Latest updates from our school
NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe
As part of our SMSC curriculum, the boys and girls took part in an online 'Speak Out and Stay Safe' Assembly today by the NSPCC.
During the assembly, the children talked about the rights of a child and the trusted adults in their lives they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns.
We reminded the children that life is full of 'ups and downs' and that there is always someone who can help and support them should they need it.
We also talked about the role of CHILDLINE, the support they can offer and how to contact them.
This week in TB - WC 18/10/21
You're not going to believe it...seriously...even I had to pinch my self...I mean...it sounds daft and implausable...but...well...we were visited by Janet and Bill this week of Smeds and Smoos fame!
It was great timing actually as Jayne and Gary had both gone home sick which meant Bill and Janet were able to help us with our session! They were a bit shy at first, but the Kind and Caring children of KJS soon coaxed them out of their hidey hole.
They told us of how their rocket had crashed in the sea (some of the children heard the explosion in the night) and how they had had to swim to safety, being chased by botty pinching sharks - we played a game that recreated their experience and the children had to be Collaborative, Communicative and Problem Solving (none were lost to the sharks).
Post game, we asked Bill and Janet what they would like to do and they chose:
Make woodland jewellery to take home as gifts; look for mini-beasts in our pond to take home to Janet's green lake; cook some Bill and Janet biscuits.
We did all of the above and had great fun with Bill and Janet.
Some in Upper School were set the challenge of making a space-themed orienteering course featuring collages as controls - all other children would complete the course at the end of the session.
Support was needed to ensure good Organisation, but once a strategy was agreed, children worked Creatively and with Precision, setting controls accurately before marking locations on a map.
Other groups completed their Smeds and Smoos plays, some performing to their classmates while others performed to Lower School children after constructing their own scene and seating area.
Children were wonderfully Confident and acted with real zest!
Others completed their mobiles, cooked solar-system biscuits or added finishing touches to re-entry craft - one eggstronaut survived the drop from the drone but alas it was too windy for tests 2 and 3.
PS: thanks to Chris and Oscar for making a cricket set - woodland cricket was a TB first!
Welcome Back Parents
It was lovely to see so many parents in school tonight at the first of our Parents' Evenings. We really have missed the opportunity to talk about and showcase the hard work of our pupils. Thank you also Year 3 parents who attended the group sessions.
We hope you found the evening both helpful and informative in providing a picture of how well your child has settled in school and the ways you can support them at home.
Morgan's Supersonic Solar System
Morgan has been so inspired by her study of the planets and the Solar System, she created this incredible model at home showing the position of the planets and lots of amazing space facts too.
Well done Morgan, this really does demonstrate so many of our YOU22 attributes including: hardworking, conscientious, knowledgeable, inquisitive and creative.
Team Courage Spelling list 18th October
Here are your spelling lists and games for next week's spelling test. I have sent your child home with a paper copy of their spelling list. I have also attached an electronic version below. For games and activities linked to your list, visit the link to Spellzone below.
Our spelling test will be on Monday 1st November. Have fun!
| Download Group 1 list 6 | Download Group 2 list 6 | Download Group 3 list 5 |
|
These 8 words will be on your spelling test:
There will be another two words on the test so make sure you learn the rest too! |
These 8 words will be on your spelling test:
There will be another two words on the test so make sure you learn the rest too! |
Achievement Assembly Winners
Today's Achievement Assembly was the best ever, with a record number of certificates being awarded to the boys and girls.
Special awards were also presented to pupils showing self-control with behaviour and through the presentation of their work.
Well done too to the recipients of the Headteacher's Award and to those receiving the English Star of the week award.
This week in TB - WC 11/10/21
Lower School started their sessions with a search for colours - we had to forage things that were red, yellow, green, brown and purple; we were surprised by the range of items we found which were of both natural and man-made origins.
The main challenge had an orienteering focus that was linked to their Smeds and Smoos topic book.
Twelve organisms were selected from the book, creatures and plants Bill and Janet discovered on their adventure across the universe, which the children had to scientifically observe before making collages of them in trays. The challenge was to use a minimum of paint, finding colours to use / match in nature.
Once made, collages were put in specific locations around the school grounds that were marked on a map - we then went round in groups to find and identify them all - the coveted Double Biccy Award for the first team back!
Children had to be Problem Solving, Creative, Precise and Organised to be successful!
Upper School children started by undertaking the orienteering course set out by Discovery - they were amazed by the Precision of the map and Creativity of the collages (favourites were The Three Armed Botty Pincher, Stiltosarus and Gary' s Dad).
The new challenges this week were two fold:
1) to turn the LS book Smeds and Smoos into a play script which could then be performed to a few children from Lower School.
Mr Hull came into the wood to visit Equality, saw their performance and asked the children to perform it in the Awards Assembly next Friday - no pressure there then.
2) make a re-entry craft to protect an eggstronaut on returning to Earth from space - this would be dropped from the drone at 120m altitude for testing.
Design criteria were set, materials tested, prototypes made - will the parachute deploy? Will it float? Will the heat shield save the egg from being hard boiled? We'll find out next week.
Other children continued with planet mobiles (we've made a bigger one to go in TBHQ) and made universe biscuits - these were delicious!
Team Resilience Food Facts
The boys and girls in Team Resilience have been discussing the way that plants and animals obtain food and as part of this have learnt new vocabulary including: photosynthesis, nutrients and digestion.
They have also studied the Eatwell Plate to develop their understanding of the need to eat a balanced diet and the types of food within the different food groups.
Travel Smart Week
Our Travel Smart week takes place next week from Monday 18th October.
Throughout the week, we will encourage pupils to make the most of their school journey as a way to help them keep fit, beat traffic jams and pollution and remember to travel safely too.
For the October 2021 campaign, pupils and parents are encouraged to join our well-being themed sustainable travel week by being a Travel Smart smiler, as they make more active and environmentally friendly journeys to school during the week.
The 7 steps to well-being are:
- socialise - get together with others
- move - be active
- interest - have a hobby, keep learning, do something creative
- look - take notice of the world around you
- eat well - eat a balanced diet
- rest - relax, sleep well
- support - give help to others
So making an active journey, after a healthy breakfast and a good night's sleep, is a great way start the day with a smile.
As part of the campaign week, pupils can follow some of the suggested ideas for each day, such as finding out more about the things they have seen or discovered on their journey or sharing their designs and thoughts on a 'car free' or 'be bright be seen day'.
As part of the week we would also like to invite pupils scoot or cycle to school but would also remind them to wear a helmet if they choose to do so.
I hope you will support your child in engaging with Travel Smart week.
Parents can share the activities they undertake on the Travel Smart Twitter account with the hashtag #BeATravelSmartSmiler.
Indoor Athletics Champions
A great start to our sporting calendar was marked with a victory in the Amber Valley Year 3 and 4 Indoor Athletics Competition.
Having not competed for over a year in competitions, it was lovely for the children to take part, perform so well and have a smile on their faces.
There's nothing like a bit of competition to bring out the best in children and tonight certainly did that!
Well done boys and girls, we are so proud of you and thank you parents for your support.
Team Courage Spelling list 11th October
Here are your spelling lists and games for next week's spelling test. I have sent your child home with a paper copy of their spelling list. I have also attached an electronic version below. For games and activities linked to your list, visit the link to Spellzone below.
Our spelling test will be on Monday 18th October. Have fun!
| Download Group 1 list 5 | Download Group 2 list 5 | Download Group 3 list 4 |
|
These 8 words will be on your spelling test:
There will be another two words on the test so make sure you learn the rest too! |
You will be tested on all of the words so make sure you learn them! |