2.5.2025 From Ancient Civilisations to Modern Choices

This week in English, we focused on developing our non-fiction writing skills. Maple class pupils began by researching and gathering information about the Shang Dynasty, making notes in their planning books. They then grouped their notes under relevant subheadings such as Origins, Calendar and Religion, which helped structure their ideas clearly. Using these groupings, the children went on to write non-chronological reports, ensuring they included features such as subheadings, factual language and clear paragraphs to organise their work effectively.

In both History lessons this week, to support their non-chronological report writing in English, the children investigated historical evidence about the Shang Dynasty, with a particular focus on the Shang kings and royal burials. They explored archaeological findings such as oracle bones and artefacts and other sources such as history books to deepen their understanding of the period, helping them to write with accuracy and detail in their reports.

In Maths, the children focused on understanding tenths and hundredths, learning to represent these as both decimals and fractions. They practiced drawing different representations to visualise the fractions and the decimals, helping them to see how tenths and hundredths fit within a whole. The children also worked on converting decimals to fractions and vice versa, developing a deeper understanding of how numbers can be expressed in different forms.

In PSHE, the children explored how they can care for the environment through the seven Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle, Repair, and Rethink. This learning also supports their understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 24, which states that all children have the right to a clean and safe environment. By making thoughtful choices—like reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling—they are not only protecting the planet but also respecting the rights of other children around the world to grow up in a healthy, sustainable environment. To reflect this, the children created colourful posters to remind themselves of these responsibilities and how their actions can help protect both people and the planet.

George and the Dragon

LIME

It was St George’s Day, so the myth of George and the Dragon was retold at the beginning of the session, with everyone taking a piece of paper and hoping that they weren’t sacrificed to save the town! The story made some think about magic and they decided to use bamboo as broomsticks and fly all over the forest. The rope swing has turned into a fun challenge of ‘how fast can you swing yourself around’ and lots of giggles could be heard as they enjoyed their game. A whole host of bugs were found under the stumps too and added to a new hotel!

 

WILLOW

Willow were very much inspired by the story of St George’s Day as a king was crowned (with a very regal flower pot), while crowds gathered to serenade him with gifts from the forest. They spent the first half of the session making a throne/palace and finding a willing sacrifice to be offered up to the king…luckily forest was coming to an end so the sacrifice was untied and set free! Elsewhere the hammock was very busy, the beginnings of a new shelter could be seen and they noted how green and thriving the forest looked after 2 weeks off.

 

EYFS

It was a very exciting day, as it was Mrs Silva’s birthday! The decision was immediately made to forget everything else that the children wanted to do and they would lavish her with gifts instead! A whole host of treasures were found and collected together including; feathers tied on sticks, a collection of very smooth stones and a delicious looking dirt cake. Elsewhere, some builders were trying to imitate the Little Hadham construction working building the polytunnel and started moving sticks around to build walls for a den!

 

BEECH

Beech really enjoyed the St George’s Day tale and began acting the story out. They needed a few extra characters, so there was a Queen, a couple of villagers…and a 2nd King. The story retelling went very well but Sir George kept bursting in to save the Kingdom slightly too early! Elsewhere, some dead flowers were found and replanted before they were watered ALOT, a time machine turned people various different ages and a soup shop was made using a bucket and a lot of water (Beech are enjoying the water butt being in the forest now!)

 

MAPLE

Maple have heard the retelling of St George’s Day for a few years now, so they’re very good at it and could basically tell it themselves! Our Princess performer was very believable and the Kingdom thoroughly enjoyed themselves. In the forest Britain’s Got Talent took place with upside down pans being the buzzers and it was very loud! The mud roof of the den was scraped off and then reapplied because they wanted it to be flatter, this meant that the digging zone crew could had a very busy job.

28.3.25 Getting outdoors!

This week, we have been deepening our understanding of the Romans in Britain. We learned about the historical figure Boudica, her role as a warrior queen, and the reason she led a revolt against the Romans. The children asked themselves what they would have done in Boudica’s position, encouraging empathy for the ancient characters involved in the story. This helped us better appreciate the complex emotions that were felt and the decisions that people made during that time.

