Ripon Cathedral School Update

This week, we awarded our Superstars of the term! On Monday, Reception and Key Stage One presented some of the work they had completed this term in a special worship for parents and carers. Marcie and Clara from Reception talked about all they had learned about plants and growing. Year 1 had completed some beautiful artwork on paper plates, based on the designs of Clarice Cliffe, which they proudly showed off to the audience. And Year 2 shared a wonderful presentation all about their 'Traction Man' project that included some super writing! The Key Stage Two Superstar frames were presented during the Music Concert, and Mrs Walsh presented her Superstar Class of the Term award in Celebration Worship this morning. This went to Year 4, for being excellent role models and for all their hard work and commitment to both their learning and extra-curricular activities.

A huge well done to all our Superstar pupils this term: Eliza, Sadie, Kiyansh, Isla-Grey, Dylan, Max and Elsie!

Congratulations to this week's stars:

Reception - Hermione for always behaving beautifully, setting a great example to her peers and having such a positive attitude to her learning. She always tries her best.

Year 1 - Pippa for showing unique and creative ideas in her writing. She has also shown confidence when using question marks.

Year 2 - Hetty for always striving to help and support others. Hetty is a fantastic friend to everyone and seeks opportunities where she can care for others.

Year 3 - Lily for a super effort with her work recently. Lily has been giving thoughtful and detailed responses in lessons and in her written work.

Year 4 - Tobias for a wonderful effort and beautiful handwriting in his 'Dare to Care: Pet Hippogriff'.

Year 5 - Amelia for going above and beyond to design a superb poster for 'Earth Day' at home on the computer.

Year 6 - Dominic for always being a star and being a great role model for his peers.

We are delighted that more children have joined our group of reading aces, this time from the Reception class. They have completed the Reading Monster challenges and earned their brag tags by showing amazing dedication to reading, exploring a variety of books with enthusiasm and commitment. Well done to all of them!

Albert, Jensen, Emilia, Layla S, Luna, Sidney, Wilfred

We held our Collective Worship for Easter in the Cathedral on Tuesday. Canon Matthew had chosen six mystery objects to represent different parts of the Easter story, and a representative from each class read a section of the story to explain the meaning behind each of them. It was a lovely way for the children to explore the important events of Holy Week and we were pleased that the whole school from Nursery to Year 6 were able to attend. Well done to Rory, Phoebe, Lily, Elsie, Amelia and Charlotte for their super reading, and thank you to Beth, Canon Matthew and Dean John for leading our worship.

Our annual Music Concert took place yesterday afternoon featuring group and individual performances from Key Stage 2 pupils. The concert started with whole class performances on the glockenspiel, percussion and recorders. Year 3 performed a selection of recorder pieces; Year 4 included some choreography in their rendition of ‘Vamos Let’s Go!’; Year 5 impressed with the 12-Bar Blues and Year 6 re-created an Indian Cityscape using a wide range of instruments. We were then lucky enough to hear performances from a great number of our talented musicians who have been learning individual instruments which included piano, guitar, flute, violin and a range of brass instruments. There was certainly a high standard of musical talent on display and we were very proud of all those who bravely performed, whether on their own or as part of their class performance. Many thanks to those of you who came along to watch and support – we hope you enjoyed a thoroughly musical afternoon!

The Year 2 class had a wonderful visit to Ripon fire station on Wednesday. The firefighters were very welcoming and really informative. The children learnt all about their day to day job and the importance of different aspects of their uniform. It was exciting to try on some of the uniform and to sit in the fire engine! The class also heard a practice alarm and had a go at aiming the water hoses at a target.

The fire crew asked us to highlight to parents that they can come to fit smoke alarms free of charge at any residential address. Just contact the station.

Huge thanks to Ripon fire station for an amazing visit.

Mrs Stewart has worked hard in the school office for over seven years including organising the annual Year 6 visit to London and making sure all the administration of our staff recruitment and training runs smoothly. She has also always been willing to step out of the office to help, whether on playground duties, in the lunch hall, walking children to swimming or on school visits. We said a fond farewell to her on Wednesday as she heads off to enjoy her retirement.

Firstly, we would like to wish Mrs Babington a fabulous maternity leave! We are all going to miss her lots but we are very excited for her new arrival and we are hoping to see them both very soon. The children are particularly looking forward to hear the baby’s name after all their suggestions! Can we also take this opportunity to welcome Miss Hutchinson into our school family. She will be covering Mrs Babington’s maternity leave and starting with us straight after the Easter holidays. She has already met the children as part of her interview but we know she is looking forward getting to know them and all of you over the coming weeks.

Mrs Beckett

Earth Day is an annual celebration that honours the achievements of the largest environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect the Earth's natural resources for future generations. This year, Earth Day is taking place on Tuesday 22nd April and as parts of Year 5's courageous advocacy work on 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' they will be planning some activities which are going to take place throughout the summer term.

Firstly, on Earth Day Year 5 are going to lead a worship for the whole school to share why Earth Day is celebrated each year and launch a whole school competition. They would like the children across school to consider how we can make our classrooms more eco friendly and design a poster. Year 5 are then going to complete a litter pick in the local community. The class would love to hear from you if you can suggest an area that you think would require our attention.

Watch out for events all the events that Year 5 are organising in the summer term. They have lots of ideas including a jumble sale, book swap, bake sale etc where they hope to raise funds for our school to improve our environment and for charities.

A new menu starts after the Easter break. We will also be making some trial changes to how meals are served. Year 5 and Year 6 will eat together in the final sitting at 12.45pm. They will still make a choice between main meal, vegetarian meal and jacket potato at the start of the day so the kitchen can prepare the correct amount of meals to minimise food waste. However, when they go up to the counter, they will be able to choose from a salad bar and which pudding they have. There will be fruit and yoghurt on offer as well as the cooked pudding. Please can Year 5 and 6 parents (and children!) be patient whilst the kitchen gauge numbers, particularly how many yoghurts to order. We apologise in advance if your child is near the end of the queue one day and the yoghurts happen to have run out, for example. The caterers do not want to put in an excess order and then have food waste. Thank you.

If the trial with our older children goes well, we will be looking to roll out this method of serving longer term and to more year groups.

All parents and carers have been emailed the summer term menu. For vegetarians, please note that on the days the jacket potato has fish or meat, your children can be provided with an alternative.

On Friday 25th April, we will be celebrating Purple Up Day with our service children (the children who have a parent in the military). We will be sharing a special worship with them and we are asking that children show their support for military families in our community by wearing a splash of purple - this could be purple socks, a purple bobble or headband. If you don't have anything purple, please don't buy anything. The children will be giving everyone a purple sticker and if you would like to make a donation to the SSAFA (https://www.ssafa.org.uk/north-yorkshire) we will be collecting cash on the day or you can make a donation via ParentPay.

We are looking for volunteers to help support our pupils by listening to them read. If you have some free time and would love to encourage young readers, we invite you to come in and lend a hand. Your support will make a big difference in building children's confidence and improving their reading skills. Whether you can commit to one hour a week or more, your time will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering or want more details, please contact the school office. All volunteers will have to complete full safeguarding checks and training.

As Easter is right at the end of the holidays, the Easter Egg competition will happen after the break. We hope families will enjoy decorating hard boiled eggs (or drawing and colouring in on paper) over the holidays. Please bring in your finished creations to the school hall on Wednesday 23rd in the morning.

A school disco has been arranged for Friday 2nd May. It will be the same arrangements as before but we will send out details nearer the time.

Wednesday 23rd April – Easter egg competition display and judging

Friday 25th April – Purple Up Day

Friday 2nd May – School Disco

Monday 5th May – Bank Holiday: School Closed

Tuesday 6th May – Deadline for Parent Governor Election Votes

Wednesday 7th May – Year 4 to Workhouse Museum

Thursday 8th May – VE Day

Monday 12th May – Year 6 SATs Week

Wednesday 21st May – Year 5 visiting St Peter’s School, Leeds

Thursday 22nd May – Sports Day

Clicking on the images below links you to NHS parental support websites which our colleagues in North Yorkshire have asked us to share with you. The first link has more of a focus on emotional issues. The second image links to 'Inourplace' which has useful videos and free e-learning courses for a range of challenges which can face parents. Further details have also been emailed to parents today.

All children and young people across North Yorkshire can get involved in a range of holiday activities, with free places and a free meal for children and young people receiving benefits-related free school meals. The latter will be receiving an email with further information and vouchers for the Easter holidays next week.

All families are welcome to use the play schemes and clubs (space permitting). For a link to the website, please click on the image below.

Email: admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk
Website: www.riponcathedralschool.org.uk
Location: HG41LT, United Kingdom
Phone: 01765 602355
Facebook: facebook.com/riponcathschool