Monday 9th March 2020

Before we look ahead to a very busy week I would like to thank everyone who helped to make ‘World Book Day’ a great celebration of reading last Thursday. There are lots of photographs on the school website. Congratulations to the winners from every class for their fantastic costumes, they were:

Tom and Dylan from Bishopdale, Leo and Ellie from Airedale, Charlotte and Jay from Ribblesdale, Max and Chloe from Nidderdale, Amelia and Charlie from Coverdale. Emily and Mille from Wharfedale and Will, Lottie and Jacob from Wensleydale.

This week is ‘Science Week 2020’ at RTS with fantastic activities taking place all week. We begin the week with a special science worship time led by Mrs Crisell.

Also, throughout the week children from Mrs Else’s violin groups will be performing to a number of classes in the afternoons

At 10am our Gardening Club will be making their first visit to the allotment to begin learning how to plant their vegetable seeds which will fill the container which we will be entering at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

During the afternoon some of the children in school will be participating in the ‘I’m a scientist live’ web chat. After school on Monday we continue to run Choir and Zen Club

Tuesday sees the children in key stage one getting the chance to sample Judo taster sessions in the morning whilst after school the netball club will be preparing to take part in the Yr5/6 netball event being held at Harrogate Grammar School on Wednesday after school. The School Council will be holding their first meeting of the half term with the planned new cycling shelter on the agenda.

Wednesday is the busiest day of the week. Ribbledale and Dentdale Classes will be visiting Bilton and Woodfield Library during the morning. We welcome Laura Singleton our Science Governor to school in the afternoon to join us for science week. After school also sees Science Club, run by Mrs Heard and our science ambassadors. It is also week nine of Harrogate Theatre Club. Next week the drama club will be performing at the Theatre in the final session of this year’s club.

Starting at 6pm on Wednesday we will be holding an eco-brick evening. This is a chance for everyone to come along and create their own eco-brick make with a plastic bottle and single use plastics. The finished bottles will be used to create a bottle wall in our wildlife wellbeing garden. Please come along if you can spare some time to help with this project. Also in the garden this week we will be taking delivery of the bark chippings which Mrs Norton, our garden designer, will be spreading with the children on Thursday.

On Thursday, Swaledale Class will be visiting Harlow Carr as part of science week 2020.

Finally, on Friday our Eco Ambassadors will be meeting at 1pm. Friday afternoon will also see our debating team take part in the Harrogate Schools’ Debating Competition being held at the council chambers.

Friday morning is all about Sport. Mr Sarmento is leading another Zumba taster session in the hall, this time for the children in key stage one. We will also be completing our Charity Sport Relief Mile. This means that Friday is a non-uniform day where children can wear sports clothing for a £1 donation towards the work of the charity.

Like you, everyone at RTS is paying special attention to hygiene as part of our response to the coronavirus threat. Children are being reminded of the importance of handwashing. The school is receiving daily updates from Public Health England and is discussing our response with Trust partners. At the same time we do not want to worry or frighten the children and I would like to reassure everyone that our aim is to keep everyone safe without increasing anxiety.

The photographs below show last week’s yellow jumper winners, the winners from World Book Day and Angela Smith, ASDA’s community champion. With the trolley full of donated uniform which was collected last week.

Andrew Symonds.