Newsletter Friday 16th December 2016 ‘www.almondburycs.org.uk’.

School Phone Number 01484 426666

A Merry Christmas to all from Mr Bowen and staff at

Almondbury Community School As we near the end of the Autumn Term and Christmas draws closer, it is inevitable that our minds start, to drift away from the hard work of our day to day school business, to the festive period itself. Let us remind our-selves, whatever our beliefs, that this is one time of year when it is commonplace to find the spirit of human kind-ness alive and well. Let us embrace this by ensuring that we enjoy ourselves safely but also take time to look out for those nearest and dearest to us and those less fortunate than ourselves. Being prepared to think of others, of course, is a particular strength of Almondbury Community School. Raising money for charity is something that our children and staff do readily and willingly. This sense of community is something very special about our school. Amazingly, in just 15 months, £5,300 has been raised by Almondbury Community School pupils for worthy and chari-table causes. This is a fantastic effort. I would like to say thank you to the staff and the pupils for their hard work throughout the term, and indeed the terrific support we receive from parents and carers in making a difference to so many young lives.

Finally, I would like to wish all pupils and parents, from all the staff and governors of the school, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Our new term begins on Wednesday 4th January and we look forward to seeing our pupils return refreshed and eager to learn in the new calendar year.

ALMONDBURY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS in the COMMUNITY! Community Christmas Dinner

Sixteen members of the local community were treated to a traditional Christmas dinner and were joined by a number of students. The guests were greeted at the door and shown to their tables by some Year 6 children and served by Year 10 pupils. The Year 6 children chatted and shared stories while enjoying roast turkey and all the trimmings. After lunch the diners were entertained by children from Year 3 who performed songs from their production of ’Scrooge.’ As the event drew to a close all the guests were given a present from under the Christmas tree and wished a very Merry Christmas. “It was a fabulous event,” said one lady, “I hope you invite me

again next year.” It was also delightful to hear the praise for all of the students showing they are becoming role models and ambassadors for this community.

Community Christmas Carol Sing

The first ever Community Carol Sing was a huge success. The weather did not dampen anyone's spirits! All of the families walked up Fernside Avenue to the Christmas tree in the centre of the village. Mrs Quarmby and Mrs Wood and her two sons provided the music and everyone sang their hearts out!

Christmas Carol Singing at Southfield Court

Children from Key Stage 1 and 2 walked up to Southfield Court in Almondbury to entertain the local residents. The children sang a selection of Christmas Carols and the residents thoroughly enjoyed listening and also singing along with the chil-dren. What fabulous ambassadors for Almondbury Community School!

I think we can all agree that school really does live up to the title of

Almondbury COMMUNITY school!

Year 11 ‘STEM’ event

On the afternoon of Thursday 17th November Almondbury Community School were honoured to

welcome over 20 visitors in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) area of employment into school to a careers event based on a speed dating format. Representatives came from Kirklees College, Cummins Turbo, Sygenta, Reliance, Thales, Seatable

UK, David Browns, Pennine Industrial Equipment and University of Hull - Tata Steel,

Environment Agency, York EMC Services, Arqiva, University of York. Some of the links are through the school but many are from the STEM network who the school have worked closely with over the past couple of years. The aim of the event was to widen horizons and show our Year 11 pupils what the possibilities in careers are for them. The pupils spent four minutes with each visitor and asked questions ranging from 'what is the best thing about your job to what one

piece of advice can you give me.’

The visitors left saying ‘what an articulate group of young people’.

Sporting Success Swimming - Year 4 have made a fantastic start to swimming this

term. Many children have already achieved their one length certificates and lots of children are learning vital skills. Emma and Harvey said “we have been learning about ‘push and glide’ and how to keep our

bodies streamline.” In England, children must swim 25m unaided before the end of year 6. Adam thinks that this is a great idea as he said “being able to swim one length means that If I fall into water, I can get myself to safety.” Kayla added “I feel much happier and safer near water knowing that I can swim a length.” Basketball The Year 11 boys’ basketball team have made a successful start to the season, beating Holmfirth High School 36 -18. The team, playing their first competitive game, pulled ahead in the first half and protected the lead to ensure victory. Captain Isaac Crowther

said “We have trained really hard for the league this year, we’re confident we can do well if we keep working hard.” Next up is an away fixture at Salendine Nook High School. Good luck boys!

