Newsletter 4.2.2022
Dear Parents and Carers,
With only one week to go until the half term break, it has been lovely to reflect on some of the amazing achievements that all of the children have made so far this half term with their learning. I know that the teachers were delighted to share with you some of these successes in our recent parents and carers review meetings, thank you so much for taking the time to learn how your child is progressing in school and also how you can support them at home. School and home working together to support the children on their learning journey is so important in order for all children to reach their full potential. On this note it has been fantastic to see just how much additional reading is taking place at home and children logging their efforts on the Go Read App for us to share in school. I know some visitors to the school this week were delighted to hear how well the children in KS1 were reading using their phonics decoding skills and demonstrating increased fluency. The visitors also spoke about how passionate the KS2 children were about the books they're reading in school and at home; excellent! Our KS2 children have also begun their reading journey using Accelerated Reader to take part in quizzes after they have finished reading a book, it's great to see them excited about this too.
Last week it was Red Kites' turn to showcase their learning to the key stage and to their parents and carers via Google Classroom in their class assembly. This is always a great opportunity to share a conversation with your child about what they have been learning in school; we hope that parents and carers of Red Kites enjoyed watching.
I've been very impressed with the children's efforts across the school on Planet Super League which is a competition to encourage children and families to consider helpful ways that we can all make a difference through our every day lives to combat the impact of climate change. We are currently 16th out of all the schools who have entered in the whole country; amazing work! If you log on to your child's account and go to 'My Impact' then you can see individually or as a school how much energy the children have managed to save. It also lists all the activities that they have yet to carry out grouped by type so they can find more to take part in.
Finally a big thank you to Mr Culverhouse, one of our parents, who has offered to help us develop our Early Years playground and get creative with some pallets. Thank you to any parents and carers who have brought in pallets for us to use for this project. Unfortunately we haven't had any offers of old wooden spoons, cake tins or saucepans etc so if you think you might be able to spare some old kitchen items then we would be very grateful.
See you all on Monday
Mrs Romina Lang
Headteacher
Sports Competitions
Earlier this week, a number of children in Key Stage Two took part in a sportshall athletics competition run at Manshead Academy. Children in Lower Key Stage Two and Upper Key Stage Two competed extremely well in a range of both field and track events, showing determination, physical skill and fantastic sportsmanship.
The competition was very high and but this did not deter the children and they made all the staff very proud with their efforts and in how well they represented Lark Rise.
Although the children did not win this time, we still had a minibus full of happy and excited faces on the way back to school which just goes to show what a great attitude the children had and a fantastic example they set. There will continue to be a range of other sports competitions later in the year.
World Book Day
World Book Day is Thursday 3rd March 2022 and we are looking forward to celebrating. This year we would like the children and staff to come in to school dressed ready for a bedtime story. Pyjamas, onesies, dressing gowns and slippers are all welcome!
We are also very excited that we have a book fair, where children can purchase books, arriving in school on 23rd February in preparation for World Book Day. More information about this and other World Book Day Activities will follow in our next Reading Newsletter.
Lateness
There is an increasing number of children who are arriving late to school each morning. Please be aware that children should be settled in their classes by 9am to start their learning. The main door is opened at 8.45am and closed at 9.00am sharp. The children spend the time between then and 9.00am preparing themselves for the day and completing additional activities. Anyone arriving after 9.00am will be marked as late in the register.
World Book Day Wooden Spoon Competition
This year we will be having a new type of competition in preparation for World Book Day. We would like all children across the school to decorate a wooden spoon as a book character and bring them into school from Monday 21st February - Friday 25th February.
The winner in each key stage will receive a £5 voucher to spend at the Book Fair. You could create the Cat in the Hat, Harry Potter, an Oompa Loompa, a Lion, a Witch or even a wardrobe...! The possibilities are endless and we cannot wait to see what the children will create. Please label with names so we can ensure the winners are recognised.
Dress to Express
We will be kicking off Children's Mental Health Week on Monday 7th February by giving the children the opportunity to "dress to express" (wear their favourite colour or a unique outfit to express how they are feeling - it can be as simple or elaborate as they like) in return for a minimum £1 donation to the charity. Online donations can be made via the following link www.justgiving.com/place2be and further information about Children's Mental Health Week can be found here www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/
PE Clothing
We are seeing an increasing number of children coming into school in items of PE clothing that are not appropriate. Children should only be wearing non-branded plain navy or black tracksuits and black trainers on days when they are doing PE in school. Your support with this would be greatly appreciated.
Sports & House Assembly
A reminder that next week we will be holding our half termly sports and house assembly. As well as celebrating the winning house and exploring our sports values, we also like to celebrate children's sporting achievements outside of school. If your child has a sporting success that they would like to share with us since the last assembly we hosted in December, then please email over a photo along with the reason for us to share.
Your emails will need to be with us by 9:00am on Monday 7th February in order to be included in the assembly.
After School Clubs
As you will be aware, you are now able to book the after school clubs for after the second half of the Spring term (21st February to 1st April). When choosing an after school for your child, please ensure it is one they are interested in and emphasise to them that if for example they choose to attend cricket club, they will be expected to take full part in the cricket. This will allow the coaches to fully engage the children in the activity.
World Scout Jamboree
One of our former pupils (and sister of a current pupil) has been selected as one of 36 young people in Bedfordshire to attend the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea.
As a group they have to raise around £160,000 through fundraising. A substantial amount of this cost will go to helping scouts/explorers from poorer countries also attend the jamboree!
As a school, we are keen to help Jack with his fundraising and he has suggested that we could hold a non-uniform day to coincide with scouting founder's day/thinking day on Tuesday 22nd February. If children are members of a uniformed organisation (beavers, cubs, rainbows, brownies, guides, scouts etc) they are welcome to wear their organisation's uniform or alternatively they can wear non-uniform in return for a £1 donation to Jack's fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Valentine's Lunch
Caterlink will be offering a special Valentine's lunch on Wednesday 9th February. The menu will be a change to the published menu - please see below.
Hotdog in a Bun
Veggie Sausage in Bun
Served with chips, baked beans
and vegetables
Chocolate Iced Cake
Our school happiness collage!
