Dear Parents and Carers,

Another busy week has come to an end, and there is plenty to share with you.  One of the things that makes our school so special is that our community extends far beyond the school gates, and this week I wanted to begin by celebrating our important relationship with St Anne’s.

Our Extended Church Community: St Anne’s

As a Church school, we are incredibly fortunate to be part of an extended community through St Anne’s Church.  Our relationship with the church gives our children and families opportunities to meet, learn, worship, make friends and enjoy time together. 

And importantly, not everything happens on a Sunday!

There are activities taking place throughout the week, with something for children and families of different ages.  Whether you are already involved with St Anne’s, have been thinking about joining an activity, or simply want to find out a little more, you are warmly invited to get involved.

Mondayz Cool | Mondays - all primary ages

Every Monday during term time, 3:20 pm to 5:00 pm, Church Hall

Join together for a time of reflection through creativity, including art, music and drama.  The children explore teaching previously shared at Sundayz Cool in a creative and engaging way.  No cost.

Connect | Tuesdays

Every Tuesday during term time, 3:20 pm to 4:30 pm, School Hall

Bring the family along to this after-school service.  There will be a Bible story, sung worship and a shared meal together.  It is a lovely opportunity for families to connect with one another in a relaxed setting.  Suggested donation: £2.

Tots and Tea | Thursdays

Every Thursday during term time, 9:00 am to 10:45 am, Church Hall

Parents, carers and little ones are invited to come along for hot drinks, breakfast food and fellowship.  It is a great opportunity to meet other families and spend time together.  Suggested donation: £2.

Kidz Connect | Thursdays

Every Thursday during term time, lunchtime

Children in Key Stage 1 are invited to Kidz Connect in school, where they revisit what has been discussed at Connect through games and crafts.

Drop In | Thursdays

Every Thursday during term time, 3:20 pm to 5:00 pm, Church Hall

Children in Years 3 to 5 are invited along for Bible teaching and sung worship, followed by time to socialise together.  Tuck shop snacks are also available.  Donation: £2.

Sundayz Cool | Sundays

1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, 10:00 am to 10:45 am

Primary-aged children are invited to join Sundayz Cool in the church hall.  Sessions include crafts linked to Bible teaching, games, discussion and refreshments.  Children can be dropped off at the church hall, and parents and carers are very welcome to attend the 10:00 am church service at the same time.

We would love our families to discover what is available through St Anne’s.  Please remember that you do not have to wait for Sunday to become part of our wider Church community.  There really are opportunities throughout the week to connect, belong, learn and grow together.

A Further Plea About Parking

Last week, I wrote about parent parking in the church car park.  This week, unfortunately, I need to turn my attention to parking on the opposite side of school and, in particular, the blocking of residents’ driveways on Devonshire Street.

We are very fortunate to have supportive neighbours and local residents, and we want that positive relationship to continue.  Residents must be able to enter and leave their properties at all times, including during our busy drop-off and collection periods.  Please take an extra moment before leaving your vehicle to check that you are parked legally, safely and considerately and that you are not restricting access to anyone’s property.  A few extra minutes or a slightly longer walk can make a significant difference.  Thank you for helping us to be the thoughtful and respectful neighbours that we teach our children to be.

Harvest Festival

It won't be long before our Harvest Festival on Tuesday 29th September, and this year we will once again be thinking about how we can put our Christian values into action by helping others within our local community.

We will be supporting our local food bank and would be delighted to receive donations from families.  Every contribution, however small, helps us demonstrate to the children the importance of generosity, compassion and sharing what we have with others.

Macmillan Coffee Afternoon: We Need You!

Before Harvest, we have our Macmillan Coffee Afternoon to look forward to.  Our School Council will be playing an important part in the event, but they can't do it without you!  If you are able to donate cakes or buns, please let the school office know.  As always, we ask that a full list of ingredients accompanies every donation so that we can manage allergens safely.  Your generosity is always hugely appreciated, and we hope it will be another wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together while supporting an important cause.

What's on the Menu?

