Week Ending 15th November 2013

Monday was Remembrance Day, an important event for us all, and one in which our children participate, by selling, buying and wearing poppies and wristbands, and by observing the two minutes' silence at 11.00am.  All the children and adults in Main School gathered in the Hall, and stood quietly, along with the rest of the country, and others around the world.  We were, as always, very proud of the children's sensible behaviour.  Pre-School children, meanwhile, commemorated the day by making their own poppies.

Key Stage One children enjoyed a visit from the Fire Service, and were given a very important talk about fire safety.  Some of the children were given the opportunity to try on a fire fighter's uniform, and then they all went outside to have a good look at a fire engine, and listen to the siren!  It was a rather damp and drizzly day, but that didn't stop the children from taking their turns to hold the fire hose and spray a jet of water into the air... such great fun!

Wednesday evening was our Primary Open Evening, which was a useful and informative event for the parents who attended.  The focus of the evening was English, Maths and Science, with details given of the new National Curriculum (which will be in place in September 2014), and how we plan to implement this throughout the school, with particular emphasis on our provision for Years 5 and 6.  There was also a presentation about the Forest School, and the benefits to children of enjoying an outdoor education.  Parents then had an opportunity to have a look around the school and ask any questions.  Refreshments were also available, with delicious cakes cooked on the premises by our wonderful kitchen staff!

We are in full swing with preparations for our Christmas activities!  Beautiful carol singing has been heard coming from the Hall during music sessions, and the delicious aroma of mince pies baking has been detected coming from Foxes Classroom!  The HSA are very busy organising the Christmas Fair and other festive fun, kindly giving their time to raise money for our school.  Don't forget, you can help their efforts when doing your Christmas shopping online, by going to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ebahsa and following the instructions on the page!

Week Ending 8th November 2013

The first week back after a wet and windy half term, and we are happily back into the swing of things!

Fireworks has been one of the themes for this week, with both Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali being celebrated.  Hedgehogs Class made diva lamps, and painted elephants for Divali, whilst the older children in Rabbits, Badgers and Foxes wrote poems and created colourful firework pictures using black paint over wax crayon.

The children have also been following up on their Duxford trip, by designing and making models of various modes of transport.  Badgers have finished their hot air balloons which are now on display brightening up the corridor.  Otters have built a variety of aircraft, and Squirrels have made cars, discovering how to make wheels turn on an axle.  Rabbits have learnt all about steam engines, and the impact that steam had on the Industrial Revolution.  They also tried their hands at weaving - a job performed by steam power back in the nineteenth century.

Foxes and Badgers have been working hard to get things ready for the EBA Enterprise Christmas Fayre, which takes place on Friday 6th December from 3.00 - 4.00pm.  Just before half term, they took part in their very own "Dragons' Den".  This took place in front of an audience of parents, and a panel of "Dragons", who granted funds to our budding business boys and girls, with which they hope to turn their enterprise ideas into profits!  Do come along on Friday 6th, to help them achieve their goals... and don't forget also, our HSA Christmas Fayre takes place on Sunday 8th December, with plenty of opportunity for a bit of Christmas shopping as well as festive fun and games.

On Friday our very first Forest School session took place.  This is something we have been working towards for a while, so we are delighted to be able to offer this to Eaton Bray children.  Forest School provides learning opportunities through practical activities in an outdoor environment, and we are lucky enough to have a large wooded area within our School grounds where children can enjoy the freedom to explore and experience the natural world in all seasons and all weathers!  The children that took part this week enjoyed collecting natural objects to make bookmarks and Christmas decorations - they felt like they were taking part in Autumn Watch!  Future forest activities will involve making homes for insects, creating jewellery from natural objects, and ultimately... learning how to build a fire and make hot chocolate in the forest!

 

Week Ending 25th October 2013

What a fantastic day at Duxford Imperial War Museum!

Highlights of the day for the children included exploring Concorde, and participating in exciting workshop sessions on "How Things Fly" and "Assembling an Aeroplane."  Once again, comments were made about how very well behaved Eaton Bray Academy children were - they really are a credit to you and to us!  Please take a look at some of our photos, to get a flavour of the day.

