Christmas at The Vyne
Each year at Christmas, our local National Trust site, The Vyne, decorates its grounds in a different way. This year, the theme was Alice Through the Looking Glass.
We were lucky enough to take some of our children to experience the different decorations and follow the trail.
We finished off the experience by learning about cafe etiquette as we sampled some delicious hot chocolate. Yummy!
We are extremely pleased to have our class set of scooters up and running for children at break and lunchtimes!
The children undertook workshops last week in scooter and skateboard (Years 4-6) safety. Year groups are on a rotation timetable to enjoy this new facility. We are already impressed with how it is supporting children's development of core muscles and the cardiovascular work it is adding to support their fitness!
We were delighted to welcome our local Member of Parliament, Luke Murphy, last Friday. He had a tour around the school and met each class.
The children asked a range of interesting questions! We found out that Mr Murphy supports Chelsea, that he is passionate about the environment and has pledged to improve our access to a doctor. He is keen to visit us regularly to find out more about how we want him to improve Basingstoke for us.
Mr Murphy also spent some time talking to Mrs Griffiths about working with headteachers to support the challenges schools face, such as funding and access to specialist support for children with Special Educational Needs.
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, students took part in a special Art Day focused on Swans!
Using different styles an techniques, every class explored this elegant bird through various creative mediums. The day was filled with imagination, teamwork, and fun, highlighting and celebrating our school’s tradition.
Our school’s 50th Anniversary celebration was a huge success, bringing together students, families, and the wider community for a day of unforgettable fun.
The event was made extra special by a visit from the Mayor, who cut the anniversary cake, and our local MP, who shared in the festivities. We were also delighted to welcome Side Glance, the famous racehorse, adding a unique touch of excitement to the day!
The celebration featured performances by our talented musicians, thrilling go-kart races, and plenty of fun with inflatables, including a massive slide, bouncy castle and Nerf target shooting!
Guests enjoyed a variety of food stalls, including an ice cream van, which was a big hit! Circus and balloon workshops kept both children and adults entertained, with everyone joining in the fun.
It was a fantastic celebration of 50 years of learning, laughter, and community!
Our school recently held its annual Harvest Festival, with the local vicar and a representative from Basingstoke Foodbank in attendance. Both guests delivered engaging messages about the importance of supporting those in need, making the assembly both insightful and meaningful.
The assembly also featured a poem read by the year 6s and Harvest songs sang by the whole school. It was a wonderful way for our school community to come together and reflect on the spirit of giving and gratitude.
The Rucstall community were very generous in their donations, so thank you!
The PTFA hosted a magical Pumpkin Woodland Walk in Rucstall Wood, creating an unforgettable autumn experience for all! With marshmallows roasting over a fire, a cake sale courtesy of our Year 5 and 6 pupils, and beautifully carved pumpkins, by those of all ages, illuminating the paths, the evening was a huge success. A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this event to life.
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, we were thrilled to welcome a hot air balloon to the school after a weather delay. Shaped like a giant fox, the balloon captivated students, who watched in awe as it was inflated right before their eyes. They had the chance to ask the pilot and supervisors questions, learning about how the balloon operates. The excitement peaked as they cheered Mrs. Earl on as she took off in the balloon. This was an unforgettable experience for everyone!
On Monday 11th November, we held a special assembly followed by a two-minute silence to honour those who have served.
On Remembrance Sunday, one of our pupils, Bella, proudly laid a wreath for Rucstall at the Remembrance service held at the civic offices, standing behind the Mayor and our local MP.
This week, we welcomed Open the Book, a group from our local church, St Mary's, who shared the story of Noah's Ark with us in a lively assembly. The children loved the engaging storytelling and learning about this timeless story.
Two by two, the children acted superbly as animals!
On Wednesday 13th November, children took part in our annual positive noticing day. Across the day, children were tasked with noticing something wonderful about a peer. Each child left school with a positive note, written on a brown label, that had been written by their peers. Why not take a look at your child's note, and see what others enjoy about them at school.
On Friday 15th November, Rucstall went spotty for Children in Need! Children came dressed in mufti, Pudsey gear, and all things spotty, helping us raise over £200 for this fantastic cause. A special shoutout to our kitchen staff, who baked delicious Pudsey biscuits for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for your amazing support!
The festive season is in full swing at Rucstall! Our KS1 students shone brightly in their Nativity performance, wowing us with their fantastic acting, expressive dancing, and joyful singing. Meanwhile, the KS2 Christmas Concert at St Mary's was a spectacular showcase of talent and holiday cheer. The choir also spread festive joy with a beautiful performance at Home Start. To top it all off, everyone enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch together, complete with crackers and plenty of festive fun. A magical celebration of the season and our amazing children! We hope you all have a great winter break.