Woodberry Down NEWS

Friday 11th October 2024

A Message From Mr Hewie

As we approach the end of our first half term (yes, already!), I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic start we’ve had to the new school year. These first six weeks have been a resounding success and it has been a true pleasure to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our children, staff, and wider school community. The community at Woodberry Down is like no other and the support and kindness we show one another is second to none. Thank you for all that you do for our children.

Our children have settled in beautifully, embracing their learning with curiosity, creativity and a sense of purpose. Whether they’re exploring new subjects, engaging in extracurricular activities or developing their social skills, their resilience and eagerness to grow have been truly inspiring. I hope that they have been sharing this with you at home, talking about their learning and showing you what they can do.

I must also extend a huge thank you to our dedicated staff. Their hard work behind the scenes to create engaging, safe and inclusive learning environments is commendable. Their commitment to ensuring every child feels supported, challenged and nurtured is at the heart of everything we do.

A special thank you goes out to all the families who attended our Come Learn with Me events this week. It was wonderful to see so many of you actively engaging with your children's learning journey. Your participation not only strengthens the connection between home and school but also shows our children how much their education is valued. These events were a great success because of your enthusiasm and involvement. We look forward to hosting these again next term. Please be reminded that we are hosting our Come Dine with Me sessions each Wednesday. These dates have been shared previously.

We look forward to continuing this momentum into the next half term and achieving even greater things together. Thank you all for your contributions to such a positive start to the school year!

School Attendance

Our whole school attendance figure for the school year to date is 95.0%. This figure remains slightly below our target but we continue to work hard to improve overall attendance and to remind our families of the importance of good attendance. At our school, 19.2% of the children have an attendance figure below 90% so far this school year.

During the week ending 4th October, the classes with the best attendance were:

EYFS - Red with 97% attendance

KS1 - 1W, 2W and 2D all with 99% attendance

KS2 - 3W with 99.3% attendance

During the week ending 11th October, our whole school attendance figure was 95.8% overall.

During the week ending 11th October, the classes with the best attendance were:

EYFS - Silver AM with 98% attendance

KS1 - 1W with 99% attendance

KS2 - 5W with 99.3% attendance

As always, we wish to be clear that we know that those children who attend school regularly achieve better results before leaving primary school and therefore enter secondary school at a better advantage. Children with lower attendance are less likely to leave our school prepared for the next stage of their education.

If your child is unwell, you must contact the school as soon as possible to inform us that they will not attend school on that day. We appreciate you support and with this matter. You can reach the school by using your MyChildAtSchool app.

New pupil Ipads

We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited iPads have finally arrived at Woodberry Down! This is fantastic news for our students, and we’re excited to see the positive impact these new devices will have on learning throughout the school.

At Woodberry Down, we take great pride in using cutting-edge technology to enhance our students' educational experiences and the arrival of the iPads is a big step forward in that mission. These devices will play a key role in supporting the curriculum across various subjects, allowing students to engage with their learning in new and creative ways.

How will iPads benefit learning?

iPads offer a wealth of opportunities to make learning more interactive and engaging. With access to a wide range of educational apps, students will be able to explore subjects like maths, reading, science and art in a hands-on way that fosters creativity and critical thinking. iPads also allow students to personalize their learning, working at their own pace, revisiting topics when needed and diving deeper into areas of interest.

In addition, iPads encourage collaboration. Through shared projects and cloud-based learning platforms, students can work together more effectively, whether in the classroom or remotely. The integration of multimedia tools also means students can express their understanding in diverse formats, such as creating videos, animations or digital presentations.

At Woodberry Down, we take pride in ensuring our students are well-equipped for the digital age. The iPads will not only support academic learning but also help students develop essential digital literacy skills they will carry with them into the future.

We look forward to seeing the creativity, collaboration and innovation these devices will bring to the classroom, and we’re confident they will enrich the learning experience for all our students.

Mathematics at woodberry down

We are thrilled to share highlights from our recent school trip to HSBC in Canary Wharf, where our children enjoyed a dynamic day filled with interactive learning experiences centered around finance, savings and investment.

Upon arrival, the children were introduced to the world of finance through engaging games designed to teach them essential concepts in a fun and exciting way. Each child was given a virtual fund of £500 to invest, allowing them to explore different financial strategies and make decisions that would impact their virtual portfolios. Through these activities, they learned about the importance of budgeting, the risks and rewards of investing and the value of saving for the future.

