SHOBNALL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Parents
We have pleasure in presenting the Autumn Newsletter which
brings you the latest information and the range of activities
which have been happening within the School during the first
half of the Autumn Term 2013/14
NURSERY
The Nursery children have all
settled very well into school life
and Mrs Curran and I are
delighted with them all. It is great
to see all the happy, smiley faces
in the morning eagerly coming in
to school.
This half term topic has been ‘All
About Me’. The children have been
learning about their senses and
how we use them. They have
brought in photographs of
themselves when they were babies
and compared them to how they are
now.
The children have been using their
ICT skills to create colourful
pictures of ‘Elmer’ during our
‘Pattern Week’.
After half term the children will be
involved with activities connected
to ‘Toys’. These will include
looking at toys now and in the
past. The children will be taking
photographs of their favourite toys
and then using mark making to
write about them. We will also be
looking and comparing different
sized toys.
A meeting for the Nursery Parents was held to give
ideas to help their children at home. The home
activities and sharing books were discussed, along
with ideas to develop the children’s number and
writing skills.
We are once again collecting
the ‘Let’s Grow’ vouchers.
The collection box is in the
main entrance of school.
The catalogue has now
arrived and new plants and
equipment have been added
this year. Last year we
collected 8000 vouchers,
could we possibly top that
figure this year!! Thank you
all in anticipation.
In Drawing Club the children
have drawn pictures of their
own choice and we have
looked at Van Gogh’s
‘Sunflowers’. They have
drawn pictures of dinosaurs
and looked at symmetry in
pictures and drawn their own.
The children have worked
very hard and produced some
amazing pictures. Well done
children in the Drawing Club!
RECEPTION
‘Helping your child at school’ meeting for
Reception Class parents. On Thursday 19th
September, Mrs Farrington met with parents of the
children of Reception class. Mrs Farrington
explained aspects of the Early Years Foundation
Stage curriculum including guided reading, daily
phonic time and use of topics as a vehicle for
children’s learning. She also explained how parents
can compliment teaching and learning in class by
reading daily with their child and joining children to
complete activities sent from school for aspects of
both literacy and mathematics
Parents were informed as to how they can support
the assessment process through both school and
home involvement and shared a Learning Journey
Book, which celebrates children’s achievements
through their Reception year.
Parents have also been asked to complete an
information sheet which gives information about
their children’s interests and some ‘Good News
Bubbles’ to keep us informed of achievements at
home
Reception children have been
learning about themselves and their
families this half term and have been
using their senses to explore the
world around them.
Children have painted pictures of
themselves from mirror observations
and have created a representation of
their face on a log! They have used
writing to communicate their ideas
about staying clean and healthy and
have made a book about how to get
dressed.
The daily ‘phonic time’ activities have
begun. Children have shown interest
and enjoyment as they engage in
activities to develop pre-reading and
writing skills. Most importantly the
children are settling well into the
routines and transitions for life in
Reception class and are certainly
showing good social skills as they
interact with each other during the
day.
Burton Mail Photographer
On Monday 30th September the
Reception children had their photograph
taken for the Burton Mail. All the
children looked very smart in their
uniforms. We look forward to seeing it
published soon..
Arts and Crafts
Mrs Farrington and Mrs Roberts have
spent this half term with a group of
twenty Year 1 and Year 2 children busily
making a range of craft projects. The
children have really enjoyed the process
of designing and making and have
demonstrated how creative they are.
Projects have included making a book
mark, turning a stone into a
bug/creature and developing the art of
pom pom making. We look forward to
seeing what they will be turned into!
YEAR 1
Curriculum Matters
The children have all settled
into Year 1 and have coped
well with the transition from
Reception. They have all
produced a portrait of
themselves and have written
in a speech bubble about
what they want to be when
they grow up. These are on
display in the classroom.
In Literacy the children are learning to orally retell the story of ‘The Little Red Hen’. They have
successfully used a story map to aid their re-call
of the story. We have also been learning about
rhyming words using the characters from the
story.
In Numeracy , we have
been learning to count
forwards and backwards in
one’s and ten’s. We have
also been looking at the
names and properties of
2D shapes.
The children have now
been given an Education
City pass, so they can
complete their Numeracy
homework on the Internet.
If it is possible, please
encourage them to use this
site.
Nursery, Reception and
Year 1 are collaborating
to produce artwork and
written work on the story
of Old McDonald had a
Farm. Please look out
for the fantastic work
that will be displayed in
the corridor. The large
art was produced by
Year 1. The children
have thoroughly enjoyed
using a variety of
different mediums.
