The government has published information, guidance and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home.
Tuesday 28 April 2020
Bedtime Story With Tom Hardy
CBeebies’ most popular Bedtime Stories reader, Tom Hardy, is returning to screens with a selection of brand new stories to settle the nation’s children down before they make their weary way to bed. Tom wanted to play a part in keeping the children of the UK entertained at this challenging time and will read a new story each day starting on Monday 27 April to Friday 1 May.
White Rose Maths- Home Learning for Every Year Group
White Rose Maths in partnership with the BBC Bitesize Daily team has developed a 12-week learning programme for the summer term. This scheme is designed to help children be ready for their next year of school.
The White Rose Maths Team has prepared a series of five maths lessons for each year group from Year 1-6. We will be adding five more each week for the next few weeks. Every lesson comes with a short video showing you clearly and simply how to help your child to complete the activity successfully. Enjoy!
Monday 27 April 2020
Friday 24 April 2020
Thursday 23 April 2020
St George's Day - 23rd April
What is St. George’s Day?
St. George’s Day, celebrated on the 23rd April each year, is a religious holiday celebrated by Christian churches to represent the Feast of Saint George.
Held on what is thought to be the anniversary of Saint George’s death, millions of people gather each year to hold traditional gatherings and events.
It is mainly observed by Christians from the Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox churches in countries where Saint George is considered a ‘Patron Saint’.
Who was Saint George?
Saint George was a soldier of Greek origin who died for his religious beliefs following anti-Christian persecution from the Roman Empire.
As a result, he has been considered a martyr in Christianity for the centuries that have followed as an example of someone who sacrificed themselves for their faith.
His figure has been further immortalised through the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. This traditional tale features him slaying a dragon that demanded human sacrifice.
Which countries celebrate St. George’s Day?
Interestingly, St George's Day is celebrated not just by the English, but by several countries and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint.
These countries include Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Croatia amongst others.
The Saint George’s cross is still used to this day as the national flag of England and is featured in many others, such as the Catalonian flag.
St. George’s Day traditions around the world
In the countries that celebrate it, St. George’s Day comes with some fantastic traditions that take place each year. Some of them include:
- In Britain, traditional morris dancing takes place alongside other customs such as puppet shows.
- Roses and books are exchanged as gifts throughout Catalonia.
- Croatians and Albanians view St. George’s Day as the first day of Spring. They light large fires to celebrate.
- In recent years, countries in South East Asia, such as Hong Kong and Malaysia, have begun to observe British-style traditions such as eating fish and chips.
Click Here
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Wednesday 22 April 2020
Tuesday 21 April 2020
Monday 20 April 2020
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Welcome to our very first remote Summer Term, I hope you all had a restful Easter break.
Recently, we have all had to adapt to new ways of working and I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the amazing job you have been doing supporting your child’s wellbeing and learning during this difficult time.
It has been a strange and challenging period. It is OK if you and your child feel worried and emotionally ‘wobbly’ at the moment. Please remember we are here for you as we figure this out together, every step of the way. So, if you have any concerns about helping your child learn or you need any other support from the school, let us know by phoning the school on 01474 534540
Here at school, we miss the children very much, but we recognise that we must follow the government’s guidance in order to keep everyone in our community safe. Consequently, we will be continuing with online learning via the school blog and website and our SENCO, Mrs Catlow, and our FLO, Mrs Philips, are ensuring that vulnerable pupils receive weekly support.
At the moment, we cannot say when we will be able to open the school fully, but rest assured that we will continue doing our utmost to keep your child learning and our school community connected.
Let’s get cracking with our Summer Term!
Warm regards,
Sarah Jack
Headteacher
Oak National Academy
A new National online academy providing a "comprehensive" virtual curriculum for schools to use during the coronavirus crisis.
Oak National Academy, which has the backing of nine multi-academy trusts (MATs), will provide a "sequenced" plan of hour-long lessons and curricular resources, including videos, worksheets and quizzes, compiled by 40 teachers from some of the country’s "top-performing" schools. Click the link above to access these lessons.
