Letters Home

Christmas has Arrived!
A huge thank you to a very kind member of our school community who has donated a beautiful tree to the school, which is standing proudly in our hall.  We really appreciate this kind gesture.  Please visit our Twitter feed on the homepage of the website to see our tree in all its glory.
 
Our Christmas post-box has also arrived and is awaiting post.  If children wish to give out cards, please ensure they are labelled clearly with children’s names and classes on the envelope.  Our amazing school council will be delivering to classes each day.

Community Lunch Club Singing – 6^th December
We were so impressed with the children last Saturday, who performed at the Patronal service – their singing was beautiful and we have received some messages from the vicar, Ian Kitching, as well as other members of our local community.
 
Next Tuesday some of our children have volunteered to sing at the community lunch club in the Mechanics.  If your child is taking part in this, you will be receiving an email shortly from Mrs Pawson regarding arrangements.
 
Acorn Class Stay & Play – 6^th December @ 3pm
Acorn Class parents are invited to join us for a Christmas story celebration; we hope that you can join us!

Christmas Dinner & Christmas Jumper Day – 12^th December
We are looking forward to our Christmas dinner on the 12^th December.  Thank you for responding to let us know your child’s choices regarding this.

A quick reminder that we are also fundraising for Save the Children on this date and will be doing so by wearing our Christmas jumpers to school for a £1 donation.  This will also be a non-school uniform day.

Acorn & Oak Nativity – 15^th December
We are really looking forward to our Nativity on the 15^th December and hope that you will be able to join us.  Performances will be at 2pm and 6pm.  Acorn and Oak parents – please look out for an email regarding this.
 
We are really proud of our KS2 volunteers, who will be supporting Acorn & Oak as a Choir.
 
Carol Service, St Andrews Church – 16^th December @ 9:00
Save the date! More information to follow.

Forest School – Please Note Change of Classes
CA reminder that Cedar pupils should arrive at school next Friday in old, comfortable clothes and wellies or trainers for this, along with waterproof trousers and coats.  Cedar pupils need to bring their school uniform to school to change into following their Forest School session. There will be no Forest School on the last day of term.

Reading for Pleasure
We continue our commitment to reading for pleasure and are in the process of setting up a new ‘Reading for Pleasure’ page on the website.  Please look out for this, which will soon feature lots of exciting recommendations, as well as many exciting reading adventures.
 
Another reminder about the reading we do in school…

Reading for Practice Books – these are the books that children use to practice learning how to read with decoding, their fluency and prosody.  These books could be Little Wandle scheme books, Little Wandle Rapid scheme books, or Oxford scheme books.
 
Reading for Pleasure Books – these are books that your child chooses to read independently, or have read to them – their own choice of reading material.  This could be a book from the class library, the school library, or something they are reading at home.  Pupils may take a reading for pleasure book home from school each day – we do ask that this is returned to school daily.  We will keep a record of books taken home and if not returned by the end of the school academic year we will have to ask parents to reimburse the cost of this, thank you.
 
Local Library Reading Challenge Reminder
North Yorkshire Libraries have launched an exciting Christmas Reading Challenge.

Children need to read 4 library books to complete the challenge and will collect small incentives along the way. A young volunteer at Harrogate Library has designed the scheme for use at libraries in North Yorkshire.
 
Libraries in the Harrogate District where you can sign up for the challenge are:
Harrogate Library
Ripon Library
Knaresborough Library
Boroughbridge Community Library
Bilton & Woodfield Community Library
Mashamshire Community Library
Nidderdale Plus Community Library
Starbeck Community Library
 
Please check the www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries for up-to-date opening hours. You can also follow your local library on Facebook for regular updates.
 
We look forward to seeing lots of families at the library soon!
 
Please see the attached flyer.
 
Kind regards
North Yorkshire Libraries team
 
Swimming  
Swimming Lessons continue for Palm Class this half term
Children will need: 

• Swim cap (These can be bought from the swimming baths, please send £1.00 in an envelope labelled with your child’s name)  
• One-piece costume for girls and shorts for boys (no baggy board shorts please). 
• Towel   
• Goggles (optional)  
• Long hair tied up

Please note – there will be no swimming session on 15^th December.

​
   
Health & Safety Updates

Manor Court Entrance Reminder
We kindly request that parents do not park at the Manor Court entrance to school, or use this as a drop-off point or turning area for pupils brought to school by car.
 
To explain the reasoning behind this request, which some of our newer families may not be aware of -  when the school footpath to Manor Court was created back in 2010, part of the planning permission stated that the access to Manor Court was foot access only. 
 
We encourage our pupils to walk to school whenever possible and work closely with the residents of Manor Court to ensure the safety of our pupils and the residents of the village.  Thank you in advance for adhering to this and helping us keep our pupils and community safe.
 
Immunisation Update Reminder
Dear Parent/Carer, 
 
The school age immunisation team have visited your school. If your child was absent on the day the following clinics are available for you to book via the link sent from the team: 
  

Tuesday  06/12/22

15.30pm - 17.30pm

Lythe Fire Station - Whitby

Lythe Bank, Lythe, North Yorkshire, YO21 3RT    APPOINTMENT ONLY

 

Wednesday  07/12/22

15.30pm -17.30pm

Scarborough Fire Station

13-15 North Marine Road, Scarborough YO11 7EY    APPOINTMENT ONLY

 

Friday  09/12/22

15.30pm -17.30pm

Ripon MIU

Firby Lane, Ripon, HG4 2PR  APPOINTMENT ONLY

 

Tuesday 13/12/22

15.00pm – 16.30pm

Thirsk Children’s Centre

Hambleton Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1SL  APPOINTMENT ONLY

 
 
If you did not complete the consent form but would still like your child to be vaccinated the following clinics are available, as drop in: 
  

Saturday 3/12/22

10.00am - 12.00pm

Guisborough Library

Guisborough Library, 90 Westgate, Guisborough TS14 6AP

 

Thursday 15/12/22

15.30pm-18:00pm

Rawcliffe Pavilion - York

St Mark's Grove, York YO30 5TS

 

Monday 19/12/22

9.30am-13.30pm

Richmond Friary

Richmond Friary, 9 Queen’s Road, Richmond DL10 4AJ

 
If none of these are suitable but you would be able to attend one of the bookable clinics above, please contact our consent team on 0300 003 2554 and press OPTION 1. 
 
If you have not consented, you can drop into the clinics and we will take consent and vaccinate. 
 
Best wishes, 
 
Helen Harvey 
Service Manager 
School Age Immunisation Service 
 
School Age Immunisation Service – North Yorkshire, York, Durham, Darlington & Teesside
Contact: 0300 003 2554    Email: hdft.sais@nhs.net


Safeguarding, Mental health and Wellbeing Updates
No new updates this week, but please do keep visiting our Mental Health and Well Being page on the Parent tab.
 
Admin/Office Update
Thank you for your patience regarding our current staff shortage in the Office; your support is greatly appreciated.  Please be assured we are seeking ongoing recruitment in this area.