This week’s message (Friday 09 June 2023)

How was your half-term holiday? Hopefully a good one, helped by the nice weather. Now that we’re properly into Summer, remember to make sure your child is protected from the sun (sun cream, hat, plenty of water).

We need to start this week’s message with a correction and end with a reminder.

Sorry!

In the last Friday message just before the holiday, we stated the wrong month for one of a training day. It should read that there’s a training day on Friday 24 May (not June):

We’ve had an increase in requests for some term-time absences. Many of these are linked to the Summer half-term. We don’t authorise term-time absences (see our Attendance Policy). To help next year, we’ve changed the training day to Friday 24 May – this means that you’ve an extra day to use to plan for any holidays.

Thanks to the super-organised parent who spotted the error.

Talking of attendance…

Up to the end of Summer 1 half-term, our whole-school attendance figure is 95.4% – this is a great figure, so thank you very much for making sure your child is at school as much as they possibly can. (The national data for the period from 12 September 2022 to 19 May 2023 is 94.1% for primary schools.)

Here’s how each class shapes up:

Sunshine class: 95.1%
Rainbow class: 94.1%
Class 1A (Miss Lowry): 95.1%
Class 1,2B (Mrs Latham): 95.5%
Class 2C (Miss Young): 95.1%
Class 3,4A (Miss Paterson): 95.8%
Class 3,4B (Mr Catherall and Mrs Wilkins): 96.5% – the highest in school – amazing!
Class 3,4C (Mrs McCormick & Mrs Wadsworth): 95.7%
Class 5,6A (Mr Robson): 95.2%
Class 5,6B (Mrs Hogarth): 94.9%
Class 5,6C (Mr Lindsay): 96.4%– a close second – impressive!

Please help us

This summer, National Book Tokens is offering schools the chance to receive £1,000 in National Book Tokens. Please nominate our school.

If we’re one of the five winning entries, you’ll also win a £100 National Book Token to spend in your favourite bookshop!

The more entries received for Scholes (Elmet) Primary, the higher the chance we’ll win – so spread the word.

Thanks to the parent who alerted us to this.

Have you completed our annual survey yet?

If not, there’s still time: you’ve got until Friday 16 June to let us know your views. Thanks to those people who’ve already completed it (we’ve had 43 responses so far). It really helps to shape what we do.

Have a happy and healthy weekend!

09 June 2023

Vocabulary is the focus of this week’s homework. This is because we’ve just begun a new Design and Technology topic and with it comes new Design and Technology vocabulary.

Here’s a list of key words that are being learnt and applied as part of our learning. Over the half-term, practise using these words with your child.

Years 1 and 2 Design & Technology vocabulary:

design process: the steps that need to happen for something to go from an idea to a finished product
to plan: to think about and decide how you’re going to do something
to evaluate: to decide, after careful consideration, how good or bad something is
base: the bottom part of an object; the part on which something rests
structure: a combination of materials and/or parts to create a 3d shape
stable: something that is unlikely to fall down or collapse
freestanding: something that stands up by itself

Years 3 and 4 Design & Technology vocabulary:

product: something that is designed and made fu
function: the purpose of something
design brief: a description of what a new product should do
design criteria: the precise features a product must have to be successful
annotated sketch: a detailed sketch labelled with notes (eg dimensions, materials) prototype: an early sample or model of a product used to evaluate a design
component: a part that combines with other parts to make something (eg a machine or a piece of equipment)
exploded diagram: a drawing that shows the individual components or parts of a product and how they fit together
mechanism: a number of parts or comp

Years 5 and 6 Design & Technology vocabulary:

design criteria: the precise features a product must have in order to be successful
innovative: an adjective to describe new or original ideas
sustainable material: a material is sustainable if it comes from renewable sources and it does not damage the environment
dimension: a measurement of something in a particular direction (eg height, length, width)
aesthetic: something about the appearance (eg something can be aesthetically pleasing) computer-aided design (CAD): a way of drawing on a computer to visualise designs and simulating them to see how they work
computer-aided design (CAD): a way of drawing on a computer to visualise designs and simulating them to see how they work
to reinforce: to strengthen or support

Some of these words have been introduced already but there may be others that are going to be covered in the coming weeks.

This week’s message (Friday 26 May 2023)

We’ve reached the end of the Summer 1 term…

It’s felt a strange one because of all the short weeks in May. The first three Mondays in May have seen school closed – two for bank holidays and one for a training day. Thank you to everyone for working with us – we know disrupted school weeks like this can be tricky for you.

We’ve had an increase in requests for some term-time absences. Many of these are linked to the Summer half-term. We don’t authorise term-time absences (see our Attendance Policy). To help next year, we’ve changed the training day to Friday 24 June – this means that you’ve an extra day to use to plan for any holidays.

