Dear Parents and Carers

This week, we had INSET on Friday. Our teachers have had the chance to moderate the outcomes of learning in their class with colleagues across Croydon. They have shared children’s books and assessed their learning. All staff have also engaged in training focusing on reading, phonics and adapting learning for all children. 

A reminder that next week, it is the 1st of December meaning we will be starting our Festive Period at Woodside. We are excited to bring the festive season to Woodside with a range of activities. A polite reminder that if you do not wish for your child to have Christmas Lunch on the 13th December, we need to be informed by Friday 1st December (please email admin@inspirewoodside.co.uk). 

In our kitchens, we unfortunately have a broken dishwasher. We have had technicians out to look at the issue and we are in the process of fixing and replacing parts. In the meantime, we are serving our food on recyclable paper plates and cutlery. Please rest assured, this has not impacted the quality of the food. The lunchtime food remains hot and of the same quality. The dishwasher issue will also not impact Christmas Lunch. We will keep you updated once we have a working dishwasher meaning we can go back to normal plates and cutlery.

We hope everyone enjoys the longer weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.

Iman Atwal

Headteacher

We expect pupils to maintain a high standard of attendance here at Woodside. We want all our pupils to be able to achieve their very best and in order to do this, they need to be in school as much as possible so they don't miss out on any learning. Everyday is a new learning opportunity!

Attachment and Trauma Sensitive Schools Bronze Award

The report stated that; 'There is an emphasis on children’s lived experience as a tool for understanding the child in the present. Throughout the interviews, staff demonstrated sensitivity to children’s histories. They were able to share comprehensive details about the background and adverse experiences of children and explain how these have impacted development. Staff were able to describe how they are working with these children to support regulation and develop pro-social behaviour, and also to protect them from triggering experiences. A particularly powerful example was shared about a child who has lived with domestic violence. Attention to the sensory and emotional environment was comprehensive, as were supportive strategies such as providing clear routines and designated adults. Thoughtful comments were made about observed behaviours and their causes. Adults are passionate about really knowing the children and seek to make sense of behaviour through reflection upon past experiences, and this again is a strength of the school.’

Nursery

This week in Nursery we have been learning about how we come to school everyday. We listened to sounds made by different vehicles and we were able to share our opinions by matching the sound to the vehicle. A lot of us walk to school and a few come in cars. We also spoke about the help that we get from our grown ups, ”We can now put our coats on by ourselves’’, said most of the children, ”We still need help with our zips”. In Maths, we have been learning about the weight of different objects. We used some balancing scales to find out how heavy or light some objects are.

Reception

This week, the children have enjoyed learning based on land animals. They used their observational skills to paint and draw pictures of animals found on land. When drawing their pictures, they discussed patterns and colours observed on tigers, zebras and giraffes. 

In Literacy: We continued to read through the story, ‘Here We Are’. We focused on our planet earth and looked closely at different land animals. 

Home Learning: Talk about different animals and discuss where this animal may live.  

Phonics: This week, children have learnt new digraphs, ‘sh, th, ng and nk’. We looked at words which have these phonemes, for example, shop, moth, ring and pink. We have also been working hard with our spelling and writing.

Our tricky words were, ‘she, he, of’.

Home Learning: practise saying and writing the digraphs learnt this week and make a list of words that have the phonemes, ‘sh, th, ng  and nk’

In Maths: This week, the children have practiced recognising and representing numbers 4 and 5. They done this by using their subitising skills to identify a number of objects without the need to count. The children went on to extend their learning beyond carpet sessions by building blocks and towers using four/five cubes. 

Home Learning: Use objects such as logo, blocks or containers to build a tower to make numbers 4 and 5.  Can your child recognise how many objects have been used without the need to count each object?

REMINDERS: The weather is changeable, so please ensure that your child brings in a coat. If you have any clothes at home that do not belong to your child, please can you return them back to school promptly. Thank you. 

Please can you check if your child has brought home a pair of black trainers that does not belong to them.  If your child is missing a pair of black trainers, please see Mrs Patel. Thank you 

WE NEED YOU!! Can you come in to read with the children or support them on a school trip? Do you have time to come in and talk to the children about your occupation and the job you do? Please let our team know if you are available to support and help us in class.

Well done to all the children, they had a great week!

