Comets Years 2/3/4

Well, we have made it!  Our first term together as the newly-formed Comet Class has whizzed by in a flash but, as I come to write the last weekly update of 2021, it has been lovely to take a minute to look back through all the Autumn Term class pages on the website for a reminder of all that the children have achieved.  Well done, Comets, you have worked hard and I have enjoyed every second of our time together so far.

This week we switched our focus in English to a Christmas classic by another Victorian writer:  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Having read a few versions adapted for children (including one that Olivia brought in to share - thank you, Olivia!), the children noticed similarities between the themes in this tale of good conquering bad and those in The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde.  In essence, they very quickly realised that both tales convey an important message: that human beings should act with compassion towards others, showing love, kindness, help for the unfortunate and self-sacrifice.  I am very proud that the children picked up on these important values and were able to link them to our own school values of love, kindness, patience and peace.

 

And I think you will be very proud of your children when you unwrap the little gift they are bringing home for you - the culmination of our term's carefully-crafted written work.  It was also lovely to welcome our friends from Asteroids to join us in watching the film adaptation of A Christmas Carol - you can't beat the muppets' version!

As well as beavering away to finish off their little books, the children have also been busy making decorations to take down to St Nicholas Church.  We didn't have much time so plumped for a white theme using the snowflake-making skills that Mrs Hatch taught the children last week!  It looked like there had been a snow blizzard in the classroom by the time we had finished snipping at bits of paper!  Lee soon forgave us though - think he was just relieved that we hadn't got the glitter out!  Anyway, I am sure you will agree that the end result looked pretty spectacular, with Mark's intricate star in pride of place on the top!  I am sure that the parishioners will get a lovely surprise when they arrive for Sunday's carol service.

 

 

Yesterday, Chris and Matty (our sports coaches) came in to school to do some enrichment activities.  The older children tried their hands at fencing whilst the younger ones did yoga.  They also gave the children a little taster session of gymnastics, as this will be the focus of the Thursday after-school sports club after Christmas.  Look out for information coming from Mrs Umpleby in due course.  Someone else who has been very active recently is Evie, who performed as Thumbelina in a dance competition in York last weekend.  You really shone like a star, Evie - well done!

 

Now that the Nativity songs have been sung, the Christmas lunch eaten,Christmas jumpers admired and party games played, we ended our week with a fond farewell to Charlie who is moving to the north-west this weekend.  It is hard to imagine Comet Class without him but we know that he will soon make lots of  friends in his new school.  Goodbye, Charlie, and good luck as you look forward to a new home with new adventures.  We shall miss you very much.

 

 

Many thanks for all your lovely cards, gifts and good wishes - not to mention goodies for the staffroom.  They've really helped to keep us going!
I know that Father Christmas has checked his list and will definitely be visiting each and every one of Comet Class this year.
Wishing you all a very happy time this Christmas.
Miss Mandelson and Betty