It has been lovely to be back with our school family, so many things have been happening this term. We thought it would be nice to give you lots of information about what the children and staff have been doing.  

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

Safeguarding  

We continue to work with our children on all aspects of safeguarding.

This term they have been learning about: 

Parks class: How to keep their bodies safe through the Pantasourous  

Angelou class: Friends and Anti-bullying  

Rashford class: Anti-bullying, fire safety and Countylines 

If you are concerned or worried about a child in your community, please remember that you can report any concerns to: 

Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 or, if you live in Derby City, 01332 641172 

Homework  

Staff have reviewed the homework policy and this year the following expectations are set out for homework: 

All children will be expected to: 

Read daily to an adult at home. This forms part of our focus on reading as we still have a large number of children in school who are not writing to the expected standard. This is due to them not transferring spelling knowledge into their writing. Therefore, if all children read daily, they will be able to discuss words and look at spelling patterns. We will no longer be issuing raffle tickets. However, reading records will still be checked each week and staff will record this for our records. 

There may be occasions when pupils will be asked to finish off lesson tasks. This may be because they have not completed the task within the lesson or staff may want them to extend their work, or they may need additional practice. Staff will send the work home with clear instructions on what needs to be done.  

EYFS & KS1 children  

Homework activities will include: 

reading	spellings	phonics
number games	number bonds	timetables
Online packages to support all areas of curriculum
Active learn	T T Rock stars	Purplemash

 

KS2 children 

reading	spellings	written tasks
number games	number bonds	timetables
Online packages to support all areas of curriculum
Active learn	T T Rock stars	Purplemash

Attendance  

As a school, we aim to have at least 97% attendance across the whole school year. A child having a week off school for a holiday means they will have large chunks of missed learning. When this happens, there is no way that they will ever catch up as their cohort learning has moved on. We understand that lots of children struggle on the return to school with a general illness that cannot be helped, and we would never expect a parent to send a child into school when they are unwell, nor would we keep your child in school if we deem them unfit. I have arranged all the inset days around the holidays to make it easier for families to plan holidays. Please check the website before booking a holiday.  

First day call or email must be completed by parents.  

If we have not managed to make contact with a parent/carer by 10.15am, then we will carry out a home visit or will call on a neighbour to check. Staff having to do a home visit means that two members of staff are pulled away from their role to investigate as a safeguarding procedure. If we are still unsure of where a child is, we will then contact social care and the Police.  Please make it a priority to contact school in the event of your child being absent.  

Class attendance so far this term 

Parks	96.0%
Angelou	97.5%
Rashford	95.9%

Parks Class

We are delighted to welcome back our existing pupils and extend a warm welcome to our new Reception pupils in Parks’ class. As we embark on this promising academic year, it is heartening to witness the friendships beginning to blossom among the children. The settling-in process has been smooth, with all our young learners adapting wonderfully to their new environment and our school values. 

This term, we have taken our first exciting steps into the world of traditional tales. The children arrived at school with eager excitement, their imaginations sparked by the immense footprints of a giant, the parts of a beanstalk, and a magnificent treasure box, all of which will serve as mediums for exploration and creativity. These props not only enhanced our storytelling activities but also invited the children to engage in collaborative play, fostering social interaction and teamwork. 

In addition to our literary pursuits, we are eager for our pupils to explore the wonders of forest school. This hands-on learning environment encourages curiosity, resilience, and respect for nature, offering endless opportunities for discovery of which our reception children have begun and are enjoying every second of it. 

Our class was excited to celebrate the Harvest Festival, a time for us to come together as a community and reflect on the values of sharing and gratitude in church with parents, grandparents and the local community. This service provided an excellent opportunity for our pupils to understand the significance of community spirit and generosity, aligning with our school ethos and values of nurturing compassion and collaboration among the children. 

Following this, we will look forward to our first-class trip of the academic year, where the children will experience history in action. 

As we journey through this term, we are excited for the myriad opportunities and experiences that await our pupils. Thank you for your continued support as we nurture their growth and development.

Don't forget any questions, photos or additional information required email the Parks team. Parks@st-andrews-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk

Parks’ team 

 

Angelou Class 

What a great start to the new school year! 

It has been heartwarming to witness the children forging great friendships with one another, fostering a sense of community and support. The delightful dragons have certainly added a touch of fun to our learning environment.  

The recent harvest festival was wonderful. The children engaged beautifully in writing their own prayers, showcasing their thoughtfulness and understanding of the season. They took such an interest in this important tradition, demonstrating their appreciation for the abundance that surrounds us. Your support was greatly appreciated. 

We have done so much learning already, we have just completed a delightful story titled 'Colour and Kindness,' which revolves around a brave dragon who not only saved the colours of the forest but also taught the King of the Underground about the invaluable importance of kindness. Throughout this unit, the children have been working diligently in groups, pairs, and individually to create vivid descriptions using expanded noun phrases and similes, allowing their imaginations to truly flourish. 

In our mathematics lessons, we have been focusing on place value. The children have been using a variety of concrete resources and pictorial representations to enhance their understanding of this key concept. It has been wonderful to see them engage so enthusiastically with their learning. 

Our Geography lessons have taken us on an exploration of 'Extreme Earth,' where we have delved into fascinating topics such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The children have shown great curiosity and enthusiasm as they learn about these natural phenomena. 

In Religious Education, we have been reflecting on the wonders of creation. This has sparked meaningful conversations and reflections among the children about the world around them. 

Additionally, there have been numerous extracurricular activities to highlight! Charlie, Jack, Heidi, and Paddy have already participated in two school council meetings, demonstrating their commitment to making a positive impact. Seth Evie and Bertie have also attended a Smilers meeting, showcasing their willingness to engage in important discussions about wellbeing. 

On a personal note, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for taking the time to visit our classroom recently. It was genuinely a pleasure to share our learning environment with you and showcase the vibrant activities that your children engage in.  

Your presence and support not only mean a lot to the children but also strengthen our school community. It was wonderful to hear your thoughts and feedback, and I truly appreciate your involvement in your child’s education. As we continue to foster a collaborative spirit, your insights are invaluable. So, as we move forward, I encourage you if you have any questions, suggestions or if there is anything specific you would like more information about, please do not hesitate to get in touch ( angelou@st-andrews-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk ). Kindest regards Team Angelou. 😊 

Rashford Class

We are really pleased to report that our class has settled into the school environment exceptionally well this term. The children have demonstrated a commendable commitment to fostering a polite and kind atmosphere, adhering to the school rules with enthusiasm. This has contributed significantly to a positive classroom dynamic, encouraging cooperation and respect among peers.  

In our English lessons, we have been delving into the delightful book *Cosmic* by Frank Cottrell Boyce. The children are particularly enjoying the imaginative narrative, which has inspired their writing. So far, they have composed a diary entry, a letter, and a narrative about being lost at a funfair, demonstrating their creativity and ability to articulate their thoughts effectively. This engagement with the text has not only enhanced their writing skills but also enriched their understanding of storytelling. 

One of the highlights of our early weeks together was the Harvest Festival service, an event that truly exemplified the children's creativity and teamwork. In preparation for this occasion, the children engaged in a poetry writing project where they were invited to explore the theme of harvest through vivid imagery. It was inspiring to see their imaginations come to life in their poems, as they crafted beautiful verses that reflected their understanding of the season's significance. Their singing was brilliant, creating a sense of unity and joy in the Church. 

In a recent project, Rashford engaged in creating beautiful cards for parents of our new starters. The children demonstrated remarkable creativity, utilising pastels and watercolours to craft superb artwork. Their effort not only showcased their artistic talents but also provided a meaningful way for them to express their thoughts about our brilliant school. Each card reflects a unique perspective, filled with words of encouragement and excitement about their educational experience here. 

In PE, we have been focusing on developing key skills in athletics, team games, and running. The students have shown significant improvement in their stamina and overall fitness levels. They are embracing the challenge of running longer distances, which not only enhances their physical abilities but also builds their resilience. Furthermore, we have introduced various team games that promote teamwork and communication skills, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the class. 

We still have lots to look forward to this term, such as a live lesson with Tim Peak. In this special KS2 science Live Lesson, we will find out what it takes to become an astronaut. British Astronaut Tim Peake, who himself spent 173 days living on the ISS will be the mission commander, setting curriculum-linked tasks for 7-11 year-olds to join in with throughout the lesson. We are also excited about our upcoming trip to ‘The Tramway Museum, where we will take part in a workshop called ‘How trams work’. Finally, we are taking part in the Royal International Air Tattoo (Road to RIAT) programme – back and bigger than ever, offering an extraordinary and FREE learning opportunity for our students! We, along with 600 primary schools across the UK, will be joining in the fun, interactive STEM activities. 

Team members are available on Rashford@st-andrews-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing the children thrive in the coming weeks. 

PE and sport in school 

Children are expected to have a full PE kit in school on their relevant PE lesson day. 

Each kit must include: 

• T-shirt (plain coloured) blue or white 

• Shorts  

• Leggings or jogging bottoms 

• Sweatshirt or zippered hoodie (separate to school sweatshirt) 

• Spare socks – essential if wearing tights 

Any jewellery, including smartwatches, must not be worn in PE lessons. 

 

Swimming kit (Angelou class): 

• One piece swimsuit for girls 

• Fitted swimming trunks for boys 

• Towel  

• Goggles, which have been adjusted to fit the child 

• Optional hair turban 

• Spare socks, if wearing tights 

All PE kit and swimming kit should be clearly labelled and kept in a named bag 

Payments  

It is really important that all parents pay for any of the wrap-around services or dinners that your child may be using each week. We are unable to allow parents to run up large debits as this is not good practice and also means that office hours are lost by chasing payments.

School trips planned also need to have payments as our school is unable to cover the cost due to the rising utility bills which have a significant impact upon the school budget. 

We are always happy to set up payment plans to help ease the cost which is offered on booking. Please be sure to take up this offer to help with your finances. Where payment is not reached for these events, we may have to cancel. 

Wraparound care 

We have had a great start back to Breakfast and After-School Club this term. We are still enjoying the Autumn sun, playing outside with a range of equipment, playing with our friends and having the chance to play and chat with children from other classes. We have enjoyed exploring different activities inside, from painting, drawings, crafts, baking yummy treats and playing with Lego and many different board games. It has been a pleasure watching the children learn, grow and build friendships. We have many exciting activities coming up, and we are regularly updating the school website with lots of new photos. 

So keep an eye out for what’s coming up!  

Check out our webpage  

https://www.st-andrews-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk/page/?title=Activities+in+After+School+Club%2E&pid=396