News
Newsletter for the week ending Friday 17th October
More harvest festivities this week (last week years 3-6, this week years 1&2 and next week Turtles and Dolphins) and a really good set of performances at a local cross country event. Well done everybody and please read on to find out what has been happening in each year group.
Dates for the diary
- Turtles and Dolphins harvest festival will take place on Tuesday 2st October at 2.30pm in our school hall
- Cake Sale after school on Friday 24th October. Cake donations on the morning of the sale please.
- Xmas disco Friday 28th November Reception 7 Years 1&2 @5-6pm and Years 3-6 @6.30-7.30pm
- Xmas fair Friday 12th December 3-5pm
- Wishing you all a lovely weekend
From Jeremy Cooper and all the children and staff
AROUND THE CLASSES
This week in Turtles and Dolphins we have continued to learn about Autumn. We have listened to some Autumn sounds and identified them. Today, we went to the woods to look for signs of Autumn. We have made collages of autumn trees and painted pictures of scarecrows. On Tuesday the Dolphins had an online visit from Maria and Harold the giraffe. They spoke to us about being healthy.
Year 1 have worked hard on their harvest festival performance this week, we really hope you enjoyed it! In writing we have been making our own version of My Day at the Zoo, we enjoyed changing the animals and making our story maps. In Maths we have been looking at our number bonds to 10 and writing number sentences for them. In topic we have been thinking about hot and cold places and items we would need to pack if we went to a hot or cold place.
Year 2 have had another great week. They took part in a live lesson on Tuesday all about staying safe with friends and talking about feelings. In Maths, they have been practising number bonds and adding numbers. Here is a game they can use to practise number bonds: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button Choose number bonds and then ‘Make 10’. In English, they have looked at the different types of sentences in ‘How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth’ and have tried to write their own. Their tag rugby skills are progressing and they have been practising how to run and pass the ball. They are looking forward to sharing their Harvest songs, poems and play with you this afternoon (Thursday). We hope you enjoy it!
Year 3 considered everything that they think is wrong with the world today and explored how they can live a life that has less impact on the planet by “living lightly” Year 4, looked at how the Muslim practice of fasting at Ramadan teaches self control and considered how exhibiting self control can be fit themselves. Year 5, researched the life of Gandhi to see how his Hindu beliefs informed the actions he took. Year 6, explored the story of Exodus in a dramatic way and then wrote their own set of commandments for a happy school
Year 3 has been busy learning about the different layers of the rainforest this week. We went on our class trip to The Eden Project where we learnt to become a rainforest ranger; the tropical biome was amazing. In our outdoor learning session we created floor pictures of the different rainforest layers, using natural materials. In our writing we have continued to read the book, Interview with a Tiger, and started to research an animal of interest. We have written questions (and answers) to ask the animals if we could interview them. In maths we have continued with addition and subtraction skills, focusing on what happens when we need to exchange a 10. We looked at sun safety in our science lesson and in PE we have continued with a rainforest dance. Next week we have another outdoor learning session and art session. It will certainly be a busy week leading up to the end of the half term!
In Year 4 this week, the children have written and planned a story based on the film ‘Lune et L’autre’ that we wrote together as a class which will help them prepare for when they write their own story next week on the film ‘The Girl and the Fox’. We have included lots of fronted adverbials, prepositional phrases and we even created a tense and suspenseful atmosphere by using short sentences and ellipsis! In Maths, we have been calculating the perimeter of rectangles and rectilinear shapes. In Geography and Computing, the children have been busy preparing their Google Slides which consolidates their learning about ‘How to Live Sustainably’ which they will present next week. In Science, the children investigated whether solids have different melting points by timing how long each solid took to melt whilst floating on hot water. They have also had half a day of Art with Abi in the Art Studio.
It’s been another busy and exciting week in Year 5! In English, we have been learning about biographies. The children identified key features of a biography by studying the life of Marie Curie, then researched another inspirational woman in science – Rosalind Franklin – and made notes about her life. They went on to write their own biographies, using relative clauses to add extra information. In maths, we have finished our unit on addition and subtraction, and in reading, we are nearly at the end of Holes! The children wrote fantastic diary entries from Stanley’s perspective, focusing on his emotions when he ran away from the camp. In science, we carried out an investigation to find out which materials are conductors and insulators, and in geography we explored the topic of Fairtrade. The children learned about the life of Joseph Marvin, a banana farmer from St Lucia, and discussed the challenges he faces, including how much farmers earn compared with supermarkets and wholesalers.In PE, the children have continued to develop their handball skills and enjoyed playing some lively matches. Year 5 are also very excited for the residential next week – please ensure that any medication (with a completed medication form) is handed in either before the trip or on the morning of departure. Thank you!
Year 6 have started non-fictional writing about climate change. They are having to do quite a lot of research in order to find the facts required. In maths, they have been exploring the rules of divisibility and discovering how to apply their knowledge. In science, they have been experimenting: they have had a yeast race to see whether sugar increased the speed of dough rising. They also looked at different micro-organisms. In Geography, they found out about the railway and sea wall in Starcross, and how changes in the climate are now putting residents at risk of flooding again. In other news, congratulations go to Lara and Harry for achieving their Red Module and Junior Cadet 1st Class in Sea Cadets. Also, Grace and Amelia have raised £13.20 by making and selling bookmarks. The money will be split between two charities.
