Summer Newsletter 2
8th May 2015
Dear Parents
Summer letter 2
Maths News
I would strongly recommend a visit to the school website www.rtsharrogate.com to have a look at the new maths mole resource. It is a resource especially created by Mrs Crisell and Mrs Bonson to provide parents with resources which support children’s progress in maths. We hope that it will continue to grow as more resources are added to the page.
Thank you to all of the parents from Coverdale Class who attended the first of our ‘Teach the Parents’ maths sessions after school on Wednesday 29th April. Feedback from those who came has been very positive. Future sessions for other classes are currently being planned – watch this space for further news.
Staffing News
The process for selecting a new teacher for Wharfedale Class is well underway. I will be hopefully announcing Miss Stockmann’s replacement following interviews in the next few weeks. From September 2015, Mrs Heard and Mrs Ritchie will both be returning from their maternity leave to rejoin the staffing team as a new partnership in Airedale Class. In Dentdale Class, Mrs Phelan will continue her highly successful partnership with Mrs Jackson. Mrs Sarah Harrison will be leaving us at the end of her contract as maternity cover for Mrs Heard; I am very pleased to announce that she has recently been appointed as a class teacher at St. Mary’s in Knaresborough. I would like to thank Mrs Harrison for the great job that she has done over the last year and wish her well in her future career.
Friends
Thank you to everyone from the Friends who helped out at the chocolate tombola stall at Bilton Gala on Bank Holiday Monday. The stall made the fantastic total of £300, which will be used to purchase new gazebos and benches for outdoor use in the summer. Also thank you to all of the proud parents and children who accompanied the school as part of the parade, we had some wonderful face painting and everyone enjoyed themselves. I will be presenting those who took part with special certificates later in the week. Photos will also shortly appear on the school website. The latest Bags2school collection will take place on Monday 11th May; please leave any bags for collection in the usual place.
Sports Success
Our Year 1/2 football team have been having a great time at recent tournaments. They were runners up at the local tournament and then performed brilliantly at the regional finals finishing in third place after a tense play off. The children had a wonderful time and were brilliantly supported by friends and parents. Finishing third out of 60 schools is a great result and I would like to thank Mrs Phelan for taking the team.
This is a busy time for our sporting teams with rounders, cricket, multi-sport and golf teams entering competitions in the next term. I would like to thank all of the teachers and parents that support the school in participating so actively and successfully in sporting competitions.
National Tests
The week beginning Monday 11th May is the national testing week for children in Year 6. These are very important tests which show the progress made by the children during their time at school. Early nights are needed by teachers and children during the week. If for any reason your child is going to be absent from school on one of these days, please contact the school as soon as possible and we can explain the process of making sure that your child can access the test. Thank you.
Racquets Club Family Open Day
Nidderdale and Swaledale have visited Harrogate Racquets Club to try Tennis, Table Tennis and Badminton on Wednesday 6th May. The Club would like to invite our parents, their families and friends to a Family Open day on Saturday 9th May 2015 where they too can try out these sports. For more information about the Club see their website: harrogateracquets.com. The Club is on Firs Road, opposite the new M&S on Leeds Road.
Harrogate Big Bike Bash
I have been asked to promote the activities being held in Harrogate to celebrate the anniversary of last years Tour de France. On 20th and 21st June, Harrogate will be holding a weekend of cycle related celebrations. If you want further information go to the visit Harrogate website and look for ‘Big Bike Bash.’
Uniform
We are very proud of the way we present our school to everyone who visits. Looking smart is part of the way we show how proud we are of our school. As the summer months approach, I would ask parents to avoid sending children to school in brightly coloured trainers. Children playing football at lunchtimes are allowed to change into appropriate footwear when on the school field. Thank you for your support in this area.
Choir News
The choir will be performing in their big charity concert ‘The Circle of Life’ this Friday at the Royal Hall, Harrogate. They have been working really hard in preparation for the event which starts at 7.30 p.m. Good luck to everyone involved and thanks to both Mrs Wake and Mrs Anthony for their hard work.
Sports Day 2015
This highlight of the school year will take place on Monday 13th July, starting at 1 p.m., ASDA have again kindly agreed to supply all of the children with fruit and water on the day. The Friends will be providing refreshments throughout the afternoon. The Friends are also hoping to hold a small summer fair at the end of the afternoon with hot dogs, burgers, face painting and small games. Please come along and support what is always a super event.
Harrogate Library
On Saturday 16th May between 10.30 – 11.30 a.m., Harrogate Library will be holding a special story and sing along event for children between the age of 5 to 8 years. The theme of the session is ‘Dragons’. If you wish to book a place at this event please contact Harrogate Library on Tel. 0845 0349520.
Website
The schools website is a wonderful place to find out what is happening during the week. Photo’s and blogs are regularly updated and give a real flavour of all the wonderful things happening in school every week. Please take a look on www.rtsharrogate.com.
Year 6 Cycle Training
I am pleased to confirm that Year 6 pupils will be able to access the ‘Bikeability’ programme which teaches Year 6 cycle safety. A number of dates in June have been organised. Staff from Wharfedale and Wensleydale will be co-ordinating pupil participation in the training.
End of Day Safety
With everyone in school exiting the site via 2 gates, they are always the points where extra care needs to be taken; especially with a large number of participants and toddlers also present. Please make sure that children do not take short cuts through the barriers and railings at the Bilton Lane entrance to school. Thank you.
Important Dates
These are the key dates that everyone needs for the rest of the term to add to your diary.
Monday 11th May Year 6 SAT week
Monday 25th May Half Term week
Monday 1st June Training Day
Thursday 11th June Class photographs
Thursday 25th June Year 6 first performance
Friday 26th June Year 6 second performance
Tuesday 30th June Violin concert at 6 p.m.
Monday 13th July Sports Day 1 p.m.
Thursday 16th July Choir concert
Monday 20th July Leavers service – 10.30 a.m. at St. John’s Church
Monday 20th July School closes at 2.15 p.m.
Yours sincerely
A Symonds