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Newsletter 7 Autumn Term: 3 November 2016
Dear Parents
Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn term. I hope that you had a lovely week with your children and families. I
can’t quite believe that we are now planning events for November, Advent and dare I say it…Christmas…but it will soon be
here and apparently there are only 51 days to go! We have a very busy half term planned, so please do look out for events on
the newsletter and on the school website calendar.
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
November is the month of remembrance, when we honor the memory of the ones that we loved, who have died. The
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commemoration of All Saints, on 1 November, and the Holy Souls on 2 November begins a month where the Church, in
communion with all the saints, prays for the dead. For those people who have been bereaved, this month in particular, may
mark some special time of remembrance. As a school community, we will remember those who have died and the little things
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that made that person special. On 11 November, we will also have a special service in school to remember all those who
have died in conflict and in wars. We were all created for heaven; to live in complete harmony and happiness with God and
each other – forever! For almost 200 years, we as Christians have been joyfully celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and his return to
heaven. Jesus’ resurrection assures us that he is close to us now, that heaven exists and that everlasting happiness in the life
to come with God and each other can be our hope too. Pope Francis said, “We believe that there is another life because we
have already begun to feel it here.” @pontifex
POPPY APPEAL
On behalf of the Royal British Legion we are currently selling poppies and other Poppy Appeal items in school. If children wish
to buy a poppy they may bring a silver coin donation to school. Suggested donation for Poppy Appeal items such as wrist
bands and friendship bracelets is £1.00.
BIG SING, LITURGY THING!
At the end of last half term, the children in Year 6 took part in a special religious retreat day at Becket’s called The ‘Big Sing,
Liturgy Thing’. They joined the Year 6 children from all the other BKCAT schools for an amazing day. The Big Sing was led by Jo
Boyce who is the inspiration behind alot of the music we use in school. The children experienced singing with a live band and
musicians with a full, professional sound and light show. The day was truly wonderful and ending with a spiritually uplifting
collective worship. It is hoped that this will become an annual event, so that other children are able to experience this.
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PARENTS EVENINGS – MONDAY 7 AND TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER
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Parents’ Evening appointments take place next week on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 November from 3.30pm – 6.00pm. As
usual, we will be asking parents to complete our survey during the course of the evening, as we are always interested in your
feedback and looking for ways to improve. I will be available throughout both evenings, should any parents wish to speak to
me.
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CHILDREN IN NEED – FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER
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This year’s Children in Need appeal takes place on Friday 18 November and as usual we would like to support this cause by
inviting the children to wear Non Uniform clothing, in return for donating £1.00. We would also like to hold a bun sale at
break time, and therefore would like to ask for your support in donating buns and cakes; please send these into school on
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Friday 18 November. Other activities will be planned by the Mini Vinnies to take place during the school day, so please allow
children to bring loose change to school with them on this day. Many thanks for your continued support of our fundraising.
‘MORE THAN DANCE’ ASSEMBLY
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‘More Than Dance’ will be visiting school on Friday 23 November to work with children from Year 1 to Year 6 to teach
liturgical dances which they will present in an assembly at 2.45pm. Parents are very welcome to attend the assembly to see
the work that the children have accomplished.
PICTURE IT
Thank you for the entries already received. All photographs should be emailed to the school email address:
[email protected]. There will be prizes for the best individual or class entries.
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Closing date: Wednesday 2 November.
FAMILY MATHS LEARNING
Family Maths will not take place over the next few weeks due to insufficient numbers. Please look out for
information on future courses.
PTA DISCOS
Next Thursday, the PTA will be holding the first of this year’s fundraising events. The KS1 Disco will take place
between 3.30pm – 4.45pm and the KS2 Disco will follow, from 5.00pm – 6:30pm. Tickets cost £2.50, which
include a drink and a hot dog, and are available from the school office. As usual, there will also be glow sticks
for sale, as well as the lucky dip and a sweet stall, with prices ranging from 50p - £1. Get your dancing shoes on
children!
WHOLE SCHOOL VISIT TO THE PANTOMIME, AT WAKEFIELD THEATRE ROYAL
There is now less than 6 weeks to go, until we take the whole school to Wakefield’s Theatre Royal, to see the
pantomime – Sleeping Beauty. This week, you will have received a letter, regarding your remaining balance for
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the trip, which needs to be paid by Monday 5 December. As usual, if you have any questions regarding the
payments, then please contact Mrs Lloyd, in the school office.
We will travel by coach to the Theatre Royal and will watch the matinee performance, starting at 1:30pm. (On
this day, we will have an early lunch.) We will estimate to arrive back at school for 5pm but this will be
confirmed closer to the date. As I’m sure you’ll agree, this will be a truly magical experience for all the children.
KEY DIARY DATES THIS HALF TERM
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W/C 7 November
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Monday 7 & Tuesday 8 November
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Thursday 10 November
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W/C 14 November
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Tuesday 15 November
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W/C 21 November
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Wednesday 23 November
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Thursday 24 November
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Monday 28 November
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Monday 5 December
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Thursday 8 December
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Friday 9 December
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Monday 12 December
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Monday 12 December
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Tuesday 13 December
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Wednesday 14 December
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Thursday 15 December
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Thursday 15 December
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Friday 16 December
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Friday 16 December
‘One World’ – Diversity Week
Parents Evening Appointments
PTA Discos: KS1 3.30pm – 4.45pm; KS2 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Anti-Bullying Week
Year 1 & Year 2 visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Keeping Myself Safe Week
More Than Dance Workshops and Assembly at 2.45pm
Year 3 & Year 4 visit to Jorvik Museum, York
Year 1 and Year 2 Advent Praise Assembly, 2.45pm
Year 5 and Year 6 Advent Praise Assembly, 2.45pm
PTA Christmas Fayre, 3.30pm onwards
Early Years & KS1 Nativity Performances, 9.30am and 2.30pm
Year 3 and Year 4 Advent Praise Assembly, 9.30am
Whole School Visit to Pantomime at Wakefield Theatre Royal
PTA Christmas Movie Night
Christmas Dinner & Christmas Jumper Day
Whole School End of Term Mass, 9.30am in Church
Christmas Parties (arrangements tbc)
Carol Service, 9.30am led by KS2 children
School Breaks Up for Christmas Holiday, 2.00pm
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SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR WEEK ENDING 21 OCTOBER 2016
RECEPTION
95.83%
YEAR 1
94.17%
YEAR 2
92.67%
YEAR 3
100%
YEAR 4
90.73%
YEAR 5
98.86%
Overall School Attendance = 95.25%, 4 children were late for school. Well done to Year 3
YEAR 6
96.00%
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2016 - 2017
Autumn Term 2016
School Opens
School Closes
School Opens
School Closes
Spring Term 2017
School Opens
School Closed
School Closes
School Opens
School Closes
Summer Term 2017
School Opens
School Closed
School Closes
School Opens
School Closes
INSET DAYS
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Monday 5 September 2016
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Friday 21 October 2016
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Friday 13 January 2017
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Thursday 13 April 2017
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Friday 28 April 2017
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Tuesday 6 September
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Thursday 20 October
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Monday 31 October
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Friday 16 December
Half Term
Christmas Holidays
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Tuesday 3 January
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Friday 13 January
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Friday 10 February
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Monday 20 February
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Wednesday 12 April
Inset Day
Half term
Easter
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Monday 24 April
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Monday 1 May
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Friday 26 May
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Monday 12 June
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Wednesday 26 July
May Day
Spring Bank Holiday
Summer Break