Thank you all so much for your kind donations in Lenten boxes for CAFOD and thank you children for all those tasks you did to earn the money.What a beautiful and poignant week it has been throughout school. It has been so painful at times, as children have been sorrowful and reflective when thinking about the agonising events of Holy week. Our class assembly showed their maturity to understand the fear, abandonment, betrayal and agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. On Wednesday children wrote about their reflections and feelings towards the crucifixion. There was a mixture of deep sorrow, frustration and gratefulness for what Jesus did for us. Also, children wrote questions they wanted to ask about it. I read their work on Wednesday night and felt tearful myself at the depth of children’s emotion towards and understanding of Good Friday’s events. Today they were asked to do reflections of a different nature, about the hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings.

As we get to the final term, we are encouraging children to strive to be independent and believe in their own ideas when writing. The above tasks really helped them to see that their best is good enough and that there is not one right answer to things. In English this week, children have been writing our story learned in class, “Brer Fox and the White Plums,’ to see if they can use all the year 4 writing skills when they compose. A lot of learning is ‘mind over matter,’ and just taking the plunge to go for it! We are developing our resilience and stamina to keep going when things are tricky - to stand us in good stead for life’s challenges.

In Science we have learned all about fossil formation this week and also enjoyed sifting through soil with our plastic gloves to see exactly what it was made out of. After the holidays, we will go on a trip to the beach via St Annes, looking out for rocks, erosion, fossils and collecting rocks to bring back to school and test.

We had a treat today when the Easter bunny had hidden eggs all over our garden for each child in school. The excitement of the hunt was lovely!

Conversation starters

We learned about the Earth’s tectonic plates in Geography this week by taking the ‘lid’ off a crunch cream biscuit and seeing what happened when 2 plates rub together/converge. This taught children about the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes. See if they can explain it to you. Why not look up the ‘Tectonic plates - Ring of Fire,’ and find out why it gets its name.

Let’s Celebrate!

Each half term the class are asked to vote for the certificate winners. Mrs Gregan asked children to focus this half term on learners who were reflective. The class picked Matilda for how hard she tries and how she is always seeking to improve, listening well to feedback. They picked Tommy because he inspired them in Shakespeare by learning so many lines. He always tries to get better. He is a good listener and a kind friend. They also picked William because he is so enthusiastic and does not give up. They said he listens to advice and improves every day!

Loving and Compassionate butterflies

This half term, our virtues are ‘Loving and Compassionate.’ This week our butterfly go to Grace for always showing such respect for others and such love for her peers. Grace - you are full of grace!

Music Stars: Joseph, Tilly, Lily and William

PE stars this week go to Louis and John-Paul for some super sling throwing!

GOING GREEN! This week, these children have been awarded their going green certificate for having completely green heatmaps - meaning they have mastered their times tables!

Finley, Logan and Toby

Well done! This is through sheer hard work and practice!

Notices

No swimming after the holidays. However, inside PE will be on a Thursday each week so children will need shorts under their tracksuits. Wednesday is outside PE.

Wednesday 10th April 9:10am Children will do another performance of their Romeo and Juliet in our school hall for anyone to come and see.

Thursday 11th April We are going on a trip to the beach in the morning and having lunch there. I have sent a text if your child is normally a hot dinner and has said you will prepare them a packed lunch. Please could children bring in £2 for an ice-cream and a plastic bag to carry their rocks back to school.

Have a lovely Easter with your little chicks!

Mrs Lyons , Mrs Ely, Miss Hennessey and Mrs Carter