Together with our community, we can achieve extraordinary things.
Appleton Academy
Newsletter
Primary
Summer 1
Welcome
Welcome to our newsletter for this half term.
Firstly, I would like to say a huge well done to our Year 6 children who had a very successful SATs week. They were all incredibly resilient and tried their best with all the test papers.
The next half term will continue to be busy for all year groups as they work towards the end of the year. On the next page are key dates which identify when things are happening for primary. Any additional dates will be sent out to individual classes or by text. Please make sure we have the right contact details for you so that you receive the messages.
I hope you and your families have a restful and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing you all back after the half term.
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Key Dates
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Attendance at Appleton
We will be continuing our attendance challenge next half term. Please ensure that your child attends school daily so they are not missing out on school.
The “Ultimate” summer attendance challenge!
Challenge1:8th April to 24th May-7 weeks=34 school days
Challenge 2: 3rd June to 19th July- 7 weeks=35 school days
The challenge is in 2 parts on the dates above.
Attend school for a full 5 days to get 1 prize draw entry for £50 shopping vouchers each week.
Attend school for a full 10 days to get 1 prize draw entry for £100 shopping vouchers every fortnight.
100% attendance for the half term and get a prize draw entry for £150 shopping vouchers.
This means that next half term your child can earn:
•7 entries into the £50 prize draw
• 3 entries into the £100 draw
• 6 entries into the £150 draw
• 1 extra entry per week for no lates into the £50 draw!
This is in addition to the weekly attendance rewards in class
You will receive a text message each week to let you know if your child is on track to meet the attendance challenge. Together with our community, we achieve extraordinary things.
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EYFS
It has been all about growing in Early Years this half term! We have been revitalising our outdoor planting beds to ensure we are ready for the harvest later this year.
We have planted our own beanstalks as part of our work on Jack and the Beanstalk, and we had an exciting day of junk modelling to create our own castles and beanstalks for the giant.
The children were very excited to have visitors in class– our very own munching crunching caterpillars. We observed as they grew bigger and formed their chrysalis.
Early years is happy to announce that some of the caterpillars have now fully transformed into beautiful butterflies.
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Year 1
In our science topic this half term, Year 1 have been learning all about plants, how they grow and how to look after them. Each class was able to grow their own sunflower and look after it over the half term.
We even went on a wild plant hunt to find out what wild plants we had growing around school.
In our art topic, Year 1 have been creating art in the style of Georgia O'Keeffe.
We have created observational pictures of plants and flowers, making different patterns and textures using our pencils. We have also been learning about colour mixing to get the colours just right!
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Year 2
Year 2 have enjoyed exploring the seven continents of the world and the five oceans. They learnt songs, made jigsaws and performed a weather report using all the knowledge they had acquired throughout the topic.
As part of our maths work, Year 2 have been looking at statistics, creating our own tables and charts. We even went outside to collect and record our own data for the most popular coloured vehicles to drive through Wyke.
In DT the children have created their own lighthouse winding mechanisms linked to our English work on 'The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch'. They made a mock-up of a winding mechanism first before completing their final model.
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Year 3
Year 3 have enjoyed learning about the Anglo-Saxons and the lifecycle of a plant this half term. They have learnt about the different Gods through drama and songs. They have researched daily Anglo Saxon life, and wondered if they would like to live in Anglo Saxon times. They have also been scientists and investigated what is needed to make sure a plant can grow.
Year 3 have taken part in Bikeability; learning how to confidently ride their bikes.
Year 3 have enjoyed being able to dissect and find the different parts of a plant.
As part of their Spanish lessons, Year 3 have been learning the Spanish alphabet.
In art, the children have been looking at the artist, Batik. They have been looking at the patterns and how to create them.
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Year 4
Year 4 have been learning about teeth in science. They have explored the jobs of different teeth, how to look after them and the effects that a poor diet can have on their teeth.
Using an eggshell, we observed the effects that a range of liquids can have. We placed an eggshell into different liquids (orange juice, energy drink, cola, milk and water). You can see from the children's faces that they are amazed (and disgusted) by the results.
We had a fantastic Roman Day, where the children dressed up, tried Roman delicacies and created fabulous mosaics!
In history and English, we have been looking at the Romans and the Roman invasion of Britain and Boudicaa's rebellion!
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Year 5
Year 5 have been making shelters in preparation for our mountains topic in geography. We investigated the best shapes used to make the strongest structures capable of withstanding extreme weather.
We have enjoyed making computer games using our laptops this half term. We developed, tested and shared our ideas and then showcased them in front of the rest of the class. We tried hard to make them challenging and inventive, some proving too difficult for Mr Firth to complete.
5DF and 5JM enjoyed creating newspaper reports in our English lessons. We created eyewitness accounts and acted them out to bring our news stories to life!
This half term, 5JM have continued their outdoor education, practicing their archery skills. 5DF have continued swimming with some of us competing for our 100m distance swim!
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Year 6
Year 6 have been busy this half term with their SATs and in preparation for this – they even came into school on a Saturday. We are so incredibly proud of their resilience and perseverance this year and we had a lovely rewards day at the end of the week: we watched a film; designed posters for our bake sale; had a pizza party and then played quizzes as classes.
In our PE sessions we have taken part in a range of fun activities including rounders, climbing and team building challenges.
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Year 6
To end our incredibly busy half term in Year 6, we have all taken part in bike ability. The instructors were very impressed as we showed off our cycling skills.
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Discovering the Brontes Year 5 Project
Our artist and writer in residence, Chris Mould Nik Perring, joined a group of Year 5 children at Bronte Parsonage Museum.
We took part in a hands on history session, a moors walk and had a tour of the museum. The children will be working with Chris and Nik to produce some Bronte inspired art and writing.
Library news
Our new Creative Club takes place in the library after school on Mondays . The children are taking their turn to lead the sessions. So far the children have been learning how to do origami, make picture frames and pop up characters.
Chatterbooks club have enjoyed building their own worlds based on the picture book 'Lost'.
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Library news
The Wonky Donkey comes to Appleton
Parents and children from Early Years and Year 1 were invited to a special story time and craft session in the library. Thank you to those parents who managed to attend.
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Parental Involvement
My name is Emily Chesterman and I am the Parental Involvement Officer at Appleton Academy. Students whose parents are involved in school have better attendance, behaviour and social skills. Emily.chesterman@appletonacademy.co.uk
Thank you to those who attended the Wonky Donkey craft session this term. Please look out for more craft sessions coming up.
Useful information
Family Health Fair
Thursday 30th May 12pm-3pm
TFD Centre, Broadstone Way BD4 9BU
FREE event- Bouncy Castle, face painting and win a family bike!
Realise Training- The Skills Hub, Holme Centre BD4 0JE
DIY Gardening Course 28th May
Substance Misuse Level 1 4th June
SIA training (security/stewarding) 3rd June & 28th June
English online
Maths online
Please contact pocholo.barandiarealisetraining.com for more information on courses or visit www.realisetraining.com and register your interest.
If you would like to make any donations to the food bank, please bring them into school next term.
Thank you
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