Jurassic Coast Van

As part of our Olympic Humanities Week, all pupils will be visited by the Jurassic Coast Van on Wednesday. This is part of the ‘Big Jurassic Classroom’ project that the school is involved in which encourages us to think about our local World Heritage Site as the Olympics draws closer. On Wednesday why not ask your child what work they completed with the Jurassic Coast Team? Did they see any fossils? Can they remember the fossil names? How is a fossil formed?

Dangers posed by Jequirity Bean Bracelets

The DCC Health and Safety team have alerted us to the dangers posed by Jequirity Bean bracelets. These bracelets have been on sale at various retail outlets across the UK,including the Eden Project in Cornwall.  The Jequirity bean bracelet ismade from the deadly seed of the plant abrus precatorious. It contains thetoxin abrin that if swallowed, has the potential to kill in doses of just 3micrograms. Abrin is chemically similar to ricin, a chemical warfare agent.People who have bought, or are in possession of the bracelets, are beingurged to bag them, then wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes.They should then hand the bracelet into their local police station where itwill be disposed of safely.There is further information available on the Public Health Agency websiteon the following link:http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/pha-issues-safety-warning-jequirity-bean-braceletsWe have attached an image of the bracelet for your information.

News from Reception

 In formation

We had a great time in Global Awareness week and again some great learning going on. I am hoping that if you look at the map of England  in the corrider towards the main hall, the children will beable to tell you that it is indeed England. They may also beable to point to where in England we live.
This week we have begun a topic on Jack and the Beanstalk, Underground and planting.
Please keep up the good work on reading and writing. The children are making great progress.
Thank you
Headlice
 I am afraid they are back again... please be vigalent in keeping them at bay. Thank you.

Comic Moments This Week.

Mrs C to child " What have you got stuffed up your jumper? "
Child  "Noffin "
Mrs C  "Look I can see it"  (Big bugle...)
Child   (Squiggles on feet) "Nuffin
Mrs C  But I can see it...
Other children laugh and giggle shouting, "It's there...."
Mrs C  "Jump up and down "( pigtails bobble!) Child squeals as object falls out.
Child It's my bear!!( in squeaky voice)

Moral of the tale
If you cant see it! It mustn't be there!

Could you be a Digital Leader?

Mr. Spracklen is welcoming children to apply for the role of 'Digital Leaders' within school. If you wish to apply, you will need to fill out a short online form (available now on SWGfL Merlin - see picture). Children from Reception to Year 4 are encouraged to apply with the aim of appointing a child from each class to the 'Digital Leaders' team! The form will ask you why you should be considered for this role and we will be looking for original responses that from come the children. Below the responsibilities of a 'Digital Leader' are listed:

Website/Blogs/Online:

Write blog posts for your class and comment on other blogs across the school
Helping staff to upload pictures/videos to their blog

ICT Clubs:

Plan and lead ICT club at lunchtimes for 3/4 and 5/6 (1 day each)
Possibly lead an after-school ICT club

Other

Change photographs on the TV screen in the reception

Organise competitions e.g. a drawing competition in Purple Mash

Possibly attend events and other schools to share ICT learning

Attend after-school training for staff and parents - with your parents' permission of course!

Trialling new software as required

Friday's Celebration Event

On Friday 2nd March, there will be some displays in the hall from each class
showing their work this week on Global Awareness. Each class will also have
some food they have made to sell! We shall also be putting on some dance and
music displays throughout the afternoon. This is intended to be a very
informal celebration of the week's work and you are invited to join us at any
time from 2.15p.m. until 3.45p.m. There will also be a Traidcraft stall selling
Fairtrade items and providing information. If you are not able to come along
you might give your child a small amount of money for them to buy some food
from the other class stalls.

What's been happening.... What is happening in reception class this week.

Hello to all the followers of this blog.
We have had a great  week in Reception enjoying our work on Fairtrade and where chocolate comes from.
The children have waited all week for the chocolate they were promised at the end of the week. They have done so well and the learning this week has been super. Try asking the children where chocolate comes from and how it is made. Or what the Fairtrade logo means. They were really getting on board with this.
You may have seen a rather interesting sculptor in our class this week too. It has created a great deal of  dialogue among some staff about what it may be. We think the most bizzare was Mr Butchers sugesstion..... A Milan Super model !! Have the children told you what it is?
This said sculptor caused much hilarity among the staff in reception, when one child having decided he was done with slushy sticky gloopy paper mache jumped up and hugged the T.A. standing next to him shouting "wash hands wash hands......"
We have also done some great writing about chocolate and we were very encouraged with so many children willing to sound out the words they wanted to write and then having a go at writing. One little boy was so thrilled when I said I would move his caterpillar, that before  I knew it, he had jumped on a chair and done it himself beaming and grinning from ear to ear. So please keep up the good work on the cursive writing boards.
We are also learning to count in 2's and transfer what we know about groups of 2  to buying chocolate bars with 2p coins. This is a very difficult concept to grasp as it requires some abstract thinking.
Lastly we have had fun making pancakes ( with chocolate sauce in)  and having pancake races. The children have been learning about Shrove Tuesday and Lent.

So what's happening in Global awareness week.
Building on the learning about Fairtrade we will be learning some geography this week with a visit to the Gambia, where we will meet a little girl called Fatou and her family and the children will hear about a different culture and faith.We will also be doing some cooking and making a citizenship display.
Please come and join us on Friday afternoon.

Week Beginning 6th February

Dear All
Next week we will be continuing our theme of dragons  knights and princessess with a drama story. I will be picking 3 children out of a hat to use the 3 dragon costumes we have in school, otherwise your  child may choose to dress up in a knight or princess costume what ever their gender.  They will need these costumes for Thursday morning.
Thank you.

We are  also having a week of investigations which includes investiagting how water moves things and different ways of cooking eggs. Please could we borrow any water wheels pumps and other water toys you may have. Your child will also need to bring in an egg cup.
Thank you.
 In  our Personal Emotional and Social   (PSE)  curriculum I am focussing on Going Goals. I have been asking the children to think about acheiving an aim in Let's Explore like persevering and finishing a task before moving on. I am trying to encourage perseverence and resilience.