CHILDREN love to make new friends.
And at two Huddersfield schools they’re getting an even greater opportunity with the formation of a new twinning project.
Dalton and Kirkheaton Primary schools have formed a strong programme aimed at improving links between the two neighbouring communities.
The children have new “buddies” who they have got to know really well while taking part in a range of fun activities at each school.
And the twinning culminated in an International Day where they jointly learned Bollywood dancing, capoeira, taekwondo and belly-dancing.
Children and staff from both schools were left “exhausted” due to the success of the event.
Another cause for celebration is recent sporting success at the Dalton school with the year five football team winning the Huddersfield schools league title.
They beat Reinwood, Lindley and Lepton and won 4-0 in the final against Reinwood with Mr Froste and Mr Johnson training the team.
Dalton Primary is a sporty school and children take part a wide range of extra curricular sporting activities.
As part of the Newsome Schools Sports Partnership, it also takes part in a variety of organised inter-schools events.
Headteacher Gill Lindop said: “The summer term at Dalton School has got off to a flying start. Lots of wonderful activities and outings have taken place.
“We’ve had a visit from a lady from Ancient Greece, visited the museum and Netherhall Learning Campus to bake bread and had our parent groups to receive certificates from Andy Booth. We also had a coffee afternoon with other learners from the area.
“Parents were invited into school all last week for taster sessions of the school dinners.
“We also have lots more things lined up for the summer term – we love keeping busy!”
Since taking over as headteacher, at the school she attended as a four-year-old, Gill and her team have pledged to make a real difference to the lives and achievements of every pupil.
She said: “They are enthusiastic about their learning and know what they need to do to achieve targets and how to motivate themselves to meet those goals.” she added.
She said it was a happy, welcoming place which has strong community links. Parents are encouraged to come through the school doors to find out what their children are learning. It also values their opinions.
The school’s sense of community both locally and globally is promoted by its 17-strong Eco Council.
Classrooms are monitored weekly by the team in their green sweatshirts and they are given reward stickers if they are doing their bit to save energy, including saving paper, turning off lights, stopping dripping taps and recycling paper.
Children are also helping to compost vegetable waste from the kitchen and are also hoping to turn part of the school field into a vegetable patch and pond area.
