Keep up to date with all the news happening in school at the moment.

• he Vote!!

  Thu 08 Dec 2011

  We’ve had a fantastic afternoon at Gateford Park with all the children and staff taking part in a vote to rename our classes.  The themes being voted for were commonwealth countries, precious stones, mythical creatures, local areas and birds.

  The school council have work really hard over the past couple of months to ensure that the views of everyone were gathered for this election.  They each played an important role today to ensure that everyone in school had their vote and knew what they needed to do. 

  The votes have been now been sorted and counted and the new class names will be announced tomorrow so keep checking back for an update.
  
  Below are some pictures of the vote.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• DARE Graduation

  Wed 07 Dec 2011
  Today was an important day for the children in Year 6.  After following a ten week programme, they graduated the DARE programme with flying colours!
  
  The children gave a presentation to mums and dads, family and friends, about all that they have learned.  They spoke knowledgeably about the dangers of drug and substance misuse.
  
  Their performance of 'Dealer or no Dealer' was great too!  Thank goodness the right choices were made in the end!  All of the children received a certificate.
  
  Please see the pictures of the graduation ceremony below.  There's a video of fantastic singing for you to see too!
  
  Our thanks to to P.C. John Graham, from Nottinghamshire Police and to Miss Reynolds and Mrs. Dawes for their efforts to make this happen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• Gateford sounding good at Sheffield Arena

  Tue 06 Dec 2011

  What a fantastic time the children had at Sheffield Arena yesterday!  They travelled to Sheffield to take part in the Young Voices concert.  The children had spent time learning the songs and joined in with all of their hearts.
  
  Several lucky parents and grandparents who attended the concert have commented that Gateford children were the smartest and best behaved out of the several thousands of children who were there.  They were a real credit to the school and to our community.  As the first song almost goes, 'they are amazing, just the way they are!'
  
  Our thanks to go the parents who gave their support and to Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Smyth, who gave their time to make this happen. We are already looking forward to next year!
  
  Below is a video of all of the children singing togther in a 'Pop Medley'.  If you look carefully, you may see one or two faces that you know! 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

   

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2-CHzAIkME

  

• A storming victory for the Athletics team ends an excellent sporting week for Gateford Park

  Fri 25 Nov 2011

  This morning, Miss Read and the Year 6 athletics team (6 boys and 6 girls) travelled to Retford Oaks to take part in a Bassetlaw school athletics competition.

  The other schools were of an extremely high standard but the boys and girls gave it their all and.........we won!!

  We are all very proud and keeping our fingers crossed that we come out as the top school in Basettlaw!

  Pictures and videos below.

  

• Industrial Action

  Fri 25 Nov 2011

  As you are aware, a number of trade unions have balloted their members regarding industrial action to take place on Wednesday 30 November. The unions are opposed to the changes to public sector workers’ pension provisions proposed by the Government.

  Staff members have informed me of their intentions for that day. I am grateful to them as they are not obliged to do so. I have undertaken a risk assessment regarding the effects of a significantly reduced staffing level on the children’s safety and wellbeing. It is with regret that I must inform you that the school will be closed to children on Wednesday 30 November.

  The optimist in me hopes that the Government and the unions will come to some mutually agreed changes to the pension proposals and cancel the strike, but the realist in me thinks that there is little chance of this happening before Wednesday.

  If there is any change to the situation, of course I will let you know immediately.

  With my very best wishes,

  Gareth Letton
  Headteacher

• A MASSIVE win for the Gateford Park boys!

  Thu 24 Nov 2011
  Another week, another amazing win for our fantastic Year 5/6 boys!
  
  Tonight, we played Haggonfields at Outwood Academy Portland, and left with a 13-1 victory!
  
  Our goal scorers were; Joe W x 3, Joshua G x4, Oliver S, Kyle x2, Harvey, Luke x2....There were so many goals that Miss Read struggled to keep up with writing them down.
  
  A special mention, for their fantastic sportsmanship, has to go to Bradley, Thomas We., Harvey and Connor, who all volunteered to play for the other team (2 each half), so that they could make a full team; I think I speak for the coaches and all the parents when I say that your mature attitude was extremely impressive. 
  
  That was our last game this year but we are all full of excitement and enthusiasm for next year. 
  
  Last of all, massive thanks go to Mr. Samplawski and Mr. Westbury for their excellent coaching.
  
  Please see below for some photographs of our winning team.

   

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• Christmas Crafts with Idle Valley Nature Reserve

  Wed 23 Nov 2011

  This morning we welcomed two ladies from Idle Valley Nature Reserve into school to do some willow weaving. 

  Three children from each class in the school came together in the hall to have a fantastic morning of craft and the results were beautiful!

  We learned how to weave willow and produced some fantastic Christmas wreaths which are on display in the hall.

  Please come and have a look at them!

  

• Prosperous day for Pudsey!! - UPDATED

  Tue 22 Nov 2011
  Well done to all of the children, parents and staff for making Children in Need day such a success!
  
  We have all had a fun day raising money for this great cause by collecting pennies for Pudsey, laying them on the floor to fill him up (which we easily did!) and buying Pudsey biscuits!
  
  Below is a selection of photographs of the children donating their pennies and buying the biscuits.

  
  Thank you to everyone for your generous donations which make such a big difference to children in need all over the country.
  
  Update - 22 November 2011
  
  All of the 1p, 2p and 5p coins have been counted up and the grand total of spare change for Pudsey came to an absolutely fantastic £357!  With the £74 made from Erin's delicious biscuits, we can all be proud of our contribution to this year's Children in Need appeal.
  
  Well done, everyone!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• Four Glorious Goals for Gateford!

  Fri 11 Nov 2011

  The year 5/6 football team was victorious in an action packed game against Ryton Park this evening, which ended 3-4.

  All of the boys did the team, and school, proud with their excellent skills and team performance.

  A big well done to our goal scorers; Matthew W (2 goals!), Daniel H and Thomas Wr.

  I'm sure that all the boys will join me in thanking Mr. Westbury and Mr. Samplawski for the excellent coaching which lead to our win.

  Miss Read

  

• Remembrance Week

  Mon 07 Nov 2011
  We were pleased to see our friend from Christ Church, Revd. Alvey, this morning.
  
  Revd. Alvey talked to us about the importance of Remembrance Sunday and showed us some interesting artefacts from his family's past.  We were interested to look at the medals, flags, a WW1 bayonet and other things.
  
  We are taking part in a number of events and activities for Remembrance this week.  We are taking a little time out of our busy lives to give thanks and remember those people who gave their lives to protect our futures.