🎉 Our Library is Officially Open! 📚
We are thrilled that our brand-new school library is now open! To mark this special occasion, we were honoured to welcome Kate Pankhurst, acclaimed children’s author and illustrator, who officially cut the ribbon and spent the day with us yesterday.
Kate, who is local to the area and lives in Calverley, led an inspiring whole-school assembly before delivering a series of creative illustration workshops throughout the day. Our pupils loved learning how to bring characters to life on the page, guided by Kate’s expert tips and infectious enthusiasm.
Everyone had the chance to visit the new library, and many even signed out their very first book. As a special treat from school, all children received a unique bookmark to mark the occasion.
Those who brought in one of Kate’s books were lucky enough to have them personally signed — a real highlight for many of our budding readers and writers!
Don’t forget to vote for your favourite window/door decoration on our Facebook page to celebrate the opening – voting closes Monday at 9:00am!
A huge thank you once again to Kate Pankhurst for making the day so memorable, and to everyone who helped make our library launch such a success. We can’t wait to see our new library buzzing with readers for many years to come!
Diary Dates
October
Monday 20 October – Year 3 and Year 4 “Swing Low, Big Sing” event at St George’s hall – see email for details
Tuesday 21 October – Reception to Year 6 Flu Vaccinations – see email for details
Wednesday 22 October – FOPPS Fundraiser, “Break the Rules Day” – see poster for what rules children can break
Wednesday 22 October – Early Years school trip to The Little Lancashire Village – see email for details
Thursday 23rd October, 1:30pm – Year 1 and 2 visit REPLAY at Damart Mill
Friday 24th October – KS2 visit Damart for the Black History Exhibition
November
Monday 3rd November, 7:00pm – FOPPS Curry Night Fundraiser – everyone welcome
Thursday 6 November – Year 3 school trip to Nell Bank – see email for details
Tuesday 11 November – Year 2 school trip to Cliffe Castle – see email for details
*NEW* Tuesday 11 November – Year 6 school trip to Bradford School’s Extravaganza – World Record Addition
Wednesday 12 November – Year 4 to Leeds City Museum – see email for details
Thursday 13 November – Early Years visit REPLAY at Damart Mill
Thursday 13 November – Year 3 visit REPLAY at Damart Mill
Monday 17 November, 3:20pm – 5:30pm – Parents’ Evening – details on how to book will follow soon
Wednesday 19 November, 3:30pm – 6:30pm – Parents’ Evening – details on how to book will follow soon
Friday 21 November – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR DATA DAY
Thursday 27 November, 9:00am – Year 3 Class Assembly – all Year 3 parents and carers welcome
Thursday 27 November, 1:00pm – Year 4 visit to the Methodist Church for Rewind to Christmas
Friday 28 November – FOPPS non uniform day – in exchange for a bottle or chocolate donation for the Winter Fair
Attendance
Our whole school attendance last week was 92.7%, our target is 97%.
Reception – 89%
Year 1 – 94.4%
Year 2 – 93%
Year 3 – 93.6%
Year 4 – 97%
Year 5 – 90.9%
Year 6 – 93.5%
Well done to Year 4 who were the only class that achieved our target!
Pride of Priestthorpe
Well done to the following children who received our Pride of Priestthorpe award this week. Thank you to those
Early Years – Bobby and Ella
Year 1 – Logan and Betsy. G
Year 2 – Mario and Betsy
Year 3 – Quinn. L and Mila
Year 4 – Azaan and Noor
Year 5 – Aarushi and Finley
Year 6 – Max. S and Liyana
Early Years
Early Years have been using bricks and loose parts to make houses and dens.
Year 1
Year 1 enjoyed their workshop with the Museum of Untold Stories!
Year 2
This week Year 2 went for a walk up to the field to collect leaves for our harvest wreaths. We had a fantastic time!
Year 3
Year 3 drew some amazing drawings with Kate Pankhurst yesterday.
Year 4
Year 4 really enjoyed their time with Kate Pankhurst and produced some fantastic illustrations of Amelia Earhart.
Year 5
Year 5 have been reading books to Year 2 as part of our Library launch day.
Year 6
Year 6 have created a fabulous window display based on one of our favourite books, in preparation for the launch of our new library.
Important learning information
We use a range of Learning Apps in school, which can also be accessed at home. Please use the links below to practice key skills.
Times Table Rockstars is an award-winning maths learning platform where children can practice their times tables like a rock star! Certificates can be achieved every Thursday for the children who have made the most progress in terms of the biggest increase in accuracy that week. We also run in school competitions.
Times Tables Rock Stars – Times Tables Rock Stars
Accelerated Reader will allow children to read a book and then take an online quiz to test their knowledge and understanding of the text, and receive immediate feedback. Students respond to regular feedback and are motivated to improve their reading skills.
Spelling Shed uses the science of spelling to teach it to pupils. Using phonics as a base and drawing upon proven approaches such as teaching morphology, etymology, and orthographic mapping, as well as teaching spelling patterns. Children are set new activities on here each week.
