Weekly Newsletter

Headteacher - Mrs K Adams

Assistant Headteacher - Miss H Howard

Associate Assistant Headteacher - Miss L Whale

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach our final week in school, I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all parents, carers, grandparents and other family members who have supported us this term - not only in the run up to the festive holiday - but also in so many other ways. Your generosity with donations for the Christmas tombola has been quite overwhelming as we have received an abundance of items.

In addition, so many people have volunteered to help out in school this term, either in a supportive capacity taking pupils on visits or sporting events or helping to organise and run in school events. Myself and my staff are extremely grateful to everyone and cannot thank you enough for your support for school. It is always very heart- warming to speak with parents and receive such positive feedback about things we are doing for our pupils, so thank you.

On Tuesday after school, we had our annual Reading by Candlelight event. Pupils came to school in their PJs with their favourite book and some even brought their teddies. It was fantastic to see so many at the event and we all enjoyed milk and biscuits whilst reading in a wonderful, warm and cosy environment.

On Wednesday, our KS2 pupils enjoyed our annual visit to Wakefield Theatre to see the Sleeping Beauty Pantomime. The pupils were impeccably behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Thank you to all those parents/carers who came along to help out.

On Thursday morning, our Year 3 pupils performed a medley of songs they have been learning on their guitars. The pupils are really enjoying learning this instrument and it is great to see how much they are able to play already. The feedback to staff from families afterwards was lovely to hear.

On Thursday afternoon, KS2 pupils visited St Giles church to take part in a Christmas Carol Service in front of their families. Pupils from Year 6 gave Christmas Readings and the Larks Hill choir performed the beautiful carol, ‘O Holy Night’ and incorporated sign language for the chorus. The whole congregation enjoyed singing traditional carols and the service ended with the choir singing, ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’, again incorporating sign. It was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you again to Father Sam Fletcher for having us.

On Thursday evening, we hosted our much-loved Winter Wonderland event. The weather was kind to us and everybody thoroughly enjoyed seeing our nature garden transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland. Over 150 tickets were sold to families and the hot dogs and hot chocolate went down a treat. Thank you to our many parent helpers who volunteered their time to help with this event.

On Friday afternoon, we held our Christmas Fair. As always, the children organised and led their own stalls and school was buzzing with festive excitement. Thank you again to everyone who attended and donated prizes for the tombola and thank you again to our many parent volunteers who gave up their time to help run our stalls.

On Monday 18th December it is our KS1 Nativity Performances. Due to limited seating in the hall, we have allocated two tickets per child, per performance.

The doors for the AM Nativity will open at 9:20am with the nativity starting at 9:30am.

The PM Nativity will start at 5:30pm and we are asking that parents bring children back into school at 5pm so that we can get them changed and ready for the performance. Parents can then wait in the hall until the nativity starts.

On Tuesday 19th December it is our EYFS Nativity Performances. Due to limited seating in the hall, we are asking again that there is only two adults per performance.

The doors for the morning Nativity will open at 9:20am with the show starting at 9:30am. The doors for the PM Nativity will open at 1:50pm, with the show starting at 2:00pm.

On Wednesday 20th, KS2 have their Mince Pie Madness workshop where they be making mince pies with Classroom Kitchen.

On Wednesday 20th, in the afternoon EYFS & KS1 have their Christmas Party. Children can bring party clothes in their bag to change into but they should come to school in their school uniform.

Overall 96.9%

Reception 97.7%

Year 1 98.7%

Year 2 93.9%

Year 3 100%

Year 4 95.3%

Year 5 94.7%

Year 6 98.9%

There will be no Clubs next week apart from the re-arranged Classroom Kitchen session on Wednesday 20th December.

Also, just a little reminder that we now offer a dinner option 3 which is pasta and sauce.

Wakefield Council's Happy Healthy Holidays – Wakefield Families Together is now open to book for activities between 2nd and 5th January 2024. There are lots of activities on offer including dance, arts and crafts, day trips, sports activities, cooking, food and nutrition activities and much more! If you think you may be eligible for free school meals benefits (this is different from the universal meals given to Reception up to Year 2) please contact the office.

Please contact the office if you need any clarification regarding dates.

And finally, I have been notified by The Children’s Society that the Larks Hill Choir helped to raise a magnificent £731.09 from singing in Pontefract Marketplace in November, along with other schools across the borough. This money will be used to help some of the country’s most vulnerable children and their families. In addition to this, the Royal British Legion have confirmed that the pupils at Larks Hill raised £408.60 for their poppy appeal. The funds raised will go towards making a real difference to people who need it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs Adams