WPT Newsletter

Christmas Movie Night 🎄🎅

KS1 and KS2 enjoyed their Polar Express Movie Night one Monday evening after school. Students watched a Christmas classic, snuggled up in their pyjamas, with a hot chocolate and treats.

It really got them in the Christmas spirit.

Wickersley Panto 🎭

Hazel class had a fabulous time at the Wickersley School pantomime ‘Robin Hood.’ 

The children were really inspired by the cast and many of the children have now commented that they would like to be part of a Drama group. Well done everyone! 

The Big Assembly

Aston Lodge were excited to be part of ‘The Big Assembly’. Schools from across the country connected online to take part in the assembly which showcased stories of some amazing children who are speaking out on really important issues. The assembly encouraged children to think about the issues that matter to them and inspired them to take steps to do something about them. 

U12 Boys Football Success ⚽

Jake and Harrison both play for the U12 Sheffield United Football Academy.  Over the past few months, they have been learning all about the Christmas Truce during World War 2 and as part of their studies, the boys were amongst 12 European teams to qualify for a tournament, which they played in Ypres Belgium. 

Unfortunately they lost 1-0 in the final against a very experienced Chelsea team, but we are immensely product of these two lads and this achievement - well done boys!

Wickersley Panto 2023 🏹

This year's Wickersley School panto was Robin Hood! We'd like to say a massive thank you and well done to all students and staff who made this show as incredible as it was! 

Here's to the next! 

Y11 Students Visit Pinewood Studios 📽

Last month, Y11 Film & Drama students attended Futures Festival at the world famous Pinewood Studios. 

As a working film studio, responsible for franchises such as Harry Potter, James Bond and Mission Impossible, students had the opportunity to experience working in the film and TV industry.

The Salvation Army Reverse Advent Calendar

Throughout December, our students have taken part in a 'Reverse Advent Calendar' to embrace the meaning of the festive season by giving instead of receiving. We asked for non-perishable food and gift donations for The Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal - a big thank  you to parents/carers for your extremely kind donations and support!

Spreading Community Christmas Cheer 🎅🎄

On Thursday 7th December, 18 of our lovely students ventured on a 5.5mile walking tour in the cold and rain performing their Christmas Showcase to various care homes and primary schools in the local area, as part of our Giving Back to the Community day.

It was a fantastic day, full of festive cheer, and despite getting drenched a great day was had by all. Well done to all students who took part and represented RCS!

Ryan Takes on the Polar Plunge for Rotherham Hospital

Y12 student, Ryan, has been busy raising money for a very worthy cause. He completed the Polar Plunge at Wath Lake, alongside his Aunty. They raised over £300 for Rotherham Hospital's Special Baby Care Unit, where he spent the first week of his life.

Ryan was the only child to take part - both his family and the school are extremely proud of Ryan for supporting his community and helping those around him. Well done Ryan!

Christmas Fayre Crafting ❄

Last week, we had a busy afternoon making our snowflake crafts to raise funds for the Sheffield Children's Hospital.

They were then on sale at our Winter Fayre!

Well done everyone!

School Games Dodgeball Tournament 🏐

Our girls were amazing at the Rotherham School Games Dodgeball tournament, held at the Cranworth Campus! 

They showed great sportsmanship, congratulating other teams and supporting each other. They all tried their best and showed the Whitehill Way. 

Foundation Stage Learn About Diwali

The children in Foundation Stage have been learning all about the Hindu festival of Diwali. They have created diva lamps and rangoli and mehndi patterns. We also had a feast where we tried different foods from India. 

WPT Christmas Card Competition 2023

Over the last few weeks, students from across Wickersley Partnership Trust have been getting festive and creative for the WPT Christmas Card Competition!

Our annual competition, which is now in its fifth year, is held to showcase some of our amazing budding artists, with the winning entries transformed into professionally printed Christmas Cards which are sent out to all colleagues, governors, Directors and stakeholders from across the Trust.

WPT Careers Fair

On Friday 1st December, we held a Careers Fair at our Cranworth Road site for students across the Trust to gain valuable insight into the Post-16 and career opportunities that are available. 

Students from Clifton Community School, Rawmarsh Community School, Thrybergh Academy and Wickersley School & Sports College came along to talk to a wide range of providers including local colleges, universities, the armed forces, public sector organisations and private sector companies. 

WPT Staff Awards 2023 🏆

Friday 17th November 2023 saw the third annual WPT Staff Awards take place at Magna, Rotherham, and what a night it was!

Staff from across all of our schools and Central Team came together to rightfully celebrate the hard work, commitment and dedication that they put in every day to ensure the best possible education and outcomes for our students.

