Week Ending 5th September 2014

Welcome back!

We are all very excited to be starting a new school year, and pleased to welcome several new children this term. We all hope they enjoy their time with us.

Our new Year Fives look wonderfully smart in their blazers and ties. Year Sixes (Deer Class) have moved into their new classroom, and are happily settling in.  Children in Hedgehogs Class don't start until next Monday, and Hedgehogs staff have been busy this week carrying out home visits, in order to get to know the children in a familiar setting, before they start their full time education.

Monday and Tuesday were training days for school staff, and some of the time was spent learning more about the Forest School.  Staff found out how to build a fire and cook over an open stove, and everyone enjoyed delicious baked potatoes and toasted marshmallows.  A lovely start to the new term for staff!

There are lots of exciting changes to school dinners this term. Children in Reception and Years One and Two are now all entitled to free school meals, and kitchen staff are working hard to ensure that everyone gets a fabulous tasty and nutritious lunch every day. The kitchen has been refurbished, with new equipment and a salad bar for children to help themselves to healthy fresh salad and vegetables.

Children in Foxes and Deer have started this year's EBA Enterprise project. The plan is to open an EBA restaurant, which will be run by children for parents. The children will create menus, learn cooking skills, and find out all about running a small business.  The first task is to find out about different foods, and explore tastes, textures and flavours. This involved a blind tasting session this week, which was enjoyed by all!

Choices has started this week, and will now take place on a Friday afternoon. There are lots of different activities taking place, including Art, Website Design, Sports, Needlework, Pottery... something for everyone!

Week Ending 18th July 2014

The end of term is finally here!

We have had a fun week, with lots of special end of term activities.

Hamsters, Hedgehogs and Otters Sports Day

Talent Show

Rock 'n' Roll Disco

See you all again in September!!!

Week Ending 11th July 2014

Another busy week has flown by!

Saturday dawned grey and cloudy for the village carnival, but a bit of rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits, and our school float was the brightest, most colourful, and definitely the noisiest float in the parade!

On Monday, there was an Open Afternoon, when parents could share the achievements of their children, with their children. It was lovely to see the children showing their favourite pieces of work to their parents, and hearing their parents' comments.

Wednesday was the chance for parents to "meet the new teacher", and ask any relevant questions pertinent to September. The children visited their new class on the same day, so that they will know exactly where to go and who to talk to next term. Pre-School also had their Induction Day for parents and new Hamsters.

On Friday, a group of Design and Technology students came to visit from Manshead School, a local secondary school, to work on a wall hanging project with our children. A fun and slightly messy time was had by all, so thank you to all concerned!

Friday was also the day of our EBA Enterprise Festival. The children in Badgers and Foxes Classes worked hard to provide an afternoon of activities and entertainment for children and parents, and managed to make over £100 in profit! There were crafts stalls, plant stalls, a puppet show, an obstacle course, a treasure hunt... The cake stall sold out very quickly, and the Teddy Bears' Picnic was particularly popular - a thoroughly fun and exciting Friday afternoon!

 

Remember, if you would like your child to attend one or all of the "Mad Science" holiday days during the week commencing 28th July, please book online at www.madscience.org/east

Hope you all have a happy, relaxing summer!

Week Ending 4th July 2014

This week was very exciting for our younger children, as they had a day at Waddesden Manor on Wednesday.  The day started with a bug hunt in Dame Alice's Wood, with children spotting many mini-beasts, then designing and making their own "bug hotels." There were lots of burrows in the woods, but fortunately no Hedgehogs, Otters or Squirrels were lost down there!  Then there was a tour of the formal garden, and a visit to the golden aviaries, which was full of exotic birds from around the World.

A perfect day out in the sunshine!

Meanwhile, back at School, Key Stage 2 children had an enjoyable day, playing rounders on the field in the sunshine.  They also had the chance to practice their French language skills, and taste delicious French food, at their very own French Market, in the School Hall.

