Woodberry Down NEWS
Friday 22nd March 2024
A Message From Mr Hewie
With the end of term approaching, the children are coming to the end of their History and Science units and so can tell you a great deal about what they have been learning. Please remember to talk to the children at home about these topics and, where possible, take them on outings and visits to museums or galleries, parks and London landmarks during the Easter holiday. After the holiday, the children will begin new Geography topics and will be looking forward to furthering their understanding in Science and RE.
As you are aware, the holidays begin next week. School will close at 2.00pm on Thursday 28th March. School will reopen to our children at 8.45am on Tuesday 16th April. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy holiday. To those who will be celebrating during this period, I wish you a Happy Easter and Eid Mubarak.
Upcoming diary dates at Woodberry down
Monday 25th March - Year 6 SATs Information Parent Session 3.30pm
Tuesday 26th March - Parent Consultations 3.45pm - 5.45pm
Wednesday 27th March - Parent Consultations 3.45pm - 5.45pm
Thursday 28th March - School closes for Easter holidays at 2.00pm
Monday 15th April - School closed for INSET Day
Tuesday 16th April - Children return to school at 8.45am
School Attendance
During the week ending 15th March, the classes with the best attendance were:
EYFS - Blue - 95.9%
KS1 - 2W - 97.9%
KS2 - 4D - 99.2%
During the week ending 22nd March, the classes with the best attendance were:
EYFS - Blue - 95.9%
KS1 - 1D – 98.5%
KS2 - 3D – 99.0%
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.
SPRING TERM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WITH MISS CURNOW
At Woodberry Down Primary School the religious education curriculum is designed to reflect the diversity of our school. Through learning about major world religions and non religious (e.g. philosophies), children are able to develop a critical and respectful understanding of important religious and moral issues.
In Year 1, our pupils study ‘Christian Beliefs’ and will explore some of the core beliefs of Christianity. Year 2 comparisons of the sacred books of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Year 3 students focus on the act of prayer in the religions of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. In Year 4, the children explore key milestones within the Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh faith. Year 5 explores morals and values for religions such as Judaism and Christianity as well as non religions such as Humanism. Year 6 examines how people of different faiths demonstrate commitment to their beliefs in a variety of ways.
Throughout the year, children are given many enriching opportunities as part of the wider religious education curriculum. Trips to places of worship, as well as visits from religious leaders, provide the children with a wealth of experience and opportunities, which complement and support the learning which takes place in class.
Year 3 Guitar Lessons
In our recent guitar practice sessions, we've been mastering some exciting new chords and melodies. We have also been honing our strumming techniques, finding the perfect balance between rhythm and melody. Our classroom has been buzzing with the sound of creativity! From composing our own tunes to jamming along with popular songs, every session is filled with laughter and the joy of making music together. Remember, it's not just about hitting the right notes, but about expressing ourselves and having fun. As we move forward, let's keep pushing our boundaries and exploring new horizons. Whether it's tackling a challenging song or experimenting with different styles, let's embrace every opportunity to grow as musicians. And don't forget the power of practice – the more we play, the better we become!
Year 3, you are all rockstars in the making! Keep practicing, keep exploring, and keep spreading the joy of music wherever you go. Together, we'll continue to make beautiful melodies and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Class Wellbeing sessions
Over the past term, all of our KS1 and KS2 pupils have taken part in a classroom well-being session led by either Ameen Rafiq or Dr Joseph Vacher, our school mental health and wellbeing practitioners. Each class explored strategies that they could use when they were feeling upset, and how to support others to do so as well. Our Woodberry Down Well-being Champions have also created their own newsletter, which we will be proud to share with our families next week. In the meantime, we would be very appreciative, if you could complete this short, online well-being questionnaire. This will help inform us on how you feel we could support our pupils and families further. Please scan the QR code.
Year 4 news from Miss Cocker
The past several weeks have been jam-packed with exciting learning opportunities and enjoyable events for Year 4. The children are learning how to play the guitar this term and observing their tenacity and enthusiasm blossom has been a pleasure. This week, the children experimented with picking up a guitar melody that only had two notes. They also have been learning how to play as a group. Seeing them work together and support their peers on this learning was wonderful.
