Week Ending 26th February 2016

Everyone is back at school after the half term break, and we have enjoyed some lovely spring-like weather this week!

The children have all settled back in and are producing some lovely work.  Otters Class have been learning about the properties of 3D shapes during their maths sessions, and have begun their journey to the Island of Struay in literacy by reading together the story of "Katie Morag and the Two Grandmothers".

Rabbits Class have done some super maths this week, working with tens and units.  Over the holiday they had the task of finding out about a famous explorer of their choice, and this week they have enjoyed sharing their homework on Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong and various other intrepid adventurers, with the rest of the class.

Squirrels have been looking closely at birds during their art lessons, and have produced some lovely drawings, and some fantastic models made from plasticine and brightly coloured feathers.  They have really worked hard to reproduce the images they have studied, and we are sure you will agree that their attention to detail is very impressive.

Hedgehogs Class went on a Bear Hunt on Tuesday!  They have been reading this ever popular book, and so were very excited to have the chance to dress up warm and put on their wellies, to go and hunt for their teddy bears all around the school grounds!

The older children have this week been asked for their opinions about the village of Eaton Bray - what do they like about the village, what could be improved, what facilities would they like to see in the village and so on.  This was part of the consultation for the Eaton Bray Neighbourhood Development Plan being organised by the Parish Council, and it is very pleasing to know that the younger generation are being given the opportunity to have a say in the future of their community.

Year 5 EBA Enterprise children have been busy gardening and cooking - one group planted potatoes in the allotment for the market garden, while the others prepared a tasty risotto.  The Year 6 children, who have been staying after school and working hard all term making craft goods to sell at next week's Mothers' Day stall, made cakes and rewarded themselves with a little tea party this week!

Next week, a football tournament, a trip to a garden centre and World Book Day are all on the agenda!

Week Ending 12th February 2016

This week we have been embracing International week.  The children went on a journey which involved them travelling to many different countries and continents experiencing the beauty of different cultures and cuisine, sights and sounds without leaving Eaton Bray Academy!

   

All the classrooms became different countries being tastefully decorated with flags, art work and artefacts associated with that country.  Every afternoon the children would go to a specific classroom within their age phase.  The learning for the afternoon sessions was centred  around the country being studied.

Foundation Stage and Key Stage One went on an epic journey passing through China, Mexico, Great Britain and South Africa.   The children in Key Stage Two went on a journey to Iceland, Australia, Africa and China.

For a full report of International Week, with information about what went on in each classroom, please see the school website.

On Wednesday, children in Squirrels Class had a very exciting visit from the local Fire Brigade.  They spoke to the children about fire safety, and showed them some of the equipment and safety clothing they wear while fighting fires.  Afterwards the children all went outside to take a closer look at the fire engine.

As part of International Week, and to celebrate the Chinese New Year, Deer Class enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal out on Wednesday.  They went by minibus to the Taipan Restaurant in Milton Keynes, where they were served traditional Chinese dishes including spring rolls, chicken satay, sweet and sour chicken, beef in black bean sauce and egg fried rice.  Everyone had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed trying all the different dishes.

On Thursday, the HSA set up a Valentine cake stall in the School Hall.  Lots of yummy goodies were kindly donated by parents, who duly came back after school, with money to buy a cake or biscuit!  The stall was very busy - thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser and we hope you have a happy Valentines Day!

EBA Enterprise took place on Friday this week, and had an international flavour.  One group made curry, another planted up seedlings for the school allotment, and the third group did food tasting of dishes from around the world.  On the menu was Thai tofu with basil, French escargots, various cheeses including paneer from India and halloumi from Cyprus, Quorn frankfurters from Germany and prosciutto from Italy.  A tasty time for all!

Enjoy the half term holiday!

Week Ending 5th February 2016

Germs and hand washing were the topics of the day on Monday, when Mrs Johnson, from Sam's Simple Science, came in to do workshops with children from Pre-School right up to Year 6.

The children's hands were coated in a special solution, which glowed white under ultraviolet light.  They washed their hands with soap and water, and then viewed their hands once again under UV light.  Some children were surprised to see that their hands still glowed white in places, showing that their hand washing was not as thorough as it could be!  They were taught that they need to wash their hands for the length of time it takes to sing two verses of "Happy Birthday" in order to get their hands properly clean.

