Week Ending 16th November 2007

Our school has been full of newspapers this week - not for protecting the tables from glue, during our design and technology activity week - but with staff and pupils eager to read the fantastic articles about our outstanding Ofsted report! This is now online at the Ofsted website and can be read here.

The Nursery block is rising, as the blog is being written, and has advanced rapidly this week.

Design and Technology this week has allowed us to be well ahead with our Christmas cards, calendars and gifts. Many of our ideas were linked to our whole School Target for Maths, which focuses on shape. Rabbits' Christmas tree pyramid cards are very glittery and covered with a variety of shapes, including pentagons and hexagons! Squirrels made cylindrical cards adorned with jewels and spherical baubles (obtained from our "Aladdin's Cave." - we are looking forward to seeing Aladdin soon at Milton Keynes Theatre.)

The hall is being prepared for our Christmas Concert, and is adorned with a gigantic Christmas cracker... jokes to follow next week, after our ICT bumper print out.

As usual our corridors and entrance area are based on the pantomime we are going to see. Let's hope the genie by Mrs Hounslow's office will not frighten too many of our visitors, as the lights flash on and off, and the music resounds!

Week Ending 9th November 2007

The foundations for our new Nursery are laid! It was very exciting, seeing the cement lorries arriving and tipping in their contents.

Another reason for celebrating...

Our Ofsted Report is OUTSTANDING, in twenty-seven areas out of twenty-nine. Naturally, we are elated at such a result. Our report will soon be available to read on the Ofsted website, so do please take a look, if you have not had a copy from school already, as a parent. On Friday, the local press came along and took some special photographs. Do buy the local newspapers next week! Our cook made a special "Ofsted Cake", and each class had a surprise task to celebrate our success.

On Wednesday, all the children had their photographs taken by our Hedgehog teacher, who is also a very competent photographer. I'm sure they would make a lovely Christmas gift.

Rehearsals are underway for our Christmas Concert, and the parts have been allocated. we are now making props and backdrops, in all classes.

Week Ending 2nd November 2007

HOW EXCITING!!!

We returned after our half term holiday, to the sight of diggers and bulldozers in our school grounds! Yes... our new Nursery building has begun!

On Tuesday, we had a school disco, with the theme of "Around the World". The costumes were colourful and imaginative, and did not restrict movement! All the staff realised the age difference between them and the pupils, as the music did seem rather loud...

Our topic this week has been Geography, and Barnaby Bear has been travelling at home and abroad.

Our Friday afternoon "Choices" change for this half term. The Choices now are: art; food technology; science experiments; board games and orienteering. What fun!

Week Ending 19th October

A very busy week for all of us, as we had several important events. We had our Ofsted Inspection on Tuesday, which coincided with our Sharing Assembly. Some children from all classes showed their work, and celebrated achievements in phonic work, literacy, gymnastics and history. A Badger played the piano beautifully, as we came in , and as we left the hall.

On Thursday evening, we had our Consultation Evening, when parents shared their children's work, and met Class Teachers.

We completed a week of religious education in all classes. The mirrors were used a lot, but not so that we, the teachers, could preen ourselves, but as an aid for Foundation and KS1 children investigating the topic "Me!"

KS2 children investigated the items on the Seder Plate.

On Friday, we participated in our last session of the current choices selection. We are looking forward to new challenging choices, after half-term.

Enjoy your holiday!

Week Ending 12th October

This week we had a visit from a skipping specialist. Each class had a turn in the hall, discovering just what fun one can have with a skipping rope. The morning culminated with a "Skipping Assembly", when some children demonstrated the skills they had learnt in a short space of time. It was amazing to see the speed and dexterity of our children. The staff are to practice in half term, to try to achieve similar results!!!

Design and Technology this week has resulted in some lovely houses and home designs by Hedgehogs and Squirrels. Rabbits have been designing and making photograph frames - some designs should be patented, we feel! Badgers have been making sandwiches for their teacher's birthday tea, which conveniently fell on Wednesday. Happy birthday!

Week Ending 5th October 2007

This week, Hedgehogs and Squirrels have been investigating "The Jolly Postman", for geography. On Tuesday, Dave, our local postman, visited, and explained just what his job entailed. He kindly let the children see his van, and his wet weather clothing. Two of our children were unrecognisable, as they put on the rather large outfits! We have an Eaton Bray School post box, which is already full of exciting letters to "The Three Bears".

Rabbits have been on the Island of Struay this week, with Katie Morag, and had to ask our Scottish teacher for a little help with a few strange words!!! (celidah - pronounced "kay-lee").

Badgers have been investigating India, and were surprised to discover that a flight there need not be very expensive.

On Wednesday evening, there was a Full Governors' Meeting in the school hall. The decision was made to commence building our new Nursery. We were pleased to welcome a new governor, and a returning Chair of Governors.

The children and staff were delighted to have a visit from an ex-member of staff, on Thursday.

On Friday, we held "Jeans for Genes" Day, when the children wore denim outfits. We collected over £100 for the association.

Week Ending 28th September 2007

This week, we have completed our Science topics. the children were amaxed to discover how many bones there are in their bodies. Our "Funnybones" skeleton visited all Key Stage 1 and Foundation classes. One boy said "Oh, I've never shaken a skeleton's hand before!"

On Friday we held an International Harvest Day. The children had the opportunity to visit each of our classrooms.

Badgers: Spain

Rabbits: China

Squirrels: France

Hedgehogs: Italy

Each child recorded their visits in their own personal passport, which was stamped on entry to each of their countries. Many subjects were encompassed in the day, including: Geography, Maths, ICT, Drama, English, Design and Technology and Music. In Squirrels Class, the only way to enter was by passing under the Eiffel Tower, which proved quite a feat for some of our taller Mums and Dads!