Cranbrook Education Campus News
23rd February 2024
Primary Update - 17th May 2024
Dear CEC Families,
This week, I have been incredibly proud of our community.
Our Year 6 pupils spent Monday to Thursday showcasing their extensive primary knowledge through their SATs assessments. With grammar and punctuation, spelling, reading, arithmetic, and two Maths papers, their efforts over the past four days have been nothing short of remarkable. We had 100% attendance from our Year 6 pupils, and what particularly stood out was their dedication to arriving at school slightly earlier each morning to enjoy a class breakfast together.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff team for their ongoing encouragement and support of our pupils throughout the year. Additionally, thank you to our community of volunteer invigilators who ensured the best practices for test conditions while greeting everyone with warmth, care, and a smile.
Another highlight of my week was our whole primary school arts initiative to celebrate International Day of Families on Wednesday. Led by our primary art lead, Molly Nursey, each of our pupils designed a miniature postcard to represent the various people and aspects that signify family for them. These designs beautifully embody the concepts of love, joy, and diversity.
Finally, I want to express my gratitude to those who joined Stephen Farmer (Head of Campus) and me at the Cranberry Farm on Wednesday evening. It was wonderful to meet residents and school families off-campus and chat informally about how we can work together to strengthen our community
Tiverton Museum school trip
The Year 2 children were fantastic, they were all engaged and showed our campus PERKS throughout the day, the children were excited as they took part in the activities and were keen to share what they already knew. The Museum lead was impressed with their engagement and another member of staff said they were a credit to our school!
The children took part in six activities here is some information and photos to share what we did on our trip.
Make Do and Mend activity:
- Ration Challenge: children had to work out how many ration tokens would it take to buy clothes.
- Make Do and Mend: children were able to match the clues with objects and clothes on a table
- Children were able to have a go at weaving/sewing.
Agricultural activity:
In the Wagon Gallery children explored the wagons and found out about the Women’s Land Army. In the Agricultural Hall they found out about the tools that were used by the Land Army,
Rationing and Food activity:
The children looked at a world map to think about where food came from and why this became a problem when war broke out. They found out about rationing and what was a typical 1940s weekly ration. The children were given some coins and had a go at wartime shopping and explored some of the strange foods used as ingredients.
Evacuees activity:
Children looked at pictures of evacuees and explored the impressive Tivvy Bumper and listened to the train sounds and waved flags.
Children found out what might have been inside an evacuee suitcase
They had to think about what it would be like to be an evacuee and how they might have felt. They then wrote these thoughts on tags.
A Child’s War activity:
Children looked at artefacts and photographs to explore life on the Home Front in the Anderson shelter.
Children were able to sit in the Anderson shelter and press the button for the siren. They found out what was inside the First Aid box.
Had to answer some questions about WW2.
Children enjoyed trying on some of the wartime uniforms
A fun packed, interesting day!
Warmer Weather
We're hopeful that we will have more regular warm weather this term, so please remember to send your children in with a refillable water bottle and a hat. We would ask that you apply sunscreen to your children before they come into school. Please speak to your class teacher if you have any questions.
Charity Abseil
Alfie from Year 3/4 Ibtihaj took part in a charity abseil with his 76 year old nan at the weekend! Go Alfie and his Nan! You're super stars.
Cycling to school
A polite reminder to families that cycle or scoot to school that these should not be ridden anywhere on site. We ask please for you to dismount from your bike / scooter at the school gates and use the shelters provided. Thank you
Football Fun
Hallie in Year 3/4 Ibtihaj attends the girls Football Fun Factory, she is a massive fan of the woman's Exeter City Team. The children were asked to name some bears that they could take home and Hallie's name was chosen, she called her Amber after her favorite Exeter City player. Hallie had lots of fun adventures with Amber when she got to take her home for her first week. Amber even came to school each day!
Martial Arts
Jackson from year 3 Favilli has been training in mixed martial arts with The Youles Academy of Martial Arts since autumn 2021 and he has just passed his last stripe belt with the 'little YAMAs'.
He's been promoted to the juniors class as a solid green belt. Well done for showing such dedication, we are very proud of you!
May 2024 Ottery Police Newsletter
Here is the a brand new Police Newsletter that will be released bi-monthly.
