Reception: Spring Flower Hunt
What a blooming wonderful morning! Our Reception class turned into a team of mini-botanists this morning as they headed out on an exciting spring flower hunt. The children’s eyes lit up as they spotted a vibrant carpet of bluebells and the delicate, tiny petals of forget-me-nots peeking through the grass. We practised our counting while admiring rows of cheerful tulips and bright yellow daffodils, before moving on to marvel at the larger-than-life rhododendrons. The highlight for many was seeing the spectacular, cup-shaped blooms of the magnolia soulangeana, which looked almost like pink and white clouds against the sky. We finished our adventure by identifying the hardy geraniums tucked away in the flower beds. It was a fantastic way to enjoy the fresh air, learn about the change in seasons, and appreciate the incredible colours of nature right on our doorstep!
Year 3- PSHE- Can Harold afford it?
Today, Miss Gregson delivered an insightful lesson to the class titled "Can Harold Afford It?" focusing on building economic literacy and digital resilience. The session began by exploring the children’s wishes, with many mentioning items they would buy if they could afford them, such as a phone, a PlayStation, a fish tank, new clothes, or a holiday. Miss Gregson helped the children distinguish between "wishes" and "needs," challenging the class to identify essential household costs, such as food, furniture, and electricity bills, that families must prioritise. The children then applied these concepts to help Harold the Giraffe, who wanted a £150 bike but only had £20 in his money box. By calculating Harold’s "income" and expenses, the class discussed the importance of saving up for bigger items and even suggested eco-friendly options like buying a second-hand bike to save money and protect the environment. Additionally, the lesson touched on the financial risks of online gaming, teaching the children that virtual items like skins and gems cost real money and that it is important to avoid being rushed into spending decisions.
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Online Safety: YouTube
YouTube continues to be one of the most popular platforms for young people, offering a mix of entertainment, creativity and learning. However, its vast content library and recommendation systems can also expose children to risks that are not always easy to spot. Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights key concerns, including: • Inappropriate or extreme content • Interaction with strangers • Risky trends and challenges • The impact of short-form content It also offers practical advice, such as using YouTube Kids, setting parental controls and watching content together. Download the guide here: https://vist.ly/4zbr3 #OnlineSafety #Safeguarding #DigitalParenting #WakeUpWednesday
Reception-PSHE- Healthy Eating
In class we learnt all about the importance of healthy eating. We were able to name different foods from different food groups. We also learnt the importance have having some sugary foods only in moderation as too much sugar could cause tooth decay. The highlight of our lesson was being able to taste the foods from different food groups.
Year 2- Earth Day
In Year 2, we learned about the problem of plastic pollution. We wrote pledges for what we will do to help the world, made some collages and created some fantastic Earth Day posters.
Year 5 - PSHE
In this lesson, we considered the skills and qualities needed to be successful at a range of jobs. The children discussed the potential careers that may interest them, including science, sport, construction and medicine. We then thought about what characteristics are needed for each role. For veterinary medicine, we decided that you should be ambitious, compassionate, hard working and mentally strong. We also considered how important the characteristics of dedication, discipline and confidence are for sports people.
Year 6 - High School Transition Session
This week, Year 6 took part in a transition session led by staff from DACA High School. The children were introduced to what to expect in secondary school, including routines, expectations and aspects of school life. The session provided an opportunity for the children to ask questions and begin to feel more confident about the move to Year 7. The children engaged well in the discussions, showing enthusiasm and maturity throughout.
Year 1 PSHE: Fairness
In our PSHE lesson, we were thinking about fairness. We started by reading a story about Harold the Giraffe and his friends. At several points in the story, we stopped to discuss if the events were fair, unfair, kind or unkind. We shared examples of times we may have found something unfair, such as not sharing toys, not sharing equipment or someone being unkind. Then, we looked at four pictures. The children had to look closely and decide if the pictures were fair or unfair. These pictures helped us to understand four new terms: reality, equality, equity and justice. The children understood that sometimes equality isn’t always the fairest and we should try to be more equitable. This means giving more support to those who need it and less to those who don’t. It was fantastic to see the children problem solving and building on each other’s ideas.
Online Safety: App and Play Stores
With millions of apps available and children accessing them from an increasingly young age, app stores can present a range of risks. From malware and copycat apps to inappropriate content and persuasive in-app purchases, this Wake Up Wednesday guide highlights how easily young users can encounter issues – even when using official platforms. It also offers clear, practical advice to help parents and educators manage these risks. From setting up parental controls and checking app credibility to having open conversations about safe usage, the guide supports adults in building children’s awareness, encouraging safer choices and promoting more balanced, responsible app use
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Year 5 Smart School Council Big Debate
Today we took part in our Smart School Council Big Debate. We were asked if Tik Tok should be banned for everyone in the UK. We had six groups, four voted no and two groups voted yes. The main reasons discussed were that it should be banned as it’s a Temu version of YouTube and it’s full of inappropriate content and toxic people. On the other hand some thought it shouldn’t be banned as they think it allows people to connect to others, have fun and interact, it can also be really useful to find out relevant information. Most of the children did highlight though that it should have an age restriction of 16 years old and above. We had some wonderful points that were shared that showcased our oracy skills in Year 5.
Reception: Chicks have come to visit
The Reception classroom is buzzing with excitement this week as we welcome some very special, fluffy new residents! Our little learners have officially begun their journey as mini-farmers, starting the week by discovering exactly how to care for our baby chicks. Today was a particularly big day, as the children practised their "gentle hands" to learn the proper way to hold and stroke the chicks, marvelling at how soft and delicate they feel. Beyond the cuddles, it was a fantastic day of discovery. The children spent time observing the chicks' behaviour and learning the essentials of their routine, from the specific type of food they need to grow strong to the clever way they use their beaks to sip water. It has been wonderful to see the pupils so engaged and showing such natural kindness toward their new friends. We are all incredibly excited to spend the rest of the week looking after them and watching them grow!
Reception: Muddy Monday
What a fantastic afternoon we had at Whitehall Park today! We were blown away by the children's bravery and determination as they explored the great outdoors. Many of our little explorers challenged themselves to reach new heights, showing incredible physical strength and focus as they climbed trees much higher than they ever have before! It was wonderful to see their confidence grow with every branch they conquered. Whether they were finding the perfect foothold or cheering on their friends from below, the teamwork and grit on display were truly inspiring.