We have arrived at the end of a half-term and it has been a successful week with children across the school completing their written publishing ready for display in the classrooms and in their portfolios. Our year 6 children have had a busy week with some of them attending a football tournament at Peacefields and all of them taking part in a workshop delivered by the Mental Health Schools team linked to strategies for anxiety in school. Our Year 4 children visited our local church as part of their Christianity learning and our Catkins children had a really enjoyable time at the National Maritime museum this week. Across the school, we have introduced recall and retention posters to support the children with discussing their learning and to remember key knowledge. It would be great if all parents could support this by asking children about what they have learnt everyday.

Following our successful JLT jobs fair, we have also been busy reviewing the children's applications ahead of the big reveal of who has been successful in the different roles across the school and we look forward to having an assembly to reveal and celebrate the children. As I said last week, tomorrow will be Miss Murphy's last day for now as she goes off on maternity leave. I am sure you will join us in wishing her well.

Have a lovely week and we look forward to seeing all of you and the children back here on Monday 30th October.

Safeguarding of the site and Attendance

I am writing to you to clarify a number of important clarifications that affect the start of the day. As with attendance, it is very important that children arrive at school on time each day, every minute missed adds up to a vast amount of learning time lost over the school year. School starts at 8.55 a.m. every day with gates opening at 8.40 and the children going up to their classes to begin registration . Your child will be classified as being late if they are not on the school premises by 8.55. Children who arrive late are greatly disadvantaged because they miss starting the day with their peers and the beginning of lessons. This can be disrupting for the rest of the class and teacher. 

In order to best support children who arrive late from the 30th October we will be reintroducing the late gate. The late gate will be positioned by the main entrance to the office and you will be asked to sign your children in and they will be escorted to class by a member of staff. In line with the school’s safeguarding policy it is important we have to be vigilant of members of the community who are on site and this includes parents. With this in mind we rely on your support in asking parents to refrain from taking themselves around the building without a member of Woodhill staff. We understand that some parents like to take their children to class, however it is important that children develop a sense of independence by taking themselves to class like their peers. If you are concerned about separating from your child then please speak to a member of the leadership team or your child’s teacher and we can support. 

In addition to this we ask for your support in ensuring that if you are waiting for your child to finish an after school club that you wait in the front entrance pen or if it is raining you are welcome to wait in the corridor by the office. We are aware that some parents have been using the hub but as children are still onsite at this time we are required for safeguarding reasons to limit any members of the community being onsite without staff supervision. 

If there are any concerns you may have which you feel prevent you from ensuring your child’s regular attendance and punctuality to school, please contact the school office on 020 8854 5055 or email info@inspirewodhill.co.uk - Thank you for your continued support.

Year 6 - have had an exciting few week ,in their curriculum  learning, as they started learning more about Rainforests - particularly the Amazon and Congo Basin-  as well as researching their importance as an ecosystem . To keep those arithmetic skills developing, the children have been improving their  `Personal Bests` as well as fine tuning their times tables knowledge . The children have also been fine tuning their Place Value and Rounding skills . Christian commented , `` Bring on the arithmetic challenges.``

In Science, Year 6 have been exploring and finding out  about `Living Things` , and  have been presenting their findings  from the `growing mould ` experiment, and from their visit to London Zoo. The children really enjoyed the workshop -at London Zoo- in which they got the opportunity to visit and explore a Mini-Rainforest . The workshop  allowed the children to showcase their  `sticky knowledge` about Rainforests and sustainability. This was followed by an afternoon exploring London Zoo . Rebecca said , `` I didn`t realise just how tall giraffes are .``

In English, the children have been reading  and exploring  `Gorilla Dawn ` - a fascinating story set in  the Congo - which follows the journey  of  Imara and Bobo - two young children - as they aim to free a baby gorilla from the clutches of smugglers. Although a  fictional story , the themes of protecting endangered species , sustainability,and bio-diversity  permeate the whole story. The events in the story have prompted excellent discussions in class .

Nilton commented that, ``Imara and Bobo must have been terrified- but were so brave .`` The children have really explored the rich vocabulary , the plot,  sequence of events , and background to the story to compose  language rich taster drafts - as well amazing published work. Bella  said of her final outcome , `` I feel ready proud of my setting and character descriptions``

Additionally, the  children also took part in  exciting discussions and enquiry tasks  in RE, whereby they explored Buddhism -using the `5Ws` - to develop very well researched presentations .  Lastly, but not least, the children continued to improve their Art skills and  knowledge by drawing inspirations from the great work of Kim Guthrie. In PE, the children continue to  develop their practical  skills and teamwork  in a range of sports.