News

New beginnings

“On my first day I felt excited and now I still feel the same happiness,” is one of the quotes from our new children talking about their new beginning at Moortown Primary School.

Is your child getting enough sleep?

Growing evidence suggests our children are losing out on sleep – with significant side-effects.

There is growing evidence that today’s children — particularly pre-teens and teenagers — are sleeping less than previous generations. A recent survey of 4,000 parents revealed that the average bedtime for a 10-year-old was 10.30pm, rising to midnight for a 15-year-old; 74 per cent of their parents thought that seven hours a night was enough.  However, a quick search on the internet reveals most sleep experts recommend primary children should be sleeping 10-11 hours each night.

Even a modest lack of sleep among children has been shown to have startling effects: in a study of children aged 10 and 12, those told to sleep on average 41 minutes less than usual for several nights were then tested for memory, reaction times and attention. They were found to be the equivalent of two years behind their classmates, who got 35 minutes more sleep a night than usual. A study of 3,000 US teenagers showed that those getting school marks between C and F were going to bed 40 minutes later than the students with As and Bs, and were also reporting more depressive moods.

Research shows that the number one culprit for this is technology before sleep. Televisions, games consoles, mobiles etc are too much of a temptation for many. This has the twin effects of pushing bedtime later and stimulating the brain at a time when it should be winding down. The bright light from the screen can also stop the body producing the hormone melatonin, which prepares us for sleep.

Below, sleep experts at Millpond Sleep Clinic set out some useful tips…

Bedtime: the six golden rules

1 Observe the one hour wind-down period, just as we did when they were toddlers. No homework within an hour of sleep; the best time is either after school or straight after dinner.

2 Limit screens: all screens off 30-60 minutes before sleep, and ideally devices should be on the landing a minimum of 30 minutes before sleep. Don’t be deceived if teenagers say their brains have evolved to ignore the phone in their room. “Anything in the bedroom will disturb you — people sleeping together always have poorer quality sleep than if they had slept alone and if we haven’t evolved to get used to that then it’s unlikely that we would have evolved to sleep with our smartphones,” Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, says.

3 Don’t go to bed hungry, but don’t eat a full meal within an hour of bed, either, as the digestive process delays sleep. Foods containing the amino acid tryptophan (bananas, chicken/turkey, wholegrain cereals and milk) are often cited as a sleep aid although many scientists say there is little evidence for their efficacy. “Whether tryptophan works or not, a glass of milk and toast or an oat biscuit with a banana an hour before bed is a healthy snack, so you won’t lose anything,” Mandy Gurney says. Avoid foods with refined sugar and caffeine.

4 Don’t begin in-depth conversations about life, exams and the universe in the last hour before bed, as social interaction is the most potent brain stimulation that exists.

5 Stop exercising three hours before sleep. Body temperature begins falling around the onset of sleep, but exercise keeps it high and delays sleep. “Exercise keeps your body temperature high and it’s also a stressor for the body, which keeps you awake,” Idzikowski says.

6 Keep the same bedtime rituals; the body knows what to expect and relaxes. A hot bath followed by quiet reading is the best way to ready the body. Rooms should be cool, quiet and dark. “A regularity of routine is amazingly useful,” Idzikowski says.

Recycle at Moortown

You can now recycle small waste electrical and electronic equipment at Moortown – there’s a recycling unit in the front area of school.

The significance of this new initiative was highlighted in a recent survey carried out on behalf of Recycle Now.  It revealed a staggering 94% of people have broken electrical appliances simply gathering dust somewhere around the house. Only one third of us recycle electrical appliances and a further 10 per cent put redundant / unused electrical appliances straight in the bin. People under 35 are 50% less likely to have recycled at least one small electrical item than those over 35.

The types of electrical items that can be collected through the new scheme include:

• battery operated and electrical toys
• remote controls
• CD players and radios
• hairdryers and hair straighteners
• shavers
• clocks and watches
• small electric fans
• computer keyboards and internet boxes
• small kitchen appliances like toasters, kettles and irons
• DIY and garden electrical tools
• DVD players
• video cameras
• electrical cables
• phones
• electric toothbrushes

Please note, we can’t accept older style (CRT) TV and computer monitors, microwave ovens, car batteries or items used in businesses.

To get the scheme off to the best possible start, Leeds has introduced a scheme to recognize the three best performing schools each term who achieve the highest collection weights.  These schools will receive cash prizes of £500, £300 and £200, ring-fenced for spending on environmental improvements in school.

And, if we fill the free-cycling bank by the October half term, we’ll receive a reward of £50 to spend on environmental improvements in school.

PE links with Allerton Grange

We work closely with Allerton Grange to arrange PE activities for each class. 

Throughout the year, Year 1 to Year 6 will be taking part in sessions led by the Sports and Dance leaders at Allerton Grange.

The visits take place during the school day and teachers will inform their class nearer to the time.

Breakfast, lunch and water to fuel your brain

This week we’ve found out how a healthy, balanced diet and good hydration provides us with the energy our brain needs to function throughout the day.

Nutritionists believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but what children eat can be just as crucial.   Breakfast cereals and foods rich in whole grains, fibre and protein and low in added sugar may boost attention span, concentration and memory and prevent children having a mid morning energy drop. http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eating/breakfast.html

Fruit at playtime, provided free for Reception and Key Stage 1 and the only snack allowed at Key Stage 2 playtime, can provide an energy boost for the rest of the morning.  Remember the weekly fruit tuckshop on Tuesdays is available to Key Stage 2 costing 20p per item.