We have also been studying electricity in science, and we have found it to be a really intriguing subject. The children have learned how to identify and name fundamental items, such as cells, wires, lights, switches, and buzzers, and they have been able to construct simple series electrical circuits. Next week, our children will learn how to recognise some common conductors and insulators.
Year 1 News from Miss Bowater
Year 1 are delighted to have shared with you our recent assembly on the Great Fire of London last Friday. Our young historians were able to showcase their knowledge on this topic, narrating the events leading up to and following the devastating fire and the rebuilding of the city. Not only did the children delve into these historical events, but they also honed their communication skills and confidence in public speaking. We are extremely proud of our Year 1 pupils who all did a fantastic job in learning their lines and delivering them with such enthusiasm.
Year 1 were also thrilled to have the opportunity to go on a school trip to see the Monument to the Great Fire of London and Pudding Lane. It was a day filled with exploration and unforgettable learning moments as our children retraced the steps of Londoners who lived through one of the city’s most significant historical events. Upon getting off the bus and spotting the towering Monument, the children were absolutely in awe of its size. This really brought to life the learning they have been doing in class in regards to its significance in commemorating the Great Fire. Around the corner was the narrow street of Pudding Lane, where the fire first began in a bakery. Through discussion, the children gained a deeper understanding of how the streets of London have changed since that moment in 1666, with new building rules subsequently introduced by King Charles II to reduce the risk of another catastrophic fire happening again. Before returning to school, the children also visited St Dunstan in the East Church gardens, the ruins of a church destroyed in the fire. They were amazed to see the damage and scorch marks still visible, deepening their understanding of how destructive the fire was to the city at the time. Thank you to all the parents who joined us on our fun adventure which has no doubt created lasting memories for the children and immersed them in the history of London!
Reception News from Miss Dickinson
Reception have been fascinated with our new topic "Spring" where we have explored the weather, looked at spring nature and learnt about how plants grow. The children became brilliant weather forecasters and created weather dials and wind streamers to investigate the different weather conditions and noted down the changes of weather in our very own weather diaries. We have also explored the changes in Spring nature by going on a nature hunt around the school. The children saw many minibeasts, flowers and plants! Reception were so excited and inquisitive conducting their own experiment where we also planted cress seeds and monitored their growth over the week. We have some fantastic gardeners too!
In Maths, we have explored sharing into equal groups including finding half of an amount and consolidated counting and representing teen numbers. Please continue to practise everyday counting with your child!
The children's independent reading and writing skills have truly blossomed this term- we are so proud. It is imperative to practise reading their RWI books and complete their sound of the day sheet if you can. Please encourage your child to return them for a class token! We are very excited to share with you all the incredible progress the children have made during Parent Consultations next week. Thank you to all parents who joined us for our Parent Workshop and Family Friday sessions. We look forward to many more next term.
Year 3 news from miss boon
Our Year 3 children have had an exciting few weeks with many opportunities to extend their learning. During science week, the children applied their learning on rocks and developed an investigation across the three classes. 3W, 3B and 3D were all given a different soil and every child planted their own cress seeds in this soil. The children embraced their inner scientist as they ensured the same amount of soil and the same amount of cress seeds were used to ensure it remained a fair test. The children are very keen to find out which soil is the quickest for growing cress, we can’t wait to share our findings with you.
This week Year 3 travelled to the British Museum to bring their learning on Ancient Egypt to life. The children were amazed at the artefacts they saw. Their curiosity shone through as they questioned the shapes and sizes of the tombs built in Ancient Egypt. The children learnt that even animals were mummified as they found a mummified bull. On this trip, the children were praised for their efforts and behaviour for learning despite being outside the classroom. We are so incredibly proud of their focus and responsibility when representing Woodberry Down Primary School. We would also like to say a huge thank you to the parents for supporting us on these trips, your support is truly appreciated.
We have been blown away by the creativity of home learning projects we have received this half term. From a pyramid made out of sugar cubes to one made from Lego, the children’s creative minds continue to grow. Home learning projects are a great way for children to further immerse themselves into their learning and we would love to see more!
