Contents
- Year 4 Robinwood Residential
- Week 4
- OPAL and OPAL Play and Stay
- Rosh Hashanah
- A few reminders
- PTFA- disco and pre loved uniform
- Dates
Year 4 Robinwood Residential
Our 3-day residential to Robinwood was a huge success this year! Staff told me that the children were incredible – they supported one another, pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, and most importantly, had great fun.
Residentials are a wonderful opportunity for children to show us a different side of themselves beyond the classroom, and they certainly did just that. They created special memories that we hope they will treasure forever. For many, it was their first time sleeping away from home, which made the experience an even greater achievement. A few children even asked if they could stay longer – although I think most were ready for a good wash and a sleep when they got home!
A very big thank you to Mr Mac, Mrs Bland, Mrs Nicholson and Mrs Kidd-Scannell, who gave up their own family time to be with the children. They all came back buzzing, saying what a brilliant trip it had been. You should all feel very proud of your children.
For Year 3 parents and carers, I will be holding a short information meeting about next year’s Robinwood trip on Friday 7th November, 8:50–9:10am in the school hall. This will be a great opportunity to hear from some of our Year 4 pupils about their experiences, as well as to ask any questions you may have. I like to hold this meeting early so that families have plenty of time to spread out the cost with small, regular payments.
Week 4
It has been another very busy week in school, even with Year 4 away at Robinwood. One of the highlights for me personally was having the opportunity to teach across different year groups: Year 4 art, sewing and cooking, Year 3 computing, Reception outdoor learning, and phonics, maths and lots of play in Nursery.
Nursery and Reception have settled into school life so quickly and already know the routines and expectations of their classrooms. I had a wonderful time helping Reception count over 250 conkers in the conker snake they created in the forest garden! In Nursery, I was blown away by their ability to spot the odd sound out during our phonics ‘Rhyme Time’ session. We also had great fun washing the dolls’ clothes and hanging them out on the line to dry.
Please remember to follow us on Facebook. Year 1 -4 post weekly and Reception and Nursery post several times each week so you can find out what your children are learning in class. Watch out for the Year 3 Adventure Day pictures which will be uploaded after today’s fun!
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OPAL Play
🌟 Welly Winners Award
This week we had a winner from KS1 and KS2
We would like to invite all parents and carers of children in Reception to Year 4 to join us for an OPAL Play and Stay on Monday 29th September at 2:30pm.
The main gate will open at 2:25pm, and you will be able to walk down to your child’s classroom door. Staff will then send your child out to you so you can enjoy exploring all our play areas together.
If you are unable to attend, please don’t worry - your child will still take part as there will be plenty of staff on duty. If you arrive late, you will need to find your child on the yards (not always an easy task!).
At 3:00pm, we will blow the whistle for all children to return to their classrooms to collect bags and water bottles, before being dismissed as normal.
For health and safety reasons, we kindly ask that no younger siblings (either walking or in buggies) attend this event, as we cannot accommodate children who are not part of our school. Parents who arrive with younger siblings will not be permitted onto the school yard for OPAL Play and Stay.
We look forward to welcoming you for what we are sure will be a fun afternoon!
Rosh Hashanah Assembly
On Wednesday, we learned all about the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year. It is a time when Jewish people reflect on the past year and hope that they have done more kind things than unkind things. Many also visit a synagogue to pray.
We discovered some of the special traditions too. Jewish people celebrate by dipping apples in honey, which symbolises hopes for a sweet new year. We all had a go at dipping pieces of apple in honey and enjoyed eating them after assembly – yum, yum!
At Rosh Hashanah, a special horn called a shofar is blown many times, like a trumpet. Mrs Quinn (Jess) is hoping to borrow one from her mum so we can see it in school – it’s made from a ram’s horn!
Finally, we thought about the good things we had done this week. Children shared how they had played with someone who was lonely, spoken kind words to friends who were upset, and one little girl proudly told us how she had made a present for her mum’s birthday to make her happy.
A few reminders
Reception Speed Curriculum is on Tuesday 30th September for all Reception parents and carers straight after drop off in the school hall. Please come and find out what your child is learning in school and how you can support them at home.
Individual school photos are next week- Wednesday 1st October
PTFA
The PTFA are hosting a Spooks & Sparkles Disco on Wednesday 22nd October after school. There will be two sessions. The session for year 3&4 is 3.15pm - 4.15pm and then Reception, year1&2 will be 4.30pm - 5.30pm. Nursery will celebrate separately that week during school time.
Tickets are on sale from now until 8pm on Friday 17th October. If your child receives Pupil Premium Funding in school, there is a discounted ticket price. An email was sent to you last week with the discount code.
Here is the link to book your tickets and find out more details. https://www.pta-events.co.uk/grangefirstschool/index.cfm
The PTFA pre loved uniform stall will be on 30th September at drop off and collection and we will leave it out near Treetops in the afternoon too. Any spare uniform that is in good, wearable condition should be donated to the office by Monday 29th September so we can sort through it. Families can take what they need and donations are welcome in return but not necessary. We are also keen to accept donations of winter coats that no longer fit your child, Christmas jumpers or any spooky costumes.
September
Mon22nd- Wed 24th Yr 4 Robinwood
Friday 26th Yr 3 Adventure Day
Monday 29th Rec-Yr 4 OPAL Play & Stay for parents and carers
Tuesday 30th Reception Curriculum Session for parents and carers 9am
October
Wed 1st school photos
Mon 13th & Thurs 16th Parents' Evening
Wed 22nd PTFA Spooky Disco
Friday 24th School closed to all pupils- teacher training day
Half Term 27th - 31st
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