Week Ending 4th May 2018

On Tuesday, Hedgehogs Class enjoyed a trip in the minibus, to Eaton Bray Nurseries.  They were given a tour of the shop and greenhouses, and shown how seedlings are planted and cared for, to enable them to grow into strong healthy plants for the garden.  The children were given some tomato plants to bring back to school with them, which they have planted and will look after - hopefully there will be a lovely crop of tomatoes for them to enjoy in the summer!

 

 

All the classes having been working hard this week, with Year Six and Year Two children focusing on their upcoming SATs assessments.  It's not been all just Maths and English though... Squirrels have had some entertaining Science lessons this week finding out about the human body.  They welcomed a new member to the class, "Steve the Skeleton", who helped out by demonstrating how all the human bones fit together!

Badgers Class took part in a debate this week.  They thought about the issue of fox hunting, and the reasons for and against this activity.  The children were split into two groups and tasked to argue either in favour or against fox hunting - the groups were formed regardless of the children's own views on the matter, which meant that some children had the difficult task of playing "Devil's Advocate" and presenting opinions that were not their own.  It was an excellent debate, with each groups presenting their arguments very well.  Everyone agreed that it was a useful and interesting exercise.

On Thursday, it was Otter's turn to host their class assembly and share their work with parents and the rest of the school.  They spoke about their trip to the bakery and their work on The Great Fire of London, and acted out some traditional stories and fairy tales, finishing with a steam train song.  All the children in the class took part and spoke up beautifully.  Unfortunately a "technical hitch" meant that they weren't able to show the power point presentation that they had produced, nor share the videos that they had recorded, but these will be available for parents to enjoy at our end of term Open Evening on Wednesday 11th July. 

Rabbits Class had a lovely morning on Friday.  Using some of the crop of rhubarb growing in the school allotment, they made delicious rhubarb crumble.  They cooked the rhubarb using the portable hobs, and using a recipe printed off from the internet, they learnt how to weigh the ingredients and rub together flour, butter and sugar to make the crumble topping.  This was then baked in the school kitchen for the children to enjoy in the afternoon.

Hiking Club children enjoyed a visit to Ashridge Forest on Friday, for a walk around Dockey Woods where the bluebells are in full bloom and looking stunning.  We are so lucky to live in a part of the country that give us access to such beautiful countryside.

Week Ending 27th April 2018

The week started with our wonderful St George's Day Breakfast event.  An early start for our kitchen staff and other willing helpers, meant that there was a lovely hearty full English breakfast available to parents, children and staff before school on Monday morning.  After breakfast, there was cricket on the field for all who wanted to join in - and some children proudly wore their Cub or Brownie uniforms for the day in celebration of our patron saint.

Sadly the weather was nothing like as glorious this week as last, so it was back to coats and boots for outdoor activities!  Nevertheless, Hedgehogs children have had a great time in their outdoor area, enjoying all sorts of activities, exploring and learning through their play.

On Tuesday, Year Two children were visited by the Fire Service, who came in to speak to them about fire safety, and talk about what they do.  Squirrels Class had the opportunity to dress up in their safety gear, and then there was much excitement as they went out to look around the fire engine.  They all took turns to hold the fire hose and spray water high in the air - everyone got a little wet, but as a bonus, some staff got a free car wash!

More visitors on Wednesday, when the whole of Main School took part in a "Skipping Day" hosted by Dan the Skipping Man.  Dan and his team led the children in a variety of individual and group skipping activities throughout the day, and taught them some tricks.  In the afternoon there was an assembly, where some of the children were selected to demonstrate to the rest of the school the skills that they have learnt.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and agreed that skipping is great fun and great exercise!

Hamsters children have been reading "Owl Babies" as their book for this week.  This links in with their Living and Growing topic, and they have been enjoying activities based around the story.  They had a lovely time building a wonderful nest, big enough for them all to sit inside, which they decorated with sparkles and bright colours!

