Randwick Church of England Primary
School
Buzzard Class 2024 - 2025
Mrs Aristotelous
Mr Herbert
Mrs Wilson
Welcome to Buzzard Class
The Buzzard Class team
Class Teachers:
Mr Douglas Herbert
Monday - Wednesday
Mrs Wilson
Thursday & Friday
Class Teaching Assistant: Mrs Fletcher
SEND Teaching Assistant: Mrs Aristotelous
PPA cover: Mrs Chastney (Wednesday afternoon)
In Buzzard Class the children experience a creative curriculum that provides opportunities for connections to be made between different areas of learning. We foster an ethos of finding out and discovery of new ideas which then helps the children to direct their own learning. These include as many outdoor learning experiences as possible. We are keen to link technology with many areas of the curriculum enabling the children to explore and use different equipment both independently and with support.
Spring Term
What has the Sea Seen?
Throughout the spring term, Buzzards will be exploring in detail our value "Justice". We will learn about the importance of making the most of the opportunities presented to us and how our shared relationships can support us in acheiving our shared goals.
In RE, we will be learning about Christianty and Easter. We will learn the Easter Story in more detail and think about the ideas of sacrifice, salvation and reincarnation. We'll make connections to our own lives and choices and think about how the choices of Jesus around Easter can inspire us regardless of our faith.
In Geography, we will be learning about the coast. We will compare our home to homes by the sea taking inspiration from our class text "The Storm Whale", which is based on Whitstable, and previous learning about Port of Spain in the Floella Benjamin story. We'll learn more about the different physical features we see in Great Britain and use atlases to think about why towns and cities are located in certain areas.
In Science, we will be learning about plants. We will consider the difference between seeds and bulbs, learn the different parts of flowering plants and conduct observations over time into the conditions needed for plants to grow.
In art, we will build on previous learning about Kusama and Klimt to create collages inspired by the work of British artist Rachel Jones. We'll use vibrant colours to create amazing sea inspired images that carry important messages to us.
In Computing, we will use a teleprompter tool to share the inspiring story of Rosa Parks- a brave, young woman who made her voice heard and always found a way to promote justice in the world.
Knowledge Organisers
These knowledge organisers show the learning journey the children will travel in RE, Geography and Science. They include the Key Learning Points, vocabulary and knowledge the children will encounter. The children will explore each area in depth and detail and always return to their own ideas and beliefs on any given subject. The information on the documents is a great place to start when talking about learning at home.
Our texts this term
The Storm Whale
by Benji Davis
In this book, a lonely boy, Noi, saves a beached whale. Is his act kind and helpful, or could he have acted another way? An exploration of friendship, loneliness and the choices we make....and it all works out in the end. One of a series of books by the author.
What the Sea Saw
by Tom Percival
We began our year by reading Perfectly Norman by local author Tom Percival. We return to his work here with another story, this time to build our understanding of the world around us and how to use personification in our work.
Reading Passport
Buzzard Class Padlet Reading Passport
We have created a Reading Passport to inspire children to read the best literature available to them. Over the course of the year, we would like your child to read 7 of the books from the list for their year group.
When they manage to read 7, they will bring their passport back into school to receive a £5 book token.
The children will keep their passports with them all through school, hopefully finishing year 6 having read 42 amazing books.
Important information
Uniform
• A blue sweatshirt/cardigan
• A light blue polo shirt / shirt
• Grey / black trousers, skirts, pinafore dresses or shorts
• Grey/navy/ white socks or tights
• Sensible all black shoes or boots in winter
PE Kit – Every Tuesday and Friday
• Blue/black shorts or joggers
• Randwick PE top
• Black / blue fleece / jumper
• Black daps / trainers
• Long hair tied up / earring removed or taped up
Forest School Kit - Every Thursday
• Navy blue / black joggers or leggings
• School t-shirt and school jumper
The children can wear their school shoes / PE trainers to school and bring their wellies with them in a named bag.
As the children go out in all weathers it is advised for winter the following:
• Warm, thick socks, an ‘extra layer’, perhaps a fleece or jumper;
• A waterproof jacket;
• Hat and gloves
Please clearly name everything!
Helpful Websites
These are websites that we use to support your child's learning in school. Your child might like to build on thier learning at home and complete thier own projects. Do get in touch with me if you would like a copy of the children's school log in details. Most of these websites will also allow you to set up free accounts for projects at home.
On Scratch, children can use coding to build a whole range of creations: https://scratch.mit.edu/
Book creator allows children to make thier own eBooks: https://bookcreator.com/
Brush Ninja is brilliant for creating animations: https://brush.ninja/
Chrome Music Lab allows children to explore music and compose thier own pieces. We particularly use the Song Maker app: https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/
DK Find out is an online encyclopedia for children. We often use it to complete research for science, history and geography topics: https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/
Spelling frame supports children with learning the spellings for their year group and has a range of games that the children enjoy: https://spellingframe.co.uk/
Doodle Maths and Tables
All children from Year 1 upwards have a Doodle Maths and Doodle Tables account set up. We ask children to practise doodling regularly at home to build on their maths learning in school. Each week, one class will be awarded the trophy for 'Top Doodling Class' for the most number of children in the 'Green Zone'. There is also a certificate and small prize for the child who has impressed us with regular practice at home.
You might like to download the apps at home if you have a device your child regularly uses. Please get in touch if you need another copy of your child's password.