Newsletters

Friday 8th December, 2023

I think the period of advent is well and truly underway in school and we had some lovely Christmas jumpers and tops on show yesterday. There is a lot to look forward to over the next two weeks, and it should be a lovely period as we head towards the Christmas break. 

We've had a lot of viruses around this term - more than normal it seems. Here's hoping the viruses that seem to have swept through some classrooms are starting to disappear and the children can stay well and enjoy the next week or so. 

The 'friends of school' would like to say a big thank you for supporting their Christmas shop so well; they will be on the playground on Monday after-school selling some more gifts. 

I did also want to say a big thank you for supporting the school so well with all the different fund-raising activities this term. Whether it has been the food-bank (see the amazing amount collected below) or for friends' events, or national charities. We are always supported brilliantly by our wonderful parents and families. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Kind regards

Matt Walton, Headteacher 

December

Mon 11th - Friends' of school - Santa Dash (pm)

Mon 11th - Friends' Christmas shop (from 3pm in the playground)

Tue 12th - Year 3/4 at St Cuthbert's for Carols (parents' welcome) - 1:45pm

Wed 13th - Christmas Lunch - all years

Wed 13th - Musical Theatre Christmas Performance - 6pm 

Thur 14th - Year 5/6 at St Cuthbert's for Carols (parents' welcome) - 1:45pm

Fri 15th - Whole school attending Christmas concert at St Andrews Hall (pm)

Mon 18th - Group of children singing at Mousehold View Care Home 

Tue 19th - Christmas Disco - 6:30pm 

Wed 20th - End of term 

January

Thur 4th -  Start of Spring term 

Year 5 Reading Cafe

It was great to see so many parents/carers at the Year 5 Reading Cafe this week. The children have been looking at Shackleton's expedition to the Antarctic and got the chance to share what they have learnt. In addition to looking at the book they have been studying ('Shackleton's Journey' by William Grill), they had some exciting activities to take part in. These included: building a paper boat strong enough to carry Lego people, designing a 'glove' to help keep your hand warm in freezing cold water, completing tasks whilst wearing gloves and a compass challenge. 

"I liked the activity where I got to build a paper boat. I was able to fit all the Lego people in mine." Eliza

"I enjoyed the compass challenge, but it was hard. At one point we were all facing in different directions." Liv

"My favourite activity was making a glove to help keep my hand warm in freezing water. The maximum we could keep our hands in was 5 seconds!" Poppy

Cross-country at Eaton Park

Earlier today, our runners braved the cold and headed to Eaton Park for the third NPSAA cross-country race of the season. The course had a bit of everything. A bit of mud, some hills and some pavement. It was another great event. Well done to all our runners! 

Thanks, as always, to the parents/carers who came to cheer the children on.

Panathlon Games (Wed 29th Nov) at UEA Sportspark

Two teams of year 4 and 5 children travelled to the UEA Sportspark to compete against teams from our cluster in this year's Panathlon Games. 

Both teams showed amazing teamwork throughout the morning, cheering and encouraging each other brilliantly. The activities included: bowling, curling, Velcro darts, bean bag shooting and table tennis. 

At the end of the event all teams assembled to find out how everyone had got on. The year 4 team did really well and placed 4th overall. As the organiser read out the top three the year 5 team waited for their name to be called out. They had won! 

"I liked the way we all worked really well as a team." Alfie (Year 5)

"I really enjoyed the curling. It was good being able to help out." Blake (Year 4)

Well done to all our competitors - you did us proud!

It's all about the Owls!

This week the Hawk and Owl Trust came in to see year 3 and 4. The children had the chance to see some hawks and owls and to discover more about food chains. They discussed what might happen if part of the food chain was removed and the impact this might have.

"I liked the barn owl the best. The claws were really, really sharp because they are birds of prey." Addy (Year 3)

"I liked learning all about the food chains." Kayla (Year 3)

"I really enjoyed finding out more about the birds of prey. My favourite was the barn owl." Hugo (Year 4)

Fun fact from Mrs Wills: peregrine falcons are the fastest animal on the planet!

Thanks to the Hawk and Owl Trust for spending time with Years 3 and 4 this week.

Christmas Concerts

We are looking forward to the Christmas Concerts next week. Both will start at around 1:45pm and you are welcome to arrive from 1:15pm onwards. 

Please note that we will be taking all the children back to school at the end of the concert but you are welcome to follow us back to school and collect your children early. Please come onto the playground and see the year group staff at the doors. 

Tuesday 12th December - Year 3 & 4

Thursday 14th December - Year 5 & 6

Norwich Foodbank Delivery!

Yesterday, our Pupil Ambassadors delivered your amazing donations to the Norwich Foodbank. On the way, they popped in to Tesco Blue Boar to meet Dave and Shez who had arranged additional items to add to the wonderful selection of goodies.

When they arrived at the Foodbank, the Pupil Ambassadors weighed in all the donations before helping sort them into different categories and putting them on the shelves to be put in boxes for collection. 

Once all the items had been weighed in, Peter told the Ambassadors how much they had donated - an amazing 143.8kg!

A huge thank you to everyone who brought in items for this collection. Thank you as well to Shez at Tesco Blue Boar for helping with our donations.

After Christmas, our Pupil Ambassadors hope to start going to the Foodbank more regularly to help out.