The day was not just about games; it also included a fascinating tour of HSBC’s impressive building. The children had the unique opportunity to visit key areas where important meetings take place, including a glimpse into the prestigious boardroom, which boasts a stunning table valued at one million pounds! This eye-opening experience allowed them to appreciate the scale and significance of the financial world.

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting HSBC's CEO. The children were captivated by his insights and advice on pursuing careers in finance and the importance of perseverance and creativity in achieving their goals. His words inspired them to think big and consider how they can shape their own futures.

This trip was not only educational but also empowering, giving our children a firsthand look at the financial industry and the opportunities that await them. We are grateful to HSBC for hosting us and providing such a rich learning experience.

We hope this experience will spark their interest in finance and encourage them to explore their potential in this exciting field.

Year 6 update from Ms Nazu

We are excited to share the success of our Year 6 children as they recently participated in their first Mock SATs. This important milestone not only serves as a valuable learning experience but also prepares them for the upcoming national assessments.

During the week, our children tackled a range of subjects, including mathematics and reading, under exam-like conditions. This experience provided them with a taste of what to expect in the real SATs, helping to alleviate any anxiety they might have about the process. We emphasised the importance of approach and mindset, encouraging them to view this as an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.

The Mock SATs allowed our children to practice essential test-taking strategies, such as time management and question analysis. They learned how to approach different types of questions and developed their ability to work independently under pressure. These skills are not only crucial for the SATs but will also benefit them in future assessments and their academic journey.

We were pleased to see how well the children embraced this challenge. Their determination and hard work were evident as they completed each section with focus and enthusiasm. Many reported feeling proud of their efforts and were eager to discuss their experience. This positive feedback reinforces our belief that a supportive environment fosters resilience and growth.

In the coming weeks, we will provide individual feedback to each child, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. This constructive feedback will serve as a guide as they continue to prepare for the actual SATs in May. We encourage parents and adults to engage in conversations with their children about their results and help them set realistic goals for their study plans.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all parents and adults for your support during this preparation period. Your encouragement at home plays a vital role in fostering a positive attitude toward assessments.

As we move forward, we are confident that this Mock SATs experience has set a strong foundation for our Year 6 children. We look forward to seeing their continued progress as they approach the final stages of their primary education.

Nursery news from Mrs Clarke

This week we have been looking at circles and how to recognise them by placing shapes into circle not circle groups. Our Nursery children are artists in the making, have a look at our Kandinsky inspired circle artwork, created by painting, drawing and cutting out circles.

This week begins our ‘Transport’ topic, where we are exploring the curious question ‘how do we travel by land?’ We have drawn trains, collaged buses and painted planes ready for our transport display! We have also enjoyed role playing outside where we recreated our own ‘TFL’ while singing ‘The wheels on the bus’. Please take photos of you and your children when travelling on different modes of transport or do a little transport survey and email them to the office, where we will be happy to print them. You can also welcome to bring in pictures to the Nursery staff.

Our story of the week is ‘The train ride’, do ask your children about the story and see what they are able to remember. On Wednesday we read our traditional tale of the week ‘Cinderella’, retold the story using puppets and made pumpkin muffins, which tasted delicious, so we would be happy to share the recipe with you if you wanted to try and make your own at home!

As we are in the season of Autumn, when you are off to your local park, please look out for and collect conkers, pinecones and acorns and bring them into the Nursery so we can explore signs of Autumn together.

A gentle reminder to keep a bag of spare clothes including shoes just in case your child has a toileting accident. Parent portal is up and running so please have a look for weekly updates on how your children keep busy and learn through play throughout their day.

digital leaders at woodberry down

A New Academic Year and Exciting News About Our Digital Leaders

We are excited to embark on another year filled with learning, creativity, and growth. As always, we strive to provide our students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of technology.

One of the exciting developments this year is the appointment of our new Digital Leaders. These students have been selected for their enthusiasm, responsibility, and interest in technology, and will work closely with me, Mr. Pavela, throughout the school year. The role of Digital Leader is a prestigious one, offering students the chance to take on leadership responsibilities while expanding their knowledge of digital tools and technologies.

Our Digital Leaders will be tasked with several important jobs and fulfillments. They will assist in supporting classmates during computing lessons, helping their peers troubleshoot technical problems and master new digital skills. They will also take part in running digital workshops, acting as ambassadors for technology in our school. This will include introducing students and staff to new tools and applications, as well as providing guidance on e-safety, an area we continually emphasise as part of our curriculum.

