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Here is the link for the end-of-year concert: End-of-Year Concert
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5th July 2024
Dear Parents
Summer is finally here, and the final weeks have term have been such a joy. It’s a magical time of year, because the sun is (mostly!) out, the children are full of beans, excited about all the special events and the approaching holidays, and the teachers are working frantically to make the most of every remaining minute. Pupils are well embedded in their class routines; they know exactly what is expected of them and how to make their teachers smile and laugh. They focus diligently in lessons and assessments, excited about bringing to fruition the learning of the term and even the year. The work has stepped up a level, as the children are almost ready for the year above, and the wonderful progress is apparent around every corner of every room. One Year one child who has found handwriting challenging all year has suddenly broken into the most beautiful cursive in their final Big Write of the year. Another’s reading is suddenly more expressive or more cognizant of punctuation; two boys are demonstrating amazing new levels of self regulation and others are bursting with pride that they can now play a tune or two on the piano or guitar.
And on top of that, in amongst the regular timetable are scattered all the special events – the sports days, the last of the school trips, step up days, the summer fair and the formal and informal concerts. All these are preceded with hours of preparation and anticipation that make these events even more memorable. Classes veer off timetable for extra art – making posters, costumes or backdrops, singing, dancing and practising lines, then settling back down for handwriting or spelling with maturity and contentment.
As I proofread all the end of year reports, which I hope you have found useful and enjoyable to read, I marvelled at our accomplishments. It’s coming to the end of my second year as Head of the Children’s House, and I feel immensely grateful to be part of this special community. I’m extremely proud of everything that we have achieved as a school. To list some of the whole school highlights: Our first class are moving into Upper Key Stage 2 in September – we’re very proud of our new Year 5s! We’ve embraced new technological efficiencies in the office, such as Scopay, our club booking system; a machine for card payments and ITrack, the assessment programme we are now using more fully to create our end of year reports. The Nursery has been added to Islington’s Register of Good Practice for Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. And next year, in response to parental feedback, we will be extending our opening hours, with clubs running until 6.00pm every day at both sites. At the Upper School, there will be options to do care, enrichment and homework clubs.
We have made huge leaps on our marketing this year. Our Socials campaign launches in September. Extensive work on our SEO means you’ll find us much higher up in any online search – give it a go! I was also interviewed recently for Fabric Magazine. Do have a read – p.65 Fabric Magazine July 2024 - Fabric Magazine.
Parents, your support and input has been invaluable. We couldn’t have enjoyed such a successful summer fair without your attendance and the help from the many volunteers. We recognise that, like any organisation, there are always improvements to be made and value all of your feedback and your insights in identifying and working together to make improvements.
Wednesday 19th June was National Thank a Teacher Day. This is a campaign run by the Teaching Awards Trust, a charity committed to raising the profile of the outstanding work that takes place in education across the UK. The president of this charity is actually the children’s author Michael Morpurgo, a literary favourite. We marked this day at the Upper School in our Wednesday whole school themed assembly. Unbeknownst to any of the staff, Rose who was leading this assembly, embarked on a secret project with the children in the hall. Every single child created a thank you card, like the one photographed below. One for every member of the teaching staff. All the staff had been asked not to attend this assembly, so imagine our surprise when the children came around to deliver cards!
Thank you, Rose, for acknowledging the fantastic efforts of all our teaching staff and to all of the staff - teaching and non teaching, for a truly fantastic year. A school is only as good as its staff, and ours are particularly talented and committed.
Once again I would like to extend a special thank you to all of our departing staff, to Sandra and Fatima at the Nursery; Michelle, our school accountant, who has been handing over to Beatrice, Zoe, Eliot, Emily and Jordanne at the Upper School. We wish you all the best.
On Step Up Day the children met their new teachers, and we hope they came home excited, with stories to share. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Jess to the Upper School and getting to know Cat (Year 1), Lisa (Year 3) and April (Year 4) better in September. Our new teachers began their induction and spent some time handing over with current teachers so that they can carefully plan their curricula over the summer.
We had a fantastic turnout at our final event of the year, the summer concert. The children really were exceptional and did us all proud with their confident singing, dancing and articulation of lines. I am still humming the school song – well done Olivia and the Year 3 and 4 children, for such skilful composition!
