Reception Class News

School Games Mark

Posted on Wednesday 19 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

At the end of each year, schools are invited to apply for their School Games Mark. The School Games Mark rewards schools for their commitment to and development of competition, school sport and physical education.

We are very proud to announce that our application has been verified and we have been awarded Gold award for the third year running.

In an attempt to engage as many children as possible in physical activity, we track children’s participation over the year.

68 children in KS2 and 52 children in KS1 and Reception have taken part in at least one after-school club since September. This is 57% of the total number of pupils.

81 children (68%) in KS2 have represented the school in a competition or participation event.

Children tell us they enjoy taking part in a variety of activitie:

  • ‘In scooter club, I had fun on my scooter.’
  • ‘I enjoyed Wake Up Shake Up club because I got to spend time with my friends and DANCE!’
  • ‘I liked basketball.  We learnt how to play the game, basketball skills and working as a team.’
  • ‘I enjoyed cricket because it helped me with my skills of bowling and batting.’
  • ‘I enjoyed the aqua festival.  Everyone took part and nobody was left out.  Everybody tried their best.’
  • ‘The Brownlee Triathlon was fun and got people involved who don’t especially like sport but they did it. It wasn’t competitive.’
  • ‘I enjoyed the Sportshall athletics competition because there were lots of events to choose from and do.’

Thank you to staff who have accompanied children to these events or run after-school clubs this year. Thank you also to Mrs Russell who provides excellent administration of our clubs and sporting events and competitions.

Thank you as well to all parents/carers who have helped with transport and supported at our events this year. Finally, thank you to all pupils who have tried out a new physical activity either at an after-school club or as part of a competition or participation event and to those children who have represented our school so well this year.

Yellow Yorkshire

Posted on Wednesday 12 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

Thank you for supporting our Yellow Yorkshire day to raise money for one of school charities, Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Our final total raised was £202.31 so thank you for all your donations.

We also had a visit from a representative from Yorkshire Air Ambulance to hear how the money we raise is spent by the charity.

School Saving Club

Posted on Sunday 09 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

The next School Saving Club paying in date is 13 July 2017 at 3.15-3.45pm.

If you’re unable to attend in person, please hand in any money to be deposited to the office in a sealed envelope addressed to Miss Hale.

This is the final paying in date for this year and dates for next year will be shared in September.

If your child would like to open account, please ask at the office.

Let’s Ride

Posted on Saturday 08 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

Local HSBC guided rides for Leeds are now available to be booked online. There are a variety of rides available at different locations and by searching using a postcode you can then filter the results according to distance, ride level and who they are suitable for.

Making a healthy change

Posted on Friday 07 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

As part of our SEAL theme of Changes, the SEAL statement next week is I can make a healthy change.

During the week, children will be encouraged to make a healthy change.  This could be physically or emotionally and may include:

  • being active after school rather than being on an electronic device
  • having water with a packed lunch rather than a sugary drink
  • having a water bottle at school every day
  • taking part in a Sports Leader session at lunchtime
  • bringing a piece of fruit for KS2 playtime and Year 3 swimming
  • dealing with a problem in a positive way
  • going to bed earlier

Another healthy change would be travelling to school in a sustainable way – walking, scooting and biking.

Children will also be completing the annual pupil health questionnaire for this week’s whole school homework and this should be returned to your child’s class teacher by Thursday 13 July.  Views and opinions from the questionnaire will enable us to consider future ‘healthy changes’.

Change4life, whose aim is ‘to motivate and support millions more people to make and sustain changes that will improve their health’, provides lots of ideas.

We look forward to hearing all about your healthy changes.

Change4Life 10 minute shake ups

Posted on Wednesday 05 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

The Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Up passports have recently been sent home in your child’s book bag.

There are lots of 10 Minute Shake Up games and activities, designed to keep children moving all summer long.

Their passport will take them on an adventure through six magical Disney stories, with weekly Shake Up activities and games inspired by some of their favourite Disney characters. Also included in the passports are stickers that children can use as a reward for doing the Shake Ups.

You can also sign up for Change4Life emails, filled with tips and offers to keep your kids active.

Yellow Yorkshire Day 07 July

Posted on Tuesday 04 July 2017 by Mrs Taylor

On Friday 07 July, we’re raising money for one of our school charities, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, by taking part in Yellow Yorkshire Day.

Children are encouraged to wear something yellow and bring a £1 donation.

A representative from Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be visiting school to talk about their important work in our county.

New school meal menu

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Mrs Taylor

The new school dinner menu, from our school meals provider, Catering Leeds, will be introduced in September and continues until February half term.

