6th May 2016
Dear Parents
Summer Letter 3
SATs
Monday 9th May is the week of national tests for children in Year 6. The tests take place on statutory dates which will see tests taking place during the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If for any reason you have a child due to take the test who is ill on the morning of a test, please contact the school as soon as possible. For children in Year 2, the tests will be spread over May. For anyone who was unable to attend our assessment information evening, the powerpoint and hand-outs will shortly be available on the school website (follow the Blog tab to school news). If you have any questions regarding the national tests, please contact a member of the school staffing team.
Bilton Gala
Thank you to everyone who supported the Friends Chocolate Tombola Stall on the day. You should now have received a letter explaining the damage to the school field. I am pleased to report that planned repairs have already begun and the field should be back to normal in the next few weeks.
May Half Term Sports Camp
This year the school will be hosting the team from Sporting Influence who will be running an activity camp at Richard Taylor School over half term between 30th May to 3rd June. Further information about the camp and how to apply for a place can be found on the attached information sheet. If you are not aware of the team from Sporting Influence, I can recommend them as a highly qualified team who run excellent sports sessions for children.
Friends News
It has been confirmed that the Friends of Richard Taylor have a place in this year’s Knaresborough Bed Race on Saturday 11th June. To celebrate the event we will be holding a special themed non-uniform day on Friday 10th June. A £1 donation will go towards bed race funds. The day will involve French themed activities and possibly the opportunity to ride on the competition bed. The children will be helping to decorate the bed; our theme is the French city of Nice.
If you own or work for a local business who may be interested in sponsoring our bed please contact the school or the Friends directly.
Dates for the last of this year’s Movie Nights are all in the Key Dates section.
I would particularly like to thank Mrs Hutchins who has been a wonderful supporter of the Friends and who will be attending her last Movie Night.
Performance Dates
This year’s performance of Ye-Ha!, the Year 6 performance, will be on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July.
Sports News
Congratulations to the orienteering team who took part in the recent school’s competition. Special mention must go to the Year 5 girls team who came first in their event and the Year 6 girls team who came third. Thanks go to Mrs Saunderson and Mrs Warburton for taking the team and to all parents who supported the event.
Sports Day will take place on Monday 20th June starting at 1 p.m. The Friends will be selling refreshments on the day. Thanks to Angela Smith and the team at ASDA for sponsoring the children’s refreshments.
Choir and Violin Concerts
This year’s Summer Choir Concert will take place on Tuesday 19th July starting at 6 p.m. Mrs Else and her violinists will be holding their concert for Friends and family on Tuesday 12th July starting at 6 p.m. I hope that many of you can attend these fantastically entertaining concerts.
Community Afternoon Tea
Our Community Tea will be held on Tuesday 12th July from 2 p.m. Part of this year’s event will be a celebration of the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. If you know of anyone who would appreciate an invitation to join our Year 6 and choir for this special afternoon, please let the school office know.
Leavers Service
The date for this year’s Leavers Service has been confirmed as Tuesday 26th July at St. John’s Church. The service will begin at 10.30 a.m.
Garden Plants
If you are a keen gardener and have spare plants or cuttings which you could donate to school, please let us know. We are always on the look out for new plants to fill in gaps in the beds of our Peace Garden. Please let the school office know if you have a plant to donate. We will also be asking for summer holiday help with some garden weeding. Please look out for the information slip before the end of the year.
Leavers Disco
The date for this year’s Leavers Disco has been confirmed as Monday 25th July starting at 6 p.m. and finishing at 8 p.m.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 9th May SATs week
Monday16th May Movie Night for Bishopdale/Airedale and Year 1 from Ribblesdale
Monday 23rd May Movie Night for Nidderdale/Swaledale/Dentdale and Year 2 from Ribblesdale
Tuesday 24th May School class photographs
Friday 27th May School closes at 3.15 p.m. for Half Term
Monday 6th June Staff Training Day
Tuesday 7th June School re-opens
Saturday 11th June Knaresborough Bed Race
Monday 13th June Year 1 phonics testing week
Monday 20th June Sports Day at 1.00 p.m.
Monday 27th June Coverdale/Wharfedale/Wensleydale Cake Sale
Monday 4th July Movie Night for Coverdale/Wharfedale and Wensleydale
Wednesday 6th July Fish and Chip Lunch
Wednesday 6th July Performance Evening for Year 6
Thursday 7th July Performance Evening for Year 6
Friday 22nd July Leavers Lunch
Tuesday 26th July Leavers Service at St. John’s Church at 10.30 a.m.
Tuesday 26th July School closes at 2.15 p.m. for the summer break.
Yours sincerely
A Symonds