Myton Hospice Assembly:         On Friday 24^th January, we welcomed some children and adults from Castle Wood to join our assembly as we had a special visitor. Claire, from Myton Hospice came to talk to us about the Myton Hospice charity and all of the excellent work that they do to look after people who are very ill. We were all surprised to find out that patients can have special animal visitors to cheer them up and these have included a llama and even a reindeer in the past!

 

Young Voices:    On Friday 17^th January, some of our children from Key Stage 2 participated in a Young Voices concert at the BP Pulse Arena in Birmingham. During the show, they sang a range of songs, including hits from  'Hairspray' and 'Bob Marley' and a medley of music all about dancing, to a full audience and with children from lots of other schools. Moat House children were particularly fantastic at singing 'Get Loud' and 'Try Everything'. They were able to work with a conductor, as well as sing and dance alongside some very talented performers, including Tommy Blaize, the lead singer of the Strictly Come Dancing band and dance group Urban Strides. They particularly enjoyed learning to rap with multi award winning Rapper MC Grammar! Everyone had a fantastic day, danced the night away and did Moat House proud!

 

Ofsted: I'd like to thank everyone for their conduct during our Ofsted inspection in the week beginning 13^th January. They were very impressed by the children's behaviour, attitudes and maturity. I am confident that we will get a favourable report which we will share when it's released in a few weeks’ time. Thanks, too, to everyone who took the time to complete the online survey.

 

Healthy Eating Week: In the week beginning 13^th January, our children took part in Healthy Eating Week, where there was a focus on learning about the benefits of eating healthily. The children learnt that it is important to eat a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates and plenty of fruit, vegetables and water and that treats can be enjoyed in moderation. We hope that they can encourage everyone at home to adopt good food habits to benefit the whole family.

 

3EW’s Class Assembly: 3EW treated us to an amazing assembly on Friday 17^th January, which was all about the Stone Age. We got to travel back in time to the Stone Age Era and witness the show, ‘Stone Age has got Talent’ which was hosted by our very own Ant and Dec! We all got to learn about how people lived during the Stone Age, such as how they created cave art, tools to hunt and gather food, as well as the fashion at the time. We also got to hear an amazing rendition of ‘Stone Age Will Rock You’, which was performed brilliantly by the children. All of 3EW spoke with clarity and confidence and were amazing throughout!

New Year's Resolutions:   Every year I challenge the children to think of something they could improve at school and at home and adopt these as resolutions. Many have told me that they intend to work more quickly, write more neatly, have a better attitude or be a better friend. I'd like to wish everybody the best of luck with their resolutions. I would hope that you might see the benefit at home too with tidier, more helpful children who argue less with their brothers or sisters. I shared that I aim to practise my saxophone more regularly and started at lunchtime, in the dining room, which both I, and the children, enjoyed.

 

UK Parliament Assembly: On Tuesday 7^th January, our Key Stage 2 children listened to and participated in an assembly led by Clare Mullin. This was very informative and explained to the children how a Member of Parliament (MP) is elected in the United Kingdom. The children were interested to learn that Mary Creagh is Coventry East’s MP and that she has a responsibility to represent the people living in the East of Coventry, at parliament. Clare explained that MPs debate on various issues, including health, housing and education and they create new laws. The children were invited to share their views and the assembly finished with a quiz to find out how much the children had learnt and remembered.

 

Governors’ Awards:      On Thursday 19^th December, a special ceremony was held to recognise children at Moat House, who have worked hard or shown good behaviour or attitude during the Autumn term. The following children were awarded with a certificate and a voucher, in front of a very proud audience of parents, governors and staff, for their hard work and achievements.

 

Early Years Christmas Morning: On Thursday 19^th December, our Nursery and Reception parents were invited into school to enjoy a morning of Christmas activities. All of the parents and children had great fun making tree decorations and melting snowmen. The morning finished with mince pies, a festive drink and a sing song. It was a wonderful morning enjoyed by everyone!

 

Key Stage 2 Carols:      On Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th December, our Key Stage 2 children shared their carol concert with parents and carers and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to a mixture of traditional, as well as more modern Christmas songs. Each year group also showcased a song that they had been working on and we were even treated to a recorder ensemble by children who have been participating in instrument lessons in school. It was difficult to work out whether the parents, staff or children enjoyed it the most!

 

Reception Christmas Show: On Wednesday 18^th December, our children in Reception shared an amazing performance called The First Christmas. The children sang some really catchy songs including: the Boogie Woogie Angels and Old Man Tommy had a Stable. The children were very brave standing up in front of such a large audience of parents and they made us all very proud.

 

Aladdin: On Tuesday 17^th December, we were lucky enough to watch a fantastic pantomime called Aladdin (oh no we didn’t………oh yes we did!) There was a nasty man called Abanazar and he was being very mean to people, especially Aladdin. Our hero was brilliant, he saved the day and was able to win the heart of the princess too! The actors were really good and silly and the pantomime was enjoyed by everyone. We can’t wait until next year to see another pantomime. Written by Callum and Ronnie (1RW).

 

Conkers Trip:    On Tuesday 17^th December, Year 2 went to Conkers for a day of adventure. All of the children were brilliantly behaved and showed really good listening skills. They enjoyed climbing high, whizzing down slides and working together to problem solve. They also went on a train journey and watched a 4D cinema film. What an excellent trip! 

 

4MW’s Class Assembly:    We enjoyed a wonderful assembly on Thursday 12^th December, by 4MW and they shared what an amazing amount of learning that they have participated in this term. They shared their knowledge of the digestive system in Science, their understanding of the volcanic eruption and its effect on Pompeii (in History). They also shared their amazing knowledge of facts they can work out if they know just one number sentence - so if they know the answer to 6 x 7, they also know division facts as well as fractions1 The children were very proud of their assembly, especially because they created it themselves. Well done 4MW! 

 

Hatton Trip:        Our Early Years children enjoyed a wonderful day out at Hatton Adventure world on Thursday 12^th December. Throughout their day, they enjoyed feeding the sheep and goats, holding guinea pigs and exploring the reptiles. They then explored the farm and pretended to be farmers driving tractors; they also tested out the zip line. They made reindeer food ready for Christmas Eve and took a walk through the enchanted forest with 3D glasses changing the lights to different festive characters. They then got to meet Father Christmas himself, once the Elves helped to wake him up! Father Christmas gave the children a magic golden key for his toy shop to choose a gift. They finished off the day with some funfair rides and soft play. The Hatton staff were extremely impressed because all of the children showed impeccable behaviour and were a real reflection of Moat House. Thank you to all of the parents and volunteers who joined the children (and staff) for a wonderfully festive day. 

 

Key Stage 1 Christmas Show:          Year 1 and 2 performed their festive show called Hey Ewe! On Wednesday 11^th and Thursday 12^th December to a very proud audience of parents and family. There were the traditional characters including Mary, Joseph, wise men and shepherds, and the children did brilliantly to learn their lines, as well as a variety of songs with actions. 

 

Christmas Lunch: On Wednesday 11^th December, we all got into the festive spirit and enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch. The children enjoyed wearing their Christmas jumpers whilst eating traditional turkey, vegetables and roast potatoes. They even enjoyed Christmas tree shaped chocolate ice creams for pudding.

 

Stone Age Day:   On Wednesday 12^th December, our Year 3 children celebrated the end of their Stone Age History topic with a themed day. They took part in six different activities across the day which included; shortbread biscuit making (and cutting into the shape of sarsen stones, used to build Stonehenge), creating pictures of Stonehenge and cave drawings, creating paper mache stone necklaces (similar to those that archaeologists have discovered), using drama and dance to act out scenes from the Stone Age and to finish off, they were taught about fire lighting during the Stone Age. The children thoroughly enjoyed their day.

 

Parents’ Evening: On Tuesday 10^th and Wednesday 11^th December, we held our Autumn term parents’ evening. We hope that you found the information about your child’s progress and attainment useful and that you were given tips and guidance, as to how you can help your child at home.

 

Rocksteady Concert: On Tuesday 10^th December, we enjoyed hearing how our Moat House rock bands have been progressing, as a result of their weekly music lessons with Sophie, from Rocksteady. The children showed off their developing talent with different musical instruments including guitars and drums and there was even a Christmas theme with some bands who had learnt Jingle Bells and Last Christmas.

Christmas Fayre:        On Monday 2^nd December, our Christmas Fayre was a resounding success and Santa’s grotto was a particular hit with children big and small! Each class had the challenge to run their own stall with a prize being awarded to the stall which raised the most money. We would like to thank you for your support, as well as your donations and we will let you know of the total amount raised in a future newsletter.

 

Belgrade Theatre Visit: Year 3 have been busy ticking off activities from our '45 things to do before leaving Moat House'. They went on a trip to the Belgrade Theatre to watch Dick Whittington on Friday 29^th November. Mr Adey was tasked with joining the cast of the show and had a starring role as 'Rat Man'. His dance moves were incredible. Then, our wonderful Miss Lane was taken onto the stage and helped the characters bake a cake. Unfortunately for her, most of it ended up on her face and top! The children danced, laughed, sung, booed and cheered their way through the show and a great time was had by all.