A regal visit to Year 1 & 2

We have had a very regal visitor to KS1 this week; on Wednesday, we were visited by none other than Queen Elizabeth II (artistic licence!), who came to talk to use about her role as the head of the Royal family and the Commonwealth. She told the children a little about her life, and challenged them to write about what they would do in her position. This forms the foundations for our work this half term of ‘What would you do if you were royal for the day?’ The children have been given wax sealed parchment to write their ideas down, ready to share at the end of the topic. 

In maths, as have been exploring multiplication and division, which has lead us neatly into fractions work. We have been learning how to recognise and calculate halves, quarters and thirds of shapes, objects and amounts. The children have very much enjoyed being introduced to Times Table Rock Stars, where they can practise their 2, 5 and 10 times tables (2 and 10 for Year 1). We will be moving on to comparing and describing measure next week, including height and length, as well as comparing time (earlier, later, before, after, during, morning, afternoon and evening). 

We continue with our RWI phonics, reading and writing daily. It is pleasing to see so many children making progress; we love hearing how much they (and you) are enjoying the ‘Book Bag Books, which are closely matched to the sounds that the children are currently working on, thereby developing, accuracy, fluency and confidence in reading. The children also have an additional guided reading lesson daily, introducing end exploring a high quality and exciting text.

In science, we have started a new unit on ‘Animals including humans’ and will be looking forward to some exciting science leading up to Christmas. 

In music, we continue to learn new chords on the ukulele, and have been working hard to learn new music vocabulary to use when describing music that we head (pitch, tempo and dynamics). 

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or comments. We look forward to discussing your child’s progress with at our parents’ evenings on Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th November. 

Friends of Stanmore - a busy time ahead

Happy weekend everybody!

The Christmas fair is creeping up on us fast! The FoS and Christmas Elves have been working really hard to pull it all together. In preparation, we will be holding a Non-Uniform day on Friday 22nd November to raise prizes for the chocolate and bottle tombolas, KS1 could you please bring in boxed chocolate prizes and KS2 could you please bring in an alcoholic or non alcoholic bottle prize. The FoS will be collecting the donations in the morning from the school hall on the day. Along with these donations if you wish to donate any wrapped tombola prizes, unwanted toys or books we will also be collecting these donations during the week of the fair.

We would like to say a special thank you to Bella Barton’s grandma and Penny Mcclelland who have already made some generous donations to our tombolas.

Class reps have all been hunting down parent helpers for the stalls, if you have not yet been approached or have decided you could offer some help, please approach your class rep or one of ourselves. Your help is vital to making sure that we have enough hands on deck to run a successful fair!

Also, you may have seen your children have been designing some amazing Christmas cards. Proofs and order forms should have found their way into your child’s book bag, orders must be returned by Wednesday 13th November and returned to the school office.

Before I let you free to enjoy your wet weekend, on Thursday 14th November, after school the FoS will be holding a year 3/4 cake sale, books and uniform may also be available to purchase depending on the weather. Could years 3/4 please bring in nut free bakes, clearly labelled with ingredients to the office on the morning of the sale. If you are available to help with the cake sale please let us know, as it will be much appreciated! 

Many Thanks,
Rachel, Hayley, Jen and Amy.

Stanmore Post - 8 November 2019

Dear Parents, 

Throughout school this week there have been examples of ‘purposeful and irresistible’ learning. The children in Year 6 have had a fantastic adventure at Condover Hall in Shrewsbury. By now, Year 6 parents will have heard all about the adventures and brilliant time that children have had. Behaviour was outstanding. Children remembered to thank all the adults involved including the coach driver. I would like to add my thanks to our team of super teachers, Mrs Laver, Miss Kempson and Miss Norris. All of the children demonstrated our Keys for Success, giving every activity a go. They threw themselves into their challenges and took part in a range of team building activities. Parents can look forward to tidy rooms at home – all room inspections were passed with flying colours. 

In Years 3/4, children were visited by a Viking who told exciting tales of raiding and settling. Children had the opportunity to experience a range of artefacts and they built a Viking Village.   In Years 1/2,  children were visited by a Wizard who told stories and gave children the chance to join in with a magical performance. Moments like this are part of our new ‘Stanmore Curriculum’ and they really bring learning to life. Children are given the language they need to appreciate the subject, the opportunity to actively participate, and the chance to take an idea and create something of their own.  

