Reception pupils at Colburn Primary School took part in a special graduation ceremony to celebrate all their success in Foundation Stage before they move up to Key Stage 1. The children invited family and friends to attend the ceremony in the hall and all pupils wore mortar board hats. The graduation included songs and a slide show of photographs of the children’s activities, achievements and visits over the last year.  Every child was presented with a graduation certificate unique to them for their individual achievements.

Interim Head Teacher Debbie Nicholas said ‘The transition from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1 is a very significant stage in a child’s life as it prepares them for the rest of their educational journey. We wanted to mark this important development with a special event that will be a lasting memory for the children and their parents.’

Pupils in the rest of the school celebrated their end of year with two days of sports coaching. The school used their PE and sport premium funding to provide children with the opportunity to learn and practise their skills in basketball, mini golf, cricket, cheerleading, yoga, hula hooping, football, street dance and rounders. There was something for everyone and children of all abilities expressed their enjoyment of the two days:

‘It was fun because we did lots of different activities’

‘I got to learn street dance which I had never done before’

‘It was a fun way of doing a sports day. We worked as a team’

‘Football and cricket were my favourite. It was fun playing basketball because the coaches were very skilled and very helpful’

End of year celebratory trip to London

Year 6 children from Colburn Primary School celebrated an excellent year with a trip to London. Staying at the Youth hostel at St Pauls, they used this as a base to experience the sights and sounds that London has to offer; they climbed to the top of St Paul’s cathedral, watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and learned how government makes decisions during a 90 minute visit to the Houses of Parliament. They fed the parakeets and squirrels at St James’ Park, met Pikachu in Trafalgar Square, found out amazing facts at the Natural History Museum and watched a performance of Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. They ended the two day visit with a 30 minute ride on the London Eye, giving them a birds’ eye view over London and they had fun spotting all the places they had visited.

One child said” it helped me to become more independent and I realised I didn’t need my mum for everything”

Another said “I overcame my fear of heights by going up St Paul’s cathedral and on the London Eye”

Interim Head Teacher said “The visit was able to take place due to generous donations from a variety of sources. The children’s behaviour was excellent and a member of the public commented on the children’s politeness and good behaviour whilst we were on the train. “

Bagel-Mania

Our pupils are enjoying free bagels for a year from the government scheme run by Magic Breakfast.

Hot toasted bagels are served by ‘bagel monitors’ on the playground every morning, and are available to all children and their families.  Bagels are also available from the school office for children arriving late to ensure no child goes hungry.  The children have been so excited, they have named it ‘Bagel-mania’!

“I like that the bagels are free and they give me lots of energy.”

“It’s good they’re offered to everyone for free.”

“They’re crispy and really tasty!”

Our FS2 pupils have been reading ‘Naughty Bus’ by Jan and Jerry Oke. The story and activities, including the bus visiting the classroom during the night and playing pranks, has brought the children’s learning to life.

‘This is a disaster,’ said Emilie, after the children found the bus had managed to get itself frozen in ice overnight.

As a surprise for the children, we organised a visit from a London Routemaster bus. The children were very excited to get their tickets from the conductor, boarding the bus, ringing the bell, beeping the horn and reading a story on the upper deck.

We have had a fun-filled week of Christmas activities.  As well as a traditional nativity performed by Year 1 pupils, a Foundation Stage Christmas singalong and a Year 2 ‘Christmas Around the World’ assembly, we have also put on a Year 3 - 6 musical called ‘Poptastic’.

Miss Nicholas commented, “All children in Key Stage 2 were given the opportunity to take part in our disco-themed production; the on-stage cast of singers, dancers and actors were supported by the enthusiastic school orchestra and a very capable stage crew. I was delighted that our whole school community was involved in so many lovely Christmas activities.”

Chloe said, “I loved being in the Poptastic production because it was fun and educational. I was able to include some of my own ideas into the script.”

Jasmine added, “I enjoyed learning all the different dances and performing for my friends and family.”

Abbey said, “I will miss being in our productions when I move to secondary school next year; I have been in every play since Year 1. My Great Nanna travelled all the way from Dover to watch me and my sister in Poptastic.”

Our current Year 6 pupils recently took part in an art project - their work was displayed at County Hall in Northallerton.  For further details, click the link below to visit Richmondhsire Today: