Ripon Cathedral School Update

To continue with our Antarctica theme this half term, the children in Nursery have been learning all about penguins. They waddled on to the crunchy icy grass, then tried to stay warm by huddling together like penguins do. With the weather this week it has been cold enough to feel what it would be like in Antarctica. Well done Nursery.

The children in Year 5 have been learning about the Blues. The have learnt about chords and how they can be produced on the glockenspiels with two beaters. They are sounding fantastic!

All parents should have received a letter this week with a QR code attached so that families can sign up to Class Dojo, online or via the app. It is great to see so many parents have accessed the site so that they can see the reward points and stories on the site.

In the near future we will change our weekly class updates into a post onto Dojo rather than emailing a learning letter. This will provide easy access information and ensure that parents are kept informed about activities and learning. If you are having any issues getting onto the site do let us know.

Finally, can we remind parents to continue to use the regular channels of communication if you wish to report illness, absence, or wish to communicate with the office or classteacher. Please do not send this type of message on Dojo. Thank you.

This week Spiritual Council led worship for the school. The children chose to sing the song Fix You! by Coldplay and then the members of Spiritual Council asked the children about emotions and times that we might need a bit of a repair and help. They talked about ways that we can be fixers and help those around us. Well done Spiritual Council.

At Ripon Cathedral School we want all our children to enjoy coming to school. Our attendance target is 96%, but we hope for 100%.

Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success. Absence from school is often the greatest single cause of poor performance and achievement. You can access your child's attendance information through the ScholarPack App. Attendance below 90% is classed as a persistent absence by the Department for Education. It is good to see that the vast majority of classes in our school do have attendance rates which are above the national average.

Current attendance by class

Reception - 95.2%

Year 1 - 96.1%

Year 2 - 97.4%

Year 3 - 95.9%

Year 4 - 95.7%

Year 5 - 94.7%

Year 6 - 96%

(National average attendance primary schools - 94.7%)

Why is it so important to attend every day?

• Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous days.

• Many classes use discussions, practical learning opportunities and participation as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up by those who are absent.
• Children need to develop good habits and understand the routine of attending school on a daily basis.

Are there other benefits to my child?

• Pupils with good attendance records achieve higher results and enjoy school more.

• Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life.

• Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behaviour.

What are the risks of frequent absences?

• A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work.

• The more pupils miss school, the lower their attainment and progress. This can impact on pupils’ enjoyment of school and lead to difficulties in learning due to gaps in knowledge.

What can parents do to help?

• Parents should model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.

• Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time at a quarter to nine.

• If your child starts missing school, work with the school to put things right.

• If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact school to let us know.

• Avoid taking children out of school in term time for holidays as this can have a big impact on pupil progress.

• Take an interest in your child’s school work and be involved in the school as much as possible

Leave of Absence in Term Time

Requests for leave can only be granted by schools if there are “exceptional circumstances” and holidays are not considered exceptional. Do remember that requests for leave must be made to the school in advance.

A reminder that we are delighted to be able to visit the Cathedral for a Christingle Service on Monday 22nd January at 5pm.

Staff will look after the children (Reception - Year 6) after school on Monday 22nd January. Please note that there will be no OSCARS after school care on this date. The school kitchen will provide everyone with a free hot dog (or vegetarian sausage), before we walk up to the Cathedral in time for the 5pm service in the nave. You are warmly invited to join us in the Cathedral for this special service. Children must be collected from the Cathedral at 5.30pm.

We are assuming that all children will be staying on at school and eating the hot dog before the service unless you notify us otherwise. If this is the case, we do ask that you email school on rbingham@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk to tell us that your child/children will not be in attendance and will be collected at the usual time (3.10pm/3.15pm) on Monday 22nd January 2024. Children will arrive at the Cathedral at just before 5pm for the service. We do ask that parents and carers sit on the left side of the nave (as you walk in from the main entrance). Children will be seated on the right.

At the end of the service we will move the children so that they are together as a class and ready for collection. Please do make sure that you see your child's class teacher before taking your child. We are expecting the service to end by 5.30pm.

At the end of the service there will be a collection for the Children's Society. Please do help support this worthy cause.

If your child is in Nursery and normally attends Oscar's after school on Mondays and you are unable to collect at 3.15pm, please let Mrs Rich know so that we can explain our alternative childcare arrangements.

If you have already booked Oscar's after school on Monday 22nd January, we will be arranging a credit note.

Every week we enjoy hearing about the wonderful work in each class in our Celebration Worship. Well done to all our Stars of the Week.

Nursery

Lunnah for fantastic phonics.

Reception

Jimi for an amazing attitude to his learning, especially handwriting and phonics.

Year 1

Brody for his amazing adjectives in his postcard from Grandad's Island.

Year 2

Evelyn for trying her best and working really hard all the time. Making good choices and being a kind friend.

Year 3

Isabelle for a fantastically detailed response in RE, linking her learning to her own thoughts, opinions and beliefs.

Year 4

Boaz for wonderful, imaginative ideas for our setting descriptions and embracing English lessons with determination.

Year 5

Owethu for his excellent attitude to learning, specifically his music. Owethu has led the class with his singing as well as chords on the glockenspiels!

Aggie for having a positive attitude towards her learning; being supportive and helping peers and taking on an active role in class discussions.

Monday 22nd January - Christingle service at 5pm in the Cathedral

Friday 26th January - Holocaust Memorial Service - Year 6 at the Cathedral

Thursday 1st February - Year 4 visit to York

Thursday 1st February - SEND coffee morning (in school hall 9am)

Tuesday 6th February at 5.30pm - London Information Meeting (Year 6 parents and children)

Wednesday 7th February at 7pm - Meeting of the Friends of School (venue TBC)

Thursday 8th February - KS2 Young Voices at Sheffield Arena

Friday 9th February - School closes for Half Term

Thursday 29th February - Cathedral Breakfast Natters (in school hall 9am)

Wednesday 6th March -> Friday 8th March - Year 6 visit to London

Tuesday 12th March - Parent consultation meetings

Wednesday 13th March - Parent consultation meetings

Thursday 21st March - Reception and Key Stage 1 Celebration Worship

Friday 22nd March - Music Concert and Celebration Worship.

Friday 22nd March - School closes for Easter break

Tuesday 9th April - School reopens for pupils for the Summer Term

Our dates for diaries includes events that we currently have planned. We will add more dates over the term so please do check each week for new events.

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