Southfield Newsletter Michealmas 1 2025 by Ms Mc Greal

Southfield Primary School Michealmas Term 1 - 2025

Dr. Darren Jones

Headteacher

Headteacher Introduction

As we come to the end of the first part of the Autumn term we have once again started a new academic year with great gusto! The Autumn term is always a special time as the leaves begin to fall and the nights draw in and we prepare for the colder weather, a reminder that the summer is well and truly behind us. Our Harvest Assembly was once again a special time where the school community donated so generously. Our Pantry Committee was kept busy with donations and were involved in distributing these to the local food bank where families in need will benefit from your kindness.

The Year 6 annual residential trip to the Isle of Wight was once again a particular highlight and rite of passage and a good time was enjoyed by all. These trips take incredible spades of organisation and planning and I am grateful to all staff who were part of the trip and for giving up a week of their time so generously.

A new year brings new opportunities and responsibilities for pupils and we were thrilled to appoint a new Head Boy and Girl and Deputies along with House Captains. We also have a newly appointed School Forum, members being elected following class elections. I know all children appointed to these significant and important roles will fulfil them with great seriousness and contribute to the school in important ways.

One of the highlights of the term is our annual Charities Week where children are able to put in practice our TRUE values as they learn about different charities and produce beautiful artefacts to sell in the Charities Fair. A particular highlight was the wonderful visits from a beautiful dog at the Guide Dogs charity! Year 2 visited the RNLI at Chiswick to gain first-hand experience of the excellent work carried out by their charity. We also enjoyed a great Diversity Day where children produced some stunning work on people of courage and conviction.

We have gained yet more accolades for our much coveted and exciting curriculum. Arts Council England has awarded us the Gold Award for creativity in our curriculum. This is externally assessed following scrutiny of many examples of curriculum work and consideration of our wide offer. Our work on the environment and creating green spaces and a curriculum enriched by the natural world has been recognised by the Woodland Trust in the presentation of a Green Tree Gold Award. We are thrilled our curriculum continues to receive such accolades from independent bodies who recognise the excellent work taking place at Southfield.

Visits to places of worship have begun with year groups visiting local churches and the Buddhist centres. Year 4 have enjoyed their Ancient Greece History Day and there were some wonderful costumes from the Ancient world. Year 5 also visited The Bedford Park 150th Anniversary Exhibition at St Michael’s Church which showcased stories and images of our local community from 1875 to present day which was fascinating and will tie in beautifully with our own 120th anniversary celebrations which start next half term.

Our extensive offer of lunchtimes clubs have once again been popular with newspaper, chess, badminton, ukelele, drama and dance and so many more to enjoy! We are thrilled with our football and netball teams who have represented our school admirably in tournaments across the borough this half term too.

It has been great to see so many of you also at the Parental Workshops held at school and I wish you all a pleasant half term break ahead.

Contextualised Curriculum

This half term, pupils across Southfield have continued to experience an inspiring and dynamic curriculum, enriched by meaningful visits, themed days and creative learning opportunities. All year groups took part in enriching excursions to support our learning for the Green Tree Award. Pupils created artwork inspired by the natural world, experiments with new artistic techniques such as etching, photography and using view-finders to draw observations of nature.

Year 5 and Year 2 pupils began the term with a reflective visit to Chiswick Vihara. This visit offered a valuable opportunity to explore Buddhist beliefs and traditions, supporting their learning in Religious Education and encouraging thoughtful discussion about mindfulness, compassion and community. Year 5 also kicked off our Southfield 120 Year Anniversary project, by visiting the the exhibition The Community at Bedford Park 1875–2025: “Ahead of the World in Everything?” where they explored how the local area has evolved over time. They were particularly interested in learning about the different political, social and creative groups that contributed to its rich history, gaining a deeper understanding of how communities grow and change across generations.

