Reading, reading, reading - at least 3 times a week please

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED TODAY!

REMINDER

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'! (original message 22/11/20 relaunched 2/12/20)

The class with the most reading comments in the box below will receive a class prize (closing date 8.30 am Friday, 11th December 2020)

Craft in Class 2

This week we have be making Florence Nightingale lamps and completing our sewing project where we have been sewing poppies using felt. Great work Class 2- your finished products look fantastic! 

Star of the Week

Well done Lucas for being our Star of the Week. Lucas has impressed me so much with his reading this year and he is making excellent and rapid progress!! Keep up the good work Lucas! 

PROUD!

Good morning children, in our Zoom assembly today, we celebrated our Stars of the Week - we felt very proud of our classmates and of ourselves. 

Everyone has the right to feel pride in themselves and in the work that they do. 

Ask yourself every day - "What have I done today to make myself feel proud?"

Please enjoy our special assembly song - maybe you would like to sing along with the words at home:

 

 

Poppy Field and Remembrance

What a busy and exciting week! In Class 2 we have been enjoying reading our new book 'Poppy Field' and alongside this we have been writing remembrance acrostic poems, sewing felt poppies, making spitfires, painting Union Jacks and improving our drawing skills by drawing poppy fields. Not to mention the visit from the tank which the children loved!

Class 2 Star of the Week

Well done to Florence.B who was our Star of the Week in today's assembly. Florence has been really engaged in our topic and she has taken and extended this learning at home. Florence has also shared some interesting family history with the class which was a pleasure to listen to. Thank you Florence. 

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. 

 

Stars of the Week

Well done to Reuben who was our Star of the Week today. Reuben has been working so hard since September and made great progress. Keep up the hard work.

 

I also want to congratulate Oliver who was our Star of the Week before half term. Oliver has also been working hard and showed lots of resilience during the last week of half term. Well done Oliver.

 

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

Poppies

This is an idea being shared through social media.

During the first lockdown, we all put rainbows in our windows. Due to the Remembrance Services being cancelled, why don't we all colour a poppy picture and display them in our windows?  Lest We Forget.

Please click on the link below to find some poppy colouring pages. It would be lovely to see our Smalley windows decorated.

Download Poppy colouring