As well as on our website, the three week cyclical menu is also displayed on our dining room window for you to discuss with your child. Have a look for the weeks ahead to make your child aware of what the daily meals are.  If you would like a printed copy, please ask at the office.

School meals continue to be free for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. If your child is in Key Stage 2, please check for eligibility for free school meals. (It’s important to check for eligibility for younger children, too, because school receives additional funding for each child who is eligible for a free meal, even when they’re free in Reception and Year 1 and Year 2!)

If your child would like to start having school dinners, please inform the office. A combination of packed lunches and school dinners is also available.

Children are consulted on school meals through our regular School Council meetings.  Feedback may also be given by speaking to an adult in school or completing a suggestions/comments slip and posting it in their class SEAL box.

Thank you to parents who also raise questions and give feedback.  We can then ensure this is passed on to the kitchen staff.

Water safety advice

Posted on Wednesday 21 June 2017 by Mrs Taylor

Following from our Staying Safe themed week and in association with National Drowning Prevention Week, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has released the following water safety advice.

As the Summer months are approaching and with more good weather on the way, young and old alike should be aware of the dangers of open water.

An open water source may look like a good way to cool down on a hot day, but every year, in the UK, around 400 people die from drowning as a result of an accident in or around water.

Nationally, the emergency services respond to over 100,000 water-related rescues, and flood events every year.

Reservoirs may look tempting to take a swim in but they can be killers and we’d like to raise awareness of these risks amongst young people. Cold water shock can lead to hyperventilation, increased blood pressure, breathing difficulties and heart attacks plus water temperatures remain just as cold in summer as in winter.  Yorkshire Water have produced Cold Water Kills video to reinforce this message.

A summer safety message from the Royal National Life Saving Institute (RNLI), ‘Float to Live’, is a hard-hitting video, with advice on how to react should you become stricken in cold water.

Everyone who falls unexpectedly into cold water wants to follow the same instinct, to swim hard and to fight the cold water. But when people fight it, chances are, they lose. Cold water shock makes you gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water, which can quickly lead to drowning.

If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, the message is to float until the cold water shock has passed and you will be able to control your breathing and have a far better chance of staying alive.

Safety Advice for Dog Walkers

  • Avoid throwing sticks or balls near water for dogs – they will go after it if they think you want it back even if you’ve thrown it too far or into dangerous water
  • Never enter the water to try and save a dog – the dog usually manages to scramble out
  • Even dogs that like swimming can usually only swim for short bursts
  • Keep and eye of your dog and don’t let it enter the water if it’s older or tired
  • If your dog loves the water keep it on a lead and make sure you have control to prevent it jumping into hazardous or unsafe areas
  • Remember the wet riverbanks, steep edges or jagged rocks can make it hard for a dog to scramble out and be a slip risk for owners
  • Don’t lean into water and try and lift your dog out – you can topple in
  • Dogs can have cold water shock too
  • If your dog has struggled in the water it may have inhaled water and should see a vet as dogs can drown after the event if water has entered the lungs

What to do if someone falls into deep water

  • The first thing to do is call for help – straightaway. Call 999, ask for fire service and ambulance. The emergency services will need to know where you are. Accurate information can save precious minutes. If you have a smart phone and have location services or map tool enabled, this can help.
  • Don’t hang up – stay on the line but try and continue to help the person if appropriate.
  • Never ever enter the water to try and save someone. This usually ends up adding to the problem. If you go into the water you are likely to suffer from cold
  • Can the person help themselves? Shout to them ‘Swim to me’. The water can be disorientating. This can give them a focus.
  • Look around for any lifesaving equipment. Depending on where you are there might be lifebelts or throw bags – use them. If they are attached to a rope make sure you have secured or are holding the end of the rope so you can pull them in.
  • If there is no lifesaving equipment look at what else you can use. There may be something that can help them stay afloat – even an item such as a ball can help.
  • You could attempt to reach out to them. Clothes such as scarves can be used to try and reach or a long stick. If you do this lie on the ground so your entire body is safely on the edge and reach out with your arm. Don’t stand up or lean over the water– you may get pulled in.
  • Be mindful that if the water is cold the person may struggle to grasp an object or hold on when being pulled in.

Upcoming diving competition

Posted on Monday 19 June 2017 by Mrs Taylor

The Swim England Diving National Age Group Championships 2017 are taking place at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on 06 – 09 July 2017.  This is the largest national diving competition in England, with athletes battling for national honours across individual events on the 1m and 3m Springboards and the Platform, and as synchronised pairs from the 1m and 3m Springboard.

Tickets are available if you would like the opportunity to watch a National Diving Competition.

Maybe you might be inspired to give diving a go.