Unbelievably, we have completed the first half-term of the year! How did that happen? Once again, a very busy and exciting term we have had. On Friday, we celebrated with the traditional end-of-term Effort Cup assembly, praising the amazing effort our children put into their learning. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. 

Nominees

And the overall winners were:

EYFS/KS1: Poppy                      KS2: Ronnie. 

Forest School - Exciting News!

Forest school is an important part of the curriculum that we offer at Rodings using a small part of Lord's Wood each week for our youngest children to develop their understanding of themselves and the wider world through outdoor learning. The landowners of Lord's Wood have allowed us to use the woodland for nearly 20 years and so many children have benefited from the special lessons they have had there. 

Recently, the landowners made the decision to sell the woodland. However, they didn't want our children to miss out on their Forest School experiences, and not wanting to risk the end of Forest School with a new landowner, they have very generously gifted Rodings a section of woodland so that we can carry on with our outdoor learning. 

All the legal paperwork has been completed and we can now share that we are the owners of a beautiful piece of woodland. 

This is a completely unexpected and generous gift and we are incredibly grateful to the family for thinking of us and believing in the importance of Forest School. Thank you so much! 

A wildlife-friendly boundary fence is currently being installed to demarcate our woodland space from the rest of Lord's Wood.  As this was an unexpected cost that we had not budgeted for, we are looking for sponsorship from companies to help us cover the cost. If you know of any companies that would be prepared to sponsor our new outdoor learning space please get in contact with Mrs Paget through the school office or by emailing her at mrs.paget@rodingsprimary.co.uk. I am also more than happy to talk to any organisation that wants more details about the sponsorship. 

To own a piece of woodland is an amazing and exciting resource to have. We will be able to expand our outdoor learning offer, which is such an incredble opportunity. 

Please remember that although this woodland is now in school ownership, it is still private land and must not be accessed by any of our families. There are no public footpaths to the woodland and we have special permission to cross the fields to get to it. Please respect this condition of the gift to the school. 

We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift and the opportunities it offers the children at Rodings. Thank you so much! 

Happy half-term everyone! 

Mr Raraty 

It's only October Half Term and we've already taken part in five sports events run by the Uttlesford Sports Partnership with more than 70 children representing the school!

On the 25th September, a year 4 team travelled to Felsted school to take part in the year 3/4 dodgeball tournament. They played well but had an unlucky fixture draw as they reached the end of the competition so finished a respectable 5th.

The annual year 5/6 tournament took place on a very rainy 7th October with the boys team playing in the morning at Dunmow St Mary's and the girls playing in the afternoon at Katherine Semar School in Saffron Walden. The girls played well in their group stage but were less fortunate in their semi-final and finals matches to finish 4th overall. Congratulations go to the boys' team who were unbeaten to take the Uttlesford medium school title! They now have a match on the 5th November against large school winners, R A Butler, to decide who will represent Uttlesford in the Essex school finals later in November. Good luck boys!

On Thursday 8th October, five year 5 and 6 golfers travelled to the par-3 course at the Chesterford Research Park outside Saffron Walden to play in a pairs event- all the golfers played well.

47 key stage 2 children took part in the Dunmow Family Cross Country event on Friday 9th October. We were very successful; here with the majority of our teams qualifying for the Uttlesford round in February. Where the team didn't qualify, at least one Rodings child qualified as an individual so we will be represented in every race at the next level! Good luck!

Finally, on the afternoon of the 9th October, a small group of KS2 children travelled to Felsted for a Boccia and Kurling event. The children played really well and enjoyed themselves lots!

A big thank you to the parents who have transported their children to and from events this half term. We have more events lined up before Christmas!

Firework Night:
Firework Night on Wednesday 4th November is fast approaching - tickets are on sale now via Arbor Shop - the deadline for advanced tickets is Monday 2nd November - first day back after half term, so if you want to take advantage of the cheaper prices, book now before you forget! You will also be able to buy tickets on the door. See our poster for all information. Gates open at 6pm, with Fireworks set off at 7pm.

Sponsorship - we would like to thank all the local businesses and families that are sponsoring the fireworks, it makes a huge difference to our fundraising abilities and enables us to donate more money back into the school to help our children.

Volunteers - as usual for our big events we need some volunteers, so if you are able to help out on the night please let us know. Whether you can lend a hand after school to help set up, or give us an hour or two during the event to serve some drinks, sell some hot dogs or make some hot chocolate, please let us know - it really makes a difference and helps us pull off a fun event for all. If you can help, please email: friendsofrodings@gmail.com

Save the Date - Christmas Fayre:
Can you believe this is only round the corner, so get Friday 27th November in your calendar. Doors will open at 5pm and we will have lots of fun, games, food, drink, prizes, stalls and of course our special grotto will be back with a visit from FC himself! Look out for more information after half term.

Design a Scarf Competition -
After the success of last year this competition is back! The winner will get their very own designed scarf knitted in time for Christmas! So get your thinking caps on and pens at the ready and look out for the entry forms after half term.

Pre-loved Christmas Jumpers -
We are bringing our Christmas Jumper sale back now we have our uniform shop up and running, so if you’re having a sort out over half term dig out last years jumpers and bring them into school - we will be holding a sale before the Christmas Fayre (& Christmas jumper day) on 28th November - date to be confirmed.

Pre-loved Uniform Shop:
Don’t forget our shop is now opening on a regular basis, so if you’re already missing a few items, or they have suddenly had a growth spurt or that black pen just won’t come off, then come and grab a bargain and make a donation.

The shed will open from 3pm to 3.30pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday 4th November
• Thursday 19th November
• Friday 4th December

Bingo Night:
We would like to thank all the families that came along. It was a great evening and a chance for families to meet up and have some fun - we had some close run games and as always there was great competition in the heads and tails game - thank you to everyone who supported this event.