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28th March 2024
Dear Parents,
It’s a wrap! What a magnificent term it has been, chock full of excitement and inspiration, topped off with yesterday’s marvellous concert.
I hadn’t seen the children in their Easter bonnets until they came into the hall for the performance and I was blown away by the stylishness of each class. What a wonderfully enjoyable way to celebrate the learning of the term - the planets in Year 2, the Greek Myths in Year 4 and the (albeit reluctant) emergence of Spring. I trained in Primary teaching with an English specialism and poetry quickly became my favourite genre to teach. So, hearing the recitals, from the classes as well as the individuals, has been an immense pleasure. Over the weeks I have seen these recitals in various stages of rehearsal and watched the children become louder, clearer as well as more expressive and self assured in their delivery. They certainly made us all very proud yesterday. My thanks go out to Olivia for a successful first term of ukulele in Key Stage Two and for all of the uplifting singing. I don’t know about you, but I’m still humming Hot Cross Buns! Do check out our latest Instagram post for an encore.
This week we received the ISI report from our most recent inspection. We have shared this with you via email and on our website, but I wanted to reiterate here how pleased we are to have received this official confirmation that the School is compliant on all of the Independent School Standards.
The office staff: Maria our HR Manager, Ainsley, our Business Manager and our two administrators, Nicolette and Laura J, have played an instrumental role in this success, and we have made many worthwhile improvements in response to the ISI feedback. The latest of these is our new club booking and payment system, Scopay, which we are most hopeful about. It will automate and simplify all of our club and parents’ evening bookings, generating significant time savings. Please do let us know how you get on with this.
Several themed days and weeks have enriched our curriculum this term: World Book Day, Recycling and Neurodiversity weeks and Red Nose Day. Children at both sites dressed up as their favourite book characters, with many magical Hogwarts visitors of course (me included!). Our parade at the Upper School featured children from Pre-Reception upwards; the youngest children proudly shared who they were and our older children came up with adjectives and clues to allow others to guess their characters. I met some characters I hadn’t encountered before and then our Celebration assembly that Friday was a further carnival of books, with each staff member showing and talking about a favourite book. Emily, Laura and I then took a small democratically elected delegation to @Ink84, to purchase books that their classes had requested with commission from our Winter Book Fair. An idyllic Friday morning: Celebration Assembly followed by a book shop visit. We came back with books from some new and some well established authors, for every class' library.
Working towards our next Eco Award, the Nursery children made music with recycled objects, courtesy of Saul and his Junk Orchestra, and our Upper School children made recycled chocolate and sweet wrappers for Willy Wonka in another, deliciously messy, workshop. We raised £170 for Red nose day – thank you, and brightened up the school that day with red attire and red toys in the playground.
Our new marketing consultant has just completed the first phase of our website improvement, focusing on SEO. This has made a huge difference to our visibility already. Do search for us on different browsers and tell us what you notice.
Have an enjoyable and restorative Easter,
Ellie
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Dear Parents
We're delighted to share some wonderful news with you. The nursery recently underwent an assessment by the borough to evaluate our adherence to EYFS guidelines. I am immensely proud and grateful to the staff, who are also bursting with pride following this successful inspection.
In observing the staff's hard work in creating an environment that nurtures learning and growth, I've seen them implement strategies aimed at extending children's language development, critical thinking, and social and emotional well-being. This effort, cultivated through collaboration, mentoring and the setting of SMART goals during supervision meetings based on lesson observations, reflects our dedication to providing the best possible experience for the children.
Every aspect of the nursery's operations underwent meticulous scrutiny. From teaching quality to learning environments, safeguarding procedures to leadership and management, no stone was left unturned. I'm pleased to share that the consultant inspector praised our team's hard work and effective strategies. The warm and encouraging interactions she saw demonstrated the care and expertise of our staff, while our classrooms were lauded for their engaging and appealing set up, creating a nurturing atmosphere where children can thrive.
We received even more positive feedback, with the inspector expressing her uplifted spirits during discussions and admiring our seamless integration of theory into practice. She particularly emphasised our excellent documentation of children's progress and learning journeys, providing valuable insights for both children and parents.
