Term 2
Week 2
Our main focus this week was centred around our Christian Value Compassion which was particularly poignant in the lead up to Armistice day on Thursday.
In preparation, the children had watched the cbeebies Poppy animation video (see last week’s page), decorated poppies using a variety of materials, sewn a button onto a felt poppy, had discussions around the display in the curiosity box and listened to age appropriate stories so that they experienced a deeper understanding of why we wear the poppy and why we mark the day in the way we do (see below for book titles).
At 11.00 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month – we stopped what we were doing. We sat on the carpet and watched BBC One live. The children in Robins were silent, some had mouths open in awe of what they were seeing, the armed forces, the laying of poppy wreaths, the sense of silence and respect across the nation. It was a privilege to see such respect being shown in children so young.
Of course, the two minute silence was followed by 101 questions which is exactly the reaction we had hoped for. We tried to answer as many questions as possible but answering one question usually led to another 10 being asked.
During Show and Tell in the afternoon, we were honoured to have been able to share with the children some of the stories, photographs and special medals from World War 1 belonging to the great grandfather of one of the pupils in Robins. What an experience!
Later in the afternoon we joined the whole school outside for our school Remembrance service led by Rev. Miri. Again the children wore their own poppies which they had made as well as the knitted poppies (donated previously by Lesley Pace who very kindly donated enough poppies for every child in the school to wear). Each class contributed to the service through creativity, poetry and readings.
In the newsletter this week, there was a section with the heading ‘Equipment List Reminders’ – I must say that in Robins, we are pretty good at remembering all the right equipment on all the right days but it is always helpful to have a reminder. I will also put this on our main front page with te curriculum map so it is easy to find.
Reading Books, Reading Records and Blue books to be in school daily
(books will be changed every Tuesday)
Monday - PE kits and Trainers to be in school
Tuesday - Pantomimus Day - no equipment needed
Wednesday - Welly Walk Wednesday (wellies are left in school)
Thursday - Library books to be returned - Show and Tell items / videos
Friday - P.E. kits to come home
Also, if possible, please could you recycle / send in any plastic lids such as milk bottle tops / drink bottles tops etc – they are the most popular item at the junk modeling table and seem to be used up very quickly!