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07 September 2012

This week’s spellings are looking at regular verb endings.  There are 15 spellings this week because they are regular words that the children are familiar with.

Community news

You may be interested in two items of news from our local community…

From a parent, Mrs Vickerman:

A new, weekend WI Group is setting up and looking for new members – would you be interested in joining?

At each meeting we will be offering a different creative workshop covering a wide range of crafts – from baking to needlecrafts to art… the list could be endless!  So, if you’re interested in gaining the opportunity to try your hand at new skills in a relaxed and friendly environment, whilst also looking for ways to contribute to our wider community, then this group is for you.

If you’d like to join in, we’re holding a Meet, Greet and Find Out More Meeting – Saturday 22nd September, St Johns Church Hall. This will be a drop in session open from 11.30am – 2.30pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and have tea, coffee and cake whilst trying your hand at a craft class on the day.

For further information contact:  Debbie – 0797 061 7937

And from Wm Dodgson & Son, a local business who have been long-term supporters of Moortown Primary:

Charity initiative: put any used football boots to good use!

New term…new footie boots?

The local funeral directors, Wm Dodgson & Son, are collecting used football boots to send to children and young adults in Ghana, West Africa.  Many children there don’t have football boots and play on rough ground in bare feet – Wm Dodgson & Son will act as a drop-off point for you if you want to donate used boots and clean socks.  These will then be taken back to Africa to give directly to children, who are aware of this and are excited at the prospect.

You can either drop them off directly at Wm Dodgson & Son, 384 Harrogate Road, or you can drop them off with uis at Moortown Primary and we’ll take them round the corner.

07 September 2012

The homework this week is creative and is due in on Wednesday 12 September.

I can show something interesting about myself.

We will be spending the next two weeks learning about ‘Ourselves’. I thought it would be a good idea for the children to start the topic creatively and show something interesting or special about themselves.

Here are some ideas that we came up with as a class when we talked about the homework:

• A poster
• Draw a picture
• A list of family members/toys etc
• A photograph

I look forward to seeing your creations on Wednesday.

Hello and welcome back

It’s great to see you and your children again after our summer break.  Our staff enjoyed various breaks and all have worked really hard to prepare classes and teaching ready for the Autumn term.  We all hope you and your family also enjoyed the breaks, whether travelling to distant lands or simply enjoying time with family and friends (perhaps enjoying Eid celebrations).

Thank you…

…to all the children who so far have sent us a postcard (and to mums and dads who have encouraged this!).  We’ve received cards from sights in Yorkshire (Magna Centre, Leeds Town Hall, Castle Howard…), UK sights (the Lake District, Bath, Holkham Beach…) and more far-flung places (Egypt, USA, Portugal…).  It’s not too late to send us one or bring a postcard into the office for us.  Soon, we’ll put the postcards into a hat and choose some lucky winners – and all the cards will go on display, too.

New faces

Sadly, we said goodbye to a few people over the summer.  However, we’re happy to say hello to new faces – in fact, there’s one new person in every class, so hello to Abi, Jorja, Lennox, Luca, Brannoc and Mehak, from Y1 to Y6 respectively.  Of course, there will be thirty more new faces as our new Reception class start to arrive from Monday 17 September.  This takes our numbers on roll to 204 with the likelihood of at least one more pupil joining us shortly – our highest number at least since I started at Moortown Primary.

Staff

Most of you will know that Mr Owen is on extended leave – he’ll return to take over the teaching of Y5 just before the October holiday.  This will allow Mrs Weekes to return to Y1 to class share with Mrs Maver.  We said goodbye to Mrs Jack at the end of last term (she has joined a local school as Y5 teacher), but welcomed back Mrs Taylor from maternity leave (she will continue in her role of Health Leader and cover teacher).

In the Spring and Summer terms, I was working in another Leeds school for one day each week as a ‘Local Leader in Education’ – someone who supports other headteachers.  This term, I’ll continue to work in this role, supporting an existing school and supporting a new Leeds headteacher, but I don’t expect to be out of school quite so much.  I’ll also be continuing to work with some Year 6 children on Thursday afternoons teaching Tough Stuff Maths and (new this year) Tough Stuff Reading (we’ve just started to read ‘Animal Farm’).

Uniform

There are aspects of our Uniform Policy which we can’t absolutely enforce, but the governors and I hope we have your cooperation – sticking to this policy helps to make sure all our children are smart and feel part of the school community by not looking ‘different’; it also helps to make sure our children focus on being happy and healthy learners without distractions.

Once again: it’s great to see you all again.

Goodbye, Year 3!

Well, time flies when you’re having fun!

