Summer 2024 School Blog
National Attendance Framework
Please do not shoot the messenger. These are not Thorogate School based policies. But our parents need to be aware and make decisions knowing the information.
The DfE have brought in a new national attendance framework to ensure all parents face the same consequences for term time absences. This covers absences for term time holidays and poor attendance at school for non-medical reasons.
The new guidelines come into force on August 19th 2024.
Sheffield have created a small summary of the new framework. Please note that each day has two sessions (5 days absence = 10 sessions).
Moving Up
This might be the move up to primary school or the move up to secondary school - the guidance is worth looking at. Click on the details below and it will take you to the webpage which has further information and guidance videos.
Headteacher Awards Friday 26th April 2024
Reception: Ada - for an amazing retell of the 3 Billy Goats Gruff.
Lily - for always working hard.
Year 1: Benson - for working hard to improve his handwriting.
Luna - for trying her best in all areas of the curriculum.
Year 2: Paisley - always showing an amazing attitude to learning & being a superb role model!
Amelia - fantastic maths & wonderful presentation.
Year 3: Amber - huge improvements in attitude towards learning.
Winter - wonderful presentation in literacy.
Year 4: Harry - outstanding effort and care with literacy.
Taylor - great perseverance with his writing 😁.
Year 5: Ava - for an outstanding attitude to learning and presentation of work.
Sienna - always being determined to do her best..
Year 6: Max - excellent mathematical knowledge and being a great role model.
Archie - excellent maths work and being resilient.
Sharing Good work this week are:
Headteacher Awards Friday 19th March
Well done to the following children who have been nominated for a Headteacher Award:
Reception: Harry - for always working Hard.
Hudsyn - for being a super role model.
Year 1: Belle - for being one of the amazing "always" children.
Harper - for producing some excellent artwork.
Year 2: Maddison - outstanding effort in phonics.
Leo - having a superb attitude to learning.
Year 3: Isaac - always trying his best.
Sharlis - always giving 100%.
Year 4: Ronnie - fabulous idea and contributions in lessons.
Violet - amazing effort in all areas!
Year 5: Rosie - fantastic attitude to learning, presenting her work with great pride.
Darcie-Beau - trying hard to settle down to her work quickly and show what she knows.
Year 6: Ollie - for excellent maths work and being resilient.
Amber - for excellent maths and English and being a great role model.
Sharing Good work this week are:
Attendance during Spring Term
Below are two photographs of the children achieving 100% attendance in the Spring Term and also those achieving between 96% - 99%. Well done to all of you!
This week Year 4 achieved 100% attendance for the week.
Police visit in Reception - Friday 19th March
We had a visit from three police officers in our Reception Class, explaining to children about different people who keep us all safe.
The children loved seeing the cars, uniforms and the special visit from a sniffer dog! They had fantastic questions for them and many have expressed an interest in Police Officers of the future.
We also teach the children that should they ever be separated from their adult, that they can approach Police Officers for help. To this end, please do not jokingly frighten children by saying be good or the Police Officer will take you away. We do not want children to be frightened of them but to see Police Offers as a source of help when they are needed.
Individual & Family Photos - Thursday 25th April
Braiswick Photographers will be in school next week on Thursday morning (25th April) to take individual & family photos.
If you have younger/older children, not at Thorogate, you can bring them from 8.30am to be photographed with their siblings if required. All other photos of individuals & siblings will be taken during the school morning. Please ensure that full school uniform is worn.
Year 6 only
As this is their final Thorogate school photo, year 6 will also be having a group photo and these along with their individual photos, will be presented in a yearbook which can be purchased and then shared with friends before they leave.
Mrs Wilson
Rotherham Music Service
Today the children were lucky enough to be given a guitar demonstration by James from the Rotherham Music Service team.
Children who are in the junior classes have the opportunity to take up guitar lessons whilst in school. If your child is in the juniors they will be bringing home a letter with regards to these lessons.
Please fill in the slip attached if you would like to indicate an interest in your child receiving these lessons.
Kind regards,
Mrs Hicks
New meals menu (Monday 15th April)
Quick reminder that it’s the new dinner menu from today.
Message on Sunday 14th April
* Start of a new term
* Parent meetings - reminder
* Sports Day
* INSET Day
* Punctuality
* End of year fun day
* Names in clothes
* Start of a new term
We are looking forward to another term of learning! I hope everyone is rested from the Easter break and looking forward to starting back at school tomorrow.
* Parent meetings - reminder
If you have not already booked your parent meeting with your child's class teacher, please do so via Arbor. If anyone has any issues, please phone the school office.
* Sports Day
We have booked the following afternoons as our Sports Day: Sports Day - 22nd May. If the weather defeats us on that day, our second attempt will be 19th June
* INSET Day
Thorogate School is closed to pupils on Friday 14th June.
* Punctuality
Please remember to ensure your child is in class between 08:45 and 08:55. Being late impacts both on your child and the other children in class. But at the same time, parents need to supervise their children until 08:45. Breakfast club is available if needed.
* End of year fun day
Friday 19th July is our last day, with a range of fun activities planned.
* Names in clothes
Please could you ensure jumpers, cardigans, coats etc have names clearly marked in them. If you have just washed these items, please make sure your child's name is still clearly visible. This term in particular is a term when pupils do not seem to be able to remember what they were wearing when they went out to play,
Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.
Mr Barnett & #TeamThorogate
Respect. Responsibility. Pride.
Every Child a Reader
Every Child a Mathematician
Every Child a Communicator
Every Child is Proud of themselves
Every Child a Global Citizen
Every Child Digitally Accomplished
Summer is here!
We ended our Spring term with a Duck Hunt - some 350 (toy) ducks were hidden around the school grounds and the children had to find and return the ducks to their class base. It was quite a frantic 20 minutes with children rushing around the school grounds, squealing as they found ducks and discussing strategies to locate more. Year 4 managed to find the most ducks and were rewarded with an extra 15 minutes play time.
Summertime also brings on holiday time. There still seem to be parents who believe that as headteacher, I am able to authorise term-time holidays. This is not the case - except in exceptional circumstances. To put that in context, during the 16 years as headteacher at Thorogate School I believe I have only authorised a term time holiday once. We report attendance data to the Local Authority. If you choose to take your child out of school for a term-time holiday, it is reasonable to assume that you will receive a fixed penalty notice from the Local Authority. Contrary to what some people seem to think: a) it is not school that issues the fine and b) the school does not receive the proceeds of the fine.