Golden Morning Strikes Again!

 

What a dazzling Golden Morning we’ve had! From the laughter ringing through the hall to the creativity spilling out of every classroom, it was an absolute joy to see the children dive headfirst into a whirlwind of exciting activities.

They juggled and balanced their way through circus skills, unleashed their inner actors in drama workshops, and became mini-eco warriors with the Woodland Rangers. Meanwhile, the delicious aroma of baking filled the air as our young chefs whipped up treats alongside our ever-talented staff and the wonderful Mrs. Akester, our dedicated Governor. (We suspect a few of those goodies didn’t make it home—too tasty to resist!)

Sports, crafts, sewing – the list goes on! It wasn’t just about the activities but the connections formed along the way. Watching older pupils guide and cheer on the younger ones brought warmth to everyone’s hearts. This was more than just enrichment; it was community in action, a celebration of learning together and supporting one another.

A round of applause goes to our phenomenal staff and the fabulous team of Mr. Potter, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Battle, and Mrs. Ellicott for making this Golden Morning shine so brightly. Your hard work and creativity never go unnoticed!

Parents, if you’d like to roll up your sleeves and join us for a future Golden Morning, we’d be thrilled to have you on board!

2024’s Little Hadham’s Got Talent!

This afternoon, our school was alive with excitement as we witnessed another unforgettable Talent Show! The stage sparkled with sensational electric guitar solos, dazzling dance routines, impressive piano performances, rib-tickling comedy acts, and jaw-dropping gymnastics. The energy in the room was electric, and it was clear how much effort and heart went into every single act.

A HUGE round of applause to everyone who stepped into the spotlight—you were all incredibly brave and absolutely brilliant! It’s inspiring to see our pupils writing scripts, creating routines, and choreographing dances all on their own. What a talented and creative group of children we have here at Little Hadham!

The judging was no easy task with so much talent on display. A massive THANK YOU to our judges, Mrs. Erswell and Mrs. Claremont, who had the pleasure of teaming up with two familiar faces—Reuben and Red, past winners and now guest judges! Their return brought an extra buzz of excitement, as they shared how much they loved being part of the show again.

Our School Captain had the honor of announcing the winners, and the squeals of delight from the audience could probably be heard across the village! Drumroll, please…

️ First Place: Bella (for her breathtaking performance!)
Second Place (tied): Belle and Wesley (what a duo!)
Third Place: The comic geniuses Billy and Jules (for a routine that left us in stitches!)

Well done to everyone who took part—you’ve left us inspired and amazed. The creativity, bravery, and sheer talent on display made this a day to remember. We can’t wait to see what you come up with next year! ✨

Food, Glorious Food!

What a feast! Our school hall was transformed into a hub of festive cheer as the entire Little Hadham family came together for our much-anticipated Christmas lunch. From the youngest pupils to the most seasoned staff members, the room buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the clinking of cutlery.

The tables looked festive thanks to our wonder school captains, while the air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roast turkey, golden roasties, and all the trimmings. A massive shoutout to our culinary wizards in the kitchen, who served up a Christmas feast so delicious it definitely earned the whole school singing ‘We wish you a Merrry Christmas!

This annual tradition isn’t just about the food (although it was spectacular!). It’s about us—the joy of sharing stories, donning our homemade paper hats, and being part of something bigger. Together, we made the hall hum with the true spirit of Christmas: kindness, connection, and community.

To our fabulous staff, governors, and everyone who pitched in to make the day unforgettable: thank you from the bottom of our festive hearts! Here’s to the magic of moments like these and the joy they bring to our Little Hadham family.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good feast!

Willow Class get their skates on…!

On Monday, we ventured to Alexandra Palace for a magical ice-skating experience. What a fantastic way to kick off the final week of term!

We showed remarkable determination and perseverance as we took to the ice. After some cautious first steps, we quickly found our feet and were soon gliding with confidence, making turns and spins like pros.

We enjoyed a well-deserved break to warm up with hot chocolate before heading back onto the rink, skating beneath the twinkling fairy lights and around the stunning Christmas tree.

