|
Week ending 1st March 2024
|
|
Our school value for this term is...
|
|
|
|
|
This year World Book Day is on Thursday 7th March, which is a worldwide event to celebrate reading, authors and illustrators. Research shows that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, and something at Monksmoor we are very passionate about. Therefore this year we would once again like to celebrate reading through a whole week of events!
For more information see the World Book Week letter on our website or the email sent home.
|
|
|
Thank you kindly to our friends from Northamptonshire Police for visiting us once again in Nursery to share what the role of a police officer is. The children learned about how to be safe when out and about and were all very lucky and excited to get to sit in the Police van and listen to the noisy siren.
Photo gallery
|
|
|
The warmer weather has seen the Fox Cubs venturing outside more as we have focused on the story of The Enormous Turnip. The children have been making mud pies in the mud kitchen and following instructions as they have practised using the iPads during our ICT sessions. The children have also learned that seeds need water and sunshine to grow - next week we shall be investigating this as we grow cress. Muddy photos
|
|
|
Hedgehogs have returned eager to explore our learning and impressed so much with their listening skills! We have continued to explore traditional tales and are looking at the story of Red Riding Hood although there may be some twists along the way as we dig deeper. Click here for lots more of our news and photos
|
|
|
Year 1 listened to the story of The Disgusting Sandwich and then made their own sandwiches for the animals, using bread, seeds and natural items. They looked delicious! They collaborated with each other to roll down the hill in partners and worked together to build homes and dens. Some of us went bird spotting and saw blue tits, a blackbird, pigeons, gulls and a green woodpecker! The children have also enjoyed sliding down the mud slide, playing in the muddy puddle and making stick men. Photo gallery
|
|
‘The Great Fire of London’ has been a focus in Year 1. We used role-play to help us to remember some of the key facts. We tried to put out the fire by collecting water from the River Thames using buckets. Finally, the wind died down and we used gunpowder to blow up a building to create a fire break. The children had great fun acting out the events and were able to retell many of the key facts. Year 1 photos
|
|
|
Year 2 have started a new topic in RE “Why does Easter matter to Christians?” where we have been building upon our learning from previous years. We have learned all about Holy Week and some of the events leading up to Easter Day itself. We reflected on how the story had happy times and sad times and then linked this to our own lives. We had some really thoughtful ideas and talked about how Easter is also a time of hope for Christians, linking with this terms value. More news
|
|
|
At the end of half-term, Year 4 met their target of collecting enough class compliments to earn themselves a reward afternoon! (Their chain of paper clips - which each represented a compliment - was over 1.5 metres long!). Their reward was an afternoon of arts and crafts, team challenges, a film and party snacks. It was a great way to finish the half-term and a great reward for all of their hard work. Well done Year 4. Photo gallery
|
|
|
In DT we have enjoyed looking at the different styles of architecture developed by the Ancient Greeks and carry out some independent research into the famous philosophers of the time by accessing third-party sources and creating either a digital document or presentation with our findings. Read more Year 5 news here
|
|
|
We had some fabulous firestarters in Year 2 this week using the 'Dragon's sneeze' to create a spark. It takes a lot of effort to push down hard enough at the correct angle but the children admirably demonstrated our shine value of 'never give up'. Some even went on to attempt lighting their own small 'fairy fire' which took even greater perseverance. We're super proud of all of you. More news here
|
|
Narnia Prayer Space
by The Lighthouse Trust Northampton
|
|
|
We were extremely privileged to be the first school to experience the Narnia Prayer Space from The Lighthouse Trust Northampton, in a school setting. The Narnia theme is inspired by the popular novel 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' by C. S. Lewis.
Going through the wardrobe door, the dark wooden shell of the wardrobe filled with soft warm fur coats used all of our senses and prepared us to be mindful at the activity stations in our Narnia landscape.
Have a look at our video on Facebook to see more of our Narnia Prayer Space.
Thank you to Leah Peters and Katherine Patterson who brought the Narnia Prayer Space to life in our school. The children and staff really enjoyed the immersive experience and the reflection activities.
