Week Ending 22nd April 2016

Spring has sprung!

Squirrels Class have been finding out about the baby animals that have been born on a local farm, and have had a lovely time creating some sheep inspired artwork!  They have also enjoyed a nature walk and discovered plenty of wildlife in our school grounds.

As part of their science work, Otters have researched spring plants, including flowers and blossom.  They also went for a walk around the school grounds to find and identify the plants and flowers, paying attention to the environment in which they were growing.  They took photographs which they will use to make maps next week.

Our creative curriculum topic for this term is The Olympics, and Deer Class have kicked off their work on this subject by finding out all about the history of the ancient Olympics, and learning about Greek mythology.  They have rewritten some of the classic Greek myths in the style of newspaper articles.

Otters have been looking at the modern Olympic Games.  They have each chosen one Olympic sport and found out all about it for their homework task.  They have found out where the sport takes place, and sketched their chosen venue.  They will complete their drawings by adding figures of sportsmen and women next week.

On Tuesday, a team of Year 5 and Year 6 children took part in a swimming gala at Dunstable Leisure Centre.  They all swam in several races, both individual and relay, and did very well, ending up in fourth place.  Well done team!

More sport on Tuesday, when visitors from Eaton Bray Cricket Club came to do a cricket session on the field for children in Year 3.  It was a lovely sunny day, and the children had a fine time practicing their batting and bowling skills.

Wednesday was an exciting day for Badgers Class, who spent the day at another school!  They went to Hillborough Junior School in Luton, to meet up with the friends they have made through the Schools Linking Network programme.  They enjoyed a picnic in the classroom, looked around the school grounds and took part in a fun art lesson where they drew "half and half" portraits of one another.

Foxes Class were given a challenging Enterprise cookery task this week.  They were given a selection of ingredients, and were asked to devise and prepare a dish, which would be judged on taste, quality of presentation, and the tidiness of the preparation area.  The ingredients were: bananas, chocolate, grapefruit, cheese, pineapple, apples, onions, crisps, chocolate biscuits!  The children were allowed to use as many or as few of these as they wished.

We were all very curious to see what would be produced... and as usual, our children rose to the challenge and impressed us with their inventiveness!  The final products included a tasty looking fruit salad, an indulgent chocolate dessert, and a cheese dip with crudites.  

 

Thursday was a special day - the Queen's 90th birthday!  It was also the day of Hedgehogs' Class Assembly, when they shared with parents the work they have been doing this year.  The children shared photos of their activities and of the trips in the minibus that they have been making.  These are amongst the youngest of our children, and we were delighted that they all spoke up so well.  The assembly included some songs, complete with actions and home made instruments, and of course, a special birthday song for the Queen!

Later in the day, Hedgehogs Class enjoyed a Queen's Birthday celebratory afternoon tea on the field, which included sandwiches and cake.  Hamsters Class celebrated too, in a similar way, but chose to stay indoors for their tea party (perhaps wisely as it was a little chilly!)

Friday involved an early start for our wonderful kitchen staff, who came in before 6am to start cooking a special St George's Day full English breakfast. With help from volunteers from the HSA and governors, more than 100 plates of eggs, bacon, sausages etc were served up to parents, children and staff!

There was a wonderful party atmosphere in the hall, which had been decked out in flags and bunting for the occasion, as everyone tucked in to their feast.  When they had finished eating, the children had the chance to go and play cricket on the field before the start of school.  As it was such a special patriotic day, the children were given the opportunity to come to school in their beaver/cub/brownie uniform.  Many did so, and looked very smart indeed.

Week Ending 15th April 2016

The summer term has now started and we look forward to warm sunny days and playtime on the field!  Once the April showers have passed anyway...

On Wednesday this week, Rabbits, Badgers and Foxes Classes visited the National Space Centre in Leicester, to round off their work on journeys, travel and transport.

They left by coach at 8.00am, and got there in plenty of time to really take advantage of everything the museum had to offer.  Exhibits included plenty of hands-on activities, which taught the children more about space exploration, and gave an insight into what it's like to be an astronaut (the children were especially interested to find out how astronauts go to the toilet in space...!)

The highlight of the day was a visit to the planetarium, where the children enjoyed a 360 degree tour of the night sky, learning about the planets and stars, and finding out some of the myths behind the constellations.  They then sat back and enjoyed a "journey outside of our solar system", to investigate some of the most distant objects that have been observed in deep space.

"Here is the weather forecast for today!"  Back at school, this week, Otters Class have been finding out how to predict the weather and present it as a forecast.  They investigated how technology is used in weather forecasts today, comparing it with the past.  They then designed their own simple systems for recording the weather.

On Thursday, Rabbits Class got into the swing of summer sports, with half of the class going swimming at Dunstable Leisure Centre, and the other half walking across to Eaton Bray tennis courts for tennis lessons.  They all enjoyed their activity and everyone is keen to progress in their new sport.

Hamsters Class had some new children start this week - they are all settling in nicely and enjoying the start of their pre-school adventure.  There have been some lovely sunny spells, so the children have been able to play outside, and do some gardening.  They have been planting petunias in wellies, giving a whole new meaning to the expression "fill your boots!"

There is a quiz night to look forward to at School this weekend, and a busy week in store next week. with a swimming gala, a visit to another school for Badgers Class, Hedgehogs class assembly, St George's Day breakfast and much more!

Week Ending 24th March 2016

After months of planning, fundraising and eager anticipation, early on Monday morning, our Year 6 children set off on their French adventure!

