Spring Term 2023

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

I know that it seems like there are going to be a lot of big changes this year. Firstly, Mrs Parson’s has now started her new job, and so I have taken over as class teacher, five days a week. This arrangement will continue until at least Easter, where a new job share will be appointed to help me teach the class, and I will go back to teaching on Thursdays and Fridays. I intend to go off on my maternity leave at about May half term, but I will of course let you know closer to the time.

We have lots of exciting things planned for the coming Spring term, and the children are going to be kept very busy!

We have been asked by local artist, Karen Babayan, to help her to create some large-scale art work which will be displayed at Appleby train station. As part of this work, Karen will be coming into school, one day a week, for 8 weeks, supporting us in developing our art skills in a huge range of art techniques. We will also be going on a trip on the train, along the Carlisle-Settle railway, spending the day at Settle station, and learning about the trains, the station, and the people that helped to build it. 

In February the whole school will be treated to a trip out to the theatre – we will go to see The Demon Dentist at The Sands in Carlisle.

Year 4 will also have the opportunity to complete a Bikeability course, where they can bring their bikes into school and spend the day with an instructor who will coach them about road safety. Letters will be sent out with further details.

We have PE on Monday and Tuesday afternoons this term. Please ensure that your child has both an indoor (black shorts, white T shirt) and an outdoor kit (black joggers, black jumper, trainers) in school, preferably kept in school all week. Please make sure all items of clothing are clearly labelled.

Times tables and Spelling tests will be done each Friday, with new spellings being given out after the test. Your child knows which times table they are working on. Please practice at home as much as you can.

Please feel free to speak with me after school if you have any concerns or questions.

Natalia Matenczuk