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Cheam Common Weekly Newsletter

Friday 6th December 2019

Cheam Common Junior Academy: Kingsmead Avenue, Worcester Park KT4 8UT Tel: 020 8337 1844

email: ccjoffice@leoacademytrust.co.uk www.cheamcommon.org.uk

Learning Together, Aiming High

News & Information

CHALLENGE PARTNERS' QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW

Each year, the school receives a three day intensive monitoring and evaluation inspection from Challenge Partners; last year Cheam Common was reviewed as an ‘outstanding’ school. From 18^thNovember – 20^thNovember 2019, we received our Challenge Partners Quality Assurance Review for 2019 - 2020. The Quality Assurance Review was carried out by an Ofsted Inspector and three serving headteachers or deputy headteachers. Similar in style, but not equivalent to an Ofsted inspection, the QA Review monitored all areas of the school and provides parents, staff and governors with an excellent audit of current provision at our school and indicates any next steps for development.

This year, Challenge Partners have reviewed and changed the QA process to reflect and broadly align with the changes in the Ofsted framework.

The Estimate Descriptors are now called Peer Evaluation Estimate Descriptors. The review continues to focus on the quality of learning through three new key areas:

Leadership at all levels
The quality of provision and outcomes
The quality of provision and outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with additional needs.

We are delighted to report that our QA Review found that:

‘An overall evaluation estimate for the quality of education at Cheam Common Junior Academy is Leading.’

The Quality Assurance Review used the Ofsted Evaluation Schedule to make the following judgments about our school:

Leadership at all Levels: Leading

Quality of Provision and Outcomes: Leading

Quality of Provision and Outcomes for Disadvantaged Pupils and Pupils with Additional Needs: Leading

The full report can be found here.

The estimate ‘Leading’ mirrors the Challenge Partners’ ethos where schools performing at an exceptional level lead the way by sharing their practice with others.

As a community, we can be extremely proud of our school and all that our children have achieved in 2019. Every single child really shone throughout the Quality Assurance Review and every member of the inspection team was ever so impressed by their behaviour, their attitudes to learning, confidence and maturity, as well as how incredibly hard they work at school. Thank you also for your continuing support, which is helping us all make Cheam Common Junior a successful and great school.

YEAR 6 VISIT TO GREENWICH MARITIME MUSEUM

BY YEAR 6

On Friday 29th November, children visited the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich as part of their topic, Extreme Explorers. Over the course of the term, children have been learning all about Sir Ernest Shackleton and his failed attempt to cross Antarctica on the doomed sailing vessel, Endurance. Within lessons, children have explored the purpose of his journey, the reasons why it failed and how he rescued his 26 members of his crew in one of the greatest survival stories of our time.

Upon arriving at the museum, children were able to explore the rich history of British seafarers, discovering various exhibits that showcased the range of boats used, equipment taken as well as the conditions that many intrepid explorers faced. The day culminated in being able to visit the incredible ‘Polar Region’ exhibition where they had on display a wide range of artefacts from Shackleton’s voyages to the frozen continent itself. Children were able to try on clothing and equipment worn by Arctic explorers themselves as well as read extracts from Shackleton’s diaries. For many of the children, the visit helped them put into context Shackleton’s journey and enabled them to understand what life would have been like.

After visiting the museum, children were then able to visit the Queen's House, a local art gallery, that housed a variety of paintings capturing some of the most important voyages undertaken by British sailors over the years. Furthermore, children were able to see paintings by L. S. Lowry, who they had studied during their previous topic, The Victorians. Children were amazed by the size and quality of his artwork whilst being able to use their own knowledge to explain the context behind his work.

Finally, as part of the trip, children trekked up hill to stand upon the Greenwich Meridian line and look out at the stunning panoramic view of London. Overall, the trip was incredibly fun and a huge success. Children enjoyed the opportunity to use their recently acquired knowledge and explore the world of ‘Extreme Explorers’ first hand!

LEO PUPIL PARLIAMENT PERFORM AT MAGGIES

On Monday, our Head Boy and Girl, Boris and Sian joined our LEO Pupil Parliament who had the privilege to attend and perform at the Maggie Marsden Christmas Party. They sang carols and did some readings to a very impressed crowd. Well done - we are very proud of you!

KOREAN WRITING AWARD

Last week, Yuna in 5J was invited to attend the Korean Writing Competition Award Ceremony at the Korean Embassy in London. Yuna was presented with a bronze award by Ambassador Enna Park for doing so well in a writing competition. Well done Yuna!

