On Tuesday 17th December 2019 we had the annual JBP curling competition.
On Tuesday 17th December 2019 we had the annual JBP curling competition.
Year 6 recently went to Fairplay House for their residential. The children tried all the different activities: archery, caving, big swing and woodland games. We also completed a night walk which was rather scary! The children had great fun and really enjoyed their time their. Here are some photos and videos.
On Tuesday 3rd December, Year 1 and 2 enjoyed a visit from the 'Flying Pizza Theatre Company.'
They performed 'The Snow Queen' for the children and they thoroughly enjoyed it.
The whole show was cleverly performed by just two people playing all the different characters.
Livvy, from Poplars, said 'I loved it when the reindeer spoke because it was very funny!'
Junior, from Poplars, said 'I liked it when the Snow Queen came because she was controlling the little boy!'
Year 5 are studying local history this term.
In the first half term, we focused on local history and geography. The children enjoyed a tour of Bradford Street and a heritage trail around the town centre. We then researched an area of local history and produced maps as well as information about their chosen area.
Maples took inspiration from the artist Andy Goldsworthy and collected items from nature which they then used to create collages to illustrate their chosen historical study.
This half term, we are focusing on art and design and technology. Taking inspiration from the textiles we saw on our trip to the Warner Textile Mill, we will be designing our own fabric and using it to design and make a decorated coin purse.
To explore what the lives of the Romans were like, year 4 were lucky enough to visit Colchester Castle.
One of the many activities involved us spending some time building Roman Villas and Roundhouses.
We researched and identified many other aspects of Roman life and had the opportunity to experience what it would have been like in a chariot race and locked in the dungeons. We also listened to many interesting stories from the era, underneath the castle itself.
It was a really fun and interesting day; everyone definitely enjoyed themselves and learned lots!
This term we were also lucky to have the opportunity to go and watch the film 'Small Foot' in the cinema.
The story was exciting and funny, whilst having a story line that reflected upon our code of conduct.
As a year group we are currently in the process of rehearsing for our performance 'The Rocking Romans'.
Year six had a great day at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
We were able to see different types of airplanes, tanks and vehicles used in World War 2. We even saw some airplanes from World War 1!
Everyone enjoyed the day very much and we all learnt a lot about the battle of Britain and how Duxford was used as an Air Force Base in WW2.
This term, year 3 were lucky enough to visit Lea Valley for a Stone Age day. One of the activities involved us spending some time outdoors. We had to identify the different types of plants that they would have had in the Stone Age. We were then able to discuss what they would have been used for. We also had a go at using a fire steel to make our own fires. This proved quite tricky although a few of us did manage to set alight the cotton wool tinder! In the afternoon, we spent time looking at different artefacts. These included flint, spear, arrowheads and antlers. After that, we had a go at creating our own cave paintings by candlelight using charcoal. It was a really fun and interesting day and everyone definitely enjoyed themselves and learned lots!
During half term, we ran a sports and activity day for 38 children.
They all enjoyed a range of activities including dodgeball, football, dressing as a Mummy, apple bobbing, just dance and Art.
The children and adults really enjoyed the day and look forward to the next one in February half term!
We learnt about Autumn and found lots of Autumn treasures in the forest in our school.
Collecting sunflower seeds from sunflowers grown in the school garden to make bird feeders.
We drilled holes in conkers and threaded string through them to make conker chains.
Our New Multi Use Games Area
We have enhanced our sporting curriculum with the addition of an amazing Multi Use Games Area.
The children now have a dedicated zone for sport and a place to practice and develop their technique, fundamental movement skills and cardiovascular fitness. Along with gaining a love for sport, we hope our new Multi Use Games Area will encourage children to lead a healthier lifestyle.
For this project, we worked with Pentagon Play who design and install outdoor learning environments for schools and nurseries.
You can visit their website here – www.pentagonplay.co.uk
During our topic on mini-beasts, we read the story of The Bog Baby, a mythical creature who lived in a bog and who became sick when it was taken away from its habitat, even though the people who had caught it loved it very much and tried to look after it in their home.
The postman brought some caterpillars for us to look after. We looked closely every day to see if anything was happening.
We had to wait patiently, but after a while, the caterpillars formed cocoons around themselves
After a week or so, we were excited to see four beautiful butterflies in the butterfly house.
We remembered the story of the Bog Baby and realised that even though we loved them, we could not keep the butterflies for ourselves, but had to let them fly off to where they belonged in the wild. We took them over to the school’s forest area and let them go free.
We are now looking for bog babies in the school pond!
A couple of days ago staff completed some tidying of the wild life area around the pond. It looks so much better - well done!
This term, year 3 have been looking after the Bunyanites, who were forced to move from their home in Hawaii when natural disasters destroyed their houses, shops and schools. We have spent a lot of time learning about the different natural disasters, especially volcanoes and earthquakes, including what they are, why they are caused and where they are most likely to occur in the world.
We have then helped the Bunyanites prepare for a move back to Hawaii. In DT, we have been looking at the different types of bridges and then worked collaboratively to problem solve and construct our own bridges to help transport the Bunyanites home.
In our first lesson, we looked at the links involved in building bridges and so we used paperclips and attached them to pieces of cardboard. After this, we have then spent several lessons building our own bridges out of empty food containers and wrappers, before covering them in papier-mâché and painting them.
In Foundation Stage the children have been continuing their learning through play.
They have been able to follow their own curiosities and investigations to develop their existing knowledge.
Willows had a great time at the Food and Farming day at Writtle college. We discovered how grain is planted, harvested and what it can be made into; what foods we can grow (tasting was popular!); what animals give us food (the sausages and bacon were very tasty!) and what machinery is used to grow grains.
Great fun was had by all on Wednesday at the year 5/6 disco!
Graffiti wall in year six.
On Monday 29th April, the learning champions from KS2 visited the Houses of Parliament.
We watched an educational video all about the history of parliament up to present day. After this, we saw the House of Commons and the House of Lords and found out that green and red are the colours for each house.
We learnt about the lords, baroness' and MPs roles in making our laws including how they vote using ay and no.
Within the House of Lords, we found out about the Queen's speech and saw the ornate throne she sits on during the opening of parliament.
During the tour, we saw many statues of former prime ministers as well as Kings and Queens.
The architecture of the building was beautiful with lots of detailed stain glass windows; huge portrait paintings; chandeliers and woodcarvings.
In The Reception and Nursery classes, we have been busy learning to read, write and count. We have been busy investigating and keeping active. There are always lots of things to keep us busy!
