11 February 2022

Creating foundations for bright futures

Dear parents

We've come to the end of the first half of the spring term and what a busy half term it has been! It was lovely seeing so many of you during the learning conversations yesterday. There were lots of very proud parents and children! Thank you for those of you who completed our parent survey, we have received such positive feedback which is great to hear. There's still time to complete the survey, if you haven't done so already.

Thank you to all the parents who purchased books from Usborne Books yesterday, nearly £1,000 worth of free books will now be donated to the school! We will be purchasing non-fiction books, books from different cultures and books that deal with feelings and worries.

I hope the children enjoyed their cookie from the Pantry yesterday. Remember if you have any questions about the catering, however small do contact the Pantry directly as they are always there to help.

During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week, the children have enjoyed exploring the theme 'growing together'. The children engaged in mindfulness exercises to promote calm and relaxation and a feeling of well being. As it was also Safer Internet Day this week the children explored the importance of keeping safe online which is so important in an increasingly digital world.

This half term was also filled with a range of exciting school visits and workshops. All the classes in year 1 went to the London Transport Museum and had an amazing time learning about how transport has changed over time. The children in year 2 and year 4 also took part in some exciting history workshops in school! Scroll down for the year group articles in this news roundup edition for more details!

Do make note of the key dates in the diary as there a lot more exciting events coming up next half term! This includes Come Learn with Me, where parents are invited to come to school again and spend some time in their children's classrooms; parent workshops; school trips; concerts and World Book Day!

Have a great half term and see you all on Monday 21 February.

With my very best wishes to you and your families

Tijen Hassan

Headteacher

Term Dates, Holidays and School Closures

Please click link to view term dates for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

Dates for Diary

Please note the key dates below for your diary! We have set the dates for our next Come Learn With Me events- which is an opportunity for parents to come and learn alongside their child in the classroom. Please put the dates in your diaries!

Come Learn With Me Dates

Class Assemblies and Concerts

See below for the class assembly dates and concert dates for Year 3 and Year 4!

Keeping Children Safe

How to set boundaries and build positive relationships with your children

Balancing the various demands you, as parents have to cope with, isn't easy and all parents can come under pressure or stress from time to time.

This guide shares practical advice and tips for positive parenting techniques that work well for children - from babies to teenagers. These techniques encourage better behaviour and help parents find out what works for you and your child. Children’s needs and behaviours change as they get older, and understanding these needs will help you better understand your child. A lot has been written about the needs of children and advice for parents, and this guide covers some of the key areas.

The guide is also a valuable resource for services and professionals offering parenting advice to new parents and those caring for young children or teenagers.

Parent Survey

Thank you to all parents who completed this survey at the Learning Conversations yesterday. There is still time to do this!

Click here to access the parent survey.

Attendance

When a child attends school on a regular basis, they take an important step towards reaching their full potential, and are given the greatest opportunity to learn new things and develop their skills. The more time a child spends around other children, whether in the classroom or as part of a school team or club, the more chance they have of making friends and feeling included, boosting social skills, confidence and self esteem.

This half term we have a whopping 320 children who have achieved 100% attendance and will be celebrated in our assemblies this week. Keep it up!

At Grange Park we aim to ensure our attendance is above 97%, Spring 1 has however been a little lower than this overall. We aim to increase this in Spring 2!

This half term we would like to share the attendance within our families: (This excludes any authorised absence related to COVID).

Well done Broomfield family, you are our winners this half term. Well done Tiger and Willow, you reached our target this half term of 97%. Tiger in first place by a marginal amount.

An excellent effort Neptune. You have almost reached our target of 96% and won best attendance in Grovelands family this half term.

A good effort from Ash and Tulip class. Tulip class just sliding in as winners for Oakwood family.

A good effort from Jaguar and Mercury class. Mercury class are the winners for Trent family this half term!

Curriculum News

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week was Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme was ‘Growing Together’.

