Ripon Cathedral School Update
Week ending Friday 18th December 2020
Nativity a message of hope
Nativity - A Message of Hope - The Movie
The Nativity is always a key part of our school celebrations. Normally we would be presenting the story of the first Christmas to all our school family in the Cathedral, however this year, due to the pandemic, we took the opportunity to turn our Year 2 children into Nativity Movie Stars!
A big thank you to all the children in Year 2 for their energy, enthusiasm and great acting! They really have been a joy to work with whilst making this film!
The reviews are in!
We have received some wonderful feedback from the parents and members of our school family who have seen the film.
"What an amazing achievement! It is a wonderful retelling of the Christmas story."
"I was moved to tears. I’ve seen many, many nativities over the years and this is truly up there as one of the best."
"The children were so fantastic!"
"It’s absolutely beautiful."
"After a lifetime of Nativities this is the one that has touched my heart and given me new heart."
"Amazing."
Praise indeed! If you haven't had a chance yet to see our Year 2 stars, the link to the movie is above.
Press Alert
Once again the Daily Telegraph sent a photographer to our nativity and on Wednesday a beautiful image of our angels was printed on their front page! A proud moment for the school to be featured in the national press.
The image also shows that even in these difficult times there are reasons to celebrate and rejoice!
Christmas Journey Day
On Tuesday the whole school took part in a Christmas 'Journey Day'. Rather than just retelling the Christmas Story, each class looked at it in a different way.
The day started with a special worship where the school decided that we can do without presents, a tree and snowman, but we can not have Christmas without a baby having been born.
Year 1 looked at the story from the point of view of the shepherds and sheep and Year 2 from the point of view of the wise men, particularly reflecting on the value of giving not receiving at Christmas. Year 3 looked at a range of art work to explore the 'real' people at Christmas and how they may have been feeling. In the afternoon they learned about the Mexican tradition of Las Pasadas. Year 4 explored angels and found out that there are many different angels in the Bible.. and they don't all have wings! Year 5 explored the question: is Christmas lost? and Year 6 looked at Christmas as a time of hope.
As well as being an interesting day, everyone said that they learned something about the Christmas Story that they didn't know before.
Stars of the Week
During our Friday Collective Worship every class teacher shared their stars of the week. It is great to visit every classroom (via Zoom) and hear about the wonderful effort and work.
Year 6
Jess for her fantastic attitude to all of her learning and for always having a smile on her face.
Year 5
Finley for challenging himself in lessons and for being thoughtful to others in class, helping out and being kind.
Year 4
Starla for taking pride in all her work. She tries super hard and always has high expectations.
Year 3
Olivia for making an extra effort to answer questions and persevere when things are tricky.
Year 2
Owethu for determination and resilience this term - you have been amazing.
Year 1
Blake for consistently trying his best and for always being on task.
Reception
Grace for growing in confidence and independence to have a go at her writing. She has a super attitude to learning and takes pride in her work.
Class of the Week
This week Year 6 were Class of the Week! Well done Year 6 for your super hard work and great attitudes.
Superstars of the Term
Super effort from our superstars
Well done to all our superstars who have shown great attitudes and how they can be aspiring, flourishing and loving! Their awards will be displayed for the Spring Term outside Mr Holmes' Office!
Superstars - Autumn 2020
Reception - James
Year 1 - Mikael
Year 2 - Bea
Year 3 - Molly
Year 4 - Neo
Year 5 - Polly
Year 6 - Lucy
A special Visitor!
School Update
Dear Parents and Carers
It has been a really enjoyable last week, full of many happy moments and also happy children who are really looking forward to Christmas.
Track and Trace
After the end of the term the school is still required to notify Public Health England about positive COVID19 cases up until Thursday 24th December. If a member of our school family tests positive within this period (Saturday 19th December - Thursday 24th December), please do email admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk as soon as possible. I will be monitoring this email account and will make contact with families at an appropriate time following receipt of any notification.
Thank you
As we come to the end of a year that has truly been like no other, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Ripon Cathedral School. We are very lucky to have such a hard working committed team who put the children at the heart of all that they do.
I would also like to say thank you to everyone in our school family, who have supported the children and the school during this extraordinary year. I do hope you have a restful, peaceful Christmas break and enjoy family time over the festive period.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a better, blessed 2021.
Kindest regards
Steven Holmes
Headteacher
A Message from the Governors
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends
It hardly seems possible that nine months have passed since the initial lockdown.
The governors are very proud to see how well the school has adapted its practice to ensure all our children and staff have been kept safe while maintaining a high quality of education for all our children. I think we have fared rather better than schools nationally, in terms of the number of children and staff having to self isolate. We are thankful that only a minimal amount of disruption has taken place.
The governors have held a number of meetings via Zoom so we are all well informed and ensuring that our support of the school continues. These meetings have included Curriculum, Resource and Distinctiveness committee meetings as well as meetings of the full governing body.
We are very grateful for the amazing hard work of Mr Holmes and his whole team. We are blessed to have such committed staff and leaders.
The governors would also like to thank all of you for being so accommodating and for recognising that everyone is working to the best of their ability. I think that in Primary schools we are so used to being in immediate and direct contact with school staff and it has been difficult for parents and carers to get know their children’s teachers and teaching assistants. This is very sad and we all know that it is unusual and can be a little isolating not being able to speak with one another physically. I think the school has done an excellent job keeping a tremendous sense of normality for the children and we all hope and pray for a brighter future.
Thank you so much for all you do to support the school in these difficult times.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas despite the restrictions, but above all, we wish you a happier New Year.
Kind regards
Jean Denney
Chair of Governors, and on behalf of all the governing body.
Christmas Dates
Don't forget!
Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd December - Christmas celebrations in Oscar's holiday club - booking essential - details below
Tuesday 5th January 2021 - School reopens to children for the spring term
The Friends of the School
Community Announcements
Like us and follow us...
Email: admin@riponcathedral.n-yorks.sch.uk
Website: www.riponcathedralschool.org.uk
Location: HG41LT, United Kingdom
Phone: 01765 602355
Facebook: facebook.com/riponcathschool
Twitter: @riponcathschool