Year 6 Residential
Our Year 6 children are currently at Robinwood on their residential. Here are some pictures of them having a fantastic time!
May half term fun at Temple Newsam...
If you’re stuck for ideas for things to do next week, why not consider one of the following at Temple Newsam?
Paint your own tankard with Jackrabbits pottery
Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 May. Book a session, 11.30-12.30pm or 2-3pm. Jackrabbits will glaze, fire and wrap the tankards. Please allow a max of 28 days from workshop date to allow mugs to be ready for collection. £13 per tankard in the House. Contact the Temple Newsam House or book on Eventbrite.
Cheers half term crafts!
Saturday 26 May to Sunday 03 June. Drop in session. All ages. Crafts inspired by the ceramics in the exhibition. Design a cup and a coaster to take home. Included in house admission price.
Storytime
Wednesday 30 May 2-3pm. Join our resident storyteller to enjoy stories all about drink! Included in house admission price.
Hidden Temple Newsam Tour
Saturday and Tuesday in half term at 11am. Journey under the House, learn how the servants got around unseen and discover the cellars. Who is the Blue Lady and what happened to poor Phoebe Gray? Some steep steps and uneven surfaces. Limited places, booking advised. Suitable for 7+. Included in house admission price.
Discovery Tour
Thursday at 11am. Explore the House with our friendly guide! Included in house admission price.
Up on the roof!
Thursday at 2.30pm and 3.15pm Take in stunning views by going on the roof of Temple Newsam House. A head for heights and ability to climb some steep steps required. Booking required. The tour will only go ahead in fine weather so call 0113 3367460 to book and confirm the tour is going ahead. Ages 7+ (children accompanied by an adult).
On the farm…
Visit the animals including pigs, sheep, cattle and ducks! There’s also a café, playgrounds and gardens to explore…
Visit the website leeds.gov.uk/templenewsamhouse or call 0113 3367460 for details of admission prices, access and events. Also on facebook and twitter.
Triathlon
On Friday, Years 3, 4 and 5 are taking part in a triathlon event at John Charles Centre of Sport. Here is a reminder of what the children will need: PE kit, trainers, swimming kit, towel, packed lunch and water bottle.
Games Night and Ladies Night
A reminder that the PTA are holding a games night for all pupils in Years 1-6, on Friday 08 June. Entry cost is £2 per child and they will have a drink and hot dog on arrival. If you’d like your child to attend, please tell the office.
On the same night, there will also be an event for the ladies. There will be games, prizes, a candle pool, nibbles and a glass of bubbly, all for £3 entry. Again, if you’d like to attend, please inform the office.
Your views matter!
At St James’ CE Primary, we’re always keen to hear your views. Most parents and carers are happy to let us know at any point if something’s gone wrong – and even sometimes when things have gone well! However, it’s always useful to collect your views on some standard questions – the same questions that Ofsted use during inspections.
We ask that you visit the survey site and respond to a series of statements – either agree / agree strongly or disagree / disagree strongly (or say that you don’t know). The statements include:
- My child is happy at school.
- My child feels safe at this school.
- My child makes good progress at this school.
- My child is well looked after.
- My child is taught well.
There’s also the opportunity to add any comments you may have. The survey should take you about five minutes – maybe a bit longer if you add lots of comments. The survey is open until 11 June.
The results of the survey are used by school leaders, including the governing body, to shape what we do in the future – your views do matter.
As always, if you’ve any questions, comments of concerns, do let us know.
Skipping Festival
Well done to all our Year 3 and 4 children who took part in a skipping festival at Boston Spa School today. The whole class came 3rd place- a fantastic achievement!
Term-time absences
In the summer term, the number of parents / carers requesting term-time absence increases a little. We do not authorise term-time absence for holidays or other reasons that are avoidable. This follows our Attendance Policy which the Governing Body agree, and follows the recommendations from the Department for Education.
If a child has unauthorised absences, there is the likelihood that parents will be issued with a penalty notice from Leeds City Council.
The National Association of Headteachers has produced some guidance recently, extracts of which are shown here:
The Education (pupil registration) (England) (amendment) Regulations 2013, which came into force on 1 September 2013, made it clear that head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless ‘exceptional circumstances’ prevail.
The fundamental principles for defining ‘exceptional circumstances’ are that they are ‘rare, significant, unavoidable and short’.
Term times are for education. This is the priority. Children and families have 175 days off school to spend time together, including weekends and school holidays. Head teachers will rightly prioritise attendance. The default school policy should be that absences will not be granted during term time and will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.
If an event can be reasonably scheduled outside of term time then it would not be normal to authorise absence for such an event – holidays are therefore not considered ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Living and Learning- Healthy Minds
- 23 April I recognise emotions in myself and others. Being aware of different emotions – both positive and negative – is an important basis for good mental health.
- 30 April I show empathy. Talk to your child about empathy, both in real-life situations and also when discussing characters in a book, film or TV programme.
- 08 May I can describe ways to calm down. We all get worked up from time to time – how do different people calm down?
- 14 May I use calming down strategies. Calming down strategies might include any of the mindfulness techniques children have been taught or counting to ten, going for a walk, getting a glass of water – discuss what works for you and your child?
- 21 May I recognise mental health is important. We want our children to be happy and healthy!
This text is a great introduction to the topic of mental health for children.
This half-term's Christian value is...
…peace.
Every half-term, we focus on one of our six Christian values.
Peace is about positive harmony and healthy relationships between people. It involves spiritual as well as material security. Peace is a state of true wholeness, a state of well-being.
This value promotes harmony, stability and security within the school and local community.
Why did the Church Council choose this Christian value? ‘Because when Jesus was sent down there was peace.’ (Year 2 Church Council member)
In the Wetherby News
Once again, we’re featured in the Wetherby News this week – this time to show off our new hoodies. Manning Stainton bought them for us to use in Sport competitions. The children look fab!