YEAR 6 SPEAK TO REAL LIFE EXPLORER

On Monday, Year 6 were lucky enough to have won the opportunity to speak to a real life explorer - Mr Chris Aldridge. He works for the British Antarctic Survey and has visited the continent on several occasions - perfect for our new topic this year - Explorers! We gathered in the hall on Monday morning and awaited his video call with anticipation.

We had already spent weeks learning all about Antarctica: its location, habitat, wildlife, weather and we had especially focused on the expedition of Ernest Shackleton and his crew aboard the Endurance on their mission to reach the South Pole over one hundred years ago.

Chris Aldridge talked to us about who he was and what his job entailed, whilst showing and explaining several photographs that he had taken in Antarctica. We then had the incredible opportunity to ask him some of our own questions. His answers were detailed and really opened our eyes to what life in the Antarctic was like; we particularly enjoyed his photographs of penguins!

Year 6 would like to send a huge thank you to Chris Aldridge and the British Antarctic Survey!

GYMKIDZ & DANCEKIDZ END OF TERM PERFORMANCE

Our Gymkidz and Dancekidz clubs have been busy rehearsing this week ahead of their end of term show. They will be performing on Monday 9th December at 9:30am in the School Hall. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

WELL DONE!

Well done to our School Choir and Orchestra for their great performance this week. There were some great group and solo performances. Our Choir definitely got us into the Christmas spirit. We are very proud of all of them and it is pleasing to see our choir and orchestra continuing to grow. If you would like to join next term, please speak to Miss Gunner.

CHRISTMAS DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

The children in each class have been busy creating their design projects ready to sell at our mini Christmas Fair.

On Wednesday, children will have the opportunity to view the stalls in each of the classrooms and purchase any of the craft items that the children have designed from 2:15pm. Please send your children into school with some change if you would like them to be able to purchase any of the creations. After school, parents and carers are welcome to visit the classrooms and purchase any of the remaining items.

Which class and year group will create the most successful business? How many products can we sell? How much money can we raise? Watch this space to find out what your class/year group will be creating!

BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN

START COLLECTING TOKENS TODAY!

We have signed up to The Sun's Books For School Campaign. The Sun are printing tokens in their paper for schools to collect this month. If we reach the target, we will receive a bumper pack of books containing more than 100 titles, worth £600. Each box will also contain bonus picture book There’s A Snake In My School, by No1 best-selling author David Walliams.

Please start collecting as many tokens as you can from family and friends. The tokens can be posted in the school office. Thank you for your support!

CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY

Don't forget to come to school on Friday 13th December in your Christmas Jumper.

Cheam Common will be joining thousands of other children across the country to raise money for Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day.

Don't worry if you don't have a Christmas Jumper, decorate a jumper with some tinsel or baubles to join in with the fun!

ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

Here is our weekly attendance round up, with figures for each class since the start of the year. Our target for our attendance is 97%.

Well done to 3H, 4S, 3B, 5J, 4SM and 5A for their ‘gold’ attendance.

As the winter weather begins, lots of children may develop colds and coughs. Wherever possible, please send your child to school. Most often, once the school day is underway, children perk up. If they are too unwell to be at school, a member of the school office would contact home.

Please remember that our school gates close at 8:45am. Children who arrive after this time are missing a significant amount of learning time in the classroom as they begin fluency activities from the moment they arrive.

If you would like to discuss any issues with regards to attendance then please see Miss Gunner.

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN LEARNING THIS WEEK?

Yesterday, Year 3 started their two day Science Extravaganza at the Science Museum in London. They then returned to school for more science experiments before having dinner and settling down for bed. After a restful night, the children were up bright and early this morning ready for another day of fun filled science activities. Check out next week's newsletter to find out what they got up to!

Year 5 enjoyed another busy week at our Mandarin Club this week. They revised numbers 11-20, which enabled them to count to 100. They also solved addition & multiplication problems in Mandarin before making traditional Chinese paper decorations.

Year 4 enjoyed setting up an exciting science investigation this week. They used disclosure tablets to investigate the best time of day to brush their teeth. It also showed that even after brushing teeth, they are not always as clean as we think they may be!

This week, Year 6 explored the new Premier League Communities Rainbow Laces resources in PSHE as they discussed gender stereotypes and why they can be damaging.

Year 6 have been learning different watercolour techniques in Art this week. They will be using their new skills to create their own maps later this week. We can't wait to show you how they get on!

Children from across the school have enjoyed opening the doors on the NRICH Maths Primary Advent Calendar this week. Each day they are faced with a new challenge. Why don't you ask them what questions they have faced this week?

Over 330 children from Cheam Common are now part of the 144 Club this term.

This includes Georgia in 3G, who was even able to complete TWO 144 challenges within the time allowed this week!

