School News & Events

 Our Vision

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’.
 
New this week…
 
Please note our weekly update will now be sent out on Friday mornings.
 
Class Collective Worship
 
Each week one of our Collective Worship sessions takes place in class with a focus on something in the news. Attached in a take home that you might like to think about and share with your child at home, there is no need to return this to school.

This week’s take home…        -Take Home 6 Feb.pdf-  

Spotlights from Learning…
 
Homework
Our class homework pages have been updated. Please take a moment to look at the page for your class. If you have any questions, please speak to your child's class teacher. 
 
Poetry and word of the week
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 (link below). The poems are intended to be read to our children for pleasure, not for them to read themselves. Thank you for your continued support.
 
 -Poem of the week 6th Feb.docx-  
 
Our word this week is 'conker'
 
Acorn Class
We have had a really busy week in Acorn amongst other things we have learnt new phonemes and tricky words which we have been reading and writing. In science this week we have started to think about life cycles, can you think about the life cycles of any animals that you have at home? Our work in Geography has led us to think about the coldest places on Earth and why they are cold… a clue to help you talk about this at home is ‘the equator’.
 
Oak Class
In Oak class this week, we have applied all our learning about primary and secondary colours and Pablo Picasso to create our own paintings in the cubism style. Our challenge was to use primary and make secondary water colours and apply them when painting a portrait. Ask your child to explain to you what the special Picasso portrait features are.   For science next week, could you please send your child with a photo of themselves as a baby and if possible any measurements that were taken, e.g. length and head circumference when they were born (if you have these). 
 
Palm Class
This week Palm class have been busy drafting and editing their traditional tales with a twist. We have enjoyed listening to so many original ideas! We have also begun learning the names of some fruits and vegetables in French. Can your child name any of the fruit and veg in the fridge at home?
 
 
Cedar Class
This week in Cedar we have loved studying the amazing art of Frida Kahlo who used lots of flowers and colour in her artwork. We have been inspired by Frida, and we have thus week been experimenting with colour and objects which are important to us in our artwork. Why not ask your child, why Frida used flowers so much in her artwork? 
 
Intra Dodgeball Workshop
Sports Cool will be in school on Wednesday 11^th February to deliver fun and exciting sports to all year groups. Please could all children come to school in warm PE kits. They will stay in these all day except for Cedar Class who will still get changed for Forest School in the afternoon.

London Trip
The closing date for this trip was Friday 6th February.
Some parents have indicated that they have further questions about the trip therefore, we will be extending the date of close until next Thursday 12th February at 9am.
Mrs Taylor will be available at Kirkby at 8.30am onwards on Tuesday 10th to answer any questions in person.
 
After school clubs
We have had a great response for Street Dance. An email has gone out to those who expressed an interest with details of how to sign up.
 
Guitar Club was cancelled on 2^nd February and has been re-arranged for 23^rd February.
 
There is only one date for Book Club this half term which will be Thursday 12^th February 2026 3.30-4.30,
A date is yet to be arranged for next half term.
 
We are able to offer Guitar, Crafty Conservation, Netball, Football and Street Dance, next term. Payment will be available on Parent Pay next week. Clubs should be paid for by Friday 20^th February please.
 
Forest School Friday
To support our Golden Threads, Helen will be running a morning forest school session for each class on a Friday morning. Dates are as follows:

• Oak Class: Friday 27^th February
• Acorn Class: Friday 6^th March
• Palm Class: Friday 13^th March
• Cedar Class: Friday 20^th March

Children should come in comfy, warm clothes suitable for forest school. They will need long trousers, water proofs and wellies. Please send uniform in a bag for the afternoon session. 
 
It is Cedar class that have forest school every Wednesday afternoon this half-term. Please bring your forest school kit with you to change into.
 
PE days
Acorn - Friday (please come dressed in your PE kit)
Oak - Friday
Palm - Tuesday (Swimming kit required for year 4s who signed up) 
Cedar – Friday
 
Reminders…
 
Wellies and Trainers
 
We have noticed that some children’s feet have grown, please don’t forget to check wellies and trainers in school. Thank you.
 
Headlice/nits
We have several cases of headlice in school, please can you check your family’s hair and treat as necessary. Local pharmacists are a very helpful source of information and can advise on which treatment is currently the most effective in our area. Please follow the instructions on the treatment carefully and don’t forget to retreat your family, this is usually required a week after the first treatment.
 
Warm/Waterproof coats
It has been very cold and wet this week, we like to spend as much time outside as possible, children do need to have a warm waterproof coat with them every day.
 
Menu Change
On Wednesday 12^th February the meal will now be:
Crispy Chicken Wrap                                            
Potato Wedges                       followed by                 Pancake and Ice-cream
Sweetcorn and Broccoli
 
 Packed Lunches
Please can we remind parents of all children to continue to cut grapes and similar items such as cherry tomatoes to reduce the risk of choking for all children. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our children safe.
 
Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Updates…
  -Safer Internet Day 2026.docx-  

News from the Wider Community…

-Nidd News Feb.pdf-  

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/riponcommunitylink/2012399
 
 

-Vocal Project Days - Poster.pdf-  

-Ensemble Project Days - Poster.pdf-