Playground Games
Year 1 and Year 2 children
have enjoyed the playground
games during after school club.
They have learnt a variety of
new games including splat, fruit
salad, red letter and swim
fishes swim. Splat was one of
the most popular games and
brought out the children’s
competitive spirit.
In numeracy, we have been learning all about
numbers!
We have been learning how to double and halve
numbers, add and subtract multiples of ten and
round numbers to the nearest ten. Some of us have
also been learning about using a number line to
work out our questions.
Helping your child at home meeting
In our Geography topic, Katie
Morag, we have been learning
what it would be like to live on an
island locality and comparing this
to our life in Burton.
Miss Sutton and Miss Cooper would like to
thank all the parents who attended the ‘Helping
your child at home’ meeting this half term.
Useful websites were popular with the parents
so please find the list below:•
Phonics play
•
Oxford owl
•
BBC Science clips
•
BBC Learning Zone
•
Topmarks
•
Topic Box
•
Mathszone
In science we have been
investigating plants and animals in
our local environment, the children
have had the opportunity to
explore the school grounds and
search for animals in their habitats
and different plants. We were very
lucky to spot a birds nest with baby
birds squawking.
Dance Club
We have had lots of fun in
dance club this term!
YEAR 2
This term, in
Literacy, Year Two
have been
learning about
stories with
familiar settings.
Children have
been looking at
seaside settings
and have been
writing a story
about Winnie the
Witch at the
seaside. They
have thoroughly
enjoyed reading
stories about
Winnie the witch.
The children attending
from KS2 have had the
opportunity to learn short
dance routines to pop
music. They have learnt
steps from a variety of
dance styles including
street, ballet, disco and
freestyle.
The children have also
choreographed their own
dances by using set
moves they have learnt in
the session and exploring
the use of different
dynamics to make their
routines interesting.
YEAR 3
Children in Year 3 have been working
extremely hard this half term! In
literacy, we have learnt about
performance poetry where we
performed the poems ‘Gran can you
Rap?’ and ‘The King’s Breakfast’.
We have also been
learning about stories with
familiar settings. We
started off reading ‘I’ll take
you to Mrs Cole’ by Nigel
Gray and ‘The Tunnel’ by
Anthony Browne and then
we wrote our own stories in
the style of ‘The Tunnel’.
Our class target is to use
capital letters and full stops
correctly.
In numeracy, our class target is to solve word problems.
We have learnt about partitioning and ordering numbers,
subtraction using a number line, doubling and halving and
the properties of 2D and 3D shapes.
Year 3 have started learning French and so far
we have learnt about introducing ourselves,
asking each other how they are and how to
answer the register!
YEAR 4
Literacy
In literacy this half term, we have been learning
about writing stories with historical settings, and
we have focussed on shipwreck adventure
stories. We read and listened to a shipwreck
story by Pie Corbett and then practiced the skills
we needed to write each section of the story.
Finally, we wrote our own shipwreck stories
independently. Our curricular target in literacy
has been to be able to identify and use nouns,
verbs and adjectives.
.
In Science this term, we have
been learning about the topic
‘teeth and eating’. We have learnt
the names of the four different
types of human teeth and what
each type is used for. We have
also looked at how to eat healthily
and what we can do to look after
our teeth.
Our History topic this term has been Ancient Egypt and
we learnt about the Pharaohs, hieroglyphics and the
mummification process.
This has linked well with our art topic in which we have
made our own Egyptian pyramids with secret messages
written in hieroglyphics..
Numeracy
In numeracy, we have covered a range of areas
including written methods for addition and
subtraction, solving word problems and
recognizing the features of 2D and 3D shapes.
Our curricular target has been to be able to
multiply and divide by 10 and 100.
Science
In science, we have been
learning about movement and
growing. We have learnt
about the human body,
including the skeleton and its
function. We also learnt about
how muscles help us to move.
We compared the human
skeleton with the skeleton of
other animals and we also
learnt that some animals do
not have a backbone and are
called invertebrates.
History
Our topic this term is the Tudors. We learnt about
how Richard II’s defeat during the Battle of
Bosworth marked the start of the Tudor reign when
Henry VII became king. We created our own Tudor
roses during this lesson. We also learnt about
Henry VIII, and we read Terry Deary’s book, ‘The
Thief, the Fool and the Big Fat King’. We will
continue our study of the Tudors next term when we
will learn the differences between the rich and the
poor.
