27.01.2023

We have had a busy week in school, with lots of fun-filled activities. On Monday afternoon, we celebrated Chinese New Year with a craft afternoon and sampled some food. The children enjoyed learning about other cultures and celebrations. On Tuesday, our infant children headed out to Lakeland Wildlife Oasis where they learnt about the classification of animals and got to hold some of the insects and reptiles. Pictures have been uploaded to our Facebook page. On Wednesday morning, the whole school celebrated Burns Night. The junior children have been learning some of Robert Burns’ poetry and recited to the rest of the school. Children also made traditional Scottish neeps & tatties soup and baked shortbread. On Wednesday afternoon the upper junior children completed their Young Leader Sports Award – we are really looking forward to watching the children put this in to practice with the younger children in school. Well done upper juniors!
This week we also welcomed Marcie Elliott back to school, as she came back for her work experience placement. It has been really lovely having Marcie back in school, and all the children have enjoyed having her in class supporting their learning. We wish Marcie lots of luck with all her future plans!

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – this weekend is the start of the annual RSPB Big Bird Watch event and we would like to encourage all families to find an hour across the weekend to get out into their gardens, or look from the warmth of their homes and watch and record any birds they see.
We will be continuing this in school on Monday and would like all children to bring in a clean yoghurt pot. Thank you.

Strike Action – an email was sent earlier in the week regarding strike action at school.
At Leck, the majority of teaching staff are members of the NEU. The union has called for strikes over the issue of pay as well as recruitment and retention of staff.
On this occasion, some staff have informed me that they will be taking strike action on 1st February.
Because of this, school will open for the morning and then be closed from 12.00noon on Wednesday.

KS2 Cluster Swimming Gala – Thursday 2nd February – a team junior children will be heading out on Thursday morning to take part in a cluster swimming event. Parents of children involved will receive a full information sheet by email. All children taking part will need to bring a packed lunch and a drink.

REMINDER: School Trips –
Juniors – Maritime Museum – Monday 6th February – all junior children will be going to Lancaster Maritime Museum linking to their current topic of Vikings. The full cost of the trip (including transport) is £11.65, but the PTFA have generously offered to pay £6.65 per pupil, leaving a payment of £5.00 per child, which can be made on SchoolMoney. A full visit information sheet will follow next week.     
We would like to thank the PTFA for agreeing to donate towards these trips and making them more affordable for families.

REMINDER: Mental Health & Wellbeing – thank you to those who have already taken the time to fill out the questionnaire and send it back to Mrs Jones. Please can any further completed forms be returned to Mrs Jones or the office on Monday. If you would like a printed copy, please see Mrs Knapp.
This will really help as she develops her role as Mental Health Lead in school.

WOW! Walk 2 School – this week Mrs Mather has re-launched the Living Streets Walk To School where children are encouraged and rewarded for walking to (or from) school at least once per week. This can be walking from home, if you live close enough, or park and stride which would be more appropriate for our location. Children will be encouraged to park at Cowan Bridge Village Stores and walk up to (or from) school with their parents.
As a school, we will aim to do a Walk 2 School at least twice a month, on a Tuesday morning from Cowan Bridge Village Stores. Due to half term in February, we will only be able to do one, on Tuesday 7th February.

Eco School – this week some of the Eco School Team have put willow branches over the daffodils to protect them as they grow. Please can all parents encourage children to stick to the path as they come to and from school. We can’t wait to see all the daffodils in full bloom again.

REMINDER: SchoolMoney – end of month reminders have been sent out this morning, there are a number of outstanding payments for school meals, after school clubs and trips. Please try to keep balances to a minimum. If you are having trouble logging in please let me know.
Instalment number 2 for Malham is now also available to all junior children, we have tried to make these more manageable and spread out over a few months.

Coming up this half-term: