Children, parents and staff from Springbank scrubbed up well and looked fantastic at the Golden Owl Awards last night at Leeds Town Hall.   Storm Troopers, Darth Vader and some superheroes met us on the Town Hall steps when we arrived which was exciting and allowed for some great photo opportunities.  Once inside, everyone settled into their seats and enjoyed the opening ceremony which consisted of an owl flying across the room several times much to people’s amazement!  We had 2 films shortlisted this year; one in the KS1 category and one in the KS2 category.  Unfortunately we were pipped at the post in both categories.  I know some children were disappointed not to win but the children should be very proud of the fact that they made it to the final of the awards as that is a great achievement.  As we always say to the children ‘if you don’t succeed the first time, keep trying’ and that it exactly what we will do!  Next year we’ll have another go – Mr Bradshaw is already planning next year’s entries so Golden Owls watch out…we will be back!

On Thursday the Key Stage 2 children had a water safety talk from two volunteers from the Leeds canal and river trust. This talk was very informative and the volunteers told children about the dangers of canals and rivers in the local area. Using a model torso dummy (named Dave), the adults created a situation were someone had been playing by a canal with their friend and had fallen in. They then asked the children what to do in this situation; some children came up with sensible suggestions but weren't really sure about how they could help safely. After the discussion about how to help this person that had fallen in the canal, the adults then suggested a number of things children could safely do to help in this situation. The talk was very interactive and children were asked to come to the front to have a go at using objects the adults had brought along to try and save Dave the dummy. As well as discussing what to do if someone was to fall in a canal or river, the adults also showed children a number of life jackets that they should wear if they were to do any water sports. This was very useful as they explained how different life jackets work and why they are important to wear!  It was a very interactive and engaging talk with an important message that is very relevant to children living in the local area! Let's stay safe and remember the messages from the Leeds canal and river trust!

A surprise visit in Year 6 brought the classroom to a stand-still this week when young Leeds Rhinos star Stevie Ward dropped in with the Super League Trophy to say hello to one of our pupils.  Emily Roberts was the unsuspecting member of 6CP whose dad, Ian, had won a competition for an official visit from the current holders of the Super League Trophy. Emily was presented with the trophy in class by Ward and her dad in front of photographers and journalists from the local media. There was then the opportunity for a Q and A session with the player before the children gathered round for photos and A LOT of signatures (we apologise in advance to the Rhinos for any injury sustained to Stevie Ward's hand!). The children will recieve the official photos from the club in coming weeks; we hope those memories of a very special occasion will be something that the children can look back on very fondly.