They travelled by coach and ferry to the Chateau de Warsy in the Picardy region, stopping on the way to enjoy a visit to a chocolate factory.  On Tuesday they enjoyed a gloriously sunny day in Paris, with plenty of sightseeing and photography!  On Wednesday they travelled to the town of Amiens, and then onto the WWI battlefield sites, where they had the opportunity to pay their respects to the fallen.  Thursday was their final day, and they travelled home via Le Tourquet beach and a visit to a bakery.

We have loved being able to follow their adventures all week through Twitter, and are looking forward to hearing all the details when we return to school after Easter.

The rest of the school have had an enjoyable last week of term.  On Tuesday, the HSA organised an Easter Egg Hunt after school, which was lots of fun.

Rabbits Class are looking forward to a visit to the Leicester Space Centre early in the new term, and this week have been finding out about astronauts, and looking at what an astronaut would need to pack for a space expedition!

Otters Class held their class assembly on Thursday morning.  They did a lovely presentation to their parents about all the work they have done this term on transport, and demonstrated what they have learnt about road safety.  They finished off with an Easter parade, all wearing colourful Easter bonnets that they had made themselves.

Thursday was the last day of term - games day and non-uniform as usual.  There was some sadness though, as it was Mr Wallis' last day - our wonderful school cook is leaving us to embark upon a new venture managing a pub.  We will all miss him, and not just the great food - his input into EBA Enterprise, the carnival float, school discos, quiz nights and many other areas has always been greatly valued - he has been so much more than just our cook and kitchen manager.  There was a special assembly for him on Thursday morning so that staff and children could say goodbye and wish him well.

Have a lovely Easter break!  See you all when we return on Monday 11th April.

Week Ending 18th March 2016

Wow what a busy week!!

The excitement started on Monday when a group of lucky Year 6 children travelled into London to attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen, other members of the Royal Family and assorted dignitaries.  Every year schools are given the opportunity to apply for tickets for this prestigious event, and this year, we were fortunate enough to be allocated ten tickets, meaning that Mrs Slatter, Mrs Young and eight children, chosen by ballot, were able to attend.

They travelled in to London by train and underground, and had the chance to do a bit of sightseeing, and watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace,before the service.  It was a beautiful day, so they were able to experience London at its best.

In the afternoon, they made their way to the Abbey to take their seats, and had a fine view of the royal party as they passed almost within touching distance!  Meanwhile back at school, we also had a fine view of what was going on, as the event was televised, and streamed live on BBC i-Player.  It was very exciting for us in Eaton Bray to spot our children and staff in such distinguished company!

Can you spot the EBA children?

Back in Eaton Bray, the remaining Year 6 children also enjoyed a treat, in equally honourable company - an Enterprise celebration lunch at the Cafe Masala, with Mr Wallis and Mrs Cooney, who have helped with all their projects this term.

It was National Science Week this week, and each class has been enjoying a variety of scientific activities.  Children in Hedgehogs and Key Stage One investigated chemical reactions using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.  By mixing the two substances together and pouring them into a medical glove, they were able to make "magic hands" that rose into the air!

Children in Rabbits Class conducted an investigation into toast, and did experiments to determine whether when dropped it will always fall butter side down.  They concluded that it usually will when dropped from a low height, but there is a more random pattern when toast is dropped from a greater height!

Badgers Class went pond dipping on a sunny afternoon, and found that the school pond was teeming with all sorts of life! (The heron is not real though...)

  

On Tuesday evening there was a Governors' meeting with a difference.  This time, two of our children were invited along, and given the chance to present to the Governors their view of Eaton Bray Academy, and their suggestions for the future development of the school.  They spoke up well, and put across some very interesting ideas, which will be given due consideration by the governing body.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were busy days, with Parent Consultation Evenings taking place.  The teachers managed to speak to most parents over the course of the week, and we hope that everyone who came in found it a useful exercise.

Year 5 Enterprise children had a visit from the local butcher on Wednesday afternoon.  Mr Hines came in to talk to them about sausages, and explained to them the process and ingredients required to make the specialist sausages sold in their shop.  The children then got the chance to taste them!

On Thursday evening, the HSA hosted a Bingo and Quiz Night for children in Years 4,5 and 6.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves vying to be the first to get a "full house", and were keen to show off their general knowledge (or lucky guesswork) to answer the quiz questions.  There was a delicious buffet tea on offer, and all the children went home with an Easter Egg.  Thank you to the HSA committee for once again organising such a fun event for the children.

Friday was a fun fundraising day - it was "Onesie Friday", where everyone was allowed to come into school wearing their onesie, pyjamas or non-uniform in return for a £1 donation to the National Autistic Society.  There was also a cake sale after school with all proceeds going to the same charity.  Thank you to everyone who supported this by donating and/or buying cakes.

The day was made extra special for some of our Year 6 children, because they had a visit from Mr Button, the Head of Queensbury Academy, the secondary school to which many of them will be going next year.  He came for lunch and sat and chatted with the children in the "party room".  They all really appreciated the chance to meet him again and we are grateful to him for giving up his time to come and get to know our children.

There was also a special surprise for Hedgehogs Class on Friday - a reply from Buckingham Palace to the letter they sent to the Queen last month!  They received a lovely letter from one of the Queen's Ladies-in-Waiting, thanking them for their kind thoughts for the Queen's 90th birthday.  We feel very honoured to have started and ended the week with a royal connection!

Friday afternoon marked the end of Science Week, and we chose to end it with a "bang!"  Mrs Johnson from Sam's Simple Science came in to help us with some explosive science on the field.  Thirty bottles of cola were lined up, and thirty children given waterproof capes to wear.  When the children added Mentos, the cola exploded in a sea of fizzy foam - thirty times over!  A fun way to end the week.