Friday, 9th March 2018
Lower School Newsletter
Learning in the Lower School
Year 4 and Year 5 go to town
Year 4 and Year 5 are both completing research on their respective Units of Inquiry. Year 5 on Migration and Year 4 on Organisations. On Thursday morning, both year groups set off with their teachers to find out more by exploring the local area around the school. The key to good research is asking good questions. Year 4 asked shop owners and company managers about their organisations. Year 5 asked local residents about migration. Both Year groups really enjoyed finding out so much information and all on our own doorstep!
Talent Show
This week we had open auditions for the Lower School Talent Show. This gave many students in Years 3 to 6 the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and to entertain an audience. We were very impressed with the courage that a lot of students demonstrated during the auditions. It all took place in the hall, and the audience were given iPads so that they could give live feedback on each audition. We saw dancers, musicians, comedians, and storytellers. We chose the top acts who will take part in the Lower School Talent Show on Friday, 16th March at 3pm. We will be inviting the whole of Lower School and the parents of the selected finalists to attend.....I'm looking forward to it already!
We missed the book dress up day last week due to bad weather, so we did it on Friday instead. Here are some pictures of the students dressed up as book characters. It is always great to celebrate books and the way they nurture our curiosity. We also completed our Book Week competitions including class door competition, quote bingo, puppets and superheros.
Our Book Week Disco for Upper primary students was also postponed last week, and we have spoken to the DJ who has agreed to come in on Friday, 16th March from 6.30-8pm. If you have already purchased tickets you need not re-apply, for those of you who still to purchase them, please go the general products section of your child's WisePay account.
Year 5P and 5S Visits to the Upper School
The Year 5 students were in a reflective mood recently. They were excited about their time spent in our Upper School. It is important that the students get to see and experience the culture in the Upper School and they certainly did that! Many of the students remarked on the subjects that they experienced.
They enjoyed learning Mandarin which is a language taught from M1. They enjoyed learning about hydrogen in Science and taking part in experiments in the Science labs. The Upper School is scheduled to have new labs this Summer. They also liked the DT lesson they took part in with other Upper School students. It was a successful, enlightening and challenging day- well done to everyone involved.
Talented Students who enjoy learning
Every so often I get invited into classes to share their learning and this week I visited Kindergarten and Reception to see how they were practising their phonics. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly learning takes place and how much brighter our students are compared to my generation. It is important to keep nurturing our students' talents, to increase their curiosity and love of learning. As one visitor put it recently when she visited the school - You seem to have a lot of talented students who really enjoy learning - I agree!
Super Question and Language of the Week
Last week our Super Question was : What country celebrates St David's Day? Sofia in Year 6 declared that it was Wales; and she gets a sparky for being knowledgeable. Next week we asked have What cartoon won a Best Film Oscar?
Congratulations to Miya and Karina who both got their 15th sparky this week . They are the first in the school this year and they should be very proud of their achievements - I wonder if they will get to 20 ?
Our language of the week was Welsh and we learnt some Welsh numbers.
Have a great weekend.
Matt Parkin
Lower School Principal
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Reminders and Key Dates
Reminders
- Teachers in the Lodge have meetings and preparation time up until 8.30am each day, therefore, please can we remind parents with students not to enter the building until 8.30am please.
Next Week
- On Monday, 12th March, Year 6 visit the Thames river to explore the muddy grounds as part of their unit about evidence of past civilisations.
- Class & Group Photos, Tuesday, 13th March
- Lower School Talent Show 3pm Friday, 16th March.
This term
- Year 5 go to Flatford Mill on 21st-23rd March.
- Year 4 go to Moat Mount on 22nd-23rd March.
- Year 3 have their class residential sleepover on 22nd March.
- Science Fair, Wednesday, 28th March 2-3pm.
- International Fun Run & Breakfast, Thursday, 29th March.
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Dwight Parent Association News and Events
March Out and About – Eltham Palace
Join us for an outing to visit Eltham Place in SE London. Experience the decade of decadence as you are transported back to the 1930's! Created for millionaires, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, Eltham Palace is part showpiece of Art Deco design and 1930's cutting edge technology, and part medieval royal palace!
Date: Friday, 16th March, 2018
Meet: 9am West Finchley station or 10:30am at Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London SE9 5QE
Cost: £14.40 – we will purchase our tickets at the entrance
Please let Michele know if you plan to join! Michele@seanoneill.com
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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