Appleton Academy
Primary Newsletter
SPRING 1 2025
Together with our community, we can achieve extraordinary things.
Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have reached the end of another half term and at the half-way point in the school year. The snowy and icy weather at the start of the term certainly presented some challenges but thankfully we are now heading into brighter days.
Next half term we will have our second parents’ evenings
The dates are:
Tuesday 11th March
Thursday 13th March
A link will be sent out for you to book your appointment after the half term.
As we break up for the holiday, I would like to thank you all for your continued support throughout the past weeks and wish you all a happy and restful half term.
Best wishes,
Miss Clayton Head of Primary
Attendance and Punctuality
Improving attendance continues to be a priority in school. The impact of poor attendance and lateness on a child's academic success and social and emotional development is significant. Missing school, even for a short time, can have a big impact on a child's progress.
When children arrive on time and attend school consistently they are better able to engage with lessons, build stronger relationships with their peers and make the most of the learning opportunities provided.
We understand that life can sometimes get in the way, but we ask for your continued support in ensuring that your child attends school regularly and arrives on time. If you need support or help with this please don't hesitate to contact us.
After the holiday we will be introducing another attendance challenge for all children:
30 Club
Every week if a child has 100% attendance they will be entered for the 30 club with a chance of winning £25 voucher.
EYFS
In Early Years we have been learning the traditional tale of the Gingerbread Man. We then enjoyed baking our own gingerbread men!
Following the abundance of snow that we received at the beginning of the year we have been exploring the snow and ice in a variety of ways. This included adding colour to ice to observe the way the colours travelled. In our outdoor provision we have explored different ways to melt the ice using variety of tools.
It was Chinese New Year on the 29th January. In Early Years we transformed our home corner into a Chinese restaurant and made lanterns to decorate it and to practise our fine motor skills.
Year 1
Year 1 have been looking at right and wrong choices. We looked at different scenarios and made informed decisions. We made these choices and discussed why we chose them.
This half term we have been counting to 20 using number tiles. The children have also been using tens frames to represent number bonds to 20.
We have been learning about weather and weather forecasts. We explored different types of weather and how it changes. We created a weather wheel and predicted weather.
In art we have been looking at the four seasons. We have been looking at Danielle Fontaine's artwork and created our own.
Year 2
Year 2 started their work on Antarctica by having an immersion day. They completed a scavenger hunt around the Year 2 classrooms, watched clips from David Attenborough's Blue Planet on Antarctica, researched some facts about Antarctica and devised their own questions they wanted to explore during our topic.
The children have enjoyed inventing a musical story by learning how to play the song 'Rainbows' using the glockenspiels. They have understood what pitch, tempo and texture are. They have experienced playing together as a group and building texture by joining in at different intervals.
Year 3
During this half term, we had a special visit from the illustrator of The Iron Man, Chris Mould. In our workshop he taught us how to draw the Iron Man.
In science we learnt all about light, reflections and how shadows are formed.
In maths, we have focused on multiplication and division. To help us to divide with remainders we used lolly pop sticks and paper plates to show the amount we had left over.
In DT , we have been learning about pneumatics. The children have been creating their own robot heads that move using pneumatics.
Year 4
Our theme in Year 4 for this half-term has been Protect our Planet.
As part of art week, Year 4 look at the work of Guy Harvey and were inspired to create their own work!
In geography, the children have been learning about the cause and effects of climate change.
During story telling week, the children had an opportunity to swap a preloved book for a new one.
In science, Year 4 have been exploring the different states of matter and the changes between them. They even created their own butter from double cream!
Year 5
In this busy half term, Year 5 have been studying The Mayans. We have baked chocolate bread in DT and created Mayan masks using ancient glyphs!
We have celebrated World Number Day, National Storytelling Week and Safer Internet day. 5JM have also continued with swimming and 5DF have been rockclimbing and practised their archery!
Year 6
As part of our Victorian topic, we investigated what life in a Victorian school was like compared with our school today. We can categorically state that we prefer school today than in Victorian times!
Year 6
As part of our careers work we had staff from Solenis visit us to explain about the careers they can offer. We also became scientists for the morning as we explored the best materials to fix a leaky pipe.
Safer internet Day
A part of Safer Internet Day, children have been learning how to protect themselves when they are online. This includes studying real-life issues such as reporting phishing emails, preventing scams, malware and protecting your identity in the everchanging online world.
Some of our younger children have been reading and discussing 'Troll Stinks' and 'Chicken Clicking' to support their understanding of e-safety.