We’ve all appreciated the warmer, sunnier weather this week. Please remember to make sure your child is summer-ready next half-term. Make sure they’re wearing suncream, have a sun hat, and a water bottle to stay hydrated.

A big well done to all our Year 6 pupils for coping so well with the end of Key Stage 2 SATs tests – they all did so admirably, despite how difficult they might have been this year. Our Year 6 pupils have got a residential to look forward to, as well as lots of end-of-primary activities as they prepare to move on. This year, the residential (07 – 09 June) will be with all three Sphere Federation schools. (This will help us to make sure we can release enough staff to supervise on the trip.)

Next half term is a busy one, not just for our Year 6 pupils. Teachers are starting to write their end-of-year reports. Amongst other things, pupils have transition morning (05 July) and Sports Day (10 and 14 July) to look forward to.

Finally, a quick reminder to complete our annual survey. You’ve got until Friday 16 June to let us know your views. Thanks to those people who’ve already completed it.

Have a great half-term!

Topic-Heroes

Our topic this half term has been heroes. We have been looking at two in particular-Nelson Mandela and Leonora Cohen.

The children have learnt about their lives and beliefs.

They have been using vocabularly such as apartheid and suffragette to describe what these two historic people stood up for and the difference they made to others.

The children have enjoyed dressing up as real life heroes and sharing why they are real life heroes.

This week’s message (Friday 19 May 2023)

This week’s message is a repeat of an email that we sent earlier in the week…

Coming up in the weeks commencing 05 June, 12 June and 19 June, children from Year 1 to Year 6 will take part in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons, part of our Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum (PSHE, or ‘Living and Learning’, as we call it).

We want you to feel assured that RSE is delivered at a level appropriate to both the age and development of pupils, and to feel safe to voice opinions and concerns relating to the provision.

The lessons are led by children’s class teacher. They take place in a safe learning environment and are underpinned by our school ethos and values.Nationally, all primary schools are required by law to teach Relationships Education and Health Education. In Sphere Federation schools, we’ve provided RSE lessons successfully as part of Living and Learning for many years.

Check out our RSE Policy.

Section 9 provides a list of the vocabulary that will be used (pages 7 and 8)
Section 11 includes an overview of the topics that will be covered (page 11 includes a table to show the learning across each year group)

We know that you may have some issues / concerns. If you’d like to find out more, discuss any concerns, or speak to someone in more detail about the teaching and learning planned for this important aspect of your child’s education, please contact Miss Hague.

Similarly, you’ve the right to request that your child be withdrawn from some or all of the lessons that can be regarded as ‘sex education’. For our school, this comprises lessons in Year 6 on what human reproduction is and how babies grow. Please see the government’s factual guide to RSE for parents: Understanding Relationships and Health Education in your child’s primary school: a guide for parents. If you’d like to withdraw your Year 6 child from RSE, please contact Miss Hague to discuss the matter. See page 6 of the RSE policy for more information about your right to withdraw your child.

We’re committed to working in partnership with parents. Recent parental feedback has indicated that the overwhelming majority of parents are highly supportive of our Relationships and Sex Education programme.

19 May 2023

Vocabulary is the focus of this week’s homework. This half-term our topic has been History. We’ve been using and applying the key vocabulary below in our learning.

Years 1 and 2 History vocabulary:

equal rights: being treated fairly and having the same chances in life.
apartheid: a system that keeps people apart, usually because of their different skin colour.
racism: treating people differently because of the colour of their skin, their religious beliefs or their culture.
suffragette: a woman who campaigned for the rights of women to vote.
protest: people coming together to show others that they are against an idea or an event.
belief: a strongly held opinion that something is right.

Years 3 and 4 History vocabulary:

West Indies: a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea
slave: a person who is owned by another person and forced to work for them with no pay or rights
slave trade: the buying and selling of slaves (the Atlantic Slave Trade was the forced movement of millions of African people to the West Indies and America by Europeans)
abolition: officially stopping or ending something, for example, slavery
plantation: a large piece of land (farm or estate) used for growing crops on a large scale, such as cotton, tea, sugar cane
carnival: a festival involving processions, music, dancing and wearing masks and costumes
immigration: coming to live permanently from another country

Years 5 and 6 History vocabulary:

evacuation: the movement of people from a place of danger to a safer place
refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, natural disaster or persecution
The Blitz: the German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940-41
persecution: the treatment of people really badly, especially because of their race, political or religious beliefs
Women’s Land Army: a unit of women recruited to do agricultural work in the UK during World War I and World War II
immigration: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
British Empire: the group of countries which were ruled or controlled by Britain
Windrush Generation: people from the West Indies who immigrated to Britain after the war, initially on the ship called The Empire Windrush
All of these words have been introduced over the half term. How confident do you feel explaining what they mean? Can you traffic light them into green (very confident), yellow/orange (mostly confident) or red (not confident).

