New for 2016 … Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat This summer the PTA funded a whole school trip to Buxton Opera House to

watch a live performance of the musical extravaganza ‘Joseph and His

Technicolor Dreamcoat’. This was a fantastic experience enjoyed by

everyone.

Bikeability In the spring children in Classes 2 and 3 took part in the Bikeability scheme,

receiving training in basic cycle skills, road awareness and safety. They had a

great time whilst acquiring invaluable life skills.

Drama We were lucky enough to watch a live performance of ‘Can you Keep a Secret’,

which was both written and performed by The Gripping Yarns Theatre Group,

which addressed issues of anti-bullying and the importance of keeping safe.

Environment This year our work in the school grounds included creating and building insect

homes, gardening and carrying out the RSPB Big School Bird Watch.

Chester Zoo The Year 6 children‘s end of year treat took them to Chester Zoo where they

thoroughly enjoyed their day out together watching the animals and learning

about successful conservation projects.

Parent Teacher

Association Kettleshulme PTA continues to

actively support the school, raising

a considerable amount of money

through an exciting range of

events for both parents and

children alike. Fund raising events

this year have included chilli/quiz

night, beetle drive, summer and

Christmas fairs plus two

community events held at the

village hall, a soup lunch and

summer lunch which were very

popular. Funds have been used

this year to purchase items

including National Trust

subscription, the summer art

project, coach costs and classroom

resources and a whole school

afternoon out to see Joseph and

His Technicolour Dreamcoat.

‘As God’s children we all have a share in the Life of Tomorrow’

Organization Breakfast Club

Open every morning during term

time 7:45 am - 8:45 am. No need

to book, just turn up!

Charities Supported … The school has once again actively

been supporting a wide range of

charities during 2016 through

sponsored activities, themed events

and fund raising initiatives.

Charities support this year include:

MacMillan Cancer Care, Children In

Need, Hope4TheWorld, Charis

House, The Rotary Club, British

Legion and the annual Macclesfield

Swimathon.

Kettleshulme St James

C of E (VA) Primary

School

Headteacher

Paul Quirk

Phone: 01663 732502

Fax: 01663 735281

www.kettleshulmestjames.

cheshire.sch.uk

This year the school

has been

celebrating its

160th anniversary.

The school was

established in 1856

and over the years

the school has had

many changes to the

fabric of the building

but the roles of the

school, in the heart of this small rural

community, continues. With our smaller

class sizes, exciting learning environments

and committed staff team, we are pleased

to continue the school’s educational journey

in the 21st century.

We celebrated our anniversary, with pupils

and staff from the past and present with a

Garden Party in June, which included maypole dancing, sash parades followed by

afternoon tea with coffee and cakes. The special anniversary cake, decorated with

the school logo, and a commemorative chocolate bar showing the school in days

gone by, were supplied by parents at the school. We all had a very enjoyable

afternoon, and the weather was very good to us!

Going to school and working in

such a lovely location, is certainly

a privilege.

160 Years Old

Kettleshulme St Kettleshulme St

James SchoolJames School

HighlightsHighlights 2016 2016

At the end of July we asked our Year 6

leavers and their parents what they

valued about the school. This is what

they said:

Parents’ Comments

• My child has thoroughly enjoyed her

time at school and has been afforded

many opportunities to develop as a

person, and in confidience. She will

leave the school with many happy

memories of her time at Kettleshulme

and is now prepared to move on to

High School.

• We valued the quality of teaching and

the breadth and depth of the learning

experience.

• He has become more confident and

caring since being at Kettleshulme.

• We think the staff do a fantastic job -

thank you!

• My child feels safe and secure and

enjoys lessons and play time. Being

stretched and challenged in a familiar

and caring environment.

Pupils’ Comments

• Everyone looks out for you and

everyone is nice and friendly.

• I’m happy with all the friends I’ve

made.

• I like the topics we do.

Inside this issue:

Residential Visits

Anglesey,

Tattenhall &

2

House Banners &

Tim Peake

2

Lowry Project 2

Historical

Extravaganza

3

Edale Retreat 3

Into Print 3

School News 4

2016 has included three exciting visit for the

children at Kettleshulme St James. In April

Class 2 travelled to Tattenhall, near Chester,

for an overnight stay, where they enjoyed

orienteering, pond dipping, making solar

powered ovens and team building

challenges. Meanwhile Class 3 travelled to

Anglesey for three days of exciting and

challenging outdoor pursuits such as

kayaking, raft building, sea level traversing

and abseiling. Class 1 stayed closer to home

with a big sleepover, (teddies included!) in

the school hall. They had an adventurous

evening with fun, games and a nature walk .

.

Residential Visits

Matchstick Men...

Page 2 Kettleshulme St James School

A Northern Town

At the beginning of the Spring term,

the whole school studied art work by

LS Lowry and together produced a

stunning corridor display. Working in

pastel and paint, each child created

their own building and figure to

contribute to our own Northern

scene. Many of Lowry’s drawings and

paintings depict Pendlebury,

Lancashire, Salford and surrounding

areas, where he lived and worked for

more than 40 years.

House Banners

With the support

of the Embroiderers’

Guild, our

Embroidery Club

have designed and

produced four

fantastic new

banners for our

school houses. Each

house, (Errwood, Goyt, Toddbrook and

Windgather) now has their very own themed

banner . They are decorated with sewn images

reflecting the wildlife, natural features and sights

found in each locality, and are ‘certainly stunning’.

Tim Peake’s: Rocket Science!

Class 2 having been involved in an exciting

science project this year linked to Tim

Peake’s experiences as the very first

British astronaut. The children grew

rocket from seeds investigating which

grew best: seeds from earth or seeds that

had been in space. Their data contributed

to international research.

This year’s musical extravaganza had a historical

story line based on time travel. Over two

evenings the children took the audience on a

journey through time, visiting various events in

history including the Battle of Hastings in 1066,

the gunpowder plot in 1605, the suffragette

movement in the early 20th century and many

more! The play even explored future times

conveying poignant messages about how we

should protect our planet. Designing and

painting the backdrops, creating the props,

writing invitations and producing the

programme with sponsors were all part of the

spectacular experience. The children’s acting

talents impressed everyone and both nights

were a sell out!

Each year our PTA fund a major arts project for the Year 6 children.

This year we worked with Alan Birch a print maker to produce an

alphabet which was then bound into our very own hard backed

book. The children’s intricate letter designs were influenced by

Anglo Saxon art and they

had the opportunity to use

a printing press

discovering, how printing

has changed over time.

A Historical Extravaganza

Edale

Page 3

As a new venture this year, the Year 5/6 children enjoyed the

opportunity to spend a day on retreat at the Peak Centre, Edale,

reflecting on ‘My Place in God’s World’. The aim of the day was to look

in at ourselves, look out at the world and others, whilst considering the

questions ‘Who am I as a spiritual being?’ and ‘Who is God?’.

The children worked in groups on a range of activities, including

problem solving, relaxation and reflection. The afternoon concluded

with everyone gathering in ‘The Fold’, an Arctic Cabin in the grounds of

the Peak Centre, a lovely, tranquil space. In the peaceful environment

with candles and a cross as a focal point, we built a cairn with the

pebbles we had decorated earlier, sharing what we had learned about

ourselves during the day.

Into Print…