Dolce Summer Menu
Dolce Summer menu is now available. You can click the link below or visit our website here
Year Group Updates
Nursery Update
This week in Carle Class we have had lots of fun reading our book of the week ‘The boy on the bus’. The children have created lovely cotton bud paintings of the different farm animals that we could see on the bus. We have also been exploring shredded paper and finding the farm animals that are hidden in the paper. We have also been enjoying the lovely outdoor weather and making the most of being out in our lovely garden. Please can you make sure your child has a named sun hat as we spend a lot of time outside in the lovely sunshine. Have a lovely weekend.
Preschool Update
This week preschool have been learning our new story Zog and the Flying Doctors. We have been learning all about how different medical professionals can help us from doctors to midwives and also linking to our previous experience of meeting the paramedics during our ambulance visit. The children have been very enthusiastic to make their own ambulances out of junk modelling and have been given the challenge of making x-ray pictures using cotton buds and chalk on black paper! The children have also been role-playing being a doctor or a patient in our doctor's surgery. It has been lovely to see the children being so kind when caring for one another!
In maths we have introduced Numberblock 9. We have been playing noughts and crosses using a grid of 9 squares, taking turns to place our counters on the grid and learning to spot lines of 3 to win. The children have been wonderful at cheering on their friends when they win even though it can feel sad not to win ourselves. Well done preschool!
Reception Update
This week in Reception, the children had quite a shock when a pea was seen causing havoc in the school. The pea photocopied himself onto teachers’ worksheets, created a paper aeroplane and tipped Mr Ansell’s books everywhere! The children were then introduced to our new English story, Super Daisy and the Perils of Pea Planet by Kes Gray. They designed their own Planet Pea and retold the story using puppets. In Maths this week our focus has been on halving. The children had the opportunity to share food between two bears and work out half of amounts within 10. During themed learning we have learnt all about a healthy diet and the different food groups. The children designed their own healthy lunch box ensuring that they had food from each food group! What a #Crantastic week!
Year One Update
In English, Year one have been reciting poetry with a 'bang'; exploring onomatope and rhyme. In maths we have been busily halving and quartering shape and number. We found out all about Jesse Owens in History and have been mastering ball control as part of our tennis unit in PE. We continue to demonstrate great endeavour in our behaviour and learning and are working especially hard to earn ourselves some of those precious ' best at moving around the school' award gems. Whoosh year one!
Year Two Update
This week children have completed reading and maths SATs papers (which are no longer statutory for Year 2), this gave the children opportunity to shine and show us what they know- well done.
It has been wonderful to see children’s homework linked to our learning at school. We have had lots of lovely pictures, posters, other artwork, recipes and PowerPoint presentation. The children have been extremely confident in standing in front of the class to share their work.
Wednesday 22nd May
We will be holding a WW2 day and children are invited to dress up again in WW2 linked outfits. Children will have their normal lunch, but in addition the school have organised a tea party and will provide food for a VE party at 1.30-2.30 and we will be linking up with the other Year 2s across the Trust.
Children will be bringing home their sunflower that they have planted at school and we would like as many children to take part in a competition for Year 2 across the Trust to see who has the tallest sunflower.
Year Three & Four Update
In Years 3 and 4 this week we have been working hard to focus on our writing structure to included comparatives and superlatives. We have also had a great time in Art working with tie-dye! Projects pending.... This week in Science we have been learning about which force pushes objects up in water, we have been learning about gravity pulling objects down and how the up thrust (buoyancy) pushes objects upwards. The children loved making predictions about whether objects such as paperclips, pencils and paper would float or sink.
Year Five Update
We have had a lovely week in Year 5. In English, we have been learning about relative clauses, reporting clauses, direct speech and the use of short sentences to create tension. The children enjoyed creating paragraphs using short sentences to create tension and suspense. In maths, we have been learning about acute and obtuse angles, using protractors to measure the angles. We have found this quite tricky, but our confidence has been improving every day! In History, we have learnt how Exeter has changed over time, focussing on the activities available in and around Exeter. Have a lovely weekend!
Year Six Update
Thank you!
A big shout out to the following community Support from parents and grandparents who gave up their time to support with with the Year 6 SATS this week: Jane B, Louise T, Sue P, Claire T, Emma S, Jean J, Caroline W, Janet K and Nick P. We are very grateful for your help ensuring the smooth running of SATS assessments for our Year 6 pupils.
