Diary Dates

Term Dates

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a busy two weeks back of learning across the school with lots of discussions around celebrations which take place at this time of the year. The children have listened to assemblies and stories about Bonfire Night, Diwali and Remembrance Day. Thank you to Miss Hazell and Mrs Skelton for preparing these assemblies to allow us to learn about these key events. Next week is Anti-bullying week, the week will begin with 'Odd Sock' day on Monday in order to recognise that we are all different and that this is something to celebrate. The theme for Anti-bullying week this year is 'Make a noise about bullying'; I will be exploring this further with the children on Monday in assembly. Today Key Stage 2 watched a performance from Gripping Yarns which explored the topic of 'bystanders' linked to bullying.

As part of Green Careers week, Upper Key Stage 2 have had the opportunity to take part in an online event and chat to a Scientist in the climate zone where they could ask questions linked to the important topic of climate change. Why not ask your child if they were able to pose any interesting questions and gain responses?

We were delighted with the response to the Book Fair this week. We will update you soon on how much money was raised. I have seen lots of these books already being read by the children across the school when I go in and out of lessons.

It was a pleasure to welcome Mrs Berry back to school this week with some visitors from India. Mrs Berry brought along Bishop Sameer and Raja Moses who wanted to say a heartfelt thanks to our children for supporting the charity work in India with a special thank you for sponsoring a child, Anjana, to attend school which otherwise she would not have been able to afford. They showed us a video which showed Anjana now a few years on at 15 years old! It is so important for the children to see the impact that working together can have and learn about the diverse world that we live in. Being able to come to school everyday and receive an education is something that our children are fortunate enough to receive.

Finally, last week we were delighted to welcome Liz Jones, the Mayor of Dunstable, and Louise O'Riordon, the Deputy Mayor, who came to the school to deliver some chess sets to support our children's growing love of chess. This is a game which has really taken off, initially in breakfast club, where the children have learnt to play from watching one another. Huge thanks to our Mayor for reaching out to our community to support the school. We hope to start up a lunch time chess club in school soon for the children who already know how to play. If your child would like to learn this game, which is great for problem solving, then why not introduce them to this at home!

There have been lots of photos of school events shared on our social media posts over the last two weeks; follow us on Facebook or Twitter (X) to be part of school life.

Mrs Romina Lang

Headteacher

Staff News

We said goodbye to Mrs Caswell (Teaching Assistant in Early Years) this week. Mrs Caswell has been working part-time at Lark Rise for seven years and is leaving us to take on a more full-time role at Queensbury Academy now that her own children are older.

We wish Mrs Caswell every success in her role and thank her for all she has done during her time at Lark Rise.

Children in Need

Next Friday (17th November) we will be supporting Children in Need. Children are invited to come into school in their own clothes with a spotty theme.

There will be a £1 donation towards Children In Need which can be paid via our Justgiving page justgiving.com/page/lark-rise-1699625932755

Change to Menu

Children In Need

Friday 17th November 2023

Fish Fingers

Veggie Fingers

Served with chips, peas and baked beans

Pudsey Bear Sprinkle Cake

(Pasta, Rolls & Jacket Potatoes will also be available)

Times Table Rockstars

Across the school we have a weekly hall of fame, where we celebrate different aspects of times table recall. This includes effort, speed and accuracy.

Well done to the following children who have logged on regularly at home and achieved a place in our hall of fame so far this half term in the following categories :

KS1

6/11/23 : Theodore, Izabella, Karlok, Kiaan

LKS2

6/11/23 : Most amount of effort : Kornel, Joseph, Eddie, Damian, Oliver G

UKS2

6/11/23 : Most amount of effort : Angus, Aneeza, Yasmin, Ananyaa

Anti-Bullying Week

Across school we will be supporting national Anti Bullying week from 13th - 17th November 2023, providing many opportunities for children to participate in activities linked to this year's theme 'Reach Out'. We would also like to take part in 'Odd Socks Day' on Monday 13th November. There will be no charge for this event.

Odd Socks Day is designed to be fun! It is an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique! Children are invited to wear their odd socks with their normal school uniform for the day.

Christmas Performances

We are delighted to be able to hold our Christmas performances again this year and welcome parents/carers to attend them. Dates for your diaries are as follows:

Afternoon Nursery (Ducklings):

Tuesday 12th December 2.30pm

Morning Nursery (Ducks) & Reception (Owls & Robins):

Tuesday 12th December 9.00am

Wednesday 13th December 10.30am

Key Stage One (Hummingbirds, Parrots & Penguins):

Tuesday 12th December 10.30am

Wednesday 13th December 9.00am

Key Stage Two (Macaws, Peacocks, Red Kites, Eagles, Falcons & Hawks): Wednesday 13th December 6.30pm. The Key Stage Two Christmas performance will take place at Dunstable Conference Centre (opposite Peacocks on High Street South).

Information about tickets for the performances will be sent out in due course.

Book Look

There will be an opportunity for parents/carers to come into school to look at the childrens' books on Thursday 23rd November from 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Details of how to enter the school building for this event will be sent out nearer the time.

Maths Week

Next week (13 – 17th November) we will be joining with schools from across the country to celebrate Maths Week. We have many exciting events that will be taking place in school during this week. To finish the event off we would like to invite the children to come to school on Monday 20th November dressed as a rock star.

Attendopoly

Each week in our whole school assembly we celebrate children's attendance by playing a game of Attendopoly (based on Monopoly). The class with the highest attendance figure is rewarded with a class prize.

The winning classes for the last two weeks were:

Week of 16th October : Penguins Class with 99% attendance.

Week of 30th October : Macaws Class with 99.4% attendance.

Our whole school target attendance for this academic year across all classes is 97%.

Reporting pupil absence

We have a new telephone system in school which gives the option of reporting a child's absence onto a direct line. Please could you use the method to report your child's absence (with reasons for absence) rather than emailing the school to inform us. Thank you in advance for your support.

My Child's Art

With Christmas rapidly approaching, we would like to let you know about an exciting project that we have been working on in school that will help you with your Christmas shopping.

The children have been creating their own Christmas picture and these individual pictures will be available for you to purchase on a variety of products from Christmas cards to candles, mugs to magnets; there are gifts suitable for all budgets. Not only will this help you with your Christmas shopping but it will also raise funds for the school as 20% of sales comes straight back to the school.

Watch this space for more information over the coming weeks.

Missing Watch

A child in LKS2 has lost their watch (pictured above). If the watch has accidentally come home with your child, please could you return it to the school office.

Dress as a Rockstar

As part of our activities for Maths Week (13-20th November), we are inviting children to come in dressed as a rockstar on Monday 20th November. Costumes can be as simple as a pair of jeans and a coloured t shirt. Children will then be performing a rocking times table song in our whole-school assembly. Further details of activities taking place in school can be found below.

Music Hero of the half term

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Our Music hero this half term is Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The children have begun to learn the song, 'The lion sleeps tonight' and listened to Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain and Amazing Grace in assembly this week. I wonder if you could play any of their songs to the children at home?

Writing to be proud of (Year 3)

Annabelle Chidomere (Year 3)

Nieve Lehmann (Year 3)

Jack Goode (Year 3)

Niamh Baker (Year 3)

Arlo King (Year 3)

Baine West (Year 3)

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