In Year 4, pupils stepped back in time for their Ancient Greek Day. Immersed in history, they took part in engaging workshops, enjoyed a themed Greek lunch and dressed in traditional attire. The day brought their studies vividly to life, helping them to appreciate the influence of ancient civilisations on modern society.

During Maths Through Story, Year 1 and Year 2 focused on books that celebrate diversity and inclusion, such as We’re Different, We’re the Same and The Black Book of Colours. These stories helped pupils understand mathematical concepts through imaginative narratives while reinforcing messages of empathy and equality. In Real Life Maths, Year 3 developed their geographical awareness through orienteering activities, applying mathematical reasoning in practical, outdoor contexts.

In Creative Writing, pupils across all year groups were inspired by meaningful stories with strong moral themes. Year 4 wrote thoughtful pieces inspired by The Last Seaweed Pie, reflecting on the importance of protecting the environment, while Year 1 explored bravery and perseverance through Ellie, a story about facing adversity with courage.

This half term has once again demonstrated Southfield’s commitment to creative, enriching education that connects learning with the wider world. With more enriching experiences on the horizon, pupils are sure to continue learning with enthusiasm and purpose next term.

Harvest Assembly

On Friday 3rd October 2025, we came together to celebrate Harvest with a wonderful assembly led by Year 5. The hall was filled with music as we sang John Rutter’s Look at the World, a beautiful and uplifting song that reminds us to appreciate the wonders of creation and the world around us. Rutter, one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary composers, is known for his inspiring choral works that bring communities together through song and his piece was the perfect way to begin our celebration.

We also enjoyed a moving performance of The Harvest Moon by Ted Hughes, a reflective poem capturing the spirit of gratitude, generosity and community at this special time of year. Written in the early twentieth century, the poem evokes the beauty of the autumn landscape and the sense of thankfulness that accompanies the harvest season. Year 5 performed it with expression and care, helping everyone to reflect on the importance of giving.

At the front of the hall, a striking display showcased the generous donations collected by our Pantry Team over the past few weeks. The display overflowed with colourful tins, packets, and fresh produce, creating a wonderful symbol of our school’s kindness and community spirit. Among the many items, the centrepiece was a beautiful harvest loaf, baked by Ms Saunders, representing the abundance and sharing that Harvest embodies.

We are extremely grateful for all the donations that were sent in and over 600 meals will be provided from our donations. The generosity of our pupils, families and staff truly reflects the caring values that define Southfield.

Sports News

This half term, Miss MacMillan has been leading a fantastic range of after-school sports clubs, inspiring our students to develop new skills and enjoy being active! This term, our teams have had the chance to put their skills to the test in competitions. The Year 5 and 6 boys’ football team performed brilliantly in a tournament, narrowly missing out on gold in a penalty shootout to take home a well-earned silver medal. The Year 5/6 mixed netball team also had an exciting run, reaching the quarterfinals and showing real determination and team spirit throughout. Miss MacMillan’s dedication and enthusiasm have created a positive, motivating environment, helping every child to enjoy taking part and grow as athletes.

PGL

What a fantastic week our Year 6s had on their residential trip to PGL Little Canada on the Isle of Wight! The excitement started the moment we boarded the ferry. The buzz of crossing the Solent and watching the mainland drift away set the tone for an unforgettable adventure.

Once we arrived, the children were shown to their cabins and wasted no time in making them feel like home for the week. Some described it as “a week-long sleepover” and “honestly, what more could you ask for?” While being away from home can feel different for everyone, every child did themselves proud by showing true resilience and independence, especially when it came to keeping their rooms tidy for the daily room inspections (a fiercely contested competition this year!).

We absolutely love our time at PGL — it’s such a valuable opportunity for children to bond with each other and staff ahead of their final year. Throughout the week, they took on a huge range of activities, from climbing and abseiling to teamwork challenges on the Jacob’s Ladder, the infamous Giant Swing, archery and high ropes to name just a few. Whether confident or a little apprehensive at first, every child gave their best effort and the collaboration, encouragement and new friendships formed were incredible to witness.

