November Newsletter
Dear Parents and Carers,
It's only been a month since our last newsletter, but it feels like so much has happened! I’m excited to share lots of news and updates from school, as well as look ahead to the festive treats planned before we break up for Christmas.
October ended with a fantastic Halloween Disco at Robert Monk Hall. The venue change was initially due to water damage at school, but it turned out to elevate the disco. The atmosphere was spooky and fantastic! Huge thanks to all the FSA members who supported and made it so enjoyable for the children. Without their efforts, much of what we do at school wouldn’t be possible. So thank you again to everyone involved.
Back in school, Fox Cubs were learning all about pumpkins! Mrs Bellamy and her team are wonderful at creating opportunities for our youngest children to explore their interests in a deep and meaningful way. The children made books about the life cycle of a pumpkin, then printed and painted pumpkins inspired by the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama! These carefully planned activities aren’t just fun and interesting - they also form the foundation of our school curriculum.
Further up the school, October ended with a meaningful walk through history for Class 3, who visited the site of a Wellington Bomber crash near Gumley. This site, located on private farmland near Foxton Locks, holds a significant piece of World War II history. Led by Penny and John March, the class learnt all about the tragic events of October 1943. The crash involved a Vickers Wellington bomber on a training exercise. The children learned that all five crew members - three from Britain, one from Canada, and one from New Zealand - lost their lives. Standing at the crash site, they reflected on the bravery of these young men and the sacrifices made during the war. To make the experience even more immersive, we sampled wartime snacks made without sugar, due to rationing. These simple treats were a hit, and many children asked for the recipes.
Local history is a vital part of our curriculum, and experiences like this create unforgettable connections to the past. They help children appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before them, embedding historical knowledge and empathy. The following week, Class 3 visited Harrington Aviation Museum to explore the history of Operation Carpetbagger, further enriching their understanding of World War II and its global impact.
Elsewhere in school, November began with a Class 2 assembly showcasing their learning from their geography unit: All Around the World. We were so proud of how confidently they presented, as well as the sheer amount of knowledge they retained. The next class assembly to look forward to is Class 1’s, which will be held this Friday at 3pm.
Forest School sessions have been plentiful this month, with the falling leaves and dry weather (until recently) allowing for lots of possibilities. You may have seen on Facebook that Gateley RJA donated a day of their time, along with resources, to build a lovely forest fort for the children to enhance their learning and play.
In other news, Class 1 had a lizard visit to bring their learning about habitats to life (literally), while children across all classes have been creating fabulous leaf art using foraged materials from our field and grounds. Coinciding with the dry weather was Class 3’s Bikeability week, during which Year 5 and 6 children practiced and refined their cycling and road safety skills. Additionally, several Badger Class students participated in the UK Primary Maths Challenge at Welland Park. Ava, Ida, Parker, Louisa, and Bertie represented us proudly, competing individually against students nationwide. We eagerly await their results and are so proud of their efforts. Furthermore, Bertie, Clarke, Ida, and Elizabeth spent half a day at Welland Park training to become Student Wellbeing Ambassadors. I’m excited to see how their new roles will develop over the year in collaboration with Mrs Bratu.
As mentioned earlier, we have exciting Christmas-themed events coming up. Please mark your calendars for our Infant Productions on Wednesday, December 11th (2 pm) and Thursday, December 12th (6.30 pm). Christmas Jumper Day and our school Christmas Dinner will take place on Friday, December 13th. On Monday, December 16th (2 pm), each class will host a decoration workshop for you to join if you’re able. Finally, on Friday, December 20th - the last day of term - we will walk to Foxton Church for a carol service at 2 pm. After the service, we’ll return to school for early dismissal at approximately 3 pm.
A quick note about attendance: while we understand that children are sometimes too unwell to attend school, our aim is for every child to achieve at least 95% attendance. If your child’s attendance falls below 90%, they are considered persistently absent, and additional support measures will be implemented. Please check your child’s attendance via our Satchel One app, and feel free to arrange a meeting with me if the school can assist you in any way. I will also reach out to families with concerning attendance to discuss support and next steps.
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