Celebrating The European Day of Languages

There was a real buzz around the school today as we all  celebrated the diverse array of languages and cultures within Europe, from Croatia to The Netherlands. 

Our day started with a whole school assembly in our main hall where we enjoyed finding out about this special day and sang He's got the whole world in His hands' - thinking about the words of this hymn and their meaning. Our prayer was in Spanish and English and two of  our younger Worship Team members lead the prayers. Thank you to them and for being very confident in front of the whole school.  We also thought about our value this half term which is 'Friendship ' and considered friendship with our European neighbours and globally. The children were asked to think about the story of The Good Samaritan and why it has a special meaning for Christians. Thank you to the children who came to tell their teachers about what its meaning is and why it is important. Thank you also to the Class Ambassadors who shared  which country(ies) their classes would be learning about.

Well done to all our children (from the Nursery to Year 6)  for embracing the day so positively and challenging themselves to learn  words and phrases, preparing and tasting different types of food, being creative, using maps, answering quiz questions, 

researching, singing and engaging with all their learning. It was very positive to be able to welcome our visitors who were native speakers from a European country and thank you to them for their support. 

Overall, we had a fun and really interesting day.

Class LH polish up their Polish!!

Class LH have embraced European Languages Day by finding out all about Poland and learning a little bit of the language.

We found out where Poland is and looked at their culture before making a Polish Gwiazdy.  Gwiazdy means "star" in Polish and they have geometric symmetrical patterns.  They were good fun to make and the children showed true perseverance whilst making them. I think you will agree their patterns are amazing and with excellent and careful folding and cutting skills, the end results were lovely. (See picture below)

Hugo's mum kindly came in and talked to the class about Poland and answered questions which the class had thought about. She taught us how to say some of the numbers and colours, which were a bit tricky, but we all had a go and persevered.  We learnt how to say hello, goodbye, yes, no , I love you, mum and dad too. 

We then listened to a Polish story and shared some Polish books and enjoyed a  delicious cookie.  

Thank you to Hugo's mum for helping class LH polish up their Polish!

European Day of Languages Class JF

 Today we celebrated the European Day of Languages in class. In the morning we studied the fascinating language of Russian. Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning 7 time zones. It takes up 1/7 of the land on Earth.  We learned the alphabet was different – it has 5 more letters than the English alphabet! We watched an extract of Swan Lake performed in St Petersburg and learned about Fabergé eggs. Did you know the most expensive Fabergé egg was sold for around $33 million? We then used lots of sparkly materials to make our own eggs. Our goal was to make them look as expensive as possible! Miss Fletcher then read us a little bit of The Gruffalo’s Child, she needed a little bit of help from our friend in class who speaks Russian!

This afternoon we were learning about Spanish. We learned how to say ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’ and to ask someone how they are. We watched some flamenco dancing and looked at the mosaics by Gaudí. We then recreated some mosaics of our initials using tissue paper. Then, we had a small tapas tasting session. Chorizo went down a treat with those who wanted to try however olives had a very mixed reaction! Many children were very brave and tried olives again and some of us discovered we actually loved them. The entire plateful disappeared!

‘Swap or Sale’ event!

After the success of the last 'Swap or Sale' event, the Eco-Council held another event today, with Uniform taking a key part this time.

Children brought in outgrown (but reusable) uniform items (including footwear) to swap or donate, as well as recreational other clothing.

Those who wished to take more items (or did not have anything to swap) were asked for a donation of 50p per item to charity.

There was no obligation to bring in anything or make a donation. 

The Eco-Council worked hard to set everything out and to make signs. Any items left will either be held for a future sale (uniform) or donated to charity shops (non-uniform items)

All profits from today’s event will be donated to https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal

‘Welcome to our family’ from Class LH

Class LH have been discovering in their RE lessons why the Church family is important to Christians.  We started off talking about different clubs and places we have been to and thought about what it felt like to be made welcome.  The children had a choice to draw a picture or build from Lego a place where they had visited and made to feel welcome.

These children all drew pictures and then explained their drawings to the class about where and why they were made to feel welcome.

Delilah was made welcome at the school by meeting the teachers before she started.

Harriet was made welcome at tap dancing classes as she knew some of the children from her ballet classes.

Millie felt happy when she started football as her friends were there too.

Polly was made welcome when she went to her friend Isabelle’s house and was shown around the house.

Stanley felt welcome at his football club as knew some of the coaches.

Florrie was made to feel welcome by Elsie as she showed Florrie around the park when they very first met each other.

Gregory felt welcome at the Scout hut when he started Beavers and he felt that by being happy there, he was encouraged to work hard and he has just got his first badge. 

Rosie and Isla; Freddie, Ethan and Gus; George; Kristofers, Hugo and Milo all created models, using Lego, of the swimming pool where they have their lessons and all agreed they were made to feel very welcome as their friends were there; they were all happy; teachers were kind and knew the names of others in their groups and it was good to talk to others at the pool.

After this we discussed which picture was ‘somewhere we all belong’ and using Delilah’s picture and explanation, we discovered how we are all part of the school family; it’s not just the building.  We all belong to the school family; we work and play together. 

We all agreed that being made to feel welcome and being part of a family was a good feeling.

Platinum Jubilee Time Capsule Award

Sir Robert Hitcham's received a certificate and rosette this week for participating in the 'Time Capsule Competition' for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee. This was a DT project that the current Year 5's were involved in earlier on in the year. Both certificate and rosette will be on display for all the children to see. 

Nursery Admissions - January 2023

Our Nursery can take children from the beginning of the term following their third birthday.   Children may have up to five terms of free part-time early learning with us before they join the Reception class.  The Nursery aims to create an environment where children can have a variety of experiences through play.  This means we can develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them and give them a strong foundation upon which we can start to build the curriculum.

Nursery Application forms can be downloaded here for 2022/23 or pop into the office to collect a printed form.

Applications for a January 2023 start should be returned to the school office by Friday 22 September for us to allocate places in accordance with our Nursery Admissions Policy.

Admission forms for a start date later in this school year should be returned to the school office by the following deadlines:   For April 2022 by start of January 2023; For January 2023 by start of September 2023.

In addition, we have a chargeable lunch club that runs until 1.30pm. Nursery children may have a school dinner or bring a packed lunch.  During this period and for their playtime in or outside, the children remain fully supervised.  We do not offer 30 hours of funded childcare, but you may use extended hours to cover the additional cost of the lunch club (up to 8 hours 20 mins) if you are eligible.

For enquiries regarding Nursery admissions, please email us @ Nursery Enquiries or visit our website.

Last week in VW

It was a busy week in class VW.  In maths, the children have been looking at reasoning with negative numbers and moving onto formal methods for addition and subtraction in the latter part of the week. We've been focussing  on the layout of our workings and how to formulate written responses to reasoning problems, as well as proving how we drew that conclusion. 

We've started our topic of 'Fallen Fields' which has a WW1 focus. The children have looked at the chronology and trigger points of the war and listened to an account from a soldier who was about to enter the war. Then, we discussed how he might have felt and constructed diary entries to convey emotion. 

In our RE lessons, we've started to investigate how a Christian might interpret Incarnation and looked at the famous 'Jesus on the Tube' painting to help us understand the artist's motives. 

Our science has included an investigation into gestation periods and comparing size of mammal to gestation period. 

Welcome to our Reception Parents

We were delighted that so many of our new Reception parents were able to come along to our get-together in the hall this afternoon.  It was an informal session to enable the parents to meet each other, chat and start to form new friendships.

Mrs Picton, Mrs Cann & Mrs Cooper joined the parents to chat and answer questions.  This new event was very positively received by these parents, so we look forward to planning similar events in the future.

Bikeability

Thanks once again to the Suffolk RoadSafe team for their excellent Bikeability training session to our Year 5/6 pupils. 

