our understanding of Primary and Secondary colours (your magazines were instrumental in this, thank you for your contributions).  Then we have been looking at complimentary colours in paintings by famous artists.  Can you tell your adult what complimentary/contrasting colours are and which artists we looked at?
 
A MESSAGE FROM MRS PAWSON
As part of our reading for pleasure, we are reading a poem a week during 2026. 
We will read and share the poems in school and in class; children can enjoy hearing different poems read aloud, playing with language and performance.  Each week we will also look at a word that is within the poem.  We can explore how the word is pronounced, its etymology and how we could perhaps use the word or similar words in our own speech and writing. 
We will send the poem and word home each week for you to also share at home. The poems are intended to be read to our children for pleasure, not for them to read themselves. Thank you for your continued support.
 
This week’s poem is The Garden Year by Sarah Coleridge (see below) and the focus word is: gillyflower Remember to look out for more details of our learning for the term ahead on our class pages on the school website.
 
Coming up…
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
There is a real buzz around school as the children consider whether they would like to put themselves forward for this year's School Council. The canvassing will start in earnest next week, with candidates putting up posters in every available spot. On Monday, candidates will have the opportunity to speak to the school community about why they feel they would make a good school councillor. Each candidate will be allocated 2 minutes. The elections will then take place on Friday 30^th January. Just a reminder that representatives from Y2-Y6 will be elected, with all children invited to cast their vote.

WEAR YOUR SCARF DAY – Friday 13^th February
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors are busy preparing to tell the children about ‘Wear Your Scarf Day’ – an event to promote wellbeing for Children’s Mental Health Week.  Evie and Joey would like the children to come to school on Friday 13^th February wearing a scarf of their choice to raise awareness of the importance of looking after your mental health and as a symbol of support for children’s wellbeing. They will be speaking to the children about this in Collective Worship on Monday 9^th February to explain some fun activities that they are preparing.  They will be inviting the children to pay a small sum of 50p to take part in a Design a SCARF competition to win a mystery prize! The proceeds of the competition will be given to a children’s mental health charity.

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
A date for your diary: The photographer will be in school on Thursday 16^th April to take individual and family shots.
 
Reminders…
 
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.
 
News from the wider community

FAMILY SERVICE
Many thanks to all the children who have volunteered to represent school at Sunday’s family service at St Nicholas Church. It starts at 9.15am and usually last around 45 mins.  All welcome.
VILLAGE PANTOMIME...

FREECYCLE EVENT...  
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates
COURSES FOR PARENTS
The Early Help Service and NY SEND Hub have asked that we share these links with parents:
 
Unlocking Autism for parents and carers of young people | NYES Training
 
Unlocking ADHD for parents and carers | NYES Training
 
…for anyone who is interested in gaining an insight into neurodivergence.
 
FAMILY LEARNING
Adult Learning North Yorkshire have passed on this flyer detailing family activities for the school holidays: These sessions offer fantastic opportunities for parents, carers, and children to learn together through a range of hands-on craft activities. Families will discover fun and practical ways to support children’s learning both at home and in school. Each school holiday there is a different theme, February half term looks at a range of craft activities celebrating Valentine’s Day, Shrove Tuesday and Chinese New Year. Our Easter courses are themed around a STEM activity building towers to support eggs along with other fantastic activities.