Western Primary School End of Autumn Term 2017 Newsletter

Western Primary School End of Autumn Term 2017 Newsletter

Contents: 1. S English and maths 2. U ELF and PHCE 3. C Events, awards, assemblies 4. C Foundation subjects 5. E SMSC and British Values 6. S Trips and visitors 7. S ICT and computing

English and Maths English and Maths News for the Autumn term In our English studies this term, the children have enjoyed learning about how to write short stories. They have been working hard to improve their descriptive writing by using a variety of simple, compound and complex sentences. They have also learned about how to use inverted commas effectively. The children have also examined balanced arguments and successfully analysed the question Do children spend too much time on computers? This term in maths, the children have focused on securing their knowledge of the four operations. They have also been regularly practising their times table facts and they are excited about the recent launch of the school Times Table Challenge.

ELF and PSHE In our class assemblies, we have been thinking about the four British values. We discussed democracy in relation to our election of the SUCCESS representatives. Election of our SUCCESS representatives. The main focus of ELF has been using our creative skills. During the recent Creative Christmas project, the children have been designing and creating Christmas decorations and baubles. We have encouraged them to develop their design evaluation skills.

Events, awards and celebrations A collection of photos which highlight the opportunities we have had this term to create success stories. We created an illuminated nativity scene that was on display at the Trinity Church. The children took part in a Change 4 Life event, with a range of exciting activities.

Our dynamic curriculum The pictures below reflect the wide range of exciting learning that has taken place this term. Investigating We investigated solids, liquids and gasses in science by acting out their properties. Collaborating We worked together to create Egyptian dance routines. Resourceful We chose different materials to create our Christmas decorations.

SMSC and British Values The children have been reflecting on spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of their learning through art, poetry and celebrations. We sang some Egyptian songs, performed two dances and we told Egyptian jokes. All of the children (and teachers) looked fabulous in their Egyptian costumes! By Joe Johnson and Eleanor Dent.

Trips, events and visitors Trips and visits this term have included: Royal Pump Room Museum Egyptian dance Visitors - Stephen Pass and a PCSO E-Safety talk We have enjoyed researching about Ancient Egypt. We started our topic with an exciting trip to the Royal Pump Room Museum, where we examined artefacts and learnt about mummification. Stephen Pass, a local author, came in to inspire our creative writing by talking to us about poetry and how he wrote his Madge the Mermaid book.

ICT and Computing At the start of term, the children focused on improving their word processing skills and how to search the internet safely and effectively. They used the internet to find reliable facts about Tutankhamun and then used Microsoft Word to record and present their research information. During this term, we have also had the exciting launch of Purple Mash. As part of the introduction of Purple Mash, the children have been learning about e-safety and discussed how to keep their usernames and passwords safe. Once we became familiar with the platform, we have used Purple Mash to investigate algorithms, input and output, sprites and sounds. We have built up these skills and then applied them to debug and create our own programs.