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Year 6 residential at Thornbridge

Year 6 have had a wonderful 3 days residential visit at Thornbridge Hall where they walked, climbed, abseiled, went on high ropes, low ropes and went bouldering in the beautiful Peak District. They had a great experience! 

The benefits of Outdoor education experiences include:

• Promoting health and wellbeing
• Enabling students to enjoy and achieve in school – and hopefully later life
• Boosting self-esteem
• Experiencing new things
• Fostering independence
• Experiencing challenge
• Experiencing outdoor and adventurous activities (as per the curriculum)
• Developing team working skills

All the children worked together and tried their best at all the activities.

Year 3 Orienteering

Year 3 had a fantastic afternoon orienteering with Pauline from South Yorkshire Orienteers on Thursday. They first had to learn how to work as a team and match the symbols to the objects to make a face. They then had to orientate a map and follow a path using numbered cones. This helped them to navigate between control points on an orienteering map. The challenge was to complete the course in the quickest time. Each pair took it in turns to wear a dibber which recorded the time taken to reach each control point. It also checked whether the children had followed the correct course. There were some very fast times by the end of the afternoon.

An update from Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, England

There is wide agreement among health professionals and educational professionals that school attendance is vital to the life chances of children and young people. Being in school improves health, wellbeing and socialisation throughout the life course. The greatest benefits come from children and young people attending school regularly.

In addition to respiratory illnesses, we are aware that more children may be absent from school due to symptoms of anxiety than before the pandemic. Worry and mild or moderate anxiety, whilst sometimes difficult emotions, can be a normal part of growing up for many children and young people. Being in school can often help alleviate the underlying issues. A prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending in the future, rather than reduce it. 

Support is available at Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters. This is important for children of all ages, but in particular if the child is transitioning from one school to another, or to another class, which may make them more anxious about school.

NHS UK Every Mind Matters

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 9th October 2023

Our whole school attendance target for this academic year (23/24) is 96.5%

Follow the link below for further information: 

NHS ‘Is my child too ill for school?’ guidance

REMINDER

Parent's Evening (Reception to Year 6) October 2023

This term we will be offering an opportunity to meet with your child’s class teacher. The purpose behind our first Parents’ Evening will be to talk through how your child has settled into their new class, their learning behaviours and how to support your child at home. This terms Parents’ Evening will be across two days:

Tuesday 17^th October (3:30pm - 6:00pm)

Thursday 19^th October (3:30pm - 6:00pm)

You will receive an appointment from your class teacher on class dojo. If you are unable to attend at the allocated time, please send a Dojo message or contact the office so that a suitable alternative can be arranged. Please be aware that appointments are strictly 10 minutes and you will need to arrive in good time. If you require any further discussion beyond the initial meeting, you must make a separate appointment with your child’s class teacher

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.