Ripon Cathedral School Update

Welcome back for the start of another new school year at Ripon Cathedral School! It has been a lovely week in school already, with children settling into their new classes and routines. A big welcome to those families joining our school community; we hope that your children are very happy during their time at Cathedral school.

This week, we have been focusing on our three main school rules, the ‘Three Bees’, which have had a ‘makeover’ for the new school year.

I talked to the children yesterday about lots of exciting opportunities for them to demonstrate how they can ‘Be Responsible’ around school, and over the next few weeks we are going to be recruiting Play Leaders, Librarians, School Councillors, Spiritual Councillors, Ambassadors and Sports Captains.

We have also been focusing on our termly value of ‘Hope’ and discussing our hopes and wishes for the coming year. I hope that the children continue to thrive, trying their best every day and enjoying all that school has to offer.

Please join us on Wednesday 17th September for our ‘Open Classrooms’ event. Classrooms will be open straight after school until 5.30pm with an opportunity for you to take a look at your child’s learning environment and to meet their teachers. There is no need to book a time, just drop in. There will be a short talk in the hall at 4pm for parents and carers of those children who have joined our Nursery class this September, to welcome you to our school and to share useful information. We will also hold the Lindisfarne information meeting at 5pm for parents and carers of Year 5 children who are taking part in the Lindisfarne visit in October.

Thank you for your continued support as we begin this new school year. All the staff are looking forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child has a happy, successful, and fulfilling year ahead.

Mrs Walsh

We are proud of all the children for starting the new school year with such positive attitudes to their learning. They are certainly living up to our 'Aspiring, Flourishing and Loving' vision as well as remembering the 'Three Bees'!

One of the aspects of Ripon Cathedral School that we are most proud of is the wide range of opportunities we incorporate to enhance and enrich our school curriculum. We have made a few minor changes this year to the overall programme of events throughout the year which includes some additional local trips and visits, more classes being able to participate in events at the Cathedral, and a Music and Arts Festival in the Spring Term.

This year, three classes will benefit from swimming lessons throughout the year: Year 6 in the Autumn Term, Year 2 in the Spring Term and Year 4 in the Summer.

Forest School this term will be for Reception on a Monday. After October half term, this will switch to Year 1. On a Friday afternoon this half term, Year 4 will have Forest School sessions, and these will switch to Year 2 after half term.

We are delighted to welcome Mr Steel back to lead some of our PE lessons - he will be working with Year 2 and Year 3 this half term for gymnastics on a Tuesday, and running his usual sports club on a Tuesday after school, this half term for Year 1 and Year 2.

Year 3 will take part in adventurous outdoor activities on their school trip to Bewerley Park on Tuesday 23rd September. And Year 5 are already getting excited about their forthcoming residential visit to Lindisfarne in October.

Finally, Year 3 and 4 will lead our Harvest Festival service at the Cathedral on Wednesday 1st October.

There are lots of events to look forward to throughout the year and we will continue to share our plans with you over the coming weeks.

We have several peripatetic music teachers who visit school to offer instrumental lessons (chargeable to parents). Some of the teachers are private tutors, others are provided by North Yorkshire Music Services (all have enhanced DBS clearance and undergo our safeguarding process). Currently we have teachers for keyboard, brass, woodwind and guitar but it may be possible to source other lessons. Our flute teacher has recently returned from maternity leave and can now take on more pupils for both flute and oboe lessons. Twenty minute lessons cost £13.

Please email rbingham@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk if you are interested in further details for any music lessons.

In Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1, children are provided with a daily piece of fruit for a healthy snack. All under 5s (and economic free school meal children) are also given a cup of milk. Over 5s can order milk, please contact rbingham@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk

If your child is in Key Stage 2, they may bring in a healthy snack to eat at morning break. We would recommend a piece of fruit or a cereal bar. No crisps, sweets or cakes. The kitchen is nut and peanut free and we would ask parents not to send any foods into school for snack or lunch that contain nuts.

Pupils should bring a water bottle to school which they can access during the day, but please no juice or flavoured water.

Children in Key Stage 2 who are on school dinners now collect their own lunch from the kitchen servery. They are given their main course, including any vegetables or salad, but may choose from other options, such as whether to have gravy, to add extra salad or whether they would like cake, a yoghurt or fruit for dessert.

We are delighted to let you know the first Stars of the Week for the new school year:

Reception - Archie G for settling into your new school and making a fantastic start to the year. We have loved finding out all about you an listening to all your stories!

Year 1 - Charlie for settling into Year 1 brilliantly this week. He's been sitting smartly on the carpet, joining in with every lesson and has shown great teamwork when working with his friends. Everyone in Year 1 is so proud of him!

Year 2 - Jack for modelling our 3 Bee rules at all times. Jack has demonstrated huge responsibility for his learning, is respectful at all times towards pupils and teachers, and always moves around school safely.

Year 3 - Jack for a fantastic start to Year 3, showing amazing learning behaviour by listening carefully in every lesson.

Year 4 - Isaac for having a fabulous start to Year 4. He has impressed us with his attitude to learning and effort.

Year 5 - Rosie for being a proactive learner all week, a very good start to Year 5, keep it up!

Year 6 - Amelia for a wonderful, positive start to the year and fabulous attitude to learning in every lesson.

Wednesday 17th September – Year 5/6 football tournament at Outwood Academy

Wednesday 17th September – ‘Meet the teacher’ and Open Classrooms 3.30pm-5.30pm (Nursery parents meeting at 4pm; Year 5 Lindisfarne meeting at 5pm)

Tuesday 23rd September – Year 3 trip to Bewerley Park

Wednesday 24th September – 9am Year 6 and Reception ‘Buddies’ Worship

Wednesday 1st October – 2pm Harvest Festival at the Cathedral led by Year 3 and Year 4

Wednesday 8th October – Year 5 Residential to Lindisfarne

Wednesday 8th October – 9am Year 2 Class Worship

Wednesday 15th October – 9am Year 1 Class Worship

Monday 20th and Wednesday 22nd October – Parents Evenings

Thursday 23rd October – Flu immunisation programme

Friday 24th October – SCHOOL CLOSED for Staff Training