Old Hutton C of E School - A DfE National Support School
SIAMS Outstanding
Church School Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0NQ Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oldhuttonschool.org.uk
Tel (01539) 732778 Headteacher: Mrs Andrea Walker BA(Hons), PGCE, NPQH, LLE, NLE Friday, 08 November 2019
Autumn Half Term Newsletter Dear Parents and Carers,
The second half of the Autumn term has come around quickly and it is beginning to feel rather wintery already! As we now look forward to the rest of this super busy term, here is a news round-up and some important information points to share with everyone.
Staff news Mrs Hopkins has decided that after Christmas it is time for her to enjoy a couple of days away from the classroom each week and will be moving to a three day, part-time teaching position. We are in the process of recruiting a part-time 0.4 teacher, on a temporary contract initially, to teach alongside Mrs Hopkins in Class 2. For job details, please see the school website or ask in the office. Interviews will be held during the first week of December and we will let you know the outcome before the end of term.
We would like to welcome Jessica Helm and Sue Garriock who have both joined us as Midday Supervisors this term.
We would also like to welcome Suzanne Gray as a student EYFS teacher, who has joined the Class 1 and 2 teaching teams for her placement this term; and Emily Brownsord, student teacher on the Kendal PGCE School Direct Teacher Training Programme, who is on her first placement in Class 4 this term.
Governor news This term, we would like to welcome Joanna Ireland to our governor team, as the new parent governor.
Some school news from the last half term and start of this one… What a busy half term we all had last term! Here are a few highlights... Our Reception children have settled in brilliantly; they love exploring their classroom and outside spaces, and have made super buddies! We had a particularly successful Harvest Festival Service earlier in the term, organised by our Collective Worship Committee children with a special focus on Humility, our Christian Value for this term; we raised £80 for the RSPCA and The Winnie Mabaso Foundation. Pupil comments included: ‘I love church during Harvest time, it looks so pretty in the Autumn light with the fruit.’ ‘I felt proud supporting two such needy charities.’ Class 1 and 2 have been working with Tullie House, taking part in some of their exciting workshops. ‘We loved meeting Priya Sundar and exploring Diwali through stories and dance.’ Classes 2 and 3 are also looking forward to their exciting Art and Romans workshops and visits to Tullie House museum and art gallery in Carlisle next week Class 3 are loving their creative art lessons. They have all made their own Roman-themed mosaic coasters and recycled bottle poppy wreath. ‘I liked that we got to use proper tiles and grout to make our mosaic!’ Year 5 and 6 have been thoroughly enjoying their new weekly Climbing and Forest School lessons. ‘Being creative in the forest is great fun. We are taking part in the John Muir Award as part of the lesson, so we are learning a lot about and from being outdoors.’ ‘Climbing each week has been awesome! I was scared when I first started but by the end of the lessons I was confident. I know how to tie knots and belay now.’ Mr Patel has been helping out in our RE lessons across the school. ‘Thank you Mr Patel for teaching us more about Islam. I found your prayer mat, with its built-in compass really interesting.’
And we must not forget our Hello Yellow Day to raise awareness of Mental Health; as one pupil reflected, ‘my highlight from that day was Miss Harrison dressed as a yellow banana! Keep an eye on our school Facebook page for regular updates about what we are all getting up to in school!
Pod cast! We have been very excited to begin making use of our new Pod outdoor wellbeing and mini classroom space this term. So far, it has been used for music lessons, reading and small group work and yesterday it became a polling station for our pupil charity elections, run by School Council/Y6 and Rebecca Shiels as part of our special Parliament Week! It is certainly going to be a fantastic asset to school! Today we are having the official ‘pod opening’ event, with artist Sam Martin, who inspired the pupils’ beautiful landscape mural inside the pod (and also smaller versions on display in our entrance hall) as our celebrity guest. Many thanks to everyone who has donated generously to our pod funding – and watch out for news of Claire Toone and Rebecca’s very brave ’parachute for the pod’ event coming up soon!
PTA News We continue to be very grateful to the PTA who has this term helped to fund many of our activities and resources across the whole school; from EYFS resources, to trips and climbing logbooks. It is wonderful to have your support! A letter went out earlier this week along with a book of raffle tickets, detailing how you can help to raise money for the school.
