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

To see the latest photos of learning in school please click here

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

Sparrows - Having fun with the Fire Service

Headteacher's comment

As we come to the end of another excellent week in school, I would like to thank our pupils, staff and families for their continued support. There has been a wonderful atmosphere around school, with children working hard, showing great enthusiasm for their learning and demonstrating our values every day.

This week has included some fantastic enrichment opportunities. Year 3 enjoyed their visit to Little Deer Wood, while Year 2 took part in a local walk and made the most of learning beyond the classroom. On Wednesday, our Year 5 pupils represented the school brilliantly at a golfing event, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and determination throughout the day.

It was also lovely to see so many children dressed in their non-uniform clothes today in support of our Bring a Bottle fundraiser ahead of next week's Summer Fair. The children looked fantastic and we are very grateful for all of your generous donations.

Please do read on in this newsletter for important information regarding class arrangements for next year.

Looking ahead, we have another busy and exciting week, next week. Our rearranged Year 5 and Year 6 Sports Day will take place on Monday, starting at 9.00am. On Tuesday, children will spend time with their new classes as part of our transition days, helping them to prepare for the new academic year. Then, on Thursday after school, we will come together for our Summer Fair – one of the highlights of the school calendar.

We look forward to seeing many of you there and thank you, as always, for your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sports Day update

Summer Fair

Our end of year Summer Fair is just around the corner. Thank you in advance for supporting our non-uniform days and donating sweets and bottles for the occasion.

Any donations of teddies for our teddy tombola stall would also be greatly appreciated.

Scooter and bike safety

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.

Attendance

This week's Learning Champions

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.

Combs Colliery Memorial Service and Community Gala

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.