A message from Miss Quarmby
Hello everyone! It definitely feels like spring has sprung! We were so happy to welcome Year 6 back on Friday evening after an incredible residential trip. The staff and instructors at Robin Wood were so proud of our children—it was a joy to see their teamwork and resilience as they tackled every challenge with enthusiasm! Miss Tomlinson is already busy planning next year’s trip, and the UKS2 team are working on the upcoming Year 5 London trip. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to secure tickets for the Houses of Parliament this year, but we still have an exciting day planned! Speaking of trips, our Reception children had their very first coach trip to This Green Moon—what an adventure! Outdoor learning has been a real focus in Reception this year, and with the introduction of Welly Wednesday, this was a fantastic experience for all our little explorers.
Upcoming Events - Parents’ Evening – Tuesday & Wednesday: A quick reminder that there are no after-school clubs next week due to Parents’ Evening. Look out for information next week about the new clubs starting after Easter.
Car Park Safety - We’re pleased to share that the barrier is now fixed. However, our car park has become unsafe due to the number of people using it before and after school. We are currently reviewing parking passes to ensure they are issued only where essential, keeping our children and families safe. Please remember: families should not walk through the car park or on the road at Templegate Walk—please stick to the footpaths at all times.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the special mums and grandmas in our Whitkirk family! 💐💖
Attendance
Did you know?
- In Year 6, those who attend every day (95-100%) are over 100% more likely to achieve the expected standard in RWM compared to pupils who only attend 90-95% of the time. This is only 10 days difference!
- In Year 6, those who attend every day (95-100%) are almost TWICE as likely to achieve the standard than persistently absent pupils who only attend 85-90% of the time.
- This means that missing just 10 days of Year 6 reduces the likelihood of reaching the expected standard by around 25%!
This week, our overall attendance was 97.7%—above our whole school target! A huge well done to 3JC and 4AS for achieving the highest attendance at an incredible 100%! 2CH, RLE, 5AK and 1LR also had fantastic attendance this week, all reaching over 98%—great job!
Let's take a look AT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON THIS WEEK
EYFS
This week Reception had a truly enchanting time at This Green Moon! The children explored the woodland, collecting firewood and using their creativity to craft magical wands and woodland creatures. Their adventure led them on a search for a mystical troll hidden deep in the forest, as well as the discovery of an entire village of Swilligogs! To end their magical journey, they gathered around the fire to toast marshmallows—a perfect end to a wonderful day of outdoor exploration and storytelling.
Key Stage 1
This week, our Year 1 students have been active and curious! In PE gymnastics, they practised balancing on different body points, improving their coordination and strength. Meanwhile, in science, they explored the wonders of spring, learning about the changes in nature during this vibrant season. It's been an exciting week of growth and discovery!
This week in Science, we have been learning about food chains and how different animals depend on each other for food. In Maths, we launched our fractions topic by becoming pizza chefs. In DT, we have started creating little blankets using running stitch, developing our sewing skills.
Lower Key Stage 2
We've had an exciting week in Year 3, packed full of learning and fun! In Maths, we have been exploring fractions and in English, we have planned our own non-chronological reports all about Ancient Egypt. In Science, we investigated shadows using puppets and in DT we have been creating our own decorations using the running stitch. Well done, Year 3!
In athletics in Year 4, we designed our own agility, balance and coordination drills using hurdles, fast feet ladders, cones and basketballs. We then coached each other through them. We even made Mr Stout do them, but he was rather slow! In Science, we made own switches using split pins, card and a paper clips. We then used them in a circuit to send Morse Code messages to each other.
Upper Key Stage 2
This week, UKS2 have been exploring the art of animation. Inspired by the work of Simon Tofield, the creator of the popular series Simon’s Cat, the children studied his unique style before learning how to create their own animations using 'FlipaClip'. They experimented with a range of tools and techniques, showcasing fantastic creativity and attention to detail. We were blown away by their incredible animations!