Schools in the spotlight: Stile Common I & N

Sep 2 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GROWING TOGETHER!

BIG changes are ahead for schools in Stile Common.

Pupils and staff are looking forward to moving into a new £7.42m single-storey building next autumn when the infant and nursery and junior schools will be amalgamated on a site behind the playing fields in Headlands Road.

The newly named Hillside Primary School will be continuing the good work already started at both schools.

As an environmentally-friendly school with a green ethos, the school is proud of its commitment to helping save the planet.

It encourages recycling and for children not to waste things. Its Eco Council is a positive and active force in the community, recently writing to councillors to get new metal litter bins sited nearby to help prevent littering.

Enthusiastic gardeners also grow their own fruit and vegetables in raised beds and home grown boiled potatoes have been a popular addition to the school lunch menu over the summer.

The school has a changing population and has welcomed several members of the Polish community recently. Their families have received a warm welcome to ensure they have quickly become a part of the school.

Caring for each other is important and children follow Golden Rules during the course of the school day.

Good work, behaviour and kindness to others is rewarded during golden assembly with tickets and prizes being awarded to those who are successful.

These have included sports vouchers, cinema or swimming vouchers which parents and children can enjoy together.

Deputy head teacher Hilary Scholes said: “We have some lovely, friendly families in school. They are very supportive and like to get involved in all our activities. We organise craft days and healthy eating workshops and the community is always keen to join in.”

Mrs Scholes added: “We are a very active school and the children do lots of physical activities. We think it is important that if children’s bodies are active, their minds will be active as well.”

The school retains strong links with Newsome High School and Sports College.

Year 2 pupils recently took part in a mini Olympics event there and received certificates for taking part.

She added: “Our main aim is for the children who leave here to be independent, happy and caring. We want them to care for each other and retain those skills for the future.”