Congratulations to all winners!

Y3/4 Visit the Peak District 🥾

Year 3/4 enjoyed a wonderful day in the Peak District to support their current Geography learning. 

They visited the Longshaw Estate and walked through to Burbage and the Eastern Moors area of the Peak District. The children learnt about the varied landscapes as well the abundance of exciting wildlife that inhabit the Peak District.

The children followed the Foljambe Way by showing resilience when climbing a steep, rocky path. Well done everyone! 

Mojo Visit

We were 1 out of 5 schools across the world for a special visit from Mojo who came to visit the children and celebrate us using Dojo. 

All the children were very excited and happy to meet him! We also got some lovely goodies as well!

Class 4 Hockey with Uni of Sheffield Students

This term, Class 4 found themselves welcoming more students from the University of Sheffield. Members of the hockey team came to coach our budding players and talk about their experiences of university. 

Class 4 made sure to quiz the students about their studies and also find out about the many different clubs available. 

Children In Need 2023 🧸💛

Sandhill took part in lots of activities for Children in Need 2023: 

• Children brought in 1p and 2p pieces to cover the Pudsey bears drawn by Mrs Pursglove

• Year 6 counted all of the coins

• Children were creative in their own classes

• Total raised was £160

• Year 1 had the closest guess of the total amount raised

• The kitchen team created some fantastic Pudsey themed desserts

Sandhill Poppy Appeal

A massive thank you to everyone who sent money into school to buy poppies and other Remembrance Day merchandise allowing us to raise a huge total of £301.81! 

A big well done to all of the Y6 student from the Legendary Lions who took on the responsibility of selling the merchandise to all of the classes in school.

Sandhill Festivities 🎄

Sandhill has been extremely festive this year! The children and staff have enjoyed decorating their classroom doors and Y6 had the privilege of decorating the Christmas tree in the hall. 

We love how it all looks and the Christmas cheer it has brought to the school. 

Staff Wreath Making Workshop ✨

Thank you to all of our staff members at Clifton Community School for attending the annual wreath making workshop. It was year again a very wholesome, Christmassy evening with lots of laughter!

Christmas Candles at Clifton Art Club 🕯

Clifton Art Clubbers have been embracing the Christmas spirit during their last session. 

We made our own Christmas candles by painting welted wax from coloured tea lights on our final candle. The students loved this super simple but creative activity.

First Aid Training

Across the year, students throughout the school will take part in First Aid training. 

Earlier in November, some of the our Y7 and Y9 student took part in the training, which taught the students how to treat different injuries including choking, bleeding, muscle and join injuries to incidents that require CPR. 

Family Action Present Drop 🎁

Last week, Family Action dropped off a donation of toys to allow the academy to support families within our community this Christmas.

We would like to thank the Family Action team for their help and donation at a time of year that can be very difficult for some.

The Gainsborough Aspiration Project

As part of the mission to improve the educational outcomes for all students in Gainsborough, we’re taking part in The Gainsborough Aspiration Project, run by Angie Waplington. The project will see leaders from across Gainsborough schools, including The Gainsborough Academy, join forces to agree on a shared vision, mission and strategy for education in the area.

The overarching aim is to form and maintain strong working relationships with other school leaders and professionals from across other public services to share knowledge and concerns, and ultimately provide better educational opportunities for all Gainsborough students.

TGA Students Take Part in BBC Bitesize Workshops 📽

On Wednesday 29th November, we had Grace (Journalist at BBC Look North) and Luke (BBC Producer) come in to TGA to deliver the second part of ‘The Other Side of the Story’ workshops.

This workshop had a strong focus on how media can often be one-sided, and how to spot biased and balanced news – particularly on social media platforms like TikTok.

During the day, students had to record their very own news broadcasts in the form of a TikTok video. In groups, they had to present news around artificial intelligence, and each had a go at presenting it from different angles to represent biased and balance news.

Santa Dash 🎅

At the start of December, our whole school took part in 'Santa Dash' in support of Rotherham Hospice. Everyone showed great enthusiasm and participated brilliantly to support this charity.

Exploring the Peak District 🏔

Year 3/4 enjoyed a wonderful day in the Peak District to support their current Geography learning.

They visited the Longshaw Estate and walked through to Burbage and the Eastern Moors area of the Peak District. The children learnt about the varied landscapes as well the abundance of exciting wildlife that inhabit the Peak District.

The children followed the Thrybergh Way by showing resilience when climbing a steep, rocky path. Well done everyone! 

