This week we have had a big DT focus, we have finally voted and decided on our next project. We are going to be creating Moving Monsters, these will move via pneumatics. We have been researching machines which use pneumatics and exploring how this is a benefit.

In literacy we have been looking at clauses and sentences, exploring the difference and how conjunctions can connective these together. Pupils have highlighted their model text to show us their understanding. 
 

We continue to read our beloved Snow-Walkers Son, we are nearing the end and a big battle is about to happen. We are all really invested in all the characters. 
 

Red Nose Day was great fun. Pupils looked just as red as usual, but we spent time in the afternoon looking into the history of Red Nose Day. Children then spent time designing their own red noses. 

This week has been a quieter week than last week and oh it was needed. We have been exploring our new model text. It’s called The ‘Tidy-Your-Bedroom’ Machine, we analysed the text looking at the features such as rhetorical questions. We then pretended to be on the tv and wrote interview questions for our friends to answers pretending they were the inventor.

we started our PSHE unit, looking at the people she keep us safe. We looked at key features of who these people are and what they do. This unit will progress to look at keeping safe online. 
 

We are continuing to read our class text, The Snow-walkers Son. Written in 1993, it’s an epic adventure story full of twists and turns, filled with sorcery. We have all been left hanging on the edge of our chairs reading this, gasping in shock and groaning in despair. It’s mislead us so many times, we really can’t predict the ending. How this hasn’t been made into a movie yet, I’ll never know! 

This week has been a week of fun! It was the week of World Book Day! This year we focused dressing as a word, we had some really brilliant word choices. As a class discussed synonyms and how two people dressed the same could have similar but different words. 

During the day pupils completed a shared book reading with other students from their house team, a book cover design and their favourite - a drawing session with author and  illustrator Rob Biddulph. He was brilliant fun their creations were fantastic. 

We have continued to read The Snow Walkers Son, we have finally arrived Thrasirshall, Jessa and Thorkil are now about to search for Kari. We are very excited to find out how much of monster Kari is. It has been a story full of wonderful twists. 

It's only week one of the term but we've started it off with lots of new experiences. This week, both Savernake and Stonehenge joined by both author brothers of 'The Brothers McLeod' of for an online session. During this session they were read to and taught how to draw some illustrations. They discussed their book 'Knight Sir Louis'. It was a fantastic session with live Q and A. Here is a link with a demo from one of the brothers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VxmFywdPIY

We have continued to complete our unfinished Science unit, looking at sound. Pupils have had to test materials to block out a high frequency tone and test which is the best and worst material. They have explored what amplitude, volume and pitch mean. They explored by flicking rulers how vibrations create sound and how changing a vibration will sound the sounds volume, pitch and frequency. 

The Year 4's have started their violin sessions, they were mostly all very excited to get back to reading sheet music and revising skills from last year. 

This week has been very exciting week. Some children from year three and four went to perform a dance show at Dauntsey School. They were joined by year five and year six and performed in front of hundreds of people. They all did amazing, and we are so proud of them. 
 

This week children finished off the history unit, looking at the Anglo-Saxons. They have loved this unit and finished off by creating some wonderful double page spreads and also some amazing presentations. 

In Science, we have been looking at sound. We started by looking at the ear as an organ, we explored how delicate the air is, and what we should do to look after it. We discussed key words such as frequencies, vacuum, Soundwave, vibration and amplitude.

We even snuck in some time to create some wonderful valentines cards, which I hope will be shared with people that they love (and not left stuffed into the bottom of their bags). 
 

Have a wonderful half tee,, please see Class Dojo for their half term reading challenge.

This week has seen pupils working extra hard on their music, it’s their final week at f lessons before they present their musical talent to you all at Fabulous Finish. 
 

In French, we have continued to look at conversations, pupils have been having a go at greeting, asking a question and saying goodbye. Ask them to show you, they’re fab.

In literacy, pupils have been trying really hard to gain their Pen License. They have completed their final write of their version of The Egyptian Cinderella. They have all worked so hard.  