In maths, in keeping with our Roman theme, we also explored analogue clocks with Roman numerals. We continued to focus on learning Roman numerals up to 12 and beyond. This gave the children the opportunity to connect their historical knowledge with practical skills, helping them see how ancient symbols are still relevant today.

In PSHE, we discussed the role of a bystander in various situations. The children explored instances where a bystander could intervene, as well as situations where it might not be appropriate or safe to step in. We also considered alternative ways to help in difficult situations. To make this more real, we engaged in a role play, where the children stood in a circle in the hall, observing and acting out scenarios where children treated each other badly. This allowed them to think carefully about how they would respond in real-life situations.

In Computing, we learned about clickbait, discussing its purpose, what it looks like, and why we should be cautious when encountering it online. This lesson helped the children develop critical thinking skills and understand more about how to navigate the digital world as safely as possible.

In English, we worked on rewriting a Roman adventure story about a silver coin, using the story mountain structure to guide our writing. This exercise allowed the children to be creative while practicing their structured storytelling skills.

After learning about what soil is and where it comes from, the Year 3 students had a hands-on science lesson, where they went outside to collect soil samples. They examined these samples closely, just like real pedologists, helping them develop an understanding of how soil types differ from place to place.

In Religious Education (RE), we had a special visitor who came to talk about Christian beliefs, specifically about Easter. The children asked some very insightful and challenging questions about resurrection and the meaning of Good Friday, keeping our guest on his toes!  Thank you to Reverend Tayo for an insightful and thoughtful afternoon.

In PE, we made the most of the good weather by playing tag rugby on the field. The children enjoyed the active session, getting plenty of exercise while having fun. Additionally, we had a wonderful time at the book fair, where the children were able to peruse and purchase books, further encouraging a love for reading.

28.3.2025 Bringing Words to Life: Poetry and Places

This week, we introduced the class performance poem Night Mail by W.H. Auden. The children began by listening to and reading the poem, paying close attention to its rhythm, beat and structure. Together, we analysed its features, identifying how Auden uses repetition to create a sense of movement, much like the train itself. We also explored the use of figurative language to bring the journey of the mail train to life. To deepen their understanding, the children answered a range of comprehension questions, focusing on retrieval, vocabulary and inference. Building on their analysis, they then began incorporating actions into their reading, preparing to bring the poem to life with a dynamic performance next week.

In Maths, we focused on finding fractions of quantities and amounts. The children began by using bar models to visually represent fractions, helping them develop a  conceptual understanding. Once they were confident with the visual method, we gradually moved to the abstract form, where they solved problems using calculations without the aid of diagrams.

In Geography, the children researched and made notes on Bishop’s Stortford and Little Hadham, exploring key aspects of these local areas. They gathered information on landmarks, historical sites and things to do, developing an understanding of their surroundings. Using their research, they designed and created colourful, informative leaflets, ensuring they were engaging and visually appealing.

This week in PE, we focused on performing movement sequences with synchronisation and control. The children explored progressions of inverted movements, using body tension to enhance stability and precision and adding their own movements to build unique sequences. Working safely in small groups, they demonstrated  teamwork, determination and confidence while developing their skills.

Throughout the term, children worked hard  to develop their gymnastics skills using apparatus. They explored symmetrical and asymmetrical balances, worked on rolls and shoulder stands and on progressions of inverted movements. They also focused on travelling actions using canon and synchronisation, ensuring rhythm and coordination. Using ropes and apparatus, they built upper body strength and balance while refining their climbing and landing techniques with control and confidence. Well done to all for persevering.

Also, well done to our incredible Year 5 runners and Maths Challenge finalists and participants! They tackled the cross-country course at Jobbers Wood and the HfL Year 5 Maths competition with grit, determination and fantastic team spirit. Whether racing  or solving tricky problems, they showed resilience, perseverance and a true commitment to excellence.

We’ve had a cracking time in Year 5 this week as we explored which materials make the best wrapping for an Easter egg. It was an eggstraordinary opportunity to apply our learning about materials in a fun and practical way. We tested wool, plastic, foil, and sponge to see how well they protected against water and heat. Surprisingly, sponge came out on top for both heat and water resistance! We then discussed why foil is still the most popular choice—most likely because it’s cheaper and easier to mould around the egg.

While we were waiting for our results, we had great fun playing a science-themed version of Headbanz. With scientific vocabulary stuck to our foreheads, we had to ask our partners clever questions to figure out which word we had. It definitely scrambled our brains—in the best way!

Of course, no investigation would be complete without a taste test… and we were eggstremely happy to have a few spare eggs to enjoy at the end!

Every voice matters

This week, our learning has been particularly hands-on.

In Science, we concluded our topic on the human circulatory system in a most creative manner. We designed their own board games, which allowed us to apply everything we have learned about the circulatory system this term. The process of crafting these games involved brainstorming various forfeits and rewards, ensuring that they were not only fun but also educational. We particularly enjoyed testing each other’s games, and we had some good laughs over amusing details like, “You have a narrowing of the arteries and must go back three spaces!” It was a wonderful way to reinforce what we have learned in a playful context.

In Maths, this week as we focused on the concept of volume. We explored the volume of 3D objects by counting cubes and making shapes of different volumes using cubes, which provided us with a tangible understanding of the topic. We applied the formula for volume to calculate and solve numerous volume-related problems. Our enthusiasm for the subject was palpable, and many of us expressed how much this practical approach helped us to understand volume.

In History, our discussion revolved around the tragic events of the Titanic sinking and the question, “Who is to blame for the heavy loss of life?” We used a ‘diamond nine’ activity, which helped us to weigh different factors influencing the disaster. We reflected on the immense pressure Captain Smith faced to reach New York on time, alongside the substandard building materials provided by The White Star Line Company. After lively debates, we, as budding historians, drew our conclusions, showcasing our analytical skills.

In English, we explored the subjunctive form while composing formal letters to our local Member of Parliament, Mr. Josh Dean. We wrote about our Foodbank Friday initiative here at Little Hadham and asked Mr. Dean what else is currently in place to support those in need in our local community. We are excited to send these letters and eagerly look forward to his response.

On Thursday, a group of us had the pleasure of representing Little Hadham Primary School at the Bishop’s Stortford Pupil Voice Network event, hosted by Bishop’s Stortford College. After a warm welcome from the Mayor of Bishop’s Stortford, we shared insights on how we actively support our community. Our collaborative discussions with children from other local schools covered essential topics such as diversity, disability, and empowerment, fostering both understanding and camaraderie.

The Book Fair arrived at school this week, and we have loved visiting it and browsing the bookshelves with friends, sharing recommendations. The Book Fair will be in school until next Tuesday, so if you have not yet visited, there is still time to explore the wonderful selection of books available.

As we celebrate Mothering Sunday this weekend, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful mums for all that you do for us. We wish you a lovely weekend filled with joy and appreciation!

That’s one small step for man…

 

LIME

Lime class were very excited to find some shells and decided to make a number of seafood shops. One restaurant were so busy and even those that didn’t like fish were flocking by to have a taste. A small team found a huge bit of stone and began trying to get some obsidian from it. They were overjoyed when it popped free and couldn’t wait to put it in their class rock collection. An excellent double rope swing was made with a standard swing and a ‘dangler’, while a group of archaeologists dug looking for signs of Roman activity!

 

WILLOW

Willow have found a real routine in the forest this term and have been enjoying remaking/continuing and basically picking up where they left off. The country leader had groups making signs for various different parts of their nation and they had several different guards making sure everything was safe. The flint mine was back open, finding lots of great things. A new hammock was attempted to be made out of tarp but they realised that it probably wasn’t strong enough. One thing that did change was the location of a group’s den!

 

EYFS

Before heading into the forest each week, the little ones ask ‘can we come in please?’ and wait to see if the forest gives any signs that they can come in. This week as soon as they asked, a Red Kite flew overhead which they were very excited about. Once they were welcomed in, they played a very successful game of ‘1, 2, 3 Where are You?’ before setting off. A balance beam was created and they queued to take it in turns to wobble their way along, bamboo was collected, the tree was climbed and the hammock was used too.

