Julia Donaldson

This term Julia Donaldson Class has been finding out more about how society is shaped by people and communities. We have looked at festivals and celebrations, both local, national and global ones, including Diwali, Sweeps, Dickens and Birthdays and how these are celebrated in a variety of ways. The children have been using the ipads to do some research about the well known author Dickens using the ipads. Working in the style of Andy Warhol and Mickalene Thomas two contrasting artists but both best known for their portraits. The children have produced some extremely effective art work of their own. The children have also been using the ipads to supplement their work on the story ‘Funnybones’ which we have used when exploring the human body. We have enjoyed taking part in the Great Big Green week, Harvest Festival, Inside Out Day. The children have been very lucky to benefit from lots of parents attending our parent come and read. We have also had parent helpers coming to hear the children read too.

Walt Disney

In Walt Disney Class, we have been very lucky to have Mr Rudkin come in from Hundred of Hoo to teach us French! The children have really enjoyed this new opportunity and have participated well in all discussions. The children have even incorporated some of their French into their daily discussions with their friends!

We have also been getting creative when we have been learning about the Stone Age. As a year group, we have made clay models of what the inside of a Stone Age cave may look like! Some of us drew different animals while others drew symbols. We had a great afternoon feeling the texture of clay and discussing the features. We are excited to see what we are going to be doing in the next

module!

Marcus Rashford

The last two weeks of term we have been learning French with Mr Rudkin, during these two lessons that we had we learnt how to say hello, how we are and where we lived. Next term Mr Rudkin will continue to visit year 3 every other week and teach us more French. The children enjoyed having a French teacher and are excited to continue having him in class.

As it is Black History Month year 3 have been busy learning about Lilian Bader. Lilian was an inspirational Black woman and we created a piece of art on her. She was one of the first Black women to join the British Armed Forces and the children were keen to learn about her life and her role in the British Armed Forces.

Lewis Hamilton

The past few weeks we have been working hard on our information text that details all the features of a gadget we have designed, this was based on our class text - Agent Asha. In the book, Asha is trying to stop internet cables from being severed. With this in mind, we have been exploring electrical circuits in Science and thinking about the way the cables allow the energy to flow in a complete circle. Year 4 enjoyed making circuits to light up a bulb, with limited instructions, it was up to them to create a complete circuit to ensure the bulb would work. They were able to reason as to how and why their circuits were successful, prompting brilliant conversations as they came to their own conclusions about electricity and electrical conductors. They demonstrated some great problem solving skills, especially when having to investigate where there was a fault in the circuit!

We have also enjoyed lessons with teachers from Hundred of Hoo, Mr Rudkin has been teaching us how to have basic conversations in French whilst Mr Paton has been teaching us the fundamentals of Hockey. We are really looking forward to continuing this next term.

Helen Sharman

Year 5 were given the opportunity by Haven to enjoy the new climbing walls! The children were able to try all the walls to show off all their climbing skills.

Thank you Haven!

Parking on zig-zag lines

We would politely ask that parents do not park on the zig zag lines outside of the school gates. We have had a complaint from a resident that they were unable to access and park on their drive. Our minibus also finds it difficult to access the school grounds with cars parked on the zig-zag lines. Please respect our neighbours and park according to signage. We know that our Estates team and some of the residents have reported parking to the council. This has triggered the council camera car being driven out to the school unannounced. Thank you for your support.

Black History Month

Over the past week, children at Peninsula East have been exploring iconic individuals within Black History as part of Black History Month. In their own way, each class celebrated and reflected on the challenges but also the significant impact and contributions these individuals have had on the modern world. It has been a positive time of reflection for both staff and students as we recognise the sacrifices and obstacles that some of these people had to overcome. Something we have discussed collectively as a staff team but also with our children is about ensuring that Black History is a fundamental part of our curriculum throughout the year and not just refined to a specific period in the academic year, a mindset we are going to collectively foster amongst our learning community. It is important to us that as we move forward our learning, that the children appreciate everyone’s impact on the modern world.

Children have had a brilliant time creating pieces of work that reflects their learning, some with collages and digital art whilst some children have done a piece of writing to support this.

EYFS have been identifying significant individuals, Year 1 were creating collages in the style of MIckalene Thomas and Year 2 were writing fact files and designing collages of Mary Seacole. In KS2, Year 3 focused on Lilan Bader, Year 4 have been reflecting on Olive Morris, Year 5 have been writing setting descriptions of Nottinghill Carnival and Year 6 have created artwork based on Ealish Swift’s stained glass window interpretation of the Bristol Bus Boycotts.