Southfield Primary School Summer Term 2 - 2024
Headteacher
Headteacher Introduction
July 2024
Dear Parents,
I have pleasure in enclosing our last newsletter of the academic year The Summer edition is once again teeming with all the incredible learning, cultural and creative endeavours of the last half term
We have enjoyed the spectacular Summer Performances which each year seem to get better and better! We know these are brilliant family occasions which brings together our parental community to see the children sing, act, perform and create the most artistic props!
The wealth of cultural experiences for children to contextualise their classroom learning has once again been far reaching Our Reception class enjoyed their annual and exciting visit to London Zoo, which was once again a huge success Year 1 have visited St Paul’s Cathedral, Year 2 visited Holland Park to explore the ecosystems and wildlife complimenting their science study. Year 5 visited the Greenwich Royal Observatory and performed a wonderful Shakespearean play! Year 6 had the fantastic experience of attending the Open-Air Opera at Holland Park and a behind the scenes workshop of how it all works!
This summer and the academic year ahead will see our project of revitalising the school buildings and facilities This academic year we are planning to replace all of the lights in the school, paint classrooms, refurbish our outside toilets, school fencing, blinds and replace classroom furniture We will keep you updated on our progress!
In the meantime, thank you to all parents who provide unwavering support to our school and who love it just as much as we do!
We wish you a happy and peaceful summer ahead and look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday September 2nd
Dr D Jones Headteacher
Contextualised Curriculum
One of the tenets of the Southfield Curriculum is contextualisation of the children’s learning
We do this in a number of ways through Maths Through Story, Real Life Maths, workshops, visitors, and school trips This half term we have continued to provide these valuable curriculum experiences These are a selection of the visits the children had this term:
Reception visited London Zoo
Year 1 visited St Paul’s Cathedral
Year 5 visited the Royal Observatory and performed Shakespeare at Hounslow Art Centre
Year 6 visited Opera Holland Park
Year6-HollandPark
Colour Run
Our recent Colour Run was a spectacular success! The children had an absolute blast, running to their hearts' content while being sprayed with water and covered in an array of vibrant coloured paints The event was filled with laughter, joy, and boundless energy It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year and kick off the summer break A big thank you to all the volunteers and participants who made this event so memorable. Here's to many more exciting adventures ahead!
Summer Fête
Our Summer Fete was an incredible success, bringing together our school community for a day of unforgettable fun and festivities! It was heartwarming to see not only our current students but also many returning children, all joining in the celebration The event was brimming with a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained. From bouncing high on the bouncy castles to showing off their skills in the penalty shootouts, there was something exciting for every child
The mini stalls were a hit, offering a delightful array of trinkets, delicious food, and refreshing drinks. The cheerful chatter and laughter, coupled with the vibrant stalls, created a lively and welcoming atmosphere that everyone enjoyed Parents and children alike had a fantastic time, indulging in sweet treats, finding unique treasures, and participating in the games and activities
A huge thank you to all the volunteers, teachers, and parents who worked tirelessly to make this day possible The Summer Fete was a perfect way to kick off the season, and we ’ re already looking forward to next year’s festivities!
Year 6 Leavers
Our Year 6 Leavers Assembly was a heartfelt and memorable occasion Parents were invited to join us as we celebrated the achievements and growth of our wonderful Year 6 students The children were thrilled to receive their yearbooks, eagerly looking back at pictures from when they first started their journey at Southfield.
Awards were given to recognise the remarkable growth and success of each student, highlighting their unique accomplishments The parents were treated to a special surprise at the end of the assembly a touching video montage capturing the children's time at Southfield This emotional tribute brought a tear to many an eye, as it beautifully showcased the friendships, milestones, and memorable moments shared over the years
The assembly concluded with our traditional Leavers' Snake, where the Year 6 students received a proper Southfield send-off Cheering spectators from Reception to Year 5 lined the path, creating an unforgettable and spirited farewell We wish them all the best and know they will carry the spirit of Southfield with them always
Jemima Puddleduck
Year 1 and Reception were treated to an incredible performance of "Jemima Puddleduck." This immersive theatre experience brought the stage right to Southfield, captivating the children with its engaging storytelling and lively characters The young audience loved every moment, as they were transported into the world of Jemima Puddleduck, learning important life lessons about courage, friendship, and perseverance along the way It was a truly memorable event that will inspire our young learners for their future school performances.
