Collaboration matters Excellence in everything Community first Equity for everyone Continuous growth
It has been a positive week at Woodhill with the children across the school working hard on their learning and becoming fully engrossed in their new core texts. A group of Year 5 children also had a wonderful time at 'The Reach', the local climbing wall as we continue to strengthen our link within the Greenwich School Sports Partnership. This Thursday, we were delighted to welcome colleagues from Europe to our school to focus on Inclusion and our approaches in this area. Also this week, our Y6 Junior Leaders have met to plan their next podcast and the rest of our junior leadership team are due to have their first meeting of the summer term next week. I am pleased to share our sports day dates with you as well as important dates relating to Year 6 for the end of the year. These can be found below.
Wishing you all a good weekend and fingers crossed for warmer weather.
Messages from the office
Safe and respectful parking in the school community
As we are all aware, there are a number of works happening in and around the school which has for the time has had a significant impact on parking before and after school. Even so, I felt it was important to write to you once more about our collective responsibility to maintain a safe journey to school for everyone while also respecting the local residents. We can do this in a number of ways:
Please refrain from parking over driveways as many residents grow frustrated with the school if they are trying to leave for work and are unable to
On Woodhill, cars must not be parked on the yellow zigzag “School Keep Clear” markings. These markings are to prevent vehicles stopping or parking specifically outside the entrance of the school in order to keep sight lines clear for motorists and pedestrians
Please do not park too close to a road junction (for example, between Woodhill and Godfrey Hill) as this is an illegal offence. Take note of the signs that are placed on the junction
Cars should not be parked on pathways during drop off and collection times
Please consider the safety of young children and parents with pushchairs who may have to walk into the road and into the path of oncoming traffic to get past. Again, it is illegal to park a car on a pavement
In the meantime, we will continue to speak with parents who place members of our school community at risk and if deemed appropriate, warning letters will be distributed.
Please consider whether you really need to use your car to make the journey to school at all. Not only is walking a healthier option and better for the environment, but it also helps to alleviate some of the problems we are currently facing at the start and end of the school day.
I am sure we are all in agreement that the safety of all our children must continue to be our primary responsibility. In these circumstances, I appreciate your support in ensuring this takes priority over a convenient drop off or pick up.
Register for the Bexley Secondary Selection Tests
Registration for the 2024 Bexley Selection Test will open on Wednesday 1 May, and close at midnight on Friday 31 May, for children due to start secondary school in September 2025. We cannot accept late registrations.
It is anticipated that the test will be held between 9 and 12 September, with the exact dates to be confirmed.
The grammar schools in Bexley are Beths Grammar School (boys), Bexley Grammar School (mixed), Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School (mixed), and Townley Grammar School (girls).
To be considered for a place at a grammar school within the London Borough of Bexley through the coordinated secondary application process, your child must achieve the selective standard in the selection test held at the beginning of Year 6. You may recall that such tests were formerly referred to as the '11 plus.'
Please click on the link below for information https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/selection-tests/register-secondary-selection-test
Curriculum Newsletter April 2024
Please click on the link below for each classes 'Curriculum Newsletter'
Curriculum Newsletter April 2024
National Phonics Screening Test
On Thursday 2nd May, we will be holding an information session for Year 1 parents relating to the upcoming phonics screening check which will take place in June 2024. The session will take place in the lower hall between 9am and 9:30am and I encourage all Y1 parents to attend.
Y4 Multiplication Times Tables open Morning
On Wednesday 8th May, we will be holding a Y4 Multiplication times tables open morning for parents in the lower hall from 9am to 9:30am.
Term Dates 2024/2025
Headlice
We have received reports of head lice in Pine Tree Class. Please check your child’s hair tonight and for the next 7 days to make sure there are no eggs hatching. You may wish to run conditioner through the hair using a fine-tooth comb.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem in all schools. It helps to keep all long hair tied up to prevent the spread. Legally the school cannot check children’s hair or send a pupil home if they have head lice.
It is therefore important that all parents are vigilant and act quickly if head lice are found.
Intensive Swimming Interventions – Beech Tree
We are delighted to inform you that this term as part of our PE curriculum for Year 5, we have secured sessions at the Woolwich Waterfront swimming baths. Your child’s class, Beech Tree.