Evenings were filled with fun too, with activities that saw the children racing around the campsite, making memories and laughing together. There were also much loved trips to the PGL shop for goodies and souvenirs and of course, mealtimes, which were a highlight of their own (the food was a big hit with everyone!).

By the end of the week, the children returned home tired but changed. More confident, independent and connected as a group.

We couldn’t be prouder of them all and wish them the very best for the important and exciting year ahead.

Green Tree Award

We are thrilled to announce that our school has been awarded the Gold Green Tree Award by the Woodland Trust, a recognition of our ongoing commitment to environmental education and sustainability. To reach this achievement,pupilsacrossallyeargroupstookpartinarangeofengaging and creative activities designed to help them connect with nature and make a positive difference to our planet. Classes explored the local park and our school horticultural area, taking part in challenges such as tree dressing, sharing woodland-inspired writing and artwork, and the Nature Connectedness Challenge. Children also learned about how to reduce our school’s carbon footprint, explored different viewpoints about caring for the environment, and reflected on the importance of protecting our local flora and fauna. These experiences have inspired pupils to think deeply about their relationship with the natural world and to take pride in helping to create a greener, more sustainable future for everyone. We are incredibly proud of our school community for achieving this wonderful award!

The Artsmark Award

We are delighted to share that Southfield Primary School has been awarded the Gold Artsmark Award by Arts Council England — a national recognition of our outstanding commitment to creativity and cultural education.Asaschoolwehavebeenworkingtowardsthisawardformany years and we are very proud to have achieved this award. The Arts Council praised our “exceptional ambition and delivery”, noting that “the arts are clearly embedded across curriculum, leadership vision and ethos.” They highlighted our “deeply enriched curriculum design” through weekly specialist teaching, our Shakespeare studies and the innovative Southfielder Award. The report also commended our staff development, which connects us with national organisations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the British Film Institute and the National Gallery, boosting specialist confidence and ensuring long-term impact. We are especially proud that the Arts Council described these achievements as “not isolated initiatives but the way the school now works day-to-day, making the arts integral rather than an occasional bolt-on.” This wonderful feedback reflects the dedication and creativity of our leaders, teachers and pupils who all help make the arts a vibrant part of Southfield life. Through performances, exhibitions and creative projects, our pupils are encouraged to explore their imaginations, develop confidence and find theirvoice.Theartsplayavitalroleinnurturingcuriosity,empathy,andjoy, qualitiesthatshineacrossallaspectsofSouthfieldschoollife.

Enterprise Team

We are thrilled to announce this year’s Enterprise Team after an incredibly competitive selection process. The calibre of applicants was extremely high, making the decision difficult, but after a long day of interviews, with Dr Jones and Miss McGreal, following their application forms, we are delighted to introduce Holly and Tom as our new Head Girl and Head Boy and Daisy and Daniel as Deputy Head Girl and Boy. All four children were ecstatic to be appointed and have taken their roles very seriously from day one. Already, they’ve been busy leading parent tours and by the end of the term, they will have helped show more than 300 prospective parents around the school! In addition to guiding the tours, Holly and Tom made their public speaking debut, delivering speeches to groups of 60 parents at a time with confidence and poise.

Alongside these fantastic four, we also appointed our new House Captains, who also went through a rigorous interview process with Mr Waine and Ms Richardson. They are leading the charge in the House Point competitions! They proudly received their badges during a special Headteacher’s Assembly and are already setting a great example for their peers.

Congratulations to all of our newly appointed leaders! We’re excited to see the incredible work they’ll do this year.

School Forum

This term, children across Key Stage 2 prepared and delivered thoughtful speeches to their classes, explaining why they would be the best representatives for discussing pupil voice and the School Development Plan with others across the school. We were incredibly impressed by the care, confidence and enthusiasm that went into each speech and it was clear how much the children value being part of shaping our school’s future.

