cambridge primary Tag

The Year 5’s started off the year excited and ready to learn. After enthusiastically greeting old friends and welcoming new ones, we got down to the business of learning.

One of the fantastic things about Cambridge learning is that it is reflective. The students are actively engaged in their own learning, building knowledge rather than simply receiving it. The Year 5’s implemented this right from the start of their learning, starting a KWL chart about the topic we are covering this term – Space! A KWL chart makes notes of what we Know, what we Would like to know and what we have Learnt.

Did you know that Jupiter has 79 moons, but only 53 of them have names? Or that we currently know of about 100 billion galaxies in the universe? Jupiter is the planet that spins the fastest, and Mercury is very hot during the day and very cold at night. These are some of the interesting facts that we shared in our first Science lesson!

As we go through the term, we’ll keep adding what we learn to our chart, watching our knowledge build throughout the term. We’ll look at the questions we had at the beginning, and see whether they have been answered, or whether we still have more research to do. Who knows – perhaps this is where some budding astronauts start their flight!

We look forward to seeing all our students fly high this year!

Hannah Kirkaldy
Year 5 Teacher

The first day of year 1 is always very exciting, it is the beginning of the students formal schooling. The students arrived at school full of anticipation for the big day and the year ahead. This is what they want to learn about this year.

I want to learn to read books. – Keona
I want to learn about animals. – Wany
I want to learn about rainbows. – Juliana
I am excited to learn more Maths. – Tilda
I want to learn Maths. – Pearce
I want to learn to read books on my own. – Hayley
I want to learn about reading. – Ifunanya
I want to learn about pets. – Mataio
I want to learn harder sums. – Jaanae
I want to learn more Maths. – Eva
I want to learn about science. – Muhammad
I want to learn about growing up. – Neveah
I want to learn about my friends and my teacher. – Defne

I am confident that by the end of the year they will have learnt these things and so much more.

Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher

“Play, while we cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and valued participant.” – Patricia G. Ramsey

Even though it was a short week, the Year 2 teachers found it important for our students to wind down after a fun Term together in what has been a trying year.

They enjoyed teaming up from all three classes to get involved in relay races. The students ran their little hearts out with the biggest smiles on their faces. The fresh air created endorphins, which made them feel great. Challenging oneself in running and races helps build confidence in our abilities and what one can achieve, which helps us develop self-belief and happiness. It is unbelievable that the year has come to an end, I speak for all three Year 2 teachers when I say we could not be more proud of our students for getting through this year and still manage to keep a bright and positive attitude.

We look forward to watching you all grow in 2021.

Something to keep in mind this December Holiday is that, “Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls.” – Erin Kenny

Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher

These were the first words the students heard me say in the German classroom in Term 4 to welcome them all back to school, online (live streamed) and in the classroom.“Be cool-gnome matter what!”

These are the words from the very cool looking garden gnome from Germany. The ‘Gartenzwerg’, in German is a very popular figure in gardens all over Germany, this all the students discovered in Term 2 in the ‘Das ist Deutsch!= That is German!’ online videos. The ceramic version of the garden gnomes are believed to have originated in Germany and are very much part of the German culture.

Last week Friday, our KS1 year groups held their annual Prize-giving & Awards Ceremony. Given the circumstances of this being a tough year, we felt it even more necessary that the students be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. We organised a live virtual ceremony, making sure that each student would have their moment and that all parents could be involved.

Students around the world faced a year they had never quite experienced before. Making a transition from everyday classroom activities to home learning, and online class has not been easy, but we are so proud of each and every one of you for making it through and better yet, excelling.

Seeing the progress from when we received our students in the beginning of the year to now, is incredible.

Prize-giving this year was that little bit more special, watching our students stay involved, keep a great working attitude and participate with enthusiasm – they absolutely deserve to be rewarded.

Siobhan Hendry
Key Stage 1 Teacher

This morning at the Key Stage 2 Prize-giving ceremonies, we celebrated our students’ 2020 academic achievements.

As I watched the students celebrate their progress this year, something that really struck me was the adaptability and resilience of both our students and our school. In keeping with Covid regulations, both ceremonies were live streamed on Facebook. I suspect that if at last year’s Prize-giving, someone had told us that we would be broadcasting the next one to parents at home and at work, all the way across the city, we would have been very sceptical – but here we are!

Our students have achieved amazing results this year, and they have done so while adapting to online learning, face masks, social distancing, and so much more. Their achievements, always something to be celebrated, invite particular respect given the challenges they have faced.

Today, we took the time to celebrate our Prize-giving recipients’ achievements. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate each and every student in this school. You have been amazing this year – you can all be so proud of yourselves!

To our Prize-giving recipients: well done! We are so proud of you! Congratulations on your amazing achievements – I hope they inspire all of us to keep working hard next year!

Hannah Kirkaldy
Key Stage 2 Teacher

I want to see Egypt and raft down the Nile.

I want to see all of their stones in a pile.

I’ll meet an old Pharaoh and wear his cool hat

Or eat with the woman who knew the first cat.

But while I wait (since it might be a while)

I’ll dress my dog up in that white mummy style (by Steve Hanson)

And that is exactly what our Year 3’s did and boy did they dress up to the nines!  After weeks of learning all about the history, geographical features, Egyptian society, pharaohs and pyramids, it was finally time to hold our iconic Egypt Day!  We were graced by the presence of pharaohs, queens and even a few mummies.

Our day kicked off with an Egyptian Best Dressed Fashion Show.  The students strutted their outfits to the tune of ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ and our esteemed judges chose the three best dressed Egyptians.

PHOTO: (Left to Right) Alistair Mouton, Breanna Leonard, Mia Govender

After all that hard work it was time to eat. Each student was supplied with a specialised food box and feasted on a selection of middle eastern/Egyptian cuisine.  There were dates, falafel balls, mini pitas, humus, grapes and a juice to quench their thirst. YUM!

Once our Egyptians were satiated it was time to do some belly dancing with Nadia from the School of Belly Dance. Suffice it to say, that we DO have some VERY talented male belly dancers!

PHOTO: (Left to Right) Oliver Smith, Wesley Silva, Joshua Munsamy, Alie Ibrahim Zaki and Sehan Singh

The day ended with the Year 3’s finally settling down to watch the iconic movie, Prince of Egypt. A fabulous day was had by all and we had some exhausted Egyptians making their way home!

Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher

In History and Geography this term, the Year 3’s have been learning about the Ancient Egyptians and their country. This has been a thoroughly exciting topic to learn about and one that the students have embraced with great enthusiasm.

This past week, the Year 3 students had the opportunity to make their own mummy by drawing the outline of one and using their cold glue skilfully in creating its bandages.  After this, the students learned about the many steps to the mummification process and included these steps beneath their mummy creation.

Even though this activity got quite messy, much enjoyment was derived from it!

Alexia Holmes
Year 3 Teacher

An important part of science is collecting and recording data. The Year 1 students are learning about Sound and Hearing. During this theme they have learnt to recognise sources of sounds.

Armed with Ipads, the students went out onto the playground to photograph different sources of sound. When they had collected their data they shared the photos with their peers, explaining the source of the sound. The students then recorded their observations, by drawing the sources of sound they had photographed.

When students learn to record and report on data collected, it helps them make sense of what they have observed, thus giving them greater insight into the topics we cover.

All in all our little scientists had so much fun exploring and reporting their findings, we look forward to doing this again soon.

Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher