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.
Plants, Electricity and Ice cream.
Maple Class
Children in Maple Class have been learning about the importance of special clothes. This week, Marianne from St Luke's Church visited and talked to the class about the special clothes that some Christians wear. The children enjoyed asking questions and trying on some of the items that Marianne brought in.
In maths, Year R children have been learning about 2D shapes. They have explored their properties and what happens when shapes are rotated. They showed their skills and perseverance when using a range of shapes to make as many different triangles as possible.
Rowan
Green Thumbs, Growing Strong
Over the past few weeks to end our plant survival unit we have been growing some seeds as part of our innovate investigation. The children have been growing broad beans, peas and two types of sunflowers. Even though they haven't been planted in soil most of our seeds have grown incredibly well. It was fascinating to watch them germinate and sprout. Watching the root systems grow has been a particular highlight. Well done Rowan class. Take good care of them!
Birch
This week in science, Birch have been thinking about the anatomy of a flower. First, the children observed flowers in a vase and identifying the parts they knew an noticing differences between the different types of flowers. The children then cut the flowers in half to observe the different parts inside the flower like the sepal, stamen and petal. The children then conducted research into pollinators and what the world would be like without pollinators which they will then write up into a scientific report next week.
Sycamore
Sycamore have started a new unit in science this week, all about Electricity! We had to explore what makes a circuit work and if it didn’t work, we needed to try and solve the problem!
Aspen
This week in Aspen class the children have been working super hard on their final outcomes, rewriting the end of chapter 7 from Who Let The Gods Out. They presented their work beautifully and met all their success criteria.
Elm
This week the children have been excellent and worked incredibly hard taking their SATS exams. We were all very impressed with how calm and mature everyone was. Well done year 6. In between exams the children have been busy creating art, learning about the first World War and even had time to enjoy some cricket outside. The week was rounded off by a visit from the ice cream van - thanks to the FoS for providing this much needed treat.
Celebrating VE day
VE day picnic
This Thursday the children at Stanmore School celebrated VE day and remembered all those who have given their lives for our freedom. We also thought about all the people across the world who are still at war and hoped they were safe and well. The children took part in a two minute silence and then had a special picnic lunch, with fish and chips in proper cones and British muffins. Thank you to all our wonderful cooks for putting together a fantastic spread and decorations for the children to enjoy.
R2L
We have had such an exciting curriculum over the past two weeks that trying to summarise learning in R2L in a couple of sentences is really tricky!
As well as the enrichment activities that we focus on, the summer term increasingly finds children accessing more of their whole class and whole school events. Last week was bikeability in year 5 and all children were invited to participate. Great successes for the R2L children who demonstrated excellent learning behaviours as well as being safe and accomplished cyclists. Children have also participated in whole class learning alongside their friends in maths, English, PE, topic, art and French. Perhaps one of the highlights of this week was the 80th anniversary of VE day where the whole school enjoyed lunch on the field. Inclusivity and equality play an important role at Stanmore School and it was a real pleasure to see all children enjoying Mandy's special themed lunch alongside their friends.
Maple class
Discovery Time is an important part of Year R children's day and is when they are able to develop crucial learning skills through play. This week, the children have loved making a baker's shop with a mobile delivery service, created a car from our loose parts equipment and explored water play using pipes and guttering.
Learning about what animals need to survive has been the focus of Year 1's science learning this week. Children collected woodlice and used magnifiers to made detailed observations. They discussed and write questions that they would like to ask about woodlice and used material to locate the answer. The woodlice were safely returned to their usual habitat at the end of the lesson.
Rowan
This week Rowan class have been investigating monarchs in their new history unit. They created timelines in groups and then put the timeline together to make one that spanned the length of the corridor to show the passage to time from Alfred the Great, all the way to our current monarch Charles III.
They also had a lovely picnic on the front field to celebrate VE day. We remembered the important event with a two-minute silence in which they were all extremely respectful.
Well done Rowan class.
Birch
This week, Birch have started their maths unit on money. The children have been working hard to convert pounds to pence and have been using their knowledge of money to think about how they can make 50p and £1 in different ways.
Sycamore
Sycamore class have been working hard, developing their knowledge of decimals using Place value counters.
Aspen
This week in Aspen class we have been practicing our traditional crafting skills. The class practiced their paper folding into feathers and quilling skills. Some then mixed the two skills together to create an artwork piece.
Elm
This week, as well as working hard preparing for their exams, year 6 have also been learning more about the origins and impact of WW1 and creating art using abstraction and distortion. They were inspired by simple continuous line drawings and used portraits of human faces to create a series of simplistic line art. The effects were really powerful and showed how a few lines can create an impression of expressions or facial features,
Winchester Chamber Music Festival 2025
We were delighted and honoured to be asked to take part in the Winchester Chamber Music Festival 2025. Children in year 3 and 4, plus some children from year 5 and 6, composed their own songs and took part in workshops with some very talented string musicians. After performing to the whole school, the children then showcased their songs and musical abilities as part of the Winchester Chamber Music Festival at St Paul’s church. We are so proud of each and every one of them and how they demonstrated all our BEST values.
See our performances by following the link below.
Our Aspirational Curriculum
Magnificent Music
Birch and Sycamore have been in last minute rehearsals for the Winchester Chamber Music Festival. They performed to the rest of the school, who were very privileged to hear amazing professional musicians who will be performing in the Winchester Chamber Music Festival over the bank holiday weekend at venues around Winchester.
