Appleton Academy
Primary Newsletter
SPRING 2 2025
Together with our community, we can achieve extraordinary things.
Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of this term, I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support and commitment to our school community.
It has been a wonderful term, full of exciting learning experiences, growth, and achievement for our children. None of this would be possible without the partnership we share with you.
I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff, who consistently go above and beyond to ensure your child’s education is both enriching and enjoyable. It truly takes a team effort, and I am very grateful for the contributions of everyone involved.
I hope you all have an enjoyable holiday and we look forward to welcoming the children back ready for the final term of the school year.
Warm regards,
Miss Clayton Head of Primary
Attendance
We have worked hard this half term on improving school attendance in primary and have seen some significant improvements. Despite this we are still a long way away from the national average.
The information below outlines the expectations of a child's attendance and impact on a child who has poor attendance at school.
We will continue with our rewards after the holiday and work with you all to further improve attendance.
EYFS
This half term the children enjoyed our visit to the library to see 'The Thoughtful Spot' who sang rhymes with us and shared some wonderful stories such as 'The Book With No Pictures'.
The children have been exploring the topic of Far, Far Away, which fit perfectly in with learning about the Muslim Festival of Eidal-Fitr and why and how some people celebrate this festival, and how they celebrate. Miss Shakil kindly brought in some of the delicious food and drinks that her family share during Eid to taste, including pakoras, samosas and Mango Lassi.
Year 1
In Year 1 we have been looking at materials and their properties. The children looked at different materials and thought about their properties before deciding which material to use for objects.
We have been looking at celebrations in Hinduism. The children learnt about the Holi festival and the story of Prahlad. They enjoyed dancing to the music and seeing the coloured powder.
In history we have been looking at 'Toys from the past'. Jeffery Andrews came in and showed us his amazing artwork and toys from the past.
Year 2
This half term Year 2 have been learning about a village in India called Chembakolli as part of their geography work on a contrasting locality.
Year 2 enjoyed learning all about the Hindu festival Holi. We had great fun learning Bangra dancing, wearing saris and trying some delicious Indian food. The children also learnt about Rangoli patterns, painted their own and then recreated their own designs using chalk, on the playground. The children enthusiastically took part in Science Week and Red Nose Day! From hands-on experiments and creative problem-solving activities to fundraising.
Year 3
In Year 3 this half term we have learnt about a range of exciting topics. We learnt all about static electricity and how to make a complete circuit in science. We linked this to our DT project and made an alarm to protect an Easter egg from any chocolate thieves!
In maths we have been learning about perimeter, we were amazed that the perimeter of the book was equivalent to 1 metre. We also learnt about the Ancient Egyptians and mummified a tomato.
Year 4
This half term we have delving into the tropical worlds of rainforests.
We started our topic learning about the amazing Amazon Rainforest. We then used our knowledge to compare it woodlands closer to home.
In science, we extended our understanding of food chains and learnt that various food chains make up a food web. We then had a go at making our own.
Year 5
This term, Year 5 have enjoyed a variety of events and celebrations. 5DF have enjoyed swimming and 5JM have been bike riding and team building down at Judy Woods.
During our biking sessions, we have worked hard on riding over and balancing on ramps and moving in and out of the cones to help develop our balance on the bikes.
Alongside this, we had an amazing visit from author Billy-Bob Buttons and an interactive martial arts assembly. We have also celebrated World book day and comic relief.
Year 6
We have created our own Mr Men and Little Miss Characters for World Book Day and wrote a story for these which we shared with Year 2 and Year 3.
We completed a drama assembly to showcase our work this half term.
We had a visit from Jimmy and took part in some martial arts.
Bikeability
Year 6 have taken part in bike ability this half term. They were a real credit to the school and everyone had so much fun.
SATurday School
Our Year 6 children came into school on 29th March for some extra sessions in preparation for their upcoming SATs. They escaped a GPAS escape room, investigated maths problems, reflected, rotated and translated shapes and even had time to solve an Easter maths mystery. Great fun was had by all.
