Read below to find out more about some of the different activities we have been getting up to; from sporting and musical activities, to visitors and 'wow' days. We are looking forward to helping our children 'explore and grow' further in 2025-26.

• Year 5/6 Basketball Tournament

  Sun 25 Nov 2018 M Davis

  All of year 5/6 went to represent the school in the Year 5/6 RCC Basketball competition on Thursday. It was fantastic that all of the children were able to take part in two teams.

   

  Mrs Ranson and Mrs Wingrove reported some excellent playing and sportsmanship, with the children working really well in both teams to score. A good score is not only down to those who shoot the baskets, but also down to those who get the ball to them and help with defending!

   

  One of our teams won their group, and so will be returning in a fortnight for the finals. Well done and good luck to all those involved!

• Children In Need

  Fri 16 Nov 2018 M Davis

  On Friday 16th November, the children in school were all covered in spots! Fortunately, this was not an epidemic, but the children's way of celebrating and raising money for Children In Need.

   

  This year the Children's Council and Miss Barker are in charge of our fundraising. After a meeting full of ideas (some of which have been filed for future charity events!) the Children's Council decided that the children would dress in spots for the day, and spend the day baking and carrying out an inter-class Bakeoff, before selling cakes at the end of the day. Coppers were also collected and a beautiful Pudsey cake, donated by a parent, was raffled for Children in Need.

   

  As I type, totals are still being calculated. Everyone gave generously, and we know that funds raised will go to help children who are most in need. 

   

  A huge thank you to Miss Barker and the children's council for all of their hard work.

   

• Remembrance

  Sun 11 Nov 2018 M Davis

  On Friday 9th November, Cobalt class went down to the Exton War Memorial to join with the local community in an Act of Remembrance, 100 years after the end of World War 1. The children have been writing poems in school linked to the theme of Remembrance and some of these were shared and left at the War Memorial, alongside a wreath from the school. Below are the three that were read at the War Memorial.

   

  In November, We Remember

  One bullet from a young Serbian’s gun
  Triggered the spark for World War One.

  How did one shot prove so lethal

  As to kill 17 million people?
  How could this war spill so much blood?

   

  It all began in August 1914

  As the trenches were dug in France
  And the war took its toll.

  On the ground, in the air and at sea.

   

  My ancestors fought during the war
  One of them was a famous pilot

  But that doesn’t mean I can’t remember

  Those other innocent souls who gave their lives
  For King and country.

   

  100 years hence we remember

  Remember, remember every November.

   

  Daniel

   

  In November, We Remember

  In November, we remember
  All of those who sacrificed their lives for us.

  In fields poppies grow,

  Between the crosses row on row,
  We remember the dead and alive,

  Here we lie.

   

  From falling hands

  We shall not sleep,

  In the deep,
  Let sunset glow,

  Short days ago.

   

  Inch by inch,
  Row on row,

  Never forget,

  Always remember,

  Every November.

   

  Leighton


   

  Thank you for everything

  Give thanks to everyone who saved,
  Making freedom not a dream, but a reality today,

  Help us to save the ones who save us,
  Filling our lives with kindness and love.

  Let the poppy grow as faith grows in us,

  As it is not only a symbol, but shows

  Everybody the world has lost,
  Give faith to those who have faith in us,

  The people who sacrifice their lives.

  The haunted minds shall never be forgotten,

  For they are the people who made freedom,

  As their lives were not just lost,
  They sacrificed mind, heart and soul.

   

  Drew

   

  In a term when we are particularly focussing on Respect, it was lovely to receive emails and messages from some of those who attended who commended the children on their behaviour and the respect that they showed. 

   

   

• FOEGS Taskforce

  Sat 03 Nov 2018 M Davis

  It was a small, but willing band who took part in the FOEGS Taskforce on Saturday morning! We all tried new skills, from trying to tidy the willow arch by pruning and weaving, to repainting a few walls in need of a touch-up in the school. Mr Chalkley, our Chair of Governors, re-weatherproofed the playhouse, whilst the rest of the Taskforce pruned, wove and tied up parts of the willow. We then moved inside to redecorate a couple of walls where water fountains had been moved - most of the paint made it to the walls!

   

  Thank you to those who gave up their time to ensure our school stays looking smart and tidy.

• Class Dojo Rewards

  Sat 03 Nov 2018 M Davis

  This year the children are able to spend the Dojo points they collect in the Dojo shop. There are lots of things to chose from, and the children are learning how to 'save' for things they really want, as different rewards have different Dojo values. 