It truly was a special experience, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to embrace the festive spirit!

KS2 Humanities Quiz – A Battle of Brains!

On Tuesday, our Willow, Maple and Lime took part in our infamous Humanities Table Quiz, and we couldn’t be more impressed with their enthusiasm and dedication! The children’s brains were working overtime as they tackled a range of questions on topics they’ve been learning in class. The quiz featured a mix of questions, from capital cities to famous landmarks, with plenty of picture rounds to challenge their memory and recognition skills.

The teamwork displayed was outstanding, with every student contributing their knowledge and working together to solve the questions. The high level of engagement and impressive scores really showcased the power of learning and the incredible memory of our students.

After a nail-biting finish, the winning team triumphed with an impressive 5-point lead! Mrs. Tweedale was especially pleased with the excellent scores across the board and the spirit of the event.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the winners are Jacques, Charlie W, Joshua, Libby, Oscar M and Molly

A huge well done to all the teams – you were amazing! Keep up the great work!

Willow Class Ice-Skating Extravaganza!

What an unforgettable day Willow Class had as we glided (and occasionally stumbled) into the magical world of ice skating at Alexandra Palace! This grand venue lived up to its regal name, providing the perfect backdrop for an adventure filled with laughter and excitement.

The fun began with the clatter of skate blades and the tentative first steps onto the rink. Brave hearts of all sizes—children and adults—took to the ice, ready to conquer the challenge. What followed was a delightful mix of impressive glides, wobbly twirls, and, let’s be honest, a fair share of tumbles! Even I joined the action, though my attempt at a graceful pirouette ended with a dramatic, and slightly bruised, reminder of just how solid ice can be! (Spoiler: it’s very solid!)

But the real magic of the day wasn’t just in the skating—it was in the joy and camaraderie. From giggles echoing across the rink to the shared triumphs of letting go of the safety rail, every moment sparkled.

To top it all off, we warmed up with steaming cups of hot chocolate, swapping stories of daring escapades (and some near-miss wipeouts) while our rosy cheeks and wide grins told the true tale of the day: a joyous adventure we’ll all treasure.

 

13.12.2024 All about us!

This week, in English, the children wrote their autobiographies, showcasing their unique stories and experiences. The children shared personal memories from their early lives, their family, friendships and significant moments. They also highlighted their talents, passions and achievements, reflecting on milestones such as awards, hobbies, or special events. To enrich their writing, the children organised their writing using subtitles to guide the reader, used time connectives, and a first-person narrative. This task allowed them to celebrate once again their individuality while developing their skills in structuring and presenting a piece of non-fiction writing. It has been a pleasure reading their beautiful autobiographies!

In PSHE, the children deepened their understanding of discrimination and its injustice. They explored historical examples through the inspiring stories of Rosa Parks, Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson—women who faced significant challenges and overcame barriers in the fight for equality. The children empathised with individuals who have been, and continue to be, subjected to injustice, including racism. They expressed their learning and feelings through thoughtful acrostic poems on the theme No to Racism. As a Rights Respecting School, the lesson connected to key articles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasising every child’s right to be treated equally and fairly (Article 2), to be free from discrimination (Article 30), and to have their voice heard (Article 12).

 

During their early morning work, the children explored the first six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation. They discussed actions they could take to support these goals and designed their own creative logos to represent them. This work tied with their PSHE lesson on children’s rights, reinforcing the connection between the SDGs and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, such as the rights to education, health, and equality.

 

In Maths, the children worked on identifying and classifying different types of shapes, focusing on quadrilaterals, triangles and polygons. They explored the properties of various quadrilaterals such as squares, rectangles, parallelograms and rhombuses, learning to recognise their unique characteristics, like sides and angles. The children also investigated triangles, classifying them based on their angles (right-angled) and sides (equilateral, isosceles, and scalene). In addition, they worked on classifying other polygons, understanding terms like regular and irregular polygons, and identifying the number of sides and angles in each shape. These lessons helped the children strengthen their geometry skills and develop a deeper understanding of the properties and classifications of different shapes.