The children explored what 'Growing Together' meant to them and for others and why it is important. Children have learnt that growing doesn’t just mean growing physically, but that we all grow mentally as well. Being resilient has been a big part of this learning.

“I have grown in being resilient as I try to be positive when I think I can’t do something. This week when I was finding sewing a bag in D&T challenging, I found the courage and resilience to never give up and I was proud to succeed in the end!” Candace - Ash class

Some children in Key Stage 2 thought about how they could ‘reach for the stars’ and try hard to grow their confidence and their resilience also.

They discuss their goals for the future and things they would like to work towards. There was plenty of discussion about taking steps towards reaching their goals and that small steps count too and that’s OK!

The children then created a beautiful inspiring display to show the goals that they would like to achieve which other children can learn from. The stars include support for learning to cope with difficult feelings and learning how to speak up for something you believe in.

“I have overcome being scared of heights. I can use strategies to keep myself calm like taking a deep, slow breath and saying to myself, it’s OK, I am safe.” James - Cedar class

“It’s OK to speak your mind if you disagree with something but say it in a polite and kind manner. Don’t feel you can’t have your say, every child has the right to be heard, you can do it!” Chloe - Monet class

“Getting back in touch with nature really helps me to feel calm and ready to go back indoors to learn." Isabel - Year 6

“I don’t know what it is but it’s so powerful for me to go outside when I feel overwhelmed, I think it’s the feel of the breeze and I like the fresh air, it makes me feel better inside.” Angelo - Jupiter class

Children also engage in regular mindfulness exercises at Grange Park to promote calm and relaxation and a feeling of wellbeing.

Some classes remembered last year’s theme - Nature and took to the outdoors to engage in mindfulness activities.

Charities

On Monday 24 January all Key Stage two pupils had a virtual special assembly with our Greenpeace visiting speaker Athen.

This was a great opportunity for us to find out from Athen about the important work of this charity and also about steps that we can take to make a difference in addressing environmental issues which affect us all.

One of the most important messages that we took away from this assembly was…

‘Every action is part of the bigger picture and makes a difference.’

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Each class was invited to sign a petition to support requests for a supermarket chain to stop their destruction of virgin rainforest as a method of production and instead make use of more sustainable methods.

All classes also had the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the assembly. Here are some examples:

Lowry Class - How does Greenpeace show people the right thing to do?

Kandinsky Class - Which place in the world needs the most urgent help?

Jaguar Class- How did you get a lot of people to help you?

Willow Class - Why are some supermarkets not doing the right thing? Do you think they will stop and listen?

We are looking forward to hearing back from Athen and receiving answers and feedback to our questions… Watch this space!

Growth Mindset

This half term staff and pupils have been further exploring growth mindset; incorporating the language of growth mindset into our school day. We have learnt how to change a fixed mindset view of a mistake into a growth mindset learning opportunity as well as recognise that with most achievements, we may experience some setbacks on the way.

“A growth mindset is when you can’t do something and you say ‘I can’t do this yet!’ The ‘yet’ means that you will keep trying and one day be able to achieve your goal.” Alba - Cedar

“If at first you don’t succeed…try, try and try again.” Bill - Lowry

“When Plan A doesn’t work, remember there are 25 more letters of the alphabet.” Seraphina - Kandinsky

Safer Internet Day

At Grange Park, across the school, we have been exploring the importance of keeping safe online which is so important in an increasingly digital world.

From gaming and chat, to streaming and video, young people are shaping the interactive entertainment spaces they are a part of. Safer Internet Day 2022 celebrates young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers.

Year 1 pupils have been thinking about how to keep passwords safe online!

This Year 1 child was thinking about safety online and logging this.

Year 4 pupils have been thinking about what information should be kept private and offline and what information is safe to share online!

Times Tables Rockstars

Class Battle Results:

Well done to Tiger for winning the whole school battle and Monet and Picasso in 2nd and 3rd place. The next one begins on the 12 February. Keep working hard on TTRS to try and help your class to victory.