This week, has seen us celebrating Chinese New Year. Pupils created wonderful presentations, showing us all that they had researched about Chinese New Year. We looked at two different families, one in China, and one in England and compare the differences between the celebrations. We even had Mrs Leach, in who came to speak about the Chinese community in Liverpool, pupils was shocked to hear that when Mrs Leach was younger, Chinese residents, would throw coins on the floor for the English children to collect. We created Chinese fortunetellers, and created Chinese art. 
 

We have continued to read The Snow Walkers Son, it’s a thrilling text and we really are hooked. We’ve had a big handwriting focus this week, we’ve used extracts from this text to practice her writing with. Pupils are trying to earn the pen license, we’ve seen a great improvement in just a few days. 
 

In Literacy, pupils were completing their shared writes, from their Talk 4 Writing model text. They used the original, class shared story to feed into their own ideas. Over the last five days they have written their own 5 paragraphs, to compete their version. 

This week was a little different, Mrs Clark worked Thursday and taught PSHE in the morning. We have a wonderful visitor from Equa Mead who came to see our 'Personal Development' curriculum, she spoke with some children from Stonehenge and discussed all about our British Values, School Values and our Protected Characteristics.

In PSHE, Savernake have continued looking at keeping themselves safe. This week, they explored a healthy lifestyle, keeping their bodies healthy - from the foods they eat, to medication and exercise. They spoke really well about things which would not be good in excess such as being online, junk food and lack of sleep. 

In Art, they continue their Still Life unit. This week they explored creating 3D models and looked at shadows of items when drawing in 2D. Some pupils, relished the opportunity to add details and fine lines. 

We continue to be the quickest TTRockstar schools in the local area. On average our pupils answer a question 2.40 seconds. I am so proud of the effort they have put in to learn their multiplications. Many children are now logging into BoomRead and logging their own reading. If your child is not, please please please, ensure you are logging it for them. It is essential that all children read at least 4 times a week. This week, only 4 pupils did not complete their Purple Mash home learning task, this is always shared and modelled in class so is familiar to all pupils. 

We have just started reading The Snow Walkers Son, it an oldie but we hope a goldie. So far we are hooked and can't wait to find out what happens next. Please ask your child to give you regular updates, they will read this book with Mrs Young on Monday, Thursday and Friday. 

This week has felt much slower than last week's crazy snow days. We have been working with pupils to become more independent at logging their BoomReader reads and using the functions such as buying trading cards, editing their Boomers and leaving book reviews. It’s such a brilliant app and really does foster the joy of reading whilst celebrating their reading by awarding gems. Please ensure you are logging the reading you do with your child in addition to the reading they log at school.

In PE, the focus has been yoga, at first pupils were reluctant as they enjoy team sports but after showing them the benefits of yoga and they were soon converted. They have been exploring stretches and how yoga poses are used help with balance, strength and flexibility.

In History, the new unit for Anglo Saxons, has been launched, exploring the big questions “Who were the Anglo Saxons and how do we know what was important to them?”.

In PSHE, we have been working through how to manage risk and explain risky situations. We had a session to understand the term “influence” that could change behaviour and decisions, where we looked at ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ online posts, we discuss how unsafe posts often showed too much personal information, either in the image (such as a school logo) or in the caption such as saying you were off on holiday, and therefore the house would be left empty.

Sadly, music was cancelled this week so instead we spent extra time on MFL, exploring their French vocabulary for fruits and vegetables.

In Art, we have started our new unit for Still Life, the children are really enjoying it so far. They have explored: 

• That still life has been a genre for many hundreds of years, and is it still relevant today.

• That when artists work with still life, they bring their own comments and meaning to the objects they portray.

A wonderful first week back, how could it now be when we had snow! A wonderful snow day, outside enjoying the sunshine whilst making a few sneaky snowballs. 
 