Staying with the subject of food, our children are continuing to encounter the new school menus and, encouragingly, there have been quite a few empty plates!  As with anything new, children will have their favourites as well as dishes they are less sure about.  We will continue to listen carefully to their views and feed these back to our new catering company.  This will allow amendments to be considered where required.  It is important that the children's voices are heard, and we will continue to monitor how the new menu is being received as everyone becomes more familiar with it.

Please ensure that you are booking a main meal and a pudding if your child is having school dinners. If no dinner option is chosen your child will be given a jacket potato and beans (non-allergen meal).  Food is cooked to order so please ensure that you are using www.schoolgrid.co.uk to order your child’s dinner.

 

 

Living Out Our Vision

Our Celebration Assembly brought real joy to the end of our week as we celebrated children who have put our school vision and Christian values into action.

These moments are about so much more than receiving a certificate or hearing your name called.  They allow us to stop and recognise the everyday choices our children make: showing kindness when someone needs a friend, persevering when something is difficult, demonstrating compassion, making good choices, helping others and having the courage to do the right thing.  Our vision is not simply something displayed on a wall.  We want it to be something that can be seen and felt in the way we learn, behave and care for one another.  It was wonderful to hear examples of our children doing exactly that this week.

We are incredibly proud of them.

Calling All Pond Experts... Still!

We are still on the lookout for someone with knowledge about ponds, although perhaps I should be more specific and say pond liners!

If this is an area you know something about, or you have experience that might help us, please do get in touch with the school office.  Your expertise could be just what we need!

Football Trials

Finally, a huge well done to everyone who attended the football trials for our school squad.

We were really impressed by the determination shown by the children.  Trying out for a team takes courage, resilience and a willingness to give your best, and those qualities were very much on display.

🌈 Wraparound Care - Week Commencing: Monday 21^st September 2026

Contact: 01909 473 223 Option 2

💌 Welcome to another lovely week at wraparound care!  Our team are so happy to be spending time with your children. Here’s a peek at all the fun, food, and special activities that we have planned.

🍎 Food & Tasty Treats

🥣 Breakfast Options

Day	Cereals (Low Sugar Options)	Toast Options	Drinks	Fruit Option	Optional Extra	Allergens
Monday	Weetabix Cornflakes Shredded Wheat Rice Krispies Oats (porridge)	50/50 toast with flora buttery and jam	Milk / Water / Apple juice / Orange juice	Banana	Low sugar yogurt or fromage frais	Milk, Gluten
Tuesday				Tinned peaches in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten
Wednesday				Tinned pears in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten
Thursday				Frozen mango		Milk, Gluten
Friday				Tinned oranges in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten

Breakfast is either cereal or toast with yoghurt and fruit as optional extras.

🍌 After School Snacks

Day	Snack	Allergens
Monday	Turkey, mayo & sweetcorn wrap, cucumber, orange	Gluten, Egg
Tuesday	Beans on toast, banana	Gluten
Wednesday	Turkey / Cheese sandwich, sweetcorn, pear	Milk, Gluten
Thursday	Cheese toasties, raisins, apple	Milk, Gluten
Friday	Scrambled egg on toast, fruit salad	Egg, Gluten, Milk

🎨 Next Week’s Afterschool Activities – Creative Makers

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
3:20–3:40	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social
3:40–4:00	Reading	Reading	Reading	Reading	Reading
4:00–4:30	Junk modelling	Simple sewing	Bead bracelets	Clay creatures	Design a board game

Breakfast Club Drop-Off Reminder

For safeguarding reasons, we kindly ask that parents and carers drop children off at the Breakfast Club door and do not enter the school building.

A member of the Breakfast Club team will be there to welcome your child safely into the club. This helps us to maintain a secure environment and ensures that we know who is on the school premises at all times.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our children safe.

News from the Classes

Class Reception

This week, Class Reception have been learning about their bodies through the story Funnybones. The children have explored different body parts, both on the outside and inside of the body, and have started to understand that there are many important parts beneath our skin that help our bodies work.

The children thoroughly enjoyed singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, which helped them identify different body parts while developing their listening and memory skills. They also had great fun creating skeleton crafts, which provided an excellent opportunity to practise and strengthen their fine motor skills.

