Weekly Newsletter

Headteacher - Mrs K Adams

Assistant Headteacher - Miss H Howard

Associate Assistant Headteacher - Miss L Whale

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to December everyone! Let the festivities begin!

On Monday, we were very lucky to welcome The Harrogate and District NHS Foundation into school to talk to the Year 3 children about the importance of good dental hygiene. The session supported to raise awareness of oral hygiene and the children learned so much. Even the teachers had to complete a questionnaire!

On Wednesday, together with other schools across our region, our Larks Hill choir took part in a singing event in Pontefract town centre to support The Children's Society. Even though it was very cold, the children had a great time!

On Thursday, some Year 5 and 6 children took part in the West Yorkshire British Dodgeball Championships. As a result of their impeccable behaviour, respect and team spirit, they were elected to receive the Sportsmanship Award.

Their teacher, Mrs Penty, reported 'I'm beyond proud of this group today. I've never taken a group of pupils like this to a sporting event. The respect to the sport's leaders, their honesty throughout every game without fail and their collaboration as a team was simply exceptional. They were an example to all'.

Well done to the whole team!

Today, we were excited in school as we were visited by Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford. Yvette's office wrote to all schools across her region a few weeks ago, asking pupils to enter a competition to design her Christmas Card this year; the winner was to receive a prize and the card would be sent to the Prime Minister and Labour Leader. I am over the moon and so proud to announce that Oliver Simpson in Year 3 won the competition! This is an amazing achievement and one that he will remember forever. Yvette came into our school assembly today to present Oliver with his prize and let him see the card for the first time. What a lovely memory for Oliver and his family. Please look out for the announcement in the local press in the forthcoming days.

It is with much sadness that I write to inform you that we will be losing Miss Parkhurst (Year 2 Teacher) and Mr Deakin, our school caretaker, at the end of this term. Both positions have been filled and I have written to Year 2 parents directly. Miss Jones will take up position as Year 2 class teacher and Mr Pugh will take up the role as caretaker. We send our thanks and best wishes to both Miss Parkhurst and Mr Deakin for all their hard work and time with us.

From Monday, children are able to bring Christmas Cards into school which can be posted in our new Larks Hill Christmas Post Box which is situated in the school reception. The cards must have the recipients full name and class written on the envelope.

On Tuesday we will be welcoming staff from the Prince of Wales Hospice as we support them raising funds for this charity with our yearly Reindeer Run! Parents are invited to come along in the morning at 8:25am to see the teachers run!

If you would like to come and see your child's class run please see times below;

Year 6 9:05 - 9:20

Year 5 9:25 - 9:40

Year 4 - 9:45 - 10:00

Year 3 - 10:05 - 10:20

BREAK FOR KEY STAGE 2

EYFS 11:00 - 11:15

Year 1 - 11:20 - 11:35

Year 2 - 11:40 - 11:55

On Thursday 7th December EYFS will be going to St Giles Church where they will be learning all about Advent and the Nativity.

On Friday it is our Christmas Dinner Day. The children may wear Christmas jumpers or non-uniform on this day together with festive headwear if they so wish. On this day, we are also requesting parents/carers to kindly donate a bottle of something or chocolate to support us with our annual Christmas Fair tombola. As always, your donations are very kindly received and will go towards the purchasing of stage lighting and sound system for a new stage.

Overall 96.6%

Reception 96.3%

Year 1 99.3%

Year 2 95.7%

Year 3 95.5%

Year 4 98.4%

Year 5 93.3%

Year 6 97.5%

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

Thank you to everyone for your continued support. I am looking forward to seeing you at our festive events over the forthcoming weeks.

Have a lovely weekend!

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs Adams