Class News

Ducklings

Ducklings class have had a very busy few weeks in preparation for Christmas. We performed our first Christmas nativity, we have been learning a variety of different Christmas songs from around the world . The children have really enjoyed using different materials in the creative area to make Christmas crafts , especially the glitter!

We have listened to lots of Christmas stories and have used the Christmas role play resources to begin to make up our own Christmas stories.

The nursery team would like to thank you all for your continued support over the last year and wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Robins

Robins class have had a very busy few weeks and have loved getting into the festive spirit. We have performed our Christmas nativity, made our classroom festive, explored why we celebrate Christmas, learnt about Hanukkah, made our own tree decorations and wrote letters to Santa. The children have loved being busy and their attitude towards learning is just amazing! In phonics, the children are becoming more and more confident applying their sound knowledge to their reading and writing. I am so impressed with how often the children are reading at home and it is clear this is really helping them in school too, so thank you for all your support.

I have absolutely loved teaching Robins class this year and I will really miss their caring, kind and funny personalities. I wish them all the best for the future. Have a lovely and restful Christmas break- Miss Coutinho

Sparrows

Sparrows have been enjoying reading lots of different Christmas books together. They loved 'Mog at Christmas' and worked really hard to write the story in their own words. There was lots of amazing handwriting and the children worked hard using their phonics to spell words. Some children even made their stories into their own picture books!

This week, Sparrows have been doing lots of learning linked to Christmas. They have enjoyed practising their addition and 2-D shape maths skills as well as investigating the properties of ice and using their art skills in many different ways.

From Sparrow class, we would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Blackbirds

Blackbirds have had a wonderful term understanding differences between others, especially at Christmas time! I am so impressed with how hard they have worked and have really shown what wonderful learners they are. Blackbirds would like to take the opportunity to wish Mrs Tipple all the best in her new school. We are really sad to see her go but wanted to send her off with a collaboratively written poem by all of Blackbirds! We would like to wish you a merry & safe Christmas and are looking forward to another wonderful term in the new year!

Woodpeckers

We've had a very busy few weeks in Woodpecker Class! Our biggest focus has been on Science. The children have been investigating how light moves, how much can be seen in a dark box with only a few holes in it and they have made their own fireworks! This week, the children tried mirror writing - it was a challenge but a good time was had by all.

The children also finished their Diva lamps and Rangoli patterns while learning about Diwali and have also learnt about the Jewish festival Hanukkah. However, it was their performance in their production of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas which really brought a festival feel into the classroom.

Blue Jays

Blue Jays have had an incredibly busy few weeks, we have been continually rehearsing for the Christmas performance (which we hope you enjoyed) whilst practising for the Christingle AND learning alongside. Within our inquiry we have been looking at the time of the apartheid and who created a positive impact on people's lives, even still to this day. We have also been researching about David Attenborough and sketching our vision of how we would like our world to be in 30 years time, as we aware that we need to save our planet! We are looking forward to carrying on this inquiry after the Christmas holidays.

From Blue Jays, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kingfishers

It has been an incredibly busy couple of weeks. Kingfishers shared their version of The Christmas Truce for their Christmas performance, whilst learning how to sing the chorus of Silent Night in German. They were also due to perform a range of carols for Ashleigh Gardens, however, the weather prevented us from going to them in person so they sang at school instead and we will send them the video for them to enjoy.

They have still been working hard on their Central Idea and linking this to World War II

Chaffinch

For their Christmas show, Year 6 collaborated brilliantly to put together their version of the 12 Days of Christmas. They were creative in their approach to writing their parts and designing the props that they needed. We know our audience thoroughly enjoyed it and we are still working on learning the lyrics to All I Want for Christmas is You! When we weren't rehearsing, we have also been combining our Maths and Computing skills to create Christmas games for each other to play. Our games had to use variables, the ability to score and lose points as well as level changes. Our coding skills were definitely challenged by this task and we have learned through trial and error and collaboration with each other.

Some of us have also been programming the LEGO Mindstorms Kits to create moving robots and programming them through Scratch. Our next step is to get the motion sensor working so that when the robot gets close to an object, it beeps and slows down, much like a car's parking sensor.

PE

All the children have been incredibly busy in their PE lessons this term. Yr 4 and 5 have been very fortunate to have Steve from Charlton Athletic Community Trust deliver a 6 week programme on the importance of exercise and healthy eating, embedding their existing learning and knowledge gained already in PE, through different fun activities.

KS1 have been learning about the importance of control, tension, movement and balance through gymnastics and KS2 have been focussing on ball skills in game situations and have been having fun learning about volleyball and the importance of inclusivity in all sport - please ask them how and why.

The Oaks Primary Academy netball team had their first league match this term, on a full size court and drew 1-1 against their Coxheath. An amazing result. Our football team played Langley Park in a friendly football match and won 2-1 and were supported by many parents peering over the school fence, nothing was going to keep them away!!

Yr 6 & 3 have continued with their swimming lessons and already are making up for the lost months during Covid. Even the Elf on the Shelf in Yr 3 got involved with the children's' learning, teaching them to follow instructions during swimming - see the photo!! This week, both classes had a fabulous well-earned treat following their swimming lesson and enjoyed the slides and soft play at Polar Adventure.

The sports club has been a huge success where all children have collaboratively supported each other trying new activities and last week they enjoyed a chance to shine on the stage dancing to their favourite Just Dance Christmas songs.

Thank you for continuing to encourage and support your child for being smartly and appropriately dressed for PE and I hope you all have an amazing holiday, and remember .... keep exercising!!!

Mrs Palmer