A very special visit from the local Police Rainbow Room KS2 and KS1 would like to say a massive thank you to local PCSO Tony Slack and P.C Terry Harriott for the amazing morning that they provided for our children . PCSO Slack and PC Harriot came with mini uniforms, speed guns and other impressive equipment. The children dressed as young officers and we set up the speed gun on Fernside Avenue where the KS2 children took turns to ensure that people were driving past our school staying within the correct speed limit. The police also gave an informative talk on staying safe and keeping on the right side of the law, pointing out the consequences of getting it wrong. The children were given the opportunity to ask questions and have a look at and try the equipment that the police carry with them. They were fascinated by the handcuffs. Finally we ended our morning by seeing the police van in action with the sirens and lights and the children were allowed to explore the van. It was a fantastic morning and opportunity for all involved.

Well done Nikita! What a Star!

Nikita attends ‘Rising Stars’, a musical theatre and dance group. She can be seen showing off her trophy as ‘Star of the Term’. Nikita is very proud of her award as are we all at Almondbury Community School. Well done Nikita!

Here is a reminder of who to contact in each House, House Point update and some House news

W/C 28th NOVEMBER 2016 TOTAL

Amethyst 13,137

Citrine 12,690

Diamond 12,877

HOUSE POINT LATEST

Rewarding achievement is an important aspect of life at Almondbury Community School. House points are award-ed for a number of different reasons. The table below shows the latest house point score. So you are aware of how each house is doing this will appear in every news letter.

This term’s reward went to Amethyst who romped home with a 260 point lead. Well done! House pupils were re-warded with goodie bags, refreshments and appropriately screened cinema films throughout the day.

Well done Amethyst, come on Citrine and Diamond!

DIAMOND HOUSE Head of House: Mrs Seymour Contact: emma.seymour@kirkleeseducation.uk Assistant Head of House: Mrs Ennis Contact: claire.ennis@kirkleeseducation.uk

CITRINE HOUSE Head of House: Mr Cattell Contact: john.cattell@kirkleeseducation.uk Assistant Head of House: Miss Clarkson Contact: rebecca.clarkson@kirkleeseducation.uk

AMETHYST HOUSE Head of House: Mrs Quarmby Contact: sandra.quarmby@kirkleeseducation.uk Assistant Head of House: Mr Whiteley Contact: rob.whiteley@kirkleeseducation.uk

SCROOGE THE MUSICAL

Parents were invited to the premier of Scrooge, the musical on Tuesday 13th December to see our Year 3 who performed a 21st century version of Scrooge!

The cast was made up entirely of Year 3 and special mention must go to Yoshi Rivett who played Scrooge and the narrators Martha Hutchinson and Martha Bown as well as all of the budding singers and dancers in Year 3.

The children said ‘Scrooge was very funny. The audience were all laughing’

‘Yoshi did really well and he was a very good actor to remember all of his lines.’

Newsletter Friday 16th December 2016 ‘www.almondburycs.org.uk’.

School Phone Number 01484 426666

TEXT MESSAGES

If you are not receiving regular text messages from school regarding notices, events and news please update your contact details with the school office .

The number to text school is 01484 598059

Thank you very much for your cooperation in this matter.

Humanity First Year 6, Shakespeare class took the opportunity to raise money for the charity Humanity First. They made over 100 buns and over 100 pop-corn snow-cups and decided to have a bake sale to raise much

needed funds. Coreylee Brennan, a year 6 student, said “It’s good to give to charity because you are helping other people. The real meaning of Christmas is to be kind and look after others”. The school in Gambia was started last year when they were in need of supplies. Items were provided by our school to get them going. Items such as: stationery, text books, exercise books and IT equipment were provided by Almondbury Community school. Mrs Maryam, Year 6 teach-er, added “We are re-ally happy with what we have achieved in such a short amount of time. Together we can make a difference and put “Humanity First” “.

Shakespeare Class tidy up!! Y6 Shakespeare class took time out to go litter picking. They decided to spend one of their lessons caring for the environment and for their school. They would like to encourage all students to take pride in their school.

A HUGE THANK YOU

TO EVERYONE WHO SENT DONATIONS INTO SCHOOL FOR THE CHRISTMAS FAIRS HELD AT FERNSIDE AND THE GREENSIDE CENTRE.

SCHOOL RE-OPENS WEDNESDAY 4TH JANUARY