In Maths, the children have been learning how to match objects and have been developing their ability to notice similarities and differences. They have enjoyed sorting and comparing a variety of objects and have confidently explained their thinking and reasoning to their friends and adults.

Class One

This week, Class 1 have been busy investigating the properties of different materials through a range of exciting, hands-on activities. To launch their learning, the children took part in a fast-paced sorting challenge, racing against one another to find materials with specific properties. They searched for objects that were shiny, hard, soft, rough, transparent and bendy, carefully observing each item and discussing what made it special.

The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring a wide variety of everyday materials and were eager to share their discoveries with their classmates. Through practical investigation and rich discussion, they developed their scientific vocabulary and became increasingly confident in identifying and describing materials using their physical properties.

Working collaboratively, the children then sorted and grouped materials according to their characteristics, explaining their reasoning and justifying their choices. They enjoyed comparing objects, spotting similarities and differences, and challenging one another's thinking. It has been wonderful to see the children demonstrate such curiosity, teamwork and enthusiasm as they develop their skills as young scientists.

Class Two

Class 2 have had another busy and exciting week of learning! In English, the children have been exploring the common and proper nouns found in Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine. They have worked hard to identify different types of nouns, write key plot points and ensure they are spelling high-frequency words accurately.

In Maths, the children have continued developing their understanding of place value. Using Base 10 equipment, they have been learning how to flexibly partition numbers to 100, helping them to deepen their understanding of how numbers can be represented in different ways. The children have shown great perseverance and confidence when explaining their mathematical thinking.

In History lessons the children have focused on the lives of rich and poor Victorian children. The children explored similarities and differences between the two groups, using historical evidence to match images to the correct headings and write thoughtful sentences about what they discovered. They were fascinated to learn how different childhood experiences were during the Victorian era.

In Art, the children embraced the outdoors, gathering natural materials to create imaginative pictures and decorative frames. They demonstrated wonderful creativity and teamwork while using the environment as inspiration for their artwork.

During PSHE, the children continued their Being Me in My World learning by discussing responsibility and considering how we can care for our world and the people around us. They ranked different responsible tasks according to their importance and thoughtfully shared their ideas. This learning inspired several children to bring in examples of the responsibilities they have at home, which they were proud to share with the class.

It has been a fantastic week full of curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for learning. We are incredibly proud of all the children's hard work and cannot wait to see what adventures next week will bring!

Class Three

 

Class 3 have continued to make a fantastic start to the new school year and have worked incredibly hard across all areas of their learning this week.

In English, the children have been preparing to write their own set of instructions explaining how to wash a woolly mammoth! They have been exploring the key features of instructional writing and developing their use of adverbs and conjunctions to make their instructions more detailed, precise and engaging. The children have thought carefully about how to sequence each step clearly, ensuring their reader would be able to follow the instructions successfully from start to finish.

In Maths, Class 3 have been exploring numbers up to 1,000 and developing a secure understanding of place value. Using practical resources and visual representations, the children have been identifying the value of hundreds, tens and ones within different numbers. They have shown great confidence when explaining how the position of a digit affects its value and have enjoyed tackling a range of place value challenges.

In Science, the children have been learning about nutrition and the importance of eating a balanced diet. They sorted foods into different groups according to their nutritional content and discussed the role of key nutrients in keeping our bodies healthy. These discussions encouraged the children to think carefully about their own food choices and develop a greater understanding of how diet can support a healthy lifestyle.

During RE, the children have been developing their skills as thoughtful philosophers by exploring different viewpoints surrounding religious festivals. They have considered why festivals are meaningful to different people and discussed how beliefs, traditions and experiences can influence the way individuals celebrate. The children have demonstrated maturity by listening respectfully to others and confidently sharing their own ideas and opinions.

In PE, Class 3 have been developing their gymnastics skills by creating sequences that combine jumps, balances and rolls. They have worked hard to link movements together smoothly, focusing on control, balance and confidence as they performed their routines.

In Art, the children have begun exploring the traditional craft of weaving. They have designed and created their own simple looms and have enjoyed learning how to weave materials over and under the threads to create a variety of patterns and textures. Their creativity and perseverance have resulted in some fantastic early weaving projects.

Class Four

Class 4 have had a fascinating start to their Science learning this term, exploring the important topic of teeth and how they help us to eat and stay healthy. The children have learned about the different types of teeth found in humans, including incisors, canines, premolars and molars, and have discovered the important job each one performs. They have also begun to investigate the structure of a tooth, learning about the enamel, dentine and pulp, and developing an understanding of how these different layers work together to protect our teeth and keep them strong.

     

Most recently, the children have turned their attention to tooth decay and the factors that can affect dental health. They have shown great curiosity while discussing what causes tooth decay and why it is so important to look after our teeth through healthy food choices and good oral hygiene habits.

Most recently, the children have been learning about tooth decay and what causes it.  They have set up a scientific investigation using eggs placed in different liquids to help them observe the effects that different drinks can have on tooth enamel.  The children are looking forward to checking their eggs and using their observations to help explain what causes tooth decay and how we can look after our teeth.

Class Five

Class 5 have had a fantastic week of learning, showing great enthusiasm, creativity and determination across the curriculum.

In English, the children have been inspired by the exciting novel Cosmic as they worked on creating detailed and imaginative setting descriptions. They have focused on using ambitious vocabulary, carefully selected adjectives and a range of figurative language techniques to paint vivid pictures for their readers. The children have worked hard to ensure their writing is both engaging and descriptive, bringing their settings to life through their thoughtful choice of language.

In Maths, the children have continued to develop their understanding of place value. They have been working confidently with large numbers, comparing and ordering values, and applying their reasoning skills to solve a variety of mathematical challenges. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they explain their thinking and justify their answers using mathematical vocabulary.

PE lessons have focused on netball, where the children have been developing important skills including passing, movement, teamwork and communication. They have demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, resilience and determination while applying these skills in competitive game situations and supporting one another to improve.

In Science, the children have been fascinated by their learning about space. They have explored the planets within our solar system, discovering the unique characteristics of each one and developing their understanding of Earth's place within the vast universe. The children have asked thoughtful questions and shown a genuine curiosity about the world beyond our planet.

In RE, the children have continued to deepen their understanding of both Hinduism and Islam. By exploring beliefs, traditions and lived experiences, they have considered how faith can influence the daily lives, values and practices of believers. The children have approached these discussions with maturity, respect and curiosity, asking insightful questions and demonstrating an appreciation for different religious worldviews.

We are incredibly proud of the effort, enthusiasm and positive attitude Class 5 have shown this week. Their willingness to challenge themselves and embrace new learning opportunities has been wonderful to see, and we look forward to another exciting week ahead!

Class Six

Class 6 have continued to demonstrate an excellent attitude to learning this week, working hard and embracing new challenges across the curriculum.

In English, the children have been focusing on grammar, particularly the correct use of being verbs and to have. They have worked carefully to improve the accuracy, fluency and variety of their writing, applying their knowledge in a range of activities and developing greater confidence in their grammatical choices.

In Maths, the children have been building their understanding of common factors and multiples. They have tackled a variety of reasoning and problem-solving challenges, explaining their thinking and applying their mathematical knowledge in different contexts.

In Science, the children have been learning about electrical circuits. They explored a range of circuit symbols and practised drawing accurate circuit diagrams using the correct scientific conventions.

PE lessons have focused on creating and rehearsing World War II-inspired dance sequences. The children have demonstrated creativity, teamwork and expression as they worked together to choreograph movements that reflect the themes and emotions of this historical period. Their confidence and performance skills continue to flourish as they refine their routines.

In RE, the children have engaged in thoughtful and sensitive discussions about the experiences of Jewish people during World War II. They generated insightful ‘wondering questions’ to deepen their understanding of why discrimination occurred and to explore the importance of challenging prejudice and injustice. We have been particularly impressed by the maturity, empathy and curiosity the children have shown throughout these discussions, demonstrating a genuine desire to learn from the past and reflect on how we can build a more inclusive and respectful society.

Congratulations to our ‘Special Mentions’ this week

Class Reception – Miss Robinson has shared that she is pleased that the class is continuing to get used to class and school routines.

