Dear Parent / Carers,
I would like to start this newsletter asking you all to take a moment to think about your child(ren). Our school is full of wonderful, kind, caring, funny, friendly and respectful children and this term they really have made us proud in every aspect. Since returning in September they have worked incredibly hard in all aspects of school life. They now deserve a magical Christmas and I hope they all enjoy spending time with their families.
They however are not the only ones who deserve a lovely Christmas break - I would like to thank you for your ongoing support of the school. Again you have all shown a desire to be involved in your children's learning and joined us in Parent Workshops, supported home learning and taken part in learning celebrations including a Parent Quiz, Old Toy Showcase and a Fashion Show!
Autumn Term 2 is always magical in school, but this year it truly has been magnificent, from Santa's Grotto, Nativity plays, Songs Around the Tree to Christmas dinner and parties I can guarantee our children have had the best time.
This term we say goodbye to our colleagues and friends Mrs Hayes and Mr Taylor. I am sure you will all join me in wishing them the very best with their future and thanking them for their hard work over their time at Mapplewell. As always when we say goodbye to some faces, we welcome new and I look forward to welcoming Mrs Atherton to the school team in January who will be teaching in Year 3 / 4.
On behalf of all our staff I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!
Kind regards,
Mrs Padfield
School Trips this term
We started the term with our Year 6 residential to Robinwood - what a fun packed few days that was. We aren't sure who was more exhausted the staff of children! Following this further trips have taken place to engage pupils in learning opportunites and provide them experiences in new places, these include:
- Year 1 Build a Bear
- All KS1 visiting the local church
- Year 3 /4 Cadbury's World
- Year 5 Pantomine
- Year 6 Crucial Crew
- Fire Safety Visits throughout school
Promoting Reading
As a school we value the importance of reading for pleasure. We look forward to introducing our new reading incentives with you in the new year but until then here is a little reminder of how we have encouraged reading over the last term.
- Gadgeteens Celebrations
- Book Fair
- Author visits
- Reading advent
Promoting Times tables
Knowing your times tables by heart can make maths learning so much easier and quicker. If you don't already take time at home to support your child in learning their times table facts. It would be great to see some of your inventive and creative ways to encourage this at home, please share @MapplewellSch
After school clubs
It has been a pleasure to see so many of our pupils participating in after school activities. Please don't forget to book your child's place for Spring term 1 on Arbor.
- Mindfulness
- Coding Club
- Brass band
- Art Club
- Reading Club
- Athletics
- Football
- Art Club
- Board Games
- Choir
- Cooking Club
Sporting Opportunities
Mr Hart and the team have thoroughly enjoyed taking groups of children out each Friday afternoon to engage in a variety of sporting opportunities, including:
- Cross Country
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Fitness Festival
- Athletics
To see more of Sport and PE at Mapplewell please follow @MPSPEandSport on Twitter.
National Poetry Day
With took the opportunity to embrace our pupils in poetry on National Poetry Day by making links in our LIRA lessons.
Harvest Festival
We celebrated Harvest this year by donating food to local food banks, to support the community. Our younger pupils held a special assembly to share their learning of Harvest with their families.
Spooky Disco
We loved to see our pupils having fun with their friends in our after school disco this term. It was great to see so many of them dancing, singing and laughing.
Pumpkin Carving Competition
We aren't sure who enjoys this annual treat more ... children or parents?! There were some spectacular pumpkins this year. Thank you to all for taking part.
Art Competition
We were so proud to showcase some of our pupils art work in the local Art Gallery held at Barnsley Metrodome. We have some budding artists from our after school Art Club.
Postcards Home
This year we introduced 'postcards home'. Staff send these postcards home to pupils who continually display our school values in their attitudes and behaviours.
We can't wait to send out more in 2023!
Points Reward shop
Another new addition this year to celebrate our pupils positive behaviours and demonstration of school values is our new Point Shop! Pupils receive points through out the school day for displaying school values, working hard and generally being well-rounded positive role models for others. We have been so impressed with the number of pupils getting 50 points and visiting our shop. We had so many we had to restock part way through the term!
Parent Workshop / Events
To support our parents/carers in best supporting their child's learning at home we have held various Parent Workshops this term. It has been brilliant to see so many families join us in these events.
- Year 3 / 4 Times Tables Parent Workshop
- Welcome to new Nursery Families
- KS2 SATS Meeting
- Phonics / Early Reading
- EYFS Curriculum
- EYFS Story Telling and Language
- Year 2 Reading Beyond Phonics
We have also held parent events to invite you into school to see your children's learning. These have been showcases of the learning that has taken place and opportunities for you to engage further in your child's learning.
- Year 3 / 4 Fashion Show
- Year 2 Family Kahoot
- Year 1 Toy Showcase
Parents’ Evening
As always it was wonderful to welcome so many families in to school for Parents' Evening, we hope you found the conversations useful and enjoyed looking at your child's books.
Rememberance Day
This year we asked our families to share photographs and memories of loved ones in the services. We then opened the doors and welcomed you into the hall to show your respects. Thank you to everyone who was involved. This was a very special event.
If you weren't able to join us at this event then please take a look at the video above.
Anti Bullying Week
At Mapplewell we do not tolerate bullying in any form. We joined the Nation this term to unite together against bullying throughout Anti Bullying Week.
Christmas at Mapplewell
Santa's Grotto
For the first time ever we invited the big fellow himself into school for our younger pupils to enjoy a hot chocolate, cookie and story in Santa's Grotto. It was a huge success and a pleasure to see so many happy children. Thank you to those who joined us in this event.
EYFS / KS1 Nativity
As always we were incredibly proud of all our pupils for taking part in the Nativity productions this year. We hope family members that came to see the performances left with the true meaning of Christmas at heart.
Thank you to all our families who donated to the local food banks when coming to see the performances. Your kindness is truly appreciated.
Rudolph Run
We set out again this year with the mission of having fun whilst raising funds for Barnsley Hospice. We will inform you in the new year of the total amount raised but thank you already for your generosity and support in this event.
Christmas Jumper Day / Selection Box Donation
This year as we wore our Christmas Jumpers we asked for donations of selection boxes to be given to Barnsley Hospital to brighten the spirits of young children taken to A&E over the festive period. Thank you again for your support and donations. The total number of selection boxes donated will be shared in the next weekly bulletin.
Christmas Raffle
Christmas Tree Festival
Following the pandemic this was the first time we invited KS2 families back into school to hear class songs and brass. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Class newsletters
Parent / Carer Survey
If you haven't already please do take the time to complete our Autumn Term Survey. Your feedback is much appreciated. Please click on the link below:
To keep up to date with all events in school please read our weekly bulletins that are emailed out each Friday and also shared on the school website.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!