Family Battle:

Congratulations to Broomfield, who won the family competition. Who will knock them off the top spot?

Individual Performances:

Top coin earner over 14 days: Oliver - Lowry. Most correct answers over 14 days: Santino - Jupiter.

Sports Update

Have a look at photos from the multi skills festival in Lea Valley which some Year 2 children took part in.

Book Reviews

We have some new books in the Reading Hub. A few children have been reading them and have written some book reviews to interest you into choosing them in your next visit.

Recommended for FS/KS1 Children

The inspiring true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin: from Trinidad, to London as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords.

When she was ten years old, Floella Benjamin, along with her older sister and two younger brothers, set sail from Trinidad to London, to be reunited with the rest of their family. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbled into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England wasn't at all what Floella had expected.

Recommended for KS2 Children

A book to celebrate the inspiring legacy of the Windrush pioneers. In June 1948, hundreds of Caribbean men, women and children arrived in London on a ship called the HMT Empire Windrush. Although there were already Black people living in Britain at the time, this event marks the beginning of modern Black Britain. Combining historical fact with voices from the Windrush Generation, this book sensitively tells the inspiring story of the Windrush Generation pioneers..

World Book Day

As part of our World Book Day celebrations, Monday 28 February will be the annual World Book Day fancy dress, where the theme will be ‘Your favourite book character’. Please feel free to be as creative as you like, reuse outfits or make them from scratch in an aim to be mindful of the environment. Voluntary donations of £1 will be warmly welcomed and will go towards our fundraising total to buy new books for the school Reading Hub. We look forward to seeing the fantastic outfits and enthusiasm that children bring to our World Book Day.

There will be other World Book Day themed activities arranged throughout the school days that week, inspiring children to see the fun in reading. World Book Day tokens will be handed out on this day. Additional competitions and fun activities will also be shared with the children through their Google classrooms to foster the love of reading we know is so valuable for children.

We are hosting a book fair on the 14 March to 18 March where children will be able to bring in some money and purchase a book in their usual reading hub time on the school timetable. More specific details of your child's day to follow.

Lastly, if you have a book that you have finished with and you know that someone would enjoy it, bring it to class on World Book Day and put it in the book swap box. You can exchange your book for another.

We have also arranged two authors to visit the school. Author Thomas Taylor will be in Foundation stage Year 1 and 2 classes on Tuesday 1 March.

Shadowghast, Thomas Taylor.

Author Andy Cope will be visiting Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 on Thursday 10 March. This is an inspiring opportunity for the children to hear a ‘real-life’ author introduce their writing, talk about the writing process and carry out a short creative writing activity to inspire the children.

Series of Spy Dog books, Andy Cope.

Other News

Holiday Club - February Half Term

We are planning on providing a holiday club during the February half term from Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2022. The cost of the holiday club will be £22 per day and the timings will be 8:30am-5:50pm.

The theme for this week is “Around the World” where children can participate in fun activities that will engage their imagination, curiosity and creativity and celebrate different cultures and traditions. Please have a look on the school website for more information.

Please contact us as soon as possible should you have any enquiries at: extend@grangeparkprimaryelt.org

Healthy Lifestyle Services - Enfield

Enfield have won exclusive national funding to provide FREE support for local families to make healthy changes to their lifestyles.

Enfield Council have commissioned us BeeZee Bodies to provide support for families living in Enfield who are outside the healthy weight range between the ages of 5 and 15 years old. They have a team of nutritionists and behaviour change specialists who want to support local families to make realistic healthy changes, and connect them with the wide range of other services in the local area that can support people to be happy and healthy.

For more info on the programmes please read these posters and click images for more information.

Talents and Interests

This Jaguar child came first place in her gymnastics routine competition! She has a great interest in gymnastics and has been showing Grange Park’s curriculum driver of a growth mindset to achieve her goal! Well done- what a superstar!