Narnia Prayer Space photo gallery
|
|
|
|
Well done to all our award winners for being a shining example.
   
  
  
|
|
|
|
Red Nose Day Fundraiser
On Friday 15th March, Red Nose Day returns to Monksmoor Park and this year Comic Relief will be supporting those in need during the current living crisis, focusing on issues like lack of food and homelessness.
We are hoping to raise funds by holding our very own Talent Show. Preliminary heats will take place during the week beginning Monday 11th March and on Friday 15th, two acts from each class will take part in the Grand Final in front of the whole school and a panel of selected judges. If your child would like to take part, all they need to do is practice their performance and ask their class teacher for an audition.
In addition, for a suggested donation of £1, everyone is welcome to come to school in non-uniform. This donation will double-up as an entry ticket to watch the Talent Show. We already have a number of talented adults lined up to show-off their special skills for us all too!
We are all set! Even Comic Relief contacted us on X (formerly Twitter) to tell us they are looking forward to seeing our fundraising talent stars (below).
Our JustGiving page for Comic Relief is now live and ready to receive donations. The money we raise will go directly to Comic Relief, so we can focus on what matters most – having fun whilst fundraising!
Here's the link to our donation page
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance - Is my child too ill for school?
For most pupils, the best place to be during term-time in is school, surrounded by the support of their friends and teachers.
This is important not just for your child’s learning, but also for their overall wellbeing, wider development and their mental health.
As a parent, it can be difficult to know when to send your child into school if they are feeling unwell or mildly anxious, but finding solutions is a team effort between schools, parents and children, and there is support and information available to help you make the best decision for your child.
It’s usually safe for parents and carers to send their children to school with mild illnesses, like a minor cough, runny nose or sore throat.
However, children should stay at home if they have a high temperature of 38C or above.
The NHS has published guidance to help parents and carers decide whether their child is well enough to attend school, including information on a range of common childhood illnesses and conditions, such as coughs, colds, chickenpox and headlice.
|
|
|
Scholastic Book Fair Rewards
Thank you for supporting our Scholastic Book Fair in February, your purchases raised £301 in Book Fair rewards! We look forward to selecting some new books for our school library in the next few weeks.
|
|
|
Walking To and From School Alone
The Walking to and From School Alone Policy for pupils can be found on the policies page on our school website.
|
|
|
Thank you!
Thank you to Dennis and Janet Langton who have recently donated a Dorling Kindersley encyclopedia set and non-fiction books to our school library as well as some wonderful wooden craft shapes.
|
|
Thank you to the Bennett family for donating a huge collection of DUPLO to our Nursery and lots of story books for the EYFS and KS1 classes.
|
|
|
Newsletter changes
Our school newsletter will now be published on a fortnightly basis. We will continue to communicate with parents and carers in between publications using ParentMail. Our current newsletter and previous copies can be viewed at any time on our school website.
|
|
|
Holy Week Services at Holy Cross Church
Tuesday 26th March
7.30 pm Evening Prayer for Holy Week
Maundy Thursday 28th March
7.30pm Tenebrae Service
Good Friday 29th March
10.00 am Walk of Witness around the town.
2.30 pm Young Families Service – building Easter Gardens
5.00 pm An Hour at the Cross. A contemplative service with
The Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday 30th March
7.30 pm The Easter Eve Service & Vigil
Easter Sunday 31st March
10.00 am Easter Day Service for all the family with Holy Communion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more key dates and information, please click on a date above to be taken to the calendar on our school website.
|
|
Free government-funded spaces are also available at this holiday club for children who are claiming benefit-related free school meals.
|
|
|
![Image[6]](/_site/data/images/galleries/520/square-Image[6].jpeg)
![Image[2]](/_site/data/images/galleries/520/square-Image[2].jpeg)
![Image[3]](/_site/data/images/galleries/520/square-Image[3].jpeg)
![Image[5]](/_site/data/images/galleries/520/square-Image[5].jpeg)
![Image[12]](/_site/data/images/galleries/522/square-Image[12].jpeg)
.png)