You will have noticed some significant improvements to the way our school grounds look. During half term, a grounds team cut back the overgrown areas and brought the grounds back to a more manageable space. We will continue to work towards making our grounds a place that supports the curriculum so that children have an amazing resource in which to play and to learn. We have also made improvements to our site security, and we have an electronic fob system in place. Please can I ask that when you press the door buzzer you are ready to state your name and if appropriate, who you are here to see.  

Further to my recent letter, Miss Norris, has now returned from the residential visit and is ready to be back in Aspen Class, full time, on Monday. Miss Sanders who has been with the class for the last two weeks will remain in the class for next week to ensure a smooth handover. 

Best wishes 

Sharon Taylor

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Pond dipping in science

One of the things that we will be learning about in science this year is the patterns and trends in the world around us. This has given us the opportunity to get out and about and use the grounds.

We have measured the water temperature of the pond, as well as made observations on what we can find living in the pond.

Some lucky children found pond-skaters and water snails... while some only found leaves and twigs!

It was great to get out and about to use the school grounds to experience some irresistible learning, even if it was a bit chilly on a slightly damp Wednesday morning.

Viking Visit!

On Tuesday, Year 3 and 4 were lucky to be visited by a Viking. He answered all of our questions about life in the Dark Ages, and told us some amazing facts about everything from weapons to crime and punishment.

"The best afternoon ever!"

"The chain outfit was so heavy it nearly squashed me!"

"I held an actual sword."

"I know lots about the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons now."

Condover Capers - updates from our Year 6 residential trip

7th November

5,4,3,2,1....... we have blast off! 

Today has been all about building, dancing and map reading. 

Rocket launch allowed us to investigate how much water was needed to achieve maximum speed and distance. We might also add that the water was muddy and cold, so extra showers will be needed tonight!

Orienteering allowed us to see the site in all its glory, whilst revising our map reading skills - there were many confused faces!!

This afternoon, we were able to sharpen up our dance moves in the dance studio before heading to the disco tonight.

The final room inspections will happen after dinner, where the best teacher impersonation will earn us even more points. We will then be off to boogie the night away! 

Note from the teachers:

We have all had an amazing, fun-filled week and have been highly impressed by the outstanding behaviour we have seen. Each child has demonstrated all of the keys to success but also a huge amount of courage too.

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6th November

It has been a chilly one today.

Breakfast was warm chocolate croissants - they went down a treat. 

Throughout the day we have all taken part in similar activities where most of them included wearing a harness. From abseiling down a tower to zipping through the forest, we all demonstrated huge amounts of courage.

After a filling lunch of pasta with varying sauces we were ready for even more fun. On the low ropes we were taught how to keep each other safe by becoming master spotters. 

This evening we will be indulging in sausages and mash, followed by movie night in our pjs. 

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5th November

These are a few of the things we have been up to today :)

Started off with a breakfast of eggs, beans, bacon and toast.

Over the day we have all enjoyed a rather muddy archery tag and buggy building, followed by learning how to fence. We all loved wearing the fencing masks!

Dinner was delicious: burger and chips or chicken stir fry followed by pink ring doughnuts.

We are now off to toast marshmallows and sing songs around the campfire.

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4th November - evening update

Everyone had a great coach trip and we are all settled in. We had a lovely dinner of spaghetti and chocolate cake!

The children created ‘room raps’ for the teachers with a full performance by each group of children sharing a room. That was followed by a room inspection.

Some of the children took part in a high ropes trapeze with great confidence. This evening it is time for a quiz.

An amazing first day!

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4th November - afternoon

Everyone has arrived safe and sound at Condover Hall.

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4th November - morning

The coach left school just after 9:30 this morning. The children manhandled their bags (some of which were rather large) to the bus, the bus driver loaded them up. After a pep talk from Mrs Taylor (and then the bus driver) they were off.

