First Half Term Fun!
What a wonderful first half term we have had.
Our new reception children have settled brilliantly and are really enjoying their new school. The Welcome Service we had was joyful and made extra special by the attendance of Bishop Paul. The new reception pupils were officially introduced to & welcomed by the school family. They were awesome introducing themselves individually in song! They reception pupils were each presented with children’s Bibles.
Miss Marsh – Class Fir teacher has gone on maternity leave and had a baby boy. Mr Needham has made a wonderful start covering for Miss Marsh.
Our year 7 ex. pupils all report making a fantastic start to secondary school.
We have celebrated the school building’s 50th Birthday. We had a fantastic ‘Music through 5 decades’ evening and were blessed by brilliant performances by 4 acts. It was particularly special to be entertained by 3 generations of one family who have had close links with the school: a grandfather who has supported the school over the last 50 years & whose wife served as a governor for 23 years; their son who was head boy; and his twin sons who also came to the school. Their performance was amazing and made all the more special as it was the first time they had performed together (especially formed group for the occasion). It was great to spend the evening with parents, governors, ex pupils and families associated with the school. It was also great to see so many going to the effort of wearing 60’s attire!
We then had a celebration for the children in school – they all dressed up and looked amazing. A day of special workshops with learning partners. This included singing a song from Joseph’s & The Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat – released in the same year the school building was built. 60’s dance, traditional playground games, 60’s inspired stone painting, traditional board games, history of the school and time capsules, 60’s arts & crafts and making a commemorative mosaic for the building. We also had a special party lunch & birthday cake. The new school cross & water feature (based on the school logo & made by our school site manager Darren Grice) was unveiled and dedicated by Rev, Trevor Raaff. What a wonderful day blessed by beautiful weather.
We were awarded the ‘All Together’ Gold School Award for demonstrating our commitment to stopping bullying and improving the wellbeing of our pupils.
Class Oak had a great day at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
We made an amazing start to the sporting year in particular in winning the local Tennis and Tag Rugby competitions – we then came second (so close! – lost on points countback) and third in the district competitions.
This next half term we look forward to more fun and learning. Highlights may include: marking & remembering the sacrifice of many for our peace – 100 years since the end of WWI (we have received a letter about a pupil who lost his life at war in 1918 – Second Lieutenant William Leslie Grey of Sherwood House – A Brave Soldier of the Great War 1914-1918); curricular table tennis for the juniors; defending our County Small Schools Football Title which we have retained for the last four years; the school nativity play; and a whole school trip to Newstead Abbey to celebrate a Victorian Christmas. Wow!
