Friday 21st January
Happy Friday!
Last week, we informed you that there had been an increase in COVID cases in school, this continued this week but the number of new cases is thankfully beginning to reduce. We have been pleased to welcome those back to school who have completed their isolation and are feeling well again. One parent asked on the playground how we managed to continue through this difficult time (which many schools are facing) with high numbers of COVID cases - our response was that it’s thanks to our wonderful staff and community. Many of the staff have taken on different or additional roles to ensure the school continues to run smoothly, for which we thank them.
Following on from their learning about heroes in story books last week, children in nursery have been learning all about real-life heroes this week. They have found out about the emergency services and shared some of the real-life heroes they have at home with parents who are carers, teachers and nurses to name a few. Lots of children particularly enjoyed making wheel tracks and ambulance artwork.
In reception, the children have been reading The Gingerbread Man who is on the run. This week he sent them a postcard from Australia, which prompted aboriginal art and writing all about the animals he met there.
In year one, the children have been learning about the senses in science. They enjoyed discussing all of their favourite smells, tastes, sights, sounds and textures. Miss Jenkins’ favourite smell is the smell of hot chocolate; Mrs Waters loves the smell of freshly cut grass. I enjoyed the smell of chocolate cake baking in the school kitchen earlier in the week. A favourite sight of mine is the stunning view from the rear of the school building. One of the children in year one said their favourite sight was seeing their mummy and daddy cuddling - how sweet!
Florence Nightingale has been the focus in year two this week. The children have learnt about the key dates and events of Florence’s life and discovered her legacy with the incredible impact she had on nursing. After the lessons, one child summarised by saying, ‘She’s alright that Florence.’
Year three have been making it rain indoors this afternoon. No, not because the teachers have been singing! The children have been observing steam ad condensation, creating their own water cycle. They learnt all about precipitation, collection, evaporation and condensation.
Harry Potter is the key text in year four this term and the children have been writing their own Daily Prophet and Quibbler news articles. inspired by the opening chapters, they have reported on the strange, almost magical sightings around the UK: an increase in owl activity, shooting stars and several people wearing cloaks.
Year five have been writing diary entries based on their reading of Cosmic by Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Their teachers have been very impressed by the quality of the children’s writing.
The reading fever has really caught on in year six this week. Lots of children have discovered a passion for books - some children have been enjoying the series of Percy Jackson stories so much, they have now completed the whole set! One child has started to read whole novels in 2-3 days and just can’t stop. When her teacher asked what has made the difference this term, she said, “I’ve never had such a wide choice of books to choose from before.”
It has been lovely to see the impact of the new books purchased for classrooms and book nooks around school. We are hoping to continue inspiring children with their writing too - all of the children in year four today received new notebooks for their own free writing. We a looking forward to seeing how the children use their notebooks to write for pleasure.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Stay safe.
