Meanwood C of E Primary School

Newsletter 19
Friday 10th February 2023

Dear Parents/Carers,
And that’s a wrap for another half-term. Time flies by too quickly.
Thank you for you ongoing support, the school continues to thrive because of
the strong community we are surrounded by.
We hope you have a restful and joyful half-term and look forward to welcoming
you back on Monday 20th February.
Stay safe and see you all soon.

Value for next half-term

Each half-term we promote a value in school through our Collective Worships.

The upcoming half-term’s value is forgiveness: probably one of the most difficult of our Christian values to
accept. Forgiveness is very deep, it not only involves forgiving others but also forgiving yourself.

Through our Collective Worships we will look at the different threads associated with forgiveness and how
it can make us better individuals.

The theme will also be linked with Easter and the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made in order for us all to
be forgiven.
“Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive others.” Colossians 3:13

Dates for the Diary

World Book Day: Thursday 2nd March 2023
Mental Health and Wellbeing Day: Monday 6th March 2023
Break the Rules Day: Friday 24th March 2023
 CARE Champions
We’ve had another hugely successful week in school as we continue to promote our CARE values. Here
are this week’s CARE Champions:
Reception: Amelia and Verity
Year 1: Thea, Alex, Isaac, Gabrielle and Orlando

Year 2: Catherine, George, Austin and Alana

Year 3: Jessica, Sophia, Sebastian and Felix
Year 4: Oliver and Luke
Year 5: Euan and Harry
Year 6: Meghan, Siana, George and Holly

A special mention to Sam in Year 6 who has achieved 400 CARE points! He is wearing the very first bronze
badge handed out in recognition of this. Very well done Sam.

February Half-term Holiday Club

Unfortunately, due to ongoing internal refurbishment in school there will be no February half-term
holiday club.
We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. We will let you know in due course if there will
be an Easter Holiday club.
 Next Week in a Nutshell
We thought it would be handy for parents to have a summary of all the things we have planned in
school for the following week. Anything in green is an event/activity open to parents . All other
events/ activities are happening within school.

Week beginning: 20th February 2023

Monday:
• Whole school Collective Worship in school with Rev John: Forgiveness (9:00-9:20am).
• Years 3 and 4 Leeds Utd football competition- Parents of the children involved have been
informed (10:00 – 1:00pm).
Tuesday :
• Phoenix Dance club for year 4 – paid after school club (3:30-4:15pm). Book a place via school
money (£15 for half-term).
• Year 2 parent reader afternoon 2.45-3.15pm
Wednesday:
• Guitar lessons
• 2-touch football for year 3 and 4- paid after school club (3:30- 4:15pm)
Thursday :
• Bear launch assembly (9:00-9:30am)
Friday :
• Celebration Collective Worship (9:00-9:20am)

Prayer for the Week Hall Lettings

Dear Lord,
You teach us that loving each other is
the only way we can truly become
close to you.
May our relationships with one
another show how much we need to
be near your caring embrace.
Struggling for a venue for a party or a function?
Why not hire the school hall?
Evenings and weekend bookings can be made for through Leeds
City Council on 0113 3787998 or educ.lettings@leeds.gov.uk
The price is £27 per hour.

Amen.
 Useful Contact Details
For all school enquiries: admin@meanwood.leeds.sch.uk

For extended services information and enquiries (breakfast club and after school club):
extended.services@meanwood.leeds.sch.uk

For school hall bookings: educ.lettings@leeds.gov.uk

For PE uniform: www.hardgear.co.uk/meanwood

Twitter
Remember to follow us on Twitter. We try to tweet all the exciting things we do in school. Our twitter
handle is @MeanwoodCe.

Attendance Term Dates and Training Days

Reception: 98.7% Autumn 1: Tuesday 6th September – Thursday 20th
October
Year 1: 94.2%
Autumn 2: Monday 31st October – Friday 16th
Year 2: 92.3% December
Year 3: 96% Spring 1: Tuesday 3rd January – Friday 10th February
Year 4: 95.3% Spring 2: Monday 20th February – Friday 31st March
Year 5: 96.7% Summer 1: Monday 17th April – Friday 26th May
Year 6: 94.2% Summer 2: Monday 5th June – Thursday 20th July
School Attendance: 95.3% Training Days
Well done reception you are this week’s Friday 21st October, Friday 21st July, Monday 24th
attendance champions! July and Tuesday 25th July 2023.

