Spring Term – Are you ready to travel the world?

Dear parents/carers,

Over this last term we have been having lots of fun in Nursery and learning lots of new things. We had a brilliant time during book fortnight and loved coming to Nursery dressed as some of our favourite book characters. Thank you so much for all your continued support.
During this term in Nursery, we have been:
​

• Practising counting in order to 10
• Counting small sets of objects with 1:1 correspondence
• Counting out sets of objects
• Singing number songs and rhymes
• Naming 2D shapes
• Using positional vocabulary in our play
• Recognising our name around the environment
• Identifying the first sound in words
• Orally blend simple words
• Practising to write/ form some letters from our name
• Mark making using different media
• Finding out about different countries around the world
• Creating our own models using the junk model equipment
• Looking at changes in our environment, due to the change in season
• Practising our gymnastics skills in the hall, using the different apparatus

 
Requests
Over the next two weeks we will be exploring more history and changes over time. Next week we will be talking about our favourite toys and looking at how toys have changed/remained similar over history. The following week we will be looking at how we have changed and grown. To help us with our discussions we would be very grateful if you could upload to Tapestry a photo of:

1. A baby photo
2. A photo of your child’s favourite toy at home

 
Sound tins
After the holidays we will have a ‘Sound of the week’ focus and ask if you can please bring in a named pencil case, small container or clean take away tub that your child can use as their sound tin. Each week we will add the new sound for your child to share with you and practice at home.
 
Reading Books
After the Easter holidays we will be sending home a wordless picture book each week in your child’s library book folder. Children will be given the choice of which book they would like to take home each week. Please share this book each week with your child and return in their library folder the following week. Wordless picture books are an important starting point because they allow children to explore stories through pictures before they are able to read written words. By looking at the pictures, children can use their imagination to describe what they see, predict what might happen next, and create their own version of the story. This helps develop early language skills, storytelling ability and confidence in communicating ideas. Wordless books also encourage children to focus on emotions and what is happening in the pictures, which supports comprehension and observation skills.
Library/reading book day:
Beginning of the week/full timers: Wednesday
End of the week: Thursday
 
Key Points
Just a reminder we are a nut-free school and we also have children in Nursery with a range of allergies. We therefore ask that no nut products are put into lunchboxes.
Remember to check Tapestry regularly as we share photos and what we have been doing each week on there. Please do speak to one of us if you are struggling to login in to your account.
 
Thank you so much for your attendance to our parent’s meetings,
The Nursery Team

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have some exciting news for you! We will once again be taking part in Big Walk and Wheel, the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge. The challenge runs from 16 – 27 March 2026. It’s free to take part and we would love everyone to be involved. Teachers will be talking to the children each morning about how they have travelled to school and this will then be recorded.

What do you need to do?
Encourage your child(ren) to walk, use a wheelchair, scoot or cycle to school on as many days as possible during the event.
 
Including everyone
We want to make sure that everyone can get involved in Big Walk and Wheel.
We know it may be more difficult for some pupils to take part than others. If you want to discuss more about your child(ren)’s specific needs, please contact the school office and we will make sure to look into how your child(ren) can take part.
 
Why we are taking part
Big Walk and Wheel is a great way to build physical activity in children’s daily routine which is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing.
 
Active school runs also help to reduce congestion and air pollution outside the school gate. A 2021 YouGov study showed nearly half of UK children worry about air pollution near their school. And that children thought active travel was the best away to bring down these pollution levels.

Useful resources
To help you prepare, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust has developed a handy Parent/ Caregiver page on the challenge website. It is packed with advice to help you have a hassle-free journey to school.

For more information about the event go to www.bigwalkandwheel.org.uk.
Enjoy the challenge!
​
Best wishes
Sian Murphy

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had a great half term break.  The children have come back full of enthusiasm and have very much enjoyed all that Book Fortnight has to offer.  We really appreciate your help with the events we hold as part of the fortnight and we hope this has helped to continue to engage your child with reading.