This week, the newly elected School Forum met for the first time to discuss the first focus area of the SDP: “The Southfield Computer Scientist.”

Forum members spoke with pupils across the school about their experiences in Computing, gathering valuable feedback and helping to raise awareness of the other four areas of our development plan.

It was a fantastic start to the year for pupil leadership at Southfield!

Lunchtime Clubs

This term, pupils at Southfield have enjoyed a wonderful range of lunchtime clubs, offering exciting opportunities to develop new skills, explore interests and connect with others. Our dedicated staff team have once again given their time so generously to provide a varied programme of enrichment, ensuring that every child has the chance to discover something they love.

From Book Making, Debating and the School Newspaper to Art, Music Theory and Construction, the choice has been awe-inspiring. Pupils have also enjoyed Horticultural Club, Puzzle Club, Ukulele, Badminton and Author’s Club with many discovering new hobbies that have sparked creativity and confidence.

The younger children have particularly enjoyed Arts and Crafts, while our Junior Librarians have taken pride in supporting reading across the school through their ‘Bookmarks and Beyond’ initiative.

A special highlight this term was the success of our KS1 and KS2 Choirs. The KS2 Choir took part in the Kids Choir 2025 as part of the Thames Water Festival, their first ever performance at this event. Singing alongside pupils from over 20 other schools on the Southbank, they delivered a spectacular performance that filled everyone with pride and the joy of song. It was a memorable occasion and a wonderful celebration of teamwork and talent.

At Southfield, we continue to believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our lunchtime clubs and musical opportunities give every child a chance to flourish, express themselves and feel part of a vibrant, creative school community.

You can now read The Southfield Times from this term by visiting: https://www.southfieldschool.org.uk/The-Southfield-Journalist/

People of Courage and Conviction

Southfield pupils recently took part in a special themed Diversity Day celebrating People of Courage and Conviction. The day was a wonderful success, filled with creativity, reflection and inspiration. Across all year groups, pupils explored the lives of remarkable individuals who demonstrated bravery, resilience and determination in the face of challenge.

Reception pupils learned about Mother Teresa, exploring her compassion and commitment to helping those in need. Through storytelling, discussion and art they reflected on the importance of kindness and caring for others, producing beautiful storyboards and artwork inspired by her life.

In Key Stage 1, pupils studied Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi, two figures who changed the course of history through peaceful protest and unwavering conviction. Year 1 focused on race equality through Rosa Parks’ courageous stand for justice, while Year 2 explored Gandhi’s leadership and fight for independence. Both year groups produced thoughtful fact files, detailed storyboards and expressive art pieces that celebrated courage and fairness.

In Key Stage 2, pupils examined a range of figures who challenged prejudice and championed equality in their own unique ways. Year 3 reflected on the life of Anne Frank, considering themes of hope and tolerance, while Year 4 explored artist David Hockney’s celebration of individuality, LGBT identity and creativity. Year 5 delved into the story of Nelson Mandela, connecting his lifelong fight for freedom to their broader learning about justice and resilience. Year 6 studied Alan Turing, discussing how his brilliance and bravery helped to change the course of history despite the adversity he faced.

Throughout the day, pupils engaged in rich discussions, creative writing and vibrant art-making, using a range of materials to express their ideas. The outcomes displayed are dazzling and capture the spirit of the individuals studied.

The People of Courage and Conviction day reflected Southfield’s values of TRUE Values, particularly empathy and respect. Pupils left the experience with a deeper appreciation of how courage and kindness can shape the world, and how each of us can make a difference through our own actions.

Charities Week

This half term, Southfield pupils once again demonstrated their generosity during our annual Charities Week. The event was a wonderful celebration of creativity, as every year group came together to raise money for a range of important causes through art, enterprise and fun.

Each class learned about their chosen charity, exploring how it supports people, animals or the environment. Pupils then put their learning into action by crafting beautiful handmade items to sell at our Charities Fair. For the first time, the week also included a mufti day to kick off the week, where pupils were invited to wear their own clothes and make an additional contribution to their class charity, which helped us raise even more funds to support the wonderful organisations the children had learned about.

