Primary Newsletter
SUMMER 2 2025
Together with our community, we can achieve extraordinary things.
Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of another busy and fulfilling academic year, I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support and partnership.
There has been so much to celebrate this year! From fantastic performances, to our exciting themed days, visits out and visitors into school. Many children shared memories of these in our end of year assemblies this week.
We are all incredibly proud of the progress every child has made – not only academically, but in confidence, resilience, and kindness.
I am also sending our best wishes to Year 6 as they start secondary school in September. We are fortunate that the majority of children continue at Appleton and we get to still be part of their school journey. For those that are leaving I wish you all the best in Year 7.
Finally, I would like to wish all of our families a relaxing and joyful summer break, and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new school year.
Warmest wishes,
Miss Clayton Head of Primary
Early Years have been very busy this final half term. The children have all been preparing to move into their new classes and celebrating all of the things that they have achieved during their time in Nursery and Reception.
They celebrated the end of their time in Early Years with a teddy bear's picnic. The children brought in their favourite stuffed toy and sat together to eat a picnic and snacks. This was followed by lots of fabulous dancing!
EYFS
They took part in a Sports Day which families were invited to come and watch, where they took part in lots of activities including egg and spoon, wellie wanging, balancing challenges and of course lots of races!
Year 1
This half term in Year 1, we have been learning about position and direction. To help us understand our left and right, we took part in fun practical activities. We gave instructions to our teammates, and they had to follow them carefully.
In year 1 we had an exciting Pirate Day where we all came to school dressed as pirates! We enjoyed reading 'The Pirate Next Door' and used it as inspiration to write our own fantastic pirate descriptions. We also took part in some pirate maths activities and had lots of fun playing pirate themes games.
Year 1 had a fantastic trip to Shibden Park! We explored the beautiful grounds and enjoyed a lovely walk up to Shibden Hall. The children had great fun playing in the playground and even got the chance to bury some treasure – just like real pirates!
Year 2
This half term, Year 2's topic has been Minibeasts. The children have explored a variety of minibeasts and their habitats, learning about how they live and survive. They enjoyed a fun-filled Bug Ball, dressing up as their favourite minibeasts, and also designed and created their own imaginative minibeast creatures.
The children enjoyed a fantastic trip to Hornsea Beach. They explored the shoreline, collected shells and pebbles, and learned about coastal features. The day was filled with fun activities, including sandcastle building and a seaside picnic.
Year 3
This half term year 3 have been learning about coasts and animals including humans in Science. They have enjoyed learning about how muscles and joints move and what a good healthy diet looks like.
Year 3 had the opportunity to go and make some exciting memoires at Yorkshire Countryside Day. They saw dogs doing tricks, watched a sheep show and did some interesting crafts.
Year 4
Year 4 have had an action-packed final term. In science, they recreated the human digestion system using crackers, orange juice, sandwich bags and a pair of tights!
Both classes spent a morning training with the coaches from Wyke Rugby Club. They learned to throw and catch the ball correctly and loved tackling the adults using the body shield.
Year 4 have also been very creative this term creating mosaics, photo frames and money purses. They have used a range of skills and as you can see are very proud of their work.
Year 5
This half term, Year 5 have been busy rehearsing for their end-of-year performance of Matilda. Our dancers were fantastic, and the singing was amazing—it truly elevated the whole show.
During this busy period, we have also designed and crafted our own shelters as part of a DT project. We also came 3rd place in an interschool netball festival!
Year 6
Year 6 have been busy cooking as part of our Greece topic. We made moussaka. Great skills shown by everyone. We have also made cushions too as part of our DT topic.
Doe Park
The Year 6 children enjoyed Dragon boat racing at Doe park. They learnt to paddle using different techniques and worked collaboratively to successfully cross the reservoir.
Library Events
This term saw the launch of our latest anthology of writing and art, 'Let Silence Teach You'. Children performed their work to an audience of family members.
During the summer term we have been shadowing the Carnegie award for the best illustrated children's book of the year. We enjoyed judging the shortlist and agreed that Clever Crow should be the winner.
Our book review competition winners were happy to receive their prizes. Well done!
MATILDA!
Wow! What an incredible performance by our very talented children. I'm sure you will agree that all the KS2 children were amazing. Well done to Alfie (Yr6) and Alex (Yr2) who won our Appleton 'Bake Off'. We raised an incredible £380 towards the show.
Stars of the Year
The children have all worked really hard this year and are looking forward to moving up to their new classes. Each year, teachers choose a student who has been an excellent role model for the Star of the Year.
