Overthorpe C of E Academy

BELIEVE, ENJOY, ACHIEVE

'Overthorpe is more than a school-

We are the heart of the community.

In our family, we nurture the courage,

And skills to fly higher than the flock,

Whilst always providing a nest,

To come home to.'

TRUST, FRIENDSHIP, ENDURANCE, FORGIVENESS, HOPE

Headteacher - Mr J Mitchell

Senior Leadership Team - Ms L McCarthy (Deputy Head), Ms L Stott (Assistant Head), Mrs S Wood (SENDCo)

Designated Safeguarding lead - Mrs S Wood

Deputy DSLs - Mr J Mitchell, Ms L Stott, Ms L McCarthy, Mrs A Godfrey

Chaffinches trip to Little Deer Wood

It has been an enjoyable week in school. Our Upper Key Stage 2 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their rearranged Sports Day on Monday and represented their classes brilliantly, demonstrating excellent effort, determination and sportsmanship throughout. Transition Day was an overwhelming success, with children across the school excited to spend the day with their new teachers and begin preparing for September. Year 6 also took part in a thoughtful and informative Hand to Mouth reflection session on Wednesday, delivered through the Church of England, which provided valuable opportunities for reflection as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

Last night's Summer Fair was a resounding success and I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the event. A special thank you goes to our dedicated PTA and staff team, whose hard work and commitment made the evening possible. There are still a few raffle prizes to be collected, so please keep an eye on Class Dojo for the winning numbers. School reports are being sent home today and we hope you enjoy reading them with your child and celebrating their achievements this year. Looking ahead to next week, all children in Years 1 to 4 should come to school in their PE kits on Monday for the rearranged Sports Day running races, and we also have our Year 6 end-of-year performances and many other exciting end-of-term events to look forward to.

Have a brilliant weekend.

Mr Mitchell

We would like to thank Mrs. Godfrey for her many years of dedicated service to our school. Over the decades, she has been a committed and valued member of the staff team, supporting thousands of children and their families with care, compassion and unwavering professionalism. Her extensive knowledge, flexibility and willingness to go above and beyond for all pupils has been a tremendous asset to the school and has made a lasting difference to the lives of so many. Mrs. Godfrey’s contribution to our school community has been significant, and her presence will be greatly missed by colleagues, pupils and families alike. On behalf of the staff, children and governors, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for everything Mrs. Godfrey has done and wish her a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.

This week in Collective Worship, we shared the beautiful picture book Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson as part of our half-term focus on inspirational people. Through powerful illustrations and simple storytelling, the biography introduces children to Nelson Mandela's remarkable life, from his childhood in South Africa to his courageous stand against apartheid – a system that treated people differently because of the colour of their skin. Although he was imprisoned for 27 years for fighting for justice, Mandela never allowed bitterness or hatred to define him.

When Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison, he chose forgiveness over revenge. Rather than seeking to divide people, he worked to unite a nation, believing that every person deserved to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. His message of equality was not for one group of people, but for everyone, regardless of their race, background or beliefs. He showed the world that love is stronger than hate and that lasting change begins with compassion and understanding.

At Overthorpe, we share the stories of inspirational people like Nelson Mandela to help our children recognise the difference that one person can make. His life reminds us that courage is not only about standing up for what is right, but also about showing forgiveness, choosing peace and treating others with respect, even when it is difficult. We hope our children will be inspired to become peacemakers who value every individual and help build a community where everyone feels they belong.

We have recently noticed an increase in the number of children riding both bicycles and scooters, including electric scooters, unsafely on the roads and pathways around school. We are also concerned to see that some children are not wearing helmets while riding.

We would be grateful if parents and carers could speak with their children about the importance of travelling safely and responsibly. This includes wearing a properly fitted helmet, being aware of other road users and pedestrians, following the rules of the road, and riding in a considerate manner at all times.

The safety of our children is always our highest priority. We would hate for a member of our school community to suffer an injury, whether as a rider or as a pedestrian. By working together, we can help ensure that everyone travels to and from school safely.

Thank you for your support in reinforcing these important safety messages at home.

We are delighted to share some wonderful news with you. Our school has been awarded the Gold Certification for Sports Games, a prestigious recognition of our commitment to excellence in sports, physical education, and student participation in sporting activities.

This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, coaches, and the unwavering support of our parent community. It highlights our efforts to promote fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a healthy lifestyle among our students.

We are incredibly proud of this milestone and will continue to provide opportunities for our students to excel both academically and in sports.

School website: https://www.overthorpecofe.co.uk/

Email: office@overthorpe.enhanceacad.org.uk

Tel: 01924 325300

Address: Edge Top Road, Dewsbury, WF12 0BH