HERE at Rowley Lane Junior and Infants School, we do many things to help other children around the world.

We had a diabetes day and raised money for scientists to find a cure for many people who are diabetic. We raised about £500.

We also had another fantastic day and that was for Children in Need. Everyone dressed up as a book or film character. We all had the time of our lives. It was brilliant! Then we set up the stalls. Everyone came rushing in and started to buy all the things we had brought in for them.

The next very exciting activity we did was to cover show boxes with Christmas paper and filled with suitable presents for needy children in other countries. These included tooth brushes, soap, gloves and toys.

We are very lucky at Rowley Lane School and also like to help other less fortunate children.

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A new girl at school

WHEN I first arrived at Rowley Lane it was scary, writes Louella Halpin. But when they introduced me to a girl called Leah, I felt as if I had been here for ages.

All the people are really friendly. I have made loads of friends and everybody gets on well with each other.

Rowley Lane School is a great place to be, everything we do is enjoyable.

After the first two weeks it was if I had been there since year one.

The teachers are great and the lessons are fun.

When I first stated I was really worried if I would make friends, but everybody was friendly and they asked me questions all the time.

I feel really at home at Rowley Lane.

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Support for friendliness

FRIENDSHIPS - they can be a real problem - but here at Rowley Lane School we have found the perfect solution, we have a Befrienders group!

We like to think that all the pupils are kind, considerate and friendly.

We encourage and help people, but sometimes there are fall outs and that's when the Befrienders come in.

Befrienders are specially selected children in Year Six who have passed an interview and a rigor- ous three-day training course that builds teamwork, listening and cooperating skills.

Befrienders are there to listen and off- er help, support and advice if it is needed.

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Reaching out after lessons - By Shaun Holbrook, Sarah Parnaby and Jessica Rusby

REACH is an after-school club and the letters in the name stand for Really Exciting and Creative Hangout.

It is run by Mary, Kath and their staff, who are very kind and careful to make sure that the children have fun but never get hurt.

When you first join, you get a booklet with all the information that you need to know.

REACH children meet in the library area, where a register is taken so that the REACH staff know who to collect.

Every night you get a tasty selection of sandwiches, fruit, biscuits and a drink.

There is a wide choice of activities so no-one is ever stuck for something to do.

REACH has a computer, a Playstation and a Nintendo, art and craft activities, a quiet area, a snooker table, a football table, outdoor games such as cricket, football and rounders - to name but a few. The list is endless!

We celebrate special times of the year, such as Bonfire Night, Christmas and Mother's Day, by involving ourselves in art and craft activities.

The REACH breakfast club is also very popular with both parents and children alike.

Run on very similar lines to the after school club, children can start their day with a healthy and nourishing breakfast in a warm, comfortable environment.

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Pupils make their points

HI, my name is Matthew and I am one of the elected representatives of the School Council. There is a boy and girl for each year group - Jessica is our female representative in Year Six.

There are two adults and 14 children involved in the School Council, which meets every two weeks to discuss what could be done to make our school even better.

We all take turns to put forward our suggestions.

After each meeting, we go back to our classes and tell our classmates what we have discussed and about any decisions that have been reached.

We also report back to the whole school during Wednesday assembly time.

To boost our funds, we raised money by taking part in a sponsored Superstars competition. Some of the money has already been spent on extra lunchtime toys and red coats for the lunchtime playworkers.

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In training like Brazil

THERE are lots of fun activities, for all ages, to do after school, say Thomas Buckley and Alice Sommerville.

But the one that has caught most people's eye is Football de Salao - a football training session for girls and boys.

It is run by professionals who have trained just like some of the famous Brazilian players. They bring small training balls with weights in for us to practice keeping control of the ball.

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Jobs for year six

AT Rowley Lane School we have year six helpers who have jobs around the school, writes Sophie Hetherington and Jasmine Parkinson.

There are about 10 jobs altogether.

Here are some of them: phone duty, assembly duty - for these there are relief's in case someone is ill, because these jobs are some of the most important jobs.

Other jobs include helping in year one, year two, reception, nursery and ringing the bell. Each of these jobs is for two people.

To do jobs you have to be very responsible. That is why year six does them.

At the end of the term you apply for new jobs so it is fair on the other people who want to do your job. Some year sixes don't want a big job, so in pairs on a rainy dinner time some children help the younger children and teach them to play nicely and fairly.

We love doing these jobs and hope that the teachers love us doing it as well.

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Time for a quick game of football - By Thomas Robshaw and Ben Haigh

PLAYTIMES are fun at Rowley Lane!

We have three playtimes altogether. First play is one of the shortest - 15 minutes, the same as the afternoon break, but still long enough for a good game of football if you're out quickly and it's your turn on the tennis courts.

During the lunch break, there are two playworkers, Sandra and Gillian, who organise games and competitions for us so that no one gets bored or lonely.

In the afternoon, Key Stage 1 and 2 have separate playtimes, so although it is not our turn in the tennis court area there is still plenty of room for us to have a good run around.

Should anyone be feeling a bit left out or lonely during one of the morning or afternoon playtimes, they can go to the Friendship Stop.

This is run by children in Year five.

They see if anyone is in need of a friend and either find someone for them to play with or play with them themselves.

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Special guests

AT Rowley Lane School, we have an assembly every day, writes Evie Oldfield

We enjoy visitors coming into our assemblies.

Recently we have had the Huddersfield University Early Music group come to play and sing pieces which were played in the time of the Tudors.

Once a week Mr Whitcroft, the vicar of Lepton Church, comes into school. He talks about religious education and responsibilities.