It has been a great half term so far with many exciting activities taking place. Both our boys' and our girls' Year 5 and 6 football teams have got through to the Sheffield finals of an English Schools Football Association competition. In other news we have had Forest Schools sessions with Tom on Wednesdays which have been very well received by the children involved. Classes are also having regular Philosophy For Children sessions in which they are asking questions such as 'is being artistic inherited or is it something you learn?' Parents are being invited to attend sessions to see what happens first hand  so look out for an invite for your child's class. Feedback from a recent session was very positive:  'Great opportunity to get all the children involved in discussions, sharing views and ideas. Very enjoyable session. Good to see children enjoying learning.'
We've still got three weeks to go so there's plenty of time for more wonderful learning to happen. 

Welcome back to all of our children, parents and carers. We hope that you have had a lovely summer, enjoying the warm weather and that you are now ready for the exciting challenges of the new school year which starts on Wednesday 5th September. Don't forget to bring in any entries for the summer holiday writing competition. 

To help children keep their writing skills sharp, we are introducing a free choice summer writing competition. We are encouraging your child to produce a piece of writing that reflects their interests. This could be a fact file, an explanation, a recipe, a short story, a poem, creating a character, a comic strip etc. There is no right or wrong format or theme so be creative, be ambitious and think big; the sky’s the limit! Each entry will be displayed, your child will receive a gold headteacher’s sticker and a photo for the headteacher’s Wonderful Work Wall. Mr Stones will be judging the competition and the winning entry from each class will receive a prize. If you need paper and a pencil, just come and ask Mr Stones. Please return your writing entry in the first week back after the holidays.

Last Monday we had an assembly about the need for shoes in the Philippines. Children over there can't go to school without BLACK school shoes and our visitor, Wendy Holmes, was telling us how it is particularly difficult for the 70 children from the children's home she visits to afford these black shoes. So we're asking for donations of any shoes, but particularly black school shoes, which can be sent over for these children to enable them to go to school. Clothing is also welcomed. It would be appreciated if the shoes could be paired together with a rubber band and still have plenty of wear left in them. Please take any donations to Mrs Hawksworth in Y4H.