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Newsletter - Friday 6th January 2023

Dear Parents, 

We are so excited to welcome the children back to school after a lovely long break over the festive season.  Everyone is raring to go, including our fantastic teachers who jumped straight in with a learning session on their inset day studying the topic of ‘whole school metacognition’.

This full day of training from education providers Thinking Matters saw our whole team find out more about the science of the brain as a muscle, and the science of learning, absorbing research about the neuroplasticity of the brain. Covering off thinking skills, motivation, skilful questioning, modelling behaviour and using data among other topics, the session offered contemporary thinking on the best ways to engage young learners – and the best ways to get learning to ‘stick’ in our children’s minds.

The children have also returned to school well-rested and bursting with enthusiasm for the term ahead. We're thrilled to get started on 2023!

 

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We're hiring! The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon, Monday 16th January 2023. Interviews will take place during w/c 16th January 2023. #vacancy #sloughjobs #schooljobs #termtimejobs #stbernardsprep https://t.co/c6HGm02rMF
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The story of Epiphany

Today I led a special assembly on Epiphany, otherwise known as ‘Three Kings Day’. Talking about expectations and celebration, the children highlighted the special experiences they had over the holidays, including seeing the Christmas lights, spending time on holiday with family and getting to watch their favourite programmes on the television!

I also encouraged the children to think about the meaning of the word 'Epiphany' - to reveal - and asked them to think about the introduction of Jesus to all people and how we welcome new visitors. We're lucky enough to have two new members of staff joining us, as well as a number of new children. It was lovely to see the children welcome the newcomers to our school. 

 

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Mr B's sport report 

Watch this space until sports are back on w/c 16 January. 

Look forward to football for the U9's and U10s against Castle Court both at home and away respectively, U11 Girls vs The Marist at home, and swimming for Year 3. Don't forget towels, costumes and goggles on 19 January!

 

Celebrating success

Huge congratulations to Ira in Lower Trans K who achieved her orange belt in karate recently. She's pictured here with her Sensei Karl. We're all very proud of her!

Congratulations, Ira.

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Upcoming dates

Wednesday 11 January -  Liturgy Trans Y - 10.45am Parents welcome!

Thursday 12 January - staff training on 'sticky questions' with The Philosophy Man

Friday 13 January - Y3 parents meeting about Ufton Court trip - 3.45pm

Thursday 19 January - Early Years coffee afternoon - 2.30pm

Friday 20 January - Little St B's parents & tots superhero themed session - 9:30am - 10:30am

Quick quiz

Here are some of the facts that our teachers studied on the inset day - how many of the answers do you know?

How many neurons are there in the adult brain?             

a) 500,000 b) 86 billion c) 29 million d) 41 billion

Which of these factors play a part in healthy brain function?                                     

a) Sleep b) Diet c) Exercise d) All of the above

How many neural connections form, per second, during a child’s early years? 

a) 5,000 b) 50,000 c) 1 million d) 5 million

Deliberate practice (putting the effort in to learn a specific skill, for example becoming an elite athlete) is said to require how long to master?                           

a) 10,000 hours b) 5,000 hours c) 100 hours d) 1,000 hours

Mouldy bread gives food for thought

Our budding scientists in Year 6 learned all about micro-organisms with Mrs Thapar this week, carrying out their own experiments on a slice of bread. The variables moisture, light, and temperature were tested in relation to the growth of mould. The children also swabbed different surfaces and grew their own cultures to see where else bacteria can be found.

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Mrs Verma's big ideas for curious minds

As a school we love to stretch and challenge our children, to enrich their education beyond the curriculum. Every week I will be sharing with you some discussion topics, new vocabulary, maths riddles and book recommendations, that will imbue our children with a love of learning. 

Word of the week: lucid (adj)

Expressed clearly, easy to understand

"Sophie continued, in the same loud and lucid tone."

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In the news this week - bee vaccine

The world’s first vaccine for honeybees has been approved for use by the US government. Honeybee numbers have been in rapid decline in recent years, which poses a huge threat to our global ecosystem, as they help pollinate so many of our crops, flora and fauna. This vaccine helps to protect bee colonies from foulbrood, a disease that weakens and destroys hives. Great news for bees and for the world's ecosystems.

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“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” —Mother Teresa.

Have a lovely weekend!

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Verma