It is hard to believe that we have already made it to half term. The weeks have flown by and the weather has certainly felt more autumnal over the last few days. The children have been working hard this week and we wish them all a restful break before we return on Wednesday 1st November.
YEAR GROUP BY YEAR GROUP
The children in Reception have been out all around the school checking for the first signs of the changing seasons on their autumn walk. They have also been learning more about the number five. Nursery have been using songs to support their learning and making musical instruments. Read more of their news here https://www.pegasusacademytrust.org/news/eyfs/atwood-early-years-explore-autumn
In Year One, this week the children have completed lots of outdoor learning. In geography, they looked at maps and followed a map to the orchard. They needed to remember to keep turning the map when they turned a corner! It was great fun! The children also went to Forest School for some science learning about seasonal changes. As we are in the season of autumn, they visited Forest School to discover any clues that autumn has arrived and then discussed their findings back in the classroom.
Year Two, have been learning more about the Tudors by analysing artefacts and gathering information through inference. They have especially enjoyed learning more about the Tudor trumpeter John Blanke and how his experiences relate to our lives today. In Science and DT, the children evaluated their muffins and their box designs. In English sessions, the children have explored the power of performing poetry as a whole class and the impact of rhythm through ‘The Owl and the Pussy-Cat’. They have also enjoyed the text ‘Coming to England’ by Floella Benjamin.
Year Three have had a busy week. On top of all the learning that has been going on in class, the children have been out to visit the church where they had a number of workshops focussing on aspects of Christianity. The children have also used their sketching skills to produce pictures of The Crystal Palace. This artwork will be the front covers of their Thematic books. In other exciting news, Jade class have moved into a fully refurbished new classroom.
In Year Four, the children have been learning and reciting Nonsense Poetry. The children finished the week performing their recitals of Spike Milligan’s ‘On the Ning Nang Nong’ with musical accompaniments.
In Year Five, the children have been creating and performing blackout poetry using the book Lost Words. The technique involves reading text and then blacking out parts of the text to leave a poem from the powerful words that remain. All the children’s performances have been recorded and linked with QR codes so that the videos can be viewed by scanning the code in the children’s reading diaries. The children have also been learning about Newton’s three laws of motion and experimenting with the effects of pulls and pushes.
Finally, Year Six have been busy this week protesting for equal rights and votes for women! They learnt about some of the significant events such as the hunger strikes, capturing the Monument and Black Friday. In the role of Emmeline Pankhurst, the children have been practising their persuasive speeches and then presenting them to the rest of the class! Some children made banners or rosettes to create a supportive and electrifying crowd. Go suffragettes!
Elsewhere, in forest school last week the children got creative with Hapa Zome and weaving. Hapa zome: Quite literally meaning ‘leaf dye’, is the Japanese technique of smashing flowers and leaves into fabric.
WEAR RED
The children wore red today in a strong show of support to ‘Show Racism the Red Card’. following on from the assemblies this week, the children have been hearing about the valuable work of this organisation and thinking about how we can stand up to racism wherever and whenever we see it.
PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please check the dates below for news of our upcoming Dad’s breakfast. Remember to put the date in the diary and hopefully we will see lots of dads, uncles and grandads on the day.
In other news, if there are any parents who feel they would be able to offer an occasional hour helping in Atwood Café, please step forward. Full training given and maybe even a free muffin!
Please keep an eye out for Miss Dunn’s request for some volunteer Little Wandle admin support from parents on Google classrooms.
SPORTING NEWS
On Thursday this week, the Girls’ football team played their first match of the season. In driving rain and wind, the girls put in a fantastic effort and triumphed 3-0 over Quest Academy with goals from Sofiah (2) and Annalise. Well done to all the girls (and to all those who turned up to support in the rain).
Elsewhere, the boys’ team continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-0 win over Courtwood Primary.
HARVEST COLLECTION
In our Harvest Assembly on Friday 3rd November, the children will hear from a lady representing Croydon Nightwatch. This organisation helps to support homeless people in and around Croydon by providing food and advice. We will be having a harvest collection for this charity. If you would like to support, please bring in a donation of ambient foods like tinned soup, Pot Noodle style meals, dried pasta/rice, jars of pasta sauce, cereal, sugar/tea/coffee or toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and shower gel.
BOOK FAIR
We are running our annual Book Fair from Monday 13th November until Friday 17th November. It will be based in the library after school every evening that week, from 3.20pm. Get organised for Christmas and start to stock up with some fantastic books for children all ages.
AND FINALLY …
It seems a little early to be talking about the end of the year but we are pleased to announce that this year we will holding Christmas performances in Key Stage Two. The final logistics of this are still being worked out but there will be music, singing, festive cheer and maybe even a little dancing. Details will be announced nearer the time but for now, book the dates (see below).
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Please check the dates below as new dates are being added:
- Friday 20thOctober: End of half term
- Wednesday 1stNovember: Start of half term
- Thursday 2nd November: Year 2 Diwali Workshop
- Friday 3rd November Harvest Assembly. Donations for Croydon Nightline. Please see above.
- Sunday 5th November FOAP Fireworks event
- Wednesday 22nd November Parent/ carer reading workshops 3-4pm repeated 5-6pm
- Friday 24th November Dad’s Breakfast 8.45-9.45am
- Wednesday 13th December Year 3&4 Christmas Show 9.30am and 2.30pm
- Thursday 14th December Reception Christmas performances 9.10am and 2.30pm
- Friday 15th December Year 5&6 Christmas Show 9.30am and 2pm.
- Tuesday 19thDecember: KS1 Christmas performances 9.30am and 2pm. Details to follow.
- Thursday 21stDecember: End of autumn term
