Primary Newsletter 2

Appleton Academy Primary Newsletter

Together with our community, we can achieve extraordinary things.

Welcome

We have finally reached the end of a very wet, windy and snowy half term.

This half term the children have enjoyed a number of enrichment activities including working with Chris Mould (Artist in Residence) and Nik Perring (Author in Residence), a visit from Grandad Wheels and workshops from the Road Safety Team and the Mental Health Support Team.

After the holiday we will be holding our second parent's evening. The dates for these are: Tuesday 12th March Thursday 14th March Further information regarding booking your appointment will be sent out nearer the time.

Many thanks for your continued support. I hope you all have an enjoyable half term.

Best wishes, Miss Clayton Head of Primary

2

EYFS Learning all about the Chinese New Year has given our early years children the opportunity to explore different cultures and festivals.

They made Chinese dragons using cutting and folding skills and explored the different foods and tools in the role play restaurant.

Year 1

Year 1 had the opportunity to learn all about road safety.

They had a fun time using the role play resources and these will help the children to remember how to stay safe when crossing the road.

3

Year 2

In Year 2 this half term pupils have been learning all about healthy eating in science.

Looking at different food groups and thinking about where our food comes from. We then used our knowledge to design and make our own healthy wraps, practising our chopping and peeling skills.

A group of year 2 children attended a multi skills sports event competing with children in 7 other Bradford schools and we received the bronze award. Well done year 2!

Year 3 This half term, Year 3 have immersed themselves in the text, 'The Iron Man' by Ted Hughes. This included a drawing session with our resident artist Chris Mould. The children all drew magnificent pictures of the Iron Man.

We also enjoyed the opportunity to enhance our rugby skills with Wyke A.R.L.F.C club.

4

Year 4 The children learnt to draw and paint in his style. They also learnt how to fight against climate change!

Year 4 have studied the work of the artist Guy Harvey as part of our 'Protect Our Planet' geography topic.

They explored various painting skills such as hatching, stippling and directional strokes. The children created a watercolour background, then drew a variety of sea life and painted them using acrylic paint.

Year 5 Year 5 baked chocolate bread as part of our design technology lessons.

5DF have had OAA this term-they have been taking part in archery, ascending the climbing wall and cycling.

5JM continued their swimming sessions this term and have all made fantastic progress.

5

Year 6

Year 6 started the half term off with a Victorian school day. It was great fun even though the teachers were incredibly strict. We have also created double page spreads about the jobs a Victorian child would do.

We have been looking at David Hockney in art and have created our own self-portraits.

6

Number Day We took part in the NSPCC Number Day event. Children were asked to dress up in clothes with numbers on and took part in a range of number themed activities across the day.

Thank you to everyone for their donations as we managed to raise an impressive £171.12

7

Artist In Residence – Chris Mould Our Year 4 children have been looking at the work of conservation artist, Guy Harvey. Chris Mould led some wonderful sessions recreating marine life art. Year 3 also had a workshop with Chris, drawing their own versions of the Iron Man. Our after school drawing club also worked with Chris. He showed them how to draw houses.

8

National Storytelling Week We had great fun celebrating National Storytelling week.

Local author, Grandad Wheels paid a visit to talk about life in a wheelchair and read from his very funny books. Sales of his books raised £416.oo for spinal charities.

Our secondary students read stories to our Early Years children.

Our writer in residence, Nik Perring worked with Year 4 on creating a collaborative story.

9

Attendance In January the government launched their attendance strategy. This is in response to the increase in children being absent from school since the pandemic. As part of this they have produced guidance for parents that can be found on the link below: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/03/improving-school-attendance/

It also provides clarity for parents on what 'persistent absence' and 'severe absence' is.

In school we see the impact on a child's development if they are persistently or severely absent. Unless your child is too unwell to attend school please make sure you send them in everyday so that they can make the best progress possible.

IF you need any support in improving your child's attendance please get in touch either whilst we are out on duty in a morning or on info@appletonacademy.co.uk

1

Parental Involvement My name is Emily Chesterman and I am the Parental Involvement Officer at Appleton Academy. My role is to strengthen the partnership between school and home and show that your involvement is valued. It is important to have regular contact with school and be involved in your child's education as much as possible.

Emily.chesterman@appletonacademy.co.uk

Toy Sale

Wednesday 20 March 2.30-3.30pm I am asking parents/carers for pre-loved donations for our toy sale which will be held in the community room. Please can any donations be brought to school by Friday 15 March.

This can include toys/ soft toys, books, dressing up and unwanted gifts.

Coffee Morning I will be hosting a coffee morning on Friday 23 February 2024 8.30-9.30am with the focus topic being the importance of school attendance. Please come along to the community room.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Relationships Matter coffee morning. To sign up, please come and see me for an application form.

Free online course Emotional and Mental Health Zoom Meeting- to join, please email mhstparentsupport@bdct.onmicrosoft.com - Tuesday 20 February 2024 Useful Websites Step 2- Support for young women aged 16-25 years old- 1:1 mentoring support and counselling01274 720185 info@step2.org.uk Free housing advice – 0808 800 444 England.shelter.org.uk Free support and advice on energy costs, efficiency and heating repairs – 0300 303 3292 greendoctoryorkshire@groundwork.org.uk

1