History learning, beyond the classroom
We are excited to share with you some of the enriching learning experiences our students have recently embarked on outside the confines of the classroom. At Woodberry Down, we believe that real-world experiences are essential for nurturing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subjects our students study. Here's a glimpse into some of the adventures our young learners have had:
Year 1 - Pudding Lane Exploration: Our Year 1 students recently journeyed back in time to one of the most significant events in London's history—the Great Fire of London (1666). Venturing to Pudding Lane, the very place where this historic inferno began, our curious explorers delved into the past while showcasing their learning about the events leading up to the fire. They also visited St Dunstan-in-the-East, a nearby church severely damaged during the Great Fire and the Blitz.
Year 5 - Unraveling the Mysteries of Ancient Greece: Transporting themselves to the cradle of Western civilization, our Year 5 students embarked on an unforgettable journey through the halls of the British Museum. They explored the rich tapestry of ancient Greek culture, encountering magnificent sculptures, intricate pottery, and captivating artefacts whilst delving into the realms of mythology, philosophy, and artistry. Through this, they were able to gain a deeper understanding of the legacy left by the ancient Greeks.
Year 3 - Expedition to Ancient Egypt: In the heart of London, our Year 3 students embarked on a thrilling adventure to the British Museum, where they unearthed the mysteries of ancient Egypt. From mummies to hieroglyphs, they marveled at the treasures of this ancient civilization, guided by their class teachers. Viewing these exhibits gave the children the opportunity to set their imaginations soaring, considering the lives of the Ancient Egyptians.
These remarkable experiences exemplify our commitment to providing our students with opportunities to learn, explore, and grow beyond the traditional confines of the classroom. By venturing into the world around us, they not only deepen their understanding of academic subjects but also cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
We look forward to sharing more exciting adventures as we continue to journey together on the path of knowledge and discovery!
Year 6 News from Ms Nazu
The Year 6 children have had a busy week with Red Nose Day celebrations, Science Week extravaganza and an informative session on Humanism. For Red Nose Day we dressed up in our comfy pajamas and donated a golden coin to an incredible charity. Science Week started with a bang...an inspiring assembly with Miss Onyeanusi who demonstrated chemical reactions occurring. In our Science lesson we created 'Bird Feeders' as part of our unit on 'Evolution and Inheritance'. Our children were able to take these home to encourage wildlife activity around their home or local area. The session on Humanism allowed us to explore the philosophy around what it means to be a 'Humanist'. We learnt how it is not a religion but a way of life centred about empathy. This was refreshing as we have been exploring what it means to be empathetic towards others and how it makes us and others feel.
Science Week News
This week the children have had an amazing time celebrating Science Week. They have had the opportunity to delve into the fascinating realms of discovery, innovation and the boundless wonders of science that shape our world. Science Week is not only a celebration of past achievements but also an opportunity to inspire future generations of scientists and innovators. Through hands-on experiments, educational workshops, and interactive demonstrations we were able to ignite the spark of curiosity and foster a passion for discovery in the young minds of the Woodberry Down pupils. Nurturing the next generation of scientists will ensure that the spirit of inquiry continues to thrive for years to come.
The themes of the week were, 'Time to engage in Science,' and, 'Smashing stereotypes' the children had two different assemblies where they could see representations of scientists and learn about their unique journeys of how they got into the scientific jobs that they were in. The children were also given the opportunity to engage in some exciting scientific experiments to really get them thinking and excited for the week ahead.
There were also some enrichment opportunities available where some scientists came into the school to deliver a session using robotics and an interactive lesson delivered by STEM ambassadors. Finally, each year group was given a creative task to complete which really allowed them to have fun and combine their knowledge as scientists. They were really able to reflect on the profound impact of science in their lives and the world around us. They really enjoyed the week!
Year 2 News from Mr Waldon
This week in Year 2 was filled with exciting activities!
To start off the week, we had a special visit from a Rabbi who came to share with us about the Jewish faith. The Rabbi told us fascinating stories and explained some traditions and symbols important to the Jewish community. We had the chance to ask questions and learn more about the religion.
In science , we got our hands dirty by planting cress and runner beans! We learned about the life cycle of plants and the importance of taking care of them. Each of us had the opportunity to plant seeds in pots filled with soil. We made sure to follow the instructions carefully, placing the seeds at the right depth and spacing them apart. After planting, we watered our pots gently, making sure not to drown the seeds.
Throughout the week, we continued to observe our plants and discuss what they need to grow. We learned about the importance of sunlight, water, and nutrients for plants to thrive. It was exciting to see tiny sprouts emerging from the soil as our seeds began to germinate!