READ, READ, READ.

It was brilliant this week to reward our pupils who were able to read at least 3 times every week during our first 1/2 term. The children were able to choose a prize, bring a toy or enjoy a story and hot chocolate. We hope even more children will be able to enjoy the rewards of reading regularly this 1/2 term (please help by filling in reading records - soon to be online). Also this week, our reading ambassadors were able to visit the library van to restock our library with a wide range of new books, and worked with the educational library service to reorganise our library. 

KS1 visit Morwellham Quay:
This week Kensa class visited Morwellham Quay to explore what it was like to be a child in Victorian times. It was a fabulous opportunity to make their History come to life. In the schoolroom the children learned why the number 12 was so important, what happened if you didn't behave properly, and that education wasn't a right like it is now - it was something that parents had to pay for. Exploring Victorian toys was an exciting activity that came next and their science knowledge about materials helped there. Kensa class compared modern toys which are often made of brightly coloured plastic to the old wooden toys Victorian children may have had - if they were lucky enough! Later they had a train ride and experienced the total dark in the mine - just a little bit scary and they are glad we don't have to work in the mines. Finally, the children had a wonderful session trying on Victorian clothes, some of which were very scratchy! Just look at how fabulous they look in these clothes. All in all, they had a stunning day, and our thanks go to Kathy (their guide, who even made our teachers a little bit nervous when in the schoolroom).

Boom Readers:
From next week we will be swapping from paper reading diaries to online reading diaries using 'Boom Readers'. Children will have their own login QR code to record their daily reads online via a computer or App. Boom Reader allows you and your child to record their reading and for school staff to record reading too, then monitor how often and well children read. We know how much children love to read and listen to stories, and we're sure this will app help and motivate the children. You will receive a letter with your child's login details shortly. 

Children in Need:
The school council have met recently and have decided they want to support the 'Children in need charity'. They want to raise money by hosting some games such as blind guessing items and foods, guess the number of sweets in a jar and a whole school game of hide and seek; they also ask children to wear non-school uniform with a yellow theme and try to have as many spots as possible. Our school council ask that children bring a contribution of £2. Children in need is on Friday 18th November 2022.

Attendance: Attendance continues to climb, keep up the good work. KS1 is: 91.7%; KS2 it is: 94.5% and for the whole school it is: 93.6%.

We can hardly believe that we have reached the end of our first half term. The children have been amazing as they always are. The learning that has been taking place has been really great and I am looking forward to more of the same next term, along with all the fun that Christmas brings.

This week the children have been showing off their creative skills when building Anderson shelters in Key Stage 2. In Key Stage 1 children have 

Sponsored Read:
Well done and a big thank you to all the children who were able to raise Money for the school for schoolbooks to purchase from 'Osborne Books'. We have raised £300 so far and Osborne will match our fundraising by... 

Halloween Disco:
The Halloween disco was a big success with lots of amazing costumes, games, dancing and prizes. Thank you for all your donations for our tombola and to the PTA for their efforts in organising the evening. 

Attendance:
Attendance is still climbing, keep up the good work. KS1 is: 91%; for KS2 it is: 94.4% and for the whole school it is: 93.4%.

Awards:
Head Awards: Thomas, Jenson, Imogen
Star of the week Awards: Otillie, Lerryn and Henry Have a great weekend.

Airfields, Military Keep, Scientific Discovery, Pumpkins and... Goats? - What a week!

What an exciting week! The children have managed to work hard in all their subjects this week and engage in some brilliant enrichment learning. 

KS2 visits to the Airfield and to Bodmin Keep. 
Key stage 2 this week had the opportunity on Monday to visit Cardinham Airfield. The children were fascinated by the planes, how they worked and the different ways they were operated. They were lucky enough to see the early stages of a 'Supermarine V5' plane (the plane that would later inspire the creation of the Spitfire) being built and learn many technical facts about planes and their impact on turning World War 2 in Britain's favour. This visit will certainly help with our writing over the coming weeks. A big thank you to Pete and his team. 

Just days later, the children visited Bodmin Keep to further develop their understanding of life in World War 2. The children really enjoyed their visit, wowed our guides with their knowledge and came away with new understanding of the time. A big thank you to Leah and Jill who supported our visit. The children also came away with free return visits for the year. The keep will be hosting half term activities. A flyer is attached below the blog if you are interested. 

Science at Brunel Primary Academy:
On Thursday, we were able to get a small number of our pupils to Brunel School to watch a science showcase by the Royal Institute. The children were amazed by the experiments: the tricks and magic which science can perform. Many children revelled in returning to school and sticking some of our reading books together through the power of friction. Thank you, Brunel, for welcoming our school so warmly and allowing us to watch the roadshow. 