 

BEECH

Beech class were excited to know that it was Spa Day on Friday and a huge group made a spa for bugs! It included a hot tub and a swimming pool for relaxing in and a sculpture was made for the bugs too. A restaurant was also founded and they made cookies for everyone. There was a lot of climbing too, with the main tree full pretty much the whole time. Some adventurers even pushed themselves to new heights and climbed  where no man had gone before, crowds gathered to applaud and it was more impressive than anything they’d ever seen…

 

MAPLE

It was a breezy afternoon and all of Maple class were in today, which made for a very busy forest! A group decided to make their own bar to serve soup and drinks, they were having a great time until someone started singing ‘Let it Go’ and then a huge (and loud) talent show erupted. A couple of teams were working in tandem with one group making and mixing mud cement and passing it to another group who were spreading it over the roof of a den. Another crew discovered the shells and spun them in a bucket using centrifugal force!

Every Voice Matters

On Thursday, representatives from our School Captain team, our School Council and our Green Team participated in the Bishop’s Stortford Pupil Voice Network event, where children from eight local schools gathered to engage in meaningful dialogue about community involvement. Hosted by Bishop’s Stortford College, the theme of the event, ‘Every Voice Matters’, provided a perfect backdrop for our children to showcase their initiatives and learn from one another. The event was attended by the Mayor of Bishop’s Stortford, who our children chatted happily with, further enriching their experience and emphasising the importance of community involvement.

Our very own representatives—Sachin, Jacques, Dylan, Belle, Joe, and Hugh—made us immensely proud as they spoke beautifully, eloquently, and with great confidence about some of the fantastic projects we have undertaken at our school. They highlighted our Foodbank Friday initiative, where we have taken steps to support families in need, and the successful tree planting at Millennium Wood earlier this year, which aligns with our commitment to creating a greener future.

Throughout the event, our children had the opportunity to connect with children from the other participating schools, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. They shared their thoughts on how we can support people in their local community, and discussions flourished around the crucial topic of diversity and the shared responsibility we all have to empower others.

As part of the afternoon’s activities, each child crafted a personal pledge and created a friendship bracelet, symbolising their commitments to fostering kindness and collaboration within their community. These tangible mementoes will serve to remind them of the friendships formed and the important lessons learned.

Of course, no gathering would be complete without some delightful sustenance, and we are pleased to report that the buffet lunch was a resounding success—much to the delight of our young attendees! The scrumptious afternoon tea and cake were absolute highlights, rounding off a very special afternoon.

Map reading and teamwork!

In Early Years, we had our final lesson using our key text, The Night Pirates! The children have been completing challenges to see if they have what it takes to become a part of the Night Pirate crew! They decided that, to be a pirate, one would need to wear the right clothing, be able to read maps and be good at finding treasure. Ash class wrote their own lists, using their phonics knowledge to help them, and Saplings got to work drawing pictures of themselves as pirates! During choosing time, the children were particularly interested in looking at maps, as one of them excitedly exclaimed “there’s words on here!” This prompted the children to use magnifying glasses to spot sounds and decode words, deciding what they might mean… “I think the words are telling us where things are on the map!”

The children absolutely loved making full use of the outside area this week, which has been equipped with some brand new provision! The guttering stands allowed the children to experiment with channelling, working out how the balls moved down the gutters, and what they could do to change the speed and flow of the rolling balls. The children demonstrated excellent teamwork as they moved the stands and altered the overlap and height of the gutters. Thank you to the farmer’s market for the funds to purchase this engaging resource.

 

In class, we have been thinking about our senses and which parts of our body we use to see, touch, hear, smell and taste. The children enjoyed using their feet to explore different textures and materials! They were able to describe how things felt, such as soft, hard, smooth, bumpy and fluffy. Some children then chose to make binoculars to help them see things in the classroom better!

A week full of creativity, problem-solving, and thoughtful discussions

Beech Class has had a fantastic and busy week full of creativity, problem-solving, and thoughtful discussions. The children have shown great enthusiasm across all areas of their learning, and we are so proud of their hard work!

In art, Year 2 have completed their final clay sculptures, inspired by the incredible Barbara Hepworth. They have explored different sculpting techniques, including carving, smoothing, and adding texture, to create abstract designs that reflect her unique style. Throughout the process, the children have thought carefully about shape and form, ensuring their sculptures are interesting from every angle. Their final pieces showcase a wonderful combination of creativity, patience, and attention to detail! Meanwhile, Year 1 children have been working on their L.S. Lowry-inspired artwork. They started by drawing detailed buildings in the background, thinking about perspective and scale. Then, they moved on to carefully painting the figures in the foreground, working hard to capture movement and character in their scenes. The children paid close attention to Lowry’s distinctive muted colour palette, ensuring their work reflected his unique style. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow as they experimented with different brushstrokes and shading techniques.