   

  From the lucky dip for 10 Dojos, to a Trust Pass for 150 Dojos, there is something for everyone! 

   

  Below is a picture of two children who opted to have afternoon tea with the headteacher. Lots of cake and cucumber sandwiches were eaten, and copious amounts of squash were drunk!

  

• Balance Bikes

  Thu 01 Nov 2018 M Davis

  On Thursday our Reception children took part in their first balance bike training provided  by RCC. This is an opportunity for the children to learn some basic balance skills as a pre-cursor to learning to ride a 2 wheeled pedal-cycle. It was lovely to see how well the children concentrated and listened to their instructors, and there were lots of smiles and excited scooting up and down the school hall! 

   

  Next week we will endeavour to get some pictures!

• Year 5/6 Osprey Football League Success!

  Tue 30 Oct 2018 M Davis

  Our year 5/6 football team have worked had as a team, and we are very proud of them for placing third in the RCCSP Osprey Football League this week.

   

  We were very pleased to hear that the team had made it through to the finals for Rutland in the Year 5/6 Osprey Football League, and on Tuesday the team went to Uppingham to play 3 games to decide the final positions. 

   

  Each game was close, and after narrowly losing the first two games, the team won the third game, placing us third overall. A huge thank you to Miss Bevins and Mrs Ranson for accompanying the team and providing coaching and advice.

   

   

• Year 5/6 Bikeability

  Wed 10 Oct 2018 M Davis

  Eight of our year 5/6 children took part in Bikeability this week. It was fantastic to see them grow in confidence from learning skills on the playground, to venturing out into the village on the first day; and then taking to the busier roads of Oakham today for their level 2 training. The children have learnt about good road positioning, how to signal and the importance of checking over their shoulder, as well as a quick bit of bike maintenance. 

   

  All of the children achieved level 1 and 2. Well done to all concerned. 

   

  The children are always delightful in school - but I am always pleased when their behaviour has been complimented by those from outside school. The two instructors told me that the group were fantastic, great company and beautifully behaved. What a credit you are to the school and to your parents.

• Harvest Festival

  Fri 05 Oct 2018 M Davis

  A huge thank you to all of the parents, grandparents and friends of the school who were able to join us in Friday afternoon in the school hall for our Harvest Festival Celebration.

   

  The Thanksgiving assembly started with our newly formed choir singing 'O Re Mi', a Nigerian High-life Welcome Song, unaccompanied and in two parts - particularly impressive after only a few rehearsals!

   

  What followed was then alternate hymns for everyone to join in with, and presentations by each class. Aqua class shared the story of the Little Red Hen which they had been learning in their music lessons. There were few nerves from our youngest children, and they all joined in lustily with keeping the pulse and sharing some actions. Teal class shared their own special version of George Ezra's 'shotgun' - which had been altered to represent farming. There were great actions and enthusiastic singing of 'I'll be driving tractors....'! Finally Cobalt Class shared verses from Harvest poems they had written, with some beautiful imagery. 

   

  The assembly concluded with a rousing rendition of 'Everywhere around me', before FOEGS held their Harvest raffle. 

• No Pens Day

  Wed 03 Oct 2018 M Davis

  Wednesday 3rd October was 'No Pens Day' in school. We still had to learn, but the teachers had to be creative in getting us learning with no writing implements!

   

  Aqua Class spent the day exploring the difference between villages and cities. In the morning they used all of the construction toys they could find to build a city in the classroom. After a break for some phonics activities and games, they then went out into the village in the afternoon to see if they could see signs of autumn and spot differences between Exton and the city they had built in the morning. Crunchy leaves, fallen branches and conkers aplenty were found, and the children enjoyed looking at a house being thatched as well.

   

  Teal Class started the day with practising spelling their surnames using playdough - it is always tricky when you have a long name! They then spent some time practising explaining how they know what different 2 and 3 digit numbers represent in maths, before practising aural story telling. In the afternoon there was some PE and RE was done through craft.

   

  Cobalt Class, meanwhile, were creating a 'play in a day'. In groups they took on a script for Fantastic Mr Fox, creating a couple of scenes per group. Not only did they have to assign parts and practise performing, but they also had to create their costumes.

   

  After some debate with the younger children, staff were allowed to use pens to do the registers - we had to explain 'legal documents' to them!

   

  What a fantastic creative day we had!