Newsletter

It’s wonderful to welcome all our pupils back following a well-earned break. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable half-term with your families. The children have returned full of energy and enthusiasm, and we’re looking forward to a busy and exciting few weeks ahead. 

As we begin this half-term, we are reminded that this is always a particularly special time in the school calendar. The run-up to the festive season brings a unique sense of excitement and joy, and it is a true privilege to share in these moments with our pupils. From seasonal celebrations to reflective learning opportunities, this half-term offers a chance to come together as a school community and create lasting memories.

We’re especially thrilled to have launched our Innovative Learning Project this week, with Key Stage 2 pupils receiving their iPads. This marks a significant step forward in how we integrate technology into teaching and learning, helping children to explore, collaborate and deepen their understanding in new and engaging ways.

Next week, we’ll be focusing on 'Anti-Bullying', starting with Odd Socks Day on Monday - a fun way to celebrate individuality and kindness. We’ll also be supporting the Children in Need charity on Friday, with activities and fundraising efforts to help make a difference to the lives of children across the UK.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We’re looking forward to a fantastic half term together.

Miss Watson

We’re thrilled to announce that our Key Stage 2 pupils received their iPads this week as part of our Innovative Learning Partnership. This initiative is a key element of our school’s pedagogy, designed to further enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum.

The iPads will support pupils in developing digital literacy, creativity and independence, while also enabling teachers to deliver more dynamic and interactive lessons.

Should parents have any questions about the use of iPads in class, we kindly ask that these be directed to your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

Next week, we’ll be marking Anti-Bullying Week across the school, and we’re kicking things off with Odd Socks Day on Monday! This is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate what makes us all unique. Children (and staff!) are invited to wear their brightest, boldest and oddest socks to school to show that it's okay to be different.

Throughout the week, we’ll be exploring the theme “Make a Noise About Bullying”, encouraging pupils to speak up, support one another and celebrate kindness. There will be assemblies, classroom activities and discussions designed to help children understand the importance of respect, empathy and standing up for others.

We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued and heard. Anti-Bullying Week is a powerful reminder that together, we can create a school community where everyone feels they belong.

Don’t forget those odd socks on Monday!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Halloween Disco - it was a frightfully fun evening filled with dancing, laughter, and some truly fantastic costumes! From mini monsters to spooky superheroes, the creativity on display was incredible.

We’re thrilled to share that the event raised an amazing £450! This money will go directly towards one of our exciting school projects - either enhancing our playground or developing our new library space. We’ll keep you updated as plans take shape and let the children have their say in how the funds are used.

Thank you once again for your support and for helping us make these events so special for our pupils.

Well done to the following chlldren for winning the 'best dressed' competition. 

We’re excited to announce that our Christmas Fayre will take place on Wednesday 26th November (3:15pm - 4:30pm), and this year it comes with a special twist - it’s taking on an enterprise theme!

Each class has been given a £30 budget to plan, create and run their own festive stalls. From handmade crafts to games and goodies, the children will be putting their creativity and teamwork to the test as they learn about budgeting, marketing and profit-making in a fun and practical way.

The class that earns the most profit from their stall will win a special prize, so the competition is on! All proceeds will go back into school projects that benefit our pupils.

We’d love to see as many families as possible join us for an evening of festive fun, shopping and seasonal cheer. Thank you for supporting our young entrepreneurs - we can’t wait to see what they come up with!

On Tuesday, our school will mark Remembrance Day with a two-minute silence to honour those who have served and sacrificed in times of conflict. We invite all pupils and staff to join us in this moment of reflection and respect.

We are also proud to share that six of our Year 6 pupils will be reading their own poems at the Cenotaph on Sunday as part of the local Remembrance Service. Their thoughtful words will contribute to a meaningful tribute to those we remember.

We will share the poems with you in the next newsletter. 

We’ve celebrated many wonderful children who have truly embodied our school values both this week and the week before half-term. Congratulations to all those who received a Work Hard or Be Kind certificate - your efforts and kindness have not gone unnoticed!

A special mention goes to Dove and Kingfisher classes, who were each awarded a class certificate just before half-term. Miss Fox and Mrs Roberts shared that it was simply too difficult to choose only two pupils, as every child in their class had shown exceptional teamwork, kindness and dedication. Well done to you all!

Well done to Dove class who won the attendance reward this week and will have the opportunity to come to school in non-uniform one day next week. 

Our pupils have been working hard to earn recognition points for their houses and the competition is heating up! Just a reminder that every pupil contributes to their house total by earning recognition points for positive behaviour, effort and achievements. However, any negative behaviour points are deducted, so it’s important that everyone continues to make positive choices.

Here are the current house point totals:

Rufford – 422

Thoresby – 421

Sherwood – 413

Clumber – 340

It's close at the top, but well done to Rufford, who are currently in the lead, but with plenty of time left in the term, it’s still all to play for! Keep up the great work, everyone!

The festive season is fast approaching and we’re excited to share some of the special events planned for December.

We’re looking forward to our Christmas Dinner on Wednesday 10th December - a joyful lunchtime where pupils and staff come together to enjoy a traditional meal and festive cheer. That same day, we’ll also be holding our much-loved Carol Concert at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, a heartwarming event that brings together families, staff and pupils to celebrate the season. Further details, including timings and arrangements, will be shared soon.

On Thursday 11th December, it’s time to get festive for Christmas Jumper Day! Pupils are invited to wear their favourite Christmas jumper (or something suitably seasonal) alongside their usual school uniform.

Year group party dates have now been added to the Diary Dates section of this newsletter - please take a look to note your child’s party day.

Finally, a reminder that Nativity performance dates are also listed in the Diary Dates section for your convenience.

Monday 10th November: Odd Socks Day

 

Friday 14th November; Children In Need

 

Tuesday 18th November: Years 5 and 6 at the Odeon Cinema for the Intofilm Festival

 

Wednesday 26th November (3:15 - 4:30pm) - Christmas Fayre

 

Monday 8th December: Years 5 and 6 at Newstead Abbey

 

Monday 8th (10:00am) and Tuesday 9th (1:30pm) December: KS1 Nativity

 

Monday 8th (2:00pm) and Tuesday 9th (9:45am) December: EYFS Nativity

 

Wednesday 10th December: Christmas Service at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

 

Wednesday 10th December (2:00pm): EYFS Christmas Party

 

Thursday 11th December (2:00pm): KS1 Christmas Party

 

Friday 12th December (1:30pm): KS2 Christmas Party

 

Friday 12th December: Break up for the Christmas Holidays

 

*Further details relating to the events listed will be shared over the coming weeks. 

A huge well done to Ayla-Rose and Daisy, who showed incredible initiative and creativity by writing and submitting their own stories to the BBC 500 Words competition — all in their own time! Ayla-Rose’s entry, A Different Dimension of the Universe, and Daisy’s The Magic Library are both fantastic achievements. We’re so proud of your enthusiasm and imagination.