What a busy 'together we stand (and shine) as one' kind of week!
Thankyou to all the parents who picked up their children for lunchtime. It was a great help but we should be fine to return to normal next week so please expect them to stay at school for their lunch next week.
This week has sent a great message of teamwork, support and collaboration to all of the children which is so important to their understanding of the value of fellowship. We are in it together. Thank you so much.
Nursery - Stars
This week in Stars we have had lots of fun exploring Bonfire Night. We have painted firework pictures, created sparklers, role played bonfires, made firework biscuits, explored firework movements, sung bonfire songs and built rockets. We have also talked about Remembrance Day and made poppies out of loose parts.
In phonics this week, we have continued to explore instrumental sounds. We have practised playing loudly and quietly, linked movements to different instruments and have made our own shakers. In maths we have looked at the number 3 and have practised counting how many are in a set. We have also looked at the triangle shape.
Superstar - Leon Szafranski
FS - Moon and Mercury
This week in FS we read The Three Little Pigs story which the children absolutely loved! With this story, the children have developed their language skills and knowledge of how stories are structured. Repeating text and using role-play which enabled them to practice their speaking skills and learn how to sequence a story. They were busy building houses with crates and construction blocks, mark-making, applying their phonics and writing captions for the characters, making traps for the Big Bad Wolf as well as having lots of fun! It was wonderful to see all the children engaging with the story so enthusiastically and enjoying their learning.
Thursday was very busy too! We were learning about Remembrance. We listened to a story and painted poppies. In the afternoon, the local fire brigade came to visit and we got to meet the firefighters and see the fire engine. It was very exciting because the children had an opportunity to go inside the fire engine and spray the hose! The children also asked lots of relevant questions about their role in our community.
Superstars - Albie O'Neill, Ellis Lee
Y1 - Galaxy and Venus
It has been an adventurous week in Year 1 this week, travelling to infinity and beyond! We started our learning with a virtual visit, travelling back in time to 1969, meeting Neil Armstrong, live from Apollo 11. In English we have explored report writing, whilst in Maths we have investigated and compared addition and subtraction. In RE, we have studied many parables to discover what Christians believe God is like, and in Science we have looked at seasonal change and the impact on animals. Towards the end of the week, we have learnt about Remembrance Day, and it's importance today. Have a fantastic weekend!
Superstars - Finley Hoyle, Connie Lonsdale
Year 2 / 3 Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune
Well, what a week this has been! We are so proud of the resilience demonstrated by the children and staff. They have been caring, kind and have 'just got on with it' despite the growing number of absentees.
In maths, we have been counting money and using these skills to work out problems relating to real life. In English, we started our new book 'When the Giant Stirred' and have been experimenting with fronted adverbials in our own writing about a setting for a volcano. We have also been learning about contractions and how two words become one (e.g. have not = haven't)
In guided reading and PSHCE we have focused on the importance of Remembrance day and the meaning behind it. The children created some lovely poppy art in different ways across the classes.
Science has been exciting with a less than impressive volcano experiment on Tuesday, followed up by a spectacular second attempt on Friday.
As always, our children have amazed us and have earned a well deserved rest this weekend. Thank you for your continued support.
Superstars - Mason Snedker, Taylor Sheldon, Ruby Cooper
Year 4 Mars and Earth
This week we have been very focused on Remembrance. In English, we have written some beautiful poems with rhyming couplets asking the poppy what they can see, hear, smell and feel. The children have then illustrated their pieces with some delicate, shaded poppies in the margin of their books. We have also experimented with different techniques using water-colours and crayons to create the detail of the poppy. On Wednesday, we were able to have an interview with a serving member of the army. The children were very considerate and thoughtful in their questioning and really seemed to take on board the message of using this time of year to reflect and show respect to all of those who have served their country. Thank you to all parents who have passed on family stories from over the years as this has really supported our discussion in school.
Superstars - Roma Tate, Charlie Coltman
Year 5 Asteroid and Pluto
In Year 5, the planning for our Tudor courtroom scripts is well under way. Having decided on the accused's crime and defence, we shall be drafting and editing our scripts next week. We are looking forward to putting each other and our teachers on trial! We have put our investigation skills to good use this week, separating a variety of mixed materials in science, and finding prime, square and cubed numbers in maths. We have reflected upon and observed Remembrance Day, studying the significance and messages in the poem In Flanders FIelds. A huge thank you to those who recited John McCrae's poignant poem together, at the Remembrance Service on Thursday. 100 year after the poppy was adopted by The Royal British Legion as a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future, we have created our own 3-D poppy booklets and our own versions in art. What a respectful and reflective week
Superstars - Isaac Martin
Year 6 Nebular and Constellation
This week in year 6, we have once again been working incredibly hard in all aspects of our curriculum. We have been creating in-depth scientific reports to share our findings of last week's science experiments; sharing the methods used, the findings of the experiments, and an analysis and conclusion as to why we achieved the results we did. Maths has continued to focus on the very important topic of fractions, in particular comparing and ordering and mixed and improper fractions. In guided reading, we have finally found out how our intrepid and dad-like teeenager became trapped in space - fingers crossed he gets back home again! In English we have begun to delve into what makes a narrative interesting and engaging, the focus being characterisation and the description of the setting to create a mood. The week culminated in the creation of prayers as part of our Remembrance service, to give thanks to those who lost their lives or were affected by conflict, throughout the years. Keep going everyone - we see so much progress, week on week.
Superstars - Isaac Grafton, Maisie Fenton
Samaritan's Purse - a message from Mrs Watson
In worship this week we have been thinking about our school value of Service and about how we can help others. As part of this, the children will be learning about the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Appeal. As in previous years, we will be collecting filled shoe boxes at school. If you would like to fill and send a shoebox to a child please could you bring it into school by 17th November. It is also possible to fill a shoe box online and both of these ways are a wonderful activity to do with your child whilst encouraging them to be advocates of compassion to others. Please see their website for more information.
https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Thank you in advance.
Children In Need - a message from Mrs Howard
Friday 19th November is Children in Need and this year we are doing it in style. The theme is 'Get Your Strictly On'. For anyone who doesn't know the show 'Strictly Come Dancing', that means the dress code is glitz and glamour; the more sequins the better (Mrs Butler is already excited about coming in her ball dress and favourite sparkly wig). The staff are all very much looking forward to seeing Mr Osborne, Mr Close and Mr Fash-Hill in a tuxedo.
It would be so good to have a bit of sparkle and fun but of course anyone who really doesn't want to wear sequins can simply wear the usual Pudsey ears and t-shirts. There will be collection buckets at the school gates for your contributions.
How teachers celebrate the day in their classes is their choice but I'm imagining sparkly buns, dancing competitions and prizes for the sparkliest outfit. We feel that it is also important to discuss why we are having this day. All year groups have PSHCE objectives relating to charity, community and global issues. We will be thinking about social injustice and helping our neighbours.
I'm confident we'll celebrate in typical Brayton fashion- we really will 'shine as one'!
