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Newsletters

Past Newsletters

 

 

Text Box: The Spirit of Christmas We are delighted to be celebrating another Christmas success for our choir who reached the final of the Spirit of Christmas Carol competition for the second year running. This competition, organised by Dawson’s Music Shop in conjunction with the Neuromuscular Centre in Winsford, is open to all primary schools in Cheshire, Wirral and Lancashire so we are immensely proud of our children for achieving so highly. They were awarded a finalists’ trophy – so we now have a matching pair! The set piece this year was ‘Little Donkey’ and this had to be recorded onto a CD together with a piece of our own choice – in our case, ‘Jesus, Jesus, rest your head’. Both pieces were beautifully sung and thanks must go the Mrs Barlow and Mr Bird for making it possible. You will have the opportunity to hear both pieces at our Carol Service.         are extremely proud of our choir who have once again excelled themselves in a major competition. They took 2nd place in the Spirit of Christmas carol competition which was open to all primary schools throughout Cheshire and the surrounding areas, and we were the highest placed school in Chester itself. The children sang ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ and the beautiful ‘Chinese Cradle Song’ and they really made a lovely sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Changes in the Park Grand refurbishments are about to take place to the play area in Alexandra Park in Hoole. During the summer term our children were asked for ideas for things that they would like to see in a new play area. At the time, Year 5 children made a splendid model incorporating all their ideas and the planners at the Council were much impressed by their work. As a consequence of this, Year 6 children were invited this term to work with local artist Neil Glendinning to produce a series of ceramic tiles to be part of the entrance to the new area where they will be seen by everyone who goes in. Neil came into school two weeks ago and they all had a wonderful afternoon working with clay to produce the tiles, each one showing a figure at play, and the results were spectacular. There are figures skipping, playing football and riding on a see-saw to name but a few. It will be very exciting to see them finally in position and to know that our school has played a valuable part in the work to improve facilities in the local park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: New! New! New! Several exciting things have happened in school this term. The children have had great fun with the new playground equipment – the wooden train, the climbing tower and the traverse wall. They seem to have been a hit with all age groups. We plan to put down an all-weather surface beneath the tower to enable use whatever the weather throws at us. The three inter-active whiteboards are in constant use and have added a new dimension to our teaching. The work that is being achieved is excellent and the children are really enjoying this learning experience.  The latest innovation is the introduction of brass teaching to our list of extra-curricular activities and we are pleased to welcome Mr Danny Ortiz, a respected teacher and well-known trumpet and trombone player in the area. Three children have started lessons on the trumpet and I am sure that more will join them in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Having Fun for Charity Mrs Nancy Hart came into school earlier this term to talk to the children about the work of Barnardos. It was a most informative and challenging talk and the children entered with enthusiasm into the ‘Eggciting Challenge’ to raise money for this very worthwhile children’s charity. The idea was to decorate a hard-boiled egg and care for it for a week, taking it to a variety of different places. There were certainly some original ideas! We had princesses, characters from books, monsters, animals – and Simon Cowell! I am delighted to say that we raised almost £600 – a fantastic total. Not only do we have a lovely certificate for our efforts and the knowledge that we have helped less fortunate children, but also an ‘Every Child Matters’ award for our contribution to the outcomes of the ECM initiatives.   t is always good to see ex-pupils returning to school and it was a great pleasure to see Nicholas O’Sullivan again when Hammond School Drama Outreach team came into school to conduct two workshops with Years 5 and 6. Nick left us to go to Hammond on a drama scholarship in 2006 and since then has starred in several productions there and we are delighted to see him doing so well. The theme of this year’s workshop was ‘Consequences’ and explored how our behaviour affects other people, and how we deal with this. It proved to be very thought provoking and the children rose to the occasion well and produced some thoughtful work.  

 

 

Text Box: Pilgrim Day Another very successful visit was made by Year 5 to the Cathedral Pilgrim Day. This annual visit is a great favourite and the children always have an exciting and interesting time.  A varied series of workshops gave them an idea of the life and  history of the building and its community in an unforgettable way. One of the highlights was dressing as a monk, walking the cloisters and eating in the refectory in silence – quite a challenge! Other activities included handbell ringing, stained glass windows, singing, poetry, calligraphy, making clay models and many others. An act of worship brought the afternoon to a close and Emily Cartwright received a candle for the school to mark our participation. A great time was had by all.

 

Text Box: Soggy Sandwiches   Sports day looked like being a washout as we all sat under the dripping trees on the Dean’s Field munching our sandwiches but just as we clearing away the debris, the rain stopped and the sun struggled to come out. With the exception of a few events that we felt to be unsafe on the damp grass, the sports went ahead and the children enjoyed themselves enormously. I think the picnic in the rain actually added to the excitement.

Text Box: Soggy Sandwiches   Sports day looked like being a washout as we all sat under the dripping trees on the Dean’s Field munching our sandwiches but just as we clearing away the debris, the rain stopped and the sun struggled to come out. With the exception of a few events that we felt to be unsafe on the damp grass, the sports went ahead and the children enjoyed themselves enormously. I think the picnic in the rain actually added to the excitement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very special thank  you to all the staff for their continued support and hard work throughout the term.

 

A very happy and peaceful Christmas to you all.

 

 

 

 

 

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