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 guitar more regularly and started at lunchtime, in the dining room, which both I, and the children, enjoyed.

 

Young Voices: On Wednesday 10^th January, some of our children from KS2 participated in a Young Voices concert at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. During the show, they sang a range of songs, including hits from the films 'Matilda' and 'Moana' and a medley of music all about walking, to a full audience and with children from lots of other schools. Moat House children were particularly fantastic at singing 'The Moment' and 'Today is going to be a great day'. They were able to work with a conductor, as well as sing and dance alongside some very talented performers, including Drummer Nandi Bushell, who is only 13 years old 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!

Joy of Moving in Year 4:        On Tuesday 9^th January, Year 4 started a five week programme with Sky Blues in the Community, which is called 'Joy of Movement'.  This week, they learnt what Physical Activity is and they wrote their own definition of this. Then, they conducted a pulse rate experiment to calculate their resting heart and their heart rate after physical activity. After that, they took part in a physical activity session and they thoroughly enjoyed playing scarecrow together. They cannot wait for next week's session! 

 

Rock Steady:    On Tuesday 9^th January, Ben from Rock Steady demonstrated his musical talents by playing some familiar rock, songs using a range of different instruments including the guitar, keyboard and drums. Over the next few weeks, he is going to be working with some of our children to form five of our very own Moat House rock bands! The children will practise playing a chosen instrument and will be ready to perform to us in a special assembly. We can’t wait!

Beauty and the Beast:       On Friday 15^th December, our children enjoyed the traditional pantomime experience in our school hall. Everybody got into the spirit of pantomime by clapping, singing and having fun, whilst watching Beauty and the Beast. A good time was had by all!

 

Key Stage 2 Carols:          Our Key Stage 2 children shared their Carol concert with parents on Thursday 14th and Friday 15^th December and we enjoyed listening to a mixture of traditional and more modern Christmas songs. Thanks Key Stage 2.

 

Christmas Lunch: On Wednesday 13^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.

 

Year 5 Cathedral Visit:     On Wednesday 13^th December, Year 5 were lucky enough to attend a Christingle event, which was held at Coventry Cathedral. During the festivities, the children joined other schools in singing songs, watching performances and listening to prayers. Through the event, they were able to deepen their understanding of Christmas and were also provided with the equipment to make their very own Christingle at home. 

 

Parents’ Evening: On Tuesday 12^th and Wednesday 13^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. If you were unable to see your child’s teacher on the given days, please don’t hesitate to make an alternate appointment, either via the school office or by speaking to your child’s class teacher.

 

EYFS Nativity:     It was a delight to be able to see our youngest children perform on stage on Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th December and to welcome parents in to school to also enjoy the experience. The children performed “Everyone Loves a Baby” and we all thoroughly enjoyed seeing traditional characters including angels, stars and shepherds. The children sang some beautiful songs and made us all very proud.

 

School Council Visit to Castle Wood:           On Monday 11^th December, our Year 4, 5 and 6 School Councillors visited Castle Wood to share ideas about how we can improve the joint site. They decided that they would like to reduce litter on the shared site and so we will be sharing ideas of how we can all help to make our shared site a better place for everyone.

 

Children’s Commissioner: On Friday 8^th December, we were visited by representatives of the Children’s Commissioner and they were keen to speak to our children about what they think of the world around them. Our children came up with some insightful responses about how they would like to feel safer in the local community and suggested things like extra police patrols and security cameras. They also talked about the things that they like at Moat House and there was a common theme – they love the Moat House reward system like golden tickets, house points, attendance prizes, teacher award prizes and especially Tea at 3 with Mr B!

 

 

Beauty and the Beast:       On Friday 15^th December, our children enjoyed the traditional pantomime experience in our school hall. Everybody got into the spirit of pantomime by clapping, singing and having fun, whilst watching Beauty and the Beast. A good time was had by all!

 

Key Stage 2 Carols:          Our Key Stage 2 children shared their Carol concert with parents on Thursday 14th and Friday 15^th December and we enjoyed listening to a mixture of traditional and more modern Christmas songs. Thanks Key Stage 2.

 

Christmas Lunch: On Wednesday 13^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.

 

Year 5 Cathedral Visit:     On Wednesday 13^th December, Year 5 were lucky enough to attend a Christingle event, which was held at Coventry Cathedral. During the festivities, the children joined other schools in singing songs, watching performances and listening to prayers. Through the event, they were able to deepen their understanding of Christmas and were also provided with the equipment to make their very own Christingle at home. 

 

Parents’ Evening: On Tuesday 12^th and Wednesday 13^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. If you were unable to see your child’s teacher on the given days, please don’t hesitate to make an alternate appointment, either via the school office or by speaking to your child’s class teacher.

 

EYFS Nativity:     It was a delight to be able to see our youngest children perform on stage on Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th December and to welcome parents in to school to also enjoy the experience. The children performed “Everyone Loves a Baby” and we all thoroughly enjoyed seeing traditional characters including angels, stars and shepherds. The children sang some beautiful songs and made us all very proud.

 

School Council Visit to Castle Wood:           On Monday 11^th December, our Year 4, 5 and 6 School Councillors visited Castle Wood to share ideas about how we can improve the joint site. They decided that they would like to reduce litter on the shared site and so we will be sharing ideas of how we can all help to make our shared site a better place for everyone.

 

Children’s Commissioner: On Friday 8^th December, we were visited by representatives of the Children’s Commissioner and they were keen to speak to our children about what they think of the world around them. Our children came up with some insightful responses about how they would like to feel safer in the local community and suggested things like extra police patrols and security cameras. They also talked about the things that they like at Moat House and there was a common theme – they love the Moat House reward system like golden tickets, house points, attendance prizes, teacher award prizes and especially Tea at 3 with Mr B!

 

 

 

 

4MW’s Class Assembly:             It was lovely to watch 4MW’s class assembly on Thursday 7^th December. The children impressed us with their learning about Ancient Greece and really brought this to life with some great acting by Sebastian, as Zeus and Jan as Prometheus. The children shared their high quality non-chronological reports, .as well as their knowledge of the 7 times table through learning a song. We all then joined in with a rendition of Mamma Mia as we left the hall. Thanks to 4MW, as well as Miss Wooding and Miss Jola for a super assembly.

 

Christmas Fayre:   On Wednesday 6^th 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.

 

Year 6 at AT7:    On Tuesday 5^th December, thirty Year 6 children competed in an indoor athletics competition at the AT7 centre. The events they participated in included: relay races, obstacle races, long jump, triple jump, javelin and many others! Overall, we finished in 4^th place. Although we didn't win the competition, all of the children tried really hard in their events and demonstrated some great teamwork throughout the day. They were perfectly behaved and we were all very proud of their efforts. Well done Year 6! 

Symphony Orchestra of India   A group of Year 6 children went to Warwick Arts Centre on Wednesday 29^th November to see (and hear) The Imperial March from Star Wars, Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 and Suite from Parsifal by Wagner. The orchestra were fantastic and we got to hear some brilliant musicians. The huge bass drum, used in Star Wars, caught Liam's eye and Hridayesha was particularly impressed by one of the violinists. All the children enjoyed the concert and were a credit to the school.

 

Phonics Parents’ Meeting:        Thank you to the Reception and Year 1 parents who attended our phonics information afternoon on Wednesday 29^th November. We were lucky enough to welcome Anne-Marie Wear from Read Write Inc to share how we run the programme and how you can help with your children’s reading at home. Please see the links for more information and support: Ruth Miskin Parents’ Page: http://www.ruthmiskin.com/parents/ Ruth Miskin Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/miskin.education Free e-books for home reading: http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading/ 

 

Christmas Crafting: We would like to thank our families who joined us on Tuesday 28^th November for our Christmas Craft event, which was a great success! We all got stuck in to making Christmas crafts to take home, which included photo baubles and melted snowman biscuits. We also got into the festive spirit by enjoying some hot chocolate and mince pies.