Dear families,

As we come to the end of the first half-term of the new school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the fantastic start we’ve had. The children have worked incredibly hard and have risen to the challenge of embodying our six new school values: resilience, curiosity, independence, ambition, respect, and compassion. It's been wonderful to see these values in action across the school.

This term, we've also started celebrating those students who have gone above and beyond to embody one of our school values. We hope that your children have shared their recognition with you, and we are excited to continue celebrating their achievements in future assemblies.

October has also been a special month as we’ve celebrated Black History Month. Our students have been deeply engaged in learning about the rich history and contributions of black people, and we encourage you to read more about this exciting learning later in the newsletter.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this term, watching the children embrace new challenges and experiences.

As the weather begins to change, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of wearing the correct school uniform. Let’s continue our commitment to making sure our children take pride in their appearance and represent our school with confidence. On the topic of uniform, we wanted to inform you that our lost property has grown significantly this half-term. Please take the opportunity to check for any missing items that might belong to your child. The lost property area is located outside the main office. 

To help us manage this, we kindly ask that all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This will make it much easier to return items promptly in the future.

Any unclaimed items will be donated at the start of next half-term, so please ensure you check before then. Thank you for your support in keeping our school tidy!

Lastly, I’d like to extend warm wishes to our Hindu families celebrating Diwali and to our Jewish families who observed Yom Kippur.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to a successful and exciting second half of the term!

 

Ms M Nwankiti 

In celebration of Black History Month, the Nursery children have created a montage of images of influential people who have made an impact on our society.

The children used cutting and sticking skills for this unique creation. 

As part of Black History Month, Reception read the book ‘Ada Twist, Scientist’, which was about a young black girl who was eager to conduct elaborate scientific experiments to find out the answers to her endless list of questions.  This led us to learn about a real life black scientist called Charlotte Armah. Charlotte researches how to keep our hearts healthy and has found out that broccoli is good for our hearts!

Reception were also fortunate enough to watch and listen to Year 6’s wonderful African drumming performance. Not only was it very entertaining, the Year 6 performance inspired us to want to learn African drumming in the future too. 

In Year 1, children learned that Rosa Parks was a brave woman who stood up for civil rights. In 1955, she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, helping to end racial segregation on buses. Rosa's actions inspired many to fight for equality, and she is remembered as a hero who made a big difference in history.

Children learned about her story and the unfair times she lived in. They had interesting discussions about why it was unfair and how people like Rosa helped change the world. The class drew pictures of this historical moment and wrote notes about how brave, inspiring, and important she was—and still is today.

As part of our Science curriculum, Year 2 learned about the materials scientist Dr Pearl Agyakwa, who works at the University of Nottingham as a research scientist.  So it was great to see a scientist who researches different materials and the properties of the materials. The children created fact files explaining what she enjoyed studying when she was at school, what her job entails and how she is trying to make the world a better place. We thoroughly enjoyed learning her amazing and inspiring story.

In Year 3, as part of our learning for Black History Month and Whole School Project we have been learning about the lives and achievements of different famous people.

We were inspired by the artwork of Andy Warhol to create vibrant colour photos of Barack Obama, Katherine Johnson and Muhammad Ali. We enjoyed using our chrome notebooks to learn amazing facts about their lives and achievements and create interesting fact files about them.