Hedgehogs Class enjoyed an advernture on Tuesday.  This week, they went on the minibus to Ivinghoe, where they played in the park, then visited nearby Pitstone Windmill.  They were very excited to see a real life windmill, as they have been reading the book "Rosie's Walk" which of course features a windmill!

Later in the week, they had another trip, when they walked down the road into Eaton Bray to post a very special letter to Buckingham Palace, to wish the Queen a happy 90th birthday... I wonder if they will get a reply?

Back in the classroom, children have been working hard in Literacy, with Deer Class working on English grammar, and Foxes studying the poem Beowulf.  They have enjoyed acting out the story, particularly the bit where Beowulf defeats the monster Grendel.

Otters and Squirrels have been continuing their work on the theme of journeys, with Squirrels learning about Neil Armstrong, and comparing his journey with the journeys made by Christopher Columbus.  They thought about life on board ship, and mimed the activities that Columbus and his crew would have carried out.  Otters have found out about different forms of transport, looking at poems and songs with a transport theme, and designing their own vehicles. For Science this week, they went on a journey around the school grounds, hunting for signs of winter, and thinking about how many hours of daylight there are in the winter months.

Rabbits have been enjoying their Art lessons this week - they were given the task of creating an alternative setting for the book "Where the Wild Things Are" and painting their vision in watercolours.

In Choices this week, the Lego We Go group made models to their own design, all with moving parts powered by a motor.  The Jobs People Do groups enjoyed a visit from an actor, who got all the children involved in various fun drama activities - they thoroughly enjoyed themselves!  Meanwhile, two of our older boys asked if they could run a Choices group this week, and volunteered to be in charge of the Construction group.  They did such a good job of organising the activity and helping the younger children, that we are keen to repeat this, and to find other such tasks for our responsible Deer children!

Next week is International Week, so lots to look forward to before we break up for half term!

Week Ending 29th January 2016

It has been a very exciting week for Otters Class...  On Tuesday the children had a lovely surprise, when they received a letter from the Queen!  Back in October, as part of the Autumn term topic "What Makes Britain Great", the children wrote to Her Majesty, enclosing photographs and information about their own Coronation ceremony.  Otters Class received a lovely warm letter in return, together with some information leaflets and learning resources ideas.

They have continued their work on walking journeys, looking at poetry with the theme of walking, and learning how to write their own poems using simple alliteration.  In Computing, the children went on a virtual walk around Eaton Bray, using Google Street View.  They also learnt how to keep safe whilst walking, with Mrs Cooney, who used to work as a Crossing Patrol Officer.

Squirrels Class have also been enjoying some poetry.  They have been finding out about Christopher Columbus, and his voyages around the world, and have learnt this poem:

                                         In fourteen hundred and ninety two,
                                         Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
                                         He took three ships with him too,
                                         And called aboard a faithful crew.
                                         Mighty strong and brave was he, 
                                         As he sailed across the open sea.
                                         Some people still thought the world was flat!
                                         Can you even imagine that?

Hedgehogs went on the first of their minibus journeys this week.  They visited Ashridge Forest on Tuesday, where they went on a rather muddy, but very enjoyable nature walk.  They looked at different trees, investigated plants and roots, discovered animal tracks, and were even lucky enough to spot some wild deer.

 

Wednesday's EBA Enterprise session for Year 5 children involved making pancakes in the School Kitchen for one group, and sausage tasting for the other!  The sausages on offer included pork, pork and chilli, venison, chicken and tarragon, quorn and chorizo.  The children had to sample each one, guess the ingredients and evaluate them.  The favourite choice proved to be good old pork!

Meanwhile the Year 6 Enterprise group continued with their craft activities, the finished products of which will be on sale at a special Mother's Day gift stall in a few week's time - no photos yet though, as it's all top secret!

On Thursday, Rabbits Class hosted their Year 3 Assembly.  They shared the work they have done this year with their parents, and gave a special presentation about Victorian Schools, using the knowledge they gained from their trip to St Albans Catherdral back in November.

Deer Class have been learning about Chinese New Year.  This coming year is the Year of the Monkey, and it begins on Monday February 8th.  The children have been looking at how Chinese New Year is celebrated, and are planning their own celebration, with an exciting Chinese meal to look forward to!

They were all very happy this week to be given a space to call their own - the Year Six Common Room is an area where they can relax, play games, read or go on the computer.  This is a privilege they have earned through working hard and behaving well, and will be available every Wednesday lunchtime... provided of course that they keep up this good behaviour!