The children are part way through their two days intensive training. During the training they will learn how to look after their bicycles, spend time learning key cycling & indicating skills on the playground, spend a day and a half on the roads around the school in Framlingham.  By the end of the course, they aim to give the children confidence on the roads and to help them learn the skills needed to become safe cyclists.  There will be further Bikeability training in next week and in March for Year 5 & 6.

Class CH visit the Headteacher

Some of the children in Mrs Hopkins Reception class went to visit Mrs Picton's office last week.

They presented her with the condolence cards that they had decorated for the Royal Family.

ADMISSION APPLICATIONS FOR 2023/24

If you have a child born between 01/09/2018 and 31/08/2019 then you are now able to apply for a Reception place for September 2023.

YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED A RECEPTION PLACE UNLESS YOU SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.

The Admissions Team at SCC recommends on-line applications by 15 JANUARY 2023 at the latest.

For More Info & to apply visit:  https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-places/apply-for-a-primary-school-place-20232024/

Parents are welcome to complete a SIF (Supplementary Information form) from the office, if you wish to include Faith as your application criteria.  

If you have an admission enquiry please see Mrs Miller in the office.

Friendship Assembly

Today in St Michael's Church we held our school assembly.
We shared with the children in Year 1 to Year 6 our School Value this term which is 'Friendship', heard a bible reading and listened to prayers.
We challenged the children to try to be friends with each other, even though it may at times be difficult.
We also prayed for our new King, Charles III, and with the help of some Year 6 children, sang the National Anthem.

1:1 TEACHING ASSISTANT VACANCY

We are seeking an enthusiastic and flexible individual to join our friendly and supportive TA team, as a 1:1 Teaching Assistant. Full time position of 28.3hours per week/5.75hours per day for 38 weeks per year. Grade 2 (£18,333 pro rata); Fixed Term to 31/8/2023; Required from December 2022

Closing Date for applications is 3 October 2022.  

Interviews will be held w/c 10 October 2022

Candidates will demonstrate:

• excellent communication skills
• minimum GCSE level Maths and English skills
• ability to work with children in whole class setting
• ability to independently deliver interventions
• a preferred knowledge of the primary curriculum
• ability to assist and support children on a 1:1 basis
• willingness to take direction from class teacher, but able to use initiative when required.
• previous experience preferred but not essential

In addition, you should be passionate about children’s learning, have high expectations and be supportive of the Christian ethos of the school.  For further details please contact the school on 01728 723354 or see our website.  Completed forms should be returned to admin@hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk. 

SPORTS COACH VACANCY

 Salary:                              Grade 4 point 14

Job Term:                         Minimum 15 hours per week

Appointment Type:           fixed term

Closing Date:                    7 October 2022

Interviews:                       w/c 31 October 2022

Required from:                 December 2022

We are proud of the opportunities our pupils have to benefit from a wide range of activities and sports. We are looking to appoint a highly motivated sports coach who is able to meet the following criteria:

Suitable qualification (Example: NGB Coaching Qualification, UK Coaching Certificate)

• Support teachers in delivering high quality curriculum PE lesson
• Organise and run lunchtime and after school sports clubs and activities
• Encourage participation and motivate pupils to take part in physical activities
• Co-ordinate School Sports Day
• Be confident in accompanying children to sports tournaments
• A good communicator with both children and adults who prides themselves on being a team player 

We are a successful and well-resourced CEVAP School of 350 children and a nursery, in the popular and attractive market town of Framlingham. We offer a supportive team of both staff and governors, a pleasant working environment and enthusiastic pupils who are confident and motivated. 

You should be passionate about children’s participation, have high expectations of yourself and pupils, and be supportive of the Christian ethos of the school. 

“This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.” 

Visits to the school are welcome, or find out more about us at www.hitchamsframlingham.org.uk

For further details please contact the Headteacher on 01728 723354 or email admin@hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk.

Completed forms should be returned to the school.

Wow! Climbing Wall

All the children from Year 1 to Year 6 were given the opportunity to scale a giant climbing wall on Thursday & Friday last week.

The event had been postponed from July when the weather was too hot to do this.

Photos from Miss Whipps & Mrs Brown's classes: