Week 15 - Spring Term - 10 January 2025

St Anne’s C of E (A) Primary News

“Developing the whole child, spiritually, mentally and physically in a caring Christian

Environment through close links to the Church and Community”

Friday 10 January 2025

Dear Parents & Carers

A warm welcome back to all our families after the Christmas break and ‘Happy New Year’ to you all. I say warm, but the wintry weather has certainly not been welcomed – it is always a challenge to keep large buildings, such as a school, warm, but we have remained open ready to welcome the children back.

A big shout out to ‘Caretaker Adele’ and to ‘Cleaner Mrs Taylor’ for ensuring the site was clear and gritted daily. Miss Parkin has joined us as Deputy Head Teacher and has been prioritizing getting to know Class 5 over the last few days.

As we begin the Spring Term, please take a look at all of the dates at the end of the newsletter, so that you know what is coming up. As always, the newsletter will be the school’s main form of communication on a weekly basis. It can also be found on the website:

https://www.st-annes.notts.sch.uk/page/?title=Newsletters+2024%2D2025&pid=199

This term, staff will continue to ‘encourage a love of learning’ as the children begin new topics, as well as build on and consolidate learning from last term. Our curriculum is designed to provide rich and varied opportunities for the children. Class 3 have already had their ‘Roman Experience’ this week, Emma has been in to lead on ‘gymnastics’, as well as visits from Mr Bottley, Mr Kirkham and Mrs Hammond for music.

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance is crucial to your child’s academic success. Please make every effort to ensure your child is at school every day. If there are any issues preventing your child from attending, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer support.

Please note: absence on a child’s birthday will be classed as unauthorised, unless medical evidence is provided.

Parent/ Teacher Communication

We value our strong partnership with you as parents. If we do not know about something, then we can’t adapt or change it. Please remember we are here to answer any questions/concerns you may have. Parents consultation meetings are scheduled for the beginning of February (see dates below – booking will be through the website at a later date).

Celebrating Achievements

We are always keen to celebrate the achievements of children, both in and out of school. Please encourage them to bring their swimming, judo, sporting, musical achievements to be shared in Celebration Assembly/Star of the Week on Fridays.

Activities/ Clubs

A number of new clubs are running from next week throughout the school day for both KS1 and KS2 – lunchtime activities will be very busy! Children are encouraged to look out for the posters which will display what is happening on each day.

Class 6 Parents – Don’t forget sessions begin for children next week, either before/after school, depending on which group they are in.

After School Club

Activities w/c: Monday 13 January 2025

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Craft Creations	Dodgeball	Connect	Word Search Day	Sports

FOSAS

The committee wish you a ‘Happy New Year’ and will be sharing the events for 2025 in the coming weeks.

News from the Classes

Class Reception

This week the children have come back into school really settled and ready to start their new learning. They have been started their new topic 'Tell Me a Story' by learning to retell the Traditional Tale 'The Little Red Hen'. The children have learnt actions for key words and can retell the story using a story map to help them.

Class One

Class 1 were excited by their new topic this week as planets appeared in their classroom, and they started learning all about Space. To kick start their topic, they have started learning a new story in English through Talk for Writing. Their story is 'Whatever Next' by Jill Murphy, and they are becoming incredible story tellers, using their actions and words to tell the story.

Class Two

This week Class 2 have begun a new topic in History - they are learning all about mining. This is a topic we undertake because we know the importance of mining in our local area meaning many of our families have historical connections with the industry. We began by looking at what coal is, how it is formed and what it was used for.

Class Three

What a start to Spring Term! Class 3 have wasted no time with immersing themselves with a new topic of ‘The Roman Empire’. This is an amazing topic that the children are already captivated by. This was helped by the Roman Experience Day that we had on Tuesday 7^th January. We were lucky to have a Roman visitor called ‘Maximus’ join us all day and help us understand more about the Romans. They covered lots of different areas of learning including:

The story of Romulus and Remus, amongst other key leaders and emperors
Identifying key Roman places on a Map
A Roman board game called ‘Delta’ using Roman numerals
A Roman treasure hunt quiz
Exploring and identify various Roman artefacts
Exploring Roman weapons and Warfare

So much was squeezed into the day and the children were amazing. Lots of fun and learning took place. They have also been working hard to master the 3 times table. This is taking practice and some competition on Times table Rock Stars, as this is such an important topic for their transition to Y4.

Class Four

It has been lovely to see all of the children in Class 4 back in class. They have made a fantastic start to the new year. In maths, Class 4 have been tackling methods of multiplication and are really becoming fluent in the methods taught. In science, Class 4 started their new unit learning all about electricity, they sorted electrical appliances based on whether they use batteries or mains electricity. In history, they have started their new learning on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, they learnt who the Anglo-Saxons were and where they came from. In whole class reading, they have started their new text ‘Loki- A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good’. The children made predictions based on the front cover and blurb.

Class Five

It has been a fantastic start to the term in Class 5 this week. Beginning their topic on Ancient Egypt, they have started to read our focus text of ‘The Secrets of the Sun King’ by Emma Carroll. The discovery of a mysterious package is getting them all wondering what on earth a golden jar was doing being left on a doorstep! In RE, they debated what makes some people inspirational and were amazed to discover the way that we can overcome challenges to achieve great things or work to help others. Miss Parkin says: ‘It’s been a lovely week getting to know you, Class 5. Here’s to a fabulous term.’

Class Six

Class 6 have had a wonderful start back. They have had their reading cafe experience day, where they learnt about the evolutionary journey of a Moth and how it has adapted to survive. In science, they have been introduced to Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. In history, they stepped back in time to see when the Ancient Maya existed and how long they lasted for as a civilization as well as compare this point in history with other significant moments in time including, the Romans, the Stone Age and Ancient Egypt. They have developed skills in chronology, and they all worked mathematically to work out the time scales. They have begun reading ‘Oh Maya Gods’ and found out Vesper loves her football! In maths the children have been tackling conversions in measurements. During computing the children have been introduced to 'variables' in games.

Congratulations to our Stars of the Week this week

Class Reception – Beau & Freddie W

Class One – Jack & Betsy

Class Two – Isaac & Riva

Class Three – Grace

Class Four – Emilia & Natalia

Class Five – Jacob

Class Six – Dayna

Lunch time Stars:

Willow (2) – super manners and helping a friend.

Reggie (4) – great sportsmanship.

Gymnastic Awards

Core Skills Level 1

Julien, Jack F, Alexander G, Amelia, Alex O, Rowan, Noah and Jack S from Class 1.

Core Skills Level 2

Drew, Phoebe and Edan from Class 3.

Out of School Achievements:

A number of children took part in the recent Worksop Dolphins Club Championships.

Grace (3) 14^th place in the 7-year-olds.

Eliza (3) 3^rd overall in the 7’s and swimmer of the year in her squad.

Dana (3) 3^rd overall in the 7’s.

Harriet R (5) 3^rd overall in the 9’s.

Emily (4) 2^nd overall in the 8’s.

Sophie (5) 1^st overall in the 10’s.

Georgiana (4) 7^th overall in the 8’s.

Harriet R (4) 2^nd overall in the 8’s.

Julian (1) for his Dolphins Open Meet Award

Dana (3) – Gymnast of the Month at Twist Gym

Elsie (R) – Stage 1 Swimming Award

Betsy (1) – 5m swimming

Florence (1) – Swimming Open Meet Award

Well done everyone.

Church Services

Sunday 12^th January

9am Holy Communion led by Rev Edith followed by shared refreshments.

10.15ish STA @10 A Service for All Ages led by our Family & Children’s Worker Claire.

6pm An Advent Reflection with informal worship, word and prayer led by Rev Dave.

Wednesday 15^th January

3.20pm St Anne's Connect - Family Worship in the school hall with food, games and a time to worship together (Suggested donation to cover costs of £1-£2 per family)

Friday 17^th January

3.00pm -5.00pm St Anne's Drop In - in the church hall for Y4 upwards. Crafts, games, tuck and video games. A time to till out after school at the end of the week. All welcome.

The Church is running two new Apha course. A men only group starting Saturday 11 January from 9.30am for a soft start and the teaching will start from just after 10am and will be finished by 11am. A group open to all will take place on Monday mornings at 9.30am. Come and be curious about the Christian faith and bring all your questions.

National Closing Date for School Admissions for September 2025 is *****15 January 2025***** We still have spaces, spread the word and encourage those you know to apply.

2024-2025 Attendance

Class	Attendance
R	94.3%
1	96.2%
2	96.1%
3	91.5%
4	96.5%
5	95.6%
6	93.6%
ALL 94.8%

A prayer for the New Year

Dear Heavenly Father

Thank you for a brand-new year filled with hope and possibilities. Please bless us as we learn, grow, and share kindness with others.

Help us to do our best in school, love our families, and be good friends. Guide us to make good choices and to be brave when things get hard. Thank you for always loving us and keeping us safe. We ask for your blessings for the year ahead. Amen

With my best wishes

Mrs Middleton & the St Anne’s Team

Diary Dates

INSET DAYS 2024- 25

Key Statutory Weeks (Assessment)

2^nd September 2024

27^th September 2024

20^th January 2025

28^th July 2025

29^th July 2025

Year 6 SATS – 12^th May 2025 - all week

Class 1 Phonics - 9th June 2025 week

Statutory Multiplication Check -2 nd to 13^th June 2025 – Year 4

Please ensure your children are in school during these times.

Looking Ahead
January	6	Children return to school Reception Class – Forest School – new date
	7	Class 3 Roman Workshop Trip – in school
	13	Class 6 Ancient Maya Visit to school day Reception Class – Forest School FOSAS (PTA) Meeting 7pm Shireoaks pub
	14	Reception Class – Forest School
	16	Classes 4 to Worksop College Apollo 5 Music Workshop Day – collection from Worksop College (private school, Cuthberts Ave, Worksop S80 3AP)
	17	Y5/6 Group Sportshall athletics
	20	INSET DAY
	22	Class 6 Sinfonia Music Workshop Day
	27	Reception Class – Forest School
February	3	Children’s Mental Health week
	4	Class 4 visit to Perlethorpe Anglo Saxons/Vikings
	5	Class 2 visit to National Coal Mining Museum
	7	Book Fair Arrives NSPCC Number Day
	10	Pupils & Strategic Committee Governors Meeting 4pm
	11	Safer Internet Day Parents’ Consultations – child’s progress
	12	Parents’ Consultations – child’s progress
	13	Class 3 Class Assembly 2.45pm
	14	Break up for half term/ Non-Uniform Day
	24	Children return Admissions Committee 10am
	26	Dr Bob Science Afternoon for Class 4&5
	27	Class 1 Assembly 2.45pm
	28	Swimming Gala 9.30am
March	3	World Book Week
	4	World Book Day
	5	Ash Wednesday Service 9am in Church
	6	Phonics Workshop for Class 1 Parents 2.45pm
	7	Tag Rugby Festival – Y3/4
	13	Governor’s Finance Committee
	17	Year 6 Parents SATS meeting
	20	Class 2 Class Assembly 2.45pm
	25	Full Governing Body Meeting 6pm
	27	Class 5 Class Assembly 2.45pm
April	4	Break up for Easter 2pm Easter Service
May	16	Reception Class – Forest School – pond dipping