In literacy, we launched the new topic which is all about Rhodopis: the Egyptian Cinderella. Pupils loved dressing up and the becoming the characters. We have explored the text, creating a story map. 

we started our PSHE, we have started our new unit. We have explored how we feel in certain situations. We discussed the feeling and act of being dared, what we could and should do in this situation. 
 

We also started our ICT unit, which is all about coding. Pupils were tasked to create letters and shapes using only code. Some were successful but for some it was a challenge. 

Christmas is finally here! It’s been a super busy from start to finish. Pupils had their last Forest School lesson, they were tasked with the winter lock down. Tiding, cleaning and pack away to keep to safe for next term. 
 

On Tuesday, pupils completed a spelling bee and a multiplication be they all had great fun. I was so brave to get up on stage entire school. For Year 4, Bernie won the spelling bee and Aria won the multiplication bee. For Year 3, Ivy won the spelling bee and Lenny won the multiplication bee. In the afternoon, we had a lovely service lead by the Year six children. 
 

On Wednesday, we went to the Wyvern pantomime. It was amazing! We watched Cinderella and it was the best shall we all ever seen!

On Thursday, we had our class party it was so much fun lots of dancing lots of games and lots of yummy yummy food. 
 

On Friday, we completed our DT project. All children created their own lamps, tested them out and put them on display. They were incredible. 

Christmas has officially arrived! The tree is up, Christmas dinner has been eaten and the Christmas play completed. It’s been a festive week, with Christmas jumpers and festive headwear. 
 

In Forest school, pupils have been creating wooden discs, to turn into Christmas tree decorations. We followed a theme, but I’ll keep it a secret, please come along to the church and vote for us. All the school have produced a decoration to be added to the tree. 
 

We have been exploring electricity, looking at how to create a circuit, how to keep safe with electricity. We had lots of exploring and the children thoroughly enjoyed all the sessions learning new skills. 

The class are already excited for next week, with a Christmas party and the panto. It’s nearly Christmas! 

This week has been a little quieter, it's assessment week. Pupils have been spending time showing what they know and what their target areas are. I will be updating their ZPD Book Level on BoomReader soon, so keep an eye out. 

We have joined KS1 for their play rehearsal, we are so proud of them, so many confident characters. Savernake are the choir and have been singing with enthusiasm, I hope are you able to watch the performances next week. 

In Forest School, it was a quiet session as half the class were at Dauntsey. They spent their session creating wooden disc Christmas decorations to decorate our St Barnabas Christmas tree, it will be displayed at St Barnabas Church, Easterton on the 14^thand 15^th December 10-4pm for the Christmas Tree Festival. Please come vote and take part, they will have refreshments and a raffle, a wonderful local Christmas event.

Some of Savernake attended Dauntsey School for their performance of a Snowman. We are so proud of all pupils, they did us proud. They sung with passion and confident. It was a great event, and one which is such a great opportunity.

In PSHE, we have looked at our bodies and how to keep ourselves safe. We looked different touches, to identify which is friendly, care, accidental, personal space, hurtful or inappropriate. We have explored the PANTS rule and discussed who is a trusted adult.

When I say busy week, I really mean a busy. As well as our learning, maths, literacy, science we’ve also had several learning treats. Our letters to Pointe Serene Primary made it there safely, hand delivered by a friend of St Barnabas. We received videos and images of them receiving and reading our letters. All children were so proud to see their letters being received with such big smiles on the children’s faces. 
 

we also had a visitor who led Judaism was a workshop. Ruth told us all about her life as a jewish person and shared with us lots of artefacts. The children were so excited to be able to handle all of the artefacts and try on some wonderful pieces. Our workshop was about Hanukkah when children were able to consolidate prior learning and ask Ruth some really insightful questions. 
 

To launch our new science unit about batteries and electricity, we set up a science experiment with the button battery. We placed the button battery between a piece of ham to watch how the battery would burn through the flesh of the ham, all children were shocked to see the damage would cause and a danger that button batteries pose children if they swallow them.

We even had a special visitor by the name of Dave, the tortoise. All the children were so eager to hold and touch Dave, he was not shy at all. It was lovely to see all the smiles. 
 

