Next week is our annual community week, this year we are focussing on our Golden Model and re-launching our circle times. Circle time is central to our Golden Model and part of every child’s weekly timetable at Watercliffe Meadow, it is a time for the class to come together as a community and help each other solve any problems. During the week each class will be enjoying circle times discussions, games and practising the circle time skills. In keeping with Watercliffe Meadow tradition there will be voting for May Queen and Jack in the Green in each class, these will be celebrated during the Friday assembly. It is going to be a fantastic week, if you have any questions please see your child’s class teacher.

Welcome back to WCM after the Easter holidays. It was great to see everyone straight back into normal routines on Monday. We look forward to seeing people out and about around school as the weather takes a turn for the better! Come and have a chat to let us know how things are going and if you have any worries. The thoughts and feelings of you and your children are very important to us, so keep talking!

As usual this half term is jam packed with events. It is an especially busy time for our Y6 children as they have last minute preparation for their SATS tests. Their hard work will be rewarded by a week long residential in Castleton at the end of this half term! The Year 5 children are off on their London adventure and there are also a number of day visits happening this half term, look out for further information from your child’s class.

Our half termly newsletters went out this week. Please take time to read this and find out how you can support your child. Any additional support you can give your child will only enhance their learning. Just ask if there is anything you are unsure about!

It is lovely to have our sparkly Emma Wells back with us in school after her maternity leave. Emma got married last year so will be using her new name Wyper. If you see her around make her feel back at home by saying hello!

Easter Reading Challenge

Today we will be sending out the traditional Easter Reading Challenge. The aim is to complete 30 reads at home during April. Not only will all children who complete this challenge receive a ‘robot reading’ badge in assembly, the 30 reads will also count towards next term’s Reading Mileage badges. The deadline for this challenge is Friday 27^th April.

Last Thursday, 26 WCM pupils attended the Children’s University Awards at Sheffield Hallam University. These pupils were invited because they have earned a ‘gold award’ by completing 100 hours of after school clubs.  Some of our pupils have done over 700 hours! There were lots of other schools at the event but we had the second highest number of awards on the evening. It was lovely to see our pupils receive their award on stage and their proud parents.  It was also great to hear that Sheffield’s Children’s University is now the second largest in the country with over 39,000 pupils taking part!

We would like to say a big thank you to all the families who came along to the workshop in Wednesday morning. The group discussed issues around dealing with and finding strategies to help make living with Autism and ADHD easier. Ideas were shared and the group had a real supportive feel to it. The next meeting with Katie and Sarah will be on Wednesday 2^nd May here at WCM. After that we will look at making the group’s meeting times more regular. Don’t forget our café is open every day until 10.00am and again from 2.00pm. You can always get together yourselves and have a cuppa. If you fancy this let Claire Bradley or Jayne Senior know and it can be advertised on Facebook.

Fire fighters Collection

We will be collecting clothes in school for the fire fighters on Thursday 15^th February. Please call into the office for bags if you need any. Filled bags can be brought into school from Wednesday 7^th February.

The letter went out this week for holiday activities. To book a place please complete and return the booking form along with payment (this is non-refundable) to the office. Here is what we have on offer:

Monday 19^th February – Swimming at Hillsborough Leisure Centre for Y3-6. Children must be able to swim. The cost is £6 and a packed lunch is needed.

Tuesday 20^th February – Skate Park for Y4-6. Children can take their own scooter and will need a packed lunch. This activity costs £10.00

Wednesday 21^st February – A visit to Graves Park, send your child with a packed lunch. Cost for the day is £5.00.

All places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and the day runs from 9.30 – 2.30.