YEAR 5
Literacy
In literacy we have been learning how to write
instructions. We have had to work out the key
features of an instruction list so that other
people could follow our instructions clearly.
Our curricular target is to use a wide range of
connectives in our writing.
Numeracy
Art
Our art topic this term has been ‘Portraits’. Mrs
Taylor, our Chair of Governors, has been in school
during these lessons to share her expertise. Using
photographs of themselves, the children have created
a range of self-portraits. We learnt how we can distort
these photographs by cutting them up and putting
them together in a variety of ways. The results were
very unusual but clever!
Our numeracy lessons
have covered a wide
range of topics including
perimeters, using the
number line and chunking
methods for subtraction
and we have also looked
at number factors.
History
Our history topic this
half term has been The
Victorians. We have
looked at the everyday
life of poor Victorian
children. We looked at
what life would be like
working in a coal mine,
in a mill, as a chimney
sweep or working on a
farm.
ICT CLUB
In ICT Club, children from
Years 3 and 4 have been
learning a variety of new skills
on the computer. To begin
with, children created
Powerpoint presentations on
subjects that interest them –
we had a very wide range of
subjects from puppies to
Transformers. Children learnt
how to change the
background and font on their
presentations, and how to
search for and insert pictures.
Some children were also able
to add animations to their
presentations. Next, we
moved on to making our own
comic strips. Another activity
involved the children
designing their perfect room.
They selected wallpaper,
carpets and objects, and then
chose how to arrange these.
There were some very
exciting and imaginative
creations!
Swimming
Year 5 have commenced their swimming
lessons with great enthusiasm.
Every child in the class is improving their
swimming skills and building on their
confidence in the water.
The future Rebecca Adlington or Michael
Phelps could well be in our midst!
YEAR 6
Football Club
Shobnall Primary vs John of Rolleston
For the second game of the Dove Valley
League season, we were pitted against a
very powerful Rolleston team who we knew
were going to provide difficult opposition.
For this game, Mr Cruise was drafted in to
issue the orders due to Mr Yates attending
training, it was always going to be a tall
order for Mr Cruise to force his way back to
winning ways and again, this proved to be
so.
DT
This term, we are making Anderson Shelters in a
shoebox garden. We are at the stage of paper
mache. First we measured pieces of wood and
sawed them out accurately and then we glue
gunned the pieces of wood to make a cube. After
that, we stuck card onto the sides which are going
to have paper mache on them. We are really
enjoying making these as we get a little more
independence; also, we are excited to see the
finished product!
History
The game began brightly and we actually
had the better of the first half. Daniel Bond
was called into action only twice during the
first half as we moved the ball well and often
found the impressive Lucas Yeomans
marauding down the right flank. In fact, we
very nearly took the lead after Lucas found
yet more space, dancing past his marker
and thumping a low drive which was
terrifically tipped onto the bar by the
goalkeeper.
In history, we are learning
about World War Two.
This is exciting as we are
going to Cosford (a place
with WWII planes). The
most enjoyable things so
far are:- The Battle of
North Atlantic; Rationing;
The Blitz; the HMD Hood;
The Battle of Britain and
the Blackout. I think
everybody as enjoyed this
topic and we are enjoying
doing our WWII projects at
home.
Aaron Frost and Curtis Ridgway also found
the goalkeeper in impressive form but by
half time we went in level.
However, immediately after the restart,
Rolleston forced a quick corner and from
here, a tall defender powered his way
through and thumped an unstoppable
header into the bottom corner. Unfortunately
the heads went down after this and Shobnall
suffered the disappointment of another
defeat, even though Curtis Ridgway scored
a consolation.
Many thanks to the parents for ongoing
support and enthusiastic support from the
side lines. Hopefully with Mr Yates returning,
the results and performances should
improve!
PE
In PE, we have been working with Mrs Welch and
Mr Yates on the Haka which is the dance that the
New Zealand rugby team perform before they play
a game.
In indoor PE, we have been doing a variety of
sports like: hockey, netball, tennis and invasion
games and skills. This term, we have really
enjoyed PE – both indoor and outdoor.
Literacy
In literacy, we have covered two topics and are
currently working on another one. The first one,
which we worked on at the beginning of term, was a
science fiction story (we did a variety of different
stories about aliens) and the second one we did
(which also fits well with DT and History) was an
evacuation letter. Everybody enjoyed writing these
and we all achieved very good levels.
