To all our wonderful Highflyer families

What a wintry week we had as a start to our new ‘Spring’ term; but we were, as a staff, all so excited to see the children again and hear such lovely news from their many Christmas experiences. They are SUCH a credit to you all …

Our geography focus this term is entitled, 'Why is our World Wonderful?'; therefore, we shall – this week - be looking at 'What are some of the UK's amazing features and landmarks?' and discussing whether we have seen them or know of them already.

This week we also have planned our much-anticipated field study trip for learning and practising geography skills at Earth Trust, Little Wittenham. If you haven't already done so it would be amazing if you could just quickly please give your permission for your child to attend via the details/link to our online permission form (sent to all at the end of last term). HUGE thanks to those that have already replied; as has been super helpful to be able to send through our packed lunch requirements this week to the school kitchen! The weather forecast appears to be giving an indication of ‘cold but dry'; however, we would be really grateful if you could please ensure that your child has warm and waterproof outerwear as the majority of our learning will be mostly outside from 10am – 2.30pm.

Kirsty Somerville will be our lead for both sessions (morning and afternoon) and will be meeting us directly off the coach in the morning; before we excitedly set off to explore the Hill, investigate in their Artefact Museum, enjoy lunch in the Atrium Classroom (including our very own bread making/tasting with local honey & jam), search for and make our own wild art paintings as well as some fire lighting – if the temperatures really begin to drop before we depart.

However, as per previous visits, the walk to the ‘top of the hill’ can prove quite muddy at this time of year and as they have free roaming Herefordshire cows it can make for quite a mess! Therefore, PLEASE can we ask that the children ALL bring wellies (or walking boots) with a suitable dry and clean change of shoes for our afternoon activities. Fingers crossed the weather will be SUPER kind to us, but we still hope to be outside for most of the day – so please feel free to also pop in hats/scarfs to keep the children extra warm … as there is little shelter once we are ‘out’ …

Rest assured though that together, with Centre Staff, we shall very carefully look at the weather ‘on the day’ to ensure that the activities are modified … so everybody stays comfortable!

PLEASE do let me know if you need any more information – given that Forest School will still be taking place on Wednesday morning but P.E. on Thursday postponed simply until the following week :)

In other news -

Our phonic focus is: Week 2 Words ending in: -al/-il      Contractions: wasn’t /isn’t with our new Class reading Text being ‘Kongy Arrives’. Please feel free to return any previous books (including Why Do Stars Twinkle?) if they happen to still be ‘at home’ … as promise there is no time limit – so they can never be overdue!

‘Here We Are’ by Oliver Jeffers is really helping us to make some brilliant notes about life on Planet Earth – as well as how much we love living on it! Our topic questions on What we would like to find out about ‘Our Wonderful World’ are already straight up on display … with some famous landmarks already being voted for … as our most popular!

In Maths we shall be starting a new unit on multiplication and division (although this is quite a lengthy one … and may take several weeks); alongside our daily sessions of Mastering Number to re-look, once again, at how 'teens' numbers are '10 and a bit'.

Thank you to those that have also sent in ‘indoor shoes’ for the Highflyer classroom last week; we certainly needed them in our quest to try our hardest to keep the classroom dry and clean ;) MANY, MANY thanks – and they are a real game-changer on the ‘evening smiles front’ from our terrific cleaners!

Wishing you all a lovely week – as it has the potential to be a really great one for Highflyers! 

With very best wishes – as always,

Mrs Winters and the ever-fabulous H/F ‘Team’