It has been an amazing few weeks, of also seeing the children bursting with pride while showing you around during open classrooms and parading at the Upper School assembly in their World Book Day costumes. Personally, I found it rewarding to read "The Lion and the Bird" and introduce various poems to the children from a collection we picked up on their trip to the library. Saul's Junk Orchestra was a hit as always, and the children thoroughly enjoyed jamming along with their recycled instruments. We also hosted a few more wonderful tours and an open day, not to mention a successful AGM and a staff social wonderfully organised by Nicolette. However, this is only a glimpse of what we've been up to; there is so much more to share. Please continue reading to discover what matters most: your children happily learning and achieving with our dedicated staff.
Have a lovely Easter break.
Taiba
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Nursery School Key Upcoming Dates
Wednesday 17th April
Summer Term begins for children
Breakfast and After School clubs begin
Breakfast Club- drop in from 8.00am
After School Club- 3.00-4.30 pm
Monday 6th May
Bank Holiday
No School
W/C Tuesday 7th May
Science and Healthy Living Week
Themed week of activities at School
Friday 10th May
Parent Forum Meeting
9:45am in US hall. Reps will email ahead of the meeting to ask for feedback.
Monday 13th May Mental Health Awareness Week-with a focus on ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health.' Activities at School
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Upper School Key Upcoming Dates
Wednesday 17th April
Summer Term begins for children
Breakfast and After School clubs begin
Breakfast Club- drop in from 8.00am
After School Club- 3.00-4.30 pm
Monday 6th May
Bank Holiday
No School
W/C Tuesday 7th May
Science and Healthy Living Week
Themed week of activities at School
Friday 10th May
Parent Forum Meeting
9:45am in US hall. Reps will email ahead of the meeting to ask for feedback.
Monday 13th May
Mental Health Awareness Week-with a focus on ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’
Thursday 16th May
Whole School Open Day at US For prospective parents
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All Spring Term Important Dates and the term dates for the next academic year can be found here.
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Parent Forum Feedback, Head's Report to Parent Committee and Social Media
Please click through to the parent portal to see our latest Parent Forum notes.
Our social media handles are:
Facebook - The Children's House School
Instagram - @childrenshouseschool
We'd love it if you'd follow us. Please review our image consent form here.
Parent Forum Feedback & Head's Report to Parent Committee, can be found here.
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Theodore's (Year 1) fundraiser for WWF-UK
Theodore in Year 1 loves animals! For his 6th birthday he has decided that instead of presents he would like to raise money to help protect endangered animals.
Theodore has also committed to walk/run 25k during the month of March to help raise awareness of endangered animals (like the Williams Dwarf Gecko pictured above).
_________________________________
WWF is at the heart of global efforts to address the world’s most important environmental challenges: safeguarding the natural world, tackling climate change and enabling people to use only their fair share of natural resources. Together we can build a future where people and nature thrive.
Your support is much appreciated.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/trisha-carmona-1708366324470
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Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Last week, our school community came together to observe Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a global initiative challenging stereotypes and misunderstandings surrounding neurological differences. This week aims to reshape perceptions and support for neurodivergent individuals by showcasing their diverse skills and talents. It fosters inclusive environments that value differences and empower every individual.
During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, our school reflected on the significance of acknowledging diverse cognitive processes and practicing kindness towards others. We explored the achievements of notable neurodivergent figures like Albert Einstein, Greta Thunberg, and Simone Biles, recognizing the strengths and talents that stem from unique perspectives. By highlighting these strengths, we strive to shift societal perceptions and support systems, enabling neurodivergent individuals to reach their full potential.
As part of our activities, we encouraged our neurodivergent students to share openly about their strengths, challenges, and ways others can offer support. The response from our school community was heartening, with students bravely discussing their experiences of neurodivergence. Their openness and confidence in embracing their individuality and unique abilities were truly inspiring. Our amazing neurodivergent staff members spoke openly about their experiences as well, sharing insights and perspectives that enriched our understanding of neurodiversity. Their courage in discussing their journey paved the way for greater acceptance and support within our school community.
"My dyslexic mind has a unique ability to think about situations holistically. This allows me to be a great problem solver and be a great mediator exploring situations from multiple angles and perspectives." - Pablo
Neurodiversity Celebration Week served as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing and celebrating the diverse ways our brains work! By fostering understanding, acceptance, and support, we can create a world where every individual, regardless of neurological differences, feels valued and empowered to thrive. Let's continue to champion neurodiversity and create an inclusive school community where everyone can shine.
Laura.
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Art Club
Art club members left with a handful of creations. Our self-portrait/scenery wind chimes are complete. They sound and look beautiful. The children were excited and clearly pleased with their hard work. Mother’s Day cards were full of flowers and hearts. A bunch of daffodils completed their gifts of love.
