Introduction
Welcome back after the first half term of the academic year! We've had a big clear out at school and started to change our learning environment to make it a fresher and more appealing place to be for both staff and children alike. We have quite a bit to tell you in this newsletter, so without further ado, please read on...
Please remember if you're not following our Facebook page, like and share for regular updates!
New Website Update
Our new website is currently being compiled with information from our previous site. We are hoping to have it up and running later this half term with a fresh start from January. Please bear with us during this process.
In the meantime, we will send any necessary updates by e-mail. Thank you for bearing with us!
Welcome Miss Devlin
We would like to introduce our new School Business Manager who will be working in the school office on a Friday.
Miss Devlin has lived in Holmfirth her whole life and comes from an accountancy background but wanted to move into a more meaningful role within a school after having her daughter.
She likes to spend time with her family, loves hiking and her passion is visiting American National Parks.
Please don't hesitate to say hello if you visit school on a Friday!
English Workshops
You may remember from our October newsletter that Miss Wood will be conducting some English workshops this half term. After looking at our current provision and offer in school, we have made the decision this half term to focus on reading. I am pleased to give you the dates for these:
- Early Reading Parents' Workshop - Tuesday 29th November from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
- Key Stage 2 Love for Reading Parents' Workshop - Tuesday 6th December from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
We will also be running a creche for children in Class 1 with Miss Talbot during the workshops. For those parents who can't make it, we will be recording the sessions to be viewed on our new website, so that they can be watched and referred to at your leisure. There is no need to book onto the sessions but we kindly ask that you let the office know if you intend to use the creche facility by Friday 24th November for either/both sessions, so we can staff the provision accordingly. Thank you.
Curriculum
As I mentioned in our October newsletter, we will be updating our curriculum information on our website. Due to unforeseen circumstances in school, we will do what we can to ensure that key elements are on there from January. This will include termly curriculum letters and long term plans for this academic year. As the year progresses, subject leaders will be updating their subject pages to host more in-depth information around what children will be taught and when in their subject area. As parents, we hope you will find this information useful to enhance the understanding you have of your child's learning to complement the opportunities of coming into school and also seeing our fantastic work on Facebook.
Parents' Evening
We would like to remind parents that our parents' evening will be held on Tuesday 15th November from 3:30pm - 7:00pm. If you haven't handed your slip in to the class teacher, we ask that you do so as a matter of urgency and we would like to try and ensure that parents receive an appropriate slot. Slots will last no longer than ten minutes. Your child's books will be available to look through during the evening.
Due to Ms Brook's absence, we will be postponing Parents' Evening for Class 1. We will ensure that parents have an opportunity for a parents' evening with a key member of staff before we break up for Christmas in-line with the circumstances.
Prospective Parents Open Morning Rescheduled
Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our Prospective Parents Open Morning on 11th November. If you are or know of a parent that is interested in joining our school, please do not hesitate to contact us and ask for a tour of the school with Mr Bond. We are hoping to hold a rescheduled Open Morning in January. We will inform parents and prospective parents in our next newsletter.
Parents Coffee Afternoon
After the success of our past coffee morning last half term, we will be holding another one this half term where parents will have the opportunity to meet and discuss school with Mr Bond and our Chair of Governors, Mrs Stephenson. It's a great opportunity for parents to have a catch-up and a natter and discuss what is working well and what could be better in school. The coffee afternoon will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday 8th December. There is no need to book, put the date in your diary and we hope to see some of you there!
Celebration Assembly
It's wonderful to see our celebration assemblies growing in popularity both with parents and the children. Miss Talbot enjoys making the weekly hot chocolate, the children enjoy the treats and a VIP chat with Mr Bond about their learning, and the trophies take pride of place at home. We're now at a point where we are changing what children have celebrated on our Shine Bright board, which just shows how proud everybody should be of the children here at Holme. Here are a few pictures of some award winners since our last newsletter...
FOHS will be supplying refreshments each week and we kindly ask that you make a donation as all funds go back to the children. All of our community are welcome to attend the assemblies outlined on the Key Dates section at the end of each newsletter.
Young Voices is cancelled... but there is more to come!
Unfortunately, Young Voices have got back to me and let me know that there is currently no availability for us to attend the Young Voices concerts in either Sheffield or Manchester in 2023, due to this we are going to have to cancel the plans that we had but fear not...
On the back of this and the popularity we had, Mrs Guest and Mr Piggott are currently discussing what opportunities could be offered for a Choir over the next few years. Please watch this space for updates from Mrs Guest, our Music Leader, as to what can be offered to our children in the future starting from 2023!
Attendance Matters
At Holme Junior & Infant School, we fully recognise the impact of good attendance and punctuality on the success and development of young people both socially and academically.
Research has proved that any student with attendance under 95% is at risk of achieving a grade lower in every subject by the time they leave school. We expect all students to attend school regularly.
October Attendance Figures
Whole School Attendance: 97.12%
- Class 1: 96.43%
- Class 2: 97.53%
Well done everyone - Keep it up!
As you will have noticed the celebration of our school through Facebook shows just how committed we are at Holme to show the rounded education our children experience. Teachers will be updating our community at least once per week as to what is going on in their class and we will celebrate achievements from our week celebration assembly. I will also be updating Facebook with any further posts that I feel will support our school community. Give us a follow and a like and share with your friends far and wide!
Forest School - Eden Forest
The children had a great time with Eden Forest last week during their forest school sessions. They focussed on recycling and sustainable energy and become Eco Warriors!
We apologise for our current sessions with Miss Wood not going to plan as per our original letter but all being well, here are the dates for the rest of this half term:
- Class 1 - 24th November and 15th December
- Class 2 - 17th November and 8th December
We will place pictures on our next newsletter with all the fabulous work that is happening during these sessions.
Anti-Bullying Week
The week beginning 14th November marks the start of Anti-Bullying week. The theme this year is 'Reach Out'. Mr Bond will be hosting an assembly to the children on the 15th November and our PSHE work will focus on anti-bullying during the week. Children will be invited to wear odd socks throughout the week to celebrate what makes us all unique!
Children in Need
On Friday 18th November it is Children in Need day. To support the cause we are allowing children to dress in spots or differently on the day for a donation of at least £1. I wonder how many Pudsey bears we will spot in Holme?
World Cup Day
To celebrate the start of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, we will be giving the children the opportunity to watch England vs Iran in action at 1:00pm. For any children who would prefer to carry out some sports rather than watch the action, our Sports Teacher, Mrs Barraclough will be carrying out some sports sessions in the afternoon.
Holme Then and Now
Before
After
We have been working hard over the half term break to have a spring clean of our school and make our environment more inviting and homely for our children and staff. We would like to thank the following people/companies for their very kind donations and for making it happen so quickly:
- SW Interior Designs for our new kitchen units in the office
- Arran Crabtree for the sink and associated plumbing
- Chris from Easy Fireplaces for the chaise lounge and chair in 'The Loft'
Friends of Holme School have also donated money towards the new library area in The Loft and associated furniture for books throughout school, making it a more inviting environment.
This is only the beginning! We will keep you updated with how our environment progresses throughout the academic year!
Holmbridge Christmas Rural Fair
Dates for the Diary
Please note that additional events may occur beyond the below list and will be updated in the following newsletter.
As always, if you wish to speak to us about your child, please do not hesitate to talk to the class teacher and we will endeavour to help in any way we can.
Credits:
Created with images by MclittleStock - "responsive theme screen multidevices" • etonastenka - "Confetti scattered on the light blue background. Bright dots on the background."