Weekly Update 13.02.26
12 Feb 2026
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, the EYFS children have been learning about 2d and 3d shapes. We are trying hard to remember all of the shape names, but we are finding it tricky to describe their properties using vocabulary such as sides, corners, faces and edges. Could you be shape detectives at home, spotting something in the kitchen that is a cylinder? Maybe a circle in the bathroom?
The Y1 children have also been working hard in Maths, learning about the inverse operations of addition and subtraction. We have been looking at patterns in equations and working systematically. Can your child explain what they have been learning in Maths this week?
In
Comet Class, we have finished our retelling of Little Red Reading Hood, using all sorts of writerly techniques such as onomatopoeia, pathetic fallacy, personification, metaphors and similes. After half-term, we shall be planning and writing our own traditional tales with a twist. Our homework task is to become very familiar with a range of traditional tales and to practise retelling them orally. We have made up a few circle games to play with family and friends in the holidays – ideal for car journeys or when sitting having a meal together. I wonder how many traditional/fairy tales you can name? Have fun!
This week in
Asteroid Class, we have been looking at seed dispersal in plants and the life cycle of flowering plants. We never knew plants could be so creative. Can you tell your adult your favourite way for a seed to find new soil and germinate away from their parent? We have also started doing our final art portrait, we are using poster and powder paints. We have chosen an image that represents us and will be using contrasting colours to make these images leap off the page.
POEM OF THE WEEK
This week’s poem is…(see below) and the focus word is:
…
Remember to look out for more details of our learning for the term ahead on our class pages on the school website.
Reminders…
FOREST SCHOOL
…will take place for Asteroid Class (including Y3)
TODAY (Friday 13
th). Your child may come to school wearing their Forest School kit with their waterproofs in a bag ready to put on top. They can then get changed directly into their PE kit so no need for school uniform. (Don’t forget to
wear your scarf though!)
WEAR YOUR SCARF DAY IS HERE!
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors, Evie and Joey, invite everyone to come to school
TODAY 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.
Last call also for entries to be returned if you want to take part in the Design a SCARF competition to win a mystery prize! Just pass these on along with any donations to Evie and Joey.
After doing some research, Joey and Evie are proposing that the proceeds from this are donated to
Just ‘B’, which is part of independent charity North Yorkshire Hospice Care, a family of services which includes Herriot Hospice Homecare and Saint Michael’s Hospice. Together they offer vital hospice care, emotional wellbeing and bereavement support.
They also provide emotional wellbeing support for children in schools.
BREAKING UP FOR HALF-TERM
Just a reminder that school will finish at the usual time of 3.25pm as we break-up for half-term today. Wishing all our families a great break.
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
NEWS FROM THE BENEFICE
Many thanks to the children who have already volunteered to help out with our next Family Service which will be
on Sunday 22nd February at 9.15am at St Nicholas Church. All welcome. If anyone else would like to take part, please email Miss Mandelson as soon as possible on senco@west-tanfield.n-yorks.sch.uk.
A message from the Friends:
THE WEST END COMES TO TANFIELD!
Join us on Saturday 7th March at West Tanfield Memorial Hall for a fun-filled evening of your favourite musical numbers performed live, including hits from Mamma Mia, Wicked and Disney classics!
Sing along and dance the night away with fellow theatre fans whilst raising funds for the school - children and adults of all ages are welcome (no ticket required for babes in arms).
Tickets are £11 per person and are available exclusively from:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/west-end-tanfield
HALF-TERM NATURE GARDEN FUN DAY
February half-term activity at Ripon Walled Garden
Thursday 19
th February 10am-12pm
We love mud so keep the mess here with us!!! We have everything you need on site.
Tickets £8.00 (20 places available)
Suitable for ages 5-10 (accompanied by an adult)
Includes:
- Gift Bag with Garden Gift
- Garden and Nature Based activities
- Winter Welly Walk through the Woodland
- Nature Rubbing Plaque Trail
Location: Ripon Walled Garden, HG4 3HN
Click on the link below for information about how to buy tickets:
Buy tickets – Feb Half Term Garden Nature Fun Day – Ripon Walled Garden
FREECYCLE EVENT
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates
A MESSAGE FROM YOUNG MINDS
Parents and carers are often the first place young people go when they're struggling – whether that's relationships, school or their mental health. However experienced you are, it can be hard to know the right thing to say when someone you love is hurting, or what next steps to take.
This Children's Mental Health Week, we want parents and carers to know that help’s out there. |
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Our Parents Helpline advisors are just a click or phone call away with free, expert, confidential, 1-1 advice. And we have hundreds of online guides and real stories from parents who get it.
Here are some of the top concerns parents talk to us about: |
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| Nobody should feel alone when someone they love is struggling – and we can help. |
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