And so another very busy term draws to an end!! Following the Summer

Olympics we now have our very own Olympic Legacy Ambassador in the school office – Mrs Breen was recognised for the

inspiration she gave to many children during our Dale Rowing Challenge last year during an awards evening held at Pride Park in November. As a school, we were awarded a Bronze award for the wide range of sporting opportunities we offer to the children, a big thank you to all those who support us in this, providing transport and cheering on our school teams. The children who represented the school during the evening were a real credit to the school – well done to all of you.

A big thank you to those who came to our Christmas Fayre; it was lovely to see so many of you there. Santa was very popular again this year and was ready for a rest by the end of the evening.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday, and look forward to seeing you in January.

Mrs L Sullivan - Head Teacher

Term Dates for 12/13Break up for ChristmasFriday 21st December

Back to SchoolMonday 7th January

Break up for Half TermFriday 15th February

Back to SchoolMonday 25th February

INSET DayMonday 18th March

Break up for EasterThursday 28th March

Back to SchoolMonday 15th April

Break up for Half TermFriday 24th May

DECEMBER 2012

HEAD’S

SPOT

DALE NEWS

Rumannah Akhtar - winner of the Heartmark Logo Competition with Runner-up Maariya Sadiq and The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Lisa Higginbottom.

Foundation Stage News

Foundation Stage have had a really exciting half term. We went to the Pantomime to watch Peter Pan. The children really enjoyed themselves, joining in and doing some lovely dancing. We have also been practising our Nativity and are now great performers

Next term we are learning about dinosaurs! Please find out something about dinosaurs. Have a lovely holiday!

Year One News

We have had busy half term! We have been learning about light and dark and to accompany us on this journey, an alien called Beegu, came to spend time with us in our classrooms! Currently we are excited to be rehearsing for the upcoming nativity play ‘The Sleepy Shepherd’. Next half term we will be learning some traditional fairy tales such as, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Please read these books with your children!

Year Two News

Year 2 started this half term with a bang, with a visit from a puppet theatre. We

learned how to make shadow puppets and put on a show as a whole class. We then developed our story-telling skills and made up our own traditional story with a twist. We have learned to join materials, particularly by sewing, and have made sock and hand puppets. At the end of the topic, we put all these skills together and performed our twisted tale. What super actors and actresses we have in Year 2!

Year Three News

This half term we have further developed our knowledge about Ancient Egypt. We were impressed with how well the children dressed up as Ancient Egyptians for the special day that we had. The children completed five tasks and did some excellent writing about their day. As part of our science work we have learnt about teeth and healthy eating. Linked to our topic, we have been working on our story telling skills, so, if the children have any spare time they may want to write their own stories for us to share!

Learning Mentors

A reminder to all parents that pupils must be in correct school uniform – this includes appropriate footwear.Dale prides itself on being a Healthy School, as such, bars of chocolate/sweets are NOT allowed in packed lunches.

Parents of Year 2-6 children must come in to the playground to collect their children for home dinners. Children cannot be sent out of the playground to parents waiting in cars

Phonics Lessons

Please remember that Year 1 and Year 2 children need to be here on time in the morning as their Phonics lessons start promptly at 9:00am. If they are late, they are missing out on important learning!

Term Dates 12/13 (cont.)

Back to SchoolMonday 4th June

INSET DayFriday 21st June

Break up for SummerTuesday 23rd July

Year Four News

Wow! What a good term we have had! We have been learning a lot about the Romans and had people visit us at school to tell us more. We visited the Quad to see a film – ‘Ellena’s Secret’ which was fabulous. We had a lot of fun organising our Hinduism open morning to show all of our learning. We hope you enjoyed it too!

Year Five News

This half term Year 5 have been learning all about the Solar System, including learning about the sun and how shadows are formed.We have also been getting into the Christmas spirit by going to Bemrose School to watch ‘We Will Rock You’ and enjoying our yearly trip to the Pantomime. This year we had a lot of fun watching Peter Pan and the evil Captain Hook!

Year Six News

This half term has seen Year 6 being given more responsibility for their own behaviour and learning, wearing their badges with pride. We have explored the world of Hugo Cabret, confidently debating important issues and

reporting in the style of newspaper journalists.We have all become animators. Our final animations, entitles “It’s not what you think”, will hopefully be available to view on the Dale website in the new year.Well done to all those Year 6 Reading Buddies who have supported younger children for a whole term. Keep it up next term!

Birthday Sweets

We are always happy for children to share sweets with their class as part of birthday celebrations. In order for all children to be able to enjoy the sweets we kindly ask that the sweets are suitable for vegetarians and do not contain animal based gelatine or nuts. Suitable sweets include Starburst and Chewitts.

Leavers and Starters

We would like to welcome back Mrs Foster who will be returning to school after the Christmas break – she will be returning to Foundation Stage and sharing a class with Mrs Windscheffel.

Ms Blackwell has left Dale School and Mr Walker will continue to teach 3B until the end of the year.

Sports News

• ‘You Are The Legacy’ Bronze Award

•Futsal festival winnersIndoor Athletics Awards

•City Table Tennis Champions – Boys and Girls Teams

•County Table Tennis Champions – GirlsCounty Table Tennis Runners-up – Boys

•Mayor’s Heart Mark Logo Assembly – 1st

Place and Runner-up

•Cycling Bikeability

•PE Filming Day

•Football at DW Sports

• 50 tickets for Derby County vs Hull

A full range of clubs before school, dinner time and after school have taken place every day this term for Year 2-6 children and continue to be well supported.

Thank you to all the parents who have supported their children and helped with transport to and from sports events. Thank you to staff who gave up their own time to take children to these events.

How to contact us:Telephone 01332 760070

Emailadmin@dale.derby.sch.uk

AddressDale Community Primary SchoolPorter Road, Derby.DE23 6NL

Head TeacherMrs L. Sullivan

School Information

• School meals continue to cost £2.00 per day / £10.00 per week. Money must be paid on a Monday morning. Please remember if your child brings a packed lunch to school it must be brought to school at 9:00am. We will not accept late lunchboxes.

• Please look at the school website: http://dale.derby.sch.uk for more information and pictures of school life.

• Please ensure that your child’s uniform is named correctly. Lost property is kept outside class 1S.

It's been a long term! Many staff and pupils are tired and

fighting off various 'lurgies' and other difficulties. Its good to

have holidays as a time to relax and be refreshed.

Christmas often means time with family, with friends, sharing gifts, and showing love to one another, just as the love of God was shown to us that first Christmas. As we spend our time relaxing over the holidays, lets aim to think about giving more than getting, and serving others rather than being served. That's all part of good family life, community life, and actually school life. I love the community life of Dale School - a big part of what makes Dale so good is that everyone tries to do their bit, thinking about others' needs and supporting one another, even when life's hard. Here's to more of the same in 2013.

Have a good holiday.

Anthony AdamsChair of Governors

GOVERNOR’S

SPOT

The winners of this years’ Spelling Bee are:

Year 3 – Adam MahmoodYear 4 - Iqra IshfaqYear 5 – Aamir AhmedYear 6 – Faheem Mahmood

Well done to everyone who took part in the final. We are especially proud of Adam and Faheem - two winners who are brothers! The boys are pictured with their Mum.