This term, the children have been working as historians exploring a range of artefacts and secondary sources to help them travel back in time to learn more about life in the past. Year 2 are currently learning about some of Hackney's recent history and why people have migrated here from different countries. The children took part in a history workshop where they were visited by one of the passengers from the Empire Windrush. They learnt about why people might have left the Caribbean in 1948, the promises of a new life that were given to them, and the reality of life once they arrived in Britain. 

Year 3 have been learning about life in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Thank you to the families who collaborated to help create some fantastic Stone Age paintings using paints made of natural materials. We were really impressed by the children's knowledge. They confidently shared so many interesting facts in their learning celebration assembly. Nazeir taught us that the hammerstone was the greatest invention of the Paleolithic Period of the Stone Age because it was used not only to smash nuts, grind down seeds and crack open bones, but also to make better tools! Matilda taught us that Stone Age people were hunter gatherers and Alex taught us that they were nomads. 

The Year 4 children have been learning about the Roman invasion of Britain. Tom said, "The Romans came to Britain because they wanted precious gold, tin and iron, as well as cattle. After the Romans settled, Romanisation occurred which included the building of towns and straight roads." 

For their Come Learn With Me, the Year 4 children worked with their families to create mosaics like those found in wealthy Roman homes and buildings. 

In their history lessons, Year 5 have been learning all about the Viking invasions of the British Isles. They created some very intricate and detailed longships in their Come Learn With Me. Lilla said, "One of the reasons the Vikings came to the British Isles in their longships was because there was a Viking law which meant that the first born son inherited all their father's wealth leaving nothing for the other sons who then had to seek their wealth from elsewhere." 

Year 5 will be showcasing their learning on Friday 19th of January in their celebration assembly. 

The children showed their commitment to anti-bullying and celebrating their uniqueness by coming to school in odd socks during anti-bullying week. Our Key Stage Two Wellbeing Ambassadors worked with the Conflux Theatre Company to create a play-in-a-day which they performed to their peers with the message #NoLaughingMatter. The children used their play to define bullying, explain when a joke is not funny, and look at how cases of bullying can be resolved through support from peers and parents, as well as how bullying can be avoided in the first instance by not being a bystander to unkind incidents. 

Reception showed fantastic focus and collaboration when they shared their favourite toys with each other as part of their Toymaker topic. We especially loved Zoe's giant giraffe! 

The children in EYFS and KS1 also showed their creativity and ability to collaborate when they took part in Perform workshops showcasing their acting skills earlier this half term. 

If your child is currently aged 3 or 4 and born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020, you will need to apply online through eAdmissions for a place in Reception to start September 2024. The deadline for applications is 15th January 2024. All families must complete their application by this date, even if your child is already a pupil in our Nursery. For more information, please visit: https://education.hackney.gov.uk/content/primary-before-you-apply?guidebook=188

If you know anyone who would like to book a tour of the school to help inform their decision of which schools to apply to, please ask them to contact the school office to book a place. 

Grazebrook Primary School is taking part in the Eco-School Programme and is on its way to achieving the Green Flag Award in 2024. During the months of November and December, we are taking part in the Eco-Schools Cut Your Carbon campaign. The campaign challenges young people and their families to complete nine simple actions that will reduce their carbon footprint. Cut Your Carbon is a great way to learn more about the carbon emissions connected to everyday actions and how we can reduce these emissions by making small, manageable changes. 

All pupils received a challenge sheet last week. They should hand in the completed sheet by 15th December. Photos of children completing their carbon cutting tasks, e.g. making a planet-friendly meal, donating clothing or turning down the heat, should be emailed to the school office (gboffice@newwavefederation.co.uk). 

Here are some suggested actions and activities to help with the completion of the nine challenges. 

Toy Gift Appeal – Donate your unwanted or unused toys to a good cause. 

Kind Coats Appeal – Give the gift of warmth this winter. Donate or pick up pre-loved coats at any Hackney library between November and February. All clean coats are welcome and will be given to residents in need.

Eat more sustainably – Visit the eat like a Londoner website for some great tips on eating more planet-friendly foods. 

Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for great ideas and recipe suggestions to cut food waste and help save the planet. 

Rent items instead of buying new from the Dalston Library of Things. Items to rent include a sewing machine, ice cream maker, waffle maker, a drill and a gaming station.

Refill to avoid plastic waste: https://hackney.gov.uk/reduce-reuse-and-repair

Use the mindful shopper guide to help you make planet-friendly shopping decisions about what to buy, who to buy it from, and whether you actually need to buy it at all. 

Download and use the OLIO waste prevention app. This app allows you to give away food and other household items for free to your neighbours. 

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. 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 Kelly O'Callaghan (EYFS Leader) or Ms Caireann Conlon (Assistant Headteacher)

Year 1, Year 2, Year 3: Ms Niamh McLaughlin (KS1 Lead Teacher ) or Mr Josh Middleton (Assistant Headteacher)

Year 4, Year 5, Year 6: Ms Simone Bunbury (Assistant Headteacher) 

SEND: Ms Caireann Conlon (Assistant Headteacher) 

All email queries, including those for the attention of a class teacher or school leader, 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.