 

In PSHE, we have been focusing on rights respecting and why it is so important that everyone’s rights are acknowledged and protected. The children have explored key questions such as:

What rights do we have? Why do all people deserve rights? How can we make sure everyone’s rights are respected within our classroom and beyond? Through discussion and role-play activities, the children have gained a deeper understanding of fairness and equality. They have thought about how they can show respect for others by being kind, listening to different opinions, and ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. This has linked beautifully to our classroom rules and our ongoing discussions about how we can create a happy and supportive learning environment for everyone.

In maths, Year 1 have been continuing their work on place value, focusing on the concept of more and less with numbers up to 100. They have been using number lines, hundred squares, and practical resources like cubes and counters to deepen their understanding. The children have been working on questions like: What is 10 more than 45? What is 1 less than 78? Can you count forwards and backwards in tens from different starting points? Through games and partner activities, they have been developing their confidence in recognizing number patterns and applying their learning to solve real-world problems.

In Year 2, the children have been tackling word problems involving fractions of amounts. They have been using their knowledge of halves, quarters, and thirds to work out problems such as: There are 12 apples. What is half of 12? A box has 20 sweets. A child eats a quarter of them. How many sweets are left? A pizza is cut into 8 slices. If you eat 3 slices, what fraction of the pizza is left? By using bar models, counters, and drawing diagrams, the children have been developing their problem-solving skills and learning how to explain their reasoning clearly. They have also begun to explore fractions in real-life situations, such as sharing food or dividing groups of objects.

It has been a busy and rewarding week in Beech Class, filled with creativity, problem-solving, and meaningful discussions. The children have worked incredibly hard and should be very proud of their achievements.

 

No business like Forest business…

 

LIME

Lime were very excited about ‘Small Business Day’ and ‘Crunchy Taco Day’ which are happening this week. They merged them together and created some taco shops! The main 2 shops were TacoDonalds (which sold a HugeMac) and Taco Bomb, who sold various food items to awaiting customers by shouting their number order to them. Elsewhere a lovely soggy stew was made and several puppets were made (to celebrate ‘Puppetry Day’ which is this week) including a butterfly, ladybug and bumble bee.

 

WILLOW

More small businesses were popping up in Willow class. Huge shouts of ‘bamboo, 3 leaves for bamboo’ were heard, as a couple of entrepreneurs were raking in the money (leaves). Elsewhere, a fortune teller had set up shop, while a spa was created where you could dip your wellies in some brown water to cool off. A couple of dens were made, while a second hammock was nearly successfully built from a tarp but it was more of a pod that rested on the floor when they tried it out. A bee called Jeremy was also rescued from certain death!

 

EYFS

The main excitement for Ash and Saplings involved a Bee as well! They discovered one on the ground looking a little worse for wear and decided it was best to try and nurse it back to health. A spoon with some sugar water was offered up and they watched on as it tried to drink. They then found some flowers for it to sit by to regain its strength. Some bunnies have been visiting the early years garden and some little homes were made for them, while an art gallery that sold spicy coffee popped up too. They also discovered the water butt and made  stream!

 

BEECH

Beech were excited to hear the tales of bees in the forest and a sculpture of a flower was made using bamboo. They hoped that it would attract the bees to the forest and let them know it was a safe place. The trees were almost always full and there were queues of people waiting for their turn. Another group decided they would make some traps and got all the rope they could find to make this happen. They weren’t sure who the traps were for but were sure they’d work! A small team also sat and enjoyed watching the older years playing on the field.

 

MAPLE

Maple were excited about ‘Small Business Day’ and a few small business sprang up. Some were… selling delicious leafy treats, collecting worms and a couple of builders who could make anything. They cleaned the digging zone very well and were looking for gold in the log pile. A few of the class were out at cross country, so they seemed to really enjoy having a little extra room and scurried up and down the tree and used the hammock to their hearts content! A very cool F1 car was also built using bamboo and logs and a pit crew was being assembled to help manage it.

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