Twitter

@grangeparkelt

Don't forget to follow us on twitter to keep up to date with all the news and events happening at Grange Park Primary!

GRANGE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

News and Updates

We are the official fundraising arm of Grange Park Primary and look to bring parents, families, friends, staff and local communities together socially to support our school.

Looking to Help?

The GPPSA would like to remind all that without your support none of the fundraising is possible. If you would like to get more involved in anyway please let us know at gppsa@hotmail.co.uk or speak to any of the committee directly.

We have a WhatsApp helpers group where information is shared and everyone is welcome to join! Please contact us to find out more.

The GPPSA has been busy planning a number of events for the upcoming months. To name a few, we will be:

Holding two school Friendship Discos including a DJ! these will be held after school on Friday 18th March (for Reception up to Year 2) and Friday 25th March (for Year 3 to Year 6).
By popular demand, will also be holding a Crazy Wacky Hair Day on Friday 25 March.
Organising an Easter cake sale
Holding a fun packed family Bingo evening

This is just to name a few. Please look out for more information via Parent Mail.

Click to go to our Facebook page.

Go to instagram and follow us @Grangeparkprimaryassociation

Easy Ways to Help the GPPSA Raise Funds

At this difficult time face to face, group fundraisers are not allowed so again we have set up a fund page for anyone that would like to donate, any donation of any size will be gratefully received and help fund the items for the children that the school has prioritised for this year.

Signing up to easyfundraising which turns your everyday online shopping into FREE donations. Please click on the image.

Using the Amazon Smile link when buying items by pressing the logo and search for Grange Park Primary School Association. If you are buying anything from AMAZON please use the AMAZON SMILE app on your phone. Just go into your settings and convert your original app to the smile version and pick Grange Park Primary School as your charity.

A percentage of the sale comes directly to the school so it’s a very easy way for us to make ££ at this time. Click on the image to find out more.

Entering our school lottery - tickets are only £1 per week. There is a guaranteed winner each week and a chance to win £25,000! Click on the image to find out more.

Looking to get some new name stickers to personalise all your child’s uniform, shoes, books etc? Simply log onto the website as normal, shop and at the end add in our unique code 65741 before you check out. 24% from each order will be donated to our school. See the flyer on our website page for more information. Click on the image to find out more.

Stamptastic is the fastest way to name all your belongings. A personalised stamp made in the UK, usable on fabric, metal, wood and some plastics. No more sewing or ironing in labels! Please note that 20% commission from each order will be donated to our school. Click on the image to place your order.

One of the easiest ways for us to make money on our two Fayre/Festival days is through stall matching. If you work for any of these corporates or another company, please ask your HR department about Stall Matching and let the committee know.

Offers and discounts

Looking for a fun and crafty activity your kids will love? Try a Free ToucanBox (Click this link), P&P only and our school will receive £5. You can cancel the subscription at any time.

Year Group News

Nursery

As part of Nursery's new topic ‘Let’s go outside’, the children have been discovering new ways of moving their whole bodies outdoors. They collaborated to create an obstacle course using crates, wooden planks and blocks and took turns to move across at different speeds independently.

In the sand pit, children used different sized scoops and buckets to fill containers and sand moulds. They investigated which containers held the most sand and found more efficient ways to fill and empty containers at speed.

Venturing into the forest area to retell the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.

In maths, the children have been using 5 frames to show and compare numbers 1,2 and 3.

Concentration from this little Acorn.

Outside, the Acorns learned new ways to create art using natural objects. They were introduced to the artist Andy Goldsworthy and used their imagination to create portraits, animals and many other interesting artworks both at school and at home.

Reception

Reception children have enjoyed exploring our new Talk 4 Writing text “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” The children have shown excellent imagination and created bridges using various materials.

This child used playdough to make her bridge.

This child is creating his bridge in the outside learning area with large wooden blocks and planks.

Using the small wooden blocks inside the classroom to create his bridge.