A healthy, balanced lunch is also crucial to refuel the brain for the afternoon’s learning and this week children, who bring a packed lunch to school, have been given a copy of our Guide for Healthy Packed Lunches (https://www.moortown.leeds.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/packed-lunch-guidance.pdf).  The guide was launched in September 2010 but may not have been seen by children new to the school or children who may have previously had school dinners.

The importance of hydration for the brain, to maximise learning, has been another focus of our Brain Box week.  Children need to have a water bottle to keep in their classroom to allow regular water breaks throughout the day.  This should be taken home weekly to be cleaned.  Water is also provided at lunchtime for packed lunches and school dinners.

As well as regular exercise and opportunities for relaxation these factors all contribute to a healthy brain!

Better brains with more sleep

‘Your brain needs lots of sleep to repair itself and to organise and sort everything you have learnt’… One of the messages in the Good-night guide for children, published by The Sleep Council, sent home today, at the end of Brain Box week.

Research carried out by The Sleep Council revealed that lack of sleep among primary school children was having a devastating effect in schools with nine out of 10 teachers (92%) complaining that pupils were so tired they were unable to pay attention in class.  More than a third (38%) said lack of sleep among youngsters is a daily problem for them.

This week, classes have been looking at The Sleep Council’s Better Brains with More Sleep initiative where children are encouraged to learn tips on getting their full sleep quota and the factors that can affect it.

Our Big Topics begin...

We’ve had a busy few weeks with mini-topics and our themed week but our Big Topics will begin next week!

Our topics for this school year are:

Year 1 and 2

• Roll up! Roll up! Learning about the origins of the circus and how they have changed over time
• Treasure A new topic for 2012-2013, ‘Treasure’ will include lots of map-reading and adventure
• Ee Ie Ee Ie O! Learning about different types of farms and animals

Year 3 and 4

• All aboard! Learning about transport through the ages
• To infinity and beyond! A popular topic delving deep into space
• Food, glorious food! Another new topic for 2012-2013, ‘Food, glorious food’ will look at popular food in different cultures

Year 5 and 6

• Rich and poor Thinking about differences in lifestyle between rich and poor over time
• Theme parks Another new topic for this school year, ‘Theme parks’ is a roller-coaster ride which links all the key literacy learning the children have done in the past, from reports to recounts
• Chocolate A popular topic looking at aspects such as fair trade and how chocolate is made

How do drugs affect the brain?

…This was one of the questions Key Stage 2 children have been looking at today as part of their drug education sessions with d:side.

Each class have been focussing on a different drug and its effects on the body:

• Year 3 – tobacco
• Year 4 – alcohol
• Year 5 – solvents
• Year 6 – cannabis

Both pupils and staff have given great feedback on the informative sessions and d:side also commented on our ‘very friendly and well behaved’ children.

If you have any questions please see a member of staff or contact Dave Hill, d:side Programme Manager, on 2225471.

For a comprehensive guide to this subject visit the Talk to Frank website (www.talktofrank.com).

Our amazing brains - Brain Box week!

This week is dedicated to developing an awareness of learning and how the brain works.

The importance of exercise, healthy food, sleep, hydration and emotional health, for a healthy brain, will be covered throughout the week alongside a main focus for each day:

Monday

Understanding your brain, brain cells and how to help your brain to learn.

Tuesday

How your brain learns best and learning styles.

Key Stage 2 classes will also have a visit from d:Side.  As part of our drug education in school, representatives from d:Side, a drug and health programme, will be looking, in particular, at the effects of various drugs on the brain.

Staff from d:Side will be available after school, in the dining room, for parents / carers to ask any questions about these sessions.

Wednesday

Developing the understanding of multiple intelligences and that everyone has gifts and talents.

Dr Dave Lewis, Senior Lecturer of Neuroscience, from the University of Leeds will be visiting Key Stage 2 classes.

Thursday

Thinking about thinking and problem solving.

Friday

A day to remember – exploring a range of memory strategies.

The whole school Water Aid sponsored walk will take place during Friday.

Please check the website for further information and links to websites throughout the week.

Parents' / carers' annual survey 3

This, the third and final summary of results from the annual survey, presents just a few of the many positive comments we received.  Unlike the comments noted in the previous posts, I won’t respond to these, except to say, from all staff: thank you.

I am extremely happy with my son’s progress, he loves reading and sports and is positively encouraged by staff at all times. Moortown is a gem of a school and I feel incredibly grateful that my child attends.

Learnt so much this year! A great first year at school! School communication is excellent – the class newsletters are particularly useful, and active Twitter / regularly updated website very good. Advanced calendar dates are very useful.

The school has a strong sense of community. I feel my child’s uniqueness (as all children are) is valued and that teachers build respectful, warm relationships with the pupils, imperative to enable children to feel safe and happy enough to learn.

I think you run a fantastic school – my son is very happy.

Fantastic school in all areas with exceptional leadership.

I am happy with the way my child has progressed this year with Mr Wilks. He has been encouraged in all aspects of his learning and enjoys coming to school.

My child has had a very enjoyable year thanks to the care and understanding of Mrs Weekes and Mrs Maver (and the assistant teachers). Working together has demonstrated the value of teamwork between teachers and parents and what it can achieve.

Strengths – clear values; encouraging good behaviour; awareness of others’ feelings; deals well with bullying; warm approachable head and staff alike; friendly atmosphere; children are always polite and helpful; awareness of importance of health eating and exercise. Forgot to mention brilliant Mrs O’Malley and her team – always helpful.

Please note, we won’t rest on our laurels.  We’re always seeking ways to improve, and you can help.  If you’ve any suggestions, questions, comments or concerns, do let me know.