Week Ending 23rd June 2017

The Year Six France trip was thoroughly enjoyed by both pupils and staff.  A wonderful trip, made even more special by the beautiful weather that we all experienced over the weekend.  There are lots of photos on the school website, so just a small sample here...

Another lovely successful event last weekend was the Edlesfest, at Edlesborough Church, where our School Choir sang sea shanties with Edlesborough School Choir and Kimber's Men.  There were lots of positive comments about their performance, which was by all accounts one of the highlights of the festival!

Sports have been on the agenda again this week, with a Year Three rugby skills day on Monday, and the Key Stage Two cricket regional finals on Wednesday.  The cricketers faced some tough competition from the other finalists, but played well as a team, and enjoyed the experience of playing at county level.  Meanwhile, our Year Three Rugby "A" Team triumphed, coming top of the leaderboard in their tournament against other local schools!

On Tuesday, we were visited once again by Kate Radford, the potter who came to work with us before half term.  She returned with the completed fired and glazed pottery sculptures that the children had made, which they were able to take home.  All the work looked fabulous, and the children were very proud of their artistic creations - and all the adults at school felt very proud of our children when we read the lovely letter that accompanied the completed work:

It is nearly carnival time in Eaton Bray, and so all classes have been busy preparing artwork for our school float.  This year, the theme of the carnival is "Transport" and we are taking things to new heights, with a hot air balloon themed float, inspired by the film "Up."  There were lots of bright and colourful creations being made and painted in the classrooms, and on Thursday afternoon, a float building session took place in the school hall, with parent volunteers helping put it all together.  We look forward to a fun filled day and hope our floaty float really takes off!!

Friday was a day that all the children had been looking forward to!  Firstly, it was a non-uniform day, so everyone had the chance to dress in their favourite summer clothes, which is always exciting.  Then, straight after school, we held our "Friday Fun" extravaganza, which is our main summer fundraiser for this year.

There were lots of fun stalls, including a sweet tombola, face painting, arts and crafts, and the extremely popular "Throw a wet sponge at Mr Wise" stall!  Entertainment was provided by Badgers Class ukulele players (who were wonderful), and there was a mini football tournament on the field.  Pizza and chips were available in the hall, as well as teas, coffees, ice creams and a lovely selection of cakes.  There was also the opportunity to purchase summer plants in stylish planters made from recycled materials, and a raffle with wonderful prizes.

The afternoon was great fun for all, and well attended.  Thank you again to everyone who came along to support our fundraising - we hope you enjoyed all the entertainment on offer!

Week Ending 16th June 2017

Our Key Stage Two cricket teams have been superstars this week!  All three teams won their first round matches in the inter-schools tournament at Dunstable Cricket Club, and have got through to the regional finals.  These take place next week, so good luck wishes go to all our cricketers!

Year 6 Girls

Years 5 and 6 Boys

Years 3 and 4

We have had a busy week, with lots of visitors, including representatives from various Secondary and Middle Schools, who came to meet the new students who will be starting with them in September.  

On Wednesday, the "Dragons" came back in to give feedback to our Year 6 Enterprise children on their business pitches from last week.  They praised the children on their presentation skills and commented favourably on how their business skills have developed, giving lots advice and encouragement.  Thank you to Mr McDermid, Mrs Ross, Miss Beale for giving up their time to take part in EBA Dragons' Den.

On Thursday morning, our kitchen staff were up bright and early once again, preparing delicious cooked breakfasts in celebration of Fathers' Day.  Plenty of Dads and Grandads took the opportunity to come into school and enjoy eggs, bacon and all the trimmings with their children and grandchildren.  After eating their fill, some of our guests then ventured up onto the field to work off their breakfast with sports in the sunshine (cricket of course!).  It was a lovely occasion - thank you to all who came to join us.

Friday saw another early EBA start for some of us...  Fifteen Year Six children plus Mrs Slatter, Mrs Young and Mrs Flitton boarded a coach from school at 6.30am, bound for France, and a packed weekend of trips, activities and excitement at the Chateau de Chateraine, a Kingswood activity centre in Normandy.  