Have a fabulous summer and see you all in September,
Ellie
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Dear Parents,
We hope you all had a lovely summer fair weekend; we certainly enjoyed the amazing atmosphere and seeing the children have fun with all the activities. The final stretch of summer is upon us, and as we gear up for our end of year concerts, it's great to see how nature mirrors our children's growth. Just as our caterpillars have transformed into butterflies and been set free, the children continue to flourish in their learning and development.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Critical Thinking workshop a couple of weeks ago. We hope you found it insightful and enriching. These workshops are an integral part of celebrating our love of learning and critical thinking skills at the nursery. Developing these skills early will be invaluable throughout their schooling, particularly when preparing for the 11 Plus.
After the half term, we had a moderation visit with an Islington consultant to discuss our teacher judgments on the children's progress and attainment. Both Zoe and Jess joined in this meeting, and we all found the guidance extremely beneficial. The standardisation process ensures that our local authorities' moderation teams are well-equipped to complete accurate assessments of how the children will be expected to do at KS2. This consistency is vital for the reliability of teacher assessments across England, providing assurance that our children are being evaluated fairly and accurately.
We're also diligently working on our extended hour provision, set to start in September. We will be opening until 6pm, which will be easily signed up for via SCOPAY. Staff rotas and timetables are being carefully planned to ensure a smooth implementation. This extended provision will offer enrichment opportunities to continue supporting our children in becoming well-rounded, independent learners. Nicolette will of course send on further details.
Our recent launch event to mark our addition to the register of good practice for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving was a great success, with an amazing turnout and recognition from our peers. Receiving our certificate was a proud moment, showing the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It is already displayed in the hallway for everyone to see! We have since received positive feedback from attendees, saying it was a joy to be in a setting where such thoughtful and impactful practice takes place.
The children were incredibly excited to meet their new teachers in Nursery and Pre-Reception class. They all mingled well with our new joiners and were mesmerised by their teachers during story time. Our Pre -Reception children also enjoyed stepping up to Reception to be with Jess and Ana Paula. It's always great to welcome new families, and we love meeting our new children. Following our recent tours, we've had a few more sign-ups for nursery, and we're hopeful for even more since the open day last week.
Our nursery sports days were great, even though they are a no-parent affair. Their enthusiasm and sporting spirit were wonderful to see. The joy on their faces when they received their medals was priceless. It's hard to believe that soon, these children will be participating in sports day with the older year groups, in front of an audience. We hope you have the tissues ready for our concerts - as we've already shed a few tears through the rehearsals. It's going to be extra emotional this time around. As you will have read in the staffing letter, our much-loved Nursery staff members, Sandra and Fatima, are moving on. Both have dedicated over two decades to our team, contributing immensely to the nurturing and growth of our children. Their extensive experience has made our nursery an enriching place to learn and work. Each of them has inspired and left a lasting mark on many children who have had the privilege of being in their care. We deeply appreciate their long-standing commitment to our school community and will be celebrating their incredible contributions on Friday.
We are also bidding farewell to Michelle, our amazing accountant. The school and our nursery office won't be the same without her valuable support. For both Nicolette and I, her words of wisdom and laughter have always helped to keep us in good spirits. Although we are sad to see her go, we are all excited about her new journey in nutrition and health and the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead for her. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Beatrice, our new full-time Finance Manager. Beatrice is currently in the process of a handover with Michelle, and we are confident she will be a great addition to our team.
I cannot thank the staff enough and can't speak highly enough of them for all the hard work this year, taking all the changes in their stride and adapting, never wavering in their care and commitment for the wellbeing and delivering the best possible education. A big shout out to everyone, including all who work behind the scenes to make everything run so smoothly—from Rita and Sandra who keep the school clean and us all germ-free for as long as possible to everyone in our offices.
Have an amazing Summer!
Taiba
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IMPORTANT DATES NURSERY
DATE
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ACTIVITY
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Thursday 5th September
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Term begins for all children
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Thursday 19th September
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Welcome drinks for new parents
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Friday 20th September
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Jeans for Genes Day
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Monday 23th - Friday 27th September
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Harvest Festival Week
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Thursday 26th September
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Parents’ Evening for Aatika’s Class – Settling in Review for new children (face to face)
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Friday 27th September
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The Enormous Turnip Puppet Show
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Friday 27th September
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Mini Farmers Market
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Monday 30th September
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School Photos – Individual
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IMPORTANT DATES UPPER SCHOOL
DATE
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ACTIVITY
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Weds 4th Sept
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Reception induction morning
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Thursday 5th Sept
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Term begins for all children
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Monday 9th Sept
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Enrichment Clubs begin
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Tuesday 10th Sept
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Year 2 Meet the Teacher & Curriculum Meeting
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Wednesday 11th Sept
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Y1 Meet the Teacher & Curriculum Meeting
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Thursday 12th Sept
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Reception, Years 4 & 5 Meet the Teacher & Curriculum Meetings
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Friday 13th Sept
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Year 3 Meet the Teacher & Curriculum Meetings
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Friday 20th September
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Jeans for Genes
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Please click here to access our live calendar, with all dates and times for this academic year and next year's term dates.
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Dear Parents,
As the term comes to a close, we've had an exciting and busy period with students putting in tremendous effort.
Last week, we had a special visitor—Trooper, a Bernese Mountain dog—bringing joy to our school! In celebration of ‘The Great British Bark Off’ week, we welcomed Trooper to The Children’s House to highlight the significance of kindness and diversity in our community.
The Great British Bark Off week focuses on educating students about embracing our differences and the positive influence pets can have on our wellbeing. Trooper, a remarkable therapy dog for autistic children, made a notable impact. Students had the chance to spend one-on-one time with Trooper, fostering discussions about what helps us feel calm and how we can show kindness to others.
Reflecting on the year, I am immensely proud of our neurodivergent students and the entire school community. A standout moment was during Neurodiversity Week, when students openly shared their unique strengths and challenges. I am grateful to be part of such an inclusive environment that celebrates differences and supports one another.
Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you all a wonderful summer break!
Laura
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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 can be found here.
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Art club
Rustic wooden log discs became personalised coasters with a lovely work of art on one side
followed by a beautiful mosaic using clear and opaque glass on the opposite side.
To conclude our Art Club the children all made mugs to commemorate fun, play and creative arts/crafts for the academic year. Last messy play for the year!
I did assembly for the ‘Thank a Teacher Day’. Every member of staff member at the Children’s House School was so happy to receive two personalised messages from the children, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed this activity.
Art club and year 4 joined forces to create the posters for the Summer Fair.
Art specialism
Years 1 – 4 have all been studying the art of George Seurat and exploring different ways of recreating pointillism artwork using felt tips/pencils, paint and digital art.
The first project consisted of creating a colour wheel to remind the children about the importance of blending primary colours using paint. This is essential to give the appearance of the dots blending from a distance in the artwork.
A flower, an apple tree and a landscape scene were the subjects of this project.
They were all amazing and I have selected a few for you below:
Year 1.
Digital apple tree.
r
Marlowe
Orson
Year 2
Felt tip flower.
Leo
Years 3 and 4 both created their own palette with black, white and primary colours.
The landscape scenes were rendered with Q tips.
Ruby
Oscar
I have really enjoyed watching the amazing creativity produced by all the children. They show great determination in mastering new techniques, styles and their own individuality.
Enjoy the summer!
Rose
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Music
We have had a busy term in the music department. Children across the years have been working hard on songs linked to their learning themes, in preparation for the school concert. We practised hard to learn a whole school song with two different vocal parts - something we haven't tried to do before!
Alongside this, the informal concert on 24th June showcased the hard work of all the children who have been learning the piano and guitar this term. A huge well done to all, but particular congratulations to Theodore, Mila, Ruben, Marlowe, Maxi, Astrid, Seamus, Ethan and Ellis, who only started learning the piano this term. They all displayed brilliant confidence, playing pieces in front of an audience after only 9 lessons!
Congratulations are also in order to all the children who performed in the choir performance at the Summer Fair. They brought a fantastic infectious energy to all who were watching and listening.
Reception and Year 1 worked hard polish up their show songs for the Summer Concert, and Year 2 have been developing their triple threat skills: acting, singing and dancing at the same time! A rare skill - I think we have some future West End stars in our midst!
Year 3 and 4 put their songwriting skills to the test this term by creating a beautiful new school anthem! We have been so excited to share this with fellow students, teachers and parent. We really hope you love it too!
It's been a busy year for music, and hopefully it is evident just how much hard work and dedication the children have put into creating their shows for the Summer Concert.
Olivia
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PE & Games News
This term has been fantastically busy in PE, with Sports Day, fixtures, tournaments, and so much more!
First off, a massive thank you to all the parents who came to Sports Day! Your support made it a truly memorable event. We've had great feedback from both children and parents – everyone had a fantastic time showcasing the skills they've learned throughout the year. Don't forget to check out the photos below!
