We have had less cases in the week starting 24^th January, but we are still keeping our year groups apart to prevent any further spread of Covid. We would encourage you to test your children twice each week, unless there has been a case in their year group, when we would ask you to test them daily for the next 7 days.

On Tuesday 25^th January, Year 4 were involved in a Mental Health Awareness workshop, in which they learned the difference between mental health and physical health. They focused on the importance of looking after their mental health, as much as their physical health. The class discussed different types of worries- big or small worries and talked about their five trusted people to speak to about those worries with e.g. friends, family or teachers. The children learned strategies to help them manage anxiety, such as the method to control their breathing whilst sketching around their hand. The class also shared other ways of calming themselves down, like colouring, drawing or exercise.  Year 4, were also reminded of the importance of sleep and healthy eating on their mental health, learning that sleep is key in helping the body to recover. Year 4, were engaged in the session and had a lovely afternoon, whilst prompting them to highlight the importance of talking about worries.

On Tuesday 18^th January, we were pleased to relaunch our School Bank which is intended to help children to learn about saving money and to adopt good financial habits for now and for the future. Don’t forget, any children who open an account or deposit money before Friday 18^th February will have the chance to win £5 to add to their savings. The bank will be open every Tuesday 8:40 am until 9:10 am.

On Wednesday 19^th January, the children in Year 6 were visited by two Warwick University students. The students delivered a computing session in which they taught the children how to code a game using a programming tool called Scratch. By the end of the session, the children had made their own version of the classic game Pong. All of Year 6 really enjoyed the session and many said they would consider a career in computer programming in the future!

On Wednesday 19^th January, Year 5 were involved in a Mental Health Awareness workshop, in which they learned what mental health is. The class discussed their worries and that it is normal to feel anxious sometimes. The children learned strategies to help them manage anxiety, including the ‘box breathing’ technique and a method to control breathing whilst sketching around their hand. Year 5 were also reminded of the importance of sleep on their mental health, learning that sleep is key in helping the body to recover. Year 5 were engaged in the session and had a lovely afternoon!