This Reception child used paper and card to create her 3D pop-up bridge.

"I used wavy lines in my picture, I have little dots. I like colours of my blackness. The orange and yellow are circular to make the stars magical. This is the Shard, Big Ben, London Eye and Gherkin.”

This term we have also been learning about the ‘impressionist’ artist Vincent Van Gogh. We have been particularly interested in his famous painting ‘Starry Night.’ The children explored using different brush strokes and techniques, including swirls, to paint their starry night sky.

Using various shades of blue to create his sky.

Once the paint had dried a cityscape was added to the painting. Using the scissors safely the children cut out all or some of the London skyline. Reception became inner artists and created amazing artwork!

She is enjoying cutting out the London skyline to add to her painting.

Year 1

Year 1 has been on an exciting visit to the London Transport Museum as part of our topic about ‘Wheely Great Transport’.

The purpose of the visit was to explore the changes to transport over the years.

We learned fascinating facts such as Joseph Clough known as Joe to his friends and family, was London's first Black bus driver.

He was also among the very first drivers of motor buses in London, as petrol engines began to replace horse-drawn transport and the first woman Bus driver was called Jill Viner in 1974.

Year 2

Year 2 had a very special visitor come into school for the day. She came from the Florence Nightingale museum.

During her visit, we learnt about her life and how she revolutionised nursing and hygiene.

We acted as nurses and soldiers to experience hospitals in the Crimean ar ourselves.

In English, we have been immersing ourselves in the life and achievements of Mary Seacole, who was also a nurse during the Crimean War. We learnt that she was treated unfairly but did not let this stop her sailing to Turkey, with her own money, to set up the British Hotel hospital.

Year 3

What a busy term with so much learning going on, along with e-safety and wellbeing weeks added in for good measure. In year 3 we have worked really hard this first half of the year.

Science and Maths

In science we have been exploring the human body as part of our focus on the skeletal system. As well as identifying the different parts of the skeleton in the previous session, we combined it with our maths measuring unit of reading scales. Pupils investigated how their skeletons were all different shapes and sizes and what makes them unique. For this they had to carry out different tests, record their data and then evaluate their findings.

Design and Technology

This term we have been exploring sewing techniques to create bronze age bags for hunter gatherers. This has involved practising stitches, designing a bag, constructing out bag by joining the materials and finally evaluating our final outcome. The children have been really challenged by this unit, and it was great to see them challenge themselves and overcome barriers in order to make their bags.

Year 4

In Year 4, we have been learning about the ancient Greek civilisation as part of our history topic.

We had a themed Ancient Greek workshop where we created pottery, mosaics and rehearsed a play on Cyclops and celebrated a Greek festival.

We also created bracelets and carved ancient Greek letters, symbols and Greek gods and goddesses into soap.

Creating Greek symbols...

Year 5

In computing, Year 5 have been learning how to use a Micro:bit.

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together.

It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.

We have programmed the Micro:bit to display messages and temperatures; create and play an animation and to create a pedometer to monitor our physical activity. We have also learnt how to decompose and debug programs and write an algorithm.

In Science we have been learning about the properties and changes of materials. We have enjoyed investigating the materials and learning about new properties such as ‘viscosity’. We have also been designing our own methods for enquiries to find answers to our questions.

Here some Mercury class girls investigating viscosity in liquids.

Taking measurements for a viscosity experiment.

Year 6

The Year 6 children have been learning about Indigenous American art forms in the style of different artists including Bill Reid, George Littlechild and Norval Morriseau. In our first lesson, we learnt about Haida art including the line forms and the importance of symbolism.

Then, using pastels, we explored warm and cool colours and created tone charts, which we then used to imitate the artwork of ‘A man called Raven’.

When learning about Morriseau, we learnt that he created work depicting the legends of Indigenous American people, involving legends about animals and spirituality.

Using a variety of mediums - such as pens, pastels and paint - we imitated their styles of art to form our own unique pieces.

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