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

Barn Owls - Playing Phonics games.

It has been another busy and rewarding week in school. On Monday, our Year 5 pupils enjoyed a terrific visit to Magna. The children represented the school wonderfully and gained a great deal from this exciting, hands-on learning experience.

This week, our Year 4 pupils have begun their multiplication tables checks. They have worked hard in preparation, and we wish them all the very best as they complete these over the coming days. Looking ahead to next week, our Year 1 pupils will begin their phonics screening checks. They have made excellent progress this year and should be very proud of themselves. We wish them every success. It has also been lovely to see our Year 1 children developing their confidence and coordination on the balance bikes today.

Next week is also a special one for our Year 6 pupils, who set off on their residential on Monday. This promises to be a memorable experience, and we look forward to hearing all about their adventures when they return.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Mr Mitchell

As we approach the end of the academic year, I would like to take the opportunity to recognise and thank two valued members of our teaching team who will be moving on from Overthorpe.

Miss Vaughan will be leaving us to take up a new role at another school, where she will be working for two days a week. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has brought to Overthorpe. Her leadership of music and early years, in particular, has had a hugely positive impact on our children, enriching both the curriculum and wider experiences across the school. Miss Vaughan is a highly committed, flexible and team-focused colleague who consistently gives her best for our pupils. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her every success and happiness in her new role.

We also say a fond farewell to Mr Stone, who will be retiring after an impressive 26 years at Overthorpe. During his time with us, he has shaped the lives of so many children through his skill, dedication and care. Mr Stone is an incredible team player who always goes above and beyond for both the children and the Overthorpe community. His contribution to the school has been significant, and he leaves with our sincere thanks and very best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

We are also delighted to welcome Miss Spicer-Peace to the Overthorpe team. Many of you will already be familiar with her, as she has been a trainee teacher with us this year and has impressed us from the very start. Throughout her time in school, Miss Spicer-Peace has demonstrated professionalism, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to our pupils. She has already built excellent relationships with many children and has quickly become a valued member of staff. Colleagues have also appreciated her positive approach and willingness to contribute fully to wider school life. We have no doubt that she will slot seamlessly into the team in September, and we are very pleased that she will be continuing her journey with us at Overthorpe.

Please see details for our upcoming parent event week below. We look forward to inviting those of you who can make it into school.

In collective worship this week, we continued our half-term focus on inspirational people by sharing the wonderful true story The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz.

The book tells the remarkable story of Jadav Payeng, often known as The Forest Man of India. As a young boy, Jadav was saddened to see wildlife suffering on a barren sandbank in Assam, India. Determined to make a difference, he began planting trees. What started with a few saplings grew into a lifelong mission. Over many years, through patience, hard work and perseverance, Jadav transformed the empty landscape into a thriving forest that is now home to thousands of trees, birds, deer, monkeys, elephants and many other animals.

Through Jadav’s story, the children reflected on how one person’s actions can have a lasting impact on the world around them. They explored the importance of caring for creation, showing determination when faced with challenges, and understanding that even small acts of kindness and responsibility can grow into something extraordinary.

At Overthorpe, we believe it is important for our children to be inspired by the words and actions of great people. Stories such as Jadav’s help our pupils see that positive change often begins with a single person choosing to act with courage, compassion and hope. As a Church school, we strive to nurture children who are kind, thoughtful and motivated to make a difference within their communities. Through our vision and values, we encourage every child to understand that, with courage, grit and determination, they can achieve great things and help make the world a better place for others.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful PTA for their continued generosity and commitment to enriching the life of our school. This academic year, their fundraising efforts have made a significant impact, including funding brand new art resources to support our evolving art curriculum, a memorable visit to the Hepworth Gallery for our Year 6 pupils, and a class set of ukuleles to enhance our music provision. In addition, the PTA have generously funded a two-day artist residency, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to meet a professional artist and take part in mono-printing workshops. These experiences not only provide high-quality resources but also inspire creativity, curiosity and confidence in our pupils. We are incredibly grateful for the PTA’s dedication to supporting our school and helping us to provide such rich and meaningful opportunities for all.

The Rainbow Raffle will be drawn at the end of next week, so there is still time to purchase a ticket!

As part of our history curriculum, children at Overthorpe learn about life in Victorian coal mining communities and the important role mining played in shaping our local area. Towards the end of this unit, pupils study the Combs Colliery Disaster of 1893, one of the most tragic events in Thornhill’s history, when 139 men and boys lost their lives following an explosion at the local mine.

Many of those who died are buried at St Michael and All Angels Church, where a memorial stands in their honour. Their stories help our children develop a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the impact the disaster had on families and the wider community.

This year marks a significant moment in Thornhill’s history, as a new Combs Colliery Memorial Wheel will be unveiled at Rectory Park. On Saturday 4th July, the anniversary of the disaster, a special memorial service and community gala will take place to commemorate those who lost their lives and celebrate the resilience and heritage of our local community.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend what promises to be a moving and memorable occasion. It will be a wonderful opportunity for families, former mining families, local residents and community groups to come together, reflect on our shared history and honour the legacy of those whose lives helped shape Thornhill. We hope many of our Overthorpe families will be able to support this very special community event.

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

Email: office@overthorpe.enhanceacad.org.uk

Tel: 01924 325300

Address: Edge Top Road, Dewsbury, WF12 0BH