It’s the Easter holidays…
…so we have no set homework or spellings, in line with our Homework Policy.
That doesn’t mean we expect your child not to be developing their skills in reading, writing and maths!
Your child should be reading daily – this could be fiction, factual books, a comic or newspaper, and could include being read to at bedtime, too.
It would be good to practise basic skills in writing by writing a letter or email to a relative, perhaps recounting a day-trip or reviewing a film your child watched.
We’re finding quite a few children are ‘squashing their sentences’ such as I went to Leeds City Museum it was really interesting which is wrong. It would be much better with punctuation to separate or a word to join:
- I went to Leeds City Museum. It was really interesting. (A comma isn’t strong enough to separate two sentences.)
- I went to Leeds City Museum – it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum; it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum and it was really interesting.
- I went to Leeds City Museum which was really interesting.
Finally, to improve calculation skills, please keep practising mental number facts which your child must know:
- number bonds (two numbers which add up to 10, 20 and 100 eg 3+7, 13+7, 30+70) – these facts should be known by children in Y1 – Y2
- times tables (up to 12×12) and the division facts with your child – children in Y2 should have rapid recall of x2, x 5 and x 10 at least
We know we mention these ‘basics’ a lot, but that’s because they involve practice, practice and more practice – we practise a lot at school, but your child will need to practise at home, too, if they are to truly succeed.
Learn more about current expectations for reading, writing and maths. However, do be aware that a new National Curriculum comes into effect from September, meaning these expectations have been raised and so many aspects of learning now feature in younger age groups.
Come and try new sports
As part of a local sporting partnership, Roundhay School are organising two free ‘come and try’ sports sessions that your child (KS2) is invited to attend. Please note that no member of staff from Moortown Primary will be attending these sessions. It will be the responsibility of parents to take and collect their child to and from Roundhay School at the specified times. You’re welcome to stay and watch.
Trampolining
This taster session will allow your child to experience the sport of trampolining as a recreational activity. Your child must wear suitable sports clothing, tracksuit trousers and socks. This will be held in the Gym at Roundhay School on Monday 10 Feburary 2014 from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.
Basketball
This will a very informal session and a chance for your child to play some matches in a friendly environment and receive coaching from Carnegie Basketball. This will be held in the Sports Hall at Roundhay School on Tuesday 25 February 2014 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Please note that places on these two sessions are limited so please register your interest as soon as possible with the school office.
After school-club availability Spring term
We have the following spaces available on the upcoming after-school clubs:
Monday
- Shuffles KS2 FREE 8 places available
- Art KS1 £20 Full
Tuesday
- Sports multi-fit KS1 FREE 3 places available
- Dance and Drama KS2 FREE 5 places available
Wednesday
- Cookery KS1 £20 Full
- Dodgeball KS2 FREE Full
Thursday
- French KS1 £20 10 places available
- Scratch Code Club £20 Full
Friday
- TSC football places available
To book your child a place on one of these clubs, please complete the booking form and return to the office by Thursday 09 January 2014.
To book your child onto the TSC Football club, visit TSC direct and follow their booking process.
The TSC Football club starts on 24 January. All other clubs start week commencing 13 January 2014.
Free one day cookery course for children age 10-13
Get Cooking! are running a free one day cooking course in the February half term week for children aged 10-13. Spaces are limited to 8.
Tuck shop pre-payment
Here is a reminder for our regular customers at tuck shop and for any children who would like to start pre-paying for their fruit.
Please return the recent letter with your money to ensure that you continue to get your weekly fruit at the tuckshop.
The cost for one portion of fruit or veg from 14 January to 01 April 2014 inclusive (11 weeks) is £2.20 and the cost for two portions is £4.40.
Thank you for your support with our tuck shop – 63 customers today!
13 December 2013
This week’s homework is creative.
I can respond, creatively, to a piece of art.
Each child has one of three pieces of art in their homework book that have been the focus of three art afternoons this week. We would like them to respond to this art in any way they choose but make it creative.
Here are some ideas to start you off:
- Create your own version of the artwork eg create your own triptych, landscape scene or portrait.
- Write a description.
- Write a story thinking about what might happen in your piece of art, or who it is of.
- Tell us what you think about it.
- Think about whether you can do any maths, writing or reading connected to it.
STOP!
Today is anti-bullying day, part of national anti-bullying week. Several of our classes have taken part in anti-bullying dance workshops led by Melissa from Flex Dance Inc. All the artists of the songs used in the whole school performances have been victims of bullying in their lives. Well done to all the children involved who learned their routines in such a short time and produced very confident performances.
Last week at our latest School Council meeting, all school councillors agreed to keep our current definition of bullying:
Bullying is when you hurt someone, physically or emotionally, more than once and on purpose.
