Class News

Nursery - Ducklings

What another busy term it's been once again! We are now coming to the end of our Central idea, Different forms of transport can take us on many journeys and keep us connected to others. We have learnt all about the different modes of transport  that are used all around the world and how they may be similar to the transport here. We have investigated why our emergency services, such as Police, Ambulance and the Fire services play such a vital role in our community and how they help us to stay safe. 

In term 5 we will begin to learn about animal life cycles, their habitats and how we can take care of our local environment . 

Reception - Robins

What a wonderful term it's been! We're coming to the end of our Central Idea that explored, homes reflect the people who live in them and where they are located. After looking at the different features included in different types of homes for humans, we then started looking at the homes for animals and everything they need. This allowed us to start exploring everything a duck needs in their house. Amazingly, we noticed that both humans and ducks need: water, food, a bed, security and a place to exercise.  We then began to prepare for the arrival of some fluffy little friends. 

Here are a few photos of us enjoying our time with the ducklings, but you will find many more at the top of the Newsletter - Duck Update

Shrove Tuesday - Tuesday 21st February

This was a really special day that we still speak about now! We measured, mix and chose our own topping for some pancakes. We are really enjoying recording our learning in our new DT & Art sketch books and feel very proud of the hard work we are dedicating to each page. 

Year 1 - Sparrows 

This term, Sparrows have begun exploring our central idea Making balanced choices can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. We begun by looking at the human body and naming body parts as part of our science inquiry. We also sculpted human bodies from clay, focusing on the skills of rolling clay and cutting clay to make a textured 3D effect.  In our PSHE lessons, we discussed how we can be healthy through our diet, exercise and keeping our bodies clean. 

Sparrows have also participated in the Young Engineers Awards, learning about what engineers do. As young engineers, Sparrow class created innovative inventions to help people to remember to brush their teeth and brush each time for a full 2 minutes. The class showed how they are communicators by drawing and annotating their inventions as well as writing a letter to the engineers award to talk about how their invention works.

This week, Sparrow class have been reading Handa's Surprise, a story about a girl who takes delicious fruit to a friend while encountering some cheeky animals on the way. Sparrow class have used their descriptive writing skills to re-tell the story and making links to our inquiry on healthy choices.  Look out for Sparrow class bringing home some fruit-based art next week!

Year 2 - Blackbirds

This term Blackbirds have been learning how 'innovators and inventors change the world in many ways'. We began our inquiry by learning about famous inventors who have made an impact on our everyday lives such as John McAdam who invented tarmac to improve travel. We have also thoroughly enjoyed our class text Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We were captivated by the inventor in the story Mr Willy Wonka. He inspired us to be inventors ourselves so we have been working on creating and designing our own chocolate bar which we will be bringing to life with parents on Friday 31st March at 1.15pm. This term we have also celebrated science week which has linked perfectly with our inquiry.  Blackbirds were given the opportunity to enter the Young Engineers Award competition where they had to design an invention that would help to fix an everyday problem! I was blown away with the designs the children came up with. Some creative ideas  included, a bedroom tidying robot, a school uniform finder, a matching socks machine and even a robot that creates the perfect medicine for you at home if you're unwell! It was great to see the children demonstrate the attributes of thinkers and being knowledgeable when creating their inventions! 

Year 3 - Woodpeckers

It has been a fun-filled term in Woodpeckers. We have been innovators and inventors, thinking carefully about how we can be more sustainable in the world. Our central idea is focused on 'people can innovate and collaborate to find ways to share the earth's finite resources'.  We have been using our research skills to discover finite resources and renewable resources. This gave us an idea... We were inspired by the book 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'. William Kamkwamba invented a wind turbine that would produce electricity for his village in Malawi. We then decided to think of our own  invention that would help the citizens in Malwai!  We have been using our computing skills to design a sustainable city model, thinking about what a city would need, such as electricity, heat and water.

Last week we had British Science Week! We used our inquiry skills by discovering materials that attract and repel from magnets. We learnt that some coins attracted to the magnet but some repelled. This is because it depends on the year that the coin was made and what type of metal it is. 