The ISA Multiskills Festival was a resounding success, the highlight of the year. The children displayed an incredible level of skill, teamwork, and amazing sportsmanship. We're incredibly proud of them!
Year 3 and 4 faced off against Norfolk House in a thrilling football fixture. It was a fantastic experience for them, and they showed great resilience in overcoming any nerves or challenges they faced on the field. The spirit of teamwork and support shone through, and all the teams played great games!
Now, let's take a look at the incredible progress the children have made in PE this term:
Nursery: We had a fantastic Sports Day with the littlest members of our school! Their fantastic behaviour and listening skills made it a day full of fun, with egg and spoon races, games, parachute activities, and much more.
Reception: These superstars have been working hard on their hand-eye coordination through bat and ball control. They've mastered pushing the ball with a racket, balancing it, and even striking it with and without a bounce. Keep practicing, and you might be the next Carlos Alcaraz!
Year 1: Our Year 1 students have jumped into dodgeball, learning the basics of throwing, dodging, and blocking. They're also exploring adapted dodgeball games, like Free Me Dodgeball, which are helping them grasp the rules and develop their skills.
Year 2: Excitement filled the air as Year 2 tasted their rugby unit. Through tag games, they're learning the essential skill of running with the ball, passing the ball backwards, and even they have been able to play an adapted Tag-Rugby match.
Year 3 & 4: These year groups have embarked on a brand-new sport in the school: Rounders! They've shown fantastic hand-eye coordination working in pairs and groups, mastering the art of striking the ball with the bat. Their quick learning skills have allowed them to grasp the rules and enjoy a thrilling game of Rounders.
We're so proud of all the children's hard work and dedication in PE this term. Keep up the amazing effort!
Pablo.
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Celebrating a Year of Fun and Learning in Spanish!
Hola a Todos,
The end of the school year is here, and in Spanish class, we've been busy creating a grand finale. The children had a blast preparing songs, poems, and tongue twisters for our summer concert. Let's look at what each grade has achieved this term:
In Nursery, they practiced numbers and colours. They also enjoyed nursery rhymes. They now know the song ‘Un Elefante se balancea’. (the elephant and the spider).
. In Reception, the children sang En la Granja de mi Tio (animals on the farm). They had a lot of fun practicing their Spanish pronunciation too! Their performance of this song at the concert was a great success!
In Year 1, The children practiced vocabulary for five key elements of the story Anita y Osito (Anita and Teddy Bear Picnic), they also wrote their names, ages, and where they live in Spanish.
In Year 2, children listened carefully to comprehend the well-known fairy tale Caperucita Roja (Little Red Riding Hood) translated in Spanish words and pictures. They were encouraged to use mind mapping activities to support their learning. They also learnt parts of the body named in the story through activities that they thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, for their concert they memorised the poem Doña Primavera by Gabriela Mistral (Lady Spring).In Year 3, The children proudly presented the house they designed and constructed themselves in assembly. They discussed the contents that were labelled in Spanish. Additionally, the children learnt how to describe their family (Mi Familia).
In Year 4, the children are learnt the classic Spanish fairy tale, Ricitos de oro y los tres osos (Goldilocks and the Three Bears). This story is helping them build their vocabulary with new adjectives, nouns, and verbs, both in writing and speaking. To further improve their reading skills, they had fun matching pictures with words playing Snap. This activity has encouraged teamwork and class collaboration. I have been very excited to teach these activities. The children clearly enjoy learning as much as I enjoyed teaching them!
Thank you for your continued support! I look forward to seeing you all in the new academic year.
Have a great summer.
Martha
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IT: A Summer Bursting with Creativity!
As the summer approaches, our young minds have been diligently working, bringing their imaginations to life in the digital world. Let's take a closer look at the exciting projects each year group has been tackling:
Our youngest explorers in Reception have continued to conquer new digital frontiers! They've confidently built on their Chromebook skills, venturing out to discover new ways to utilise their knowledge in a safe and rewarding manner. E-safety has remained a top priority, ensuring their journey is secure and filled with learning opportunities.
Our Year 1 embarked on a coding adventure, exploring the fascinating world of algorithms and simple program creation. These budding programmers have the potential to code the next big game.
Year 2 has transitioned from internet safety expertise to a new adventure in information presentation! They've been delving into different ways and formats to present information, crafting presentations, diagrams, and mind maps with exciting tools that empower them to showcase their ideas creatively.
