December 2017 Issue 11

As we come to the end o‰ a really busy term, we are celebrating ‰antastic results ‰or our school . December saw the release o‰ Dudley Local Authority's league tables. We are

really proud o‰ our sta‰‰ and children who placed us 5th overall! Without a doubt, the results are underpinned by the school’s exciting curriculum and the hard work and

dedication o‰ our school community. This issue o‰ our Bugle, showcases just a taste o‰ some o‰ the exciting events and experiences our children have enjoyed during the

Autumn Term 2017...Enjoy!

This year’s Christmas Production of ‘Angel Express’

saw children from Foundation Stage and KS1 tell the

story of how a choir of angels hastily tried to learn a new

song to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. In the story, the

angels’ singing was terrible but we could not be prouder of

our children’s angelic voices. Their speaking voices were

beautiful too. A huge well done to all staff and angels (oops,

children) involved with the production. A huge thank you

also to all of our parents who provided the amazing angel

costumes! We are sure you will agree that the children looked

absolutely stunning! We hope you enjoyed watching your

little cherubs as much as we did!

In October we received the incredible news that Blowers Green School had been awarded the Artsmark Gold Award!

To achieve this prestigious accolade, the school submitted a portfolio showcasing the fabulous teaching and learning of Art in our school. The panel concluded that there was evidence of “strong leadership and care‰ul planning to improve arts provision.” They noted that “sta‰‰ have grown through the CPD given to them and this has had a positive e‰‰ect on the arts, providing ‰urther evidence o‰ your school’s impressive commitment and progress.”

The report concluded that “your children have an opportunity to ‰urther develop their knowledge, skills and understanding o‰ arts and culture.”

We are extremely proud of this award and the recognition given to our school from the Arts Council. Thank you to Miss Williamson (who left in the summer) for her hard work. Miss

Macdonald now ‘takes up the gauntlet’ as she continues to lead Art at this high standard.

Do you believe in Santa ? Class 1 and 2 most certainly do after seeing the big guy in red with their very own eyes on stage (before he gets too busy) at the Midland Art’s Centre on 5th December, where they watched a performance of Raymond Briggs – ‘Father Christmas.’

The story follows Father Christmas as he prepares for his busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. As he gathers the reindeer and loads his sleigh, Father Christmas begins his long journey into a snowy night to deliver presents to sleeping children all over the world! But, things don’t run smoothly and he soon encounters nar-row, soot-covered chimneys and treacherous weather con-ditions, all while plenty of mischief is had by his cheeky pets, Cat and Dog. The per-formance was wonderful with live music, songs and playful puppetry.

The children thoroughly enjoyed their theatre experience!

Seeing is Believing!

I liked it when Father Christmas washed his

face - Lisa

My favourite part was when the dog scared Santa - Gibbeh

It was funny when Santa got stuck in the chimney! - Dhilan

I liked it when the reindeers were flying - Aiden

Class 6 are aiming high!

The sky was the limit for Class 6 when they enjoyed an amazing team building day at the Pioneer Centre recently. Despite the weather, the children threw themselves into every activity on offer! From zip wires and high ropes to inflatable assault courses and wobbly bridges, the children were challenged physically and, for many of them, mentally, to overcome their fears and support their peers - which they did with such admiration! It was incredible to hear them encouraging each other to climb one rung higher on the ladders or to take one more step across the balance beam. You could almost taste the success as cheers and clapping filled the air when pupils overcame their nerves and completed the challenges. Well done Class 6 - You worked fantastically as a team and used skills that will serve you well later in life..

The rating of the experience, zip wires and obstacles was sky high! Ehsaan

I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to persuade my parents to take me again Farhan

I didn’t just like it - I LOVED it! Ahmad

We couldn’t see our hands in front of faces in the caves! Teamwork was important. Zara

It was abseil-utely amazing and many faced their fears! Furqaan

Class 5 were taken ‘out of this world’ during their exclusive use of an ‘Explorer Dome’ which visited us in school!

During their me ‘under the stars’ the children took an inspiring tour of the sun, our solar system and beyond!

