Ripon Cathedral School Update

Week ending Friday 24th February 2023

Year 2 Visit to Harrogate

Year 2 trip to Harrogate Synagogue and art gallery

Year 2 had an amazing school trip on Wednesday. We headed to Harrogate on the 36 bus which was a fantastic chance for the children to experience what public transport is like and their behaviour was so good that members of the public were commenting on it!

When we arrived in Harrogate, we walked down to the Synagogue and were met by Joy and Albert. They told us all about what it means to be Jewish. We learned about the Ten Commandments, the different things Jewish people can eat and the rules that go with them.

All the boys in the class wore yarmulkes as a sign of respect when we entered the Synagogue. The class saw Jewish holy books, some candles, scrolls and other holy items which were very precious and beautiful. Year 2 had the opportunity to ask lots of questions after hearing about the Jewish faith and had a look around the beautiful Synagogue.

At the art gallery, the children were extremely interested in the Marvel ‘comic’ style paintings. We couldn’t believe the prices of some of the paintings! In the upstairs gallery we were able to see two sculptures as well as more beautiful paintings, and even some 3D artwork that was jumping out of its frame!

The children were given a magnifying glass in order to carefully observe hidden details that they might not have seen at first, and they could observe the brush strokes and see the different paths and direction the different artists had taken with their paintbrushes. There was also a tribute to the late Queen which was lovely for the children to see as well. The Castle Fine Art Gallery could not have been more helpful and accommodating, so huge thanks to them too.

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World Book Day - Thursday 2nd March

This year we will be celebrating by dressing up as our favourite book characters. We will also be exploring a new book in each class, producing a piece of writing and a piece of art work.

In EYFS and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) we would like to invite parents and carers into school after drop off to share a book with us and help us to design a new book cover for our favourite story. Parents and carers of children in Years 1 and 2 will be in the hall with parents of Early Years children in Reception and Nursery classroom areas.

In Key Stage 2 (Years 3 - 6) we would like to invite parents and carers into classrooms from 2.55pm (main gates will be opened at 2.50pm) so that we can share our writing and artwork from the day.

We hope you will be able to join us on Thursday 2nd March.

Year 3 Blue Cross Shop

At breaktime today, Year 3 set up a Blue Cross shop to sell merchandise to the other classes in school. They had an array of Blue Cross goodies including, keyrings, calendars, pens, pencils and badges. Year 3 are courageous Advocates for Blue Cross, which is a charity that helps animals and pet owners.

If you forgot to bring in your cash today, do not worry they will be out again next week and you too can help support this fantastic charity.

Prices are as follows:

Pencils 20p

Pens 50p

Grow Seeds Badges £2

Brilliant new Books

Reception children have been enjoying exploring some of the great new books that we have received as a result of the fabulous book fair run by the Friends of the School. Many thanks to everyone who helped ensure that the fair was once again a great success.

Question of the week

This week Ellie-Rose posed the question 'Does a frog know that it is a frog?'

Every class explored the question and shared their thoughts in our Friday celebration worship. We had some great responses.

'Maybe because they can't see themselves but they can see other frogs.' Year 1

'They can't see their bodies, however because when they were tadpoles they would have seen their mummy.' Year 1

'Yes they would because they look like parents and friends.'

'No because frogs don't use their brain in the same way as humans so wouldn’t have the self awareness.' Year 3

'Yes because it can see its reflection in water.' Reception

'They don't know they are a frog because they aren't always a frog. They are born as frogspawn and have to go through a life cycle and become a tadpole and a froglet before they are a frog. The babies don't look like an adult frog so they don't know that a frog is what they are going to become.' Year 2

'Yes because a frog can identify its own species.' Year 5

'A frog knows it is a frog because it follows its instincts to be a frog. I think a frog knows it is a frog because it can see its reflection.' Year 4

'Yes and no because a frog knows it is a being but probably doesn't call itself a frog because that is the human term for it.' Year 6

Pancake Races

Year 2 walked up to the Cathedral on Pancake Day. We went inside the Cathedral and learned about the importance of Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent. The children discussed what toppings they were going to have on their pancakes, and what they would be giving up for Lent. We talked about how to make a pancake and the different ingredients that go into making them, some children even had a go at flipping a pancake in a frying pan! Then we walked outside the Cathedral and headed down Kirkgate. We watched and cheered as all the Canons of Ripon Cathedral gathered together at the top of the street, a pancake in a frying pan in their hands at the ready, and raced down to the bottom! What fun.

Stars of the Week

Every Friday we share who is star of the week in each class in our Celebration Worship.

Nursery

Robin for always making the right choices and being a great friend.

Reception

Sophie for the hard work she has put into writing to ensure she has finger spaces between her words.

Year 1

Betsy for wonderful effort with her maths this week. Keep it up.

Year 2

Noah for absolutely fantastic behaviour on our school trip. Noah was asking lots of inquisitive questions and had a super day out.

Year 3

Felix for his outstanding work on his design and technology project making a book come alive with levers.

Year 4

Piers for working independently in maths and challenging himself with the tricky challenges and for showing determination with his extended sentences in English.

Year 5

Olivia for her relentless approach to learning every area: she is flourishing.

Year 6

Aaron for great participation and effort in maths this week with algebra.

Oscar's Holiday Club

Oscar's holiday club is taking place in the first week of the Easter holidays, Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th April. Apologies for the delay in confirming dates, but we hope that being able to give parents over a month's notice for the holiday club this time is helpful. Booking is now open and a few places have already been filled. Please get in touch with Mrs Rich if you have any questions about booking, thank you.