Times Tables Rock Stars

Don’t forget to keep going with Time Tables Rock Stars over the half-term break.

The constant practise helps with quick recall and improved confidence with number.
Times Tables Rock Stars – Times Tables Rock Stars (ttrockstars.com)
 Anxiety Workshop for Parents and Carers
With our ongoing focus on mental well-being and restorative practice: last week the staff were lucky
enough to receive training on child anxiety. This included details on why children may become anxious
and strategies that we can use to try and alleviate that anxiety.
We thought it would be a good idea for parents and carers to have the same opportunity.

We are running a similar session around anxiety for parents and carers on 28th February at 3:30pm in the
year 5 classroom. Tea and coffee will be provided.
There will also be a creche in the year 6 classroom which will be overseen by school staff, so don’t
worry if you are struggling for childcare: you can bring your children along.
The session will be led by Hannah Gould a MindMate Support Team Practioneer. Hannah has years of
experience dealing with anxiety related issues.
If you are interested please register through ‘School Money’. There is not cost involved (1p) it will just
help us keep a tab on how many people we have interested.

Mental Health and Well-Being Day

We have received a kind donation to school which we have decided to spend on funding a mental health
and well-being day for children and staff.
We now have some definite plans for the day, thanks to the kind recommendation and offers of help
from our school community.
Plans so far…

The day will start with an introduction assembly for all children to Mental health and Well Being, led by
MindMate.
Grace Foster will be leading some practical workshops with children in year 4, 5 and 6. Grace is an
experienced and enthusiastic well-being practioneer, who will bring new exciting new experiences to the
children.

Emily Gaunt: (Moo music) will be doing some sensory play with key stage 1.
Zoe Jones: mindfulness sessions with every class.
Stich-Up: mindfulness weaving and sowing activities
Park Ranger Walks: walks in the local area with our very friendly park ranger
Watch this space for more updates…. It promises to be a great day.
 The Great Bear Hunt Launch for Leeds Hospital Charity.
Earlier in the year we stated that rather than fundraise for a number of different charities we would have
a charity of the year. This year our charity is the Leeds Hospital’s Charity.
The Leeds Hospitals Charity is an organisation that supplies essential funding for the teaching hospitals in
Leeds. The funding goes towards:

• Specialist treatments,
• Research and innovation,
• Improving hospital environments,
• Health and well-being of staff and patients, and
• Essential medical equipment.
The charity does a truly magnificent job and we are overjoyed to be supporting them.
Their big project this year is the Leeds Bear Hunt. Artists from across the country have bid for their
designs to be placed on bears that will be situated across the city. These bears will be part of the Leeds
Bear Hunt Trail which everyone will be able to take part in over the summer months.
Meanwood C of E Primary is very proud to be part of the project, meaning we will receive a bear cub very
soon.
Like the other bears across the city, our bear cub needs to be decorated: cue our first ‘bear-based’
activity… We would like the children in school to create a design that can be put on the bear. All children
will receive a design sheet on Friday 24th February after the ‘Bear Launch’ in assembly on Thursday 23rd
February.
The design sheet will come with instructions and ideas but basically the children can go wild with it. All
we ask is that there are no branded bears (Coca-Cola or McDonald’s for example).
More details around submission dates will follow in due course.
Can you ‘bear’ to wait any longer?

‘Bear’ in mind we are all in this together.

This is ‘unbearable’ I’m stopping.
 World Book Day
Author Week and World Book Day - wc 27th February 2023.

We look forward to celebrating Author Week every year but even more so this year as we have moved it
to coincide with World Book Day. World Book Day 2023 is on Thursday 2nd March 2023 and children of all
ages across the country will come together to share the joy of reading for pleasure.

