Happy Easter from Class VWe

 Class VWe have experimented with the medium of chalk in our art lessons this term. This artwork represents the simplicity and complexity of resurrection. 

 

From all the children in Class VWe we wish our families a happy and restful Easter. 

Class LH - a 'Purrfect' way to end the term!

During this term, our topic has been 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers' where we have been finding out about animals, particularly cats,  with 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers' from around the world.  We have been locating continents and the oceans, finding out about habitats and classifying animals.

Whilst we were in lockdown, we launched the topic with a great, if chaotic, class zoom where the children brought their pets along to join in.  It was great fun and the children were also introduced to the webcams at Edinburgh Zoo.  

Once the children were back in class in school, these observations of Edinburgh Zoo continued with many viewings and very regular updates throughout the day.  We have been watching the penguins, koalas and pandas being regularly cleaned and cared for by the zookeepers.  The tiger is around but not a daily visitor although it has been superb to see him basking in the Scottish sunshine.  The biggest highlight was when the children finally, after waiting for the whole of this half of term, spotted the majestic lion in all his glory with his amazing mane, huge teeth and big paws as he appeared on the webcam  - just at going home time yesterday!!

Edinburgh Zoo have been amazing as we have been corresponding regularly over the past three weeks asking questions about the penguins' nests, the lions and finally this week they were able to provide the children with some fabulous answers to their questions in a Q&A session.  As a result of these answers, it gave the children an insight into life as a zookeeper.  So much so that the class were able to create instructions about how to be a zoo keeper with some great writing and suitable top tips being used! Many of the class have also been saying how they have been inspired to become zoo keepers ... so watch this space!!

We have also been looking at the fur and patterns of many of the big cat family, giraffes, tigers, zebras and cheetahs.  We explored the patterns doing some close up observational drawings using pastels and oils.  We then created a back ground for the animals and cut out the silhouette for the animal and placed it on the back ground.  Here are some of the amazing results. 

 

The children also made some board games based around the zoo which the children have enjoyed playing together this week. We have had some track games and others based on "Snakes and ladders".  Some of the great  games, (which you might see in the local toy shops if you look carefully) are "Trunks and necks" - based on elephant trunks and giraffe necks.  Some of the track games included " A ride to the zoo" and "Rainbow zoo"

                                          

It has been great fun exploring and finding out about life at Edinburgh Zoo especially since being back in the classroom after lockdown.  We have been enthralled with the webcams and watching and learning how the animals live.  We have learnt a lot about animals with paws, claws and whiskers - a 'purrfect' way to end the topic!

Happy Easter from Class LH

End of Term on Friday

The daffodils are out in abundance this morning at the front of school.

This is our last week of term before the Easter holiday break.

A busy week in Class KM

A busy week in KM thinking about The 3 Billy Goats Gruff, Building Bridges, trolls and The Rainy-day Rabbit story written by Sue Cove.

NURSERY PRACTITIONER VACANCY

We are looking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic nursery practitioner with a good understanding of Early Years, who is able to work under direction of our Nursery teacher as part of the Foundation Team.   

Information and applications through Suffolk Jobs Direct on this link. 

Closing date 9 April 2021

Opt-In for School Travel for Sept 2021

Deadline to apply is 31 May 2021

When can I opt-in (apply) for September 2021?

Current pupils

You must opt-in (apply) every year to keep receiving Suffolk County Council funded school travel, even if you return to the same school in September 2021.  You can apply from

• 1 March 2021 (Secondary school)
• 16 April 2021 (Primary school)

Late applications received after 31 May 2021 may delay your child from receiving Suffolk County Council funded school travel for September 2021.

New pupils

You will be notified by email if your child is eligible for SCCCloseSuffolk County Council funded school travel for September 2021.

• 31 March 2021 (Secondary school)
• 14 May 2021 (Primary school)

A memorable STEM challenge 2021

We started the day discussing recent developments in scientific discoveries, especially the vaccine to combat Covid and how this has taken a team of scientists from all over the world to make this happen. Children worked in teams with clearly allocated roles. 

