I am extremely proud of year 6 this week. Those at Arthog have demonstrated incredible team work, maturity and resilience. Those in school have also worked as a team, demonstrating independence and initiative. They are all fantastic role models.

We’ve had a lot happening in school this week, Our year 4 and 5 children have enjoyed the start of their swimming lessons, I’ve seen some amazing learning, including history in Year 5, and Big write in Year 1 and Year 3. Bonnie has been on site again visiting classes and doing trick training. The way the children have taken on board how to treat her and look after her is amazing. Bonnie is such a positive part of our well being support across the whole school and we love having her on site.

Well done to everyone who received a headteacher award this week:

Neve S, Zayn K, Louie P, Georgia W, Amelia R, Charlie S, Roman F

Sophie O, Penelope H, Isla Di C, Peter C, Jaiden M, Ollie D,

Victoria N, Lilly H, Ben C, Esme C-E, George McI, Ruby H,

Alex M, Shujat M, Elna T, Kade S, Sydney G, Lillie-Rae M

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Mrs E Smith

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had an enjoyable break. It was lovely to see everyone on Wednesday and we have had a super start to the new term.  Congratulations to the children who designed our new House Point Team characters and logo’s, we launched them in assembly on Wednesday and everyone was very excited.

Important information about your child’s learning is now available on the school website.  You can find the curriculum overviews which explain the topics and areas of learning for the term on both the learning pages and the classroom pages. If you would like a paper copy, please let the class teacher know. You should have received a letter with all the important dates that have already been planned in for this term, and they are also available on the website – we have a full calendar of enrichment activities planned this term with visits out and visitors coming in to school.

Please remember that the school day starts at 8.45am. As you know, being in school on time is extremely important for all children in order that they receive the best possible start to their learning.  Arrival at 8.45am enables staff to support children in a range of activities, for example, time to have ‘check ins’ with teacher or TA for Emotional Health and Well Being support, individual reading with an adult, opportunity to practise spellings, maths facts or pre -learning for lessons and sharing class news together. All of these activities maximise the opportunity for a settled start to ensure children are ready for their first lesson straight after the register is taken.

We welcome a new member of staff this term. Miss Egan is a very experienced teaching assistant who has joined the Year 5 team and we are delighted to have her at Apley.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Mrs E Smith

We’ve reached the end of a busy, enjoyable term at Apley. Our school improvement advisor and the Local Authority Quality Assurance advisor have been into school over the last few weeks, talking to children in lessons and looking at books and both have commented on the calm, purposeful environment and the good quality of education and provision that we have at Apley.  I’d like to say a huge thank you to our staff team who have worked so hard, as always, to deliver the best they can for our children.

Just a few of the positives from this term, the new Forest School Area has been a huge success which our Reception, Year 2, Year 5 and Forest School club have enjoyed this term, our Sporting curriculum and sports activity offer has returned to pre-pandemic levels with children being able to take part in either whole school sporting events such as the recent World Cup and Santa Dash activities or being able to represent school in competitions, Bonnie, the Dog mentor, has joined our team and is already having a positive impact on wellbeing and our parent reading sessions and family lunches have been really well attended and enjoyed by everyone.

Just this week, we have a lot to celebrate: Congratulations to Farrah and Ruby from Year 6 who created their own Christmas safety assembly and delivered it in the whole school assembly on Monday.  Again, a brilliant example of how independent, resourceful and respectful our children are.  The KS1 Christmas show,  Baarmy Bethlehem, was a resounding success and it was an absolute delight to be able to deliver this to a full audience again.  Thanks to the staff and children for their hard work.

Well done to everyone who has received a Headteacher Award this week, what a lovely way to end the term:

Harper W, Kian P, Aaron W, Elbie S, Rory P, Esmae T, Oliver L, Macey-Mai M

Ruby-Mae B, Henry T, Hollie-Jessica R, Alfie B, Dexter P, Sydney G

Finally, thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support this term. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas break and a Happy New Year.

Mrs E. Smith

Congratulations to our school choir who have performed at two community events this week.  They braved the cold last Sunday at Southwater, Telford to delight shoppers with their Christmas songs and on Monday evening, performed at the carol concert at Hadley Methodist Church. What a super start to our Christmas festivities this week, they were brilliant.  Thank you to all the parents who supported them at these events and to Mrs Hindle and Mr Yardley for their hard work and enthusiasm leading the choir.

PCSO Tyrer delivered an assembly to KS2 children this week about the importance of having bike lights/reflectors when riding in the dark.  We do have a small number of Hi-Vis Accessories available to give out to children who have a school  bike permit and come to school on their bike/scooter. These are available from the office.

As we approach the end of end of term, we do have to say goodbye to some staff who are leaving us next Friday, to take up new roles.  I would like to thank Mrs Bennett, Mr Taylor and Mrs Panasiuk for their hard work and contribution to the Apley team and wish them all the best of luck in their new roles.

Well done to everyone who received a Headteacher Award this week, I have seen some fantastic efforts in learning, children demonstrating outstanding behaviour and individuals spreading the ripple of kindness further around school:

Oliver G, Lexie M, Roman F, Amrita T, Penelope H, Wayne O, Rhema-Joelle S,

Katie O, Alfie B, Sophie C, Jacob Z, Lilly-Mae E, Karson S, Rashida W, Kaden J,

Layla S, Imogen W, Thomas W, Elna T, Isaac D-S, Menassah B, William K

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Mrs E Smith