Summer Productions
In true Southfield fashion, we ended the year with some spectacular performances from Reception all the way to Year 6's final production This year saw the children more engaged than ever, with props, lighting, and music making the parents feel like they'd gotten a free visit to the West End Parents were treated to a delightful array of shows, each year group showcasing their unique talents and creativity
Reception dazzled us with "The Litter Muncher," teaching the importance of recycling in a fun and engaging way Year 1 had us buzzing with their performance about honey bees, delivering an essential environmental lesson Year 2 transported us to a world of pirates and mermaids, telling a heartwarming tale of enemies becoming friends
Year 3 brought the roaring 1920s to Chiswick with an epic mystery story, full of intrigue and charm Year 4 produced a wonderful rendition of "The Wind in the Willows," capturing the whimsical adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad Year 5 wowed us with their recreation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," filled with magic, humor, and love
Year 6 rounded off the performances with an absolutely epic version of "The Jungle Book" Their singing and acting masterclass, combined with an immersive jungle experience, left the audience in awe The dedication and enthusiasm of all the children made each show a memorable highlight of the summer
Summer Productions
Summer Productions
EYFS Reception
This term has been a whirlwind of exploration and discovery as the children completed their final term in Reception. The children engaged in a wonderful summer production of The Litter Muncher where they gave their absolute best acting and singing skills, developing both their imagination and creativity It was a wonderful performance and showed the hours of hard work they had put into rehearsals However, it not only showcased their artistic talents but also instilled a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment in our young minds
Taking a break from the classroom, the children embarked on an unforgettable trip to London Zoo The children were impressive and proud representatives of the Southfield team as they consolidated their knowledge on growing and changing by looking at all the different habitats and animals We looked at towering giraffes, creepy crawlies and even witnessed a penguin show whilst learning some interesting facts (that some penguins are taller than us!). This magical outing sparked a deep appreciation for nature and conservation in our little learners
The children were also fortunate enough to watch an Open-Air performance of Jemima Puddleduck It was great for the children to witness real actors come into the school and portray a tale through costume, setting and characterisation and they thoroughly enjoyed it It was also a nice way to end our Stories from the Past topic which the children immersed themselves in
Reception
Amidst all the special activities and adventures, our reception children remained committed to their academic growth They diligently practiced phonics, honed their mathematical skills, and deepened their knowledge on our topic Stories from the Past. We looked at fairytales, legends, fables and myths and it was wonderful to see children connect the lessons and moral teachings within fables and myths to our TRUE values We are all incredibly proud of the children’s hard work, effort and progress this year
As we reflect on the summer term and the final chapter of their Reception Journey we are filled with both gratitude and appreciation of the activities and experiences we have shared and the progress they have made.
The children have made friends for life and developed skills that they can carry with them throughout school
A heartfelt thank you to our supportive parents, and, most importantly, our remarkable reception children for making this term an unforgettable one We are very proud of you, and you should be very proud of yourselves. We all wish you the best of luck in Year 1 and have no doubt you will continue to shine and grow
Key Stage 1 Year 1
We have had an incredible final term in Year 1, looking back to the autumn you can see just how much the children have all grown and how much progress they have made. Everyone is feeling very ready for the new challenges ahead in Year 2, not to mention a long relaxing summer holiday!
A huge achievement for all the children was the Phonics Screening Check I am sure they are all relieved to never see another Alien Word again This is another example this year of where the hard work from these children has really paid off. Their reading has come so far and their confidence bloomed We are all very proud of them and I am sure they feel the same.
Alongside our reading we have been finishing up our learning on "Parliament and Leaders" as well as "Materials" learning about their properties and uses We really enjoyed a series of practical lessons testing for magnetism and trying to find a suitable material to make an umbrella from We even had our very own class elections Children created a manifesto considering what would help secure them some votes without over promising given there would be limited resources available. Some of the children were brave enough to make a speech to the rest of their class, stating why people should vote for them. We have some future politicians amongst us I am sure
Year 1
Throughout our Summer Term we have enjoyed a lot of Drama We were lucky enough to watch so many of the fantastic school productions as well as see some true professionals in action during our Jemima Puddleduck workshop It was all truly inspirational Right from the first week back, we were buzzin', wagglin' and getting ready for our own "Bee Musical." I am sure you will agree all the children were amazing up on stage The costumes looked marvellous, the stage was set and everyone danced, bopped and sung their heart out I think they will remember those songs forever!
After all that hard work it was time for our final school trip! We all headed to St Paul's cathedral to marvel at the beautiful artwork and architecture We were especially inspired by the story of the phoenix and how this mythical creature inspired the landmark's rebuild after The Great Fire of London
The term ended on a high- finding out who the new teachers are and what the classroom names will be. Everyone is more than ready for the new challenges September will bring and we are exciting to start giving new things a go! Well done Year 1 now Year 2!
Year 2
Wow! What a busy term we have had in year 2 full of non-stop singing, dancing, acting and rehearsing! We performed our fantastic play ‘Pirates versus Mermaids’, taking our audience on a journey to Me Hearty High School with great success.
We had a fantastic trip to Holland Park’s ecology centre where we learnt all about wildlife in the different seasons We took our checklists around the park, ticking off any of the wonderful wildlife we were lucky enough to see We then went into the woodland area to learn about dragonflies and make them using natural resources found in the woods It was a great success and the children loved it
We have learnt about important climate activists such as David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg and how they are using their voices to spread the word about climate change and trying to encourage people to save the planet We have had lots of interesting discussions about what we can do at home to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle
We have written excellent poems inspired by Ted Hughes’ ‘My brother Bert’, having lots of fun writing about animals and finding words that rhyme with them!
