Final week before summer.
Beyond the Beat
This week our musicians performed in their final Beyond the Beat concert of the year. Birch class were amazing with their brass instruments, our continuing musicians showcased all their talents, and we were even treated to a performance by a Kings band.
R2L
As we reflect on this year, we are able to notice, appreciate and celebrate how far the children have come so far in their learning journey at Stanmore Primary School. R2L plays a vital role in some children's journey and yet again, we have seen how R2L has become part of a child's journey, but never their destination!
All of the children have increasingly enjoyed participating in whole class and whole school events. The particular highlights have been : Red Nose Day danceathon; bikeability; Roman Day; DT projects in class; the reading festival; forest school and so much more! This is alongside joining their peers for the daily core subjects of English, maths, spelling and reading.
Well done to every parent and carer who supports their child to be BEST that they can be! Enjoy a safe and happy holiday from all us in R2L.
Maple
Following on from their planning session last week, Maple Class enjoyed making their supermarket sandwiches and presenting them in very smart containers. They used a variety of preparation skills previously taught, including chopping, slicing, grating and spreading, making sure that they were working hygienically. The sandwiches looked delicious and I hear, tasted even better!
Rowan
VE Day celebrations
This week some visitors from the Royal Logistics Museum came in and gave us a talk about VE day and WW2. They delivered the school some bunting which will go up in the museum for their special celebration event. The children absolutely loved decorating their bunting and took pride in helping to celebrate VE day. Well done Rowan.
Birch
Last week Birch enjoyed a day out to the Sustainability Centre. The children spent the day in the sun learning about the South Downs National Park, why is it important and how we can protect it. The children used a Japanese craft technique called hapa zome which involves hitting leaves onto a piece of cloth with a hammer and toasted bread over a campfire! The children even had a go at grinding wheat to make flour. We all had lots of fun but the highlight of the day for some was the outdoor compost toilets which at times, had a very long queue!
Sycamore
Last week, the Year 4 children finished publishing their stories and they read them to the children in Year 3. Birch class were brilliant audience members and loved the stories written by Sycamore Class!
This week Sycamore class have been learning about how to print on to fabrics to make a repeating pattern design to be used in a soft furnishing. They then had to sew the material to make some kind of case or cover.
Aspen
This week in Aspen class we have been working on our final Art unit - Expressionism, the children have been thinking about how we use our faces and features to show how we are feeling and what colours these can be reflected in. We started by using photographs before building on our own portraits including colour and words.
Elm
Year 6 class completed their make do and mend project by designing and sewing their own pet cushions. They practised three different stiches, before choosing their favourite and using this to finish their project. The results were amazing.
Fun in the sun with Fairs, Music and Plays
Summer Fayre
Thank you to everyone who supported the school by coming to the summer fair on Friday. It was lovely to see all the Stanmore children (past, present and future) enjoying themselves in the sunshine. A big thank you to the FOS who worked tirelessly all day to set up stalls and arrange everything for us all to enjoy.
National Youth Orchestra
Our children had the opportunity to play their instruments and sing with Marharyta from the National Youth Orchestra. Marharyta arranged 'Viva La Vida' by Coldplay which the children learned and performed together; an incredible achievement in just one session with our young musicians. We listened to Marharyta play her cello and everyone was inspired. It was a very enjoyable and impressive session - thank you Marharyta.
Rowan
Bug Hoteliers!
This week to finish off our science unit 'Animal Survival', Rowan class undertook their Innovate project. They had to think about how they wanted to improve their environment for the local wildlife. They were inspired by last year's bug hotel and decided that they would make their own. So now Rowan class have their very own bug hotel outside our classroom! We are very excited to see if any bugs will take up residence. At this rate we are going to need to start our own chain of hotels 🙂
Birch
This week, Birch have been thinking about properties of 3D shapes. They worked hard to build 3D shapes in different ways which helped them to identify the number of faces, vertices and edges each shape had. In science, we've been exploring light and observing how light can affect our vision. In their investigations, the children found that coloured cellophane can change the colour of shadows, a rainbow could be seen when they shone a torch through a prism, optical illusions can make it look as though objects are floating in mid air and some mirrors can alter the way we look!
Sycamore
Sycamore Class have been working on using photo editing software to manipulate and edit photos. The children have been learning about checking that photos and information are from appropriate and reliable sources.
