Learning Journey – Represent Us
A Snapshot of our Week…
Reception: We have completed our work around the text ‘Weirdo’. We had some lovely discussions around the things that are the same about us, but also about the things in which we are all a bit different, the things that make us unique and special. By the end of the week, the children were making some fantastic links between the moral of the story, where the character learns to be proud of who she is and themselves, saying why it is great to be who they are.
Year 1 have used our empathy tool this week to continue learning about racism and unfairness. We collaborated to make our own posters to support the Bristol Bus Boycott, which we then used during our protest in the playground. Also, our peas have grown so much, we will be bringing them home this week to share with you.
Year 2 have been using their making links tool to help us understand fractions. We have looked at halves, quarters and thirds and know that a fraction is part of a whole! We have been using our collaboration tool to find fractions of shape and are feeling ready to explore fractions of amounts next!
Year 3 have been using their imagining tools to create our own version of the book Our Tower. We also went to the science museum to learn about forces – our highlight was the ‘friction slides’.
Year 4 have continued learning all about teeth and tooth decay! We have learnt that some drinks say they are healthy but actually they contain LOADS of sugar. We have been using our planning and reasoning tools to set up an investigation, using eggs, to test the effects of various drinks on our teeth. Ask you child to explain why we are using eggs!
Year 5: as well as having a fascinating trip to the Science Museum, we also studied temptation in R.E. We used our reasoning, collaboration and empathy tools to have high quality philosophical debates in our classes.
Year 6 have enjoyed their first week post-SATs and crammed it full of great learning. We have used our collaboration tool during singing sessions with the Southwark Splash team, our perseverance tool in swimming at Dulwich College and our making links tool on a brilliant trip to the Science Museum. We have also managed to fit in some excellent pieces of writing as well as a great workshop all about the Little Fish Project, which is happening over the summer holidays. Fliers will be sent home today.
Opening of the Outdoor Classroom
Last Friday our outdoor classroom was officially opened by Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood Labour MP).
Teachers and children are so thrilled with their new outdoor learning space funded partly by the Friends of Dulwich Wood and partly by Elkins Construction and their building contractors.
We would like to thank Georgina, the outgoing Chair of Dulwich Wood Friends, for her dedication to this project and to Maggie for her architectural input. Also to Dylan for successfully receiving ‘Cleaner, Greener’ funding for the planting and to Mr Chris and his Premises Team for facilitating the works and installing all the final touches.
We can’t wait to get out there and use this wonderful new resource!
Share & Care
Have you noticed that in the Y1 garden the poppies have bloomed? They are wonderful to look at. I also heard that in Y2 this week, their caterpillars turned into butterflies! During this half term, spend some time in nature, take a walk and appreciate the welcoming of Spring. If you don’t have a garden, visit a park or even a garden centre! Most importantly, make sure you have lots of fun, relax and enjoy your half term. (Alma)
PE Update
On Wednesday we took a group of students to a Y6 Football tournament at Burgess Park hosted by Arsenal and England winger Reiss Nelson. Out of 16 teams we finished 6th and Mr Sean is super proud of this team as it was mostly made up of Y4 students which meant they were playing an age group or 2 above themselves. Special shout out to Lizzy in Y3 who also took part and played amazingly and to King in Y4 who scored 9 goals through out the tournament .
Birthdays at Dulwich Wood
We understand that parents and children are keen to share birthdays with their class but please don’t send in party food or treats.
As you know we are a healthy school and don’t encourage children to eat sweets, chocolates, cakes and salty snacks in school. We also have lots of children who have specific dietary requirements and therefore can’t eat certain foods (gluten free, vegan, diabetic etc…). If you must send in something please limit it to fruit so that everyone can be included. We would prefer that your child brought in a book to share with the class on their birthday instead.
High Fly Trapeze
A huge thank you to Miss Bristow who has been taking groups of children down to Dulwich College after school to try out their hire flying trapeze. Some children (especially Leayah in Y5 and Molly in Y6!) really impressed her with their perseverance and bravery!! Thank you to Dulwich College for sharing this wonderful resource with us.
The trapeze is open to the public, click on this link for more information and booking details:
https://www.highflytrapeze.com/
A few pleas from us that will make our lives simpler! At Dulwich Wood we really value our strong collaboration with Parents so please support us on the following:
- Make sure your child’s name is in their clothes; encourage them to take responsibility for their fleeces and jumpers. Lost property at Dulwich Wood is becoming unmanageable.
- Don’t allow your child to bring in sweets to school. If they have a packed lunch make it healthy!
- If you have a dog please be mindful of non-dog lovers and stand away from the main gate at pick-up and drop-off.
- We have a school uniform for a variety of good reasons and we try to be as flexible as we can with it. Guidance is on our website. Children are not allowed to wear short shorts, open toe or backless sandals, nail varnish or makeup.
Coming Up
The Friends of Dulwich Wood FUN RUN
The Friends have a new fund-raising focus, tech!! All proceeds from the Fun Run will go towards supporting the school to improve their computing offer to all pupils.
We hope you are able to help your child get sponsors over the half term holiday for the Fun Run, which is on Friday 7th June.
Bring £1 for Fruity Friday as it will be supersized with lots more to buy!
The Friends of Dulwich Wood are looking for volunteers to help at this event.
NB: Dogs are not allowed at the Mary Datchelor Playing Fields
Online Safety Training for Parents & Carers
Please see our online safety page for details of our previous session with Gareth Cort from SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning).
School’s approach to smartphones & social media
Dulwich Wood supports parents by informing, educating and encouraging them to make informed choices about their children’s smartphone and social media use. The school seeks to enhance the education for parents as to why online life for children can be so problematic/illegal.
Children are not permitted access to phone – smart or otherwise – on school grounds
The School’s Smartphone Policy on phones and smart devices, procedures and implementation are currently under review and will be updated after the online safety training session.
Parent Poll
- The parent-led poll from a group of parents concerned about the effects of smartphone usage on children seeks to gather parent and children’s views about smartphone and social media use so the school can best support parents and children in their choices.
- The results of the poll will be used to inform the online safety training session the school is hosting on Tuesday 18 June
- Please contact Megan Taylor or Maggie Formela-Osborne for questions regarding the parent poll.
Please complete the survey here.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
In Summer 2 all the year groups will be delivering their RSE lesson sequence.
Please read the School’s Policy so you know what your child will be learning about and how best support them at home to talk about this learning.
The lessons are in line with national guidance and are all age appropriate. If, after reading the policy, you have any questions please email hjary@dulwichwood.com.
Dates for your diary
Mon 27th May – Mon 3rd Jun
Half Term Holiday
Tue 4th Jun
Children return to school
Fri 7th Jun
FODW Fun Run
Tues 18th Jun
Online Safety Training Parent’s Evening Session
Tues 16th Jul
Primary School Sports Day
See all Holiday Dates