Look forward to seeing you at 9am on Thursday!

1st December 2009

We plan to be outside exploring patterns and shapes this week. Please could everyone bring waterproof coats and boots- just in case!

A number of things………….. 3oth November 2009

The Gospel Singer’s visit was equally enjoyed by both Hedgehogs and adults! Good to see parents who were able to join us.

Nativity costumes for Key Stage 1 Christmas Performance on Thursday 10th December:
Please let me know what costume your child has decided to wear-
ie: Angel, or type of toy. (No one has volunteered to be a soldier or ball yet if you are stuck for an idea!) Please could all costumes be sent in by Monday 7th December in a bag labelled with your child’s name. Many thanks.

Blue Home/School Message Books. As these are rarely used, we have decided to discontinue their use (one thing less to worry about in the morning!) Messages are usually passed on personally, and a note can be sent in if needed. If, however, you are finding your home/school book useful and wish to continue using it, please let us know.

With Christmas and associated Festivities approaching, the next few weeks will be very busy! We will continue with class reading as always, and children will read in groups/ individually as time permits.
Please ensure that both the small reading book and weekly library book are regularly returned to school in the Barcombe book bag, along with the Reading Record book.
Library books are changed once a week and small reading books can be changed several times a week, provided that the previous book has been returned.
Several books have gone missing. Please remind your child to put books in the book bag as soon as they have been read. Although Library day is usually on a Tuesday, days may vary according to variations in the timetable or adult help available.
Please continue to keep PE kits at school – planned PE sessions on Mondays and Fridays may be rescheduled!
Activities for the next few weeks will involve completing ongoing projects and various Christmas preparations!
Hedgehog Christmas party details to follow soon!

As there has been insufficient time to develop our planned theme this term, ‘Materials’ will be explored in conjunction with our ‘Toys’ theme in the Spring Term. An overview of planned activities will be sent home at the beginning of the new term, and weekly planning will be displayed in our cloakroom area for your reference.

Adult Helpers. We now have a great band of adult volunteers. Many thanks – your assistance and support is much appreciated.

Junk! Lastly, please would you continue to save any long cardboard tubes, yoghurt pots, circular cheese spread boxes and egg boxes. Newspapers and magazines too are much needed (especially pages with food pictures). Many thanks for the cereal boxes and other items received. We are now well stocked up!
Any spare buttons, wool or fabric would be most useful and gratefully received for use during collage sessions.
Do you have any dolls or cushions that are no longer being used? If so, Hedgehogs will put them to good use!

Sorry for the error! Gospel Singers are visiting on Friday, not Thursday as stated in the last blog.

Many thanks for contributions received. Although contributions are voluntary, the School does rely on your support- both to allow planned events to go ahead and to enable the budget to accomodate further needs.           Another message to follow soon! Watch this space!                                                                                          

Hedgehogs have been given a letter today about the curriculum, library books and general information.

Its great to see all of our new hedgehogs settling into their new class.  Miss Ince and Mrs Pitt are really enjoying helping them to learn.

The children have had a great time using the Bee Bots in ICT and numeracy sessions. They have enjoyed being able to programme the toys. The children enjoyed their trip to Knowlands Wood. The day after the trip, the children had to lots to talk about, and write about in our literacy lesson on Friday.

This week the children have developed their understanding of storytelling. We have been looking at how traditional stories each have a problem which has to be resolved by the characters. In maths we have been recapping counting in twos, fives and tens. We have also been solving number problems. In Science we have been finding out about healthy eating. In History we have been comparing our homes with Victorian homes.
The following link will take you an interactive animation about Victorian homes:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/dynamo/history/stepback.htm

This week we have read the story The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The children have enjoyed making masks; and have acted out the story. They have developed their understanding of characters, and have investigated settings and events. In Geography we have started to compare two contrasting cities – Belfast and Mexico City. We have looked at special buildings in these cities, and have learnt about special foods. In RE, we have taken a virtual tour of a church. The children have started to identify features that they will find in a church.
You can view the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff on the following link:
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/english/goats/default.htm