Could you correctly answer 144 times tables questions in under 5 minutes?

YEAR 6 SATS WEEK

MONDAY 11th – FRIDAY 15th MAY 2020

If your child is in Year 6 they will be taking their KS2 SATs in May. Children in Year 6 must attend school during the week commencing 11th May 2020. As these tests are a statutory legal requirement and cannot be taken at any other time, the Governing Body does not allow Miss Gunner to authorise absence for any reason during this period, therefore any absence will be unauthorised and the Local Authority could take further action. Please consider this when booking holidays for next term.

CASUAL CYCLE INSTRUCTORS

£12.23 - £13.61 per hour

The Sustainable Transport Team is seeking to recruit Cycle Instructors in the Sutton area to deliver Bikeability, the national cycle training programme for children. As one of our professional trained instructors you could earn up to £420.16 per week to deliver our standard Bikeability courses involving 20 hours of contact with riders plus time for course administration and travel. Our Bikeability sessions are typically 10.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 15.00, plus travel time. All instructors must train on a 4-day National Standard Instructor course. It is an advantage if you already hold this qualification although not essential as training will be arranged for the right candidates.

So if you are a regular cyclist, have good road sense, are a good communicator and enjoy working outdoors, then this could be just the job for you. If appropriate you will receive further training in First Aid and Cycle Maintenance.

For an informal discussion about these positions please telephone Eric Chasseray, Sustainable Transport Officer on 020 8547 5826 or email eric.chasseray@kingston.gov.uk

PLEA FOR BOARD GAMES

Wanted!

We would like to start a board game lunchtime club. If anyone has any unwanted board games we would be most grateful.

Please hand them in to the office or give them to Mrs Hart.

Thank you, as always, for your support.

WEATHER UPDATES

In the event of snow or extreme weather over the winter period, please check the school website for updates or changes to the school routine.

We will also update our Twitter Page and the Open Check website.

SNACKS AT BREAK TIME

A reminder to parents that we encourage children to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable for their break time snack. The children get quite hungry during the course of their morning lessons. Please remember other snacks are not permitted for morning break time. No crisps, chocolate or nuts!

Thanks for your support.

YEAR 3 DRUMMING ASSEMBLY

Our Year 3 children are looking forward to sharing what they have been learning in their music lessons this term. This assembly will take place on Tuesday 10th December.

Each class will have a 15 minute rehearsal before the performance.

Each class will perform at the following times in the school hall:

3H - 9:15-9:30am

3B - 9:45-10:00am

3L - 10:15-10:30am

3G - 10:45-11:00am

Please come along and support the children - Grandparents are welcome.

CHRISTMAS PRODUCTIONS

Year 5 & 6 Christmas Production - Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

Monday 16^th December

9.15am, 2pm and 7pm

Year 3 & 4 Christmas Production - Five Gold Rings

Tuesday 17^th December

9.15am, 2pm and 7pm

Please book your tickets online at: https://cheamcommonjunior.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/

Shows will open for bookings on Monday 2nd December at 9am.

We are anticipating a high demand for seats for the evening performance so in the first instance these are limited to two per family. Tickets for the daytime performance are unlimited. These performances are perfect for Grandparents and other family members.

BREAKFAST & AFTER SCHOOL CLUB DATES

Please note that Cheam Common After School Club will finish at 6pm on Thursday 19th December and will return on Monday 6th January 2020 for Breakfast Club at 7:30am as usual.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS DINNER - 18TH DECEMBER

Our School Christmas Dinner will be on Wednesday 18th December. If your child is usually a school dinner on this day then they will have this as usual. All children will receive a Christmas Cracker!

If you would like your child to have a Christmas Dinner then please pay via ParentPay. A letter with further details will go out shortly.

You can also find the menus for this half term here.

Follow us on Twitter!

You can get all of the latest news and updates from Cheam Common by following us on Twitter. We use our Twitter account as the news feed of Cheam Common Junior. We also use Twitter to keep parents up to date with residential trips, sports and music news, year group trips and other areas of school life.

@CCJacademy

Please find below our term dates for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

These are also available on our website.

Learning

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Each week we put a brief synopsis of one of our Battle of the Books in the newsletter from a year group’s book list.

This week’s book is from the Year 5 book list and is ‘Thunderstruck’ by Ali Sparkes.

