Wetherby News – 3rd December 2004

School’s perfect present

Christmas has come early for Crossley Street Primary School, which has its financial target to build a new nursery.

On Saturday, Crossley Street PTA presented a cheque of £10,000 to the school as part of the Acorn Appeal to build a new nursery for the school.  The PTA has not stopped in its fund-raising efforts and continues to raise money for the school.  They are full of ideas and they never do the same thing twice.”

Saturday’s cheque presentation was a culmination of fund-raising efforts from the PTA, which started in March.  They have had to raise £10,000 overall and to do this they have held various fund-raising events including ‘loose change’ days and a summer fair.

“The PTA has done an absolutely fantastic job and the fund-raising activities have involved everyone from staff, pupils and parents,” said Mrs Clynes. “Everyone always gets involved, it is a real team effort.  This is a wonderful Christmas present.”

Wetherby News – January 2005

Striking up a tune for charity

Two young girls braved cold, wind and the rain to raise more that £100 for charity by carol singing.

Jodie Ives, 12, and Bethany Cairnes, ten, toured homes in Clifford and Wetherby singing festive tunes to collect funds for the Tsunami Appeal.

In total Jodie, who lives in Clifford, and Bethany, who lives in Wetherby and attends Crossley Street Primary School, raised £102 for the fund.

This is the fourth year of carol singing for charity for the pair, who usually raise money for Cheshire Homes but decided to donate to a different charity after hearing about the devastating effects of the Boxing Day tidal wave.

Jodie’s mother, Sue Ives, said:  “They did very well.  People expect them at Christmas now and they get a great response.”

Wetherby News – 10th June 2005

Primary School PTA ball raises £2,000

Collingham and Linton Golf Club was the venue for the Crossley Street Primary PTA ball which raised over £2,000 for the school.  The cash raised brings the total to £3,500 which will be used to purchase playground equipment. 

Local businesses donated a range of auction and raffle prizes which included food hampers, children’s bikes and a sought-after England under 19s football shirt.

Wetherby News – July 2005

Triple celebrations at Crossley Street

Pupils at a Wetherby primary school are celebrating a hat trick of successes.

Not only did Crossley Street Primary School pupils win both sections of the Wetherby and District Rotary Club Youth Speaks Competition, they also won prizes in the Wetherby in Bloom poster contest and a Leeds poetry competition.

Headteacher Sandra Clynes said: “It is a lovely way to end the year.”

The speaking contest featured contestants from Crossley Street Primary School, Deighton Gates Primary School and Primrose Lane Primary School, who had taken part in their own class and school speaking contests.

Each school received a computer; pupils who reached the final received book tokens and all students taking part were given participation certificates.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils from Crossley Street spoke about the Making Poverty History campaign while the Year 3 and 4 students spoke about World War II.

Chairman of the Rotary judging panel, Nick Dyson, praised all who took part in the final and their choice of topics, which included karate, Dr Who, emergency services and wacky world records.

Mrs Clynes said:  “The children and the staff work very hard and they are very good at public speaking.”

Pupils also did well in a Leeds City Council poetry contest, with one student, Felix Ivers, coming in the top 20.  His poem will now be included in a poetry exhibition in Leeds Town Hall.

The children also won prizes in a Wetherby in Bloom and Skipton Building Society competition where they were asked to create posters to help keep the town tidy.

Wetherby News – July 22nd 2005

Students speak out for success

Wetherby and Boston Spa children have been putting their voices to good use in a speaking contest.

The Wetherby and District Rotary Club Youth Speaks Competition saw contestants from Crossley Street Primary School, Deighton Gates Primary School and Primrose Lane Primary School compete by voicing their thoughts on a range of subjects.

Winners of both sections were pupils from Crossley Street Primary School, who spoke about the Making Poverty History campaign and the Second World War.

Each school received a computer, while pupils who reached the final received book tokens and all students taking part were given participation certificates.

The chairman of the Rotary judging panel, Nick Dyson, praised all who took part in the final and their choice of topics.

The included karate, Dr Who, emergency services and wacky world records.

Wetherby News – 14th October 2005

Making school an even better place to be

Crossley Street Primary School has officially opened the first of five new buildings in a major redevelopment programme.

The school’s nursery and reception classes will be able to work together after the completion of a state-of-the-art extension.  Pupils will be able to take advantage of an improved working environment and outdoor play area.

Headteacher Sandra Clynes said:  “The learning area has been totally transformed.  There’s been a complete refurbishment.  We’ve now got full new access and all new equipment.  The facilities are wonderful – the children are using the building now.  They’re really enjoying it – and so are the teachers!  We had all the pupils out for the opening ceremony and they were joined by the local vicar, mayoress, chair of governors and the chief exec of Education Leeds.  It was a big event.”

A further four new builds will take place to further transform Crossley Street school once funding has been officially approved.

Wetherby News – 25th November 2005

Recognised for her devotion to duty

A school meals worker who bakes a bun for every pupil on their birthday has been nominated for an award.

Kitchen Supervisor Helen Moorhouse, from Crossley Street School in Wetherby, was put up for a Leeds City Council Divisional Supervisor of the Year award.

Helen, who has worked at the school since 1999, said: “I was very surprised first of all, but I’m chuffed to bits.  Personally I see it more as an award for the kitchen.  I have got a team of ladies here and without them I wouldn’t have got this because they back me 100 per cent.”