British Science Week
During British science week, all the children explored a variety of science activities involving changing and adapting. They used their investigating skills to make conclusions.
World Book Week
Independent bookshop 'The Thoughtful Spot visited school and parents and children from Early Years and Year 1 were treated to a great storytelling session featuring puppets and a ukelele!
Local author Harry Heape talked about his 'Shiny Pippin' and 'Indiana Bones' book series. Children loved acting out scenes from his stories.
World Book Week
To celebrate World Book Day, we spent the whole week engaging with a range of activities which included:
Live online author question and answers in year two, as well as Billy Bob Buttons and Harry Heape coming into the library.
Classes being introduced to 'Author in the Spotlight'.
Our first 'Senior Readership Team' meeting.
Children visiting one another's classes to share books, with some secondary students reading aloud to primary children in the library.
And of course, a day of dressing as our favourite book characters.
Library Events
Our writer in residence, Nik Perring and our artist Chris Mould joined year 4 for a day of Roman creativity. The session prepared our students for their next topic and produced some wonderful art and writing.
Our Chatterbooks group have enjoyed reading and reviewing Squirrel and Duck Mission Improbable By Tom Percival. They loved making their own lego character versions.
Community Events
My name is Emily Chesterman and I am the Parental Involvement Officer at Appleton Academy. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter break and enjoy some of the fun, free activities which are on across the Bradford District.
To further support your child please continue to read with them every day over the holidays so they can continue to progress. Emily.chesterman@appletonacademy.co.uk
Maths Course
In September 2025, Bradford College are hoping to run a maths course
For our parents/carers at Appleton Academy. This will be for 2 hours per week for 11 weeks. If successful, further courses will be held however a minimum of 12 students are needed for the course to run. Further information will be sent out over the summer term to register your interest. You will then be invited in to sign up in September to begin the course.
Red Nose Day
Thank you for your kind donations and support celebrating for Red Nose Day. Primary managed
Parental Involvement
Easter activities across Bradford
Bradford Cathedral are hosting a craft session with trails and quizzes and tours of the cathedral. The two sessions are 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm on 08/04/25
Bradford Industrial Museum- Eco Easter 11/04/2025- Easter crafts and fabric wreath making
Bradford City Centre- Centenary Square- Springtime story telling 19/04/2025 11am-4pm FREE Beatrix Potter and Alice in Wonderland theme, shows, Grand Prix Assault course, Egg and Spoon Race, Croquet and workshops.
Harold Park Egg Hunt 18/04.2025 11am-1pm Fun Day with games, stalls, DJ, BBQ, raffle and Easter Bonnet Competition
West Bowling ARLFC Easter Party at Horsfall Stadium 20/04/2025 1pm-5pm- Join us for an afternoon of fun- Booking required via Facebook or at the stadium
Roberts Park- Mad Hatters Easter Tea Party 19/04/2025 9am-12pm- Fancy dress, cakes, fun and egg hunt.
Bradford Soap Box Challenge 04/05/2025 11am- Come along or sign up to join the race http://supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk/bradford/
The Beacon at Wibsey Park
CBeebies Bedtime Stories Day 15-16 April at 11am. George Webster and Evie Pickerill will be reading stories- come and get cosy, snuggle up and relax.
11/04/2025 1pm FREE event- Picasso paint, dance star performances, street band 'Revo' and more.
05/05/2025 10am-3pm Lou Sumray, a Bradford based artist has invited children to join in making a giant art piece using different art methods- drawings, doodles, painting and more.
Eid activities
Open Arts Iftar 14/04/25 , 7.15pm at Kala Sangam
Nasheeds and delicious food and share experiences as a community
Keighley Market and Oastler Market are holding Eid activities on 13/04/2025 11am-3pm
Bradford Eid Deaf Party- Bradford City Football Stadium 19/04/2025 1pm-7pm
Captivatiny performances, 360 camera experience, bouncy castle for kids, halal feast, stalls. Contact bradforddeafevent22@gmail.com for prices and booking information.