Maple
To support their learning in PSHE, children in Maple Class welcomed a visit from PCSO Rob this week. He came in to talk to the children about how we can help each other to get along by thinking of others in school and at home. We discussed the important of 'special clothes', the uniform the PCSOs wear and the reasons why they wear their uniforms. PCSO Rob showed us the different parts of his uniform and what they are used for - some lucky children dressed up at the end of the session!
Children in Maple Class had a wonderful day out at Finkley Down farm on Tuesday to support our current science topic, 'Animal Parts'. We explored the farm in the beautiful sunshine and petted the rabbits, groomed a pony called 'Freckles' and fed some baby goats. There was so much to see and do - we definitely recommend it for a fun day out !
Rowan
Rowan class have been enjoying their forest school sessions this term. They had the opportunity to try out some of the lovely new equipment that is now there. They spent some time building dens and making some creations out of clay and natural materials. The good weather has made it even more enjoyable.
Sycamore
Sycamore have been finishing an art project called ‘Animal’ where they started by sketching animals such as dogs, horses and birds. They then looked at range of animal prints and created stamps to print repeating patterns. For the final part of the project, they have made Bankura horses out of clay. These are the highly decorated horses that look like a caricature.
Aspen
This week Aspen were AMAZING on their bikes, they practiced their glides, breaking, pedalling and stability. They then had the chance to build on their confidence by exploring the roads where they got to practice their road awareness and signalling. All of the class should be VERY proud of themselves!
Welcome back to our Summer Term
R2L
Although this week has been shorter than usual, this has not stopped the children in R2L embracing all of the amazing enrichment opportunities that Stanmore Primary School offers. On Wednesday, the children enjoyed a Forest School session where they became nature detectives and discovered some of the many changes that an emerging warm season can bring. Bluebells, juicy green leaves and minibeasts were discovered alongside taking turns to swing in the hammock. All of the children have also enjoyed participating in whole class events whether it was the fantastic chamber music festival, maths, English, science or PE.
We are also learning about the power of words and how we can use our words when we are feeling upset. This has been learnt through fun games and activities such as word games and team games.
Maple
Children in Maple Class have come back with a spring in their step and embracing their learning with enthusiasm! Year R children have been exploring numbers beyond 10 (11, 12 and 13), using a variety of different resources to represent these numbers. Year 1 children have continued with their learning in the multiplication and division unit by exploring groups and arrays.
On the last day of the Spring term, Maple Class enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt and picnic on the field, making their own made jam sandwiches and rice crispy cakes. Delicious!
Rowan
Rowan class have had a great first week back. Just before the Easter break, they completed their DT unit 'Beach Huts', which had them designing and making model versions of beach huts in small groups. They did an amazing job and were safe while using the tools. Finally, they decorated them to a high standard and took real care and attention with their designs.
Birch and Sycamore
Birch and Sycamore Classes plus selected year 5 and 6 children, have been invited to take part in the Winchester Chamber Music Festival 2025. Kate and Neil, cello and violin players, performed some pieces of music which then inspired us to create our own songs! We will be performing these songs as part of the first performance of the Winchester Chamber Music Festival 2025.
Elm
This week class have been introduced to their new topic 'Britain at War' and new book 'Letters from the Lighthouse.' The children explored different war memorabilia including ration books, propaganda posters and identification documents and then recorded their feelings and thoughts through art. They also looked at the situation in the World at the beginning of the first World War and though about what they may have done if they had been in charge.
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter
Beyond The Beat
This week our 'Beyond the Beat' musicians performed in their Spring Concert. They are sounding good with some promising players of the future. We were delighted to welcome three musicians from Kings, including a former Stanmore House Captain, to provide some accomplished accompaniment. Thank you and congratulations to all involved.
Maple
This week in Maple Class, Year 1 children have made their moving vehicles in DT, including using hacksaws to cut the wood for the axles. All of their vehicles roll effectively and are sturdy enough to be played with - what a great job!
In Year R, children have enjoyed making playdoh and using their communication and language skills when playing outside in the glorious spring sunshine.
Both Year R and Year 1 children have loved making their Easter cards and cress Egg Heads and are looking forward to taking them home later in the week.
Rowan
This week Year 2 had a wonderful sunny day at Lepe beach. They enjoyed a seashore safari and minibeast hunt. They found an abundance of shells, shrimp, crabs and even a ragworm on the beach! Their curiosity was wonderful to see and they worked brilliantly as a team to find as many things as they could. The Lepe beach rangers commended their behaviour and scientific nature.
Birch
Birch have worked incredibly hard this week to make cam toys. The children were resilient when things didn't go as planned as were able to solve problems and work together to find solutions to challenges. They then enjoyed designing and decorating their toys. Well done Birch for your hard work!
Sycamore
Sycamore Class have been preparing for their spring performance and finally the day has arrived! “Mystery at Magpie Manor” was a hit because the children had learnt their lines and were well prepared. They looked fabulous, sang loudly and did a wonderful job!
Aspen
Aspen class have been working hard on their DT project, making soup. They have made two different types of soup - a green and red vegetable soup. They expired the nutritional value of their chosen vegetables, prepared, blended and tasted their soup!
Elm
Year 6 have been working hard this week on designing and making their own computer game. They are using all the skills they have learnt over this term, including how to code variables, how to use different sprites and how to design their own backgrounds.