Our last art club before the Easter break consisted of 2 clay eggs and a bunny. One of which became a fridge magnet. They decorated a small box filled with chicks and made a card.
Specialist Art Lessons
Year 1
Year 1 spent 3 weeks on portraits. This is week one using guides. The second week focused on side profiles.
The final week reinforced side profiles using clay.
Year 2
Year 2 did really well drawing each other. They had to remember to hold the clipboard at an angle and just move their eyes up and down. This is a skill we are working on for observational drawing.
Year 3
Year 3 visited the ’ LegionLlife of the Roman Army’ exhibition at the British Museum. It was very informative and fascinating with installations that children could interact with. We also visited the room with antiquities and sketched some pottery using water soluable graphite crayons.
They are familiar with this medium as they had recently used it for their portrait drawing.
Here we are in the process of making Easter bonnets in the form of paper weaving.
Year 4
The Trojan horse that we showed you at the concert is being scaled up, drawn out and ready to be cut out. Every child in the class played a critical role in its construction.
The margins have been stuck with the glue gun. The edges have been filled with glue and sawdust, making a very big and strong horse.
The body is ready to be painted. Just the legs and the base to go!
I hope you enjoyed its debut at the Easter concert.
Have a wonderful holiday and see you all next term.
Rose
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PE & Games news
The past few weeks in our Physical Education program at The Children's House have been dynamic and filled with various sports, from ball skills and cooperative games to mastering jumps, rolls, and strategic manoeuvres in netball.
In our Nursery program, the youngest learners have been exploring different ball sizes, mastering ball control around their bodies, and practising hand and foot coordination. They're also starting to pass the ball in pairs, fostering teamwork. It's delightful to witness their enjoyment as they build essential skills, laying the groundwork for their future involvement in sports.
In the Reception class, our enthusiastic students are exploring a variety of ball skills, including throwing the ball upward, bouncing, kicking against the wall, and inventing their own techniques. They've also enhanced their coordination by dribbling the ball with their hands through obstacles. Additionally, they've improved their aiming skills, passing and scoring points in teams by throwing the ball at specific targets.
Moving up to Year 1, students are progressing in their exploration of jumps and turns. They have successfully learned the different steps for a long jump, demonstrating their acquired skills in a class-long jump competition. Additionally, they've gained insights into cooperation and communication, particularly while jumping in pairs simultaneously, participating in engaging games like The Chimneys.
Our Year 2 students have acquired a diverse set of rolling techniques, including the challenging straddle roll for those seeking an extra challenge. They've also mastered pair balances and even created their own, incorporating them into games like The Cooperative Statues or Balance in the Mud. Finally, they have mastered bunny hops and moved onto attempting hand stands and cartwheels.
In Years 3 and 4, students have been advancing their Netball skills by refining their footwork and learning pivoting techniques. They've also focused on strategic moves, learning how to skilfully dodge into open spaces to enable a pass from a teammate and evade defenders. Notably, there has been significant progress in their cognitive approach, with students thinking ahead about where to pass and swiftly moving into open spaces when not in possession to outmanoeuvre defenders.
Finally, a friendly reminder for all parents of Year 3 and Year 4 students: Please ensure your child comes in prepared with their PE kit (navy bottoms please, not black), trainers, and tennis racket on Tuesdays for their tennis lessons in the upcoming Summer Term.
Wishing everyone a great Easter break. Don’t forget to keep active and healthy!
Pablo
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World Book Day & Recycling Week
In the playground we prepared for World Book day by making our own miniature library. Our budding young authors created mini-matchbox books with zig-zag fold out inserts, in which they drew and wrote their own original stories.
Last week we have been celebrating Recycling Week whilst also complementing our Houses and Homes topic. Our pupils created a small-scale recycled city using unwanted drinks cartons and paper packaging.
Bronia
Author Visit
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported Michael Mann's visit on 20th March. His presence was truly a delight, and the enthusiasm shown by the children was remarkable. Witnessing their eagerness to engage with his books and their mature demeanour left Michael deeply touched. He relished the opportunity to share his journey as an author, and it was evident that he served as a source of inspiration for many of the young minds present. All of us were all so grateful for the memorable experience he provided, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. It's truly exciting to learn that some children have already taken the initiative to start their own novels- I do hope they come and show me soon! In the meantime, below are his words of appreciation to us.
