Ferncumbe Friday

Friday 17th June 2022

FERNCUMBE LOVES READING… look at OUR NEW LIBRARY!

On Thursday 16th June we were excited to re-launch our focus on reading at Ferncumbe with an assembly for all classes. In April, all our children completed a questionnaire, to share their views about reading - what they liked and what could be improved in our school library. They gave some brilliant feedback and made great suggestions, including the idea to introduce a book club and a way that the children can help each other with book choices.

We will shortly be adding a more detailed overview of our approach to reading on the Ferncumbe website, but here are some of the highlights we discussed with the children.

Our new look library – we have reworked the library, adding decoration and made a spacious area the children have really enjoyed being a part of creating. This is a great space in addition to the brilliant book corners each classroom already has.

The Ferncumbe Book Tree – we have added a huge and bare tree to the library, made from the covers of our favourite books. Every time a child finishes a book or moves up a colour in the reading scheme, they will add a leaf with their name and the book to the tree. You can see that Year 3 (green) has already started to grow our tree and we can’t wait to see it flourish as all the children explore more books.

The Ferncumbe Reading Passport – All children who are independently reading chapter books, will be given a personal reading passport. They are individual with a photo and are a place for the children to record and review books they read. We encourage reading all genres but importantly, book choices are up to the children – we want everyone to find what they love and get all the benefits from reading. Here are some of Year 3 and 5 with their new reading passports.

Library sqaud – We have invited all children to volunteer to join our library squad. We’ll select one from each class and rotate each term to make sure everyone that wants to, is able to contribute – oh, and there’s a badge 😊

How can you help?

We want to make sure that all our pupils have access to a brilliant selection of quality and well cared for books. Particularly as we near the end of another school year, we’re asking everyone to check at home and return any school library books that are no longer needed. Also, any books that would otherwise be going to a charity shop, we would really appreciate any donations.

National book tokens are currently running a competition for 5 schools to win £1000 for their library. If you want to find out more and how you can nominate Ferncumbe use the following link here.

And finally….keep reading with your children, we love hearing about the stories they have shared with you at home.

We did some fantastic fundraising for Big Yellow Friday earlier this year in memory of our special friend Delilah, raising £1,177. The Children's Liver Disease Foundation have been in touch to let us know Ferncumbe was the best fundraising school. As a result we will be receiving a special message from CLDF supporter, Sooty, who will record a personalised video to congratulate the children on their efforts. We will share it with the children in a special assembly and on Twitter. We are so proud of the kindness and generosity of the Ferncumbe Family.

sponsorship request

Dear parents,

We are looking to replace the iPads that we have in school as they are no longer fit for purpose. These iPads are first generation and are no longer supported by the Apple updates, which means we cannot use them in the classroom.

Ideally, we are looking at getting 15 new iPads with tough cases and a trolley for storage and charging. This is estimated to cost around £4,000. If you or your company think you would be able to sponsor us to get this tech or could make a donation to the school for some of the iPads, please do get in touch with Miss Forbes.

coffee morning

On Wednesday 29th June our SENCo, Mrs Kate Adcock, will be holding a parents coffee morning and sharing information about the SEN provision at The Ferncumbe. It will take place in the school hall from 9:00-10:00. All parents are welcome whether your child has additional needs or not!

It is an opportunity to find about how all children are supported in class, as well as specific support some children receive. The school's SEN governor Jo Blake will also be there to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by 22nd June to admin3210@welearn365.com

Please do also take a look at the updated SEND sections on our school website… https://www.ferncumbefamily.co.uk/special-educational-needs-report …. https://padlet.com/adcockk/b02jtuhy6k3000af

Space food in the making

Last week, Wroxall class began a series of 4 Science lessons, funded and resourced by Leicester University, all on the theme of space. Our first lesson was about growing food in space and how this might be possible when there is only ‘microgravity’ on the International Space Station. How will the roots know which way to grow down and the shoots know where the opposite of gravity is? Well, we aren’t able to create microgravity in the classroom, but we can ‘confuse’ seeds, by spinning them! We’re growing seeds on a turntable, so they are experiencing centrifugal force. We’ll see which way they grow! All the pupils took home some normal wheat seeds and some ‘space’ wheat, genetically engineered by NASA to grow differently…but how? We’ll let you know in a few weeks!

Netball

This week the Ferncumbe netball team had their first ever match against Claverdon. We were so inspired by with their determination and resilience throughout the game! Most of all, we were so proud of the amazing teamwork and spirit that they held. The talent demonstrated on the court was so impressive but a special mention must go to Max Peak from Year 6 who was awarded Player of the Match. Thank you to all of our Year 3 and parent supporters who were there to cheer the team on!

Miss Constable and Miss Blackwell

feeling dizzy in Lowsonford

Maninder, from Young Engineers Warwick, came to run a workshop with Lowsonford Class on Wednesday. Data suggests that around 65% of our children will eventually work in a job that does not yet exist. Therefore, the more STEM acitvities our children can experience, the better, so we can build problem solving skills, resilience, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. These were present in abundance during the workshop, where the pupils had to build a merry-go-round with minimal instructions. This was no problem for Year 6, who then went on to create, adapt and develop the most amazing upgrades to the design. Listening to the class explain, support and encourage each other was a pleasure, and seeing pupils realise success and at once wanting to tell others and share their ideas, made me very proud of our students. Well done!

Tree experts

Year 1 have become tree experts with Mrs Foss this week. They learnt about the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees by sorting some pictures and looking for leaves on the field. Such super science work!

Year 2 musicians

This week, Year 2 showcased their musical talents in a concert where they played the ukulele to their parents. They have been learning to play the instrument every week in class and were so proud to show off what they had learnt. We are so impressed with their resilience and dedication for learning how to play the ukulele. Not only did we get to listen to Year 2 perform, we were also treated to a performance from the children who have been having music lessons on woodwind and string instruments.

Miss Constable

With very best wishes for a lovely weekend,

Tracey Webb, Head of School

Newsletter Issue 17