Author: Mrs Taylor

Leeds diving

Following a visit to school from Leeds Diving as part of their talent identification programme, a number of children were selected to take part in the next selection process.
We are proud to share that Sophie has been offered a place in the Mighty Minis diving group at Leeds Diving and she will be diving twice a week from January.
Good luck, Sophie!

Leeds Schools Sport Association Cross Country

A number of children have recently represented school and competed in the Leeds Schools Sport Association Cross Country races.

The date of the next race is Saturday 02 March 2024 at Woodhouse Grove.

In the meantime, have a look at our physical activity guide to see how to get involved in athletics.

Living and Learning: mental health

Mental health is our new theme in our Living and Learning lessons. We also had a linked reading fluency text to help to understand about mental health.

First of all, this video introduced emotions and feelings.

Next, we met Maz. Maz is visiting earth to discover more about humans.  Today, Maz wants to learn all about feelings.

We had lots we wanted to tell Maz about feelings…

Then, we heard about some characters and their stories. What feelings might they have? Who might need help with how they are feeling? Amir or Mia?

Talking about feelings and knowing where and how to seek help for yourself or others is very important.

Help at home: We’ve talked about how people’s faces and body language can help us to understand how others are feeling. Match the expression to the emotion. Maybe try some other emotions at home.

confused, sad, shocked, overjoyed, shy and furious

 

Numbots

So far in Year 2, we have awarded an amazing 82 certificates for children completing different levels as part of their Numbots journey.

Certificates are awarded on a weekly basis as well as a top 3 for the most progress made in earning coins.

Keep working hard at home. Just 10 minutes a day can really help with those addition and subtraction facts.

Cross country stars

*UPDATE* Four of our Year 3 runners have qualified for the Leeds School Games cross country final!

On Friday, twenty two Key Stage 2 children took part in the Leeds North East School Games Cross Country festival at Roundhay High School attended by 900 pupils.

We had a great start from our Year 3 runners with 4 children coming in the top 10! After that, we saw some excellent efforts from the rest of the children throughout the afternoon with great support and encouragement from the other pupils.

Well done to all the children who took part and represented the school. We are sure there will be some qualifiers for the next race, the Leeds final. Watch this space!

Thank you to the parents who came along to help and support at this event.

It was a brilliant event. The Team Moortown spirit was very strong.

If you’re child would like to take part in cross country, have a look at our physical activity guide for details of local running clubs and junior Park Runs.

Living and Learning: new school charity

Every year, we vote for a new school charity to support and this week is the start of the selection process.

Our new charity will replace our current school charity St Gemma’s Hospice. An amazing £1500 has been raised for this great, local cause.

Whole school homework this week is to consider the following shortlist of charities.

The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund

The main objective of the charity is to enhance the quality of care and support available to babies, young children and adult congenital cardiac patients, who are treated at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, based at Leeds General Infirmary. https://www.chsf.org.uk

Zarach

We receive referrals through our network of schools. We deliver a bed bundle for every child in the household that requires it; this includes a brand-new Bed, Mattress, Duvet, Pillow, Bed Sheets, Pyjamas and Hygiene Kit. We work with local partners to include Food Parcels and, if needed, a school uniform. We can also mediate between families and their support services, as well as making referrals. https://zarach.org/

Leeds Hospitals Charity

To further any charitable purpose or purposes relating to the general or any specific purposes of Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust or the purposes of the National Health Service. https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk

Simon on the Streets

Objectives are to: 1) prevent and relieve hardship and need and distress amongst those who are homeless and rootless by the provision of practical and emotional support, in particular but not exclusively to those who are sleeping rough or who are unwilling or unable to accept existing provision; 2) educate the public concerning the problems of social isolation and homelessness. https://simononthestreets.co.uk/

Trussell Trust

The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. www.trusselltrust.org

Mind (The National Association for Mental Health)

We provide information and support, campaign to improve policy and attitudes and, in partnership with independent local Minds, develop and provide local services. https://www.mind.org.uk/

The charities will be reviewed in class on Thursday 23 November. Each class will vote for one charity which will be brought to the Junior Leadership Team who will have the final vote on Friday 24 November.

Design and technology food: banana sandwich

This week, Year 2 have been using their food preparation skills to create their latest product, a banana sandwich.

This forms part of our Design and Technology food learning which involves following a recipe to create a product each term.

Here are some of the skills we used.

Peeling

Bridge hold (for cutting)

Claw grip (for cutting)

Spreading

Arranging toppings

Sprinkling

The comments from the children when they got to eat their product were very positive!

I can’t stop eating it!

I’ve never had this before but I like it.

It’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had.

I’m going to make this at home for all my family.

It was unbelievable!

I didn’t think I’d like the cream cheese but it’s amazing.

The cinnamon gave it a little bit of a spicy taste.


We always evaluated our product afterwards to see how it could be changed it next time.

Well done to all the children who worked safely and sensibly with Ms Canning. Next week, we will be using this learning to help with instruction  writing.

Help at home: your child has taken this recipe home. Can they demonstrate some of their food preparation skills by making this again at home.

Living and Learning: anti-bullying day and odd socks day

We kicked off anti-bullying day with our odd socks to celebrate that we are all unique and different.

First of all, we explored our school definition of bullying, created by our junior leaders, by looking at what some of the words meant.

What are the different types of bullying?

Our school definition helped us understand the different types of bullying – physical (hurting our body), emotional (hurting our feelings) or cyber bullying (online).

The story #Goldilocks looks at how we should treat everyone with respect whether it is in person or online.

How can you STOP bullying?

We used our weekly circle time to think about the role we all have to STOP bullying. Year 2 had some excellent suggestions.

Our main message is Start Telling Other People and to continue to do that until you are heard.

You can stop bullying by…

saying STOP to the bullies and if they don’t stop, tell an adult.

telling the bully to stop if you are a bystander.

being kind to people and not hurting them.

help the person being bullied and take them to an adult.

looking out for people and helping people solve problems.

telling an adult at home if it was online.

being resilient and saying STOP.

ignoring the bully, walk away and don’t say anything back to them.

What is the impact of bullying?

We used drama techniques to think about how someone being bullied might feel. By thought tracking the victim, we explored their different emotions. We also considered the role of bystanders and what they should do.

How can you get help?

Seeking help can be done in a number of different ways.

Who could you tell? (taken from our child friendly anti-bullying policy)

  • Safeguarding team – Mrs Weekes, Mr Wilks and Mrs Russell
  • Any other members of staff
  • A trusted adult
  • Someone in your family
  • Friends
  • Childline (0800 1111)
  • Write a worry slip and put it in your Living and Learning box or the whole school worry box (outside the school office)
  • Email stayingsafe@spherefederation.org

The children thought about who they would tell if they needed to Start Telling Other People.

Help at home: discuss our school definition of bullying with your child. Do they know the difference between falling out and bullying, and between a one-off situation and something that’s happened more than once?

Leeds Schools Sports Association Saturday morning cross country race

Key Stage 2 children are invited to compete in an upcoming cross country race as part of the Leeds Schools Athletics Association cross country programme of Saturday morning races. Children will compete against pupils from other Leeds schools.

The race will take place on Saturday 25th November at Wharfe Meadows Park, Farnley Lane, Otley, LS21 2RW from 10am.

Please note, parents/carers are responsible for taking and supervising their child/children at the event. There will be a parent representative at the event.

There are opportunities for Year 3 and 4 girls and boys (under 9) to race 900m and Year 5 and 6 girls and boys (under 11) to race 1500m. Once your child has completed their race, you are free to leave the event.

Please sign up by giving consent online or ask at the office if you would like further information about the race.