“Thank you so much for a wonderful visit this week. I had such a great time - the kids were a treat, and I had such a warm welcome from Ellie, Laura and everyone else. I also just love the school building and grounds, it had such a nice atmosphere and sense of community. You'd also clearly done a great job of getting the word out. I could tell the moment I walked in and all the kids got excited. I felt like a celebrity!”
Michael Mann.
Kim, Head of English
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Music
Students across the school have excelled in Music this term! The informal music concert on 18th March was a lovely display of hard work and talent. Special mention to Year 3 & 4 who took to the floor to perform a couple of pieces on the newly learnt ukulele!
Reception & Year 1 have made huge progress in their ensemble singing. Reception have learnt a variety of traditional fairytale-themed songs, and Year 1 have been exploring songs related to Houses and Homes. Year 1 also began to listen and appraise a variety of songs this term, which sparked a flurry of lovely responses.
A new set of glockenspiels have been put to good use by Year 2. Their theme of Movement In Art has inspired us to explore the music of a variety of famous dances. Highlights have been learning to Viennese Waltz to The Blue Danube, and also learning to play it on the glocks - sadly we haven't mastered the art of doing both at the same time. Some brilliant Flamenco-inspired compositions were created by the children too!
As mentioned, Year 3 & 4 have joined forces in a quest to master the ukulele this term. It's been a tough challenge (with lots of fingers, frets and strings), and they should be so proud of their achievements! We hope you enjoy their performance of Hot Cross Buns. Happy Easter to all!
Olivia
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¡Hola a todos!
We would like to share some exciting updates about our Spanish classes from the past few weeks!
We have reached the end of the second trimester of spring, and we are thrilled to report that it is been an incredibly productive period full of learning for our students. They have shown remarkable commitment and dedication.
In Nursery and Reception class, the children have been enjoying new activities, songs, and games. It is astonishing to see how quickly and confidently they are recognizing numbers in Spanish and distinguishing colours with excellent pronunciation.
In Year 1, the children had a special Spanish class during Book Day. Through the book Encanto, they learned new vocabulary with fun games.
In Year 2, we explored a bit of Colombian culture. It was a great opportunity to review family members in Spanish, and the children loved it! We also connected with Spanish through the book Encanto, which showed us how Colombian families live in large houses.
In Year 3, we delved into the world of fruits, learning about different types and practising our language skills at the market!
Lastly, in Year 4, we have been using technology to continue learning Spanish. With our Chromebooks, we have practised with fun songs and games!
In our last Spanish class, we explored the theme of Easter. Students learned about the traditions and customs associated with this holiday, as well as practised Easter-related vocabulary in Spanish. It was a fun and educational experience for everyone.
As we prepare for the next trimester, we would like to thank you for your continued support and collaboration. We are excited about what the next trimester holds for our children!
Have a happy and relaxing break! Happy Easter!
Martha
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Tech Blossoming!
Spring has sprung, and the IT classroom is buzzing with exciting learning opportunities! Let's celebrate the fantastic progress our young minds have made as they blossom into tech-savvy explorers.
Reception:
Our youngest tech whizzes are conquering Chromebooks, mastering essential maths skills while simultaneously learning crucial e-safety practices. These engaging activities equip them with the tools they need to navigate the digital world confidently and safely – a foundation for responsible digital citizenship right from the start!
Year 1:
Year 1 is diligently honing their typing skills, transforming into keyboard wizards with the home row layout. Their journey continues with interactive e-books, further enriching their digital literacy and fostering a love for reading! Imagine the magical worlds they'll unlock with each click and swipe.
Year 2:
Year 2 students are diving deeper into the world of data analysis and presentation. They're exploring diverse ways to showcase their information collections. One way they're doing this is by using pictograms. Pictograms use simple pictures to represent information, but Year 2 is learning that these pictures have limitations, especially when dealing with complex data. This is where binary trees come in! Binary trees are a special way of organising information by asking yes or no questions. By exploring both pictograms and binary trees, Year 2 is not just collecting information, they're learning how to present it in clear and effective ways.
Year 3:
After solidifying their e-safety knowledge and identifying online dangers, Year 3 has shifted gears to creating informative pie charts and bar graphs. This allows them to visually represent data and develop critical thinking skills for interpreting information in all its forms! But wait, there's more! Year 3 is also conquering spreadsheets, learning to add and edit data, master comparison skills, and even utilise a fun "spin" tool to conquer times tables. They're also learning to describe cell locations in spreadsheets using letter-number coordinates – a skill that will come in handy for future data adventures.
