We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the school, an adult in the EYFS class R bubble.
Please click here to view further information. 17.11.2020
Class 1
Reading, reading, reading - at least 3 times a week please
In our Zoom assembly on Friday, Mrs Mason shared with the children some information about the super reading training that some of the teachers had attended. One of the key messages from the course was all about the importance of reading regularly. We read all the time at school and that regular practise at home makes all the difference. Remember children, you signed your school agreement in September saying that you would read 3 times a week - go explore the exciting world of literature - go to places that you can only imagine. Even in Lockdown we can explore places we never knew were possible. Please share below in the comments the books you are enjoying at the moment - let's try to get every one to comment - tell your friends - share the good news of books and the power of being able to read.
Here is one to start us off - James in Class R enjoying his book - James, just like your top says, you are totally 'ROARSOME'!
Class 1 Star of the week.
Well done to Tristan - our star of the week! Tristan has done some fabulous writing this week - applying his phonic knowledge and trying really hard to perfect his letter formation. His illustration is fantastic too! Tristan you are a super star.
DT in class one!
What a fabulous couple of days we have had making our toys for the Richardson toy museum. The children have had great fun creating a cup and ball each. We even made our cup out of origami. Here are some photos of the children really engaged and enjoying themselves!
Year 1 Star of the week.
Well done to Travis Gallagher - Year 1's Star of the week! Travis has been tring really hard with his phonics and English and in everything he does. He has been a true Super Star! Fantastic Travis!
Childhood museum.
This half term in Year 1, we are looking at toys old and new in History. In DT we will be creating some old toys of our own. At the end of the topic we will be dispaying our very own museum of childhood! Here we are comparing and sorting toys from past to present day .
Our Remembrance Service 11th November 2020
Today we held our annual Remembrance service in school, but this year of course things had to be different; instead of a hall full of children, parents and the wider community, our Year 6 pupils led the service from our school car park by the war memorial.
Our year 5 children were able to join us outside and Mr Reckless came to play 'The Last Post' and other war song favourites alongside Mr Mason on the drums. Mr Bower, from the Parish Council, came to lay a wreath along with Mr Wilton and Mr Aldred from the Smalley Old Boys. We also welcomed Mr Barham our local representative from the Royal British Legion. Our visitors stayed on the pavement at a safe social distance from our children.
Today was, of course, so different to our usual community event and yet, in other ways it wasn’t different at all. The reason being that our Year 6 led the service with confidence and such respect for the boys who came to their school, who played in their playground, who went off to war and never returned. What an honour and a privilege to see the children show such respect in the way they spoke, behaved and carried out their duties to remember our Smalley soldiers and the sacrifice they made for us.
Every child and adult in school took part in a minute’s silence, safe within their own class bubbles, they listened to the Last Post from the playground. Later in the day all the classes sowed poppy seeds to mark the occasion.
Thank you for your empty pop bottles -we hope you agree that they now look wonderful as recycled poppies to decorate our 'Rainbow Tree of Hope and Remembrance'.
We are so sad that we couldn’t invite you all to share in this special day in our school calendar but we hope you enjoy the photographs and feel proud of all of our children, as we do.
Busy, busy, busy!
Class 1 have been working hard this week. In PE we have been performing firework dances with streamers. We thought about the different kinds of fireworks and the shapes we could make with our bodies to represent them. This week we worked with a partner to create mirror dances.
We are enjoying doing our 'Disco Dough' each day. We take our fingers to the 'Dough Disco' after lunch each day to strengthen our finger muscles and co-ordination. Keeeeep dancing!
Today we were lucky enough to see the tank that visited school as part of our Remembrance Day. From our questions we found out that tanks have tread wheels so they don't get stuck in the mud, they are steered using 2 sticks and are made out of aluminium. After our minute silence we planted some poppy seeds around the school playground. Lest we forget.
Class 1 The day the crayons quit.
This week we have been looking at adjectives and using them to describe the crayon's colours and how they might be feeling. We came up with some fantastic examples such as super hero green, rain cloud grey, crazy, confident purple and unwanted, underused pink. Here are some pictures of us hard at work:
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
As we approach another lockdown, it is more important than every to take care of our mental, as well as our physical health, and to seek help. This can feel a very challenging, distressing and anxious time for children, young people and adults alike. There are lots of useful telephone support lines on the website below which has a section for parents and carers, as well as links to NHS support and other support services and campaigns. Please do visit the website if you have any concerns at all, and obviously please also feel free to contact us in school.
Derby and Derbyshire Mental Health and Wellbeing website
Please also clink on the link below for the 'Mental Health in Derby and Derbyshire for Children, Young People, Parents and Carers' leaflet for further support and guidance.
Download NHS-CYP-Mental-Health-Leaflet-23-07-2020
It is a very difficult time for all concerned and we do appreciate that in school and are here to support our children, parents, carers and community so please do seek support and remember we will help in any way we can.
Please take care, stay safe and as far as possible do what makes you and your family happy to protect your mental health and wellbeing. Go for walks as a household, tell jokes, play games, eat and sleep well and keep fit and healthy.
Stay safe and best wishes from Team Smalley