Week Ending 5th June 2009

The first week back from half term holiday has zoomed by already. Our key stage two children have been swimming, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. On Wednesday Rabbits Class had session of tag rugby, kindly run by one of our governors. The class photos have been taken, by one of our talented staff, and were able to be taken outside, thanks to the wonderfully hot start to the week.

This week our foundation subject has been history. Younger children have been investigating old toys - one of them was a bear from war time. Older children have gone back to Roman times, and even re-enacted a battle scene, on the field. A Badger surprised us all, when he walked around the School, dressed in full Roman soldier dress!

Our allotment is producing items for the School kitchen already, and so far rhubarb, herbs and strawberries have made their way into our kitchen. Do come along to Eaton Bray Open Gardens on Sunday 14th June, from 12-5.oopm, when our School will be open, and cream teas will be available. It will be a busy weekend, as on the Saturday, 12-2.30pm, we are holding our annual summer fete. There will be lots of stalls, games, barbecue and refreshments, so make a note in your diary - we would be delighted to see you. You will be impressed by our wonderful School, and be able to appreciate how much hard work everyone has put in, over the past year.

Week Ending 22nd May 2009

Half term is here! We have had a busy week preparing items for our School float... the theme will remain a secret! It is suffice to add that lots of paint, glue and glitter has been consumed... and time to say thank you to our very kind patient cleaner, who hoovered up bits of sparkle.

Our School corridor is now resplendent with Woburn Safari Park memories. Don't be alarmed if you spot: monkeys swinging from a rope by Badgers, moving animals by Squirrels and masks by Rabbits.

Hamsters have been investigating the five senses this week; enjoying a listening game, identifying smells such as coffee, curry powder and chocolate, and creating a "feeling" collage with materials of different textures.

The hall was very busy on Tuesday morning, when parents came along to a Sharing Assembly. There were "Bee-Bot" maps; moving animals; pop-up models; Joseph's technicolour coat and "phenomenal phonics".

On Wednesday, our year four children had a session on games with a visiting P.E. consultant.

The gardens are looking good... and we're on a countdown to "Open Garden Day", on June 14th. Please come along and enjoy a cream tea too!

Week Ending 15th May 2009

"Ooh là là!" This week has been French week in Hamsters and Hedgehogs Classes.

Hamsters have enjoyed French food, French stories and songs, and with the help of a parent, have painted a wonderful Eiffel Tower on the playground.

Hedgehogs have had a French Café in their classroom, selling such delights as croissants, baguettes, gateaux and brioches! They have also played "boules" and learned to say their names and their teachers' names in French.

On Thursday, the playground was turned into the map of France, all ready for the "Tour de France!" Hedgehog children brought in bikes and scooters, and had a lovely time pedalling and scooting through the Channel Tunnel, around Paris, down to the Alps, along the Mediterranean coast, across the Pyranees, then back up the Atlantic coast! All in record time of course! C'était fantastique!

Week Ending 8th May 2009

The highlight of our week was a visit from the Fire Brigade on Thursday. Year Two children had a wonderful time using the hose on the fire engine, to "wash down" our parking area. Now, lots of them want to join the fire service!

On Tuesday, our younger children put on fluorescent coats, and practised crossing safely, in the School grounds.

Our older children went to visit a mosque on Tuesday, and returned with a fund of knowledge, and with answers to their question booklets. This was the culmination of their Religious Education topic.

This week Squirrels have been investigating light and dark. They made peep-boxes, for their Squirrel models, and discovered which of the torches gave the brightest light. At the end of the topic, they made shadow puppets, and had a puppet show, using the white board. Rabbits investigated materials, and made a technicolour dream-coat, for Joseph. Badgers have enjoyed a week of planting and growing, and their room is full of "greenery" already - some edible! Hedgehogs have been making French food from salt dough - ready for their French week, next week - and mixing powder paint to make different colours.

Our bird hide has already been used by many children, and our binoculars have been in constant use. The birds seem to be getting braver, and are eating our bird cakes at a great rate. Watch this space for our next project, already in planning stage...

Week Ending 1st May 2009

Another week has gone by, and the highlight was certainly our Cookery Evening on Wednesday. The event was well attended by staff and some parents. Food ranged from wraps and curry to tiramisu and banana cake, all of which was simply delicious. Everyone went home with simple tips on how to enhance food, whilst keeping to a low budget.

Our bird hide is now in full operation, and staff are just getting used to seeing binoculars peer at them, across the playground. The allotment continues to flourish, and there is always a stream of children wanting to weed and water. School's main entrance now has a pair of lovely hanging baskets, which have already been admired by visitors.

Foundation topic this week has been Religious Education. Hedgehogs and Squirrels have been thinking of Special Places, and enjoyed looking at whiteboard photos of areas in our village that are considered to be of particular interest. Rabbits have studied Creation Stories from around the World, and thought about how they could protect the planet. Badgers have been looking in depth at aspects of Muslim life. On Tuesday, they are visiting a mosque in Luton, to round off the topic.

Next week, our younger children are going to be "Stepping Out Safely", so look out for lots of fluorescent jackets on Tuesday.

Week Ending 24th April 2009

During the Easter break, our School grounds have been improved even more, and outside Badgers Class, there is now a wonderful "Lollipop" Sculpture Garden, based on Kandinsky. The Library Garden now has a rainbow coloured "hoop" edging, with a gravel garden. Our School cook has already had some rhubarb from the allotment, to pop in a crumble. Inside, in our Nursery, there is now a wonderful sound proofed glass partition upstairs. Downstairs, our Nursery entrance has a magnificent garden mural, based on Hamsters hand prints. The area is also enhanced by a bright blue patio set, where visitors can rest their weary feet!

Rabbits have a new class teacher this term. They have been "Travelling the World" already, as our foundation subject this week has been geography.

Squirrels have been investigating maps and plans, and even designed their "idyllic classroom", which included an ice cream parlour and an aquarium!! "Bee-Bop" (the robot bee) now has a new grid to travel around, designed on the layout of our School, by some year two pupils. They have already shared it with younger children, who have had an exciting time, taking it from one part of our School to another.

Badgers have been studying village settlements, and had to consider the physical and human features of their ideal village.

Hedgehogs have been on safari to Tanzania, and have found out about the different animals and culture.

Next week there is a Cookery Evening in the Hall, hosted by our talented cook. The theme is "Budget Meals" - so come along for a tasty fun evening.

Week Ending 3rd 2009

Woburn Safari Park - whole School trip, Thursday 2nd April