School Newsletter : 31 January 2025

Monday 3rd – Friday 7th February | Children’s Mental Health Week :

We’ll be focusing on Children’s Mental Health Awareness during this time, and exploring the importance of looking after our mental well-being. Throughout the week, children will engage in activities to help them understand and express their emotions while learning tools for resilience.

On Wednesday 5th February from 09:00 – 10:00 in the ground floor hall, we’re also hosting a coffee morning with MIND, for parents and carers to chat, connect, and share tips for supporting children’s mental health at home. Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on how we’re all supporting our own well-being, as well as that of our children.

Friday 7th February | NSPCC Number Day :

Join in as we celebrate 2025 at our school. Pupils are invited to take part in Dress Up for Digits by wearing clothing with a number on it – such as football shirts, caps, or netball tops – or by getting creative with a maths or numbers theme. Throughout the day, children will take part in exciting maths activities designed to inspire a love of learning while supporting a great cause.

We kindly ask for a donation of your choice, which will go to support the NSPCC’s vital work. Donations can be paid to the office or collected at the gate on Friday morning. We can’t wait to see all the imaginative number-themed outfits on Friday!

Monday 10th – Friday 14th February | Random Acts of Kindness Week:

We’re spreading kindness far and wide with Random Acts of Kindness Week!

The children will be encouraged to complete small, thoughtful acts for their friends, peers, and teachers, and we’d love for families to join in at home too. Whether it’s writing a kind note, helping with chores, or simply offering a big smile, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the power of kindness. We can’t wait to see how our school community comes together to create a ripple effect of positivity!

Thank you for your support in making these weeks meaningful for the children!

Wednesday 29th January | Year 3 Trip to the Natural History Museum:

Our day began with a tube journey to the museum, and when we emerged from the tunnel, we were amazed by the beautiful building and the golden dinosaur in the courtyard.

Once inside, we left our coats and bags and went to our first activity, a workshop all about Volcanoes and Earthquakes. We learnt how they are measured using a seismometer and completed an experiment by seeing who could make the biggest earthquake by jumping. We looked at two different types of volcanic eruptions, effusive and explosive, and learnt the difference between these.

After the workshop, we looked around some of the galleries and had our lunch. We then revisited the volcanoes and earthquakes galleries and finally took the tube home. It was a fun day, and we learnt a lot!

Tuesday 21st January | London Fire Brigade visit for Years 2 & 5:

Year 2 & 5 pupils enjoyed a visit with Rochelle from the London Fire Brigade last week. Whilst there were no flames involved, the children learnt vital tips on how to protect themselves and their homes from fire. They discussed the importance of smoke alarms in keeping households safe, how to test them monthly to ensure they work properly, and what to do in case of an emergency. The workshop also included guidance on calling 999 and staying calm in a fire situation. It was an informative and engaging session, helping our young children to stay safe and prepared!

Year 5 were taught all about fire safety: Prevention, Detection and Response. They learnt about the leading causes of fire in homes and how to keep ourselves safe. Hopefully the children have shared some knowledge with you and asked you to check your smoke alarms.

Thursday 23rd January | Reception Trip to Planetary Workshop @ Westminster School:

Reception have been absolute stars this year, and their hard work and teamwork finally paid off as they filled their star reward jar to the very top! To celebrate this shining achievement, they enjoyed a special (and total surprise) trip to the mini planetarium just across the road, where they were whisked away on a journey through the cosmos.

The children were captivated by the constellations, planets, and stories of space, with their excitement lighting up the room almost as much as the stars themselves! This surprise reward wasn’t just about fun, it also encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of wonder about the universe. Their enthusiasm and knowledge were on full display, and we wouldn’t be surprised if, one day, these little astronomers are presenting their own discoveries under the stars. For now, they’ve earned their place in our galaxy of achievements!

Tuesday 28th January | Year 4 Itsu Cooking Experience:

Year 4 enjoyed an engaging cooking workshop with Itsu this week. They learnt essential knife and food preparation skills as they participated in the Itsu Community Project with Billy and Jack. Using a wide variety of fresh vegetables, professional equipment, and recipe ingredients provided by them, the session left our children inspired, equipped with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for healthy cooking!

Congratulations to our apron winners for their precision, rainbow-looking boxes! We are very grateful for the wonderful experience Itsu shared with us and look forward to sharing these skills with others!

Please ensure that all children wear a jacket to school, and have a hat. Gloves and scarves are optional, but are highly recommended as it starts to get much colder.

All pupils should now be wearing their full winter uniform and no longer in their summer uniform options, including PE uniform.

Please ensure all items of clothing including jumpers and sweaters are named!

Many thanks for your continued support.

As Scientists this term we are learning about How do Animals (including Humans) Survive? This week we have been looking at animal young and comparing them to their adults. We matched the adult to the young and sorted them first into two groups: ‘offspring looks like its adult‘ and ‘offspring does not look like its adult‘. Then we sorted the pairs of animals further according to their animal group: mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish or bird, and discussed similarities and differences about the offspring types within these groups. We also realised that some animals do not seem to belong in their animal group at first, such as dolphins and whales. They live in water and have fins and a tail, but they breathe air through a blowhole, and they have to come to the surface to do this. They also give birth to live young instead of laying eggs, so dolphins and whales are actually mammals, not fish!