Dear Families,

Welcome Back!

This week has been a busy and memorable one at school. We marked Remembrance Day and spent time reflecting on the importance of remembering those who have served and sacrificed in conflicts around the world. We were also delighted to celebrate Children in Need, and it was wonderful to see so many children dressed in spots and proudly supporting this fantastic cause. Thank you for your generosity with the cakes donated for our after-school bake sales, which helped make the event such a success.

The excitement is also building as all classes have now begun rehearsals for their Christmas performances. The children are already working hard to learn their songs, lines and routines, and we look forward to sharing these special performances with you in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, we have another busy week planned. Children in Years 5 and 6 will be taking part in Bikeability, developing their cycling skills and confidence. We will also be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week, culminating in our Odd Socks Day on Friday, when children are invited to wear odd socks to celebrate individuality and promote kindness and respect for others. We also have individual school photo day on the 19th November. Polite reminder: all children need to be in full uniform and will need to bring in their outdoor learning/ P.E kits with them to school on this day to get changed into. If your child is in Nursery and they do not attend on a Thursday, if you would like to, please come in for 9am.

A reminder, too, that our Maths (MTC) Parent Information Session will take place on Monday at 2:45pm. This session will provide information about the check and offer practical ways to support your child with their times tables at home.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Many thanks,

Miss Laycock

Headteacher

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Dates for the diary

• Monday 16th November – Anti-Bullying Week
• Monday 16th November – Maths Parent Session (KS2) 2.45pm
• Monday 16th – Wednesday 19th – Bikeability Year 5/6
• Thursday 19th November – Individual school photo day
• Friday 20th November – Odd Sock Day
• Friday 20th November – NHS Flu Immunisations
• Wednesday 2nd December – Reception Open Tour

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Year group news

Nursery

This week in Nursery we have been celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week by looking at Humpty Dumpty and Incy Wincy. The children have been enjoying using water to wash Incy away and trying to balance eggs to help Humpty. Our foundational knowledge has been to learn about different materials and their properties so we have been investigating which material will help Incy stay at the top of the spout and stop Humpty falling of the wall. In maths we have been joining in with phrases repeated in songs and looking at activities which we repeat during the day.  

Reception Rabbits 

This week our Foundational Knowledge focus has been around recalling and retelling familiar stories. We have being reading the story ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’, enjoying spotting all the nursery rhyme characters on each page and the many rhyming words. We then worked to try to correctly order pictures from traditional tales such as ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’. In maths we have consolidated our understanding of numbers up to 3, while thinking about how the whole number 3 can be broken down into parts. 

Hares

This week in Hares we have started our new book, ‘Too Much Stuff’ as well as our new Writing topic, Instructional Writing.  Part of this was making ‘Spotty cookies’ which we will write the instructions for next week.  In Maths we have been learning how to subtract from 20 – we will continue with this next week.  Our rehearsals have also begun for the ‘Bethlehem Bake Off’ so please remember to learn the lyrics to the songs, as well as your lines if you have speaking role.  

Fawns

This week in Fawns we have finished or unit on addition and subtraction in maths, thinking about how we can use the inverse to solve missing number problems. In reading we are continuing with our text: Leon and the Place between. Our unit in PE this half term is yoga, and we have enjoyed thinking about how the different poses strengthen our bodies.  

Otters

This week in Otters, we started our new text, ‘What is AI?’. The children have shown a huge interest in the technology surrounding AI as they begin to delve into the book. During science, the children conducted an experiment in order to create shadows. They had some building blocks, white paper and torches. With the room darkened, the children created their own builds and had their partner shine their torch on the object to create a shadow. They then drew around the shadow to put into their books. In art, they started their printmaking unit. Mrs Mera took them outside where they explored different marks that can be made with an ink roller. Well done Otters a great start to the term! 

Badgers

This week in Badgers we started our new writing unit of adventure stories, the children have worked hard on their ingredients for success they will begin to input into their stories next week. During art this week, we also began a new print making unit where they learnt the skill deduction. We look forward to them using this new skills along with previous skills they have learnt over the upcoming weeks.

Foxes

This week Fox Class have started work on fractions in mathematics and will be for several weeks. In English, the class have started a new unit and will write a newspaper article based on the Icelandic volcano of 2010. They enjoyed watching videos and news reports on it. In geography, they learnt how an earthquake happens and in science learnt all about the heart.  

Owls

This week Owl class have started reading ‘The Pebble in my Pocket’ and found out about the job of a geologist.  We have made volcanos and also carried out a scientific investigation into finding the strongest rock.  In Geography, we have started looking at the United Kingdom and learning about the different regions within it.  

Achievement Awards

Rabbit Class  –   Amelia B for concentrating and showing determination during carpet time sessions. 

Hares Class  – Joshua – for listening and learning the new method for subtracting so well.  You have proved you are an independent learner. 

Fawns Class  –  Otis for showing determination in our first nativity rehearsal this week.  

Otter Class –  Stanley – for exploring various shadows he could make in science. He showed great enthusiasm.  

Badger Class – Esme for fantastic ambition and reading at home.

Fox Class –  Lily for huge improvements in multiplication this week. 

Owls Class – Zane for making excellent contributions to our lessons this week. 

Star of the Week Awards

Rabbit Class  –  Amelia M for always being kind and respectful to others

Hares Class  – Oakley – for starting the new term with such a positive attitude and trying your best to follow the Lingwood Way.  Keep it up! 

Fawns Class  –   Hattie for excellent focus in writing lessons this week. 

Otter Class – Poppy – for always being proactive in her learning.  

Badger Class – Lily for always being a great role model to her peers and following the Lingwood Way.

Fox Class – Charlie P for always being respectful and polite to everyone  

Owls Class –  Charlie for having an amazing first week in Owl class. 

Congratulations to you all

Attendance Update

This week’s whole school attendance is 95.9%.

• In first place is Foxes with 99%
• In second place is Hares with 98.9%
• In third place is Badgers with 97.5%

Please note, class teachers will be communicating with any parents of children whose attendance drops below 95% to offer additional support.

Well done to all the children arriving at school on time, ready to learn lets see if we can again increase our attendance next week!  A reminder that the school gates will continue to be open from 8.30 am and closed at 8.40am. Registration is at 8.40 am and school finishes at 3.25 pm.

Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know.

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We Will Remember

Our Aspens kitchen team had great pleasure in preparing a special commemorative dessert for the children to enjoy on Remembrance Day this week. It was wonderful to see so many pupils enjoying the delicious treats as part of the day’s reflections.

A reminder that bookings for our Christmas Lunch are now open. This festive meal will take place on Wednesday 9th December, and we would love as many children as possible to join us for this special occasion. Please remember to book your child’s place via the usual method to ensure they don’t miss out.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Aspens Kitchen Team 🍽️🎄