Our Y4 children took part in two days of activities and an overnight stay in school this week. They had a brilliant time - tackling new challenges including archery, non-contact boxing, and circus skills along with drumming workshops, art activities, PE and maths challenges. There has been a really special feel to these two days, especially when taking part in games and activities at dusk out on the school field. 

Overnight, the children settled down in tents in the halls while Fr James popped in to read a bedtime story. By morning the children were really proud of their achievement of staying away from home with their school friends. 

An early breakfast in the morning light followed by more activities to finish the experience. 

Here is some feedback from the children:

"It was good, fun and enjoyable!"

"We slept quite well and I liked how we got to sleep with our friends in the tents"

"It was a great experience and it has set me up to go to Hautbois next year."

"I'd love to do it all again!"

Our Year 6 children (and staff) were very excited for their Residential visit. There were incredible outdoor experiences, challenges and opportunities throughout the week. 

Each day, photos and updates were updated on this news feed, with further pictures and information in the gallery here:

https://www.hillsideavenue.org/year-6-residential-2022/

Updates were late in the evening, after the children are settled in the dorms for the night and staff have chance to access the internet.

Well done everyone - staff and children  - for making it an excellent week.

Children learned the self-discipline, coordination and control of karate in a special week of sessions this week. It was great to see confidence building as children concentrated on learning the skills and trying out a range of moves. 

The show goes on! Children had a wonderful experience taking part in Christmas plays even though last-minute changes due to the pandemic meant performing to camera rather than the audiences we had hoped to host. The enjoyment on children's faces was clear as they dressed up and performed, singing and dancing together. Nursery took part in the traditional Nativity story, with some extra animals of their choice! Reception children told the tale of a bossy king and queen for whom the wonder of Christmas brought joy and happiness. Year 1 and Year 2 were full of enthusiasm to sing and dance their way to Bethlehem!

Parents loved seeing the finished video recordings of the performances, and with over 2000 views we reached a much wider audience this year than we would have with in-person shows. Happy Christmas everyone!

All of KS2 featured in a wonderful show of Peter Pan. Performed as two productions, every child form Y3 to Y6 had a part to play, whether in the on-stage cast or in the supporting choirs. The children demonstrated excellent acting skills, confidence and enjoyment throughout - they all learned their parts, lines and songs brilliantly and it was easy to imagine we were in the West End not in our school hall!

Very well done to everyone, and particular thanks to the staff for running the Peter Pan after-school and lunchtime club to prepare and rehearse, and for the live music throughout.

Children had a great day, enjoying being dressed up in sparkly, glitzy and Pudsey clothes! We had special Active 15 dance sessions, to link to the 'Strictly Come Dancing' theme this year. And a fantastic amount has been raised - nearly £500 for BBC Children in Need. Well done everyone!

Children were excited to come to school in odd socks to launch the start of our Anti-bullying Week 2021. The socks were symbolic of our differences, different strengths, interests and needs, and also of the idea of doing new acts of kindness.

In our launch assembly on Monday, we looked at what is meant by bullying - in particular that this may be something quiet, subtle, online or in person, and therefore can be harder to spot or report than more 'obvious' behaviours. We considered the importance of thinking about bullying as a behaviour rather than trying to identify anyone as 'a bully' because we can all be affected by or be tempted to be drawn into bullying-type behaviours at times. Our definition of bullying is Several Times On Purpose STOP. These are the behaviours that must stop.

We considered ways we can all help to prevent or stop bullying: reporting worries, things seen or overheard, our own concerns, and looking out for those who may be quieter or sometimes left out. 

We launched our new Worry Boxes for every class, which have two purposes - a place to 'put' our worries which eases the mental burden of worry, and a place where concerns will be noted and dealt with. 

In the coming week and onwards we will continue to think further about bullying in our PSHCE lessons and in classes. Being open and able to talk about bullying is vital in preventing it taking place.

Our Open Afternoons have been a great success, and it has been lovely to welcome so many parents in with the children to visit the classrooms after school.

Parents commented that it was wonderful to be able to see inside the classrooms and the things the children have been talking about, how they enjoyed looking at examples of children's work, and the learning resources they use. 

Children, too, were delighted to have their parents in school, and to be able to show them round proudly!

Day 1: Our Year 5 children arrived safely and settled down to their first activities, after which they gathered in the marquee for lunch. Today's activities were based around team building challenges, puzzles, problem solving and survival skills - including shelter building and fire-lighting. A great first day.

Day 2: A rather rainier day - a good day for building waterproof shelters! Children have been great in their team activities again today, including rope challenges and canoeing. A busy day, and the rain did not dampen spirits!

Day 3: The children had a good night and were up bright and early for breakfast this morning. A quick group photo after breakfast before more activities and then packing up today.

Children returned for normal home time after a fantastic three days away.

Further photos can be viewed in our Gallery here:

https://www.hillsideavenue.org/y5-residential-2021/

Parents of children starting in September 2022 were invited to our Open Evening on Thursday 7th October 2021. Our visitors were able to tour around the classes, and see examples of different learning across the school, as well as looking in detail at the Nursery and Reception classrooms.

The general introductory talk about the school introduced them to the ethos of the school, what we offer in the curriculum, arts, music, sport and other opportunities; and new parents were able to meet some of the school staff, including the Nursery and Reception teachers, and ask questions. It was an enjoyable and successful evening, with the school also looking quite magical in the early evening light!