The week will start with a visit from the wonderful author Saviour Pirotta in Years 3 and 4 on Monday 27th
February. The rest of the week will be spent exploring, discussing and celebrating a range of classic
authors. The children will focus on one author and will have the opportunity to interpret their texts
through drama, art, cooking, creative writing, debate and comprehension sessions. Thursday 2nd March is
World Book Day. On this day, the children are invited to come to school dressed as a character from their
favourite book. We can't wait to see who they come as and we are really excited to see the children
express their creativity, have fun and talk about what they’re reading.
If you need any ideas on costumes then there are lots of wonderful ideas to be found on the World Book
Day website below:
World Book Day Dress Up Ideas

Sustainable Travel Committee

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If you are interested in joining the proposed sustainable travel committee please let us know. We would
love to create a committee from members of the school community so we can build safer and more
sustainable long-term sustainable travel plan for school.
This week the school has signed up to ‘The Big Walk and Wheel’ programme which runs from 20th -31st
March. The aim of the programme is to encourage children and adults to use alternative transport to
school during that time. There are rewards and incentives for the most successful schools.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK BY HUSTLERS ROW. THIS IS AN ACCESS POINT
FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
 Governor of the Week
Each week we will feature one of our governors so the school community can become more familiar with
their role in school and who they are as a person. This week’s governor is: Charis Osborne.

What are your roles as a governor?

I am a parent governor, my son Isaac is in Year 4. I am on the Resources sub-committee and also the
Governor responsible for Safeguarding.
How long have you been a governor?
I have been a member of the Governing body since November 2020.
What are the best parts about being a governor?
In agreement with other Governors who have already featured in the ‘Governor of the Week’ I have to
say it is great to be able to do the school visits; spending time with pupils and staff is refreshing and
reminds us of the impact of the work we are doing behind the scenes. A few weeks ago, I had the
opportunity to run some pupil voice sessions with the children about feeling safe in school. It was such a
pleasurable experience speaking to our articulate and enthusiastic children!
Why did you become a governor at Meanwood C of E Primary School?
I had been wanting to give something back to the school community for a while but wasn’t sure of the
best way to do this. When there was a vacancy for a parent governor, I really thought about my skill set
and of this, what could be of use to the Governing body. On a day-to-day basis I deal with staffing,
finance, strategic planning, safeguarding, delivery of quality provision and education is and has always
been a key element in my work. Utilising these skills I wanted to be able to support the staff team to
continue to run a thriving school long into the future.
What book are you reading at the minute?
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman – whilst it is rather alarming to think that the average life is
around 4000 weeks in length, this book is making me consider my time and how I choose to spend it! We
are so easily distracted with everyday life; just living day to day, week to week and suddenly another year
has passed by. This book so far, is just giving me a different perspective and making me think…
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Working full time and with two very active boys at home, my spare time usually revolves around them,
transporting them to activities and standing shivering in the cold at football matches. However, I do go
for a swim when I get a chance / child care aligns and I do enjoy theatre trips although working in the
dance industry, I do try to see other shows being presented on stage.
 Pupil’s Well-being Survey
With our continued focus on mental health and well-being the school has created a pupil’s well-being
survey.
Last week we sent out a letter explaining the survey. If you haven’t already please can your child complete
the form with your guidance.
The link for the survey is on the letter but can also be accessed here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_7MnSfevQkCoNToKHjOXNsZJn1hCaLhFkMXlaoNF7
shUNFQ0TlE2VUE0RjQ0ODlOMjQ2NkhIQkpNUi4u

Sign the Petition!

Louise Vaughan (mum of Audrey in Year 5) has started an online petition to reduce the speed limit on Scott
Hall Road. This is following a number of accidents on the road including the heart-breaking incident which
happened last week.
Please click on the link below to sign the petition. This will hopefully lead to change and safer roads for
everyone.
Petition · Reduce speeding limits for a safer, greener Leeds · Change.org

KS1 Parent Reader Afternoons

The parent reader afternoons will be continuing next half-term. Please see the dates below:

Year 1: Weds 1st March, Tues 15th March, Tues 29th March
Year 2: Tues 21st February, Tues 7th March, Tues 21st March
The sessions run from 2:45-3:00pm in the school library. Please enter through the school’s main reception.

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 PTA

Tickets are now on sale on school money in the shop section!

If you buy a family ticket please drop us an email at pta@meanwood.leeds.sch.uk with the number of people in your
group - just so that we can ensure that we have enough bingo tickets!

All tickets include a minimum of two games of bingo, a quiz, and some nibbles. We have to cap attendance so be sure
to book early if you do want to join us!