Surviving a lightning strike makes Theo and Alisha see life differently. It also makes them notice Doug and Lizzie. Struck by lightning under that same tree on the common in 1975, the two teenagers have been hanging out there ever since. Doug and Lizzie are funny, clever, brave - and quite happy about making friends with a pair of ten-year-olds. OK, fair point, they are dead, and Doug's trousers are worryingly flared. But you can't have everything. However, something sinister is going on at school - although only Theo and Alisha seem to be able to see it. What can it mean when ragged faceless entities keep staring in through the windows? Not all ghosts are friendly like Doug and Lizzie . . . but are these phantoms really the harbingers of doom for all the kids at Beechwood Junior?

Remember to fill in a book review once you have read a book so that your teacher can stamp your bookmark!

You can find your child's Battle of the Books suggested book list on our school website via the following link:

http://www.cheamcommon.org.uk/website/supporting_the_curriculum/331291

Here you will find most books listed, however we are continually updating and showcasing our recommended reads as new books are released.

MAD ABOUT MATHS

Welcome to our weekly science bulletin. Here you will find interesting facts and activities all about science! Every week we will discuss a new topic and we will also be finding out what each year group have been learning about in their science lessons. If you complete the follow up activities or research the topics please present your findings to Miss Lane. Your work may even make onto our twitter page!

This week…Climate Change is Speeding Up!

Signs of climate change - such as sea level rise, ice loss and extreme weather - are speeding up, the latest science on climate change says. A report led by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), released ahead of important UN talks in New York, says the five year data also shows that sea levels have risen significantly.

Sea levels have been rising by an average of 5mm a year in the past five years, compared to 3.2mm a year on average since 1993, with much of the rise coming from glaciers and ice sheets that are melting much faster. The report talks about the threats to the oceans, with more than 90% of the extra heat caused by climate change ending up in the waters. The WMO says 2018 had the highest ocean heat content values on record!

Over to you! Why is climate change bad for the earth and especially animals? What can we do as a school to help slow down climate change?

Please present your findings to Miss Lane!

Mont St. Michel

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Can you find out the answers to these questions?

Present your answers in anyway you like and give them to Mr Wood by 13th December.

Found in…(Country/Continent)

Opened in…(Date)

Fun fact...

CHRISTMAS STAINED GLASS BISCUITS

Ingredients

Sunflower oil, for greasing

175g plain flour

1 tsp ground ginger

Zest 1 orange

100g butter, cold, cut into chunks

50g golden caster sugar

1 tbsp. milk

12 fruit-flavoured boiled sweets

Icing sugar, to dust

About 120cm thin ribbon, to decorate

Method:

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Grease 2 large non-stick baking sheets with oil. Whizz the flour,

ginger, zest and butter with 1⁄2 tsp salt to fine crumbs in a food processor. Pulse in the sugar and

milk, then turn out and knead briefly on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap in cling film, then chill

for about 30 mins.

Flour the work surface again, then roll out the dough to the thickness of a £1 coin. Use 7cm cutters

to cut out shapes, then use 4cm cutters to cut out the middles. Re-roll leftover pieces. Make a hole

in the top of each biscuit, then carefully lift onto the baking sheets.

Crush the sweets in their wrappers with a rolling pin, then put the pieces into the middles of the

biscuits – the sweets should be level with the top of the dough. Bake for 15-20 mins or until the

biscuits are golden brown and the middles have melted.

Leave to harden, then transfer to a rack to cool. Thread with ribbon, then dust with icing sugar. Will

keep for a month, but best eaten within 3 days.

Why not ask your child how they used our Word of the Week?

Year 3:

splendid

Year 4:

marvellous

Year 5:

exceptional

Year 6:

stupendous

Excellence

Star of the Week Certificates

Congratulations to the following children who received the Star of the Week Awards last week:

Year 3

3B: Orla

3G: Athi

3H: Coco

3L: Evana

Year 4

4H: Sumaya

4RM: Abi

4SM: Mandy

4S: Daniel

Year 5

5A: Omari

5C: Leon

5J: Lucy

5W: Fareha

Year 6

6C: Kiarra

6K: Ryan

6P: Kornelia

6S: Katie

PRIDE Values Certificates

Congratulations to the following children who received the Pride Values Awards last week:

Year 3

3B: Megan

3G: Eva

3H: Anne

3L: Leo

Year 4

4H: Samuel

4RM: James F

4SM: Zeke

4S: Bramiya

Year 5

5A: Maya

5C: Oliver M

5J: Sadie

5W: Etana

Year 6

6C: Seong

6K: Alexia

6P: Sophia C

6S: Theo

Cheam Common Rights Respecting Schools' Certificates

Congratulations to the following children who have displayed outstanding, respectful behaviour last week:

Year 3

3B: Amelia

3G: Michael

3H: Phoebe

3L: Jeanie

Year 4

4H: Shay

4RM: Lily

4SM: Jack W

4S: Teya

Year 5

5A: Amy

5C: Seoyoon

5J: Leah

5W: Kavya

Year 6

6C: Jack

6K: Alex

6P: Jack

6S: Melissa

144 Club

The children in the 144 Club know all their times tables up to 12 x 12. Membership of the Club has to be achieved each term! Congratulations to the following children who are now members of the club:

Year 3:

Genevieve & Dylan

Year 4:

Summer, Baer & Joseph

Year 5:

Usman & Leila

Year 3 have started preparing themselves to enter the 144 club by completing 72 times table questions in under 5 minutes.