The swimming weeks will take place on the following:
Intensive Daily lessons are from
Tuesday 07th May until Friday 10th May – 12pm – 1pm
Monday 13th May until Friday 17th May – 12pm– 1pm
Weekly Lessons each Friday as follows:
May Weekly Lessons – 24th May - 2pm - 3pm
June Weekly Lessons – 07th, 14th, 21st, 28th – 2pm-3pm
July Weekly Lessons – 05th, 12th, 19th – 2pm - 3pm
Children will not return to school until 3.40 on the Friday weekly lessons due to the timings
Children will swim every day for two weeks and will need to bring the following each day:
• Intensive swimming lessons-
• All children must bring a packed lunch (This will be provided by the school for children who receive free school meals only) and a substantial healthy playtime snack (e.g. fruit/cereal bar
• Swimming costume/Trunks and towel
• Swimming hat
What we have learned this week
Catkins - All of the children came back from half term very happy and full of energy, This term in Catkins we have started reading 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. We have been doing activities with the children based on the book. This term our theme is the farm, we have put together some tough trays with difference farm activities and animals including a sensory tray with types of feels you would have at the farm for example, hay, mud and grass. The children enjoyed this tray the most.
Year 3 - In English, Year 3 have been exploring our core text 'The accidental Prime Minister' and looking at the qualities of a good leader, analysing persuasive techniques, and writing their own manifesto's.
In Science, Year 3 have been experimenting with light where children posed scientific questions to form an enquiry and explored how light travels through objects.
IN RHE, Year 3 have been looking at the Rights of the child outlined in UN Convention . Through collaborative discussions, they have explored the benefits afforded to children by these rights and have identified potential barriers to their fulfillment.
Year 4 - This week, year 4 have been exploring the history of the ship Mary Rose and researching facts for their news article at the end of this term. They have really worked well together and were intrigued to learn how the Mary Rose sank. In science we have been researching habitats and different climates for survival, children have really engaged in cross curriculum activities expanding their knowledge and planning ways of keeping habitats cooler - the project will be showcased at the end of term! Kris said, 'The Mary Rose must have been so heavy because it was crowded.'
In Maths, year 4 have been looking into mixed number fractions and moving on to decimals, looking at how to convert a fraction to a decimal number and putting these in order on a number line. They have also been practicing their times table to prepare for TT check. Jhayre said, ‘I love hitting the button and I'm getting quicker.’
The children have also enjoyed learning new skills this week in PE the children have started rounders, they have been exploring different ways of pitching the ball through positioning and throwing technique.
Community Support, Events & Activities
Birthday & Merits
Conker - Ruby-Mai & Awwal
Acorns - Bojidara
Pine - Gabriel
Hawnthorn - Nevaeh
Beech - Amaechi
Rowan - Roshon
Silver Birch - Bella
Willow - Michael
Catkins - Khalid & Faizah
Acorns - Isaac & Dara
Saplings - Sophia & Noah
Hazel Tree - Roseline & Olivia
Pine Tree - Gabriel & Charlotte
Hawthorn - Grigore & Aalya
Rowan - Bidemi & Maisie
Aspen - Lemuela & Lina
Chestnut - Michelle & Zoe
Cherry - Faye & Jay
Juniper - Artem & Ashya
Silver Birch - Abdulmalik & Maya
Willow - Ivy & Kenzie
Beech - Anthony & Vladyslav
Oak - Marcus & Rebecca
Cedar - Juwon & Megan
Important Dates for your diary
Thursday 02nd May - Year 1 Phonics Screening Parents Information Session 9am
Wednesday 08th May - Year 4 Multiplication Times Table Open Morning for Parents - 9am
Tuesday 07th May until Friday 10th May - Beech Tree Intensive Daily Swimming Lessons
Monday 13th May until Friday 17th May - Beech Tree Intensive Daily Swimming Lessons
Monday 13th May - SATS Week - Year 6
Wednesday 15th May - Girls Football League Match (Meridian)
Thursday 16th May - Year 2 – Greenwich Park Trip
Tuesday 21st May - Nursery AM Children Maryon Wilson Park
Wednesday 22nd May - Nursery PM Children Maryon Wilson Park
Thursday 23rd May - Class Photos
Friday 24th May - Children last day of school
Wednesday 05th June - Girls Football League Presentation Evening
Tuesday 25th June - EYFS Sports Day
Thursday 27th June - KS1 Sports Day 9.45-11.45
Wednesday 03rd July - LKS2 & UKS2 - Sports Day
Friday 05th July - School Summer Fair
Monday 22nd July - Year 6 Leavers Disco - 5pm-7pm
Tuesday 23rd July - Reception Graduation