In Geography, the children explored the population and culture of Greece today. They examined key aspects such as historical monuments, languages spoken and cultural practices, gaining a deeper understanding of Greece as a modern, vibrant country with a rich cultural heritage. The children started researching landmarks in the capital city – Athens, Greek foods and things to do,  so that they can create an informational and interesting travel guide for potential visitors.

In PE, the children worked collaboratively in groups to create and present their own engaging warm-up routines, featuring a variety of stretches and exercises to enhance flexibility and readiness for activity. They demonstrated their routines to the class with confidence and enthusiasm, highlighting their creativity and teamwork. Additionally, the children worked on their shooting skills in basketball and explored when to pass, dribble or shoot.

On Thursday, the children thoroughly enjoyed a festive highlight of the week—the annual pantomime. Bursting with laughter and excitement, they enjoyed the lively performances. It was a joyous occasion that brought the class and school together and added a magical touch to their day.

Our Year 5 scientists have been exploring the wonders of the Amazon rainforest, learning about the unique plants that grow there and how indigenous tribes use their knowledge of these plants for medicine, health, and well-being. This week, the children were introduced to Richard Evans Schultes, a renowned ethnobotanist who spent 10 years living among Amazonian tribes, studying and preserving their knowledge of rainforest plants. Inspired by his work, the children became ethnobotanists themselves, creating their own fictional rainforest plants. They considered where their plant would grow, what it would look like, and how it might be used — whether as medicine, food, tools, or for another purpose.

Periscopes, pen pals, piping and a pantomime!

In Science this week we transformed into physicists as we learned all about the colour of white light and the visible spectrum! Armed with glass prisms, we created our own rainbows by splitting the light into the visible spectrum. We loved seeing how light can break into a beautiful array of colours.

Next, we channelled our inner Isaac Newton by using his colour wheel and Theory of Colour to turn those vibrant colours back into stunning white light! It was fun to see how science can turn something as simple as light into a spectacular show! Who knew learning about colours could be so exciting?

We explored the many fascinating uses of light. We learned about mirrors and reflected light, which led to the creation of our very own periscopes! After testing them out in the classroom, we brainstormed ideas on how to adapt our designs to see behind us—what an innovative bunch we are!

 

This week, we continued to explore the fascinating world of physical geography, with a specific focus on Russia and its diverse biomes. We learnt about the varying biomes found in this enormous country, from the icy tundras to the lush forests and expansive steppes. We were introduced to the concept of biomes and the unique characteristics that define each one. We learnt how different climates, altitudes, and latitudes influence the plants and animals that thrive in each area.

In our D&T lessons, we jumped into the delicious world of traditional Christmas desserts! We embarked on an exciting research project, exploring classic treats from gingerbread to Christmas pudding. After tasting some scrumptious Christmas cake, we eagerly discussed its texture and flavour, which sparked a flurry of ideas for our own creations.

With a clear design brief in mind (who our cake was for), we set to work modifying the basic Christmas cake recipe. Some of us added a dash more cinnamon, while others opted for a hint of orange zest—yum! As budding bakers, we learned essential skills including creaming butter and sugar together, folding in flour, and accurately measuring ingredients, all while working beautifully in our teams. 

Our classroom was filled with lovely Christmassy aromas as we decorated our cakes with expert piping skills. 

We took time out of our busy week to write to our German pen pals. In our letters, we shared our Christmas traditions and love for the festive season. We enjoyed decorating our letters with beautiful Christmas pictures and messages.

In our French lesson this week, we put our vocabulary skills to the test by writing letters in role as evacuees during World War II. This engaging activity allowed us to practice our French language skills while exploring a significant historical event. Here’s a charming example from one of our budding writers:

Chère Maman,
Bonjour, ça va? Moi, ça va bien. Je suis à la campagne. À la campagne, c’est calme et sans danger. J’ai vu des fliers et des oiseaux. À bientôt, grosses bises xxx

The translation:
Dear Mum,
Hello, how are you? I am well. I am in the countryside. In the countryside, it’s quiet and safe. I have seen flowers and birds. See you soon, big hugs xxx

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of attending the dress rehearsal of the KS1 play, Busy, Busy Bethlehem. We were thoroughly impressed by the younger children’s performance skills! It was heart warming to see the enthusiasm and talent on display. A big round of applause to our KS1 performers!

Thursday was a day of laughter and cheers as we headed to South Mill Arts Theatre for the pantomime, Robin Hood. We had a blast booing, hissing, cheering, and gasping in all the right places! It was a fantastic experience that truly captured the spirit of the season and reminded us all about the joy of storytelling.

Have a wonderful weekend.

We’ve a job to do… so off we go!

What an exciting week it has been in Early Years! We were thrilled to have all our hard work practising pay off as our Winter Wonderland show was a total triumph! From developing the oracy skill of projection to practising pitch matching with our singing… from our invitations and backdrop creation to our actions and dance moves… the children’s motivation and engagement with this show has been tangible. Not only did the children demonstrate their flair for performance, they also showed brilliant listening and attention skills as the audience for Beech class’ show. Well done Ash and Saplings!

We have been focusing on the skill of working together this week, as we enjoyed making reindeer decorations with partners. It is certainly a challenge to work on a shared vision for any age, but the children did really well, utilising their listening skills and negotiation and they spoke through who was going to draw each part. This activity inspired lots of children to continue working on shared projects into their choosing time too!

The Christmas excitement continued as we headed to the pantomime. The children loved watching Robin Hood, joining in with plenty of boos and cheers!

Choosing time has been filled with exciting narratives of doctors helping patients, forts needing to be built to hide from dragons and families celebrating birthdays with playdough cakes! It has been really lovely to see the children’s friendships blossoming.

Simply having a Wonderful Forest time…

LIME

Christmas fever has well and truly hit Little Hadham! The Beech class performance was this morning and lots of the Lime class children were reminiscing and a few sang Christmas songs too. A group of reindeer appeared and put twigs on their heads as antlers. They galloped around for a while and then started crashing their stick antlers together in battle! A survival game took place with camping out and a lot of climbing, while the digging zone was dug and swept to within an inch of its life.

 

WILLOW

The session was split up into 2 parts. Half of the class began drawing boarders in the dirt and had decided to create their own country. Naturally, it was called ‘PPUL’ (Pink Pretty Unicorn Land) and was named after a cuddly toy that could be seen through the window. They had a salute and began painting their faces with mud, while guards stood on the border checking if people were safe to come in. Then a small group started playing Eagle Eye, until another person joined and another…until basically everyone was camouflaged around the forest!

 

EYFS

It was a very drizzly morning in the forest so the trees were too slippery to climb. Instead, the youngest adventurers decided it’d been a while since they’d played 1, 2, 3, Where are you?, so they set off and found their best hiding spots for a couple of rounds. This then morphed into a game of hide and seek before they scattered and got busy. It wasn’t long until they found some squashes and sprouts and decided to collect them in a bucket. They also used the rope swing and created a den (that doubled up as a drum kit) with a leaf salad!

 

BEECH

Beech weren’t disappointed that they digging zone was too muddy to go in. A huge crew banded together and began to build the biggest forest wall in the world. The spent the whole session shifting huge logs around and worked as an incredible team. They were so proud of their work that they knew it needed to be documented, so a picture was taken of the great feat. They also celebrated ‘Ice Cream Day’ by creating the sludgiest bucket of mud on the planet and stirring until it was just right (and they were very messy!)

 

MAPLE

Maple loved Ice Cream day too and a few shops were made with various different flavours but they were mainly after challenges! The bushtucker trials from last week carried on with the same group performing a number of forfeits including; holding a worm for 30 seconds and having a very fetching mud makeover! Others didn’t want to play the I’m a Celeb game but just wanted challenges, so they were sent to tie knots, help ice cream shops and speak gibberish. The clay/mud pots from last week were surprisingly still standing too!

 

 

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