Friday April 28th
It’s been a busy return to school for the summer term and there are lots of exciting plans for the term ahead. New topics have begun and, as always, the school has been full of learning and laughter. On a sporting note, a big well done to our Year 4 footballers who represented the school at a festival last week and to our rugby team that took on Gowerton yesterday. They showed great resilience in tough conditions and should be really proud of themselves.
After school clubs will resume next week. You should have received forms to sign your child up if they wish to attend.
There have been lots of highlights since our return after Easter. Morning Nursery have had a lovely 2 weeks exploring the letter L. They have counted and ordered ladybird spots, made ladybird crackers for snack, explored lines using paint, paper and natural materials and made loud and quiet sounds with instruments. They have learnt about litter and recycling and played ‘follow the leader’ in gym. Afternoon Nursery have been enjoying playing outside in the building site and on the bikes, learning to peddle. It was lovely to make new friends when the next Nursery intake joined us for the afternoon. Reception have been finding out about Spring, talking about the changes they can see around them. Children enjoyed their walk around the school looking for signs of Spring and creating posters to show them. They have also been looking at plants and finding out what they need to grow as well as drawing and labeling the parts of a plant and creating an addition flower garden! Of course, the big hit has been today’s wonderful community farm trip!
Year 1 have been learning about living, non living and used to be living things this week. They also predicted what will happen during their cress investigation and put spring words into alphabetical order as an independent challenge. Making groups of equal amounts has been the focus in maths this week and not forgetting their fantastic trip to the community farm to end the busy week! Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells’ class have loved their adjective hunt this week, finding words to describe dangerous creatures. They then used new words and connected sentences to describe lions, showcasing their wonderful writing skills. The biggest surprise was getting to meet their very own caterpillars and start their caterpillar diaries.
Extreme mini beasts have been the talking point in Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas’ class where the children researched interesting facts about poisonous dart frogs, spiders and snakes. There is also lots of excitement in the air with the long awaited arrival of their caterpillars. Mr Reid’s class have thoroughly enjoyed learning about famous pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy including 2 Welsh pirates Black Bart and Henry Morgan. The children have worked hard in making a timeline and creating fact files about them. They have also loved learning the moves for a pirate jig before beginning to plan and create their own.
Highlights in Mr Jenkins’ class this week have included reading the Welsh story of Ben the Scarecrow. Children have also completed their learning challenges on writing instructions and their science investigation on electrical conductors. In Maths the children have loved learning about 2d and 3d shapes and their properties. Year 5 and 6 really enjoyed their immersion day and beginning their new topic based around the book ‘The Arrival’. A highlight has been creating their own creatures using clay and identifying their features to help them live, learning about the importance of having an identity. As always PE has been a big hit. This week children played a target game using their ball skills and jumping. Brilliant!
Coronation Party
There will be a party and disco in school on Friday, 5th May to celebrate the King’s Coronation. Children can wear party clothes or red/white/blue or dress up as a King or Queen. Please could your child bring a small extra lunchbox with party food (for themselves) and an extra drink. Please note that pupils will still need lunch as the party will be in the afternoon.
Personalised assessments
During the month of May, children in Years 2 to 6 will be completing online personalised assessments in Reading and Numeracy. These are not used as “tests” or have any form of high accountability stakes for pupils or the school. They do, however, provide us with some information about what your child can do well, and needs to do next. They will be delivered in an informal manner which minimises any potential anxiety. Please be assured that pupils will not be put under any pressure, and will see these as an activity like any other.
Dates for the diary
Monday May 1st – Bank holiday
Tuesday May 2nd – PTA meeting 15.30
Friday May 5th – Coronation party (see above)
Monday 8th May – Bank Holiday
Monday June 5th – RSE information session for parents (16.00 to 17.00) at Gowerton Comprehensive School
Week beginning 26th June – Provisional Sports days (details to follow)
Friday June 30th – INSET DAY
Week beginning 3rd July – Parent workshops (details to follow)
Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip
Monday July 24th – INSET DAY
(Information about events specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)
Have a great Bank Holiday, see you all on Tuesday!
Mr Jamie Evans
Deputy Headteacher