Congratulations to

Abhi & Amelia

who managed to get into the Year 3 '72 Club.'

Times Table Rockstar Leader Board

This week, our Times Table Rockstar Battle saw the boys take on the girls in each year group. It has been a close competition all week with the leaders changing daily, however it was the boys who came out on top in Year 3, 4 & 5! Congratulations! Year 6 girls were determined to not be beaten - well done!

Opportunity

LEO Lottery

Start supporting us TODAY for only £1 per week.
Buy a ticket this term and you could win £25,000.
40% of the ticket sales goes to our trust.
There is a GUARANTEED cash prize winner every week.
It only takes a couple of minutes to buy a ticket
Click HERE to buy your tickets today
Tickets can be purchased by anyone over the age of 16 including parents, staff, family members, friends and work colleagues so please help us promote this new initiative. The more tickets we sell, the bigger the prize pot!

You can make a BIG DIFFERENCE to our trust!

Sporting Fixtures

Here are some of the dates for our sporting fixtures so far this term. Please check the dates section regularly as new dates may be added.

GIRLS' FOOTBALL:

Monday 9th December, CCJ vs Barrow Hedges, Y5&6 Girls’ Borough League

Thursday 16th January, CCJ vs Dorchester, Y5&6 Girls’ Borough League

Friday 31st January, CCJ vs All Saints Benhilton, Y5&6 Girls’ Borough League

Friday 14th February, CCJ vs Robin Hood, Y5&6 Girls’ Borough League

Y6 BOYS' A FOOTBALL:

Monday 2nd December, CCJ vs Stanley Park, Borough Cup B Won 2-0

Thursday 5th December, CCJ vs St Dunstan’s, Y6 Boys’ A Sutton & Cheam League Won 9-3

Tuesday 14th January, CCJ vs Cheam Park Farm, Y6 Boys’ A Sutton & Cheam League

Friday 24th January, CCJ vs Westbourne, Y6 Boys’ A Sutton & Cheam League

Friday 6th March, CCJ vs Avenue, Y6 Boys’ A Sutton & Cheam League

Friday 20th March , CCJ vs St Cecilia’s, Y6 Boys’ A Sutton & Cheam League

Y6 BOYS' B FOOTBALL:

Monday 2nd December, CCJ vs St Cecilia’s, Y6 Boys’ B Sutton & Cheam League Loat 3-1

Thursday 12th December, CCJ vs Avenue, Y6 Boys’ B Sutton & Cheam League

Monday 3rd February, CCJ vs Avenue, Y6 Boys’ B Sutton & Cheam Cup 1st Round

All league games above to be played at Sutton United with a 3.45pm Kick Off.

Dates For Your Diary

Here are the dates for this term. Dates may change and we will notify you as soon as possible if this happens. Please check the dates section regularly as new dates may be added.

DECEMBER

Monday 9^thDecember - School Council visit to Houses of Parliament

Tuesday 10^th December – Year 3 Music Assembly to Parents

Tuesday 10th December - Rock Steady Concert to Parents

Wednesday 11^th December – Christmas Pantomime for all Year Groups, 9.30am - TBC

Friday 13^th December – Christmas Jumper Day

Friday 13^th December – Y5&6 Christmas Production to the school, 10.45am

Friday 13^th December – Y3&4 Christmas Production to the school, 1.45pm

Monday 16^th December – Y5&6 Christmas Production, 9.15am, 2pm and 7pm

Tuesday 17^th December – Y3&4 Christmas Production, 9.15am, 2pm and 7pm

Wednesday 18^th December – Christmas Dinner, 11.45am – 1.30pm

Wednesday 18^thDecember - Class Christmas Parties, 1.15pm – 3.15pm

Wednesday 18th December - House Point Winners’ - MUFTI Day

Thursday 19th December - End of Term Merit Assembly, 9:15am

Thursday 19^th December – Christmas Carols & Songs in the Hall at 11am

Thursday 19th December - Last Day of Term, school finishes at 2:15pm

Friday 20^th December – Friday 3^rd January – Christmas Holiday

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