EYT Star of the Year
EYS Star of the Year
1AK Star of the Year 1AS Star of the Year
2JB Star of the Year
3KM Star of the Year
2SC Star of the Year
3EB Star of the Year
4MA Star of the Year 4EH Star of the Year
5JM Star of the Year
5DF Star of the Year
6SL Star of the Year
6SB Star of the Year
Moody Awards
Mr Moody was a school governor for many years when Appleton Academy used to be High Fernley Primary School. When he retired, his legacy was for one student at the end of Key Stage 1 and one student at the end of Key Stage 2 to be presented with an award in his name-The Moody Award. The award is given to someone who displays positive attributes, resilience, kindness and a hard-working ethic.
Key Stage 1 Moody Award Winner
Key Stage 2 Moody Award Winner
End of year celebrations
Year 6 have had an amazing year and have worked incredibly hard. They have made many happy memories and made some friends for life. They have participated in many activities such as the residential at Herd Fam, being scientists and Solenius, earning Bikeability badges, Dragonboating at Doe Park amongst many other things. The grand finale of the year was a fantastic performance of Matilda!
Community Events
My name is Emily Chesterman and I am the Parental Involvement Officer at Appleton Academy. I hope that all of our families have a wonderful summer holiday and enjoy spending quality time with one another. Below I have added a few events happening over the summer which may be of interest to you. And details of when and where they will be happening. Emily.chesterman@appletonacademy.co.uk
Lister Park –BD9 4NS Curry Mela –Lala's Restaurant
19-20 July- Free entry
Lala's will be providing fashion, fun and food galore and plenty of entertainment.
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British Stock Car Racing at Odsal Stadium BD6 1BS
26 July at 5pm- Book tickets via Odsal Stadium
National Science and Media Museum BD1 1NQ
Daily 10am-5pm in Gallery 1 £2 entry
Discover human connection to the universe and what bonds people together. Blanding art, science and technology together from stars to living cells and from air to water.
Picture Ville Cinema £3 kids club (Autism Friendly)
Saturday and Sunday mornings
A quieter relaxing environment, lights left on, reduced volume and able to move around freely while watching U and PG films.
Baildon Farmers Market- Lower Ian Clough Car Park BD17 5LA 30+ stalls selling cakes, sour bread, grass fed beef and gin. Bingo trail for the children and prizes to be won. The market will be on 9am-1pm on the following dates 26/07/25, 23/08.25, 27/09/25, 25/10/25, 22/11/25 & 20/12/25
Fun Day -Mustafa Centre BD8 9RE 20 July 12pm-4pm
Calligraphy, face painting, bubble activities, cultural food, artists and more.
Bradford Asian Festival 10 July 10am-230pm – The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Design wearable pieces to take home, flower garland workshop and Rangoli. Suitable for all ages
Footprints Summer Crafts BD6 3PZ 22 July 10am-12pm Under 12's Craft Session. Footprints Master Chef 24 July 11am-1pm
Books a place by calling 01274690262 or email lauraa@fpfc.org.uk
Parental Involvement
Please continue to listen to your children read over the summer- this could be while you are cooking your evening meal, taking a drive out in the car or before going to bed at night-time. There are some fun reading activities in the local libraries which you can contact to book a session.
Nature town Workshop-Zoolab- Summer Reading Challenge
Suitable for 4-11 years and lasts 55 minutes.
Wyke library- 3 August at 1.30pm City library- 19 August at 3.30pm Book via www.bradford.gov.uk/libraries
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Creative Writing Workshops at City Library
'Rubbish Dump' for ages 10-11 years 5 August at 11.30am
'Jungle' creative writing age 6-7 years 12 August at 11.30am
'Desert' creative writing age 8-9 years at 1pm
Teddy Bears Picnic- outside- Bring along your picnic and blankets/chairs
22/7/25 11pm at City Library
3/8/25 2pm at Shipley Library
9/8/25 2.15pm at Wibsey Library
31/08/25 11am at Wyke Library
You could visit City Park Mirror Pool which has 100 fountains, laser lights and mist to cool you down on those warm days. This has FREE wifi and has a relaxing and tranquil environment. This is suitable for families to take some relaxing time and the children can dip their feet into the water and have fun.
If you need support over the summer with a food parcel, Please contact 0300 102 0120 who can direct you to your nearest food bank or pop to your nearest food bank to discuss support.
Please enjoy the holidays, be well rested and I will look forward to seeing everyone in their fresh uniform in September, ready to start a new term at school. Stay safe and look after each other.
