Primary News

Dear Parents and Caregivers


A big thank you for coming into school over the past 2 days to share in your child’s learning journey. As partners in your child's education journey, we believe in the immense power of the home-school connection. When parents, teachers and learners collaborate together, learners thrive both academically and personally. 


During the Learning Conferences you may have heard your child share about the Learner Profile attributes. The International Baccalaureate Learner Profile outlines ten attributes that guide learners to become not only academically successful but also well-rounded individuals. Some of the attributes directly contribute to, and promote, learner wellbeing:


The importance of children’s wellbeing is becoming increasingly highlighted as we understand how it sets the stage for their future success, improves learning and emotions, builds resilience, and fosters positive social interaction.


At home, you can support your child's wellbeing with:

This week the year groups have focussed on on some of the ways they focus on learner wellbeing under the umbrella of our care movement  - Care for Self.

Have a lovely weekend.

Ms Fiona

Head of Primary

News from the year groups

Nursery 

In Nursery, we integrate the Care Movement into our daily routines, focusing on three key areas. Care for self involves managing belongings and routines independently, practising healthy eating, personal hygiene, and mindfulness. During our daily mindfulness sessions, we focus on using breath to relax our bodies and calm our minds. This valuable skill helps children learn to self-regulate. Care for others includes taking turns, sharing, asking 'how are you?', greeting and saying goodbye, helping each other, and working in a team. Care for the world encompasses looking after our school environment, tidying up, recycling, caring for the garden, and composting.

We foster building positive relationships and making strong connections with each other and families. Establishing these relationships helps children feel safe and more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Our classroom puppets, 'Mr Fox' and 'Gerald', play a significant role in our daily routines, promoting empathy development and modelling social behaviour and conversation skills. Restorative conversations are used to support, maintain, and repair relationships in the Nursery environment,  in this way we model how to manage and communicate feelings.

Our outdoor learning space provides a wonderful environment for physical activities such as running, jumping, rolling, climbing, balancing, and stretching, which positively impact well-being and happiness. Regular outdoor time reduces stress, improves mood, diminishes worry, and enhances sleep patterns. Our indoor space is purposefully planned to allow children flow and agency in their learning, promoting collaborative play and engagement. It was lovely to welcome you all to our spaces at our learner conferences and observe the children confidently leading and showcasing their learning.

Kindergarten 

In Kindergarten as we navigate our day of learning we take time to intentionally be mindful. We make time focus on how to switch off from our busy schedule.  Will our learners need these skills in the future, we very much believe so.  This is why it is so important for us to start to foster and nurture these practices now as part of our Care for Self movement.


In a mindfulness session, we like to set the scene, the lights are off, there is calming music playing, we burn incense and use essential oils.  We start with a story, it might be about being brave, sharing or taking turns, once we are all ready we engage in activities such as using our breathe to calm our minds and bodies, we engage in yoga poses to bring about a stillness.  Throughout our sessions we use a number of soothing tools that engage the senses through sound, texture and scent.  At this point the children are ready to be in a mindfulness space of their own.  We take 10-15 minutes lying on our own, listening to music and just being.  It’s a wonderful part of our day, the children let us know if we miss mindfulness for any reason.  At the end of the school day we like to take time to reflect and ask our classes; "Who did you help today?" Or "What was something you did today that made you feel good?"   


Last week we were very pleased to welcome the parents of our Kindergarten learners into our pod for our termly Stay and Play session.  The children are the experts here, they take their parents to their favourite places to play and learn, this is always a highlight of the term.


Year 1

Year 1 has had a spectacular week, delving into all things forces! The highlight was undoubtedly their field trip to the Science Centre, where they were immersed in a world of creativity and learning at the Blast Off Rocket Making Workshop.


During this exciting workshop, our young learners showcased their knowledge and understanding of forces, exploring how they operate in the realm of rocket design and crafting. Guided by step-by-step instructions but encouraged to infuse their own creative flair, the children embarked on a journey of imagination and discovery. As the rockets took shape, so did the resilience and perseverance of our students. They encountered challenges along the way but tackled them with determination, learning valuable lessons in problem-solving and teamwork. When the moment of truth arrived, and the rockets were launched, there was a mix of anticipation and excitement in the air. Some soared gracefully through the sky, while others encountered a few hiccups, reminding us of the force of gravity. Nevertheless, every launch was met with cheers and applause, celebrating the effort and ingenuity put forth by each learner. 


Beyond the academic learning, this field trip contributed significantly to the wellbeing of our learners. The experience of stepping out of the classroom, engaging in hands-on activities, and sharing moments of joy and wonder with their peers fostered a sense of connection and fulfilment. The discussions on the bus ride to the Science Centre were filled with excitement and anticipation, setting the stage for a day filled with exploration and learning. We cherish these moments of education outside the classroom as they provide invaluable experiences that enrich the overall development of our learners.. We look forward to more opportunities for adventure and discovery in the future!

Year 2

At the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, the first unit of inquiry the Year 2 learners explored was under the Who we are tansdisciplinary theme.  It focussed on how individual choices impact our overall health and wellbeing. We continue to refer to this unit of inquiry throughout the year in our lively learning hub, as we prioritize not only academic growth but also holistic development and wellbeing. All homerooms establish an Essential Agrement together, outlining the learners’ rights and their responsibilities. This agreement is consistently referred to alongside the Nexus RECIPE, ensuring all learners feel included and safe, which is an essential element of wellbeing.

Discussions and strategies to practise mindfulness and how we look after ourselves naturally unfold during morning circle times and when transitioning between lessons. Year 2 learners have observed how engaging in a variety of activities with a steady mindset is one way to promote self-care. Painting, meditating and reading books are just some ways the learners can nurture themselves and feel good. Recently they have done this through a plethora of activities, including mindful colouring, painting and creating their dioramas for the Sharing the planet unit of inquiry, doing yoga or breathing exercises on the mat, and browsing through a mix of books selected by both the teachers and themselves. A simple game of UNO with friends is also a popular choice amongst the learners. 

