Newsletters

We are in the process of implementing new parental communication tools. This includes a school app, text messaging and e-mailing tool as well as the newsletter feature.

We value parental input into all that we do and seek to support and work alongside families in our school community. We want our communication to support and not burden busy families. Text messages will only be used for urgent, essential or short-notice communication. All other communication will be sent via e-mail.

The new school app is called schoolnews. Once downloaded this will give a direct link news and diary dates from the school. It also provides recent newsletters and communication in one single place to help keep you up to date with all that is going on in school. The communication section can be accessed using the same login details that were used to book parent's evenings. 

It is our goal to provide relevant and interesting updates regularly. Our website is regularly updated, particularly with lots of information about what the children will learn each half-term in each subject.

Please click the link below to access all the information you need to know about the app.

Parent portal information

This week in Wrens Reception have been learning about the Hindu Festival of Lights – Diwali - as part of our Let’s Celebrate Topic.  We found out how Hindus celebrate Diwali by decorating their houses with divas and Rangoli patterns, visiting the temple and wearing their best clothes.  We made our own clay divas and created some lovely Rangoli patterns both in the art area and out at Forest School using natural materials.  We also used our imaginations to make some very creative Diwali decorations for our role play and enjoyed playing “celebrating Diwali” with our friends.

In maths Reception have continued to explore the numbers 0-3 and have enjoyed lots of practical activities which have involved comparing amounts and looking at the composition of these numbers.

Meanwhile Year 1 have been working on different strategies for addition including adding together and adding more. We have used objects and number lines to support our work before moving onto using the mental strategy of counting on.

In PE we enjoyed practising our ball control skills and learnt that it is important to use our eyes to watch the ball in order to be successful.

I hope you have enjoyed sharing your children’s learning journeys with them over the last few weeks. Please can you ensure these are returned to school so we can add in more of their amazing work. Thank you!

This week in Music, KS1 have listened to the song Hey you and have started to learn how to perform it as a rap. They have clapped different rhythms and created their own to perform to the rest of the class. Next week, we will be starting to learn Nativity songs ready for our performance in December. Some children will be bringing lines home to learn so please can you practise these with your child. 

In computing, KS1 learnt how to identify someone that they can trust e.g., someone that they know such as a parent or teacher or a police officer. Here is the link to the cartoon we watched if you would like to watch and discuss trustworthy adults with your child Hector's World Ep.2 - Bing video 

In science, KS1 identified different types of crocodilians and investigated how they have adapted to their environment. In outdoor science, KS1 went on a hunt not for reptiles but for an amphibian...newts! Just a reminder, as the weather becomes colder, please could you send hats and gloves for outdoor learning on a Wednesday.  

In history, KS1 are continuing to research about Walter Tull and this week have found out about his childhood.  

In maths, Year 2 have become experts at using number bonds to add and subtract single digits. They have also used a 100 square to add and subtract 1,10 more/less. Next week we will develop methods to add using 2-digit numbers. Super maths Skylarks. 

In English, Year 2 are busy reading their choice of a non-fiction book ready to plan their own piece of non-fiction writing. We are sharing many fascinating facts about a variety of different subjects. Next week, Year 2’s will be using these facts to write their own non-fiction report.  

This week in English, the children finished planning their persuasive letter to Mr Zuckerman to convince him not to kill Wilbur the pig. They then had to collate all of the planning and ideas to produce their finalised persuasive letter. The finished product of these letters are fantastic! The children have thought carefully about their language and structural choices, for example using emotive language and rhetorical questions, in order to make their letters thought provoking and effective. 

In maths, we have rounded up our learning on addition and subtraction. The children have been applying their knowledge of addition and subtraction to solve word problems. We have focused on understanding what the word problem is actually asking us to do based on the language used- for example, 'altogether' for addition and 'difference' for subtraction. We have also been learning how to estimate answers sensibly and using the inverse operation to check answers. 

In history, we looked at the Roman Army and what was required from the soldiers who joined. The children learnt the skills and qualities that were necessary for Roman soldiers and also key information about the way Roman soldiers were required to live. The children composed recruitment posters to try and convince men to join the Roman Army. We also learnt about the Roman invasion and the effect that this had on the culture and way of life of the Celts. 

In English this week, we have continued reading 'The Silver Sword' and the children have 'adopted' a boy called Jan who is joining them on their quest to get to Switzerland to find their parents. They were shocked to find that Jan had in his possession a small paper knife that belonged to their family. It turned out that Jan had helped their father escape on a train a couple of years before. We have been focussing on emotive language as part of our work on writing diary entries. The children thoroughly enjoyed writing all the different words they could find for certain emotions all over our classroom windows!

In maths, we have moved on to fractions (one of my favourite areas of maths!). We have learned how to find equivalent fractions, both for unit and non-unit fractions. One of the biggest things the children have realised this week is that just how much of a benefit knowing their times tables is when working with fractions. The children also learned how to change an improper fraction into a mixed number and it was lovely to see some of them realise how they could do this the other way around and change a mixed number into an improper fraction.

In science, Y5&6 continued with their topic of 'Inheritance and Evolution'. This week they were learning about dinosaurs and the different eras that they lived in. The children were researching the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, creating a dinosaur timeline which they will use to look at the changes in dinosaurs over time.

In art, the children took the photographs of the still life they created last week and used these to sketch from. Once they were happy with their sketches, the children used watercolours to paint them. There was some beautiful artwork created and the children should feel very proud of their results.

In gymnastics, the children were learning about different kinds of rolls: forward, straddle and pike. We looked at the correct positioning to perform a forward roll and many children were surprised to realise that their shoulders should be the first part of their body to touch the mat! We discussed how using tension can help their movements be more controlled and the children practised and showed how this work with the sequences they created with a partner.

Online safety

We know the wonderful benefits that the online world has brought, but also recognise the risks and the need to keep children safe online. Here is a link to a fantastic resource which breaks behaviours down at each age into what is safe and what can be harmful to children. 

https://www.abberley.worcs.sch.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=3586&type=pdf