Year 3 shifted gears and explored the world of data visualisation. They've learnt the art of transforming information into clear and engaging charts and graphs. Additionally, they've further honed their coding skills by working with timers and diving into the world of debugging, turning coding mistakes into valuable learning experiences.
Year 4 has been abuzz with animation! They've meticulously tackled animation techniques, mastering frames and the "onion peel" method to create smooth movements. Their animations have been so impressive that we've had to dedicate extra IT time to accommodate their continued work. They are truly bringing their imaginations to life on screen!
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Technology is a powerful tool that can flourish for learning and exploration at home too! We encourage you to continue supporting your child's digital journey. Parental control features like Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, and Microsoft Family Safety can work hand-in-hand with our classroom learning to create a safe and enriching online experience. By working together, we can empower our children to become responsible and safe digital citizens, equipped to leverage technology for positive impact and lifelong learning.
Wishing everyone a fantastic and creative summer ahead!
David
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Year 4
We made it! The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity, and the children have once again impressed me with their resilience and positive attitudes. We have completed all of our Summer term assessments, and it was wonderful to share the children’s progress during last week’s parents’ evenings. The final few weeks were spent preparing our summer term production of, ‘Charlie and the Children’s House’, and I am sure you will agree that it was a performance to be proud of!
One of the highlights of the term was pressing 'pause' on the assessment week to take the children to London Zoo! This trip supported our study of the Maya, Rainforests, and Living Things and their Habitats. The children attended talks by expert zoo staff and saw a range of animals we've discussed in class. Highlights of the trip included seeing the new baby gorilla, getting close to the lemurs, and witnessing feeding time at the gibbon enclosure. The children completed animal behaviour studies and gathered facts about animal adaptation and endangerment.
Back in the classroom, the children have been learning how to write letters of complaint. Taking on the persona of Mrs. Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they wrote to Wonka Corporation demanding compensation for the mistreatment of Augustus. I have to say, this class can be very persuasive when they want to be!
For our last English unit, the children have been exploring rainforest inspired poetry and have experimented with form, rhythm and rhyme. I have been overwhelmed by the quality of the children’s work and hope that they keep their passion for writing alive as they move on to their new classes.
Finally, I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the parents and children in Year 4. I have taught some of these children since they were in Year 2, taken them into Year 3 and was delighted to have them again in Year 4. I feel honoured to have played a part in their journey at The Children’s House and wish them all the very best for Year 5 and beyond. This class are very special to me and I know that I will hear wonderful things about them all in the years to come.
Have a lovely summer!
Sinead
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Year 3
Finally, the sun arrived!
Dear Parents,
Year 3 have made me especially proud this half of the term. The class have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and showed off all their knowledge in our end of year tests. I am glad of their attitude and resilience: none of them were phased by the process and all of them demonstrated calm and mature attitudes.
In between the assessments, the children have showcased their singing while rehearsing for the end of term show and have been keenly practising lyrics and actions. We have also been manipulating our shadow puppets and filming our short production- bringing together chapters from the children’s own writing in each scene with movements from the ‘characters’.
In maths, the children have taken part in the First Primary Maths Challenge and I am pleased to say that they have all been awarded a certificate for their participation. I am pleased to announce that there were several of the class that received a gold certificate, for which I am extremely proud.
In history, the children have been researching the legacies of rulers from the Vikings to Queen Elizabeth II. They presented their work later this week, aiming to persuade Ellie and I with their facts. Their shoebox scenes have once again been delighting the class as they extend their learning through art and design – once again demonstrating their passion for crafting!
Ceddy
‘ Fight for the Flag’ Shoebox scene depicting King Alfred the Great’s success at the Battle of Edington. Alfred the Great defeated the Great Heathen Army led by the Dane,Guthrum.
Ruby’s shoebox scene – Elizabeth II
Jack’s shoebox scene – William the Conqueror
Scottie’s shoebox scene. Queen Elizabeth II
Evie’s shoebox scene. King Henry VIII
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Year 2
I can’t quite believe that it has come to the end of Summer term. It only seems like yesterday that Year 2 entered their new classroom for the first time! As we conclude the academic year, I have been continually amazed by how hard the children have been working and how impressive their enthusiasm and energy have remained throughout. Their dedication and perseverance were evident during our recent assessments. Both Literacy and Numeracy assessments were conducted online, requiring the children to work independently, and they performed well.