On Thursday it was Hedgehogs Class assembly.  The children shared all of their achievements from last term with their parents and the rest of the school, demonstrating what they have learnt in their practical maths sessions, and in literacy.  They showed photos of their recent trip to Berkhamsted Castle and of some of the fun they have been having in their outside area.  As usual tea and coffee was offered to parents after the assembly, which was appreciated by all!

Thursday was a busy day for Rabbits Class.  Back in January, they met with children from Maidenhall School at Stockwood Park, as part of the Schools Linking Network programme, and this week their new friends came to Eaton Bray to meet up again.  The children spent the day together, getting to know one another better over a picnic lunch in the classroom, and enjoyed various fun activities.  There was a lovely atmosphere of friendship, and they are now all looking forward to June, when our children will visit their school in Luton.

Week Ending 20th April 2018

What a lovely first week of the summer term it's been!  The beautiful weather has lifted everyone's spirits - it's just a shame it couldn't have arrived a week or so earlier so that we could have enjoyed it during the Easter Holidays...  Still, it has been wonderful to see the children able to enjoy playtimes and PE lessons out on the field in the sunshine this week.

Hamsters children have being enjoying their morning snack outside in the sunshine.

We have welcomed a new teacher in Rabbits Class this term, Ms Cosgrove, who has brought with her a tank of fish for the children to care for.  How exciting!

The new curriculum topics for this term are as follows:

Hamsters - Living and Growing

Hedgehogs - Our World

Otters - Holidays from the Past

Squirrels - Exploring Earth

Rabbits - The Stone Age

Badgers - Stones and Bones

Foxes - The Titanic

Deer - Disasters

Hedgehogs children have started their topic work, by visiting the pond, where they discovered that all sorts of plants and creatures are living and growing, including hundreds of tadpoles.  They will keep a close eye on how the tadpoles develop over the coming weeks and months.

Otters have also been out and about, on a Spring Walk.  They took photos on the iPads of some of the flowers and plants growing in the school grounds, then had fun editing the colours using an app!

 

Swimming sessions have started this week for some of our Year Three children.  Every Thursday for the next six weeks, half of Rabbits Class class will go by minibus to Houghton Regis Leisure Centre for swimming lessons, while the other half take part in Forest School activities.

Next week, we will start the week with a special celebration for St George's Day - our now traditional St George's Day Breakfast is on Monday from 8.00am.  We look forward to an enjoyable event for parents and children, and hope that the sun continues to shine so that we can play cricket on the field!

Week Ending 30th March 2018

The last week before the Easter break!

Monday saw the grand final of our EBA Bake Off competition.  Congratulations to all our finalists, and particularly Rosie, who was crowned overall winner!  The EBA Bake Off has been a wonderful event, with impressive looking and delicious testing cakes being brought in every week to be judged and sold.  The children seem to have thoroughly enjoyed it, and so have parents, with calls to organise an adults competition in the future - watch this space!

Thanks are due to the HSA volunteers who have worked hard to make this a successful and enjoyable fundraiser.

Tuesday was the day of our traditional end of term Talent Show, organised by the School Council.  Acts included singers, dancers, comedians, with children from every class taking part.  The favourite act was a very funny song that had everyone in stitches of laughter!

Wednesday was a wonderful day.  We were visited by a touring theatre company, who came in to perform a dramatisation of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe".  They brought all their own costumes, scenery and props, and put on an absolutely fantastic performance in the hall.  The children were completely mesmerised watching the drama unfold before them, and listening to the wonderful singing.  Many said that it was every bit as good as any production that they have seen in a theatre.

Following the show, Year Five and Six children had the opportunity to go "backstage" and enjoy a theatre workshop, where they were given some acting tips, learnt about costumes and props and found out about some of the technical details that go into putting on a production.  They all found this fascinating!

We have already booked for them to come back next year...

Thursday marked the end of term, with a games and non-uniform day.  After school there was an Easter Egg hunt, organised by the HSA, with clues for the children to solve sending them all around the school grounds.  Of course the heavens opened, and everyone got extremely wet... but nonetheless the children enjoyed themselves, and appreciated the chocolate egg that they all received as a reward!

Have a wonderful Easter - let's hope we see some sunshine! We will see you back at school on Monday 16th April.