This week has a week of new experiences and triumphs for Savernake. We have finally sent off our letters to our (hopefully) new pen pals. We have created a link with a primary school in Senegal called Pointe Serene. All pupils wrote an individual letters, asking about their life and experiences but also telling them about their own. 

Year 4 pupils had the opportunity to attend a workshop on the 'I Can & I Am' bus. The bus is operated by a team at the Bath based charity I Can & I Am which visits schools to deliver vital messages to pupils and staff about how to maintain good mental health and improve self-esteem. They all loved the session, they even made pizza. 

We were so proud of all the children who signed up for the Poetry Slam, they were so brave to perform their chosen poem in front of the entire school. The school then voted for their favourite, I’m proud to announce it was two pupils from Savernake Class! They will be performing their poem as a duet on Wednesday at DAPS school.

Last week all of KS2 took part in England Rocks on TT Rockstars, we did so well and it was a great opportunity for some of our more reluctant Rockstars to take part and enjoy the culture of TT Rockstars. Savernake even beat Stonehenge and the top three players in KS2 were all from Savernake class and even included a Year 3 pupil!

This week in literacy pupils have explored speech, they have investigated different words for said, said was dead. They explored texts to find interesting and unusual words to use within their writing. 
 

Violin lessons continue for Year 3 pupils, they have now progressed onto reading music notes and have even started their first Christmas song. Mrs Flowers is also supporting those pupils who want to take part in the Dauntsey’s Symphony. Orchestra. Together they have rehearsed The Snowman song whilst she plays on the violin.

On Tuesday, all of Key Stage Two watched the final dress rehearsal of High School Musical. It was an amazing experience for all, and they were truly mesmerised by the performance. We were so proud to see some siblings on stage and gave them a wave.

in PE, Savernake I’ve been focusing on balancing through gymnastics. They have used all the large apparatus to travel around an obstacle course. Also been thoroughly enjoying the forest school experience with Miss Woods, It’s been a joy to see their smiling faces comeback from the session each week.

Wow, such a busy first week back! In literacy pupils have explored our new Talk 4 Writing text, Little Red. They fully immersed themselves into the story by becoming the characters, they dressed up in costumes, and used the model text to feed their conversations. 
 

In music, the Year 4 pupils continue to develop their glockenspiel skills, they have grown in confidence whilst still having fun. The Year 3 pupils are continuing this term with their violin lessons, they have welcomed the challenge with great enthusiasm.

We spent time looking at Remembrance Day, we discussed different Poppies and pupil’s shared their own experiences as a military child. We began building our class wreath ready for Monday. 

Wow, now what a busy week we have had. We have completed our Geography unit, which was titled ‘Beyond the magic Kingdom’. Pupils have been learning about Florida and investigating how the Sunshine state is different to Market Lavington. They have explored hurricanes, looking at speeds and how residents stay safe. 
 

In music, the Year 3 pupils have been using the violin. They are now using the bow and have begun reading ,using, they are all very excited for their sessions. Year 4 pupils have been learning Mama Mia on the glockenspiel and percussion. 
 

On Wednesday, we had a surprise visits from an artist from Dauntsey School. She came and taught all pupils how to do their own printing image. They designed an image into a sheet of foam, and used a roller covered in black ink to print their image onto paper.

On Thursday, we had a non-uniform day, we had some wonderful fancy dress, everyone was able to show their unique personalities. 

This week Savernake became scientists! They were looking magnets and forces, investigating the strength of a magnet. They were able to find out that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance. They were able to observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others. They even compared and grouped together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials.

This week in swimming, I was very pleased with how all children swam, they are growing in confidence every session. For most children, they are learning about pool safety, safe entry and basic survival skills. Pupils, have made great progress and many of the children are now moving away from arm bands and relying on a woggle instead. 

In literacy, pupils have now completed their Talk 4 Writing unit, a portal story called Elf Road was their inspiration. All pupils have worked incredibly hard and we are so proud of how they have all worked to show us their best.