From thrilling explorations of the natural world to insightful discussions surrounding community support, we have been busy learning and growing in so many ways!
As part of Science Week, themed ‘Change and Adapt’, we had the pleasure of welcoming staff and students from The Bishop’s Stortford High School on Monday. Together, we embarked on an exciting challenge to search for various mini beasts in our school forest area. Armed with magnifying glasses and ‘pooters’—a fun little device used to gently suck up mini beasts into examination jars—we eagerly identified and examined each creature we found. This hands-on experience allowed us to truly appreciate the remarkable adaptations that enable these creatures to thrive in their habitats. Centipedes, worms, slugs and snails, woodlice were just some of the bugs we had fun studying. A huge thank you to the staff and students of The Bishop’s Stortford High School for joining us in this activity and helping us learn more about habitats and adaptations.
In our assembly this week, we welcomed a dedicated volunteer from the Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank. We were reminded of the importance of community and how our contributions support those in need. The volunteer expressed her gratitude for our donations so far and explained the operations of the Food Bank, shedding light on who benefits from its services. It was particularly interesting to learn about the significant increase in need due to the current cost of living crisis. Our weekly food collections, known as ‘Food Bank Fridays’, show our commitment to becoming a Silver accredited Rights Respecting School. We are certainly proud to see our community work in action, demonstrating how we can support local families in need. The next ‘Food Bank Friday’ for Willow Class is Friday 21st March when we will be collecting dried goods e.g. cereals, rice, pasta, noodles.
In our English lessons, we dived into the intriguing world of the subjunctive form. We had fun listening to songs by popular artists such as Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. We giggled as we noted the differences in usage; for instance, in Beyoncé’s song “If I Were a Boy”, she correctly makes use of the subjunctive with “if I were”, while Justin Bieber’s use of “If I was your…” prompted lively discussion. We then wrote letters to Justin Bieber, explaining the value of correctly using the subjunctive form. We are now on the lookout for examples of this grammatical structure in everyday language, eager to understand its role in expressing formality, advice and aspirations.
In our maths sessions, we tackled an assessment that truly tested our problem-solving skills. One particularly tricky question had us all in deep thought. It was time for break, yet a determined group of us remained in the classroom, refusing to give up until we found the solution. This determination highlights the resilience we foster here; it’s this perseverance that will undoubtedly serve us well in the future!
In PSHE, our discussions revolved around the value of items and their pricing. We explored the dilemma of what to do with £5—should we spend it or save it? This led to a rich conversation about various saving methods, from traditional piggy banks to modern savings accounts, and the advantages each option holds. Understanding money management is a vital skill, and it was fantastic to see the children engaging thoughtfully with this topic.
As we approach our upcoming cross-country tournament, Ms. Connolly has been dutifully training us, and it’s safe to say we’ve felt the effort! There were one or two sore limbs the following day, but we take our fitness seriously at Little Hadham Primary. From dragging tyres to engaging in aerobic exercises, we are certainly honing our skills to become impressive runners. A big thank you to Ms. Connolly for leading the way and setting the pace—training with you is always a pleasure!
Next Wednesday is our Learning Together Morning when we will share information about the upcoming SATs assessments for Year 6. We look forward to seeing you then.
Have a lovely weekend.