OPAL
Our OPAL areas have opened on Monday.  This was a great success and it was good to see the children having so much choice about where to play.  Please make sure that your child has wellies in school all the time as there will be times when they won’t be able to use some of the areas without them.  We will go out unless the weather is exceptionally wet or dangerous so please make sure your child has a waterproof coat in school.

NHS Guidance for Children under 5
We have been asked to share the following link for parents with children under 5.  I hope you find the information useful.
https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/nhs-gm-get-to-know-where-to-go-for-parent-and-carers.pdf

Wrongsemble Theatre Visit
Following the success of two visits by Wrongsemble Theatre Company, we plan to have them return to school on Wednesday 15th April.  They will be part of the launch of our summer term Quest with their performance of Rapunzel.  All children will be watching the performance including our Nursery children.  To support this visit we would ask for a £2 voluntary contribution per child towards the cost.  This has been set up for you on School Money.

Food Safety
We have some children in school who have an allergy to nuts.  Please could I politely request that all families support this by not sending any nut-based products into school either as a snack or in lunchboxes.

The Big Walk and Wheel – 16th – 27th March
The School Council has coordinated and publicised ‘The Big Walk and Wheel’ which is taking place between 16th and 27th March.  You will have received correspondence from the School Council regarding this.  I would encourage as many families as possible to either walk, cycle or scoot to school across this fortnight.

Primary Sports Coaching – Holiday Camps
Primary Sports Coaching are running a holiday camp at the school during the Easter holiday (excluding bank holidays and Monday 30th March).
For more information, please visit https://www.primaryscl.co.uk/holiday-camps/  
​or email [email protected]

There are a limited number of free places for children who receive ‘benefits related free school meals’ and attend school or reside in Stockport. Vouchers will be sent to eligible families by email in the next few days. Please keep an eye on your emails and on PSCL’s social media pages.

Thank you as ever for your continued support,
​
Best wishes
Becky Wood

Spring Term – Are You Ready to Travel the World?
 
Dear Parents and Carers,
 
The children really enjoyed ‘Book Fortnight’ and were especially excited to dress up and celebrate world book day together with their friends!  The ‘story stones’ that have arrived into school are just great and so creative!  Thank you for taking part in creating
them with your child and they will be varnished and enjoyed as part of our Opal Play! 
The children have also been immersed in the many stories they have brought in and enjoyed sharing their favourite books.
 
Alongside, our ‘Book Fortnight’, the children are continuing to learn: -

• Numbers within 10 by practically exploring ways to make 10.  E.g. 7 and 3 make 10
• Finding 1 more and 1 less within 10.
• Exploring 3D shape.  Shape names and some properties e.g. flat and curved surfaces
• Building models with 3D shapes
• Writing a simple sentence using their knowledge of phonics and tricky words taught so far.  Starting to learn that a sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
• Exploring in outdoor learning and looking for signs of spring.
• Creating a moving under the sea picture using a range of materials and media.
• Learning to care and understand about our earth, in particular the creatures in our seas.

Dear Parents,

This year Norbury Hall will be taking part in the Stockport Book Awards. The aims of the Book Awards are as follows:

·      to raise the profile of reading for pleasure
·      to offer children access to some of the best new fiction
·      to increase parents’, teachers’ and school librarians’ awareness of new fiction
·      to create a community of readers in Stockport by providing opportunities for children           to meet authors and providing a forum for reading and an opportunity to share books
 
The children will be in three categories for the award:
1.    Best picture book – for Early years and Key Stage 1
2.    Best read for Year 3 and 4
3.    Best read for Year 5 and 6
 
(See the attached book charts for each of the categories)
 
In the Early Years and Key Stage 1 category the children will be read three current picture books that have been shortlisted by teachers in Stockport who have read a much larger selection of new books. In the year 3/4 and 5/6 categories there are three fiction books that have been shortlisted that we ask the children to read. Once they have read the books the children will then be asked to vote for their favourite in their category. All children entering a vote will receive a certificate and will be entered into a prize draw firstly to receive book vouchers through school but as an ultimate prize they will receive an invitation to the Stockport Book Awards where they will receive a medal for their commitment to reading and will have the opportunity to meet the winning author in their category. This award ceremony will be held on Monday 6th July at Stockport Town Hall. The children will have roughly ten weeks to read their three books and all votes will need to be in by Friday 15th May so that we can announce the winners in the last week of term.

Children in the Early Years and Key Stage 1 category will read their books during class story time and will then be asked to vote in class. However, this is not possible for key stage 2 so we will be asking them to read their books independently. We have purchased multiple copies so that we can make as many as possible available to the children. Stockport libraries will also have additional copies to lend to the children. However, I have included a list of the books and their authors in case the children would like to purchase them themselves or receive them for presents for birthdays etc. The books are clearly highly recommended as good reading material.

In addition, the children also have the opportunity to take part in the art competition, where one lucky winner will win their height in books. Last year Norbury were very successful with this, and we had several winners and runners up from our school. The children will need to create a piece of art based on their favourite book in their category using any media, such as a painting, a collage, or a drawing. The children can complete their artwork as part of their home learning and bring it to me in school by Friday 15th May and I will enter it into the competition. Please can the children write their full name, class and the title of the book that the artwork represents.

We hope the children will enjoy participating in this year’s Stockport Children’s Book Awards and enjoy reading some fantastic books,
​
Happy reading!
Bridget Adnett
English Lead / Deputy  Headteacher

Thank you to everyone who attended our Parents’ Curriculum Evening. All learning resources for each year group are now available in the Parents’ Hub.
​
Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and helps shape and improve future resources. If there’s any additional information you feel would be helpful, please use the box below to get in touch and share your suggestions.

As we start the last week of term, we just wanted to update you with a couple of items and send out important information regarding next half-term.

Book Fortnight- Protecting our earth and environment
Monday 23rd February- Friday 6th March 2026

Please see Mrs Adnett’s previous email about book fortnight on the newsletter section of our website.

Home Learning - Story Stones
For home learning we would like the children to create their own story stones or pebbles to represent their favourite stories. Once these are completed, we will then display these in school, and we will award prizes for each class. They will then be used as part of our OPAL project and be used in the school grounds. We would like the children to complete their creation and bring it into school for the week beginning Monday 2nd March where they will be shared and discussed in class and prizes will be given for creativity.

Book Character Dressing up day - Wednesday 4th March

Read Dating
The children will also be asked to bring in their favourite book. This is so that the children can participate in an activity where they share these books with each other, promoting them to their classmates. The children need to be able to discuss their book and why they really enjoyed it. The idea is that during this session the children will hear about at least 30 different books that they might also potentially enjoy.

• Year 5- Wednesday 25th February
• Year 6- Thursday 26th February
  
  

OPAL
We would like to thank all the parents and carers who have so generously donated items and their time to our Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) project. The parent volunteer day was a great success and we achieved so much! We will be in touch with another date, later on in the year. Your contributions, have been greatly received and are already sparking excitement across the school grounds! This will directly help us transform our playtimes and lunchtimes, making opportunities for children to explore, problem-solve, and most importantly, have fun. We truly couldn't do this without your incredible support. The OPAL project will launch after the half term holiday so please make sure your child has an appropriate waterproof coat and wellies so that they can access all areas! During book fortnight, children will have play sessions in each of the new areas, where teachers will model how to safely use the different zones. 

Thank you also for the donations that you sent in for the OPAL project.  A group of our Year 5 children were an excellent help sorting them and getting them into the new storage.  We are still wanting a few items so if you have any of the following, please send them into school at your convenience:
· Lego
· Sheets
· Rolls of wallpaper
· Small world – small people figures, animals, wooden dolls house/figures
· Construction resources
· Guttering

P.E Spring 2
There a few changes in days and activities for Year 5 and 6 for the next half term.
Year 5
On Monday afternoons, Year 5 will be working with Stockport County so they will need to come in their PE kits. This will replace their Thursday afternoon session so they no longer need to wear their PE kits on a Thursday.
Fridays will stay the same, where Mrs Manfredi’s class will be going swimming and Miss Carter’s will have their PE session in school.
Year 6
Year 6 PE days for the next half term will be Tuesdays and Fridays. Please can children come in their PE kits, with all jewellery removed and hair tied back.