Number Day
This year marked the 25th anniversary of Number Day which is run by the NSPCC. We had a fun-filled maths days and we managed to raise £100.
National Storytelling Week
As part of National Storytelling week, teacher's swapped classes for a short time to share a story with a different class.
Working together, each class discussed the type of books they enjoyed and organised their book corners to reflect this.
The Book Swap Shop opened its' doors for the first time, with lots of donations of books from families. All classes enjoyed swapping their preloved books for a new one.
Matthew Wainwright, author of our year six novel, Out of the Smoke, did an online session with 6SB and 6SL.
National Storytelling Week
As the moon shone, the forest became whimsical and wonderful.
Lucas
Let my silence teach you what my words did not.
Victoria
Today was the day that took away my fear, forever.
Ellie-Jo
I don't want you in my house, so get out!
Tia
As part of National Storytelling Week, students were asked to write a story using only 10 words.
A mysterious sparkling door suddenly appeared, leading to creative imagination.
Roses are blue, violets are red, this world has changed!
I dropped my toast jam side down, oh dear me!
Keira
Harlyn
Lost in the woods, she found herself heartbroken and misplaced.
Faith
Listening to the constant chatter lulled her into a coma.
Mrs Burnham
As I tripped, my whole life flashed before my eyes.
Hannah
Library Events
The Iron Man comes to Appleton! Year 3 children had wonderful time during National Storytelling week. Our artist in residence, Chris Mould, led a drawing session and introduced our children to his latest Iron Man models.
Year 5 children enjoyed a day with Chris looking Mayan art and creating their own Mayan masks and greetings
Community Events
My name is Emily Chesterman and I am the Parental Involvement Officer at Appleton Academy. We are now half way through the school year. Please remember to regularly communicate with us at school and stay involved in your child's education and learning. Please feel free to email me using the email below. If you have any worries, concerns or questions.
Emily.chesterman@appletonacademy.co.uk
Thank you to the KS1 parents who are attending the Numeracy Programme which is lead by White Rose Education.
Upcoming
events
FREE 5 week baby massage course across Bradford
Woodside Children's Centre BD6 – Thursday 27 February-Thursday 27 March 1-300pm
Reevy Hill Children's Family Hub – Thursday 27 February-Thursday 27 March 930-1130
Suitable for those with a baby 6 weeks-6 months. Please book your place https://fyi.bradford.gov.uk/baby-massage-with-little-minds-matter/
Reevy Hill Family Hub- Digital Drop-In Session for support to get online using google laptops
Tuesday 25 February 1-4pm
Family Workshop for children 5+ and their adults Wednesday 19 February 1-3pm- FREE drawing materials and gentle guidance from a local artist. Please book by calling 01274 434940 or email familyhubsouth@bradfordcft.org.uk
Parental Involvement
Other events taking place over half term
You can use the link below for some rainy day ideas for activities to do at home as a family. https://wharfedale.mumbler.co.uk/rainy-day-ideas/
National Science & Media Museum – Bradford
Yorkshire Games Festival- A festival celebrating gaming, games culture and design & production with special industry guests all week.
The museum is taking over the Oastler Market in Bradford for a day of science shows, stories, spacecraft, Lego and a sand box. www.facebook.com/events/1107994130631515
Bradford Cathedral – Tuesday 18th February 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm
Free family activities- nature inspired crafts such as flowers and creatures. Also colouring, quizzes and guided tours of the cathedral. Please book on 01274 777720
Impressions Gallery- City Park Centenary Square
Free entry to see contemporary photography - Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Haworth- Various times to book online
Daily passenger services on Keighley and Worth Valley Railway with a mixture of steam engines and heritage diesels.
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
Boxing and Calligraphy connect- Exhibition featuring rare items from the Arabic/Urdu Collections of the British Library. Free entry.
Libraries across the district have exciting programmes and activities- Valentine's story time, crafts, Pancake Day songs, dance workshops, table top games, superhero colouring and maths wizard workshop. Please visit the websites for more information.
Wyke Library activities
Thursday 10am- Baby friendships, Thursday 2pm Knit and Natter & Friday 1030am Story and crafts
Warm Spaces (Half term)- Have a warm drink or soup, read a newspaper, use the free wifi or complete a jigsaw
Wyke Library- Monday 10am-4pm, Wednesday 10am-1.30pm and Saturday 10am-3pm
Wibsey Library-Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday- 10am-2pm Wednesday 10am-1pm
City Library Bradrord – Monday 10am-2pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm and Friday 10am-2pm