Single Ticket: £5

Family Ticket: For up to five members of the same family £15.

Remember it's a family event, the children will be able to join in too! Disney songs will feature, and we hope to have
food and drinks available so you don’t even have to think about cooking!

Upcoming Events

Bun sale for Year 3: 3rd March

Family Rock and Roll bingo: Saturday 11th March 5pm-8pm!

Break the Rules day: 24th March

Bags2school: 30th March

Don't forget to sign up for Easyfundraising, we raise hundreds of pounds each year from this so please sign up if you
haven't already. It really is easy!
 Performance Showcase
As school we are attempting to be more wide ranging in the opportunities that we offer children. Mrs
Johnson our year 6 teacher, who is now the P.E and music lead in school, has come up with the brilliant
idea of a performance showcase.
The showcase will be an opportunity for children to perform in front of an audience. Year 4 completed
their showcase this week. It is now Year 3’s turn after half-term. If your child wishes to perform they
must inform Mrs Johnson asap. Parents of the performers are welcome to come into school to watch.
The showcase will take place on Thursday 9th March at 9:00am in the school hall.

Uniform Exchange
 300 CARE POINTS
This week the SLT had a wonderful time, sharing afternoon tea with our 300-point CARE champions.
We enjoyed hot chocolate, cake, biscuits and juice as well as some ‘big’ tunes from Mrs Parker’s playlist.
These children are real role models for our school and deserve to be celebrated.
Well done Sam, Poppy, Joshua, Jessica, Kairav, Arlene and Grace - we are very proud of you.

Leeds Schools Athletics Association: Cross Country

On the back of our success at the Leeds cross country event last week the school is looking to become part
of the Leeds Schools Athletics Association.
We are a bit late to the party so there is only one event left in the race year but it would be nice to enter a
few people from Meanwood.
The event is on Saturday 10th March at Woodhouse Grove. The categories are U’9 boys, U’9 girls, U’11 boys
and U’11 girls.
If you are interested please let the school know (by 25th Feb at the latest) via phone or the admin email.
Hopefully we will get enough interest to enter a few teams.
Note: the event is on Saturday therefore parents will be responsible for their own children. This includes
transport to and from the venue. There will not be a member of school staff in attendance.
 After School Clubs
All paid after-school clubs will continue next half-term including: 2-Touch Football, Guitar, Shine Drama,
Ukulele and Dance.
However, clubs which are led by staff in school will not take place.

There are various reasons behind this decision but ultimately it comes down to the intense training
programme we have planned for this half-term.

Our staff work incredibly hard and their commitment to the school is unfaltering however occasionally
something has to give in order for people to operate at their full potential.
The club rota will return to normal in the Summer term.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Ukulele will begin on Tues 28th Feb and run from 3:30-4:15pm. It is open to Year 2 children at a charge of
£15 for the half-term, payable on school money. There are only six places available, allocated on a first
come, first served basis.

Year 4 Performance Showcase

Yesterday the Year 4 children showcased their array of talents from dancing to karate. Here are a few
pictures of our amazing performers.
 Football Matches
On Monday, Year 3 played a year 4 team from St Paul’s. Although the result was not a favourable one, the
team were excellent and never gave up. Well done to everyone who played: we are really proud of you.
Yesterday, the Year 4 team played a cup game against East Garforth. It was a really good match with both
sides showing lots of skill and determination.
The East Garforth keeper had an absolute ‘worldy’ tipping shots around the post and onto the bar
numerous times. Eventually the pressure paid off and Daniel managed to slot one home in the last few
minutes of the game.
The game ended 1-0 and the team progress onto the next round. Well done everyone involved it was a very
good victory.

Attendance Letters
Attendance letters will be sent out today if your child’s attendance for the period between September and
now is below 92%.
Please don’t take the letters personally, we just need to ensure that parents of children who are deemed as
persistent absentees (below 90%) or close to being persistent absentees (90-92%) are aware of importance
of good attendance.
We realise that the run up to Christmas was a bit of a nightmare for illness and we are now seeing an
upsurge in attendance rates which is really positive.
Attendance is always a prickly subject but as a school sometimes we have to deal with the numbers that
are in front of us.

Have a lovely half-term break.

Mr Chapman, Mrs Parker and Mr Smith
SLT team