We have had a couple of interesting assemblies this week. On Thursday, we were visited by our friends from Mad Science, who entertained us with experiments involving balloons and hairdryers!  There is a Mad Science Holiday Club at school over the summer, so do sign your child up if they are keen, and you are able to!

On Friday, our visiting musical instrument teacher, Mr Perry, and his team of talented student musicians, treated us to a musical assembly, with piano and violin recitals. Mr Perry has spaces for musical instruments tuition for next term for Key Stage Two children, so please let us know if you are interested in finding out more.

Week Ending 27th June 2014

On Saturday, a small but enthusiastic group of singers from our EBA Choir attended the Edlesborough Church Choir Fest, and sang a lovely selection of songs, as part of a community event that included choirs from four other local schools.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon for all who attended, and a wonderful opportunity for our talented singers to showcase their skills. The children's voices filled the church, and many favourable comments were made about how beautiful they sounded.

Thankfully, the sun was shining on Wednesday afternoon, when Hedgehogs and Otters children practised for Sports Day, which is being held on Monday 14th July. Our Year 4 and 5 Sports Leaders did a wonderful job helping and looking after the younger children.

Wednesday was also "Butterfly Release Day" for Hedgehogs Class, who have been looking after caterpillars, observing them through the pupa stage, and marveling as they emerge as colourful butterflies!

Last summer, our Year 4 children prepared some ground and sowed poppy seeds, to flower this summer, in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I. The poppies are now beginning to flower, at the top of our school field. Just a few at the moment, but hopefully more to bloom before we break up next month.

On Thursday, a visitor from Dunstable Library came to explain the "Summer Reading Challenge," where children get rewards for reading over the summer holiday. Please do encourage your children to participate, as books are such an important resource for all, whether fiction or non-fiction. Pop along to a library to sign up, and HAVE FUN WITH BOOKS!

Later on Thursday, there was a mask making session in the hall, for all the children that are joining us on the carnival float this year. The carnival takes place on Saturday 5th July, and the theme is "Music." We will leave you guessing as to what form our float will take, but the masks and headdresses involved lots of feathers and sequins and bright colours!

Next week, younger children will be visiting Waddesden Manor, to celebrate this term's topic of "Global Gardens". The day is divided into a visit to the formal gardens; a bug hunt in Miss Alices's Garden; picnic lunch in the grounds; a visit to the "Stable" shop; and time at "The Golden Aviary." Hopefully the weather will be kind to us, and we can enjoy the beautiful grounds in lovely sunshine!

Dates for your diary:
Waddesden Manor (YR/1/2): Wednesday 2nd July
St Mary's Carnival: Saturday 5th July
Y4/5 French Breakfast: Monday 7th July
Open Evening: Monday 7th July, 3.30 - 5.00pm
Meet Your New Teacher: Wednesday 9th July
EBA Enterprise Festival: Wednesday 9th July
Hamster/YR/Y1 Sports Day: Monday 14th July (15th if wet)

Week Ending 20th June 2014

The Summer Fair was fortunately dry, and the sun even managed to shine after lunch.  There were lots of activities for everyone to try... and a very loud Police siren!  One lucky family won't have to do the weekly shop this week, as they won the enormous food hamper!

On Wednesday there was a final Sharing Assembly for the School year, the highlight being the dramatisation of "The Three Bears" by Hamsters.

Our School Choir has been busy practicing some lovely songs, to sing at the Edlesborough Festival Choir Fest this weekend. If you are free on Saturday afternoon, do come along the Edlesborough Church, "The Church on the Hill", to listen to our children sing, along with choirs from other local schools. The event starts at 2.00pm, with a fancy dress parade for younger children, and lots of other fun for all the family.

On Friday we had a "Heads Up!" day, where everyone wore a hat, to raise funds for the National Brain Appeal, a charity that raises money for the National Neurological Hospital in London, which treats brain injuries and other related conditions.  We managed to raise almost £150, so thank you to all who contributed.