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Stay up to date with what's happening in school

• School Tour Video

  Fri 27 Nov 2020
  Our school tour video for prospective parents is now finished.  The children have enjoyed watching it today; seeing themselves or their classmates, recognising their play equipment and older siblings' classes.  We're all feeling proud of our school community and we hope you enjoy the video too! School Tour Video

• Stone Age - Lower Key Stage Two

  Thu 26 Nov 2020 Miss Edwards

  This term, Lime, Maple and Poplar classes have been learning about the Stone Age. Recently, the children have learnt about Stone Age weapons and tools, Stone Age houses and Stone Age diet. 

   

  Over the last week, all three classes were taken back in time and practised drawing on a cave wall, just like Stone Age men and women would have done. The children used charcoal and earth-tone pastels to create cave markings and sketches. The classroom tables were tipped over to create individual caves - a very memorable lesson for the children! 

  

• Upper Key Stage Two Art

  Thu 26 Nov 2020 UKS2
  We have been using mixed mediums and exploring shape to produce these wonderful pieces of art. They are a great addition to our classroom displays! 

  

• Wellbeing Wednesday - The Power of Play!

  Wed 25 Nov 2020

  When children are asked about what is important to them, playing and friends is usually top of their list.  When you ask your child what they did at school, they will likely put a lot of emphasis, if not all, on playtime!  It is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

  Unfortunately, opportunities to engage in high quality play have been threatened by the current pandemic.  Children need play for social connection, to aid learning and to help them process a lot of complex emotions, especially during this time.  

   

  Five ways play benefits children:

  1. Play gives children a chance to find and develop a connection to their own self-identified and self-guided interests.

  2. It is through play that children first learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self-control, and follow rules.

  3. Children learn to handle their emotions, including anger and fear, during play.

  4. Play helps children make friends and learn to get along with each other as equals.

  5. Most importantly, play is a source of happiness.

   

  Play isn’t just important for children; it has many benefits for adults too!  While play is crucial for a child’s development, it is also beneficial for people of all ages. Play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning, and connect you to others and the world around you. Play can also make work more productive and pleasurable! 

  https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/the-best-family-games-to-play-at-home/

   

  If you haven’t already come across her, Dr Kathy Weston has a wealth of interesting content on wellbeing in children and adults and her current newsletter has information on the magic of play.  Well worth a read! 

  https://www.drkathyweston.com/

   

• Blue Peter on YouTube

  Wed 18 Nov 2020

  BBC's Blue Peter now have their own YouTube channel, which can be accessed here: 

  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuC1X-0St4gmOFWc9js1ihw

• Wellbeing Wednesday - Kindness

  Tue 17 Nov 2020

  Following on from World Kindness Day, I thought it would be good to focus on that all important act of kindness. 

  The research shows us that when we are kind to others, we not only boost each recipient’s wellbeing; it tends to have the same effect on our own sense of wellness too.

  Being kind can help us connect with others, and our relationships play a crucial role in our mental health and wellbeing in the long term.

  Studies have found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of wellbeing.  Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active.  This in turn can improve our self-esteem. 

   

  Here are some acts of kindness to help inspire you:

  • Tell a family member how much you love and appreciate them
  • Arrange to have a cup of tea and virtual catch up with someone you know
  • Arrange to watch a film at the same time as a friend and video call
  • Tell someone you know that you are proud of them
  • Send someone you know a joke to cheer them up                               
  • Spend time playing a board game or reading a book with your child
  • Help your child to write a letter to an older relative. 

   

  It is important to be kind to ourselves too.  Listen to yourself, give yourself a break and reflect on how you feel.   We cannot pour from an empty cup! 

• Maltings Art Prize 2020

  Wed 11 Nov 2020

  Some of our pupils took part in the Maltings Art Competition in the summer term.  We are very proud to announce that Pippa, Luka and Billy were all finalists in their age group categories and Rosemary was the group winner for her age group category. 

  Yesterday, Ms Buckley presented all four of them with their finalist medals and Rosemary was also presented with her winner's trophy.

  Rosemary explained how she had linked her picture to her learning about WW2 in school - she had depicted a train going along the Alban Way, taking injured soldiers to Napsbury Hospital.

  Congratulations to them all!

   

  

• We Will Remember Them

  Wed 11 Nov 2020
  Today we paused, reflected and took time to remember and commemorate all those who have served their country, past and present.  We were able to have a socially distanced assembly on the playground and the children laid some poppy wreaths which they had made in class.