RSE
Please see Mrs Matthew’s newsletter about the upcoming RSE lessons. Any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in contact with your child’s class teacher.

Parent Teacher Meetings
Year 6 and 5N
Meetings will take place on Tuesday 24th February (3:30pm-7:00pm) and Thursday 26th February (3:30pm-6pm).
5H
Parent/Teacher meetings for 5H (in person, by phone or online)
These will take place on:
Tuesday 24th February – morning only
Thursday 26th February – morning only
The online book platform is now open for you to book your appointment. This will close on Friday 20th February.
​
Best wishes,
The Year 5 and 6 Team

As we reach the last week of the first spring half term, we just want to keep you updated with some information and key dates for the next half term.
 
Book Fortnight: Protecting Our Earth and Environment
Monday 23rd February- Friday 6th March 2026

Each year we like to celebrate all things reading during our Book Fortnight. This year our focus is to explore texts looking to educate us to protect our earth and environment.
Please see Mrs Adnett’s previous email about Book Fortnight and on the newsletter section of our website for more information on this. Additional details with dates for the fortnight are included below:

Home Learning- Story Stones
For a special home learning linked to our Book Fortnight, we would like the children to create their own story stones or pebbles to represent their favourite stories. Once these are completed, we will then display these in school, and we will award prizes for each class. They will then be used as part of our OPAL project and be used in the school grounds. We would like the children to complete their creation and bring it into school for the week beginning Monday 2nd March where they will be shared and discussed in class and prizes will be given for creativity.

Dressing up day- Wednesday 4th March – The children are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favourite book character.

Read Dating- The children will also be asked to bring in their favourite book. This is so that the children can participate in an activity where they share these books with each other, promoting them to their classmates. The children need to be able to discuss their book and why they really enjoyed it. The idea is that during this session the children will hear about at least 30 different books that they might also potentially enjoy.

• Reading Dating for Year 3 - Monday 2nd March
• Read Dating for Year 4 - Tuesday 3rd March

 
OPAL
We would like to thank all the parents and carers who have so generously donated items and their time to our Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) project. The parent volunteer day was a great success and we achieved so much! We will be in touch with another date, later on in the year. Your contributions have been greatly received and are already sparking excitement across the school grounds! This will directly help us transform our playtimes and lunchtimes, making opportunities for children to explore, problem-solve, and most importantly, have fun! We truly couldn't do this without your incredible support.

The OPAL project will launch after the half term holiday so please make sure your child has an appropriate waterproof coat and wellies so that they can access all areas! During book fortnight, children will have play sessions in each of the new areas, where teachers will model how to safely use the different zones.

Thank you also for the donations that you sent in for the OPAL project.  A group of our Year 5 children were excellent help sorting them and getting them into the new storage.  We are still wanting a few items so if you have any of the following, please send them into school at your next convenience:
· Lego
· Sheets
· Rolls of wallpaper
· Small world – small people figures, animals, wooden dolls house/figures
· Construction resources
· Guttering
 
Home Learning
Our spring home learning grids will continue into the next half term but please can we emphasise the importance of reading at home consistently with your child. Regular practise of times tables, especially using Times Table Rockstars has a huge impact on increasing the children’s recall of multiplication and division facts.
At our Curriculum Evening, class teachers shared the importance of regular reading and rehearsal of number facts, spellings and consistent letter formations at home to support in school. Our presentations from the evening will be uploaded to the school website with supporting resources but if you would like any physical copies, please contact your child’s class teacher or phase lead, Becca Morgan.
 
RSE
Please see  Mrs Matthew’s newsletter  about the upcoming RSE lessons. Any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in contact with your child’s class teacher.
 
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent/Teacher meetings are due to take place after the half term break with meetings taking place on Tuesday 24th February and Thursday 26th February with the exception of 4H. The arrangements for Mrs Gray and Mrs William’s class will be as follows:

Parent/Teacher meetings for 4H (in person, by phone or online)
These will take place on:
Tuesday 3rd March – morning only
Wednesday 4th March – morning only

Please ensure that you organise Parent/Teacher consultations through the ‘Parents Booking’ online platform system. The platform in now live and will close on Friday 20th February. This allows you to choose, book and edit the meetings scheduled with the class teacher. The log in screen is very simple and straightforward to use, no username or password
is required.
 
Thank you as always for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Year 3 and 4 Team  

As we start the last week of term, we just wanted to update you with a couple of items and send out important information regarding next half-term.

Book Fortnight - Protecting our earth and environment
Monday 23rd February- Friday 6th March 2026

Please see Mrs Adnett’s previous email about book fortnight on the newsletter section of our website.

Home Learning- Story Stones
For home learning we would like the children to create their own story stones or pebbles to represent their favourite stories. Once these are completed, we will then display these in school, and we will award prizes for each class. They will then be used as part of our OPAL project and be used in the school grounds. We would like the children to complete their creation and bring it into school for the week beginning Monday 2nd March where they will be shared and discussed in class and prizes will be given for creativity.
Dressing up day- Wednesday 4th March

Read Dating
The children will also be asked to bring in their favourite book. This is so that the children can participate in an activity where they share these books with each other, promoting them to their classmates. The children need to be able to discuss their book and why they really enjoyed it. The idea is that during this session the children will hear about at least 30 different books that they might also potentially enjoy.

• Year 1- Thursday 5th March
• Year 2- Friday 6th March

 
OPAL
We would like to thank all the parents and carers who have so generously donated items and their time to our Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) project. Your contributions, have been greatly received and are already sparking excitement across the school grounds! These resources are more than just "stuff"—they are the building blocks for creativity, teamwork, and adventure. This will directly help us transform our playtimes and lunchtimes, turning every break into a high-quality opportunity for children to explore, problem-solve, and most importantly, have fun. We truly couldn't do this without your incredible support.
The OPAL project will launch after the half term holiday so please make sure your child has an appropriate waterproof coat and wellies so that they can access all areas! During book fortnight, children will have play sessions in each of the new areas, where teachers will model how to safely use the different zones. 

RSE
Please see Mrs Matthews previous email regarding the teaching of RSE lessons during next half term and the summer term. Any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in contact with your child’s class teacher.

P.E Spring  
Just a reminder to ask that children bring the correct PE kit back to school after the half term break.
In Year 1, we are very fortunate to be working with Junior Sports Stars on Wednesday mornings and receiving football training sessions. 

Parent Teacher Meetings Year 1 and 2
Meetings will take place on Tuesday 24th February and Thursday 26th February.

Best wishes,
The Year 1 and 2 Team

Spring Term – Are You Ready to Travel the World?
Week Beginning: 9th February 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of this half term, we’d like to thank you for all your continued support with your child’s regular reading at home, Bug Club and Phonics Home Learning.  It’s really making a difference as the children learn during phonic sessions and now in their independent play!

Some parents asked that our PowerPoint can be shared from the Curriculum Event in January; this is now on the website for you.
After the half term we will be celebrating … books! 

You will have already received information, which is on our website, from Mrs Adnett regarding Book Fortnight.

We will be: -
· Celebrating our love of stories and books.
· Sharing a book from home with the rest of our class.
· Finding out more about how we can look after our earth and specifically marine life.
· Visiting our Rainforest Reading Den in the library.
· Dressing up for Book Character Day – Wednesday 4th March
· Reading both fiction and non-fiction texts linked to our theme and enjoying lots of activities around this.
· Using our imaginations in our role-play.
· Drawing and creating our favourite book characters.
 
Home learning
Book Fortnight Activity – story stone or pebble (a label will be in your child’s bookbag for this).  To be brought into school on Monday 2nd March so they can be displayed.
 
Cool Milk
Some of the children are preferring to drink water instead of milk at morning snack.  If your child does not want milk any longer, please can you go on to Cool Milk and cancel it. 
Many thanks.
 
The Reception Team