Newsletter Issue 9
Ferncumbe Friday
Friday 27th January 2023
6th-12th February 2023 is Children's Mental Health Week, and we have lots planned to promote and support good mental health, in school.
This year’s theme is Let’s Connect, which is encouraging people to connect with others in healthy, rewarding, and meaningful ways.
We will launch the week on Monday 6th February with a KS1 and KS2 assembly. Every day, in lunch clubs, there will be activities planned to promote wellbeing and connections, culminating on Friday 10th February with a 'Dress to Express' day. Children are encouraged to celebrate their individuality by wearing an outfit that makes them feel good about themselves. That may be a football kit, a onesie, odd socks or a top hat. Anything goes!
On Friday afternoon Mrs Reid and Catherine Twigg from RISE will host a coffee and drop-in session from 2-3pm. They will be offering advice on how to promote good mental health and signposting to helpful support and training.
Throughout the week we will also be taking part in an exciting competition which you can also support your child with at home. This builds on the connection theme of the week. Please see the details below ...
Child Friendly Warwickshire are inviting children and young people in Warwickshire to submit their ideas on what being child friendly means to them and win £2,500 for their school!
Children and young people recently told us that more climate change awareness, mental health support, open green spaces, opportunities and careers, more clubs and activities, cost of living support and safer streets are important to them and would help to create a Child Friendly Warwickshire. We want their help to bring these ideas to life by creating a piece of artwork, video, song or written piece that reflects these themes.
The competition challenges children and young people in Warwickshire to explore and showcase what being child friendly means to them. Each of the age category winners will win £2,500 for their school or college. The school will then be able to spend this money on projects related to themes above.
More information can be found here: www.childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/childfriendlycompetition
STRIKE ACTION
A reminder that school will remain open to all pupils during the proposed strike action days.
Feelings and Worries Assembly
Wednesday assembly this week was held by members of the school nursing team, Connect For Health, who came to talk to us about the different feelings we may experience and who we can talk to about these when they arise. We also learnt a surprising and scary amount about sugars in our food, where a lot of hidden sugar can be found, and that treats should only be enjoyed once in a while!
Mrs Grier
LOWSONFORD CLASS
This week, Year 6 have been watching some videos presented by the author Tom Palmer to give them an insight into how he writes. They have also been researching the life of a holocaust survivor, Ben Helfgott, and will be using the information to help them write a story with a flashback. They are looking forward to joining a live Q and A session with Tom Palmer and Mala Tribich, another holocaust survivor, to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023 this afternoon. This has enriched both our knowledge of the topic World War II and our writing.
Mrs White
Honiley Class
This week in Science we have had lots of fun! We investigated which materials would be most suitable as a crash mat for Humpty Dumpty. We made our crash mats from sugar cubes, marshmallows, cotton wool, tissue and lego and made predictions about what we thought would happen to the egg when it was dropped onto each mat. We decided that marshmallows and cotton wool were the most suitable materials. What an egg-cellent time we all had!
Miss Constable
Wroxall Class
Once again, Year 5 did a great job spotting birds for the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch last week. It was a bitingly cold morning, but lots of children managed the full hour. We noticed 14 different species, so were able to add to the picture of birds across the UK. Thank you to all the parents who braved the cold to support us!
Mrs Grier
A Heartfelt Lesson!
This week, Year 6 took part in a heart dissection. We have been learning about our blood, blood vessels, the chambers of the heart and why the heart is a double pump. The class used their knowledge to explore the outside of the heart and then delve inside, finding different tissues, valves and the odd blood clot or two! This will also provide a good basis for our exercise investigation next week!
Mrs Grier
Haseley Class
This week, Year 1 were treated to a breakfast at Hatton Adventure World to learn about where their food comes from. We had a very exciting day and there was lots of news coverage about our super day. There is a link to a news article below and the recording of the radio broadcast on the Ferncumbe School Twitter. Our favourite part of the day was getting to hold these mega-cute guinea pigs.
Miss Forbes
Rowington Class
Today, we were lucky enough to be visited by a very special guest, Mr Antoniou. Luis’ dad kindly offered to come in and share some of his expertise regarding all things Ancient Greece. It was fabulous for the children to have all their questions answered and hear some Greek myths.
Thank you Mr Antoniou!
Miss Blackwell
Hatton Class
In Hatton Class we have been thinking about Heroes. We started our topic by thinking about real-life heroes and we have had great fun being firefighters, police officers and paramedics. This week our Doctor’s Surgery has changed into a Superhero Hideout where our Hatton Heroes can train and build their superhero skills. We have already rescued some pets, found a missing glue stick and we have practised our climbing and balancing ready for scaling tall buildings!
Mrs Stephenson
And finally, it is always so heart-warming to receive positive communications praising staff, and our children’s actions both inside and outside of school. This morning I received inspiring feedback regarding our school ethos in action evidenced whilst parents attended today’s Achievement Assembly. Additionally, I was so proud to hear how, whilst at Beavers, a current KS1 pupil willingly helped their friend, unprompted, tie their shoelaces and then proceed to teach them how to to do it. What wonderful examples of our School Vision in action!
With very best wishes for a lovely weekend,
Tracey Webb, Head of School