Well, this has been a very busy first week back at school! Yesterday I visited Pictor Academy as part of the School to School review which Hollinwood Academy is part of. It is great to visit other schools to see what they are doing, share practice and learn from each other. On Monday colleagues from three different schools will be visiting us to see how effectively we use our reflection rooms and how the inventions impact on our pupils.

Over to this week and I have asked Mr Heap’s class and Mr Lawton’s communication group to share what they have been up to, starting with Mr Heap’s….

We’ve had a fabulous week in our class this week! Unfortunately Mr Heap has been absent but the children have dealt with the changes in staff brilliantly and have lots of things to show him when he returns. 

This week we’ve been looking at fireworks and learning all about bonfire night! We did some fantastic art work and got creative blowing different coloured paint across the paper with straws to create the effect of colourful fireworks!

In ICT we looked at the different shapes, colours and types of fireworks and created our own firework pictures on the computer..

We also got creative with chocolate, sprinkles and breadsticks and created some edible sparklers which as you can guess was really fun – and tasty!

We ended the week on a high note with a surprise visit from Mr Heap! We all were very happy to say hello and wish him a speedy recovery!

Now over to Mr Lawton’s group..

We have been working hard over the last few weeks! This year we have been concentrating on our communication skills and we have taken every opportunity to improve these. We continue to learn new skills within our morning routine and the pupils are becoming much more independent as the weeks go by..

Last week we had a look at a pumpkin, we encouraged the children to remove the flesh and seeds from inside it and place it into another bowl – they did a fantastic job..

..and some of them were even willing to taste it!

We have been playing board games and using puzzles this year to promote our social interactions with each other and our teachers. We have been taking turns and sharing with each other and the children have really enjoyed this..

We have also enjoyed making friends in the playground..

In Art we have used different materials to re-create our book ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ – we have made bear masks and used teddy bear material to help create them and we have also used various materials to make the river and the long, wavy grass..

We have been spending some time looking at our senses and we have been using different items to explore theses. We have particularly liked the plastic eye covers and the vibrating cushion..

We continue to go on outdoor education and visit different parks where we use the opportunity to engage with the public and explore our surroundings..

Mrs Needham’s Maths group had a fantastic time at the Science and Industry Museum..

The robots and the Tim Peak Virtual Reality experience were definite highlights..

Miss Rudge’s Key Stage 4 Art pupils are working beautifully on their artist study pages!

Every pupil has chosen a different artist: Beth is studying Andy Warhol..

Ellis has chosen Jamie Hewlett..

Olivia is working and Claude Monet..

Maisy has picked Edvard Munch..

Mrs Dunsdon’s Reception class have also been working hard and I think this clip shows how far they come since September and how many skills they have learnt already..

Let’s finish with our SEAL Superstars and our Stars of the Week:

• Mrs Dunsdon’s class:
  Star of the Week: Lenni for excellent work in morning routine..

SEAL Superstar: Madison for playing well with the other children..

• Mrs Lomax’s class:
  Star of the Week: Christopher for doing independent work during our Art lesson..

SEAL Superstar: Amario for following instructions and trying hard to always make good choices..

• Mr Corrigan’s class:
  Star of the Week: Charlie for showing great confidence and independence with his writing..

SEAL Superstar: Harrison for being a good friend this week and using kind words..

• Miss Louden’s class:
  Star of the Week: Kyle for settling into his new school and making new friends
  SEAL Superstar: Lewis for being extremely brave
• Miss Parkinson’s class:
  Star of the Week: Eden for fantastic work and contribution in English this week
  SEAL Superstar: Ellie for identifying ways to be a good friend
• Miss Shin’s class:
  Star of the Week: Luca for a fantastic piece of independent writing
  SEAL Superstar: Nathan for always working hard and being kind and helpful

Well done, everyone!

Just a quick reminder that there be no After School Club next Tuesday 14th  November and the following Wednesday 22nd November as all the Hollinwood staff will be taking part in restorative justice training to help us support our children better if they go into crisis or get distressed.

I hope you all have a great weekend,

Jaina

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