Headteacher Mrs Clynes said:  “This is a much deserved recognition for all Helen does.  She plays a very large role in school, sitting on health forums and health and safety committees.  She bakes buns for every child in the school on their birthday, not to mention making very tasty lunches and ensuring that all the children get a healthy, balanced meal.  We are all very proud.”

Wetherby News – 17th March 2006

Stalwarts honoured for dedicated service

They are the backbone of the school, and now three staff members at Crossley Street Primary have been honoured after a quarter of a century in education.

Joan Hall, Karen Cornforth and Sandra Clynes have marked more books, taught more times tables and patched more playtime grazes than anyone would care to count.

Now the ladies – a learning support assistant, nursery nurse and headteacher respectively – have been recognised for their contribution to the lives of children in the area.

After notching up a total of 83 years between them, the three have been presented with long service awards by Leeds City Council, in a ceremony at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground.

Sandra said:  “It was a surprise, we had absolutely no idea.  And it was a wonderful function, with dinner and wine – it was lovely.”

Sandra has worked at Crossley Street for three of her 29 years in education.  Joan has worked there for her whole 29 year career, and Karen for most of her 25 years.

“Joan and Karen make a huge contribution to school,” said Sandra.  “Both have different skills.  Karen knows all the nursery children very well, and Joan works with different groups of children across school.”

The beauty of having staff like them is the wealth of experience that you can draw on.  Both of them are very well known by all the families.”

And as for her own contribution?

“I couldn’t believe I had actually been doing it for so long.  You must be enjoying it if you don’t notice the time going past, I wouldn’t have done anything different.  I would recommend it to anyone else – it’s extremely fulfilling.”

Wetherby News – 17th March 2006

Unsung hero ready to make his final crossing

A much-loved lollipop man and caretaker is retiring to become a full time carer for his wife.

George Woolley, 59, has been helping Wetherby children make their way to Crossley Street School since he took on crossing patrol duties in 2001.

But now the former Wetherby News Unsung Hero, is putting away his stick for good.

He’s leaving the post, along with his main job as Wetherby One Stop Centre caretaker, to spend more time with his wife,  53-year old Irene, who has suffered a severe stroke.

“I’m going to miss the job, and all my friends,” said George.  “But it’s a big decision and I think I’m doing the right thing. My wife has had to get a flat in Otley, and I’m still in the process of packing.  I have been trying talk her into letting me care for her for some time but she’s very independent.

Being a lollipop man is brilliant.  At first I wasn’t sure – it’s one of those jobs, you don’t know if you’re going to take to it until you do it, and it has its moments with fast cars coming past.  But it’s a great job if people get past the stigma.  It’s community based, and I get something out of it for that in itself, there’s a sense of pride that you are doing it.”

George’s last shift outside the school will take place today.  He will leave his caretaker role at the One Stop centre on Wednesday.

Anybody who is interested in becoming a lollipop person – should contact the School Crossing department on:

                                    0113 214 1228

Extract of article from Wetherby News 7th April 2006

Our Wetherby by Marie Fox

“One of our most community minded schools has to be Crossley Street Primary at Wetherby.

I soon found this out after being involved in a discussion on who should judge a miniature garden competition.  Someone from Wetherby in Bloom seemed a likely choice.

I was fascinated by what I heard about this caring 213 pupil school.  There was nothing but praise for headteacher Sandra Clynes and I learned from her and from the chairman of the PTA Diane Paine about a successful and happy school, which enjoys being part of the local community.  And the PTA’s head of publicity Michelle Havis said it was an excellent school for pupils and families.  Diane pays tribute to Michelle, treasurer Sharon Young and secretary Caroline Clark for the support they give her in their key roles.

In the last few years their PTA has grown to a group of 30 active members.  They are a registered charity and raise an impressive average of £10,000 a year.  This comes mainly from Christmas and summer fairs and, in its second year, the May ball.

With good reason, the headteacher says Crossley Street is a “thriving community primary school.”  The reception class was over subscribed this year and there are already 27 children on the waiting list for next year.

Awarded the Investor in People standard in 2005, Crossley Street was summarised as “an effective and improving school, a wonderful working environment.”  The head and governors were highly commended in the last Ofsted for their excellent leadership and shared commitment.

Not surprisingly children love coming to school, reflected in the fact that attendance figures are in the top five per cent in the country!

Nor was I surprised that children were involved in as many local activities as possible.

Parent/school partnership is “second to none” with parents actively involved in the children’s learning, attending special events such as Greek banquets and fairytale days.  Pupils themselves play a large part in running the school through a very active school council.

I believe that schooldays can be the happiest days of your life.  The £10,000 raised in the first place by the PTA helped to build a new nursery.  New picnic benches have been provided and fantastic hardwearing playground markings, and playground litterbins are being replaced.  Dads have been repainting the outside of some of the older classrooms and it is hoped to buy a versatile and user-friendly stage for the hall.

And I’ve no doubt the children are fit as well as happy as the superb kitchen team’s food includes fresh fruit and vegetables.  Physical activities include Leeds Rhino rugby, LUFC coaching, curling competitions, hockey, gymnastics, swimming and athletics.”