This week’s message (Friday 12 May 2023)

A short message from us this week…

Well done to all our Year 6 pupils this week – they’ve been doing their SATs, the end of Key Stage 2 assessments. They’ve coped really well, despite some of the papers being reported as challenging.

A particular well done to one pupil in the federation who’s shown great determination and resilience by doing the tests whilst in hospital – impressive determination, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Our annual survey

Every year, we invite you to complete a short survey. Your views matter. They help to shape what we do in the forthcoming year(s).

Like last year, this year’s survey features a series of questions closely related to what Ofsted might ask parents during an inspection.

Complete the Scholes (Elmet) Primary survey here. We’ll send a few reminders before the closing date, which is Friday 16 June.

It’s worth bearing in mind that if you raise in the survey something very specific that needs to be addressed, we can’t easily act on this without your child’s name. In fact, the survey isn’t the best place to raise individual, specific concerns – hopefully, you’re comfortable to speak with Miss Hague or a class teacher about these instead.

Finally, a quick reminder that Monday is a training day so school is closed. See you all on Tuesday.

05 May 2023

This week’s Talk Time has a moral question.

Should all adults have the right to vote?

What is voting?

Voting is a process by which a group of people can decide things fairly when they don’t all agree. Voting is an important part of the type of government called democracy. In a democracy, people use voting to choose government leaders. These government leaders represent their local areas and work together to consider and propose new laws. You must be 18 or over to take part in an election.

Can you think of a time when you’ve voted for something? How did you feel when you cast your vote? Was the process fair? For example, each year in school we elect a new Junior Leadership Team. Each class has the opportunity to vote for a representative from their class to be nominated.

Have a conversation with your family and friends at home and think about whether you feel all adults should have the right to vote and why. After your conversation, take some time to reflect on yours and others responses. Is there anything that you would like to know more about?

This week’s message (Friday 05 May 2023)

May’s always a busy time in school with statutory assessments beginning. Today, we’ve also had activities linked to the coronation.

Stress-free SATs

Next week, Year 6 pupils have their end-of-key stage assessments – their SATs. Check out these seven top tips to support your child doing the SATs. (They’re useful for lots of children, lots of the time, too!)

Dates

Because of the coronation, all the Year 6 tests are one day later than normal. This means that our original training day, originally scheduled for Friday 12 May, is now Monday 15 May. We’re closed on this day.

Talking of dates…

Don’t forget that next year, our school week is changing.

Every day, we’ll keep to the same times, starting at 8.50am and finishing at 3.15pm.

This follows a consultation with parents/carers earlier in the year.

Neurodiversity

‘Neurodiversity’ describes the different ways that people’s brains develop. Everyone’s brain is unique but the majority of us have similar brains to others. Our brains affect how we experience the world around us and how we react to it. Neurodiversity includes neurotypical and neurodivergent people. Neurodivergence describes people whose brains have developed differently, including autistic people and those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, developmental language disorder and Tourette syndrome. The list of neurodivergent brain types is ever changing as we learn more.

NHS MindMate has recently launched a great website with loads of really helpful information, tips and advice – check it out.

Whatever you get up to this weekend, enjoy a happy and healthy – and longer – weekend!

05 May 2023

This week’s Talk Time links to the Coronation of King Charles III.

I know some facts about the Coronation of King Charles III

Watch the video about the coronation of King Charles III or read the information below.

The coronation of King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on 6 May. His wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be crowned Queen Camilla shortly after as part of the same ceremony.

Coronations have taken place at the Abbey since 1066, the first known for sure to have taken place there being that of William the Conqueror. The ceremony is steeped in tradition: King Charles will sit in the coronation chair, which is over 700 years old; the St Edward’s Crown will be placed on his head; he will be anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury; the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest will be sung, just as it has at every coronation since 1727. After the ceremony King Charles and Queen Camilla will return to Buckingham Palace, where crowds will be waiting for them to appear on the royal balcony.

Celebrations will continue across the weekend. On Sunday 7 May there will be a concert at Windsor Castle. Also on Sunday communities are invited to come together to share food and fun as part of the Coronation Big Lunch. Monday 8 May is an additional bank holiday, when everyone is encouraged to help out in their local community as part of the Big Help Out.

After watching the video and/or reading the text can you answer the following questions:

When is the coronation happening?
How old is the special coronation chair?
What is included in the coronation regalia?
How much does the St Edward’s Crown weigh?
What role does the Archbishop of Canterbury play in the ceremony?

What events are happening across the coronation weekend?