It was wonderful to see the children plan, collaborate and problem solve with such tenacity and determination. We looked at the construction and design of bridges and then took features to create our own spaghetti bridge. 

At the testing stage there was strict criteria for the winning bridge and groups worked hard to ensure these were met. The stability of the bridge was tested and capacity water weights were used to test the bridge structure. 

All results were recorded. It was a brilliant way to come together and celebrate collaborative learning once again. We are proud of our budding scientists in the Sir Robert Hitcham's community.

Just a few photos here - lots more have been added to the school website gallery

Class CH

Class JT

Class KB

Class LH

Some comments from Year 2 in Class LH

 “It needs to have a triangle base to make it strong structure” - Charlie

 “We’ve got a production line – she’s the designer and architect and I’m the engineer” – Lily and Wyn

 “It needs a base” – Layla

 “It needs to be stronger” – Kaitlyn

 “I wish my mum was here – she could help me” – George

Class LC

Class MV

Class SBRH

Class AJ 

Class VWe

Class VWh

A Moment in Time - Class KM on Tuesday

A lovely collage of images from Class KM - all the children back together earlier this week.

Changes to Morning Drop Off

We recognise that the drop offs did not go smoothly and that some changes will be needed to ease congestion.  Initially we are making these changes to see what improvements they make:

1. Extending the drop-off time slot until 9am – so please can parents consider arriving a little later rather than everyone arriving and queueing at 8.40am. No child will be marked Late if they arrive by 9am.
2. More staff will be visible at the gates to help meet or direct the children to ease any worries at drop off.

REMEMBER: the College Road entrance IS OPEN in the morning for any children in Year 3,4,5 & 6 (KS2) plus Class LC. Surprisingly, this entrance was hardly used this morning yet it is an easy route for children to get into the building. Parents do not have to come up to the picket fence with their child, they can say goodbye at the wooden gate off College Road. If more families use this route we hope it will ease the New Road congestion.

We will monitor this daily and make changes as necessary.  Thank you for your perseverance with this.

Welcome Back!

We are so delighted to have all the children back in school for the last three weeks  of this Spring term.

Summary Drop Off/Collection Guidance for 8 March

Please find below a summary of the guidance shared last week, in preparation for return to school on 8 March:

Important Safety Guidance

-         Only one adult per family & adults to wear a mask

-         Keep your children with you & keep 2m social distance between families

-         Follow any signage/staff directions & do not crowd near entry doors

-         Exit the site quickly using lane 1 or 4 on the school drive

-         No scooters or bikes to be ridden on site or on the school drive

-         Do not gather in groups on site or near exit routes

Changes to School Entry/Exit routes

-         New Road drive (blue gates) can be used by everyone. Please use Lanes 2 & 3 (middle) to enter and Lanes 1 & 4 (outsides) to exit.

-         College Road entrance can only be used in the morning but NOT by Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Class LH (who must use the New Road entrance). There is NO access to the playground from College Road at any time – so your child can only access as far as the school entry door in the picket fenced area.

Morning Drop-off Procedures & Times

-         Drop off between 8.40am and 8.55am only (15 minutes)

-         Year 1 - 6 children go through school gates without parent

-         Nursery/Reception parents take children to front playground - enter Lane 2 exit Lane 1

-         Late arrivals sign in at office from 8.55am

Afternoon Collection Procedures & Times

-         School Drive will be marked with 4 Lanes – please use designated lane

-         No school access from or to College Road

-         Only collect at your allotted time:

Children with NO SIBLINGS:

-         Class KM, CH, JT @ 2.45pm then Class KB, LH, LC @ 2.55pm - Enter Lane 2 to FRONT playground Exit Lane 1

-         Classes in KS2 @ 2.55pm - Enter Lane 3 to BACK playground Exit Lane 4

Children with SIBLINGS:

-         Surname A to M @ 3.05pm then Surname N to Z & Childminders @ 3.10pm - Enter Lane 3 to BACK playground Exit Lane 4 

Nursery:

-         Drop off & Collection routines for Nursery have not changed since December so these will remain the same as before.