Friday 17 April 2020
Thursday 16 April 2020
Home Learning Two Week Project
New home learning projects are available for each year group on the school website.
Click here to direct you to the page.
Wednesday 15 April 2020
FSM- Free School Meal Applications
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
-Income Support
-Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
-Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
-Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
-Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
-Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both younger than the compulsory age for starting school in full-time education
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022
Tuesday 14 April 2020
Re- Open for Key Worker Parents Only
As you are aware, the Government announced that schools should remain closed, except for children of key workers and vulnerable children.
We will re-open for these children only, on
Thursday 16th April at 8.55am- 3.20pm.
Thursday 16th April at 8.55am- 3.20pm.
Examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country's fight against Coronavirus.
Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care.
We will keep you updated as further guidance is expected from the Government today.
Thank you for all your understanding and support. Please keep safe at this difficult time.
Mrs Sarah Jack
Mrs Sarah Jack
Innocent Big Grow Project
If you apply it comes with a packet of seeds, a compost disc, a handy growing guide and a special grower’s certificate.
Scroll down to the "Get Growing At Home" section.
Monday 13 April 2020
Vaisakhi
What is Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi is an ancient Sikh harvest festival marking the beginning of a new year and new harvest season. It is one of the most significant holidays in the Sikh calendar.
Celebrated on either the 13th or 14th of April each year, Vaisakhi is a time dedicated to community spirit and forward-thinking as well as practising spiritual and physical integration.
Depending on a person’s dialect, Vaisakhi can also be spelt as Baisakhi.
History of Vaisakhi
Due to its close connection with the foundations of Sikhism, Vaisakhi forms a very important role in the Sikh yearly calendar.
Long-established as a new-year Harvest festival, the Sikh focus of Vaisakhi commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1699, by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
The Guru had used the celebration to create the Khalsa (the collective term for Sikhs who have been baptised) after, as tradition tells it, he had invited five ardent followers of the faith into a tent, ostensibly for a sword battle.
Despite emerging from the tent with a bloody sword, all of the men involved came out unharmed. These men became the ‘Panj Piare’, or the holy Five.
They were then baptised with a sprinkling of holy water - a ceremony that is reflected in modern Sikh baptisms.
How is Vaisakhi celebrated?
When Vaisakhi comes around, one of the favourite activities that Sikhs like to partake in is to visit a Gurdwara: a place of assembly for Sikh’s, to spend time practising their faith.
Celebrations are most notably held on the streets, which are colourfully decorated and feature marches and processions. Scriptures are read aloud and chants are sung in the process.
Where is Vaisakhi celebrated?
The main centres of celebration for Vaisakhi are in the Punjab region of India. This is especially true in the city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was first originated.
However, Sikhism is a global religion, and Vaisakhi celebrations are held wherever Sikhs’s reside all over the world.
Powerpoint - Click Here Friday 10 April 2020
Wednesday 8 April 2020
Tuesday 7 April 2020
Monday 6 April 2020
Saturday 4 April 2020
BBC Bitesize!
Twinkl is incredibly proud to announce that it will be working with the BBC to deliver BBC Bitesize Daily across BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Bitesize website and app, BBC Four and BBC Sounds. As a trusted education provider, Twinkl is supporting the BBC to deliver the biggest push on education in its history with content, resources and activities. Look out for BBC Bitesize Daily from Monday 20th April. Find out more here 👉https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1k7oy5
Friday 3 April 2020
Picture News
What’s going on this week?
There's good news coming from Africa. After huge conservation efforts, the number of critically endangered black rhinoceroses is slowly increasing, according to the latest figures released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The numbers show that the population has grown at a rate of 2.5% per year over the past six years. The species is still in danger; susceptible to poaching and a changing habitat due to the changing climate. Yet, the population growth provides hope that efforts put into saving the species are paying off.
Main question:
Whose job is it to protect animals in the wild?
Listen, think, share
- • Look at this week’s poster and talk about the animal we can see. Does anyone know what it is? Tell the children that it is a black rhino. It was announced last week that the numbers of the animal are increasing! However, black rhinos are still classed as critically endangered (which means they are at a high risk of extinction).
- • Discuss the difference between animals kept in our care or at zoos and animals who live freely in the wild. Explain that animals kept in zoos or in our homes are completely reliant on us, animals in the wild generally take care of themselves. Explain that wildlife conservation is about protecting the area where the animals or wildlife live (the habitat). Talk about how this is different from caring for our own animals.
- • Watch this week’s useful video (link found overleaf), which provides information about the black rhino. Talk about the facts. Which did you find the most interesting?
- • Read through the assembly resource, which provides information about wildlife conservation and examples of what we can do in support.
- • Talk about the habitat around where you live, or close by. Is there any wildlife there? Do you know where your closest nature reserve is? Are there birds, insects or are there bigger animals? Can you think of anything you could do to help protect wildlife?
Reflection
We are very lucky to share our world with many fascinating creatures! There will be times when some of these need protection. We can all play a part in helping to protect our wildlife.
KS2 Focus
Question:
What do we know about the black rhino?
Listen, think, share
- • Look at this week’s picture. Describe the black rhino. What is its skin like? What words could you use to describe its horns, lips, eyes, ears etc?
- • Think about what you already know about black rhinos and any questions you have about them.
- • Read through the information found on resource 2, which tells us more about black rhinos. Does any of the information surprise you? Is there anything else you still want to find out?
- • Explain that although numbers of the black rhino are slowly increasing, it is still classified as a critically endangered species. How does that make you feel?
- • One of the reasons the black rhino became endangered was because it was hunted for its horn. It was used for medicines and as decorative, carved dagger handles. What do you think about this? There is still demand for the black rhinos horn meaning it is still hunted. This is illegal and we call it poaching.
- • The other cause is a loss of habitat. Land has been cleared for agriculture, leaving less area for black rhinos to feed and roam.
- • Do you think humans are responsible for the black rhino becoming critically endangered? People are trying to ensure the black rhino does not become extinct through conservation efforts. Do you think this is enough? Do you think we, as humans, can learn from this?
Reflection
The black rhino is critically endangered. As humans, we can learn from our actions in the past and try to ensure we protect animals in the future.
KS1 Focus
Question:
What are our favourite animals?
Listen, think, share
- • Explain that there are many different types of animal in our world. Record a list of as many animals as you can think of!
- • Look at resource 1, which gives examples of some of the different types of animal we might find. Read through the information and see if you can think of more examples that would fit into each group.
- • Go back to the list you created at the beginning. Sort the animals into groups. You could use the groups found on resource 1 or create your own e.g. lives in the wild/doesn’t live in the wild, can fly/can’t fly.
- • Discuss your favourite animal or animals! Why is it your favourite? Is it because of the way it looks? Is it because of what it does and how it behaves? Is it because of the way it makes you feel?
- • Thinking about your favourite animal, do you know its habitat (where it lives)? Do you know what it likes to eat?
- • Using the groups of animals found on resource 1, where would your favourite animal fit? Are the animals you like best mainly mammals or insects etc?
- • Do you think everybody will have the same favourite animal? Why do you think this? Are there any animals you don’t like?
Reflection
There are so many different types of animal in our world. We can choose which ones we like best but must remember to show respect to all of them, even if we don’t like them so much!
Thursday 2 April 2020
On behalf of Gravesham Borough Council
If you or your family need help in Gravesham with food delivery, prescriptions or anything else, please complete details here.
If you would like to volunteer from delivering food or simply having a chat on the phone with someone in self isolation and become a #Superneighbour then please complete your details here.
Many people are having difficulties in getting foods and meals at this difficult time. If you are aware of any companies that will deliver food within Gravesham (from Takeaways to groceries) at the moment, please complete details here.
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