Alongside this definition we have used the following prompts for the children to remember:
- Several
- Times
- On
- Purpose
- Start
- Telling
- Other
- People
Advice about bullying is available on a number of websites. These include Kidscape, Childline, anti-bullying alliance, BBC and ThinkUKnow. Talk Time homework this week will give you chance to discuss this important topic with your child/children.
Our children tell us they would speak to an adult in school, family or friends if they were to experience bullying or if they saw bullying.
‘I feel safe because school would deal with bullying.’
‘I feel safe at school as there are always teachers there if you ever have any problems.’
‘I feel safe at school because everyone around me looks after me.’
Pupil health questionnaire 2013
If you do have any concerns about bullying, please speak to a member of staff.
Taking over
This Friday, it’s the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Day. The day gives children and young people the chance to work with adults for the day and be involved in decision-making. Children benefit from the opportunity to experience the world of work and make their voices heard, while adults and organisations gain a fresh perspective on what they do. It’s hoped this will help break down barriers between generations and encourage children’s active involvement in their communities.
As part of Takeover Day, I’ll be having a meeting with a Governor, Mrs Greenhalgh, and Mrs O’Malley, the School Resources Manager, and joining us will be some Year 5 pupils – we’ll be reviewing the school finances, checking that our spending is on-track! After that, some younger pupils will join me for a ‘learning walk’, one of the ways I use to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in school. Some pupils will take over the certificate assembly, too. In each class, there will be takeover activities – pupils might lead a spelling test or teach the first part of a lesson, for example.
Around Leeds, lots of organisations invite pupils in to takeover in some way. Lest week, four Year 6 pupils visited NHS Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group. Here are extracts from their thank you letters:
We came to Leafield House so we could learn new things and find out about the different jobs which people have. I especially enjoyed learning where the money is distributed to and how you deal with it. I never knew that North Leeds were responsible for £240 million!
The first thing that we did was have a ‘Grand Tour’ of the building. I’ve learned a lot of things about the NHS like there are 55 people in Leafield House and the UK has £600,000,000 to spend. I have learned lots and lots more as well… When we were in the meeting, I was really nervous because there were so many adults! We discussed the best ways to help those who need help from the NHS.
All the members of staff were very kind and helpful. Thank you very much for my visit. It was a real privilege to spend the day with all of you.
We visited the NHS because we are interested in health, medication and people’s needs.
I found the information you provided us (about the different jobs) particularly useful as I am having thoughts about being a doctor as my career when I’m older.
I learnt that it is hard work being an employee at the NHS building (especially when it comes to managing money) and you have to be qualified for the job. I also learnt all about the executive chief (Nigel Gray) and how he came to the job of managing!
I don’t think you could have done anything different as everyone was very friendly, smart and sometimes you tried to make us giggle – and it worked!
To summarise, our visit was great and fun! Again my deepest thanks to you and everyone in the NHS – thank you!
Thank you very much for the remarkable time we had at NHS. I really appreciated it! We came to learn new things and improve our knowledge about the different jobs people have and where the money from the government is distributed (I think I have achieved that with the help of you guys)!
My favourite thing that we did was Dragons Den because we got to intimidate people and think of different business ideas. Thankfully, we got a tour of the whole building and got to ask as many questions as we liked. After that, we looked at the posters and put down as many ideas as we could about how to make children be heard. You and your team have helped me when speaking out to people I don’t know more confidently.
I also learnt about how you can project your voice in the Boardroom. To be honest I can’t think of anything you could have improved… It was brilliant!
Thank you very much for inviting us to the NHS. I really appreciate it. The reason we came to the NHS was so we could learn lots of new things.
I loved going round all the rooms and finding out about all the different jobs people have. I loved learning about how the money is shared into lots of different NHS services and I think my favourite bit was Dragons Den because I love making decision. I also enjoyed working with adults about characters with problems. I don’t think you could have done anything better it was all perfect.
Thank you very much for all your kindness. All the staff were really nice and welcomed us very well. Thank them for that too.
Roundhay Juniors Park Run
Roundhay Juniors Park Run – Weekly Free 2km Timed Run for Juniors
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/roundhay-juniors/
It is only for juniors – if you’re not a junior, how about trying one of the weekly Saturday parkrun events?
What is Roundhay Juniors parkrun?
It is a 2km run for juniors only (4-14 year olds). If you are not a junior please try one of our weekly Saturday parkrun events instead.
When is it?
It is run every Sunday at 9:00am.
Where is it?
It’s run in Roundhay Park, Leeds. See Course page for more details.
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/roundhay-juniors/course/
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing – it’s free! Please register before your first run http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder).
How fast do I have to be?
We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace! We’re friendly! Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in a local café – please come and join us!
It’s half-term…
…so no specific homework, spellings or tables this week. It’s a good time to relax and enjoy some time with your children – have you visited the free exhibition of Anthony Browne pictures at Leeds City Museum, for example?