Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents/Carers

As we approach the end of Module 4, it is a chance to look back and celebrate what has been achieved. We have had several focus weeks. Book Week saw all of the children engaging in drama activities with different year groups as well as dressing up as a book character and producing some writing linked to a class text. Next up was Careers Week. This is the first time we have had a focus week for careers but we wanted to provide the children with further aspirations for their futures. We were lucky enough to have several volunteers speak to different class groups about their careers and the pupils then researched job roles linked to the answers they provided in a quiz. Pupils proudly discussed some of the presentations they produced in a whole school assembly. Mrs Hughes has shared more information in the newsletter. We then engaged with Science Week towards the end of the term. The focus this year was 'connections.' The pupils participated in different investigations linked to the theme as part of their curriculum journey.

If that wasn't enough we have also had classes welcoming visitors or going on school visits to support them with their learning, not to mention the incredible hard work the pupils demonstrate throughout their maths and English learning! It has certainly been a very busy module!

Thank you to all of the parents and carers who joined us for the Parents Evenings last week. As a result of the recent survey we have striven to provide additional information so you feel you know what your child is doing and how your child is getting on at school. We hope you have found the Yearly Overview shared this week useful as well as the option to see your child's current teacher assessment grades on MCAS. We will shortly be providing a list of recommended books to support with learning at home as some parents have fedback that they do no know how best to support their child e.g. to write a sentence with a fronted adverbial or to complete a multiplication question. You will have the opportunity to order the books through the school at a reduced price. We hope this is useful to you too.

The newsletter is bursting with updates so make yourselves comfortable with a cup of tea and find out what has been happening at High Halstow Primary Academy this module!

I hope you all enjoy the Easter Break. We look forward to welcoming the pupils back to the academy on Monday 17th April.

Mrs G Stangroom

Ant Class

Year 5 have had another fantastic, busy and fun term!

The class have been extremely engaged in our inquiries this term, beginning with delving into the Solar System, where they gained a lot of knowledge and were fantastic scientific inquirers, investigating why we have day and night and why the moon appears to change shape.

Our second inquiry led us to learning about human exploration of space. We thought about how the first moon landing could have been broadcasted back in 1969, learning all about how the BBC managed this and how James Burke presented it. The class really enjoyed writing scripts to interview him! The class also wrote some fantastic diaries in the role of a space explorer.

Our next inquiry will have us thinking about technological advances and how these have impacted our exploration of space.

One piece of writing, which definitely needs to be celebrated this term, is the character descriptions that the children wrote of an alien they created for Book Week! These were absolutely brilliant pieces of writing, showing just how much progress every child in Year 5 has made already. This writing has been inspired by our class text this term (a novel set in space) called Phoenix.

We are now very much looking forward to our class visit on the last day of term to the Science Museum!

Well done Ants for all your hard work. Have a great Easter break!

Butterfly Class

Butterfly Class have worked extremely hard during module 4. We began the module by applying our cooking skills. The children worked in groups to prepare and cook tasting dishes for different countries across the world. In writing, the children worked on suspense pieces and created gripping stories that led to challenging circumstances. This module, the pupils have been working on editing and improving to produce longer writing pieces. In Science, the children focused on sources of power. As well as this, they learnt and inquired about ways in which we can create renewable power and help our planet. In Maths, the pupils focused on decimals and algebra. Additionally, the pupils have been recapping arithmetic, reasoning and problem-solving skills in all areas. 

Staffing Update - Grasshopper Class

As you aware, Miss Bennett will be leaving us on Wednesday 26th April 2023.  I know you will join us in wishing her every success for the future.  We extend our thanks to her for her support and commitment during her time with us.  Mrs Finan will be joining us after the Easter break to work with Miss Ingram in the Grasshopper class.

Careers Week

The children really enjoyed Careers Week, which ran from 6th-10th March this year. During the week, every year group had the opportunity to listen to volunteers who came in to speak to us about their career. These talks were extremely eye-opening and inspiring for the children, creating a lot of discussion and interest in a wide range of careers. Some examples of the variety of careers we were enlightened by included a radiologist, a wedding stylist, a police detective and a Houses of Parliament camera operator.

The children also had careers week projects in which to participate in their class. KS1 enjoyed creating a digital book, using Book Creator, to show what they want to do when they grow up. The school loved hearing about these and seeing some examples in Friday’s assembly.

KS2 created an Adobe Express video, titled ‘A Day in the Life of…’ where they researched their chosen career, before writing a script, planning the video and then making it. We really enjoyed watching some of these in the assembly too!

Mrs Hughes

Nature Squad Update

Spring is here (well almost!) and Nature Squad have been busy planting vegetable seeds (in our new greenhouse) and ‘chitting’ potatoes.  The weeds have started to sprout and so adds another job to the list!  

The school recently took part in the Big Garden Bird Watch in connection with the RSPB.  After every class took part in the survey of our school grounds, these were the results:

Bird feeding is going well and our local blue tits, sparrows and friendly woodpecker are enjoying the seeds and fat balls!

As Spring erupts the children are so excited about growing our snacks - so far we have planted cucumber seeds, tomatoes, courgettes and have planted onion sets.  

WE ARE WINNERS!

Last month Nature Squad took part in an idling competition linked with Medway Council.  We have just had news that we have won!  More news to follow about the prize!  Many thanks to Nature Squad for extending their school day to take part in the competition.

Mrs Atkinson

School Uniform

Please click on the following link to order from our additional uniform supplier - Brigade. You can still order from Uniform Base in Chatham in the usual way.

www.brigade.uk.com

We have a selection of second hand and new uniform available for purchase in the main office waiting area. Some items still have tags on! There will be an honesty box for small donations or the cash can be given to the office staff. You are welcome to come in to look at it at any time during the school day.

PTA Events

Friday 21st April 2023 - Coronation Raffle Donation:  Children will be able to wear their own clothes to school in return for an item for the King's Coronation hampers.  Donations are to be sent in the following colour theme:-

Year R - Gold

Year 1 - Silver

Year 2 - Black

Year 3 - White

Year 4 - Purple

Year 5 - Red

Year 6 - Blue

Friday 5th May 2023 - Chocolate Tombola Donation: Children will be able to wear their own clothes to school in exchange for a donation of chocolate.

Friday 19th May 2023 - Disco - Further details to follow.

Friday 26th May 2023 - Fireaway Friday - Further details to follow.

Term Dates 2023-2024

As advised previously, please note slight changes:-

Tuesday 2nd January 2024 will be a Professional Development Day so pupils will not be in school.  Friday 9th February 2024 will be a normal school day.