Newsletter 4: 18th October 2019

It's been a cold and soggy couple of weeks, but we have been making some progress with finishing off the school site. The new planting looks fantastic and it's lovely to see the newly resurfaced tractor and wheat back in use with the children. There's still a bit of work to do though, so we'll be holding a 'site clean up' day on Saturday 16th November, and would be incredibly grateful for any offers of help.

Thank you for all of your Harvest Festival donations. They will make their way to a local foodbank to benefit those in need.

Thank you too to Mr Rumens and the PTFA for installing floodlighting overlooking the multi-surface playground, which will enable our outdoor clubs to run all through the darker months.

Don't forget the PTFA Autumn Fair that will be taking place on Saturday 2nd November in the Vestry Hall (10am - 2pm).

Herstmonceux Observatory

Classes 2 and 4 were very excited to go on a trip together earlier this week to learn more about space and our Solar System.

Class 2 enjoyed a science show involving pop rockets and lots of audience participation, and a workshop which taught them about how astronauts stay safe in space.

Class 4 learned more about the observatory itself, and visited a couple of telescopes - there was much excitement when the roof started to move! We also experienced a 'robot arm' workshop and began to think about how difficult it would be to complete tasks outside the International Space Station.

All the children loved the hands-on corridor and the discovery park, and a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all!

Thank you to those parent helpers that came with us on the day.

Stone Age Day

What a fabulous day Class 3 have had! Our Stone Age workshop was a huge success and we were kept busy with all sorts of things to do. We began by dressing as Stone Age hunter-gatherers and were adorned with tattoos and beards before starting out on a voyage of discovery around a carousel of activities. We learned about flint knapping, tool making, archaeology and pot making. We also took part in some Stone Age drama and learned how to use a bow drill and how to carve pieces of chalk. After lunch we investigated how life changed with the advent of the Bronze and Iron Ages and had a very exciting relay race to build our own Iron Age forts! We also made arrow head moulds by pressing into clay and learned a new song….phew! 

  

Parent Teacher Consultations

11th November - for Early Appointments

and

14th November - for Late Appointments

Boards will be outside classrooms to sign up for a timeslot during our first week next term.   You can also contact the Office if you need to make an appointment.  

A celebration of Term 1's work

We would like to invite you in to share the lovely learning that has been taking place during this first term. Classrooms will be open from 3:15 on Friday 1st November for children to show off some of the work that they have produced. Please come along and see what we've been up to. Mrs Hirst will also be conducting a mobile celebration assembly and delivering the certificates to each of the classes.

Swimming

Don't forget that Classes 3 and 4 will begin their swimming lessons at Bethany School from Tuesday 29th October.  Unfortunately, if your child does not have a full swim kit, we will be unable to take them, so please ensure that a full kit is provided ready for a 9 am prompt depart. 

New Parent sessions

Two of our sessions have now taken place but there are still two more to come: Tuesday 29th October (10am) and Friday 1st November (1:45). So if you know of anyone with children soon to start school, let them know!

Parents Phonics Workshop

Class 1 parents are invited to attend a phonics workshop on Tuesday 29th October, at 2:45pm. Come along and learn the theory behind the teaching of phonics and see a live lesson!

 

Dates for your diary

28/10 Term 2 Starts

29/10 New Parent Open Morning 10 am

29/10 Swimming Starts - Class 3 & 4

1/11 New Parent Open Afternoon 1.45 pm

2/11 PTFA Autumn Fair - Vestry Hall Cranbrook 10 to 2.

5/11 Individual School Photos

11/11 Parent Consultations - Early slots

14/11 Parent Consultations - Late slots

4/12 CG Christmas Card Workshop

5/12 Yr 5 Rewind to Christmas

5/12 PTFA Film Night

6/12 Christingle Service St Dunstan's Church 1.45 pm followed by Nativity Procession

10/12 Flu Immunisaton Clinic

11/12 Nativity to Parents (tbc)

12/12 WS Pantomime Trip

13/12 Christmas Jumper Day

13/12 Trophy Assembly

13/12 PTFA Disco

18/12 Christmas Service at St Dunstan's Church 2pm

18/12 End of Term 2

6/1/2020  Start of Term 3

Our value this term is Aspiration. We will also be discussing the British value democracy