It has been a hectic week for Atwood with numerous trips and visitors.
In Reception and Nursery the children had fantastic Christmas making day. Supported by a willing army of volunteers (thank you, thank you, thank you!) the children worked their way through a variety of craft activities. For more on their learning this week see the website
https://www.pegasusacademytrust.org/news/eyfs/atw-eyfs-news-christmas-making-day
In Literacy this week, Year 1 we have been inspired by the story of The Man on the Moon. They have written what they would do if they could spend a day on the moon and used time adverbs to order the sentences. In maths, the children have started to work with numbers up to twenty and have been making these numbers with different equipment. They have learnt that these numbers all have one ten but the amount of ones changes with each number. In science, the children have tested their sense of smell by smelling hidden objects and predicting what they could be. They also went on a sound walk to record all the different sounds they could hear. In history, the children learnt facts about the life of Neil Armstrong and ordered these on a timeline of his life.
This week, Year 2 have been using the facts they know about Henry VIII to write a non-fiction report all about his lifestyle. They even had a visit from the King himself so that they could ask him questions. The children have also been learning their first steps into multiplication. Now that the stage is up the children have also been rehearsing their lines and acting for their Nativity.
On Monday this week, Year 3 ventured up to The Victoria and Albert Museum to support their thematic learning about The Crystal Palace. They were able to see the original Joseph Paxton design drawings and to see a magnificent painting of the opening ceremony of the Great Exhibition. In the discovery room, they were able to dress up in Victorian clothing and build their own version of the Crystal Palace using acrylic building blocks. They then watched a video telling them about what it was like to spend a day at the Great Exhibition and a lovely elderly gentleman spoke to them about how his father had watched it burn down in 1936. The children had great fun wandering through the galleries and marvelling at objects that were actually exhibited at the exhibition. Although they were very tired by the time they got back to school, it had been a fun day and had helped to make their learning more real and memorable.
On Wednesday, Year 4 went on a trip to the Sakthy Ganapathy Temple to support their learning about Hinduism. The children learnt about how Hindus worship at the temple and they got to see all of the beautiful shrines. This week, they have also been learning about ‘nonsense’ poetry. The children have been looking at ‘On the Ning Nang Nong!’ by Spike Milligan and have a worked in groups to create a performance piece for the poem. Amber class also treated us to a very informative assembly all about the Romans.
In Year 5, the children enjoyed a Viking workshop on Wednesday. All looking great in their costumes, they learnt and acted out a number of Viking legends. There was a lot of shouting, drinking of mead and waving of swords and axes. The children also made their Viking soup this week using the recipes they have written to guide them. Using a selection of winter vegetables, the children made delicious smelling hearty broths even if all that goodness wasn’t a universal hit with all the children.
Year 6 have been busy writing instructions for how to mummify a body. They have been thinking carefully about imperative verbs and qualifying adverbs. The children have also been busy working very hard at a second round of practice assessments. They capped off the week by using their design skills to make Shadufs.
Sports news
On Monday, a selected group of Year 6 children made the short journey to Quest Academy to compete in a Sports hall athletics competition. As one of six primary schools involved, they took part in a range of activities including speed jumping, standing long jump, javelin throwing and a variety of relay races. The children did a great job and can all be proud of their 5th place.
On Tuesday, Atwood netballers walked down the road to our neighbours, Gresham for a double match.
The games were so exciting to watch and the goals came thick and fast! Both teams came away with fantastic wins (6-3 and 9-1) but above all, there was a clear improvement in the skills on court, reflecting the hard work being put in during our training sessions by everyone.
Congratulations to Amber and Amelie who were voted Players of the Match by the Gresham team. Well done to all our players and thank you to all the parents who came to support the girls.
On Thursday, a number of children took part in trials for the Croydon Schools Swimming Gala. This is a very competitive event with very capable swimmers from across the borough. Well done to everyone who tried out and good luck to those who have been selected. We look forward to seeing how you get on.
Christmas Lunch
On Friday the 13th December Harrisons will be serving our Christmas lunch. To add to the excitement, on this day the children are invited to come to school in their Christmas jumpers. To add to the festivities, this is also the day of the Christmas Fair and FOAP are asking children to bring a bottle to school for the Bottle Tombola. However, note that wearing a jumper is not dependent on bringing a bottle. Please support FOAP by bringing a bottle but if you can’t please, get in the festive spirit by wearing a Christmas jumper anyway.
Christmas show tickets
Don’t forget, KS2 Christmas show tickets are now available from the school office. If you can’t collect yourself, we can send them home with your child if they collect them from the office. KS! Tickets will be available from next week.
And finally…
It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to Mrs Heybeard today. She has been an important part of Atwood for the past 5 years and we will miss her. We are sorry to see her go but we understand that she has an exciting opportunity to purse something new at Royal Russell school and we wish her all the best.
Also leaving us today, albeit temporarily, is Mrs Quintin-Sey. It will not have escaped your notice that her baby is very nearly due and so she is heading off for a well-deserved rest before the baby arrives. We wish her all the best for the birth and look forward to meeting the new arrival as soon as possible.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Please check because new dates are being added all the time.
Friday 6th December: Pyjamarama Mufti Day in aid of Children’s Cancer UK
Tuesday 10th December: Year 4 and 6 Christmas Show; details to follow
Wednesday 11th December: In school Panto (funded by FOAP);
Thursday 12th December: Year 3 and 5 Christmas Show; details to follow
Friday 13th December: Reception Christmas performance; details to follow
Friday 13th December; School Christmas Lunch and Christmas Jumper Day
Friday 13th December: FOAP Christmas fair (after school event)
Tuesday 17th December: Key Stage One Nativity; details to follow
Friday 20th December: End of Term
Monday 6th January: Back to school
Tuesday 7th January: Year One Toy Workshop
Friday 10th January: Year 4 Roman Workshop
Wednesday 15th January: Jade Class assembly
Tuesday 21st January; Year 6 Young Voices at the O2
Tuesday 28th January: Year 6 British Museum Trip
Friday 7th February: Atwood Museum Day