Year 4:
Year 4 embarked on a journey of responsible digital citizenship. They analysed their screen time, comparing it to other activities and exploring the importance of a healthy balance between digital and physical activities. This self-reflection empowered them to use their free time effectively and recognise the importance of limiting screen time. Additionally, Year 4 learned the essential steps to report any distressing or inappropriate online encounters, ensuring their safe and responsible technology use! They're not just learning how to use technology, they're learning how to use it wisely and safely. Here are some of the specific skills they've developed:
- Analysing screen time to promote a healthy balance between digital and physical activities.
- Learning essential steps to report inappropriate online encounters for safe technology use.
- Using number formatting tools to present data effectively in spreadsheets.
- Creating calculations in spreadsheets using formulas.
- Utilising various spreadsheet tools like timers, random number, and spin buttons to explore data in fun ways.
- Constructing line graphs using spreadsheet data to understand concepts visually.
Beyond the Classroom:
Remember, technology remains a powerful tool for learning and exploration at home too! We encourage you to continue engaging with your child's digital journey. Parental controls like Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, and Microsoft Family Safety can work alongside our classroom learning to ensure their online experience remains safe and enriching.
By working together, we can empower our children to become responsible and safe digital citizens, equipped to utilise technology for positive impact and lifelong learning.
Have a wonderful spring break!
David
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Year 4
This half term has been a whirlwind of events and special days! Looking back I don’t know how we fitted everything in and I know the children are looking forward to a well-earned rest.
World Book Day hit like a storm and I was blown away by the effort the children put into their outfits. During the day we explored our entire class library and did a scavenger hunt for words and phrases, discovering new reads along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them dressed up and in character for the day and they should be commended on their efforts.
To celebrate recycling week we teamed up with the Year 3 children and made recycled paper. The children worked together and made beautiful chocolate themed pages and a fair bit of mess! To continue the theme of creating using recycled items we made our Easter bonnets out of the paper bags which the children’s lunches are delivered in.
We have been writing poetry in English, inspired by the temples dedicated to the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses. The children are becoming more confident when using ambitious vocabulary and their verses are very impressive. Following this, the children researched modern day Athens and created wonderful travel brochures, persuading their reader to visit the city. The children were asked to learn a poem of their choice and I was treated to a lovely recital to finish the term. It was a joy to hear our children reciting such a diverse range of poems and performing them confidently with expression. The children have worked so hard in English this term and their progress is clear to see.
In Science the children have been working with electricity and have been building circuits using different components. They concluded this unit by investigating different materials and determining if they conduct electricity.
We were treated to a beautiful afternoon of music when our brave children took to the stage to perform during the informal concert. It takes a lot of courage to perform in front of an audience and it takes a lot of practice to do so with such precision. We were all glowing with pride watching them!
The children in Year 4 have worked so hard this term and I know that they will continue to amaze and inspire me in the summer term. We have lots to look forward to and plenty of challenges ahead and I can’t wait to see what the new term brings us.
Well done, Year 4! Read, rest and relax!
Sinead
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Year 3
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my immense pride in the Year 3 children and their recent accomplishments.
Over the past weeks, their resilience and maturity in their learning journey have continued to impress me. In our exploration of our topic, 'Britain the Great,' the children delved into the counties of England and the landmarks specific to this beautiful country. Independently, they researched various areas known for their hills and mountains, utilising online resources such as Purplemash to craft compelling pages for a class travel brochure. The dedication and knowledge they've demonstrated throughout this project have been truly remarkable. I eagerly anticipate sharing the final product with you, as I'm sure you'll be as amazed as Ellie and I were.
Our recent visit to the British Museum on Monday was a fantastic extension of our learning. Exploring the collection of Roman artefacts currently on display provided invaluable insights into the lives of ancient Romans. From swords and armour to tombs, the children were captivated by the craftsmanship and historical significance of these relics. Their behaviour throughout the trip was exemplary, reflecting their maturity and respect for learning beyond the classroom.
Additionally, I am delighted to inform you that the recent assessments have shown significant progress among all the children. Their dedication to their studies is evident, and I enjoyed discussing their achievements with you.
Wednesday's paper-making workshop was a hands-on opportunity for the children to learn about recycling and sustainability. Their enthusiasm for the activity was infectious, and they gained valuable insights into the importance of environmental stewardship.
