Newsletters

Newsletter - 24 February 2023

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24 February 2023

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Poetry Slam - Prince Henry's - Lower Hall

All Day

March

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We like you to feel involved in our 'Big Think-Big talk' assemblies.

This week our theme is World Thinking Day 'Our Peaceful World'

The key question we are asking is:

What can we do to reduce food waste?

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that those of you who attended today's phonics workshops found it useful. As you are aware, we only moved to our new reading scheme (readwriteinc) in September and introduced the KS2 reading spine in October. These changes were made to further improve the teaching of phonics, enable children to read with fluency and expression and guide children's choice of authors as they become independent readers.

We are all aware that the ability to read is a fundamental life skill. Research proves that children with poor reading struggle to read independently, and so read less. As a result, they do not accumulate the background knowledge and vocabulary they need to improve their comprehension, which impacts on attainment in primary school. In reception,Y1 and Y2, we teach phonics in ability groups and assess children frequently in order to gauge progress and provide additional support if needed. We are very aware of our role in preparing children for the next stage of their education. Without identifying reading needs and targeting additional teaching, children who arrive in secondary school as poor readers are likely to continue to struggle.

Of course, we do not only teach children to read because it impacts on their GCSEs. Research demonstrates that reading for pleasure links to increased empathy, social cohesion, knowledge of other cultures, cultural capital and the ability to regulate moods and relax. At Bramhope, we want children to learn to read fluently and with expression, but we also want them to enjoy reading and become adults who choose to read. We cannot do this without your help, and we thank you for working with us. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's reading attainment, please speak with your child's class teacher in the first instance.

Goodbye Mrs Ellis

Finally, we were all sad to bid a fond farewell to Mrs Ellis today. I know that many of you have thanked her personally for everything she has done over the last sixteen years. Luckily, Mrs Ellis is not going far and is moving to Cliffe House. Good luck with your next venture Mrs Ellis, we will miss you!

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Project Happy

The Project Happy Team is made up of parents and School Governors. Their aim is to make school drop off and pick up safer and easier by asking parents to do as much as they can to ease congestion around school and park sensibly when dropping off or picking up to keep our children safe. We also want to ensure that residents living in the vicinity are not inconvenienced through blocking driveways etc.

At their last meeting, the team agreed to put a plan in place to try and help parents do the right thing. The school already has a Road Safety Charter, and Project Happy are looking for volunteer parents to help survey behaviours at drop off. The commitment would be observing behaviours for part or all of one week between 8.30am and 9.15am. The Project Happy Team will then discuss their findings and what potential solutions or actions they can put in place to help everyone do the right thing.

In addition, the team would like to have a week of “high visibility” where you will find volunteer parents and Governors available before and after school to answer any concerns. If you would like to help the Project Happy Team with the drop-off survey, please email admin@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk.

Y3/4 Roman Assembly-SAVE THE DATE

Years 3 and 4 are looking forward to presenting their Roman assembly on Wednesday the 22nd March am and on 24th March pm.

Please save the dates!

Year 3 and Year 4 Team

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Year 3 Scooter Training

Following a road safety assembly, all children in Year 3 gathered in the playground to practise safe scooting skills: passing pedestrians, dealing with driveways and crossing roads. Once children had mastered these skills, the scooter instructors from Leeds City Council took small groups to the open road.

Scooter training was fun and scooting can be a great way to travel to school unsustainably. Year 3 would like to share their top tips for safer scooting to school:

-Scoot on the footpath staying on the left.

-Be polite to pedestrians, slow down when you pass them.

-Walk your scooter every time you have to cross a road.

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Noodle

We are very happy to welcome Noodle back this week. Class teachers select children who have impressed them with their reading both in school and at home. Noodle is a great listener and the children have a chance to read to him as part of a group. Thank you to parents for signing the consent form.

The pupils who read today with Noodle were:

Ilaria RB, James RF, Jamie 1M, Pau 1P, Clemence 2G, Arlo 2H, Aurora Rose 3/4HL, Ava 5/6L, Liliana 5/6S, Alice 5/6M.

If you wish to provide permission for your child to meet and read to Noodle, please complete the consent form HERE.

Mr Dawes (English leader)

House Points

The children really look forward to me announcing our ‘weekly winners’ in assembly - especially as we now present the house trophy every Friday!

Well done to everyone who has been awarded a house point this week!

The total house points for this week are:

Burton - 312

Wilberforce - 271

Hepworth - 252

Bronte - 250

A big well done to our winner this week - Burton!

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Prayer and reflection

During the first week of March, children will have the opportunity to experience a 'Prayer and Reflection' space, set up by a team from St Giles Church. Children will learn about spiritual practices such as thankfulness and confession and will explore these concepts in an age-appropriate way. Please be assured that we will not be teaching the children that they should pray or adopt any other religious practices. This activity is designed for children of all faiths and none. It helps us promote children's Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development in line with national curriculum expectations and hopefully allows children to reflect on the benefits of bringing some stillness into their busy lives.

PTA News

Key dates for your diary!

Sunday 26^th March - sponsored bike ride

If you would like to volunteer for the PTA please fill in the online form HERE or email us on pta@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk

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Community Netball sessions being held at PHGS

Sessions for Years 2 & 3 and for Years 4, 5 & 6

Starts: Monday 27^th February (the second week back after half-term)

When: Mondays (term time only) until Monday 17^th July

Time: 4:15 – 5:15pm

Location: Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Sports Hall/ Outdoor Courts.

Cost: £3 per session.

To register your child or for further information, please contact:

Mrs S Cooke - PE Teacher and Netball Coach

Email: CES@princehenrys.co.uk

School Number (term time): 01943 463524

Please provide via email, your child’s name, year group, school, relevant medical information and a parent/carer emergency contact number.

Have a lovely half-term!

Mrs Colbourn