Online Safety with SYP

Last month we had a special visitor from South Yorkshire Police who gave a presentation about online safety. 

Everyone listened well and contributed to discussions about online age restrictions and the dangers of sharing personal information.

Winter Fun with POPS

A big thank you to POPS for an amazing time last week singing songs around the campfire, drinking hot chocolate and eating yummy biscuits. What a fun morning we had, all toasty and wrapped up warm!

Children in Need 2023 🧸💛

This year we raised a grand total of £1531 for Children in Need!

The children sold buns donated and baked by families, and took part in Children in Need activities throughout the day. 

Thank you to all who donated and took part in raising money for such a wonderful cause. What an amazing achievement Monkwood!

Monkwood Awarded the Nature Grant 🌿

We are delighted to announce that Monkwood Primary School has been awarded a Local School Nature Grant. 

Thanks to the Grant, staff will receive training to help children learn outdoors, and the students will benefit from a range of gardening equipment which will be used to grow their own vegetables and flowers.

The project is run by Learning Through Landscapes and is funded by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. The Monkwood students played an important role in applying for the Grant – they selected equipment that they felt would benefit their peers.

Aston Hall Santa Dash 2023 🎅

A huge well done to all of the children for taking part in our Santa Dash on Christmas Jumper Day!

Although it was a bit wet and windy, the children had a great time completing their 5 laps (1 mile) dash around the school. 

They all had some encouragement from the big man himself, with Santa surprising the children on their dash around the playground.

All monies raised from this sponsored event will be split between our Sheffield Children’s Hospital snowflake, Save the Children and Rotherham Hospice.

Aston Hall Student Wins Local MP Christmas Card Competition

We're incredibly proud of Y2 student, Emily, who was this year's winner of our local MP's Christmas Card Competition. Following this, Alexander Stafford, Rother Valley MP, met with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and presented him with the card designed by Emily. 

Alexander Stafford said 'It was a pleasure to meet with the Prime Minister to present to him the wonderful Rother Valley Christmas Card. Rishi personally sends congratulations to the winner, Emily, age 6 from Swallownest, and to runner-up, Lennon.'

Lennon is in Y3 at Aston Hall Junior & Infant School too - well done both, we're so proud of you!

Christmas Fayre 2023 🎄

Aston Hall held their annual Christmas Fayre this month and it was a roaring success. Stalls such as the raffle, tombola, bottle tombola and teddy tombola were a huge hit with the parents and children. 

Some amazing raffle prizes were donated form the Utilita Arena, Turtle Bay, Mr Wilson's and the Sheffield Steelers!

A huge thank you to those that volunteered and the staff of Aston Hall - we managed to raise £1438 which is the most we have ever raised at a Christmas Fayre!

TA Rewards Trip to the Cinema

As a reward for 100% attendance and gaining the most CFPs in their year, these studentts were rewarded with a trip to the cinema to see 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'. 

The tickets were provided as part of the INTO FILM Festival - a charity which the school is part of.

A huge well done to these students - keep your eyes peeled for future rewards trips!

Peter Pan Panto is Coming to Thrybergh Academy 🧚‍♂️

Tickets are now available to buy for this year's Easter pantomime, Peter Pan!

With our largest panto cast to date, we expect this show to be a sell-out so get your tickets to avoid disappointment!

Tickets can be purchased via the link below. 👇

Thrybergh Super Science Club 🧪

Students at Thrybergh Science Club on 7/11/23 had a bonfire night theme where we investigated various chemical mixtures to produce different coloured flames like they see in various fireworks.

We also did the screaming jelly baby which is like a firework putting a jelly baby into a melted solution of potassium chlorate. Then we finished off with some tie dyeing of various materials.

Everyone worked well and had a good time!

Foundation Stage Christmas Show

This month, the Foundation children presented their Christmas performance to families.

We've been rehearsing for weeks and all the practice paid off as the children performed the most amazing sing along!

It was simply fantastic and we are so proud of all the children and their hard work! 

Community Carolling at the Care Home 🎅

Y4 have had a lovely morning recently, singing to the residents and their families at Broadacres Care Home. 

There was lots of laughter and smiles, and the residents joined in with our beautiful singing. 

It felt very festive!

Parkgate Whit Parade/Parkgate 200

To mark the 200 years celebration of Parkgate, Rawmarsh Ashwood Primary School worked with the Parkgate history group to take part in the Whit Parade.

Year 1 and Year 2 met with Tony from the local history group to look at photos from the parade in Victorian times.

The aim of the project was bringing people together to celebrate Parkgate’s history and heritage.