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.
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!