While the rest of the School were away, Hamsters had the opportunity to do some P.E. in the School Hall.  They have also been enjoying Science Week, and carried out lots of fun investigations and experiments.

 

We wish you all a very happy half term, and look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday 4th November.

Week Ending 18th October 2013

This week has been extra busy, due to an open afternoon on Tuesday, when many parents came to share their children's achievements, and admire the lovely bright classrooms and corridors.

On Wednesday, parents came to the second Sharing Assembly of the term, and the hall was very busy, with well-behaved audience and children! There was a wide range of work, from Hamsters to Foxes, and even a couple of tiny tots who "just felt like coming up to the front!" In the evening there was a Consultation Evening, when parents had the opportunity to discuss their children's progress with the class teachers.

On Friday, Otters had a lot of fun when they participated in the "Tour de Eaton Bray!"  Everyone brought in their bike or scooter and whizzed around the playground on their chosen mode of transport, putting into practice all they had learnt about forces and movement. What a great way to demonstrate Science through our Creative Curriculum.  Hedgehogs Class were on hand as "Hedgehogs Garage" - just in case anyone needed any vehicle maintenance or first aid!

Next week is our School trip to Duxford, for the whole of the Main School. Coaches will leave after registrtion, and there will be work shops, talks, visits to the many hangars, and a visit to the shop and play area. The lunch facilities are superb, and the areas are well organised and time tabled.

School breaks up for half term on Friday 25th October.  Look out next week for a photo selection of "Duxford with EBA."  Enjoy a restful half term week!

Reminder: Open Morning - 6th November.

Week Ending 11th October 2013

We became a School of Knitting during Choices on Thursday afternoon!  Thanks to a group of willing volunteer helpers, our "Creative Pastimes" children learnt a new skill, and produced colourful bookmarks to take home.  Elsewhere, the "Jobs People Do" group found out all about working on the London Underground, a subject which ties in nicely with our Transport theme this term.

We now have a new re-cycling area which the Green Team will be responsible for organising. The area adjacent to the cycle parking area is the designated venue, where a set of colour-coded bins are already in place.

Some of the "Green Team" ready for their recycling task!

This year, our fruit trees have produced an amazing amount of apples, pears and quince, which have been used in recipes in the School Kitchen.

 




We are hoping to establish an art area, on the edge of the field, where children will be able to sketch and draw, in a peaceful location.  Part of our Nature Trail is being cleared, so that some outdoor teaching can be held, in a forest environment. Our children will be taking turns to investigate the outdoors, and develop their survival skills.

Our Nature Trail - the site of our planned "Forest School"

The next Sharing Assembly will be held in the Hall next Wednesday, at 9.00am.

Week Ending 4th October 2013

Wednesday was the busiest day of the week for children and adults. In the afternoon, there was a Key Stage Two Sports Afternoon, which was well attended and enjoyed by all. Track events included the Obstacle Course Relay and the Water Relay, but the most exciting event of the afternoon was the Distance Challenge. For this event, the children ran either 1/4, 1/2 or 1 mile - the longer races involved running around the lanes and fields surrounding our school, with the course marshaled by staff and volunteer parents to ensure the safety of all. We were exceptionally lucky with the weather - after a wet start to the day, the sun came out in the afternoon, and temperatures rose above what we might have expected for October!

Children received certificates during Thursday's Assembly, and will be able to keep them, enabling them to compare their present performances with those of next year.

On Wednesday evening, there was an Annual General Meeting of the Home School association, when new members were welcomed aboard. It was a very pleasant evening with an abundance of cheese, biscuits and wine. The new committee are bubbling over with enthusiasm and new ideas, so watch this space for diary dates that should appeal to the whole family.

Choices on Thursday was "quacking mad", as some ducks joined us for the afternoon!

Many thanks to all our visiting speakers who give up their valuable time, to help make children's learning awesome.

Have you seen the video of our Dahlicious Day fun on the Dunstable Gazette website? If not, it can be viewed here.

Dates for your diary:

Tuesday 15th October: Open Afternoon 3.30 - 4.30pm
Wednesday 16th October: Open Evening (appointments) 6.30 - 8.30pm
Wednesday 16th October: Sharing Assembly 9.00am
Wednesday 23rd October: Trip to Duxford - all day