Once again, I want to extend my gratitude for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. It's truly a privilege to witness their growth and development each day. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Warm regards,
Kim
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Year 2
I can hardly believe that the Spring Term has flown by already and I couldn’t be prouder of the achievements of Year 2. Two weeks ago, we said “see you again” to Arius. We will miss his energy and wonderful sense of humour in class. We have also just said goodbye (see you again soon!) to Beatrice and we will miss your kindness and calm in class. We wish you all the best and hope you come back to visit us.
Two weeks ago, we started our Spring Assessments. I was blown away with the determination and maturity displayed by the children and congratulate you all for completing a tricky bunch of assessments.
In Literacy some highlights include World Book Day, time traveling back to the 1800s, writing a first-person recount as a passenger on the first steam train journey and a class story for a competition. For the story one of the requirements was to collaborate as a class. In small groups, the children were tasked to think of a setting, develop a character and follow the story mountain to plan for a buildup, problem, resolution and ending. We had so many great ideas, but through the process of compromise we had to settle on just a few to build and create a magical story. Michael Mann, shown above in our classroom, gave some wonderful feedback and promised to credit Year 2 with any ideas he might have seen for his next book! He has also asked us to send our final story!
In Numeracy we have moved onto fractions and in Geography we have been looking at climates and how we can name them. We have been looking at different rules and routines in RE and I managed to bring in some challah (as promised) to show the children the bread which is used during the Jewish Shabbat from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. We asked Ellie to come in and join us to talk about Shabbat and the important role challah has in the family meal.
For World Science week we looked into recycling and how Islington sorts out their recycling. We also completed a group task for which we had to sort out lots of different items into different bins! We had a lot of fun inane experiment where we looked at how milk, cooking oil and paint might mix. We had to name our equipment, the method, predict what would happen and then write down our observations. It was great to hear the collective ‘woah!’ once we added the oil to the milk and paint. The children also had a blast in the paper making workshop. It was so insightful to see how recycled paper was made and the children had fun following the steps.
We have had a lot of fun practising for the poetry recital. As a class we have laughed and played around with how to recite the poem and many of the actions you saw at the recital have come from the children.
I hope everyone has a lovely Easter break and both Ana Paula and I will be looking forward to welcoming the children back in a few weeks!
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Year 1
Firstly, as I’m sure you know the children in Year One had an excellent trip to the Tower of London. They took part in a workshop to learn about the events of the fire. It was such good fun!
Year one has had a great end of the term! I’m sure you’ll agree they have made such great progress in their independence and their academic abilities. Thank you all for taking the time out to attend parent meetings; I hope you found them useful and also helpful in supporting your children.
in the last few weeks the children completed assessments in Maths and English. I was so impressed with their attitude towards their work and how hard they worked to achieve their best scores!
To finish off the term, in Literacy the children have written a diary entry about the Great Fire of London. They were inspired by Samuel Pepys’ diary from 1666. The children really showed good memory for the key events of the Great Fire and were able to write about them. They also showed a great ability at being able to use first person, using the past tense and their senses to describe. They then published their diaries, and these will be up on display to show off their amazing work! After finishing their diaries, I challenged the children to work in pairs to create a story based on a single picture of a house in a forest. I was so happy to see the children working well with each other and creating such imaginative stories! We had frog families, penguins, foxes and more! I have been really blown away by the progress in the children’s writing this term, they have really shown off and grown in their stamina. Well, done for your hard work in Literacy this term Year One!
In Maths, the children have been finishing the term looking at measurement in length and capacity. They explored how you can use non-standard units to measure objects in both length and capacity. They then used scales to see whether an object is lighter or heavier. They investigated and ordered objects based on their weight. Then, to look at capacity the children compared objects that were full, half-full, empty, and nearly empty.
To finish off our topic the children have created an ombre paintwork, inspired by the Great Fire, in Art. They then created their own silhouettes of the Tudor buildings at the time to put onto their artwork. These will also be on display, so look out for them in the new term!
To celebrate Easter, and prepare for the recital, the children learnt two poems by heart. Most children also learnt a poem by heart which they shared with the class. I have been really impressed with the children’s use of expression and pace to memorise a poem. They also created their lovely Easter Bonnets (which you you saw during their Easter recital!). They made Easter Cards too, which they will share with you at home.