This week we have been learning all about recycling and the impact it has on our environment. Did you know that only 2% of our rubbish will be able to be processed using the method closed looped recycling? This means materials that can be reused over and over again, such as aluminum cans!  

Year 4 - Blue Jays

In Blue Jay class we have been inquirying into how Laws, traditions, value and customs help to define national identity. We have been busy looking at a number of Spring festivals including Mardi Gras and Holi. During our work on Holi we made multi-coloured mathri treats and added to our art sketchbooks looking at colour mixing and how we could use this skills to create our own rangoli designs. 

We have also looked at different techniques (and trialled a few) to help us to feel calm, focused and relaxed after social times. We've tried square and colour breathing, belly breathing and found these have helped us with our transition times. 

Year 5 - Kingfishers By Spencer

This week in Kingfisher class, we have been writing a balanced argument about 'Should Space be Owned?' It created a lot of debate in our class, and we think that it shouldn't be owned by anyone! 

We have continued to work on our engineering project with Year 6 every Tuesday this term. We are designing cars that will be powered by batteries, motors, and rubber bands. First, we had to create a Google Site to show the journey of our design and we add all of our work to this site: the plan, the measuring, what we're doing,  and we have been cutting wood and building our cars step by step. For this task, we need to be good collaborators and communicators. We need to be knowledgeable about the task and problem solve when we come across any issues. It's fun to work with pupils from another class every week too! 

Year 6 - Chaffinch

Year 6 have had an exceptionally busy term! From our vehicle project to the 'if I were an engineer' competition', it has been very non-stop!

Our joint Young Engineers vehicle project has got off to a roaring start. Collaboratively, Years 5 and 6 have begun designing and building their cars and have displayed their accuracy when working with a range of tools. We can't wait to see the finished vehicles and look forward to sharing them with you. 

Having finished off the Hunger Games text, Year 6 have enjoyed begining to read Pig Heart Boy, which links fantastically with our central idea 'People can find scientific and technological solutions for environmental concerns'.  We have enjoyed getting to know Cameron, the main character, and have debated the ethics of animal testing for human products. Furthermore, we have looked at the human body, in particular its organs and cardiovascular systems.  Of course we also spent some time with the ducks as well: how cute are they?!

As we round off Module 4, we look forward to the Easter term and putting all of our hard work into practice when we sit the Key Stage 2 statutory assessments in Term 5. We cannot wait for the children to show off all of the skills which they have learnt and do themselves and us proud!

PE

We have had another fabulous term of PE and the continuing bad weather has not deterred the learning and enthusiasm of our children.

We have had two amazing days where all children were introduced to tag rugby by Keith Mewes of Weavering RFC (please see me for details if your child is interested in attending his sessions on a Saturday morning) and finally on Wednesday 22nd March, the rain did not discourage our girls taking part in #Girlsletsplay football.  They started the day being inspired by Daisyann in Yr 6 who showed a presentation in assembly of her visit to West Ham Ladies and pictures of her meeting the team.  The boys didn't miss out and they took part in a basketball session run by Mr Syred and Miss Roffey.

The Oaks football team has been busy this term in the Maidstone Schools Football league and although we haven't won a match yet, under the guidance of Zoe Thew, our new 'Coach/Manager', the team are beginning to gel, communicate and starting to produce some solid football, which will only improve with commitment, hard work and time. 

Robins continue to flourish in their PE sessions, learning the importance of collaboration - working together, taking it in turns and being able to share their thoughts and ideas. 

Sparrows and Blackbirds have been learning the basics of attack and defence through various games using their football, basketball and netball skills which is already giving me high hopes for future teams!

Woodpeckers and Blue Jays have been introduced to OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities) which involves problem solving through different tasks and they have had great fun working out how to get across the hall in a group using only 2 hands, 4 feet and 2 bottoms!  They have been learning how to read basic map signs and creating an activity planning it out on a map.

Blue Jays and Kingfisher have started their swimming sessions and already the instructors are thrilled with their progress and they still have 2 more terms to impress. 

Chaffinch have been very creative with their dance this term and all I am going to say is get your dancing shoes ready for Oaksfest!!

And to cap a fabulous term, the new ducklings visited Badminton club on Monday. 

Enjoy the photos!