I’ve had a fantastic time teaching Year 3 this year and will definitely miss you all next year (even though you’ll only be next door!). Your enthusiasm for learning and boundless energy has made teaching you an absolute pleasure. There have been so many highlights from the past year. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Madison’s marvellous performance in the Lion King. She had learned all her lines in one weekend: a true professional!
• Umar and Harvey’s excellent progress in all subjects but especially in maths.
• Zakir’s absolute enthusiasm for learning and the great progress he has made this year.
• Some incredible writing by Ruqayyah which wowed the school when read out at Friday’s celebration assembly.
• Holly covered in stick insects – but staying calm – when the Animal Intuition lady came into school.
• All the children’s amazing reactions when the chicks started hatching and their faces when they held them for the first time.
• Sarina’s election as school councillor and her articulate feedback to the class after meetings. She always uses adding connectives after each point!
• Josh’s performance during football club – taking on children three years older than him.
• The brilliant teamwork showed by all the groups in the recent treasure hunt at Roundhay Park.
• Last but not least, Finn’s blood-curdling “Arrrrrrgghh!”

Thank you to Mrs Sherriff and Mrs Edwards for all their hard work. They have been fantastic and will be missed next year as well. Finally, thank you parents, for your continued support over the year.

A final message from Mrs Hazell

Dear Year 6 and parents,

Wow! What a year!

As the school year draws to a close, it’s always a good time to look back at the many and varied achievements that have taken place…and there have been quite a few!

Where to begin?

I want to say a huge well done to everyone for their attitude to learning. Jatinder’s, Sean’s, Matthew’s, and Valerie’s reading and maths has improved dramatically. Adam, too, has improved due to a huge effort and determination on his part. Bronwen, Kai, Lauren, Robert, Akash, Keighley and Anna have impressed everyone with their determination to extend their learning and push themselves in their Tough Stuff Maths.

I have been pleased with how the class respond to their targets and want to make progress with their learning.  Charlotte, Zach, Vikram and Cyd are especially impressive at this, always asking questions about how to improve and thinking hard about how to be the best they can. Great stuff!

This Year 6 have become excellent and creative writers. Omar, Angel and George FP have entertained me no end all year with their quirky and imaginative writing styles. I’m sure there’s a budding author here somewhere!

The class is full of characters who keep everyone positive with their sense of humour and great outlook on life: Aleena, Hasan, Shoaib and particularly Abdul – thanks! You have contributed massively with your laughs and smiles.

I also want to say a huge well done to Rene and Izzy who are very talented artists. You have been great role models to the rest of the children in Art and have helped everyone produce high quality work.

For a successful team you need many different components. Kiran, Amy, Bradley, Aqsa and Ajay: thanks and well done. The way you approach your work with quiet tenacity and give everything such effort is commendable and inspiring to others.

Grease was amazing. I think the singing and dancing was the best I’ve seen from a group of ten and eleven year olds in my whole career [message from Mr Roundtree: “And that’s a very long time indeed!”] and I think we may have uncovered a new star in George C. Keep on rockin’ and a rollin’, George!

You guys are a very special, talented and memorable bunch of children who, as a group and as individuals, have risen to every challenge they have been set in a calm, determined and positive manner. You have been fantastic fun to teach. I have laughed…lots!

Thanks!

Mrs Hazell

Roundhay Park Treasure Hunt

Here are a few pictures from our recent treasure hunt at Roundhay Park. Sorry there aren’t many; it was a very busy day!

Pirate War Dance

In PE lessons, we’ve been learning some traditional dances and then creating our own versions. This video is our take on a traditional Maori Haka. We’ve rebranded it as a pirate war dance and this group has added a few new moves…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgaLGpqMJU&feature=youtu.be

Goodbye Year 1!

Where has this year gone?  It has been an amazing year and each and every child has flourished, matured and made our year a very successful one.  There have been many highlights including Emre coming to school as Bob Dylan and Malique thinking that I was alive in 1935!  The class has many characters, all with different strengths, but they are one of the most co-operative classes that Mrs Maver or I have ever taught.

There have been so many successes I could sit here all night listing them; here are a few:

• Sarah has become so independent
• Mia has become a whizz at maths and is so much more confident
• Dominic has matured and has made amazing progress in his writing
• Haider is much more sure of himself
• Luke has shown brilliant positive behaviour

A big thank you to Mrs Strange and Mrs Maqbool who have supported the children all year in their learning and a big thank you to you, the parents / carers, for your ongoing support – it makes our lives much easier.

We look forward to seeing all the children in Year 2.  They can’t get away from us as we will be popping in next door to make sure they are showing Miss Hewson their best!  Well done Year 1 – have a great summer!

Messy Modroc!

We finished our Seaside topic in style with a very messy week and lots of fun.  The children have become experts in using modroc so if you ever break a bone they may be able to help you (watch out, Frankie’s mum and dad, as it was a bit soggy!).  The shapes of the sea creatures were made with newspaper and masking tape; these were then covered with modroc and water which then set very quickly.  A few days later the models were painted and now we have some very interesting sea creatures.