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Reception
Reception culminated their exploration of ‘Traditional Tales’ by becoming authors and illustrators. They discussed the key features of a narrative and created a plan for their own story. We discussed where their story would be set, who their characters would be, what problems they would face and how the problem would be resolved. Reception used the plan to help them write their story. The class then illustrated their books. We used shoe boxes to transform their creations into 3D books! It was a joy to see the children transform themselves into their favourite storybook characters for World Book Day. Reception worked collaboratively to create a story about travelling back in time to Ancient Egypt, we then illustrated our story.
Last week we explored the stories Somebody Swallowed Stanley and The Tin Forest as part of Recycling week. Reception used their phonic knowledge to write persuasive letters to local supermarkets, urging them to use less plastic packaging. We also created artwork detailing the repercussions our plastic usage has on our wildlife. As part of our Recycling week, Reception were treated to a workshop which involved making their own paper. Finally we explored the French artist Didier Triglia and used recycled cans to recreate his mesmerising artwork.
It has been lovely to round off our Spring term by exploring poetry, creating Easter bonnets and cards. The class used egg boxes, and the paper they created during their workshop to create their beautiful bunnies. Reception performed the poem Your Best beautifully during our school performance. The children have worked so hard this term and have truly done their best every step of the way, I hope they have the most wonderful break, they have certainly earned it!
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Pre-Reception News
‘Reading stories makes me happy!’ said one of the children excitedly last week as we introduced our topic of books. The wide range of stories enjoyed by the children inspired them to use their imaginations to teleport themselves to faraway places, to create their own narratives as well as to think of alternative endings to favourite stories. From Paddington Bear to Gerald the Giraffe- it was such a joy to welcome so many diverse characters into our nursery on Thursday. The conversations the children had around the books they were from, were filled with enthusiasm and quickly turned into a ‘Guess Who’ game. Their use of descriptive language and questioning really shone through! A big thank you to all the parents that came in to share stories with us, it made the week extra special.
Our library trip was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The children listened attentively to the stories read by the librarian, then eagerly embraced the opportunity to select their own stories to read. Voting for the books to be borrowed was one of the highlights of the trip, and it was a challenge to limit our selection, as there were so many new and interesting titles on offer.
During one of our Philosophy for Children sessions, the children were asked to reflect on answering the question ‘Can girls do the same as boys?’. The debate navigated towards challenging stereotypes and empowering individuality. Here are some delightful insights into the thoughts they have shared:
Iris: ‘Yes, because boys and girls can play football.’
Sammy: ‘Yes, because both can wear hairclips.’
Rollo: ’They can both dress up in anything they want.’
Beanie: ‘Girls and boys can do all the things at nursery.’
Last week, our thoughtful thinkers turned their attention to exploring the various ways we can care for our planet.
The children made comparisons and problem solved as they sorted recyclable materials into the correct groups. They also continued to develop their creative thinking and fine motor skills while transforming junk modelling materials into works of art. The models created were incredibly imaginative; we had shields, robots and traps that nearly covered the length of our classroom!
Our Easter preparations have been in full swing this week, as the children added the final touches to their hats, wrote their cards, baked treats for the party on Wednesday and practised reciting Spring poems. What a fun-filled end of the term!
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break, full of exciting adventures!
Mihaela and Jess
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Downstairs Nursery
The Downstairs children were very excited to celebrate World Book Day. The children loved listening to classic stories, such as Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, as well as to stories with a twist, for example The 3 Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. They also created their own story books, role played with stick puppets from story characters and created junk modelling houses for the dinosaurs. Rider said, ‘The dinosaurs are hungry, they want pizza’. We were so impressed with everyone’s costumes!
The children also took part in Recycling Week! We used recycled materials to make our own junk modelling creations. We watched a video of how rubbish is recycled and then turned our home corner into a recycling centre! We talked about the importance of recycling and re-using old things to protect the environment and save the Earth. We identified objects, their materials and sorted them accordingly into the correct bins. After reading the story ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’, Kit said ‘It’s not very good that there is plastic in the water!’. We wrote shopping lists and went to the supermarket to buy ingredients for our healthy smoothies. On Friday we had a visit from Saul and his Junk Orchestra and had a chance to create music with homemade junk musical instruments!
Finally, we have been celebrating Spring in our classroom. The children have been busy designing their Spring hats ready for their Spring bonnet parade. They made edible spring nests and ended the term with a wonderful spring party!
The Downstairs Team
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