At Grazebrook, one of our values is creativity. We are curious about the world. We seek new ways to innovate. We solve problems creatively and ask thoughtful questions. We put creative energy and effort into all areas of school life. 

In our music lessons, we have been focusing on developing our knowledge of instruments, with Reception learning to identify and play a range of percussion instruments; Year 2 have learnt A, B and G on the recorder in order to play simple tunes, and Key Stage 2 are continuing to develop their knowledge of the violin and read simple musical notation in their weekly lessons with their tutors. 

Year 6 have been inspired by their class book Holes by Louis Sachar. They have written some incredible diary entries and autobiographies in role as some of the main characters, including Kate Barlow and Stanley Yelnats. We particularly loved their yellow-spotted lizards, which the children researched, designed and created, using clay, with their families. The lizards are now painted and will go home later this term.

Across the school, the children have been developing their knowledge of coding in their computing lessons. Our Year 2 pupils have learnt that algorithms are a set of steps in order. The children were set challenges to design algorithms to command Bee-bots to move to different locations on a map. Year 4 built on this knowledge by learning that algorithms can be implemented as code. The children learnt how to use Logo with a focus on repetition and loops within programming. Our Year 6 learners have developed their knowledge of variables in programming. They used variables to create and improve a game in Scratch. 

Year 3 have been learning about rocks in their science lessons this half term. They are now able to identify different rocks and describe their properties. They carried out comparative tests to determine which rocks are hard and which are impermeable. They used this knowledge to make recommendations for the best rock to use for a statue of Mary Anning, the fossil hunter. Last week, the children met Mary Anning via a virtual workshop and learnt about fossils, how they are formed and what they can tell us about the past. This week the children will visit Abney Park Cemetery to find examples of erosion and very old, but still intact, gravestones, and what this might tell us about the families who bought them. 

During their Design Technology lessons, Year 5 designed and made a moving display. In order to create their models, the children learnt about different types of cams: egg, off-centre, peg and snail. They chose the best mechanisms to create the desired movement in their model. This week, the childen will evaluate their products and make suggestions for improvements. 

Year 1 had a fantastic time in central London exploring the human and physical features of our city on a site-seeing tour as part of their geography learning. They particularly loved their trip on the River Thames on a clipper boat! Their trip seems to have inspired some spectacular home-learning projects too. Thank you to all our Year 1 families for your support in making these amazing maps and models. 

The Year 2 children explored a human feature of London as part of their geography learning by visiting Hackney City Farm. They were able to plot the route from school to the farm using their knowledge of maps from the Autumn term. They learnt that farms are a human feature that can generally be found in rural locations, but also in cities. Meeting the donkeys, goats, chickens and pigs helped the children recall their knowledge of animals from Year 1 which will help them in their future science learning understanding that animals have offspring which grow into adults. The pigs and piglets at the farm were a great example of this. 

If you have any queries regarding you child's learning, the first point of contact is your child's class teacher. You can speak to them at the end of the day or contact our school office to arrange a phone call or face-to-face meeting with them. At times, you may wish to contact the member of staff in charge of your child's year group. At Grazebrook, these are: 

Nursery and Reception: Ms Hasina Khan (Deputy Headteacher)

Year 1 and Year 2: Ms Niamh McLaughlin (Lead Teacher)

Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6: Mr Joshua Middleton (Assistant Headteacher) 

SEND: Ms Hasina Khan (Deputy Headteacher) 

All email queries including those for the attention of Mrs Beecroft or Mrs Reid should be sent to gboffice@newwavefederation.co.uk in the first instance with the addressee and/or topic in the subject line. These will be forwarded to the relevant member of staff.