Remembrance Service Just a reminder that our Remembrance Service, planned and led by our Collective Worship Committee pupils, will take place next Monday 11th November at 10.40am, everyone is very welcome to come and join us. Following and inspired by the service, our learning across school will then be focussed on the theme of Humility for our termly multi-faith day.
Dog safety reminder Please can we remind everyone that for health and safety reasons, dogs are not allowed in the school playground. Also, if you do have a dog with you in the churchyard or church car park at the beginning and end of the day, please can you ensure that it is kept safely on a lead. Thank you for your understanding.
Car parking safety reminder This week, Mrs Walker and our chair of Governors, Claire Toone, attended a meeting with representatives from the parish and district councils as well as the Cumbria County Council highways team, to discuss ideas to improve our challenging car parking situation and road safety in the village. We will let you know as soon as we hear back from the councils with next steps. In the meantime, can we please remind everyone, as always, to show consideration to others, including our neighbours in the village, by driving slowly and cautiously in the school vicinity and avoiding parking in front of all the private properties opposite the school. It is dangerous and illegal to park on the yellow zigzag lines in front of school. Please try your best to park sensibly and always take extra care of the children and yourselves when getting in and out of vehicles, crossing the road and walking to and from school before and after school. Do try to make use of our before and after school clubs and activities and car- sharing to help reduce the number of cars around at peak times. Please can we also remind drivers, in the interest of reducing pollution and harm to health, to avoid parking with engines left running in the car park and/or school vicinity. Thank you.
Sponsored Reading Week Keep your eyes peeled next week for an exciting letter about Sponsored Reading Week!
With best wishes from,
Fiona Hadwin Assistant Head
Diary Dates
Friday 8th November Pod opening by visiting artist Sam Martin 2.45pm – ALL WELCOME Monday 11th November Multi Faith Day for whole school – Humility Remembrance Service in church 10.45am – ALL WELCOME! Parents’ evening 2 Tuesday 12th November Bike club continues weekly KS2, 3.30-4.15pm Class 1 & 2 Tullie House workshop in school – WW1/Remembrance Wednesday 13th November Natwest “Beatrix the Mobile Bank bus” visiting Y5 & Y6 Visit to Carlisle, Tullie House workshops for Y2, Y3 & Y4 - Romans and Turner - more details later Thursday 14th November Open The Book in Church 2.55pm - ALL WELCOME! Friday 15th November Kendal Mountain Festival Y5 & Y6 Monday 18th November Sponsored read week – Usborne books Staff training for all teachers & TAs – pupil wellbeing/anxiety led by Donna Moore (public health) 3.30 – 5pm Wednesday 20th November Full Governors meeting 6.30 – 8.00pm Thursday 21st November Open The Book in Church 2.55pm - ALL WELCOME! Monday 25th November Nasal flu immunisations in school Tuesday 26th November Cinderella theatre visit KS2 Thursday 28th November Open The Book in Church 2.55pm - ALL WELCOME! Y5 Rockets & Hot Air Balloons workshop at KKS, afternoon Friday 29th November Christingle afternoon from 1pm Christingle service in church 2.45pm – ALL WELCOME! Closing date for Class 2 job 3pm Monday 2nd December Class 2 job shortlisting Wednesday 4th December Class 2 job interviews Friday 6th December ‘Outside the Igloo’ performance at the Brewery for R & KS1 Monday 9th December School Christmas Musical: Annie! Rehearsals – New Hutton V Hall – ALL DAY – more details later Tuesday 10th December School Christmas Musical: Annie! New Hutton Village Hall Matinee & 6.30pm performance – ALL WELCOME! – more details later Wednesday 11th December NO YOGA CLUB after school Thursday 12th December Open The Book in Church 2.55pm - ALL WELCOME! Monday 16th December Carol singing in Kendal AM - TBC Christmas Nativity 2.30pm followed by Christmas fair Thursday 19th December Christmas lunch & parties Friday 20th December Christmas carol service in church TERM ENDS AT 2PM
School Year dates 2019-20
Autumn Term 2019 Wednesday 4th September – Friday 20th December Spring Term 2020 Staff training day Monday 6th January Tuesday 7th January – Friday 27th March Half Term Holiday: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February Summer Term 2020 Good Friday Holiday: Friday 10th April Easter Monday Holiday: Monday 13th April Tuesday 14th April – Friday 17th July Early May Bank Holiday: Friday 8th May Half Term Holiday: Monday 25th – Friday 29th May