Author: Mr Roundtree

A message from Michelle Ackroyd, Moor Allerton Library, West Area Librarian:

Summer Reading Challenge 2014- win a visit from a fabulous author!

I am writing regarding this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Held in libraries across the country, every year we encourage children to continue reading over the summer and to try lots of new reading material. The challenge is designed to ensure children keep practising their reading skills and develop a life-long love of reading.

The Summer Reading Challenge can help to widen pupils’ reading repertoire and motivate them to read through the long summer holiday. Studies have shown that 80% of children taking part feel they are better readers as a result (Product Perceptions, 2003 and 2006).

How the Summer Reading Challenge works:

• Children sign up at their local library and receive a Mythical Maze poster.
• Children read six books of their choice collecting stickers and incentives along the way.
• Library staff will be on hand to advise and run family-friendly activities.
• Children who complete the challenge are presented with a certificate and medal.

This year, we’re offering children who join the opportunity to win a visit from a fabulous author/illustrator for their school – the highest number of school completers wins a visit!

We are currently offering assembly visits to local schools. I hope we can arrange a visit soon.

The following comes from Catering Leeds, who provide our school dinners:

The Government has announced that free lunches will be available from September for all children in Reception, Years 1 and 2. This is a fantastic opportunity for children, parents and schools. This development also means that Catering Leeds are recruiting catering staff across the city to fill Kitchen Assistant vacancies.

These posts are 10 hours per week, 11.30am – 1.30pm, Term Time Only.

We are looking for staff who are enthusiastic about good food and strong customer service; any catering experience is desirable but not essential.

Catering Leeds have set up a number of recruitment information sessions. These will be held every week at the Civic Hall in Leeds, starting on Tuesday 20th May, from 9am-4pm.

If you would like to book an appointment, or for more information please contact Helen Collins on: 0113 3782323, or [email protected] .

You will have heard in the news that the current government is introducing free school meals for younger children.  The following text is from Catering Leeds, who supply our school dinners:

Children are able to concentrate and learn better when they have eaten a healthy, balanced lunch – school meals can be the simple solution.

From September 2014, school meals for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are completely free! This will provide a saving to families of £430 per year for each child.

At Moortown Primary, there is a choice of three meals each day: a meat option, a meat-free option and a jacket potato option. Each meal includes a main course, vegetables and salad, pudding of the day or fruit or yoghurt and water.

Meals are freshly made every day using great quality produce:

• fresh vegetables and potatoes, locally when in season
• UK farm-assured chicken, beef and lamb
• free range eggs from East Yorkshire
• 100% salmon and white fish fillet from sustainable sources
• dolphin-friendly tuna
• UK cheddar

The menus are designed to provide healthy, balanced meals which will be enjoyed by children. They meet the Government guidelines for school meals. All medical and religious diets can be catered for.

View our current menu.

For more information, please speak to Paula or Nicky in the office.

There is a Sport and Active Lifestyles Fair taking place soon at Roundhay School.

This will be a great opportunity for your child to take part in sports taster sessions and watch sports demonstrations from local clubs.  You’ll be able to find out what sports clubs and physical activity opportunities are available in our area for all children, young people and adults.  Families are welcome and refreshments are available.

…and it’s free!

• Thursday 05 June 2014
• 5:30pm – 7:30pm

The Headteacher, Governing Body and Parents’ Group of Moortown Primary School would like to clarify what their joint position is on their requests for the development of the field at the rear of the school:

We would like a safe and secure area adjacent to the current school boundary that is appropriate for sports and outdoor activity of varying kinds. Ideally this would be for exclusive use of the school and not open to the public.

However, a further option would be that the area is available for the exclusive use of the school weekdays from 8 – 5pm including holidays (as required) to support our out of school activity programme (much of which would be open to all children within the area).

We do not specifically want a marked out pitch and we certainly do not want an open marked pitch in the middle of the park as this is not secure and still has the safeguarding implications that most of the objections to planning have already raised.

This position has been stated by various representatives of the school and the Parents’ Group at various meetings; it has not changed.