On the agenda is a trip to the town of Rouen, a visit to a chocolatier, a day visiting the WWI battlefields and war graves, and much more.  We can't wait to hear about all their adventures when they return on Monday afternoon!  

On Friday, we also welcomed more guests to the school.  We were visited by children from Edlesborough School, and by "Kimber's Men", a folk music quartet, who specialise in sea shanties and songs.

Our school choir has been learning a selection of sea shanties, which they will perform, along with children from Edlesborough School Choir, at the "Edlefest" Music Festival at Edlesborough Church on Friday evening.  The two children's choirs will be performing as "Kimber's Kids" alongside Kimber's Men.

Friday afternoon was a rehearsal for the evening performance, and the sound of song coming from the School Hall was wonderful, with the children's voices accompanied by the close acapella harmonies of the men.  It promises to be a fabulous night of music at the Church on the Hill, and a marvelous opportunity for our School Choir to sing in public alongside some talented professional musicians.

Week Ending 9th June 2017

This week, the staff and children have been thinking about our School Motto, and considering what makes Eaton Bray Academy "a wonderful place to be!"  It was hard to decide on just six things, but we finally settled on:

Children are happy.

Children are proud of their School.

Everyone has a voice, and it is heard.

We treat others as we want to be treated.

Every child is important and treated as unique.

We get the opportunity to inspire young minds 

and give them a love of learning for life.

On Monday, we welcomed a special visitor to our School - the new vicar of Eaton Bray, the Reverend Joy Cousans.  She came in to meet with children and staff, and joined us for an assembly where she talked about her work within the parish. 

Wednesday was an exciting day for Rabbits Class children.  They all came into school dressed in Tudor costume, ready for a trip to St Albans Cathedral, where they enjoyed a "Tudor Experience Day".  After having a good look around the beautiful building and grounds of the cathedral, the children took part in various activities, learning about the lives of people in Tudor times.  

They found out about Tudor clothes, and had some hands-on experience of preparing and eating Tudor style food, making some wonderfully colourful salad.  They also had a thoroughly enjoyable time playing some Tudor style musical instruments!

On Wednesday evening, a meeting was held for parents and children in Upper Key Stage Two, regarding the transition from Primary to Secondary School.  There was a representative from one of the local Secondary Schools, who came along to answer any questions, and presentations were given by children who left our school last year and have now almost completed their first year of secondary education.  They talked about their own experience, and gave advice to the younger children about what they can expect - hot topics included homework and rules concerning mobile phones!  

The evening was very well attended and everyone agreed that it was a useful and informative event.  

Thursday was election day in the UK, and some classes at EBA recognised this by holding their own election.  The children thought about which party they wanted to represent and wrote their own manifestos, which they presented to the rest of the class.  Voting then took place (secret ballot of course) before the votes were counted and the results announced.  The Green Party won a landslide victory in Rabbits Class - the children considered that their policies were the best for children and young people.  Meanwhile Badgers Class now has a Conservative Prime Minister!

Hiking Club marked election day by stopping off at the polling station on their hike around the village!

On Friday there was an Open Morning in Hamsters Class.  This was an opportunity for any families with pre-school aged children to come in, have a look around, meet the staff and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat while their children played.  We were pleased to welcome some new faces and hope that our visitors enjoyed their time with us.

Hamsters children have a lovely new piece of playground equipment, which doubles as a playhouse and climbing frame, and have enjoyed exploring this between the rain showers this week!

The Year Six Enterprise teams have now embarked upon their latest projects.  Using the skills that they learnt in their Young Enterprise sessions earlier this school year, they have all come up with a money making idea, and have created business plans.  Initiatives include an ice cream and lemonade stall, crafts and scented candles, football games and paper planes, so plenty of variety!

On Friday afternoon, we hosted EBA "Dragons' Den", where the children pitched their business ideas to a team of specially selected adults, whose role was to consider whether the business is likely to be a success.  Next week, the "Dragons" will be returning to school to give feedback to the children, and building on this, the children will launch their businesses using funds that were kindly donated by local companies a few months back.

We look forward to seeing the children's ideas become a reality!