Welcome to the Grayswood CE School newsletter, bringing you an update of what's been happening during the month of February.

It has been another very busy month with so much going on! Please do read below for a snapshot of what we've been up to, along with a few reminders. 

Grayswood Book Fair

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the Grayswood School Book Fair on Wednesday.

We loved seeing the children get so excited looking through the beautiful books on offer!

If you were unable to purchase a book on the day, you can purchase online but please make sure you use our unique QR code to ensure resulting donations make their way back to us.

Superhero Woodpeckers

Last week our wonderful Woodpeckers performed in front of the entire school and their parents, showing us how we can all be superheroes.

Congratulations to all the Year 1 children, Mrs. Smith, Miss Harling, Mrs. Coxeter and Mrs. Dewhurst on a really inspiring, confident performance!

Year 2 Trip to Godalming

In the Spring term, the Robin’s topic focuses on the geography of our local area with links to Jack Phillips. As part of their learning, on Monday 5th February Year 2 paid a visit to Godalming Museum for a workshop, followed by a guided tour of the town and on to visit the places of interest related to Jack Phillips.

During the day, the children were able to develop their field work skills including:

• Identifying physical and human features
• Devising a simple map
• Using a map

It was a really informative day in which Robins fully participated and kept going despite the biting cold which seemed to turn up on the day during our walk!

Year 6 Trip to Gilbert White Museum

This month, Kites paid a visit to the Gilbert White Museum. Whilst there, they took part in a variety of hands-on workshops, including an introduction to the story of Captain Scott and his companions’ journey to the South Pole in 1912.

Furthermore, Year 6 were able to investigate the rations eaten on the Terra Nova expedition and compare these with equivalent rations taken on expeditions today. Kites then explored the many adaptations of Antarctic animals, understanding specifically how penguins are suited to their harsh environment and exploring the unique attributes specific to the albatross. Finally, the class found out what was worn on Scott’s expedition and even tried on some clothing.

The grand finale saw the children pull (and ride on) a sledge! 

Year 3 Trip to Fishbourne

Kingfishers have thoroughly enjoyed their topic of Rotten Romans and their trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace was brilliant and a fantastic way to complete the learning!

In the morning, the children completed various activities dressed as Roman slaves, such as working in the kitchen, arch building and writing their names using the Roman alphabet.

After lunch, they were able to explore the museum further and had the opportunity to investigate the mosaics and central heating system.

Kingfishers were incredibly well behaved, enthusiastic and learnt so much. They had a “brilliant”, “fun”, “awesome”, “fascinating” and “interesting” day!

Classical Concert for Swifts

Last week, Swifts Class were invited to attend a lunchtime concert, funded by the Community Foundation Surrey (CFS) for the benefit of the community and in particular local school children.

"On Thursday 22nd February, Swifts class went to listen to a concert by Gabriele Sutkute on the piano. It was wonderful and beautiful music, each piece filled with emotions. We all enjoyed it, it was very relaxing." 

Written by Douglas J

An Update from Hen House

At each of our clubs, we make special efforts to ensure all the children are provided with exciting, supportive and engaging activities. Please see some photos of things that the children have been up to.

Every day, our afterschool club staff will help children with their reading as well as provide areas for playing board games, construction, puzzles or arts and crafts. Alongside this, there will be supervised group activities like den building as well as access to playing sports such as badminton, dodgeball, rounders and football.

Some of our most recent activities

During the run up to Christmas, children were invited to our Christmas party and encouraged to enter our Hen House Christmas window competition. Children from all of our sites created a piece of craft that was hung in the Hen House window for the town window competition. We have been busy using the table football table, learning dance routines with one member of staff, exploring new board games, having a quiz, enjoyed movie time when we have been plagued with poor weather and celebrating dates in the calendar such as Chinese new year and Valentine's Day.

Crafts we have been making – wreaths at Christmas, arctic foxes, year of the dragon posters, spring paper flowers, valentines colouring and wordsearches.

To find out more about booking a place for your child, please visit

https://thehen-house.com/clubs-camps/

Good attendance is not just valuable, it's essential. Good attendance promotes good outcomes for pupils and provides them with the very best opportunity to reach their potential.

We regularly track the attendance for each child and communicate with parents where any concerns may be emerging. The government class attendance below 90% is as 'persistently absent' and under 50% 'severely absent'.

The percentage attendance figures for each class as a whole in February are:

Year 2 Sports Leaders

On Thursday 8th February 2024, Active Surrey paid another visit to Grayswood to deliver ‘The First Steps to Sports Leadership’ course for Year 2.

"In team building there were three challenges, the Hula Hoop Challenge, the Shoe Tower and the Tennis Ball Games. After that we played four games, where one person had to tell us what the game was, and then the other people act it out. One game was called On The Spot. What you have to do is have four spots and four people. One person tells you an action to do, such as stand on one leg, then they take a spot away and you have to run as fast as you can to the remaining spots, and the person not on a spot it out of the game. We also enjoyed the traffic light game."

Written by Hector M and Vivi

Preloved Uniform

Don't forget, we have a thriving pre-loved uniform service which now has its very own Instagram page: @grayswood_uniform

The uniform shop is really important for the school and raises a significant sum each year. Buying uniform second-hand is kinder on the pocket and the planet!

Hosting a party? 

A reminder that you can hire our school hall for your parties, events or clubs. It's available after school, at weekends and during the school holidays.

To find out more please contact Mrs Simpson, our School Business Manager, on sbm@grayswood.surrey.sch.uk