For the Charities Sale, Reception pupils worked carefully to make vibrant fish necklaces in aid of Water Aid, learning about the importance of clean water across the world. They also had a very informative workshop from a member of the Water Aid team who visited the school. Year 1 sculpted charming clay dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind after a wonderful talk with a Guide Dog trainer, Tim, and his dog, Upton. Year 2 created intricate mini lifeboats inspired by the RNLI and its courageous volunteers after an inspiring visit to the Chiswick RNLI hub. Year 3 and Year 5 produced beautiful handmade cards, using their creativity to raise funds for the Dog’s Trust and RSPCA respectively. Year 4 designed decoupage candle-holder jars to support Barnardo’s, reflecting on how the charity helps children and families in need, linked to their novel Street Child and the life of Jim Jarvis and Year 6 impressed everyone with their skilfully woven paper baskets made to raise money for Age UK.

Throughout the week, pupils not only developed their creative and enterprise skills but also deepened their understanding of empathy and the power of collective action. The sense of unity was clear to see, with children eager to share facts about their chosen charities and the difference their contributions could make, demonstrating their TRUE Values.

By the end of the week, Southfield had raised hundreds of pounds for each and every charity, a truly impressive achievement that reflects the dedication of our whole school community. We are immensely proud of all our pupils for their generosity and enthusiasm and we look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition of giving in the years to come.

Parent Workshops

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Mr Waine delivered a superbly well-attended workshop on Early Reading for our Reception and Year 1 parents, the feedback on which was overwhelmingly positive. He also delivered a very informative workshop on The Multiplication Tables Government Check which children in Year 4 will take part in in the Summer term.

Ms Richardson, our SENDCo, delivered a comprehensive workshop on the identification of special educational needs and theprocessesinvolvedingettingsupportandapossiblediagnosis foryourchild.

All of the parent workshops from this term and last year are available to view on the school website under the Parent tab or clickhere: https://www.southfieldschool.org.uk/Parents-Workshop/

The Southfield Computer Scientist

EYFS Reception

What a wonderful start to the school year we’ve had in Reception! This half term, our topic was ‘All About Me’, and it has been filled with fun, hands-on learning experiences designed to help the children settle in, build friendships and explore their sense of self. In the first few weeks we focused on getting to know each other through a variety of structured indoor and outdoor activities. These included puzzles, cooperative building tasks and games that encouraged sharing and teamwork. We’ve also enjoyed whole class sessions on the carpet, where we learned and explored together.

In Phonics, we have been learning our Set 1 letter sounds, practising sound blending, tracing letters and engaging in activities based on initial sounds. In Literacy, we have continued to delve into our topic through shared reading of big books, sparking discussion and written outcomes. In Maths, we have been learning through songs, games and movement, which have made our lessons both engaging and active. We’ve been practising our counting skills, as well as exploring matching and sorting through hands-on and visual activities. The children have also been learning about the concept of ‘more’ and ‘less’ using real-life objects and themed activities to support their understanding in a meaningful way.

During Charities Week, we explored the vital role of water in our lives. We discussed the different ways we use water every day, such as drinking, brushing our teeth and flushing toilets and why it’s important for both humans and animals. A special visitor from WaterAid helped us understand how not everyone has access to clean water and proper sanitation. Inspired by what we learned, the children created fish keyrings to support our WaterAid fundraising efforts.

A highlight of the term has been the weekly visits from Year 6 for partner reading. Each Reception child has been paired with a Year 6 student and their reading sessions have been a joy to watch.

It’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we are so proud of how well the children have settled in. We can’t wait to see what the next term brings!

Reception

Key Stage 1 Year 1

Miss Haimes and Miss Richards are incredibly proud of how well everyone has settled into Year One. Our routines are now firmly in place and the children have quickly become familiar with the expectations and rules of the school. They are sitting beautifully in class, moving sensibly around the school and approaching every lesson with enthusiasm and a love for learning. We’re feeling extremely proud of all that we’ve achieved so far.

In Phonics, we’ve been learning lots of new sounds, which has really helped us to read our library books and we’re thrilled to now take these books home and share them with you!

In English, we’ve been exploring the lovely story Peace at Last, all about Mr Bear and his dreadful search for a peaceful night’s sleep. The children have used this story to develop a range of writing skills. So far, we’ve written a diary entry, a character and setting description and even a letter, all as part of our weekly extended writing sessions!

In Maths, we’ve been building our understanding of number and place value, from counting and sorting objects, to ordering and comparing numbers. A class favourite was comparing numbers using greater than and less than symbols, especially remembering that “the greedy crocodile always eats the bigger number” and “the hungry alligator eats the number that is greater”. We’ve now moved on to developing our addition and subtraction skills, exploring different methods to solve number problems. These skills will continue to grow after the half term break.

We’ve also extended our learning through special events like Diversity Day and Charity Week. Year One focused on the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, a woman of courage and conviction whose brave actions helped spark the civil rights movement. We discussed how even one small act of bravery can make a big difference. The children created Rosa Parks fact files, storyboards and beautiful watercolour artwork to celebrate her courageous act.

Year 1

In Science, we've been learning how we explore the world through our five senses – hearing, taste, touch, smell, and sight. This unit was brought to life through the story of Helen Keller, a remarkable young girl who lost her hearing and sight but went on to learn how to read, write and speak using her other senses. She inspired others like her and taught them how to speak and read braille. Her story helped us understand the importance of our chosen charity during Charity Week: Guide Dogs.

The Year One children thoroughly enjoyed learning about the important work of the charity Guide Dogs UK for Charity Week. We discussed how they work hard to help people with sight loss and raised money to support their life-changing services. A highlight of the week was meeting a real-life dog named Upton and his owner Tim during our Guide Dogs workshop.

We have had an excellent start to the year with our Creative Writing lessons and the children have connected well with the chosen stories thus far. A particularly special story was “The Black Book of Colours”, which we read and responded to as a part of Charities Week. The central character is a boy named Thomas who is blind but has his own special way of describing each colour It was lovely to see how each student connected colours to memories through their sense of smell, taste, touch or hearing.

In Geography, we have been delving into Spatial Sense and looking at how we can make sense of the world around us through the use of maps, compasses and ariel view images. The Year One children loved drawing their own maps, after discussing what a good map needs and having a go using a real-compass to navigate around the classroom.

It’s been a wonderful start to the year and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Year 1

Year 2

Year 2 have had an amazing start to the year. A highlight this term was our annual charities week where we raised money for the RNLI. Year 2 pupils had the opportunity to visit the Chiswick RNLI branch to learn more about what these incredible volunteers do! We also took part in a range of activities across the curriculum, writing informative text on the RNLI, orienteering, creative writing and creating our own RNLI boats to sell at our charities fair.

As well as our trip to the RNLI we had the opportunity to visit Chiswick Vihara. This trip contextualised our learning about Buddhist beliefs and worship.

In English, Year 2 have thoroughly enjoyed reading The Queen’s Noise by Dick King-Smith, a novel about a girl who finds a magical coin! We have produced numerous genres of writing based on the novel, such as a diary entry, letters, postcards, comparative texts and instructional texts for how to use the magical coin.

In Maths, we have expanded our knowledge of place value by learning how to use place value charts and explored threedigit numbers. We have also learnt how to add and subtract 2digit numbers using a range of strategies.

During our Geography lessons, we explored the concept of special sense. We are now able to recognise why symbols and keys are used on maps and have applied this to drawings of our own maps of Southfield Primary School. In Science this half-term, we have learned about the systems that work within our body and recognise how they are all connected to create a function. We also reflected on the importance of good personal hygiene like washing our hands, to limit the spread of harmful bacteria.