Year 4 have had the opportunity to learn about many notable black figures who have made a difference in the UK. Black history is the story of people of African descent and their contributions to the world. It's important because it helps us understand the past and the present, promotes equality, and teaches us valuable lessons. Black history month is celebrated in October each year in the UK. We learned that Mary Seacole was a nurse during the Crimean War and helped soldiers. Mo Farah is a long-distance runner and a multiple Olympic gold medalist. His achievements inspire many. In Science lessons, we learned about black scientists and inventors that have made incredible discoveries and inventions, like Lewis Howard Latimer, who improved the design of the lightbulb. His contributions have shaped modern technology. Black artists, musicians, and writers have also enriched British art and culture. Lenny Henry is a comedian and actor who has entertained millions. Stormzy, a rapper from Hackney, has inspired millions with his lyrics. To imbed our learning of Black History further, Year 4 created fact files and posters to show the importance of many notable black figures. Inspired by Stormzy; our very own rapping teacher, Mr Albert; and (I’m leanin’ on a camera) Alim Kamara, we created our own Black History raps. During our learning, we have been able to understand that it is important to celebrate diversity and promote equality for a fair and inclusive society. Everyone should be treated with respect and have equal opportunities. By learning about black history, we can understand and appreciate different cultures, which helps to create a more harmonious world. Black history is a vital part of our shared history. By learning about the achievements, struggles, and contributions of black people, we can build a more inclusive and equal future. Let's continue to celebrate and value Black history all year round.

4T drew inspiration from the intricate geometric patterns, vibrant colours, and symbolic designs traditionally found in West African art and textiles. These striking elements, often seen in garments like Kente cloth and other culturally significant fabrics, influenced our creative process. As a result, we designed and crafted our own masks and patterns that reflect the beauty and cultural richness of African clothing, incorporating the bold, expressive styles that are so deeply embedded in the artistic heritage of the region.

In Year 5, children have been learning that black history is filled with trailblazing scientists and innovators whose groundbreaking contributions have shaped the modern world, yet many remain unknown to the wider public. From pioneers like Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who helped NASA send astronauts to space, to Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space, these extraordinary individuals broke barriers and overcame immense challenges to leave an indelible mark on science, space exploration, and mathematics. During Black History Month, we celebrate their hidden stories and lasting legacies, inspiring future generations to dream big, explore new frontiers, and drive innovation.

In celebration of Black History Month, Year 6 children engaged in an inspiring project focused on the contributions of Black heroes during World War II. Each student researched notable figures, such as soldiers, pilots, and activists, who made significant impacts during the war. They gathered information about their heroes' backgrounds, achievements, and the challenges they faced.

The children then transformed their research into creative posters, incorporating images, quotes, and key facts. These colourful displays highlighted the bravery and resilience of black individuals who fought for freedom and equality, both on the battlefield and at home. The project fostered teamwork and allowed students to express their creativity while deepening their understanding of history.

At the end of the project, the posters were showcased in the school hallway, encouraging discussions amongst peers and staff about the vital roles these heroes played. This initiative not only honoured the legacy of Black heroes but also inspired the students to appreciate diversity and the importance of recognising all contributions to history.

HARVEST DONATION

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous donations to our Harvest collection this year. Your contributions will make a significant difference to those in need, and we are truly grateful for the support and kindness shown by our school community.

Together, we are teaching our children the importance of compassion and helping others, and your donations have set a wonderful example. Thank you for making this year’s Harvest celebration a success!

Dear families,

We are delighted to announce our Christmas Card Project which we are undertaking in partnership with Art Projects for Schools Ltd (APFS).

The funds raised through your support will be used towards the school curriculum, from which your child will benefit. Importantly, the items recognise and celebrate your child’s creative effort and are great to send to family and friends.

The artwork your child has created, which will come home with your child today, will be accurately reproduced in full colour onto Christmas cards that are available in packs of 12. Additional items are also available, such as packs of 6 larger gloss coated luxury Christmas cards, packs of 3 sheets of wrapping paper, packs of 12 folded gift tags, mugs and tote bags. The quality of reproduction is excellent, as is the quality of the items.

To order, simply visit https://www.apfsorders.co.uk  and input the unique artwork code - found on the reverse of the artwork - and your child’s first name and surname.

Orders must be placed by midnight on Monday 11^th November. Any orders placed after this date will be classed as a late order and will be subject to a handling and postage fee. Re-orders can be placed through the same site using your unique code.

Please note that any enquiries regarding this project will need to be directed to the company, Art Projects for Schools LTD. They can be contacted via email info@apfs.org.uk