The Reception Team

Year 1

This week year 1 have been writing a dialogue between Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf using forms of speech. They came up with their own adjectives to describe the wolf’s ears, eyes and teeth. In maths, we were using our knowledge of number bonds within 10 to find the missing part of a whole number. 

In Design and technology, we tried materials that are hard to build a bridge. Then we worked with a partner and built bridges together.

Year 3

In English, we are focusing on our core text ‘ Rosie Revere, Engineer.’ The children have been role playing as Rosie and answering questions asked by other children who are the reporters. The children then began to write out the transcript focusing on direct speech each time Rosie and the reporter spoke. 

In DT, children were investigating how to make a piece of card stand upright like a photograph frame using different resources like cello tape and glue. 

In science, we tested out whether magnets will attract or repel an object. We also tested out on what would happen if we put two north pole magnets together and two south poles. We made sure the key words, repel, attract, push away, pull and magnetic were used when explaining what was happening.

Year 4

In the exciting culmination of their exploration into textile design, our Year 4 children are set to embark on a creative journey of their own. Drawing inspiration from the various designers they have studied and researched, these young minds are now poised to become designers themselves. Guided by their newfound knowledge and fueled by their imaginations, each child will craft a unique textile design that reflects their personal style and vision.

The highlight of this endeavor lies in the tangible output – drawstring bags that will showcase the individualized designs. Through this hands-on project, the children will not only bring their envisioned patterns to life but also develop practical skills in crafting and sewing. This immersive experience promises to not only deepen their appreciation for textile design but also instill a sense of pride in their ability to create something truly their own. As they embark on this artistic endeavor, the Year 4 children are not just crafting bags; they are weaving together a tapestry of creativity, knowledge, and personal expression.

Year 5

For this week’s learning, the children have continued their writing journey with the ‘Boy in the Tower’. The children will be writing a newspaper article so have been exploring the features and writing styles used within newspapers.

Our maths journey has continued to focus on fractions, we have been exploring how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa. The children have been using a range of resources to help with their understanding.

This week, to tie in with the children’s RE learning, Year 5 visited Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara to further their understanding in the Sikh faith. The children engaged in a discussion about Sikhism where they were able to share any questions they had.

Year 6

Year 6 students are extremely excited as they have been conducting a fascinating scientific experiment as part of their curriculum, exploring the factors influencing mould growth. The experiment aims to investigate how different areas within a room can affect the time it takes for mould to appear.

The selected areas for observation are the radiator, window sill, cupboard, and under the sink. Each location has distinct environmental conditions that may impact the growth of mould. This experiment not only encourages students to apply their scientific knowledge but also helps them understand the importance of controlled variables in experiments. Watch this space we will update you on the process!!

Primary Admissions

Is your child 4 years old before 31st August 2024?

We warmly invite you to join our school community. Mr Atwal would be delighted to show any prospective parents around the school; please make sure you sign up to join us for a school tour and to meet the team. 

Existing Nursery children will also need to apply for a Reception place.

There are a number of dates on which you can visit - use this form

or call the office to let us know when you will visit.

If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 you are now able to apply for them to join Woodside for a Reception place in September 2024. Applications for Reception next year should be made via the Local Authority. Information about the application process can be found HERE

Belongings and equipment

Please remember that children should not bring pencil cases, toys or other items to school - we cannot be held responsible if these items go missing or are damaged. Pencil cases are a distraction - we provide all necessary equipment for our students to use during lessons.

In line with our school policies, we ask that children do not wear smartwatches during school hours. This ensures a fair and uniform approach to the use of technology within the classroom setting. 

To avoid confusion and loss of personal items, please ensure your child's name is clearly written on all of their clothing. This includes uniforms, PE kit, jackets or coats, and any other items they may bring to school. This simple step greatly aids in the quick and accurate return of lost belongings. Please regularly check that your child is returning home with their own property.

Thank you for your support on these matters.

Please note that this year, we are asking children to change in school. They should bring in their PE bags and keep them in school for the term and take them home at the end of the term. Thank you for supporting us with this.

All children need elastic fronted plimsolls for indoor/outdoor PE which are best kept in a drawstring bag on their cloak peg. Children will need black/blue shorts and a white t-shirt in their PE bag to wear for PE lessons. 

Collaboration matters   Excellence in everything   Community first   Equity for everyone   Continuous growth