We have loved our Music and Performing Arts sessions with Ms Bonini where we have learned about exciting pieces of music by famous composers like Ravel and Grieg. We are beginning to recogise rhythmic patterns, dynamics, tempo and metre.

On Computing Day, we learnt all about algorithms and wrote, designed and created our own algorithm programs to accomplish a specific goal.

Year 2

During PSHE day, we explored the concept ‘Being Me in My Word’, where we spoke about different strategies we can use when worried, what it means to have rights and how we can be responsible at school at home and school and discussed positive and negative consequences. Finally, in RE day we began our study of Buddhism by exploring what it is, where it began and what it means to be Buddhist.

Key Stage 2 Year 3

Year 3 have had an incredible first half term and have settled into the juniors seamlessly!

The children have been thriving in their new lessons in Real Life Maths and Latin. In Real Life Maths, they’ve enjoyed exciting hands-on explorations of weight and capacity while helping Mr. Zuckermann feed his farm animals. Meanwhile, Latin has captured everyone’s enthusiasm. Pupils have been flourishing as they learn this new language and have shown great enthusiasm by completing Vocabulous activities at home.

It’s been a busy and inspiring few weeks, filled with wonderful work linked to our themed events. During Charities Week, the children learned about the amazing work of The Dogs Trust. They produced impressive, dogthemed pieces across Real Life Maths, Creative Writing and English. The week concluded with a fantastic fundraising sale and exhibition, where our incredible artists and designers raised over £200!

We also celebrated our annual Diversity Day. Our young writers explored the life and legacy of Anne Frank, reflecting deeply on how her story continues to influence the modern world. They produced outstanding fact files and colourful storyboards to highlight the key themes of religious intolerance and prejudice.

To round off the term, Year 3 took part in a Road Safety workshop, learning the key rules for crossing roads safely before demonstrating their skills in the local area.

In the final week, the children visited Southfield Park for a tree photography extravaganza, learning about the brilliance of Eliot Porter’s nature photography as part of the Green Tree Schools Award.

It has been a truly amazing start to the year and the next half term promises to be even more exciting!

Year 3

Year 4

This half term in English, we have been reading the classic novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We have used the story to explore a range of genres, including interview transcripts, travel journals and short narratives inspiredbythecharactersandthemesofthenovel.

In Maths, we have recognised the value of each digit in fourdigit numbers, ordered and compared numbers beyond 1,000, countedinmultiplesof1,000andfoundnumbersthatare1,000 more or less than a given number. We also learned how to accurately add and subtract four-digit numbers using a range of strategies. Throughout these lessons, we applied our knowledge to solve a variety of numerical and reasoning problems.

This half term in Science, we have examined the human body, focusing on the importance of a healthy diet. We explored the process of digestion, learned about the role of minerals and vitaminsanddiscoveredhowtomaintaingooddentalhygiene.

In Geography, we explored the concept of spatial sense by examining our local area and using four-figure grid references to identify locations on a map. We also considered how our areamightchangeinthefutureasthepopulationgrows.

Towards the end of the half term, we visited Southfield Park to carry out fieldwork and develop our observation skills. Using viewfinders and sketching, we explored nature from three perspectives: bird’s-eye view, eye level and worm’s-eye view. This helped us notice details such as bark patterns, leaf textures and microhabitats for wildlife that are often overlooked andcontributedtoourGreenTreeSchoolsAward.

In History, we have been learning about Ancient Greece, gaining an understanding of the significance of city-states such as Athens and Sparta, their key differences and important battles like Marathon and Thermopylae. We also explored who Alexander the Great was and how he built such a vast empire, as well as learning about the Greek gods. One of the highlights of the term was our Ancient Greece Day, where we enjoyed an engaging workshop, a lunchtime banquet and dressed up as ourfavouriteAncientGreekinspirations!

