Newsletter – Friday 13th March 2020

Newsletters and Curriculum Topic Letters Under the parent section of the website you can find the latest newsletter and newsletters from this academic year. Also there you will find the Spring curriculum topic letters. These letters inform parents of the subject knowledge and skills that are taught over the Spring Term and ways families can further support their child/children’s learning at home. Nursery Open Afternoon, Wednesday 11th March Thank you to all the families who attended our Nursery Open Afternoon and were able to see our Nursery learning environment up close. A visit clearly enjoyed by our visitors and even some of a certain age didn’t want to leave. Y6 Readers Thank you to the Year 6 pupils who lead the liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sunday 8th March. Our Year 6 pupils read confidently and eloquently, which was commented on by many parishioners. CAFOD helping people stand up for their rights A reminder that on Wednesday March 18th in conjunction with CAFOD’s Lenten theme ‘What is your Goal?’ we are going to hold a ‘wear your sports kit to school day’ fundraiser. Any sporting kit or sporting colours from the UK or worldwide, will be appropriate. We suggest a gold coin donation per family and please do not purchase any new items for this day.

Forest School Science Presentations

In conjunction with our whole school science day on Tuesday 17th March 2020 Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 have been invited to free science presentations at Forest School. These presentations are taking place during the normal school day and lunch is eaten at school as usual. As pupils will be walking to and from Forest School, therefore, it is essential that they are wearing a warm and waterproof coat. Year 3 and Year 6 have already been to see their science presentations, do read about their learning below. Year 4 are going this afternoon to view the ‘Do Science’ presentation and Year 5 will view ‘As If By Magic’ on Tuesday 24th March (1:20pm to 2:30pm).

Year 6 Science Forest Visit (Science knowledge and skills) On Tuesday, Year 6 attended “The Ugly Animal Roadshow” presented by Ready, Steady Science at Forest School. Through an interactive presentation they learnt a range of facts about unusual animals and how they have successfully adapted to their environment which has created “ugly” appearances. Some of our pupils joined in by pretending to be a dung beetle, playing ‘Frog or Fake’ and one was lucky enough to dress up as will.i.am to judge a quick art competition!

Upcoming Events (Please also refer to the school calendar, top right on our website.)

Date Event/Year Group

Friday 13th March Year 4 ‘Do Science’ Science Workshop at Forest School

Tuesday 17th March

Science Day at OLOL: Assembly by Wonderstruck Company for Year 1 to Year 3 and also for Year 4 to Year 6 A separate Year 5 and Year 6 Rocket Workshop

Reception visit to Bedford Park (Science knowledge and skills)

Wednesday 18th March ‘Wear your sports kit to school day’ CAFOD Fundraiser

Year 3 Barclays Code Playground Visit

Friday 20th March 9:05am – 3C Class Assembly

Monday 23rd March Year 2 visit to MuRFy’s World Recycling Centre (Science link with everyday materials)

Friday 27th March 9:05am – RFT Class Assembly Year 5 visit to LEGOLAND – Robotics Workshop

Amazing facts were learnt about a range of animals, such as the gastric-brooding frog which gives birth to live young through its mouth and the giant Chinese salamander that can breathe through its skin! However, the main theme of this workshop was what we need to do to help these unusual creatures. We learnt that 99% of all species that have ever lived have died out and the speed of extinction is currently between 1000 and 10,000 times quicker than it should naturally be; 250 different species becoming extinct every day. It definitely got Year 6 thinking about what they can do! If you would like to find out more information or look at the many available home activities please go to https://www.uglyanimalsoc.com/

Year 3 Science Forest Visit (Science knowledge and skills) Year 3 also attended a lower key stage 2 presentation of “The Ugly Animal Roadshow”. Back at school the pupils

researched and investigated some of the unique animals they learnt about.

The key message generated from the Year 3’s research was just how many of these animals need our help and

protection!

Caoimhe investigated the Proboscis Monkey which is one of the largest species of monkey native

to Asia. “It has the longest nose out of all the monkeys. It is also an endangered species”. Olivia

researched the Pink Velvet Worm, “They squirt slime to trap

their prey. Although it is a pretty colour, the Pink Velvet worm is

a critically endangered species and this is due to habitat loss.”

Theodore found a very unattractive fish called The Lamprey Eel, “It is very interesting

because even though some are only 13cm, they will attach themselves to whales and

suck their blood!”.

Fergus investigated the Naked Mole-Rat. “At birth, a mole-rat pup weighs less than a

penny”. Teresa and Julia researched the Blobfish, “They can only be found in Australia,

Tasmania and New Zealand”. Leo learned that the Giant Chinese Salamander “Is the world’s

largest amphibian and that it can breathe through its skin!”

Look who visited the Reception classes The Reception pupils have enjoyed having some extra special visitors in their classroom over the past two weeks! These new arrivals were linked to the Knowledge and Understanding of the Living World, specifically ‘Growing and Changing’. This has been an opportunity for our pupils to watch chicks hatch before their own eyes! They have observed, held (hands were washed well), drawn and written about the fluffy visitors. The pupils have learnt about the life-cycle, along with lots of other scientific facts. The incredibly caring nature of our pupils has been very evident during this experience and today we wish our visitors well as they return to their free range farm life.

Internet Safety Assembly – S.M.A.R.T Rules As part of our keeping pupils safe, the KS2 pupils

were reminded at this week’s assembly of the

S.M.A.R.T. rules when they are going online,

playing games and using apps.

Please do continue to monitor your child’s

activities online and be mindful of any age

restrictions.

Coronavirus We continue to monitor the risk on a real time basis and will take action as required, taking into account advice from the DfE, Local Authority and Public Health England. The school will also issue ParentMail updates when relevant information is received. Some children are now reporting that the skin on their hands has reacted to the soap being used in school. We can

assure you that the school has not changed the soap used. It is a branded bacterial hand-soap which is unperfumed

and gentle to skin. The advice is that, for some people, their skin is reacting to the increased washing and use of

soap, and recommends that a moisturiser be used on a regular basis. These are exceptional times, so if you wish to

put a moisturiser in your child/children’s bag for their use, this will be fine.

Do be reassured that each school visit is individually risk assessed, all risk factors are taken into account including: the nature of transport used, the type of visit and whether public places are visited. Therefore, we will inform Year 5 parents on Monday 16th March if the Year 5 visit to Legoland (Robotics Session) planned for Friday 27th March will go ahead or be postponed. A reminder of the helpline that has been set up to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff and parents can contact the helpline as follows: Department for Education Coronavirus Helpline Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

If a pupil, or anyone else in your household, is displaying any of the symptoms listed on the above websites, or is deemed to be at an increased risk based on the latest guidance (e.g. having recently visited a specific area), please contact the school by telephone before visiting the premises so that we may undertake a risk assessment.

Encouraging good hygiene As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to stop germs: always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin

the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel. wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if

soap and water are not available. avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

PTA News

Postponement of St. Patrick's Disco - Friday 13th March 2020 The PTA regret to inform you that due to a change on Coronavirus advice received by the school from Public Health England, the St Pat’s disco will unfortunately have to be postponed. We’re so sorry to disappoint on this occasion and hope that under the circumstances you’ll understand. Please reassure the children that we will reschedule the disco as soon as we’re able, for some time during the Summer term.

PTA News – Summer Ball The annual and extremely popular OLOL Summer Ball will take place

this year at the Wanstead Golf Club on 6th June 2020.

PTA News – Colouring in Competition Could your drawing be the next program cover winner? Winners!!! Watch this space the winners will be announced soon!

Have a safe, warm and restful weekend,

The School Staff