We recently participated in the ISA Multi-skills tournament held at Willesden Sports Centre, competing against around 20 other schools. Our children did exceptionally well, and we couldn't be prouder of their sportsmanship. They were the first team to congratulate or offer commiserations to the other teams, displaying kindness and respect. The tournament was filled with momentous moments as our students competed in various events, showcasing their skills and teamwork.
In Literacy, we explored the differences between formal and informal letters and their respective features. The children wrote informal letters to loved ones, pretending to be soldiers in the Crimean War. Writing in the first person from the Scutari hospital, they detailed experiences before and after Florence Nightingale and her team's arrival. We also focused on using contractions in informal speech, helping the children understand natural ways of communication. These letters were published and displayed on our classroom walls. We also have had the chance to read the postcards that we wrote to ourselves in September!
In Numeracy, we have been measuring in centimetres. The children embarked on a challenge task and a hunt outside to find items measuring between 5-10 cm, 15-20 cm, and 25-30 cm. They also measured larger or longer items in the playground, applying their skills in a practical context. We also looked at temperature and have been looking at how we can read thermometers.
In Geography, we used Purple Mash to complete quizzes on continents and oceans and created diagrams to label and define various geographical features. This interactive approach helped the children engage with and understand the subject matter more deeply.
In Science we looked at life cycles and how some animals go through a momentous change! Three weeks ago, we welcomed 5 caterpillars into our classroom and they ate and ate! We were able to see the incredible natural process of metamorphosis and we have recently released our 5 butterflies! Whilst they were still hungry caterpillars, we discussed how we live in a democracy and following this we had a popular vote to name the caterpillars. Yo Yo Bro, Flip, Julius Dizzy, Walnut and Danziel Diablo have now flown off into the Children’s House playground!
Our Summer Concert preparations had been in full swing, and the children enthusiastically helped to write the script. Their contributions were invaluable, and I was so proud of their creativity and involvement. From 007 to Henry VIII, the play was a good laugh and a wonderful showcase of their talents. I think we can all agree that the children did themselves and the heroes represented proud (and Bonnie Tyler)!
I wanted to say a huge thank you to all the parents for your continued support throughout the year. It’s been an absolute pleasure to see how much the children have grown and accomplished. I hope everyone has a refreshing, chilled, safe and happy summer and I look forward to hearing about the children’s adventures in Year 3. To the children moving on, I wish you all the best. Remember to chase your dreams and always do your best!
James
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Year 1
Dear Parents,
What a busy few weeks it has been in Year One! Alongside their normal lessons, the children have taken part in Sports day, they’ve completed their assessments, and spent lots of time preparing for the summer performance. I enjoyed being able to speak with you in our parents' evening meetings about all the progress the children have made. Well done, Year One!
In Literacy, the children continued finishing off their Beatrix Potter stories; the results were fantastic and I hope you came to see them displayed and read them with your children. The children also completed a Big Write, which is something we do each term to look at the children’s writing ability, and I have been very impressed with the children’s imaginations in creating stories. Continuing with Beatrix Potter, the children read the story of Squirrel Nutkin and spoke about all the mischief he got up to. They then wrote sorry letters to old Mr Brown as Squirrel Nutkin. He was a very sorry squirrel indeed!
For Maths, the children recapped sharing - division, which many show a firmer understanding of. They then learnt how to tell the time to the hour and to half past. Lots of them showed a good recognition of being able to do this and were able to speak about the different parts of a clock fluently. We then moved on to investigate place value for numbers up to 100. The children have partitioned numbers into tens and ones, as well as learning to place numbers on a number line. They are a bunch of great mathematicians and all of them have done so well in these sometimes-tricky topics.
During Geography the children looked at rainforests and how they relate to the equator. They drew out maps of where they are and shared all they knew about rainforests already. In RE, we looked at places of worship and the children have described special places for them. Finally, in PSHE, the children looked at life cycles and how we change as we grow up. I have been super impressed with Year One and had a lovely end of the year with them, culminating in our wonderful Summer performance. We hope you enjoyed watching that as much as we enjoyed preparing for it!
Have a fabulous summer and all the best for the future; I will miss The Children's House.
Eliot
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Reception
Reception travelled back in time to explore Ancient Egypt. The children created their own papyrus by chopping up paper bags and laying them vertically and horizontally. The class also transformed themselves into pharaohs. Reception then became code breakers, using their knowledge of hieroglyphics to translate words and find their name, they then wrote their names using the hieroglyphics. Finally they used their phonics to retell the story Temple Cat.