In science we have travelled up to space and learnt all about the planets in our Solar System We have explored the stars in our sky and constellation stories from all over the world, even having a go at joining the stars to make our own constellations and writing our own story to go alongside it! It has been a wonderful final term full of so much fun What a lovely end to the year!
Key Stage 2 Year 3
Year 3 have had a such a wonderful end to the year. Early in the term, we undertook Classics Week, where we further developed our understanding of spirituality Using the classic tale of Midas and the Golden Touch, we undertook a range of learning including Real Life Maths, English, Creative Writing and Art In true Southfield style, we capped off our successful week with a dress up day which saw our Year 3’s use their creativity to produce wonderful outfits linked to ancient Greek and Roman mythology
In English, Year 3 continued to expose themselves to poetry, this time exploring Classical British Poet’s, specifically TS Eliot Over two weeks, we developed an understanding of the poets motivations through his life experiences, before analysing a number of poems from his much loved collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats
Whilst all this learning and more was going on, Year 3 also found the time to put on the spectacular play Mystery at Magpie Manor The children worked incredibly hard and produced a performance that will remain in our hearts and minds for many years to come
Everyone in Year 3 can feel incredibly proud of what they have achieved, not only this term, but this year and we look forward to continued success in Year 4
Year 4
We combined our English text, Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows, with our school play this term and put on a spectacular show We each carefully thought about how to physically represent our characters and developed our speaking skills through performing to a variety of Year groups and our parents The story depicts Toad and his woodland friends going on adventure through the English countryside.
To start off after half term we continued our History topic on The Stuarts, examining a long tussledwith debate if Oliver Cromwell was a hero or a tyrant. We examined the arguments either way, infuriated that Cromwell banned music and football but sympathetic to the fact that Cromwell gave more power to parliament, something that is still relevant in the UK today We continued chronologically to examine the Great Fire of London and the Black Death We wrote diary entries from the perspective of someone living during the Plague
Year 4
In Maths we examined different shapes; we looked at triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons and lines of symmetry We then moved onto statistics, where we learned how to interpret and draw line graphs. We all completed our multiplication tests and did a fantastic job at recalling our known facts and times tables
In Geography this term we examined a place many of us knew little about, Japan Japan is a country consisting of four main islands located on the continent of Asia We examined both the physic examin volcan feature of sev feudal
safe? We answered these questions in Science this year where we designed and created our own electrical circuits and learnt about what materials conduct electricity, and which do not.
Year 5
We have had a very eventful and exciting summer term in year 5, with a range of trips and performances. Earlier on in this half term we took a trip to Gunnersbury Victorian Museum which linked in with our history lessons where we have been learning all about the Victorian era We also embarked on an adventure to the Royal Greenwich Observatory to explore the solar system in the world famous planetarium Our summer performance of “A Midsummer Night's Dream” was definitely one to remember and we thoroughly enjoyed showcasing our talents. In addition to this, we were lucky enough to partake in the primary Shakespeare company’s newest production of ‘Julius Caesar’ Year 5 wowed the audience with their Roman battle scenes on a professional stage alongside other schools in Ealing In History, we have expanded our knowledge from the Industrial Revolution to the reign of Queen Victoria, which brought significant changes We examined primary sources like photographs, newspaper articles and posters to understand the impact of urbanisation on the poor and the harsh realities of life in workhouses after the implementation of the Poor Law of 1834. We also learned about the individuals who thrived during the era of Britain's industrial advancements, with the pinnacle being Prince Albert's Great Exhibition of 1851
Year 5
In Maths, we have been focusing on calculating the area and perimeter of compound shapes, reading and interpreting two-way tables and line graphs, and identifying angles around a point and within polygons
In Geography, we have completed a local study on Chiswick, finding out about how Chiswick has changed over time and the history of Southfield Primary School and other schools in the area In Science, we explored topics ranging from space to meteorology. We learned about the different layers of the atmosphere and their crucial role in supporting life on Earth This included studying the Ozone Layer and how it protects us from the Sun's harmful UV rays We also gained knowledge about the six air masses that influence weather patterns in the UK and how thunder and lightning occur.
Overall, we have had a fantastic year full of new learning experiences and exciting adventures We can now look forward to a well-deserved summer break before starting Year 6 in September.
Year 6
Year 6’s final term at Southfield Primary School has been phenomenal In English we continued with our novel of the Giant’s Necklace, learning how to write an obituary. The whole school took part in classics week and in Year 6, we studied the story of ‘Atlas’ and created some incredible exemplars The children thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Titanomachy between the Titans and the Olympians We also received the results for the Key Stage 2 SATs that the children sat at the end of Summer 1 and we could not be more pleased or proud of their results
However, the highlight of this term was Year 6’s performance of ‘The Jungle Book’ The children portrayed their characters excellently, staying in character even when off stage, and their singing was exceptional Staff, other pupils and parents were absolutely blown away by the breath-taking performance. They should feel extremely proud of themselves – just as we are! The term culminated in the Leavers assembly and Snake Run, which saw a fair few tears as we said goodbye to one another Year 6, you will be missed! Good luck in Year 7!
‘Ex Corde Vita’