Class One – Teddy and Jagger

Class Two – Freya and Kunashe

Class Three – Charlotte and George

Class Four – Willow

Class Five – Charlie

Class Six – Casper

A prayer for the week ahead from Harri and Elsa (6):

Dear God,

Please help us to forgive and be brave.  Help us to accept each others mistakes.

Amen

Dear God,

Please forgive us for the mistakes that we make and give us the courage and bravery to own up to our mistakes.

Amen

Out of School Achievements:

A massive 50 Junior Park runs wristband award: James (3)

Chief Scout Leaders’ Silver Award: Tobias (6)

Invited to join the Worksop Dolphins ‘A’ County Swimming Squad: Georgiana & Emily (6)

5K Swim and completing the Inflatable Challenge: Mali (2)

Caretaker Award: Class 4

Well done to all!

Church Services

10:00am StA@ 10 St Anne’s Together, led my Milly

5:30pm Prayer and Worship, led my Milly and Matt

2026-2027 Attendance

Please use your Arbor App to check your child's current attendance. You can find this by scrolling up on your home page to see this year’s attendance.

Class	Attendance
R	92.46%
1	95.54%
2	92.59%
3	97.94%
4	95.02%
5	93.55%
6	91.39%
ALL:  94.93%

Finally…

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back in school next week.

With my very best wishes

Mrs Middleton & the St Anne’s Team

Diary Dates

Please ensure your children are in school during these times as their data will count even when absent.

Class 6 SATS – Monday 10th May 2027 – Thursday 13th May 2027

Class 4 Multiplication Test W/c 7th June 2027 – 2 weeks

Class 2 in school assessments May 2027 and w/c 7th June 2027

Class 1 Phonics Screening 14th June 2027 -2 weeks

Inset Days Monday 4th January 2027 Friday 12th February 2027 Monday 26th July 2027 Tuesday 27th July 2027 Wednesday 28th July 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date	Time	Class	Event	Location
			September
21		? 4	Islam Visitor in school Swimming	In School Valley Leisure Centre
24	14:45	Parents of Class 1	Phonics Early Reader Workshop	School Hall
25	14:30	All	MacMillan Coffee Morning	School Hall
28		All	Black History Month Starts
28	AM	4	Swimming	Valley Leisure Centre
29	14:00	All	Harvest Festival Service	Church
30-2		5	Residential	Hathersage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

			October
5		All	Bookfair in Reception Area Swimming	All Valley
5	15:30-18:15	All	Parents Evening	School
6	15:30-17:00	All	Parents Evening
7	16:00-17:30		New Starters Open Evening – for starters 2027/28
9	All day	4	Trip River Study	Perlethorpe
12	AM	4	Swimming	Valley
14	All day	2	Trip to the Victorian School Room	Newstead Abbey
14-16		6	Residential to PGL	Caythorpe Court
16		All	Red Card to Racism – wear something red	School
19-30		All	Half Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

			November
2	AM	4	Swimming	Valley Leisure Centre
2-3	All day	Reception	Balance Bikes	School
9	AM	All	School Photos Individuals (siblings in the morning)	School
10	15:20-17:00		Open Event for New Parents for Sept 27	School
11	10:30	All	School Remembrance Day Service	Church
12	14:45	All	Class Assembly	School Hall
13	All day	All 1	Children in Need Class trip Emergency Services Museum
17	14:30	All Welcome	Maths Parent Workshop	School Hall
19	All day	6	Trip Holocaust Centre
23	All day	All	Flu Jabs	School
24	All day	Reception and 1	Perlethorpe Nativity Trail	Perlethorpe
25	All day	3	Class Trip to Creswell Crags	Creswell Crags
26	14:30	2	Class Assembly	School Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

			December
3	15:30- 16:45 17:00-18:15	KS1     KS2	Christmas Disco – KS1     Christmas Disco – KS2	School Hall
7			Nativity Week – days TBC
10		All	Christmas Fair – Provisional date	School
11		All	Christmas Craft Afternoon	School
15		Choir	Portland Carols	St Anne’s Church
16		All	Christmas Dinner Day	School
18	14:30	All	Christingle	St Anne’s Church