By Rhianna Walker and Emma Beresford
Kingswood Meeting
This year the Year 6
pupils will be
embarking on a new
and exciting
adventure as they will
be attending
Kingswood Outdoor
Education Centre.
This is the first year
that the school has
ventured away from a
county run centre and
we are all really
excited at the
prospect of a new
experience.
The school ran an
informative parents
meeting this term and
hopefully answered
all questions and
addressed all fears
that parents may
have.
TAG Rugby
The after school TAG rugby club has been
really enjoyable this half term. Children in
Years 5 and 6 have been learning the rules
of a TAG rugby game and developing their
throwing and catching skills along with
learning how to pass correctly (this was the
tricky bit!!) to prepare them for the Dove
Valley TAG Rugby Tournament. The
Children have been fantastic at working in
a team and have worked extremely hard to
improve their skills.
PFA
On 9th September, the School’s Parents
and Friends Association met in a final
attempt to hopefully encourage more
parents to join and support the
association.
It was both pleasing and reassuring that a
few more parents offered their valuable
and precious time in order to support all
pupils of the school.
We have now secured the PFA for
another year although new faces are
always welcome!
We are intending to run further events
and fund-raising schemes throughout the
year and hopefully we will encourage
others to play a part in supporting this
initiative.
Please see the website for further details
of our new members and the roles that
they play within the PFA.
On Friday 18th October, the PFA held
their first disco of the year. All the
children who came enjoyed dancing to
their favourite pop songs and had the
opportunity to purchase glow sticks, which
they eagerly turned into bracelets and
necklaces, and also a variety of tatoos
and the usual drinks and sweets
PFA School Theatre Trip
On January 7th 2014, the PFA will be funding a
trip for the children of Shobnall Primary School
to the theatre for an exciting show!! More
details will follow after the half term
break……watch this space!
Dove Valley Tag Rugby Tournament
On Thursday 17th October, following all their hard work and
training at the after school TAG rugby club, ten children
from Years 5 and 6 took part in a tag rugby tournament.
They played matches against teams from John of Rolleston
Primary School, Thomas Russell Junior School and All
Saints Primary School, Alrewas. The whole team should
be commended for their enthusiasm, effort and team work –
and whilst we didn’t win, they all played really well. A great
effort children!
School Photographs
It is always a treat to see the children’s
photographs and this year has been no
exception. Tempest photographed the
children at the start of term and parents should
now have received all ordered copies. We
know these will be a treasure now and in the
future and hope parents are delighted with the
final pictures.
School Kitchen
The children at Shobnall Primary school once again got the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful
themed lunch for Harvest Festival on Wednesday 9 th October 2013.
They were able to choose from a lovely healthy meal selection with a Harvest Festival Theme.
Dates for your diary
Harvest Festival
We are heartened by the generosity and
thoughtfulness of our school community
as we consider people who live in less
fortunate circumstances around the
World. Every class in school prepared a
thoughtful celebration for harvest at our
local parish church, St. Aidan’s. Our
families were very generous in their
donations for our Farm Africa project.
Farm Africa train and give skills to
communities throughout the world so that
they can ultimately be self sufficient and
grow their own food. The donation of
£1,200 will be very welcomed and will do
a great deal to make the lives of others a
whole lot better.
Thank you all so much for your kindness
and generosity
Please note the
following dates for
your diary (please
adjust any dinner
monies accordingly.
School finishes at
3.30pm on Thursday
24th October for half
term and re-opens on
Monday 4th
November.
Year 6
Monday 4th
November sees the
Year 6 children
embark on their
outdoor activity week
at Kingswood. Would
all parents please
meet in the school hall
on the morning of 4th
November at 8.30am
with your children’s
bags.
Please make sure all
clothing is clearly
labelled so that we
can re-unite lost or
mislaid clothing items
with the correct child!
Visit by Mr Donaghue – John Taylor High School
On Tuesday 15th October 2013, Mr Donaghue , Head Teacher of John Taylor High School came to talk to the
parents of Year 6 children and their parents about the educational and learning opportunities available at John
Taylor High School. The information was well received by all in attendance.
Reminder to all Year 6 Parents – You must ensure your Secondary School Applications are completed
and returned by 31st October 2013 - www.staffordshire.gov.uk/
(homepage  education and learning  schools  admissions to school)
On behalf of all the staff at Shobnall Primary School may we take
this opportunity to wish you an enjoyable half term break