Welcome to our end of term newsletter...
Wow - what a long term it has been - but a term filled with friendships, fun and learning ending with the wonderful Mary's Knitting Nativity performed by Reception and Key Stage 1, and the Carol Concert led by Year 5 and performed by Key Stage 2.
It has been a real pleasure being able to spend time in all the classes this term and seeing how hard the children have been working and the learning that has been taking place. We have had many visitors, all who have commented on how polite the children are and what wonderful values they have.
I would like to just take this moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year with your children and we look forward to seeing you all back here on Monday 8th January
Reception Class
How brilliantly our little people have settled into school. We started the year learning all about ourselves, how special and unique we were and our families. We have worked really hard at making new friends.
The second half term has been all about 'terrific tales'. We've loved reading stories and also learning about different festivals that happen at this time of year. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings. Well done Reception, we are very proud of you!
Year 1
We are so incredibly proud of Year 1 this term, they have working so hard. In their science work they have learnt about the seasons as well as learning about animals including humans. They have particularly loved the art and design technology sessions where they have learnt about structures and how to construct a tower with a strong foundation.
In art the children have explored how to make thick and thin paint marks on a range of surfaces. They have used primary colours and the dip, dip dab method of painting.
Year 1, you have been brilliant and we were particularly proud of how hard you worked and performed in our Nativity play. Well done!
Year 2
What a busy term it has been for Year 2! They have been scientists learning about living things and their habitats, historians learning about the role that animals played in World War I, mathematicians showing their understanding of numbers, addition and subtraction as well as wonderful writers creating persuasive letters to Miss Steele! Plus much, much more! Year 2 were lucky enough to visit Green Towers to take part in the 'Let's Get Moving' activities. There was a lot of fun and a great deal of exercise carried out by the children...and the adults!
Safety Seymour paid them a visit to teach them all about carbon monoxide and how they can keep their houses safe. The adults were very impressed with their retrieval of the important information that they learnt and their excitement of having a carbon monoxide monitor to take home.
Year 2 have also been artists, producing some excellent work in their art books, combining art and music as well as exploring primary and secondary colours. Phew! They are certainly ready for a holiday and a chance to rest their brains! Well done for working SO hard, Year 2.
Year 3
Year 3 have absolutely smashed it! We've had a great term, and I'm really proud of how each of them has exceeded expectations as they start Key Stage Two, demonstrating perseverance and excitement for learning. Here is a glimpse into Year 3 so far! Beginning with our Stone Age experience, science experiments, Ukulele with Wayne, our team work and team-building activities, drama sessions in English and our trip to Narnia!
Year 4
Year 4 have had a busy half term, learning all about how our school and village has changed over the years, all about sound in Science, what type of world God wants us to live in, and Roman life here in Britain.
We were incredibly excited to get to hold and study some real Roman roof tiles, found in Miss Farmer's garden near Mancetter, not too far from the site of Boudicca's battle with the Romans!
We couldn't believe we were able to touch and feel some primary sources of evidence! We also had a wonderful start to our Christmas celebrations with a visit to the Methodist Church, visiting different prayer spaces and thinking about what we are thankful for, who is in our thoughts this Christmas, how we are feeling and changes we can make for our future. It was just lovely. What a half term!
Year 5
Year 5 have had a super half term with lots of learning and activities. The children have all become ‘Young Leaders’ as they participated in a two day leadership training programme. There was a mixture of theory as well as practical activities and everyone can now lead their own sports group. They will be putting their skills to good use and leading some of the younger children in activities at lunchtimes.
Friday afternoons are always looked forward to in Year 5: it’s art! We’ve been focussing on drawing and painting. We began with ‘subtractive drawing’ which lead to some fabulous pieces of art work, before moving on to look at the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian painter and architect. We explored chroma (the strength of colours) before creating art inspired by some of his work. Next, we created some print work using reduction printing – we are really proud of our work!
Everyone has really been enjoying our class book, ‘Malamander,’ set in the mysterious location of ‘Eerie-On-Sea’ where two twelve year olds are trying to uncover a mystery. We’ve met the characters, pretended to be the characters and now, we just need to uncover the final mystery! We’ve no doubt that lots of the class will be wanting book two added to their Christmas lists!
Year 6
Y6's art lessons this term has seen them learning portraiture techniques linked to the artist Frida Kahlo and painting and collage techniques linked to cubism and Picasso. They have produced some fabulous pieces!
In DT, Y6 have completed their food and nutrition unit, where they asked the question, "Can street foods save us?" The children learnt about the nutritional (or lack of nutrition) in many convenience snacks and learnt techniques to make healthier snacks inspired by the culture of street foods. Please can Y6 remind you all that snacks in school are to be healthy ones: children SHOULD NOT be eating chocolate and crisps at playtime. Please think wisely as a family as to which healthy snacks you choose to bring to school.
In science, Y6 have learnt about the circulatory system and electricity this term. They have really enjoyed the practicals this term, increasing their confidence with management of the independent and dependent variables when working scientifically. In this practical, the children were testing their hypothesis as to which drinks contained the most sugar.
Y6 started the term with a wonderful walk,; enjoying the beautiful countryside around our beautiful village.
Sporting News
We've had some super sports happening this term. The Cross Country team have continued to be dedicated to the mud and the results from a number of children have been absolutely phenomenal - even securing number of top 10 places which puts them in running for the Hinckley and Bosworth team later on in the year!
Earlier on in the term, the Year 5 & 6 football teams went to Burbage Junior School for a tournament. They played superbly and it was good to see the children work together as a team.
Our Year 4 Tag-Rugby team went to Market Bosworth Rugby Club for a festival. They represented St Margaret’s incredibly well. Molly even went on to win ‘player of the tournament’ for St Margaret’s. They made us proud with their perseverance, determination and respect!
In November, we sent an UKS2 Basketball team out for a tournament and they were brilliant and even made it to the semi-finals! We hope they will have another game this year as their perseverance was superb and their skill developing as they went through their games.
Year 2 and 3 have both attended the 'Let's Get Moving Festival' at Green Towers which was thoroughly enjoyed: Martial Arts, outdoor activities, smoothie making, indoor games and, most popular, the Drumba!
A group of Year 5 and 6 children attended a table tennis tournament where they put in maximum effort - this one was new to us and they were brilliant ambassadors for our school.
All the children who have represented us this term have been super representatives of St Margaret's and should be proud of themselves!
Thank You PTA
Thank you to the PTA for supporting school again this year with some super events, and thank you to all of you for supporting.
The PTA have supported Y6 in making their traditional Christmas cakes again this year. They have also paid for the Hobgoblin Theatre Show who came and performed a wonderful version 'The Christmas Carol' which was adapted for primary aged children. They were just fabulous!