Year 3 and 4 creating fantastic Anglo Saxon lapbooks

Year 3 and 4 have astounded their teacher this week with some amazing Anglo Saxon lapbooks.

We have completed are study of fitness for success and have written to Phil Neville with our recommendations to improve the fitness of the England Ladies football team so they can be even more successful and look forward to receiving a reply.

We have been inspired by our musical study of the Hall of the Mountain to produce this colourful pictures of the King Troll. We also used clay to sculpt our own trolls.

Stanmore Post - 25 October 2019

Dear Parents,

This week we concluded our school improvement work to secure our permanent leadership team. From January our team will comprise of:

• Headteacher – Mrs Sharon Taylor

• Assistant Headteacher – Mrs Sally Atkins

• Inclusion Leader – Mrs Jenny Fenton

• Maths Lead and Mentor – Miss Sam Norris

• English Lead and Mentor – Mrs Laura Kempson

• Curriculum Lead and Mentor – Miss Claire Evers

On behalf of the staff I would like to thank Miss Norris for her excellent contribution to school improvement as acting Deputy Headteacher. Miss Norris is well respected by Governors, staff, parents and children. I am delighted that she continues as a valuable member of our leadership team. 

It was good to see the support at the phonics and early reading meetings held this week for parents in Catkins, Year 1 and Year 2. Thank you to Mrs Jones and Miss Day for sharing their expertise. We are really proud of our new reading books and the Read Write Inc. phonics scheme. Read Write Inc. is happening every day across KS1 and for some children in Year 3 and 4. Research tells us that ‘Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development that their parents level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background. (Sullivan and Brown 2013)  

Our new high quality topic books were also on display in Year 1 and 2 this week as part of the KS1 outcome afternoon. Children have been writing about their topic ‘Fire Fire!’ as well as building models and setting fire to them! It is a real pleasure to see children experiencing these moment of irresistible learning.

Whether you have attended an information meeting or a parent outcome, heard your child read, helped with Anglo Saxon home learning or started packing for the Year 6 residential after half term, your support this half term is appreciated. 

Enjoy a break next week if you are able to have one. 

Best wishes

Sharon Taylor

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Elm were getting creative this week

Being creative was the driver behind our learning this week.

Elm class have been studying how crime and punishment has changed throughout varying periods of history. To coincide with the Roman Period, we created our very own Roman Curse tablets which were used on criminals who weren’t captured by the Urban Cohort. The message was often linked to a God, where the tablet would then be offered to a statue of the god in a temple. Using air-dry clay, and small wooden tools we etched our messages in.

Halloooweeeeennn!!

As an end of half-term treat, we used glass jars and tissue paper to create Halloween inspired candle holders. Designs varied from cats, to ghosts to even a pink witch!

Stanmore children attend an anti-bullying conference

On Friday 11th October, two year 5 children were supported by the R2L team to represent Stanmore School at the anti-bullying conference.

The aims of the conference were to train and support the children to be “kindness champions” back at their school. The training was anticipated to last not just for anti-bullying week (which occurs in mid-November) but to also become embedded in the school culture.

The children were informed about the rights of a child in accordance with the United Nations Rights of a child 1991. These rights included the right to learn; the right to attend school; the right to be treated fairly and the right not to be hurt by others.

The conference involved a variety of interactive workshops which included examining the role of a “bystander” – the role that someone takes when they witness unfair behaviour but do not act upon it. Stanmore children decided that they would like to change the role of a “bystander” at Stanmore into an “upstander” role. Someone that stands up for a victim and helps them.

The children involved themselves fully in the day demonstrating all of the keys to success alongside showing excellent behaviour. The children have been given the responsibility of being “anti-bullying ambassadors” and Mrs Taylor awarded them with their badges this week.

The new anti-bullying ambassadors have taken away LOTS of ideas from the conference to share with the children. Watch out for an anti-bullying assembly soon!

As a result of the most recent advice from the anti-bullying conference, our new ambassadors will work with staff and children to update our Anti-Bullying code.

In the meantime, if you feel that you are being treated unkindly by your peers, try to follow this idea:

STOP (what you are doing) WALK (away to a safe place) TALK to a trusted adult.

Mrs Mason. R2L lead.