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

Kestrels - We had our Leavers Service at Wakefield Cathedral

Headteacher's comment

It has been a wonderful week in school, with a particular highlight being our Sports Days. The children took part with great enthusiasm and showed excellent teamwork throughout. We are very grateful to parents and families for your flexibility and understanding regarding the shortened format of these events due to the increased temperatures. The safety and wellbeing of everyone remains our priority. We will be looking to arrange the running races for children during the school day at some point between now and the end of term so that these can still take place in more suitable conditions.

We were also pleased to welcome the Canal & River Trust into school this week to deliver important water safety assemblies. These sessions play a vital role in helping our children understand how to stay safe around local waterways, particularly at this time of year when they may be spending more time outdoors.

Another real highlight was the first Trust Year 6 church service at Wakefield Cathedral. It was an amazing success, and I could not have been prouder of our oldest pupils who represented Overthorpe so well. Their conduct and attitude were a real credit to the school.

Looking ahead, we wish our Year 3 and Year 2 pupils an enjoyable time on their upcoming educational visits next week. These experiences are always valuable and we know the children will gain a great deal from them.

Have a super weekend.

Mr Mitchell

Collective Worship

Fauja Singh Keeps Going

As part of our Inspirational People theme in collective worship, and to celebrate Sports Week, we shared the true story Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh. The book tells the remarkable story of Fauja Singh, who overcame many challenges throughout his life. As a young child in rural India, he was unable to walk until he was five years old and was often told that he would never be strong or successful. Later in life, he experienced great personal loss, yet instead of giving up, he discovered a new purpose through running. Remarkably, Fauja completed his very first marathon at the age of 81 and continued to run long-distance races beyond his 100th birthday, becoming a worldwide symbol of perseverance, hope and resilience.

At Overthorpe, we intentionally share the stories of inspirational people because we want every child to believe that they can achieve great things, whatever their starting point or the obstacles they face. These real-life examples encourage our pupils to develop courage, determination and self-belief, reminding them that with faith, perseverance and a positive mindset, incredible things are possible. As a church school, this reflects our vision of nurturing children to fly higher than the flock whilst always providing a nest to come home to—giving them the confidence to pursue their God-given potential, knowing they are supported, valued and encouraged every step of the way.

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.

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.