Elm
This week the children in ELM class performed their play 'Cinderella, Rockerfella' to the whole school as well as taking part in two performances to their families and friends. We are incredibly proud of how well everybody did and impressed by the talent that was shown. Thank you to everyone who has helped the children practise at home or at school and supported them with costumes and props.
Positively you celebration
This week Elm class walked up to Winchester University to take part in the final ‘Positively You’ day. They were treated to a tour around campus, a magic show and some dance lessons! Finally the children went to the auditorium where they were all presented with certificates and goodie bags - Well done everyone.
Starting reception
Your child's journey to school starts at home There’s lots you can do at home to build your child’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school. If your child is due to start reception class this year, then please click this link to access resources to help you support your child at home. Alternatively use the QR code below.
Reading Festival
Reading Festival
This week the whole school took part in our annual Reading Festival based on the classic tale of Cinderella. The children made wands, decorated coaches, wrote invitations and learnt and performed a dance. Thank you to everyone who was involved for making it a brilliant day for Stanmore pupils
Dancers
The children who dance in our after school Integr8 class at Stanmore recently performed at our Dance Off show at the Theatre Royal. They did brilliantly and were awarded the trophy for ‘Best Concept’ on the evening.
Well done Stanmore - we are so proud of you and you were excellent representatives for your school
Maple
Maple Class have started their new DT unit, 'Chop, Slice and Mash'. They have been learning about where our food comes from and this week, have ben learning to prepare different vegetables using a range of techniques. They have been learning about the importance of handwashing before preparing food as well as how to use kitchen equipment safely.
Birch
This week Birch have been making mosaic coasters inspire by Roman mosaic art. The children thought really carefully about where to place their tiles to create a pattern and found that putting the tiles onto the coasters was a very fiddly task that required lots of patience! Birch also enjoyed being in the sun on Monday and taking part in the Reading Festival - they had lots of fun visiting each stage and reading outside on the sun.
Aspen
This week Aspen have been working hard on their athletics skills ready for Sports Day.
Elm
This week the children in Elm class were delighted to receive their leavers jumpers. Even in the sweltering heat everyone was keen to put them on and we want top thank FOS for making this possible. In other news the children took part in transition day to their secondary school and had their second 'Positively you' session. What a busy week
Safeguarding visit
This week we have a visitor from our wonderful governing body looking at our school’s safeguarding procedures. Children from different year groups were invited to come and talk and they did a wonderful job, showing all our Keys to Success.
Victorians, Romans and Scientists!
Maple
Maple Class was turned into a Victorian school room last Wednesday afternoon to help the Year 1 children understand how different school was in the Victorian times compared to now. The children were sat in rows and wore smart white collars. They started their afternoon with an inspection of their hands and fingernails, then enjoyed arithmetic, handwriting and science using slates and ink pens.
Rowan
This week Rowan class have been trying out sewing! They have been using a template the create a bag tag and have begun sewing on their embellishments. They have been really focussed in tackling the challenge of creating a running stitch. Some brilliant persistence and resilience show so far. Well done Rowan class
Birch
This week Birch Class were transported to Ancient Rome for their Roman Day! The children started the day by making shields for battle and then had a go at making some Roman honey and oat cakes. After lunch, the children had a banquet of plums, dates, grapes, cheese, honey and figs and some discovered they really some new fruits! They then enjoyed their honey and oat cakes whilst watching each other perform pantomimes of Roman myths. To end the day, the children were challenged to make Roman aqueducts. This was very challenging and the children had to be really resilient but, in the end, all of the aqueducts were able to transport water! The children had a really fun day and looked the part - thank you to everyone who helped make Roman costumes or donated junk modelling to create such a magical day!
Sycamore
Lots of cooperation was in display in Sycamore Class this week!
We were trying out some really tricky coding using our Micro:bits, so tricky that we invited Daniel from year 6 to come and be an expert helper! By the end of the session, it was great to see so many people helping other members of the class to debug their instructions.
Aspen
This is week in Aspen class we have been being our very own scientists, we have been looking at filtration. Each group had their own filter paper and had the challenge to filter the dirty water into clean water. We discussed what we thought would happen, how it would happen and if the 'clean' water was drinkable after.
A hot week!
Hawaiian Disco
Thanks to the fabulous FOS! Another successful (very sweaty!) disco!
Maple
Maple Class had a wonderful time this week in their Forest School session. They loved exploring the weaving, using the scramble net and playing with the mud kitchen.
Children in Maple Class have been historians this week, handling and discussing artefacts from schools in the Victorian era. We talked about the importance of handling artefacts carefully and thought about what the objects were used for, comparing them to what we have in schools today. In maths, children have been learning about money using real coins and purses! We have also been learning about mapping and using positional language to describe positions in our small world models and maps. Can you spot the children who enjoyed the dressing up?
Rowan
This week rowan class have begun to learn about coding in their new computing unit! They have experimented with what Scratch Jr can do and have been choosing sprites, changing backgrounds and making simple code to make their characters move. They have really enjoyed it and are looking forward to doing more
Birch
Birch have been working really hard to finish their poems. They've worked really hard to think about how to make their poems rhyme and are excited to publish them tomorrow!
Sycamore
This week Sycamore Class have become technological experts!
We used micro:bits and programming technology to create short messages using LEDS! Some children wrote their name, some created an emoji and others even created a short melody to accompany their message.
Sssshhhhh!!! Sycamore Class had a sneaky extra visit to Forest School this Friday! Some children were hunting for sticks (for a secret project which will be revealed in the near future), while others were building dens and others were relaxing in the shade on a very warm day! What a lovely treat!
Aspen
Aspen class this week were engaged with their swimming session which focussed on the importance of water safety. They were shown different types of flags that they may come across when out by large bodies of water, what every day items could help people stay afloat if they found themselves or someone else in distress. The children then got to have their own go at saving a peer from the side of the pool using key skills and remembering to keep themselves safe too.
Elm
Elm class opened a suitcase full of artefacts from the 2nd World War to reinforce their understanding of their topic ‘Britain at War’. The children were enthralled by the contents and spent time drawing, researching and trying on the items of clothing. Elm class also enjoyed making weaving looms out of sticks fastened to the trees in Forest school. They then weaved natural materials between the twine.
Positively you
This week the children in year 6 started a three week program called Positively You supported by Winchester University. In this children the children look at ways to remember information using story maps or journeys, and then mapped their own goals and thought about how they could achieve them. It was fantastic watching the children remember large amounts of information (like the 7 ages of Britain or how to count to 10 in Japanese), just through the creation of a story or mind map, and seeing how they managed to retain this information right the way through the day. We can’t wait until the next session.
R2L
What an incredibly hot week! We have had to use all of our keys to success this week in order to stay focused!
Another fabulous week in R2L! Children are really enjoying all of the learning opportunities in their classes with their friends and it is truly lovely to see their confidence grow.
Our focus this week has been learning to organise what we need so that we are prepared and successful. We completed a variety of enriching activities including sorting resources into different groups; taking care of our school resources so that we would always know where they are and that they are in good condition. Perhaps the most fun activity this week
was in Forest School where the children made their own natural paint brushes out of sticks and leaves. They then used the "brushes" to paint their own pictures. We hope that you like them!
High Aspirations
More fantastic football
This week the children took part in two football tournaments held at Nightingale School. There were two year 3/4 boys teams who took part on Tuesday and a year 6 boys team who played on Thursday. Everyone played really well, with the year 3/4 boys finishing second and third and the year 6 boys finishing top of the league out of 8 schools. Sadly we lost out on the final by one goal but we were excellent. Well done to everyone who played, and thank you to all the parents who supported us and came to watch.
R2L
How good are you at ignoring distractions and focusing on your own tasks? This was the theme of this weeks target as the children in R2L worked hard to ignore distractions. Through using a range of activities including science experiments; imagining and creating our "peaceful place", we decided that ignoring distractions resulted in high quality results. Did you know that a primary age child requires between 9-11 hours each night to help our bodies to rest and repair? A good nights sleep and breakfast helps to contribute to a more focused day.
Maple
What a busy week we have had in Maple Class this week! We have started our new topic, 'School Days', and have been thinking about how our school might have been when it was built in the 1920s. Children have learnt about what life was like for some people in Victorian times and thought about how Victorian toys compare to toys that we have today. As always, the children have loved exploring and creating within Discovery Time - I love the mini beast wings that they have made this week!
Rowan
This week Rowan class have completed their Year 2 SATs. Everyone completed them and showed an absolutely fantastic attitude to their learning. I am so impressed and proud of their hard work. Well done Rowan class.
As well as that they have been progressing with their English writing on the book by Micheal Morpurgo, ‘There Once is a Queen’. They are planning their narrative poem using exciting vocabulary and thinking carefully about the story.
Sycamore
Sycamore Class have been getting creative, making clay tiles with intricate details and using an Islamic style of repeating patterns.
Aspen
This week in Aspen class we have had lots of fun with marbling in art, each of the children had the chance to mix the inks together, create their pattern and then hope it printed onto their paper. We had lots of different colour combinations and lots of lovely artwork at the end of the day!
Elm
Year 6 have been working hard this week on learning all their words for their play and have also explored observational art. They concentrated hard on detail and how to make the pictures look as realistic as possible.
Elm class also enjoyed Forest school. Inspired by the environmental artist, Andy Goldsworthy, they used all the key skills to produce some wonderful sculptures using natural materials.
Welcome back to Summer 2 (with a bang and a whizz)
Science with Kings
This week in KS2 we enjoyed a science lesson led by King's school about forces and chemical reactions. The children had fantastic knowledge of the topics and shared ideas really well. The children then got to design their own rocket caps and tested them by launching then from empty milk cartons. There are definitely some future scientists in our school!
Maple
Maple Class had a wonderful time in Forest School this week. Some of the children made story strings using wool and natural resources to retell the story of 'Peace at Last'. We have planted out our beans and enjoyed learning collaboratively.
Birch
This week, Birch have been looking at calligrams. The children have thought really carefully about the criteria of a calligram before having a go at making their own inspired by nature.
R2L
The children in R2L were excited to share their half term news when they returned to school on Monday. This was a perfect opportunity for us all to practise this week's target of "I am learning to wait for my turn to talk" . We agreed that it was polite to show good looking, good listening and good sitting when someone else was talking so that we didn't miss any news! Lots of turn taking practise and speedy hands up games have really helped us all to slow down and wait for our turn to talk because no one wanted to be an interrupting chicken!! The children continued to complete their learning in class which this week also included joining in with the explosive science experiments led by staff from Kings School. A fantastic start to the last half term of the year.
New Experiences For Our Children
Year 3/4 girls football team.
A huge well done to our two newly formed girls football teams this week as they took part in their very first tournament. For many of the girls this was their first time playing any match and both teams managed to hold their own in at least 5 different matches. We were so proud of their bravery and how they supported each other at all times. Thanks to the fabulous parents who helped with transportation and cheered the girls on.
Maple
Children in Year 1 have been studying the artist, James Rizzi. They love his vibrant, joyful work and have created fantastic artwork in his style. We think that they look great!
As part of our 'Plant Parts' topic, Year R children have planted a variety of flowers and vegetables which are growing nicely. This week, they have started to grow leaves from carrot tops which can be eaten in salads. I wonder how quickly they will grow?
Year R children have just started their 'Sharing and Grouping' unit in maths. They are learning to share equally between groups and identify when a number cannot be equally shared. In Discovery Time, they have been developing their understanding of 3D shapes. Can you spot a teacher in the making?
Rowan
African Percussion!
This half term Rowan class have been learning to play African percussion instruments. They have been playing on the on dundun, the shekere, djembe and the caxixi. They have been really enjoying learning to play these instruments and are once again looking forward to their concert at the end of the summer term.
Birch
This week, Birch have been learning how to tell the time to 5 minutes. Whilst this was tricky at the start of the week, everyone has been persevering and trying their best and they have found that the more the they practice, the easier it is. The children are very excited to show off this new skill and will be learning how to tell the time to the minute after half term!
Sycamore
This week, Sycamore Class have been learning about conductive and non-conductive materials. We completed an investigation where we put different items into circuits to find out if they were insulators and conductors. At the end of the lesson, we ended with a challenge - Can you make a switch out of everyday classroom objects?
Aspen
This week in Aspen class we have been using our vertical working spaces in groups to help us engage with our learning. The class used their vertical working spaces to help them organise and collect information about Greek timelines, Minoans and the Mycenaeans. Being up and out of our seats made our brains work harder and more engaged with their learning - let's hope they remember it all after half term!
Elm
As well as producing some excellent writing, year 6 have been busy this week designing and building bridges. They thought carefully about the use of triangles for additional strength and then created a prototype sing masking tape and straws. Some of the designs were so strong one could hold 101 cubes! Next they created the finished bridges using lollipop sticks and paper. It was create to see the groups working collaboratively and thinking carefully about the best way to make their bridge as strong as possible.