They conducted experiments with rocket power to see how forces feel different in space and inves gated light and colour inside the pitch dark of the dome...the sky was

DEFINITELY not the limit for our budding scien sts!

Vous pouvez lire ceci ? Can you read this? Well, if you can’t and you are feeling flummoxed by French then just ask Class 3!

In their wonderful assembly this term, they showcased the fluency in French! Considering that most of the children in our school speak 2 or 3 languages already, adding another one was

a tall order. However, the class seemed to really enjoy learning songs , phrases and key facts about themselves in a different language to share with the rest of the school, their families and

friends. They focused on numbers, body parts, months and colours as well as learning some facts about the Geography of France. The children were so excited and enthused by the

assembly that a lot of them went home and taught their parents French too!

Nous Sommes tres fiers! (We are very

proud of you!)

Class 4 proved that they were great, bold and brave (just like the Romans) when they visited Conkers for a Roman experience day.

Upon arrival they met Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni tribe. She asked the class to stand against the Romans with her as

she explained how mean the Romans were in their efforts to try to take land that didn’t belong to them.

Following this, the children met a Roman slave and learned what life was like for such people in the past. They also learned how Roman roads and aqueducts were built and were challenged to build their own aqueduct to transport water safely. The children were encouraged to show their creative side when they made their own Roman mosaics. After this, they were enrolled into the Roman Army where they learned some of the military orders that Roman soldiers would have been taught. The Soldier in charge of the army was extremely fierce and staff had never seen some of the children move so fast! He had

everyone marching around the car park at one point!

This was a fantastic first-hand way of learning more about history, historical figures and enquiry which Class 4 thoroughly

enjoyed!

Class 4 join the Roman Army!

A big thank you to everyone who has been involved with fundraising this term. Small ac ons and lots of people can bring big changes! You have managed to raise;

Mu i Day - £204

Children In Need - £104

Harvest Hamper Raffle - £54

Poppy Appeal - We are awai ng the final figure!

A big well done to Team BG and the community!

Class 3 experienced a day in the life of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble when they visited Conkers for a Stone Age

discovery day. At the start of the day, they met Claw – a real life caveman - who assigned each child a Stone Age name!

Children learned about how he hunted for food and constructed his shelter. They had the chance to grind grain using Stone Age

methods and compared this to how the Romans did it. Some found this much easier than others, but they used their problem solving skills to find the best way possible. The children then learned how to catch animals using

forest materials and traps. The leader even caught himself an extremely rare Mrs Stockden! Finally, Class 3 handled weapons that would have been used in the Stone Age - they had to be very

careful as they were extremely sharp! A brilliant day was had

by all and the experience really helped to consolidate learning

about the Stone Age!

Challenge Champions! At Blowers Green we are full of pride,

At the efforts you make with the challenges we provide.

From Kite Challenge in Reception and KS1,

To spelling and reading, there’s something for everyone!

Some of our challenges are tough to achieve,

So we know you are proud of the badges you receive..

You work extremely hard at school and at home,

But we know you don’t always complete these on your own.

Thank you parents for the support that you give,

Both staff and children are very appreciative.

For your help learning poems and nursery rhymes,

And helping children read “in between the lines”.

Challenges such as Art and Geography,

Enchance our childrens’ learning significantly..

So to every pupil at Blowers Green School

We say a massive WELL DONE! Our Chil-dren rule!

As we are at the end of the year,

We thought it a good time to give a big cheer,

To our challenge champions – one from each class,

Whose achievements to date have considerably surpassed,

The expectations in your class thus far,

Great work! Each one of you is a superstar!

Class 1 Matthew - completed

kite challenge and poetry

challenge.

Class 2 Rohan - completed kite

challenge and poetry challenge.

Class 3 Umaima - completed

reading and spelling chal-

lenges and recited 5 poems so

far!

Class 4 Casey - completed

spelling challenge and 5

reading challenges and re-

cited 5 poems so far!

Class 5 Alisha - completed

spelling, poetry and reading

challenges!

Class 6 Shammas - completed

spelling challenge and 4

reading challenges and re-

cited 8 poems so far!

Snow is falling...

How beautiful did our school look in the snow?

A big thank you to Mr Price for his excellent photography skills!