Sports Day was a wonderful way to round off the week. The children thoroughly enjoyed the activities and were beyond ecstatic to have you there to watch them.
Last week we were discussing our aspirations for Year 1 and the future. The children were contemplating something they would like to learn, achieve or experience next year and an aspiration for later in life. Reception used photographs and drawings to depict their goals for the future.
This week the children explored the artist Roy Lichtenstein, using an array of materials to create a Pop Art inspired self-portrait. They used their phonic skills to retell the story The Pencil. The class also began creating props for Summer Show!
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Pre-Reception
For the last couple of weeks, it's been all about bugs! The children loved the mini beast hunts in the garden, absorbed key facts about them and stretched their maths skills while exploring number bonds to five and ten. Artists such as Emile-Alain Seguy inspired the children to create large 3D creepy crawlies. They carefully drew body parts, assembled them to depict a representational image and enhanced them with detailed patterns and mixed media. All the models are wonderfully unique and their rhyming names and descriptions live up to this originality!
Our recent P4C session - 'Would you rather have wings or a tail?' – put a smile on our faces as we watched the children vote and explain their thoughts. Some were able to articulate their ideas using sophisticated, topic-related vocabulary that highlighted their ability to make intelligent connections in their learning. We are proud of how much they have developed their confidence and conversational skills.
Rollo: "I would rather have wings so I can quickly fly to escape predators."
Arturo: "I’d like to have a spiky tail to wiggle things out of the way."
Through the story ‘Billy’s Beetle’, we explored children’s understanding of positional language and prepositions. They took great pleasure in acting out different instructions when hiding themselves in various places, then accurately described their position to friends.
The children were excited to round off last week with a trip to the Little Angel Studios. The interactive performance of ‘The Curious Rat’ captured their attention and imaginations. Upon their return to Nursery, the children have eagerly illustrated their favourite part of the play. We were all very impressed with their active listening skills!
This week, we have been busy celebrating our achievements at Nursery. The children loved looking through their Special Books and commented on the things they are proud of. They have also diligently started working on creating their Reception Passports to help with transitions.
Sports Day was much anticipated by everyone and the children enthusiastically embraced all physical challenges, from egg and spoon races to obstacle courses. Their team spirit and determination to try their best was a delight to witness!
Our concert rehearsals are in full swing today, with the children building their confidence to speak and sing in front of an audience. We are sure that the final performance will bring tears to our eyes.
As we approach the end of our nursery journey, we look back with joy and a great sense of pride at the significant progress the children have all made. They have worked really hard towards becoming motivated learners who embrace challenges with an inquiring mind and are good and compassionate friends. And what a pleasure to see them all excited whilst trying on school uniforms in the Home Corner! They are definitely ready for the next journey to ‘big school’ where we are confident that they will continue to flourish!
Thank you for all your wonderful support this year. Have a great summer!
All the best,
Mihaela and Jess
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Downstairs Nursery
We explored the topic of Under the Sea. The children turned the home corner into a submarine and went on adventures! We read fiction and non-fiction books about sea creatures and learnt fun facts about them. We explored jellyfish, octopus and fish crafts and we read The Rainbow Fish to discuss the importance of sharing. The children also designed their own rainbow fish using a variety of arts and craft materials. They explored sea life and small world in our water tray learning about weight and size. We also said goodbye to our butterflies and released them.
Last week we continued exploring the topic of Under the Sea, focusing on different ways of travelling at sea. The children made boats using different materials and we tested our creations to find out whether they would float or sink. The children also enjoyed a fun-filled Sports Day, doing egg and spoon races, hopping, and backward races, and they worked together to move their bodies in a variety of ways! They made clay medals to celebrate their achievements. The children ended the week with an exciting adventure to the theatre to watch ‘The Curious Rat’.
This week, we have been learning about slugs and snails. We read books about them, such as Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell and A Worm Called Wallace. The children made worms and slugs out of playdough and found silly shells for Norman the slug. We also focused on the spiral shape of the snail’s shell; we practiced drawing spiral shapes on paper, and coiled pipe cleaners around our fingers and hands to make them spiral. The children also created spiral shapes with PVA glue and glitter, and they made their own snails out of clay.
We have had such a wonderfully busy time at the Downstairs Nursery this year. So many topics were covered and so much learning has taken place!
We wish you a very happy summer holiday!
The Downstairs Team
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