.

• Pirate Day - Year 2

  Fri 16 Jun 2023

  What a fun day today has been!

   

  Everyone looked amazing in their costumes ready for a fun packed piratey day. 

   

  Treasure Hunt

  We had to follow a set of clues to find the treasure... can you remember what we found using the clues and what was in the treasure chest? 

   

  Flag Making

  We learnt about the different meanings on pirate flags and made our own. Do you remember what the pictures on your flag represent?

   

  Matching Game

  The pirates gave us pictures of pirate related things and we had to match them in pairs. It was a great memory game and good to work as a team. 

   

  Role Play

  After recapping the different jobs on a pirate ship we turned Class 8 into a pirate ship and set to work onboard the Jolly Westfield!! It was great to get into character and 'scrub the deck' or 'hoist the sail'. What was your role onboard the ship?

   

  Maths in a Bottle

  11 bottles were hidden around the thinking garden. Each one had a different maths number sentence in it and we had to work out the answers. When we had completed it we were given a 'pirate code'. The code lent us to a message. Can you tell your adults the message? 

   

  Buried Treasure

  On the laptops we played a game of phonics buried treasure. Here we had to sort the real words from the nonsense ones. This is a great game you can play on your laptops or tablets at home.

   

  We are all really proud of the behaviour of all children especially on this scorching hot day. 

  

• King Charles III Coronation Celebrations

  Fri 05 May 2023

  Westfield has had a right Royal day today – the flags are flying and the bunting is up; we’ve been celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III which takes place tomorrow on 6^th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey!

   

  We couldn’t let the opportunity pass by because this is such an historic event – it is our first Coronation, the last one was 70 years ago!

   

  We kick-started our day with a rather special whole school assembly. What did you notice everyone was wearing? Thank you for the effort you all went to – you all matched the colours on our Union Flag.

   

  Mrs Leeson helped us understand what the Coronation is; it’s a time for crowning the Monarch. King Charles III has been King since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II in September last year. The Coronation is a formal and official time to crown His Majesty. We also found out that his wife Camilla will also be crowned Queen Consort.

   

  So what can we expect to see at a Coronation?

  The Coronation Procession – with Their Majesties travelling in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach (commissioned for the Queen to mark her 60 year reign) and parade of uniforms on display.

   

  Interestingly, we were told that on the way back from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, Their Majesties will travel in the Gold State Coach, a wooden coach covered in a thin layer of gold leaf. Can you remember how many horses are needed to pull this?

   

  We looked at the Coronation Chair – where King Charles III will be crowned. This is called the Investiture. Do you remember what happens to the St. Edward’s Crown once the Coronation is over? This Crown weighs the same as 5 bags of sugar because it is made from solid gold and includes many precious jewels; rubies, sapphires and amethysts. The next time we will see this Crown will be when the next King is crowned. Who is the next heir?

   

  King Charles III will exit Westminster Abbey wearing the Imperial State Crown, a crown he will wear for opening Parliament. The Crown Jewels are only some pieces of the Coronation Regalia. We were shown the Sovereign’s Orb, Sceptres, Rings and a special Golden Spoon used for the most sacred part of the ceremony – the Anointing. Can you remember what is poured onto it and placed on the Monarch’s head?

   

  We were upstanding and in good voice as we sang the National Anthem with Makaton signs.

   

  We found out that Sunday is the day when many people will be joining in with The Big Lunch; a time for families, friends and communities to hold street parties – have you got your bunting and flags ready?!

   

  Monday is a day off AND an opportunity to volunteer in your local community. It’s called The Big Help Out. Maybe you are doing something with your Rainbow or Beavers clubs?

   

  Mrs Leeson told us to keep our eyes peeled for the King’s head appearing on coins and stamps and we learnt what the new cipher meant.

   

  Prizes were awarded to the best crown design in each class. Thank you to everyone who entered – you all received a certificate. Well done everyone!

   

  Our Coronation lunch was amazing – burgers and chips and then ice-cream to follow. Everything was packaged beautifully to mark this special day. Did you spot the Coronation logo? Huge thanks to everyone in the Kitchen and Mrs Worthington and Mrs Babic.

   

  Throughout the day, we’ve been completing different activities – making crowns fit for a King, flags and even taking part in a scavenger hunt!

   

  Everyone has taken home a goody bag with a special Coronation cup cake or biscuit, commemorative bookmark and a balloon. Thank you all for a memorable day!

   

  We wish all our Westfield families a wonderful Coronation weekend!

   

  

• Animal Visitors in Year 1!

  Mon 24 Apr 2023

  Today, Year 1 children were given a real treat - a visit from some exotic animals, as part of our Summer term topic 'Paws, Claws and Whiskers'. 

   

  Children got to meet a meerkat, a royal python, a lesser tenrec, a tarantula, a tortoise and a bearded dragon. 

   

  All the children interacted with the animals and listened to some fascinating facts about each, including what they ate and which country they are native to.

   

  The children enjoyed asking questions to find out more about these interesting animals too. 

  

• Easter Crafts Afternoon

  Fri 31 Mar 2023

  What a wonderful afternoon this afternoon was! All children in the school had a fantastic, creative time we had making lots of lovely, colourful Easter crafts. 

   

   

  In Year 1 we made a woven Easter basket with beautifully decorated eggs. We carefully followed the pattern of 'over-under' to complete the Easter challenge. We had great fun sharing this time with families!

   

  In Year 2 we made paper flowers by carefully drawing around our hands and curling paper to make lillies. We also made a rabbit wreath by decorating eggs with lots of bright colours. Finally our last craft was to make a slider Easter card.

   

  Thank you to all the parent/carers who joined us this afternoon. It was lovely to see so many people.

   

  Wishing you a wonderful Easter half term. 

  

• Spring Term Recorder Club Performance

  Tue 28 Mar 2023

  Today, the whole school were treated to a fantastic performance by the after-school Recorder Club.

   

  It was clear that the Year 2 children (and Mrs Parkes) had been working hard to pick up the skills and confidence to perform a number of pieces of music using the three musical notes B, A and G. 

   

  As a special Easter treat, the recorder club performed Hot Cross Buns. 

   

  A brilliant job, well done children - your first (of many?) musical performances!

   

  Click the link below for the video:

  https://westfield-infant-school.primarysite.media/media/recorder-club-spring-performance

   

• Year 1 visit St Mary's Church

  Mon 20 Mar 2023

  This afternoon, all the pupils in Year 1 had a fantastic time visiting St Mary's Church in Hinckley. After a brisk walk in the sunshine, the children got to hear about many of the things that St Mary's does within the community. 

   

  Bev told us about the different types of services that are held at the church, including christenings and weddings. We got to have a go at ringing the wedding bell - WOW, it was so loud!

   

  After finding out about the different colours that are worn by church officials throughout the year, the children explored different parts of the church including the pulpit and the prayer room. 

   

  We had a brilliant time understanding how this local church supports people and families in Hinckley, and giving us a better understanding of what a church is and why it is special to Christian people. 

  

• British Science Week

  Fri 17 Mar 2023

  This week we have celebrated British Science Week's 2023 theme 'Connections'. Each class enjoyed a fun science lesson with a twist... It wasn't their usual class teacher teaching it!

   

  In EYFS, Year 1 teachers conducted an experiment with the Classes 1 2, and 3 to find out which materials were waterproof. The children first predicted which materials would be waterproof and then tested each one.

   

  In Year 1, the Year 2 teachers taught Classes 4, 5 and 6 about thrust. In groups the children made rockets and used balloons to launch them.

   

  In Year 2, EYFS teachers visited Classes 8, 9 and 10 to discuss the life cycle of the chicks. 

   

  Class 7 enjoyed having Mr Harries visit to help complete a floating and sinking activity. 

   

  Overall it was a fun afternoon learning science!

  

• Year 1 Virtual tour of a Synagogue

  Wed 15 Mar 2023

  What a fabulous opportunity Year 1 pupils had today – visiting Leicester Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, virtually!

   

  This visit comes at the end of their RE unit of work – Who is Jewish and what do they believe? The children were able to showcase their vocabulary as they looked at some of the key features in the Synagogue (where the Rabbi sits, seats for the congregation, the Arc and Torahs) They met Ian who showed them some pictures of the outside of their synagogue, some items such as a Torah and yad. Do you remember what the yad is used for?

   

  A fantastic question and answer time was had by all classes which helped to consolidate this term’s learning about Judaism. The children did a brilliant job at remembering the different aspects of Judaism and the festivals they celebrate. It’s true to say that they were all amazed to learn that the Torah scrolls are as long as a football pitch, when unrolled!

   

  Thank you Year 1 for showing real interest and respect whilst visiting this Place of Worship. We are very proud of you. Thank you to all at the Leicester Hebrew Congregation Synagogue for giving a super virtual tour and talk.

  

• Fire Safety with Ben

  Mon 06 Mar 2023

  This afternoon, Ben from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue visited children in Year 1 to share some important information about fire safety!

   

  Ben told us about all of the amazing and different types of jobs that the Fire Service do, reminding us of the hard work they do daily to keep everyone safe!

   

  We talked about the importance of smoke detectors in our houses and children have been challenged to find theirs upstairs and downstairs too.

   

  Ben told us about 'STOP, DROP AND ROLL' if our clothes ever caught on fire and we practising this important skill!

   

  We learned about recognising things around the house and when we're out near roads and in the car that could be unsafe. 

   

  Ben reminded us to talk with our adults at home about a fire plan - how we should get out of the house if there was a fire. 

   

  Thanks to Ben for taking time out to share these important messages - we can pass them on to our friends and other family members too! 

  

• World Book Day 2023

  Thu 02 Mar 2023

  World Book Day has arrived! WOW! You all looked INCREDIBLE today, dressed as characters from a variety of books. Well done and thank you for all the effort you went to. World Book Day is a day to celebrate reading!

   

  During our special World Book Day assembly this morning we all said "Good Morning to Mr Squires" BUT the man at the front replied "Who's Mr Squires?!"

  Can you remember which book character Mr Squires was today?

   

  The teaching staff stood at the front dressed as characters from some of their favourite books. They told us who they were and why their chosen book was one of their favourites. The teachers' reasons included

  'I love reading the story out aloud'

  'I love rhyming stories'

  'This is a story I read when I was little and it's still one of my favourites'

  'This story teaches you to share and be kind'

  'My children enjoy this story so we read it lots'

  'I love the exciting adventure in this story.'

   

  Can you remember which teacher/s were:

  Burglar Bill?

  Miss Honey from Matilda?

  The kind witch from The Witch on the Broom?

  The Very Hungry Caterpillar?

  The Cat in the Hat?

  The Three Little Pigs?

  The ladybird from What the Ladybird Heard?

  The Rainbow Fish?

  The Granny from Jack and the Flum Flum Tree?

  Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz?

   

  The reason for celebrating World Book Day is to remind ourselves of our love for books - comics, stories, non-fiction, poems etc. At Westfield we enjoy sharing books of all kinds.

   

  In our classes today we have shared funny stories, traditional tales and chapter stories. We have had fun exploring activities related to the characters including role playing and illustrating. Some of us even tried to create a book title page for a snippet of a description our teacher gave us! It was a time to reflect on our favourite stories - the parts we liked and the parts we didn't like. It's true to say that EVERYONE has been fully engaged.

   

  During the afternoon we had another special assembly - an opportunity to share what we have all been up to during the past three afternoons - immersing ourselves in stories! The wonderful art activities shared all link to these focus stories - 

  Jack and the Flum Flum Tree

  What the Ladybird Heard

  Aliens Love Underpants

  Owl Babies

  Cave Baby

  The Lion Inside

  The Very Hungry Caterpillar

  The Gruffalo

  We're Going on a Bear Hunt

  Percy the Park Keeper.

   

  Which classes did you visit this week?

   

  A huge thank you to all the children for their enthusiasm for books and reading and to all the staff who each day prepared very exciting activities for the children to promote reading. What a super week Westfield has had!

   

  Maybe you've listened to a new story this week that you'd like to borrow from our school library on your next class visit or even Hinckley library.

   

  Remember, reading is the very best thing you can ever do!