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

Please click a headline to read more or visit our school Facebook page: Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School.

• Y2 author visit

  Fri 18 Mar 2022

  On Thursday 17^th March, Year 2 enjoyed a virtual visit from children’s author Jess Butterworth whose book “The Adventure Club: Red Panda Rescue” they are reading next term.  Jess discussed the inspiration for her animal adventure stories and how these are inspired by the things she loves and cares for as well as her own experiences and memories including being bitten by a venomous snake in Australia and her grandmother rescuing a baby kangaroo. 

   

  She also described the research she did to write her stories including visiting red pandas in a zoo and finding porcupine spines. 

   

  Jess talked the children through the planning stages of a story and challenged the children to think up their own adventure stories.  The children were very keen to share their ideas and came up with some descriptive and imaginative ideas such as riding to Mount Everest on a snow leopard to search of wild animals. 

  

• Red nose day tomorrow

  Thu 17 Mar 2022

  As always, we are joining the national fundraising event tomorrow for Red Nose Day.  I know that many of you have been getting your red noses in preparation and there is also the 'go wild' non uniform day- dress as an animal or be bold and bright!

  In school we have had a joke competition all week and tomorrow there will be a massive 'hunt the nose' competition!

  Please donate just £1 tomorrow. Thankyou

   

  

• 21st March is World Down Syndrome day.

  Wed 16 Mar 2022

  The 21st of March is World Down Syndrome day. The significance of this date is that its the 21st day of the 3rd month to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of chromosome 21, which causes Down Syndrome.

   

  It is a worldwide initiative to invite people to wear crazy/ fun socks on this day. The idea of socks was created due to chromosomes are shaped 'like socks' and people with Down Syndrome have an additional chromosome. 

   

  To raise awareness of Down Syndrome, we would like to participate. We are asking all staff and children ( and parents if you wish!) to wear the most fun socks ever on the 21st of March. 

   

  Please note this is not for a donation, just to raise awareness.

  

• How can you help?

  Mon 14 Mar 2022

  In response to the situation in Ukraine, we are working with the Margate Rotary Club to collect vital supplies which the Rotary Club will then transport to support the humanitarian relief. We would be grateful for donations of:

  Medical supplies- bandages, plasters etc

  Nappies, baby products, baby clothes,

  Bedding

  Tinned food

  Sanitary products

   

  If you could bring any donations in a bag to the Well Being Hub House by Wednesday 16th March.

  Thank you

  

• Year 5 enjoy a virtual visit from children’s author Thomas Taylor whose book “Malamander”

  Fri 11 Mar 2022

  On Friday 11^th March, Year 5 enjoyed a virtual visit from children’s author Thomas Taylor whose book “Malamander” they are reading next term.  Thomas introduced and talked about his Eerie-On-Sea books alongside sharing objects which have inspired him to write his story and challenged the children to start thinking of their own stories.   

   

  Thomas showed the children pieces of sea glass and explained how it is often called “mermaid’s tear”.  The children then came with fantastic ideas for what an oyster shell could be such as the scale of a dragon. 

   

  He also demonstrated how ultra-violet light can make uranium sea glass create an eerie glow! 

    

  The children’s favourite of his beachcombing finds was the coprolite (fossilised dinosaur poo!). 

   

  Thomas’ favourite was a pebble he found on the beach with a cat shape on that inspired the character of Irwin in his books.   

   

  Thomas also answered questions on his books, his inspiration for writing, the process of writing, illustrating and publishing and gave tips to the children for writing their own stories and or illustrations.