Newsletters

Newsletter - Friday 14th January 2022

Dear Parents,

We began this week with a visit from The Astronomy Dome, who took Years 5 and 6 on an amazing trip around the solar system and into the stars beyond.   On Wednesday we celebrated Mass with Father Kevin, led by Year 6.  The theme was Celebrating Families, especially the Holy Family. Year 6 shared some beautiful pieces of art, readings and music in the Mass - a special mention to Devam for his outstanding solo, and Hailee (Yr 5) and Kaiden (Yr 4) who accompanied on cello and violin. A wonderful start to the term. Please follow the link to hear one of the hymns by Year 6.


Headteacher's Challenge

Thank you to all the children who took part in the Advent Head’s Challenge. Pupils had to persuade Mrs Verma to travel back to a period in time, and we had some wonderfully persuasive letters!

Shubhay K - Winner

Aurush G - Winner

Dea R – Outstanding presentation and creativity.

All the entries are now on display in the Upper Gallery.


STEAM (Science Technology Egineering Arts Maths)

Year 4 have been our STEAM trailblazers this term by holding a class competition in Enrichment. The children used cocktail sticks and raisins to create the tallest tower they could possibly make. We can't wait to see what other exciting projects they embark on next.


Early Years Playground

Our Early Years' playground has been finished, and the children have been making the most of the new astroturf.


La Journée Des Rois

In French, the children learnt about how we celebrate Epiphany in France. They made a crown and were taught how to make a “galette” that they can do over the weekend.


Spotlight On Success

Congratulations to Hailee in Year 5 who has just been offered a place as a cellist in the National Children's Orchestras Of Great Britain 2022 following an audition last November.  Hailee, who has been playing the cello for three years, will be joining NCO next month. Well done Hailee, such a fantastic achievement!


Celebrating Success

Congratulations to Jasmine in Year 3 for completing a Winter reading challenge. Well done Jasmine. Congratulations to our musicians; Rhia in Yr 5 was awarded Grade 2 piano with merit, Arjun in Yr 5 was awarded Grade 5 in Piano with merit and Anisha in Year 6 was awarded Grade 1 in Music Theory with distinction.

Reminders and dates for your diary:

Music theory club

There are a few spaces still available this term to join music theory club on Wednesday lunchtimes in the music room – Year 1 and 2   1 – 1.30pm and Year 4 – 6, 1 – 1.45pm. This free club teaches pupils how to read and write music notes and rhythms, and can help learning to play all musical instruments.  Music theory exams can be taken and learning music notation will increase the level of skill in instrumental lessons. For more details or to register for the club, please contact Ms Johnson.

Instrumental lessons vacancies this term

Drum lessons
Monday 3.30 – 4pm -- Years 2 – 6 only
Tuesday 3 – 3.30pm -- Year 6 (Remove C only)

Piano or violin lessons
Tuesday 9.30 – 10am -- Year 1 (Prep H only) 

Piano or flute/recorder lessons
Thursday 9.30 – 10am -- Year 1 (Prep G only)

Please note – Pupils will not be charged for homework club if waiting for music lessons and receive a drink and snack at the end of the school day.

If you would like your son or daughter to begin drum lessons next term please complete and return the Instrumental lesson letter that can be found on the parentportal section of the school website. Please return the letter to reception electronically or print off and send into school.


Year 1 Go Down Under

Year 1 have enjoyed learning about Australian animals linked to our class reader ‘Wombat goes walkabout’. They have enjoyed experimenting with a range of adjectives within their writing. We have extended our vocabulary by using the words dappled and devastated. We have enjoyed learning about special people in our lives and Mrs Gabb gave a very interesting talk about her role as a beaver leader, within the Scout movement. The children enjoyed meeting Father Kevin when he visited the school this week.


Science experiments

Year 4 have been investigating the properties of solids and liquids and non-newtonian liquids, their observations confounded their expectations.


Wow Work

The children in Year 4 have been inspired by graphic novel Float to produce same incredible sentence stacking this week. We've shared some examples below. Well done Year 4.

Turn by turn, fold by fold, tuck by tuck. Just within the hour, the white paper boat was created.

Jovially and jubilantly, the boy quickly dressed and pelted outside and stood on the steps.

As he peered out, the boy noticed the sky was graphite-grey. Sprinting along the pavement, the boy visualised where his boat would venture to.

The fence stretched out like waves – rippling, rolling and roaring.

 

Fold by fold, tuck by tuck, press by press. Fortunately, just before twilight the boat was finished.

Over the moon and on cloud nine, the proud little boy dressed rapidly, darted outside and stood on the steps.

As he looked out, he noticed the sky was ash-grey. Whizzing across the uneven pavement, the boy who was full of pride wondered where his colourful paper boat would end up. 

The rickety fence stretched out like waves – fierce, raging, exploding.


Sports News

Football

This week both our boys and girls Under 11 football teams kicked off the term with fixtures against Caldicott and Dair House respectively. It was a great start to the season with all 4 of the teams winning their matches. Well done to all the players for their outstanding contributions on the pitches and a special congratulations to Arjun, Joran, Abeni and Marley for being nominated as MVPs for their teams.

Swimming

On Thursday our Year 3s were delighted to return to the swimming pool to participate in swimming sessions. The children were all very confident as they took to the water, demonstrating the skills that were taught. Keep up the good work children!


Mrs Verma's Big Ideas for Curious Minds

As a school we love to stretch and challenge our children, to enrich their education beyond the curriculum. Every week I will be sharing with you some discussion topics, new vocabulary, Maths riddles and book recommendations, that will infect our children with a love of learning. These will all be posted in the Parent Portal section of our website as well. 

Word of the week - Apricate (verb)

From the Latin term, apricus, apricate means to bask in the sunshine. 

 "On a cold morning, dreams of apricating on a beach seem far away."

The World This Week - Indonesia

Indonesia is a country in Asia, near Malaysia. It is in the news this week because there were only 3200 tigers left in the wild in 2010 and the 12-year project aiming to double this number is due to end this year. Indonesia is one of the few countries in the world to have wild tigers.

Calling All Book Worms - Children's Classics

The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr - This book about a tiger who visits a little girl, Sophie, and her mother and eats all the food and drink in the house has long been a popular favourite with younger readers. It is now also a play, so look out for tickets if your children enjoy the story.

Charlotte's Web by EB White - A wonderful book about the value of friendship and the power of love. It is as popular with adults and children and has been adapted as a film too.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorgian - A beautiful book set at the time of WWII about a young boy evacuated to be cared for by a gruff old man. This moving story is a lovely tale of finding love where you may least expect it.

Sunday is World Religion Day. As a Catholic school with families of different faiths, this is an especially poignant day for us. At St Bernard's Prep we value the diversity of our community and celebrate our similarities.  

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Verma