Year 2 have had other opportunities to develop their social wellbeing recently. On Valentine’s Day the learners enjoyed a picnic atop the Treehouse and revisited the story “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids” by Carol McCloud. Learners wrote kind adjectives on one another’s heart cards, boosting wellbeing all around us. We also invited parents to come and read stories to us in different languages for International Home Language Day. The joy of reading and the process of sharing stories in different languages was heartfelt that day. (Please check the Recent Events tab for more photos and details.)

Year 2s interpersonal skills continue to grow each day. We are grateful for the learners’ efforts in leading a balanced lifestyle and look forward to how a more secure wellbeing supports their potential in creating a collaborative and conducive learning space. 

Year 3

Wellbeing in Year 3 is instinctually linked to the huge changes happening in our learners emotionally, socially and physically. 

Transitioning to Year 3 marks a significant step at the start of the year, and our Year 3 teachers understand the importance of equipping our learners with the skills necessary for this new chapter and beyond. This will ensure they have the mindsets and skills to support their own wellbeing. To achieve this, we employ a methodical approach, breaking down complex routines into age-appropriate steps. For instance, before our recent camp, we carefully walked the learners through the 'drop off' routine and then shared an instructional video to reinforcement at home. We believe in taking the time to ensure every detail is understood, fostering confidence and competence that will serve them well not just in Year 3, but also in Year 4 and beyond. 

In Year 3, we also prioritise the well-being of our learners by cultivating a safe and calm environment. Central to this is imparting the skills essential for navigating Year 3 both emotionally and physically. During our weekly Year 3 assemblies, we spotlight a key skill for the week, accompanied by an engaging story that serves as a launchpad for discussions. These skills range from demonstrating integrity to sharing worries and embracing a growth mindset. Additionally, we address emerging issues as they arise; for example, recent discussions centered around playground language, ensuring our Year group is equipped to maintain a positive and respectful environment.

Year 4

In Year 4, we started the academic year with an inquiry about how informed choices support can support our well-being and that of those around us. This Unit of Inquiry spans the whole year as learners regularly revisit ways to enhance their 'Care for Self' and 'Care of Others'. 

A few weeks ago Year 4 headed off to Loyang Civil Service Camp for their residential trip. This trip was packed full of experiences in which learners developed their skills to promote their wellbeing. This included skills such as learning to offer support to others and accept support from others; building resilience and confidence in adapting to new situations; collaborating in teams to create, launch and sail their rafts; and using personal organisation skills to manage their belongings. While learners were faced with challenges at times, the skills learned led to a sense of pride and achievement as well as a greater understanding of self. 

Our Learner-led Conferences are another opportunity for learners to take pride in what they have achieved, set realistic targets and develop strategies and a support network to strive for their goals. During our Learning-led Conferences, it has been such a pleasure to see learners' growth in confidence, independence and sense of responsibility. 

Another way that well-being is supported is through our Learner Leadership CCA. This year we have a group of Year 4 Learner-leaders who are working hard to provide a range of lunchtime activities for the rest of the Year Group on Friday lunchtimes under the guidance of Mr T. This has given opportunities for learners to develop their leadership skills as well as offer a range of fun activities of others to enjoy. Origami Workshops, a Book Club and a Gardening Club are all being run by learners for learners to support the wellbeing of all. Most agree that following our passions supports our self-care.

Year 5

Our current unit of inquiry has focused on the central idea,  'As we grow up our bodies, behaviours and responsibilities change.'  Learning engagements have been connected to learning about our bodies, managing well being and increased awareness of the impact of our choices.

Learners applied their research and thinking skills as they inquired into the form and function of the brain. They learnt how a disconnect between our 'upstairs and downstairs' brain can trigger a fight, flight or freeze response from our brain and body. To restore emotional and mental well being, learners designed a strategies tool kit that they could use themselves. Some of their ideas included: finding a distraction, yoga, mindfulness breathing, visiting a favourite place, talking to a best friend and drinking water. These can all help to find a calm state of well being again. 

To further increase understanding of well being, each learner has chosen a focus area to inquire into. Choices included: screen time, relationships, sleep, fitness, food or anxiety and worry. Learners have written their own conceptual questions and used a range of sources to answer these. They have also considered action that they could take to improve their well being in this area. Learners have designed their own original NEX Talk (modelled off TED Talks) to communicate their ideas and understandings to an audience. 

Our annual residential trip to Loola in Bintan complemented this unit of inquiry, by providing learners with an authentic context for application of their learning. Being away from home in a new environment can be challenging, however every learner grew from this experience and demonstrated a growth mindset and resilience. They embraced our care movement as they took responsibility for themselves, supported and encouraged each other and took action by building a safe water garden in the local community. This service learning increased the quality of sanitation for a family, and empowered our learners to realise the positive impact that collaboration can have on themselves and others. 

Congratulations to all of Year 5 on your learning and action. 

Year 6

afternoonIn Year 6, we prioritise wellbeing by ensuring learning is fun and engaging. Our recent trip to Loola, Indonesia was an adventure filled with teamwork and resilience-building activities like the boom net and zipline. Additionally, our Learner Lead lunchtime CCA activities promote relaxation, creativity and connection within our community.


We also emphasise balance, encouraging learners to prioritise self-care alongside academic pursuits. Through mindfulness and reflection, we support learners in developing healthy habits for lifelong wellbeing.

As we continue in Year 6, we're committed to nurturing a positive learning environment where enjoyment, community, and balance are celebrated.

Exciting upcoming events: