Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Time flies!

  Fri 26 Nov 2021

  Wow - it's hard to believe we have come to the end of another week, time certainly flies when you are having fun.

   

  Year 6 have been completing their hides this week we have some budding engineers, architects and wildlife experts in school. The way they have applied their skills from across the curriculum is impressive.

   

  School council met today with Mrs Kennedy.  They will be discussing a range of ideas and issues across school to ensure our pupil voice is shared.

   

  We are beginning preparations for our Christmas performances.  We are planning events to be outdoors either in Forest School or at Sunnycroft.  We will be dependant on the weather of course, we will keep you informed of dates and details.

   

  We had a team out competing in the Key Stage 2 Telford and Wrekin Boccia competition at Oakengates, they finished second in the league.  Coach was seriously impressed with how they represented the school. Well done.

   

  As it gets chillier please ensure you are sending children to school with appropriate coats and footwear.  We do try and get outdoors as much as we can.  Have a great weekend, we will see you all next week.

   

  

• Exceeding expectations

  Fri 19 Nov 2021

  This week has been another busy one in school.  As it has been Anti Bullying week nationally, we have been considering the theme of 'one kind word'.  Pupils across school have discussed and reflected on how their words can affect others and how being kind can make them feel better too.  We have thought about how important it is to be kind to ourselves - whether that is thinking kind things or choosing to do things that make us feel good.

   

  Today we have been a sea of spots and stripes to spread a little kindness beyond Short Wood.  We have had over £470 in donations for Children in Need.  Thank you so much for all of your contributions.  If you haven't already donated and would like to please go onto Parentpay.

   

  We were proud to showcase our curriculum offer to a visitor from Telford and Wrekin's Education and Skills team this week.  She saw Forest School and outdoor learning in action and enjoyed talking to our children about their learning.  She was blown away by the quality of the art work on wolves completed by our Year 6s as part of their community and belonging topic.  

   

  Mrs Butele and Mr Saunders had the pleasure of taking 2 of our Year 6 pupils to Wickes this week to collect £100 worth of resources the store have kindly donated towards their DT project.  Elliot and Emily were total superstars and brilliant ambassadors for the school. They explored the materials and tools, used their maths skills to work out the best value products and generally impressed everyone they met.

   

  Our football team have had success this week, they are now heading towards the semi finals of the Telford and Wrekin Cup,  having beat St Matthews, Donnington 2-0. We are so proud of their efforts.

   

  We are still maintaining our Covid risk assessments as we are continuing to have positive cases in our school community.  The one way system remains in place.  Please do not send your child to school if they are displaying any symptoms, they need to get a PCR test.  Once they have a negative PCR result, and are well, they can return.  Without the PCR test, anyone with symptoms need to isolate for 10 days.  If your child is isolating, but are well, we will of course support you with home learning.  Thank you for your on-going understanding.

   

  Enjoy your weekend, we look forward to seeing everyone next week.

   

   

• Real life hero

  Thu 11 Nov 2021

  We were really proud to award a really special golden leaf today.  You may be aware of the story in the press recently about a man getting trapped in a cave in the Brecon Beacons.  As a result, hundreds of volunteers gave up their time to respond and rescue him.  One of those selfless volunteers was our very own Alan Braybrooke (aka Alan Arthog) from the Arthog outreach based at Short Wood.  As Short Woodies we are really proud of him, and we all agreed that if we were in need of rescuing having Alan's calm, resilient and positive approach would be reassuring.  There will not be many children who Alan hasn't worked with over time, as a member of our extended team.  Well done to Alan and the team of volunteers who without doubt saved the stranded caver's life by working as a team to overcome the challenges they faced. 

   

  Short Woodies paused at 11am on Thursday11th November to show their respect as part of the national 2 minute silence.  As part of the assembly Short Woodies spent time reflecting and thinking about the importance of using our words to resolve conflicts.  Thank you to everyone who has sent in donations for our poppy appeal this year, your support, as always, is appreciated.  

   

  Next week is Anti-Bullying week.  The theme this year is 'one kind word'.  Pupils will be taking part in assemblies and work planned in class around this theme.  We all know that words are powerful, using them to be kind to each other and ourselves is a real life lesson.  This will be a focus next week.  Please talk to your children about the themes of the week. Many children have been part of a World Kindness Day Assembly today and have heard about the benefits of kindness, physically and emotionally.

   

  Our visits to Sunnycroft have continued this week.  Class 9 had a fun learning experience as they explored the grounds.  We also know that some families are now visiting this gem in our locality at weekends too which is so good to hear.

   

  Mo from Animals in Hands was back too this week,  teaching the children in Years 3 and 4 all about animals that originate from different parts of the world and in particular The Rainforest.

   

  Have a kind weekend - why not set your own kindness challenges for the week ahead?

• Whizz, bang, wow!!

  Fri 05 Nov 2021

  This week has been a busy return to school. Monday started in spectacular fashion for Key Stage 1 as the focus of their celebrations topic shifted to bonfire night,  ending in a fabulous fireworks display on Monday evening. Listening to the excitement and enthusiasm of our Year 1 and 2 pupils was a delight. They have been learning about Guy Fawkes in history, this was followed up with some brilliant art work during our Key Stage 1 Art focus week.  Following the fireworks display on Monday they have been inspired to create amazing paintings and poetry. Thank you to everyone who attended to share the display with your children. 

   

  Year 5 have had their Arts focus week this week and are developing their artistic skills in painting landscapes inspired by their visit up The Wrekin earlier in the year.  We have altered the way we organise our curriculum this term to allow more time to be devoted to developing skills in different subject areas and ensuring they are building on previous knowledge and experiences through school.

   

  It was Class 19's turn to visit Sunnycroft this week, they enjoyed exploring the grounds, finding out about 'The Halliday' conservatory renovation project and hearing form Lou, from the National Trust, about the people who have lived at the house in the past.  The opportunity to practise mapping skills was taken up, while they were also able to compare these gardens to those they saw on their visit to the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham last half term.  The children are keen to return later in the year. 

   

  As our partnership with Sunnycroft develops more of our pupils will use the site as a place of learning.  We have also been invited to use this enchanting site as a backdrop for some of our Christmas performances and celebrations.  We hope to share these plans soon.

   

  We are mindful that rates of COVID infections are still high locally.  Please continue to use the lateral flow tests that can now be collected free from pharmacies, or you can have them delivered to your door if you order online.  Please do not send your child to school with any symptoms, get a test first.  Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping everyone as safe as we can.

   

  Next week we have the photographer in school on Tuesday 9th November.  We will be doing individual photos only this time.  We look forward to seeing the children's best smiles!

   

  As the weather is getting chillier please ensure your child comes to school everyday with a warm coat and suitable footwear.  We will continue to do our weekly outdoor learning sessions, so they need their kits, including wellies, in school.

   

  A letter was sent out this week with dates for the month ahead.  

   

  With bonfire night and Divali celebrations this week we have been talking other children about how to be safe around the celebrations and to not forget our pets too, who can find fireworks really stressful.

   

  Have a safe and happy weekend we look forward to seeing everyone next week.