Weareexcitedtocontinuethistopiconnexthalfterm.

Year 4

Year 5

Year 5 have had a fantastic start to the year. A highlight of this term was our annual charities week when we raised money for the RSPCA. We took part in a wide range of activities across the curriculum: writing a persuasive letter calling for change; calculating vet costs; writing our own creatives stories about conservation and creating greeting cards to sell at our charities fair.

We also enjoyed our Diversity Day, celebrating people of courage and conviction. We spent the day studying the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela and how he demonstrated resilience and perseverance to achieve equality for every South African. We produced a fact file, art piece and Creative Writing story all about his inspirational life.

This half term we have also enjoyed local trips to the Buddhist Vihara and a special exhibition a special exhibition on display in St Michael & All Angel's Church: The Community at Bedford Park 1875-2025. This coincided brilliantly with our own anniversary this year and we enjoyed learning more about the history of our local area. We also enjoyed some informative workshops; expanding our knowledge about Road Safety and reducing CO2 Emissions, helping us to become more responsible and environmentally aware citizens.

In English, Year 5 have been captivated by The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, a novel first published in 1906, the same year our school opened! We have produced numerous genres of wonderful writing based on this classic novel, such as a radio transcript, a book and film comparison and a formal party invitation for a themed party.

In Maths, we have learnt to order and compare numbers up to 1,000,000. We also solved place value word problems and applied our addition and subtraction skills to reasoning questions. For Real Life Maths, we took part in ‘The Shape Shop’, expanding our knowledge of profit, costs and interest.

In History, we have learnt about the Golden Age of Baghdad in 900 CE where we discovered how innovations from that era — including our number system, algebra and early chemistry — still shape our world today. In Science, we have been learning about the human body, in particular the changes that occur between birth and old age and the milestones that occur across the stages.

Year 5

We have loved our Music and Performing Arts sessions with Ms Bonini studying ‘The Lark Ascending’ by Vaughan Williams and composing our own pieces inspired by this composition.

On Computing Day, we became budding programmers; designing, writing and debugging code to accomplish specific goals using variables, repetition and outputs. During PSHE Day, we had thoughtful discussions about what it means to be a refugee and how this differs from being a migrant, before learning about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and exploring our own rights and responsibilities.

Finally, in RE Day, we began our study of Buddhism, learning about the life of Siddhartha Gautama and reflecting on the Five Moral Precepts. t

Year 6

Year 6 have had an action-packed start to the Autumn term! Many began the year with the much-anticipated Isle of Wight residential, where they climbed Jacob’s Ladder, zipped across the park and soared on the Giant Swing, a brilliant week full of fun and adventure.

Back in the classroom, we dove into our first novel, Goodnight Mister Tom. Set during the Second World War, it follows young evacuee Willie Beech and his friendship with Mister Tom. The children have been fully engaged in daily reading, producing thoughtful discussions and impressive written work. History lessons took us back to 1914 as we began our First World War unit. We explored the causes of the war, life in the trenches, key battles and the societal changes that followed, including advances in medicine, technology and the role of women.

In Geography, we explored map projections, learning how the Earth’s round shape is represented on flat maps. The children discovered different projection types, such as Mercator and Robinson and how these influence the way we view the world. In Science, Year 6 studied the human body, focusing on the circulatory system. They explored how blood flows around the body, the role of the heart and how oxygen and nutrients keep us healthy, lessons that sparked lots of curiosity and discussion.

Our Diversity celebrations focused on people of courage, including Alan Turing. The children learned not only about his incredible achievements in computing and code-breaking but also about the struggles he faced due to prejudice and how his resilience and brilliance continue to inspire us today.

This term also saw our Charities Week, supporting Age UK. The children read My Nana’s Garden, explored the economic impact of retirement in Real Life Maths and made woven bowls for elderly family members to raise awareness and funds for those in need. Year 6 have shown curiosity, creativity and compassion this half term.

We can’t wait to see what the next one brings!