Junior leaders
Today, our new junior leaders met for the first time.
As part of the meeting, they reviewed our school definition of bullying and our child friendly anti-bullying policy prior to anti-bullying day next Monday.
They also reminded the class about Odd Socks Day, which is also on Monday, that celebrates our individuality.
Living and Learning: Me and my community
Everyday this day week, we have been focusing on our community and that of others. We have had lots of visitors from a wide range of communities: the visually impaired, LGBTQ+ and a representative of the police force (just to name a few).
The highlight of the week was Friday, when we all dressed in our ‘identity’ clothes. It was wonderful to see that our Moortown community is made up of so many unique individuals.
‘Me and My Community’ week!
What a week!
The first week back after half term has been a busy one with it being ‘Me and My Community’ week. This week the children were immersed in lots of activities that taught them about many different communities. Here’s just some of what we got up to!
We began with a visit from a visually impaired man, Sid and his guide dog, Jamie. It was so eye-opening for the children to see and learn how people with visual impairments live their lives to the fullest with the help of others and their dogs.
We then had visitors who were teaching the children about LGBTQ+, what it means and how we can support anyone who needs it. Year 4 really understood the importance of the information!
Linda Gledhill did a talk with the children about hearing impairments. In this session, the children learnt what they can do to help deaf or partially deaf people understand. For example, they should look directly at the person, do not over pronounciate and use hand signals if you can (sign language).
Finally, through the week, Year 4 were chosen to venture out into Moortown Park to do litter picking! Unfortunately, they found lots of litter but I’m sure the people of Moortown will be very thankful. Here’s some photos of the children in action. 
Living and Learning: Me and my community week
This week has been very busy in Year 1! We have been working all week learning about our identity and our community!
On Tuesday two Police Community Support Officers came into the classroom to talk to us about staying safe using fireworks and sparklers. We listened really well and even found out you should put your sparkler in a carrot!!
On Wednesday, as well as our amazing class assembly (Well done everyone!), we also had a visit from the RNIB. They brought along a guide dog with them and we learnt all about the job of a guide dog.
On Thursday, teacher for the deaf came to visit to talk to us all about how we can help deaf adults and children understand us more clearly. We learn some sign language too.
We have had an amazing week learning all about how we are the same and how we are different. It has all been topped off by everyone showing off their identity today! Amazing work everyone!
Welcome back
This week, we’ve been busy learning about autumn festivals: Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali.
Here are some snapshots of what activities we did to support our learning…
We designed and created rockets.
We explored moving in different ways like fireworks.
We made Diya lamps at the playdough table.
We made Rangoli patterns with rice.
We created our own potions and had a go at writing a list of ingredients.
My potion will turn you into…
AT – a runaway pumpkin with two legs and three arms.
FM – a rocket.
MB – a witch.
LN – a rat.
LC – jelly.
FM – a rainbow.
We created some amazing Mehendi patterns!
On Tuesday, two police officers came to visit us and shared some important information about how we can stay safe on Bonfire Night.
Later in the week, we made safety posters and reflected on the things we know.
HB – Stand back from the fireworks.
AT – Barney could wear a safety jacket.
FM – Always stay away from fireworks.
LN – When holding a sparkler, keep it away from you.
SS – Wear gloves when holding a sparkler.
AP – Keep pets indoors.
This week, we continued to practise our counting skills. We reinforced our understanding of cardinality – that the last number in the count tells us ‘how many’ things there are altogether in a set of objects. We looked at 5 as a quantity by linking the number itself to the 5 fingers on one hand. We explored representing numbers to 5 using both our fingers and the Hungarian number pattern (die pattern).
We collected 5 objects with a partner.
Can you collect 5 objects that are all the same?
…5 that are the same but different colours?
… 5 that are different sizes?
By using these key representations it has helped us understand the ‘fiveness’ of 5.
On Thursday, we enjoyed our first gymnastics session with two gymnastic coaches. We showed great resilience and determination.
Click here to watch this week’s poem.
Reminders!
- Early Maths Zoom – Monday 14 November at 6pm
We will talk about how you can support your child to become a confident mathematician. A Zoom invite will be emailed to you next week. - If your child has their ears pierced, please make sure their earrings are removed on PE days.
- PE is on a Monday and Thursday this half-term.
- Marvellous Maths stay and learn sessions – Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 November. Please return your slip by Friday 11 November.
Home-Link Challenge
If you’re going to a bonfire this weekend, have a safe and happy time!
See you on Monday.
Community week
What a fantastic week we have had learning about different communities, respecting ourselves and others and knowing everyone is different, special and unique.
Vocabulary
This week, during our themed community week, we have read lots books about respecting and celebrating everyone and different communities. In these books, we read some words which we wanted to explore and find out more about. We have used the iPads to find definitions of words on the online dictionary. We also used the online thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms for each word. Ask your child what a synonym is and what an antonym is.
Living and Learning: Me and My Community week
We’ve enjoyed lots of learning about identity, diversity and community so far in our themed week.
What is a community?
- A group of people that live in a particular area
- A group of people who are similar in some way or have similar interests
Did you know our class is made up of lots of different ethnicities and look at all the languages we can speak. It’s been great to hear some of the children share these languages with the class.
When thinking about our own identity, this video gave us lots to discuss about what makes us, us?
There are lots of different aspects of our life that make us who we are. We are all UNIQUE.
Which members of the class do you think these might be?
We read and performed these identity themed poems. Ask your child to read them to you with prosody.
Our first visitors of the week were our local PCSOs. They told us about their role in the community to keep people safe and they also reminded us of some important safety advice for bonfire night.
Some of the class have been keeping active in our community on their journeys to school. Send your photos to school by Friday to be part of this competition.
We’re looking forward to more visitors and learning throughout the week and Identity Day on Friday.
Gymnastics
This half term, Year 2 have two great gymnastics coaches teaching their PE lessons on a Thursday.
Today, we have practiced rolling, balancing, stretching and jumping.
The PTA needs you..
Do you want to make a difference to our school community?
Are you able to give some, time, skills or ideas?
Existing members of the Moortown Primary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) are urgently looking for new parents to join. The PTA is a registered charity and they are looking for parents to take on the roles of three trustees; as well as these roles, they need enough people to help out so that organising and running the fundraising events is shared between more people.
They would like to invite you to join the PTA before the AGM on Tuesday 15 November. If you are interested in joining the PTA, please contact the school office and they will put you in touch with the right people.