The Big Step Summer School
The Big Step Summer School will run on the Campus site from Mon 12th - Fri 16th August 2024. This is a very worthwhile programme with the sole aim of preparing pupils for Secondary school. The Big Step is run by an external provider and the approximate cost for a whole week of activities is £120 per child. You can secure your child’s place with just a £20 deposit and pay the rest at your convenience (or opt for an automatic payment plan). If your child is entitled to benefit related free school meals you can receive a 50% discount. If you think you’re eligible for this discount, please contact info@thebigstep.org before booking.
Booking Link - https://thebigstep.org/about - Click on BOOK NOW
Awards & Rewards
Due to an unprecedented amount of badges being awarded this year we have run low on stock, more have been ordered and pupils will be awarded their badges when they arrive.
Congratulations to pupils who obtained their House Point Awards this week.
Gold Awards
Leah Kendall
Summer Smith
Dexter Corrick
Charlie Corrick
Thomas Smith
Louie Baitup-Squires
and 4 other students
Platinum Awards
Phoenix Rowe
Cleo Ashelford
Dylan Gander
Leah Johnston
Thiago Gomez
Alice Diogo
and 4 other students
Community Notice Board
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
The production of Charlie Cook's Favourite book will be at the Northcott Theatre next week and we have been offered discounted tickets to the performance by Mr C, who some of you will remember from our nursery setting.
If you would like to take your family along, click the link below and get 25% off by entered the code EduCharlie
The Big Step transition programme are now sponsoring CEC PE department.
The Big Step offers year 6 transition programmes for any new student transitioning from primary school to secondary school. More information can be found at https://thebigstep.org We are really proud to support an amazing programme. https://thebigstep.org
Big Silly Gig
Saturday 18th May, 10am, aimed at 4 – 7 year olds (but siblings welcome). An energetic, fun and silly sing-a-long with live music, sensory props and percussion. Sing, play and dance along to original silly songs and well known songs with Laura Loft plus musicians Jay Scott-Hamilton & Katie Scott-Hamilton from the Big Music Collective. This is an interactive family gig with plenty of opportunities to get creating music together. We will play original silly songs, sing-along to well known songs PLUS have an explore and play session at the end for exploring the instruments together.
Timings: 45 mins gig + 15 mins soundscape explore with instruments
Venue: Theatre Alibi Centre of Imagination, Emmanuel Hall, Emmanuel Rd, Exeter, EX4 1EJ
Book Tickets: £9 per person available at https://theatrealibi.co.uk/production/big-silly-gig/
May Half Term - Holiday Club
Looking for some fun activities to keep the children entertained this half term?
Axminster Guildhall Events
Join us for Cranbrook's first colour run!
If, when you think of running, you think of very serious looking people, lycra clad, sprinting along paths and anxiously looking at their smart watch, you need to think again. Our partners in Cranbrook, Move More Cranbrook, are putting on a running event with a difference, and it’s one that you won’t want to miss. The Colour Run (and summer fete) will take place in Cranbrook on Saturday 6 July and guarantees to be a fun day for the whole family. The running events consist of a 2km fun run and a 5km. Organisers say that this isn’t about how speedy you are, it’s all about people of all ages having fun and getting stuck in. More here: https://liveandmove.co.uk/cranbrook-colour-run/ and here: https://race-nation.co.uk/register/cranbrook-running-club/cranbrook-country-park-colour-run
An additional reminder
Please take a moment to share your thoughts about our campus on the Ofsted ParentView platform. Your valuable feedback is crucial, especially as we anticipate an Ofsted inspection this academic year. Your perspectives will provide valuable insights and contribute to showcasing the strengths and positive aspects of our campus. The whole team greatly appreciates you taking the time to complete this.
Dates for the Diary
Year 4 Escot Trip - 20th May
Year 5 Haven Banks Trip - 23rd May
Half term - 25th May - 3rd June (3rd June is a Non Pupil Day)
Reception Paignton Zoo Trip - 13th June
Term dates Term dates for 24-25 are available on the website
Please note that in October 2024 Primary has a two week half term.
Please be aware that some dates and times have been confirmed for trips and amended for assemblies for the next couple of terms. See the updated key dates document for more information
Please note that details of our Privacy Policy can be found here
Wishing you all a lovely weekend,