Furthermore, their leadership will be crucial in helping maintain our equipment, ensuring that devices and software are up to date and keeping our digital environment running smoothly.

We are confident that our Digital Leaders will thrive in this role, growing in confidence and skill while contributing positively to our school community. We look forward to seeing them flourish in this role and make a meaningful impact.

Meet the Team:

From Year 4: Zach, Deniz and Maria

From Year 5: Camar, Kayden and Elijah

From Year 6: Harley, Joel, Kaydan and Justin

Nursery Mathematicians

We are excited to share with you some of the wonderful outdoor math activities the children have been engaging in at school. Recently, they have been exploring the concept of capacity through hands-on learning experiences, such as playing with sand and participating in a supermarket role-play. These activities provide meaningful, real-life applications of mathematics, helping children to understand abstract concepts in a fun and engaging way.

In the sand area, children have been using different containers to measure and compare volumes, exploring how much each can hold. This allows them to develop a strong understanding of capacity, estimation, and comparison, while also promoting teamwork and problem-solving skills. They have been experimenting with terms like "full," "empty," "more," and "less," and applying these concepts in their play. These experiences are foundational in building a deeper understanding of how math relates to the world around them.

In addition, the supermarket role-play has been a fantastic opportunity for children to practice other mathematical skills, such as counting, sorting, and understanding money. By pretending to shop for items, they are learning how to apply addition and subtraction in real-life scenarios, boosting their confidence in using math outside of the classroom.

At Woodberry Down, we believe it’s essential for children to see how maths is all around us and used in everyday life. These outdoor learning opportunities encourage children to develop a positive attitude towards mathematics and strengthen their ability to apply what they’ve learned in practical ways. Whether it’s measuring ingredients for a recipe at home, counting change at the store, or estimating how much water will fill a glass, children are continually learning through experience.

We encourage you to continue fostering this sense of curiosity at home by exploring mathematical concepts with your child in everyday situations. Together, we can help them develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Black History month

Woodberry Down Primary School Celebrates Black History Month: Saluting Black Britons

October marks Black History Month in the UK, a time to celebrate the contributions, achievements, and rich cultural heritage of Black Britons throughout history. This year's theme at Woodberry Down is Saluting Black Britons, and we are excited to involve our school community in these celebrations.

To honor Black History Month, we invite children to get creative! They are encouraged to make posters, fact files, paintings, and drawings that highlight Black Britons who have made a lasting impact on society.

We are also thrilled to announce that we will be recording a Black History Month Concert where our children will showcase their talents through written words, songs, poems, drumming, and dancing—each performance inspired by Black culture and heritage. This special concert will be shared with parents via video presentation at our school, and as part of the culmination, we will hold an exhibition of the children’s creative works.

Do we have any talented parents who would like to contribute to the concert? If you sing, play an instrument, or perform in any other way, we would love for you to be a part of this celebration. Please contact the school office to let us know how you can get involved.

We wish everyone a Happy Black History Month! Be sure to explore the activities happening around Hackney as part of Black History 365. Visit Hackney Black History Season Programme for more information.

Let’s make this month a memorable celebration of culture, history, and unity!

Year 2 News from Miss Cocker

We are thrilled to share some wonderful updates about our Year 2 classes. The children have settled in beautifully, and their enthusiasm for learning has been inspiring.
This month in maths,we have been focusing on adding and subtracting two-digit numbers and using related facts to support our understanding. The children are developing their skills and confidence in tackling these challenges, and it’s amazing to see their progress! In our maths meetings, we have also been working on securing our number bonds to 20, which is crucial for their mathematical foundation.
In writing, the children have been busy crafting instructions. They learned about imperative verbs and the importance of time adverbials, which have helped them make their instructions clear and engaging. They particularly enjoyed writing a variety of instructions on how to get to Grandad's Island. It's been fantastic to see their creativity shine through in their work!

Last week, We also had an exciting field trip to Finsbury Park, where the children created maps of the park and learned to use symbols. This hands-on experience was invaluable and allowed them to apply their learning in a real-world context. Next week, children will embark on another adventure where they will be learning how to collect data about local traffic .

In DT, the children are working on creating free-standing structures. We kindly ask that you bring in any recyclable items such as cereal boxes, empty toilet rolls, and other materials. These will greatly help with their projects!

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