February Half Term Newsletter

As we have reached the end of another busy half term at TLA, I would like to take the opportunity to share a summary of some of the highlights with you.

This half term started with mock exams for our Year 11’s who, unsurprisingly, demonstrated exemplary attitudes, engagement and maturity throughout. We are so incredibly proud of them as they continue to work extremely hard towards their summer exams. Impressively, our Year 6’s are demonstrating the same committed efforts towards their SATS. All students are being supported with intervention and booster sessions to help them achieve their best possible outcomes.

Well done to our Year 5 students who worked so hard over Christmas on their home-learning to create some amazing shoebox habitats. Well done to you all for putting so much effort into these.

Our sporting fixtures have continued this half term – thank you to all our staff who arrange these, and all our wonderful sports teams who demonstrate such incredible sportsmanship every time they play!

Our Reception children thoroughly enjoyed their first visit to the Science labs in January – where they watched Miss Leach (intentionally!) burning certain foods, to see how much energy each one stored. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the labs. In fact, all across our primary-phase, children are enjoying more and more visits to the Science labs and we are all reminded that we are so lucky to enjoy this opportunity, not available to most primary schools

Continuing with the Science theme, our KS3 Science club started off with a bang, when Mr Webster demonstrated some explosive experiments! Over this half term, the Science club have also created bespoke bath bombs, made bird feeders and insect hotels, as well as making spyglasses using concave lenses, and used convex lenses to see the stars. As a Science teacher myself, I know that I have a tendency to be biased, but surely Science has to be the most exciting subject in the world and our children are experiencing it firsthand from such a young age.

On 27th January, some of our student leaders attended an inspiring and collaborative day of big ideas, when they attended the RKLT Youth Board meeting in Harrogate. They discussed a range of important topics, from reducing food wastage and litter picking, to discussing how we can contribute towards making other positive impacts on our environment, such as how we as a school may cut down on our plastic usage to reduce our carbon footprint. Our Youth Board representatives are now going to work with other students across our school to turn these ideas into reality and make our school and community more sustainable and ecofriendly.

This half term, our primary Religious Education visits to places of worship have continued and this time it was the turn of Year 3 and Year 5. Year 5 visited a synagogue to learn more about the Jewish religion. Year 3 visited a local Gurdwara and had a fantastic time learning about the Sikh religion; they enjoyed Langar, a free meal served by the Temple to anyone who visits, and also learned about traditional events, music and special items carried by Sikhs. Their behaviour was exceptional on both trips, and they all enjoyed the chance to learn outside the classroom.

Twenty-four of our talented Year 9 students took part in a fantastic, hands-on business enterprise project! Guided by Business Advisors Pam and Liz, they spent two action-packed days diving into the exciting world of starting a business. Using VR technology and engaging practical games and exercises, they developed their own business plans, which they later pitched to the Senior Leadership Team. Not only did they gain essential skills in teamwork, communication and presentation, but they also got a taste of what it takes to bring an idea to life. A massive well done to everyone involved.

Some of our children took part in a Pentathlon this half term and we are incredibly proud to announce that TLA came first out of the seven schools that took part. Our children showed outstanding sportsmanship after coming first in the competition and the organisers said they were very proud of how they performed and the way they shook hands with the other contestants after receiving their awards. They will now go through to the finals later in the year. Each of our athletes won a medal, and the winning trophy is proudly displayed in our trophy cabinet.

Our Early Years children have been learning all about Helpful Heroes this half term, and have had visits from a Dentist, a Paramedic and our very own PC Roebuck. They have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the heroes we have in our community who keep us safe and healthy.

Earlier this year, ASDA introduced ‘Cash Pot for schools’. So far, thanks to all of you that signed up, our TLA community have contributed £695.11 to our ‘Cash Pot’ which we will use to provide more valuable resources and opportunities for your children.

7th February saw our annual ‘TT Rockstars’ and ‘Number Blocks’ day in the Primary phase. Once again, we were blown away by the efforts that went into the outfits – both staff and children, so thank you! The children enjoyed completing a wide range of maths activities and number games throughout the day and, as you will see from the photograph, even our Secondary Maths teachers got in on the fun.

Last Sunday night, fifteen of our very talented Year 3 to 6 boys performed at the Pheonix Dance Theatre in Leeds. Their ‘No Bounds’ dance piece, involving a blend of hip-hop styles, was confidently performed and incredibly well received. Massive thanks go to Mr Barnes for his continued support of our students, even on a Sunday evening.

As you are aware, attendance is our number one priority at Temple Learning Academy. Absence from school is one of the most significant barriers to a child learning and achieving, whatever their school phase or year group. To help increase attendance, throughout January we have been running the 'New Year's Resolution' rewards incentives, offering rewards every Friday for those who have been in all week. Remember, even missing the odd day here and there creates gaps in learning - it's like missing an episode of your favourite TV programme, and coming back to find that there are new characters, and a big thing has happened in the plot - you have no idea what's going on!

We know the winter season can bring colds and illnesses, but please remember that unless your child is really ill, we can care for them in school and contact you should they need to come home. Please see the NHS guidance below.

Attending every day means that your child has the best possible chance of achieving age-related expectations, at any stage of their school lives. It also means they are more confident in their learning, and have the opportunity to experience trips, visits, extracurricular clubs, and Sports fixtures, which are a huge part of everyday life at TLA. Please follow our Facebook page for more information.

Today, Friday 14th February, is ‘We Love TLA day’ and we have been celebrating everything we love about our incredible school. We have enjoyed a non-uniform day, heart-shaped treats and activities to show what we all love about TLA – all whilst raising money for The British Heart Foundation.

So, as you will have gathered, it has been another incredibly busy few weeks and I think that everyone is ready for another rest so that we are ready and refreshed to go again in half term 4. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful half-term break. We look forward to welcoming all of our students back on Monday 24th February 2025.