Puppetry Workshop:
Friday saw KS2 take part in a puppetry workshop. Our whole school enjoyed being welcomed by a goat in the morning and seen home at the end of the day by him too. The children learnt the acting skills needed to preform using a range of puppets and created their own puppets and scenes to perform to great effect. A super way of telling stories. Do try to watch the show tomorrow in the village hall if you can. 

Pumpkin Picking:
Also on Friday, Nursery and Reception went off to Lifton Farm shop for a spooky Pumpkin picking session. They looked great in costumes and heard from Mrs Peacrce what a great time they had. 

Sponsored Read:
For those children who have been able to take part in our sponsored read, please can forms and money be brought to school on Monday (17th October 2022)

Halloween Disco:
The end of 1/2 term is near and next Thursday will see us host a Halloween Disco. Tickets will cost £2 and include sweets, food and a chance to win a tombola prize. On Thursday, children can come to school in costumes for the day, and if possible, bring a prize for the tombola (a prize suitable for a child please).

Attendance: 
Attendance is still climbing, keep up the good work. KS1 is: 91%; for KS2 it is: 94.4% and for the whole school it is: 93.4%.
Awards:
Head Awards: Thomas, Jenson, Imogen
Star of the week Awards: Otillie, Lerryn and Henry

Have a great weekend.

The end of another week and we can hardly believe we are into October already. The children have been busy writing diaries in KS2 and KS1 have been working hard on their story writing and knowledge of toys - old and new. The children also had alot fun with their Harvest activities this week. 

Harvest Festival:
Thank you to all who were able to come to our Harvest Festival on Friday. It was lovely to celebrate this time of year in this way as he has been 3-years since it was possible. The poetry, prayers and pictures shared were great; we also enjoyed seeing everybody having a good go at joining in our Harvest songs. A huge thank you for all of your donations for the Food Bank - I know the local collection point are really grateful for our support and it will make a big difference. 

Educational visits:
Next week, KS2 will be thoroughly busy with educational trips. On Monday they visit Cardinham Airfield where they will grasp a better understanding of plans and how important they were in WW2. On Wednesday, we visit Bodmin Keep, enriching the children's knowledge of the second world war. KS2 are also lucky enough to have the running dog theatre company coming in on Friday 14th October to host a workshop on puppetry. 

Attendance:
Attendance this week is up slightly from last week - well done! Attendance for Reception and KS1 is: 89% for KS2 it is: 93.6% and for the whole school it is: 92.1%. Still early days but let's get it pushing above 96%.

Have a lovely weekend and see you all on Monday for the beginning of a very busy and exciting week of learning.

A wonderful week this week. The children have been a joy to watch at play and lunch times. They include each other, adapt play for younger children and invent super games. In class, the children have been super busy: KS1 have been learning about Judaism and have written some super stories about the 'Everywhere Bear', and in KS2 the children have completed their Battle of Britain poems, used primary and secondary sources to find out about cryptography during WW2, used variables and repeats in programming, discovered what Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are and produced some lovely art for Harvest.

Harvest Festival:
Next Friday from 1.30pm, at the church, we are holding a short Harvest service/assembly where we will celebrate the season of Harvest festival. We hope you can join us and if you have or are bale to buy long life food products, we will be collecting for the food bank at this time. Children can be collect after the service at the church or from the village green. 

KS2 educational visits:
The week beginning Monday10th October will be a busy week for KS2, as we use the Brand New Minibuses within our Trust (Bridge Schools), to the make a visit to Bodmin airfield to learn about aviation, how planes work, how planes during WW2 would've used airfields and hear from Pete White, a local expert on the Battle of Britain.
Later in the week, Wednesday 12th October, KS2 will visit Bodmin Keep to find out about the events of WW2, handle some primary sources of information and further enrich our learning. 

Parent Consultation Evenings:
Next week is parent consultation evening; appointments can be made through the Arbor Parent Portal app. If you have any difficulties booking, please let Mrs Pengelly know. Likewise, if you cannot make next week's available appointments, do let us know so we can book at time which is convenient. 

PTA:
Thank you to all the parents who were able to make the PTA AGM last week. We have already pencilled in some activities which will help support the school and children through fundraising. The first event of note will be a Halloween Disco after school on Thursday 20th October. We ask for £1 donation. Also during this day, children can come dressed in their costumes - we ask if they are able, to bring tombola prizes for the children to win during the disco. The disco will run from 3.30pm until 5.00pm (children can remain in school from the end of the day.)

Attendance:
Attendance is a priority, especially after so much missed learning because of COVID restrictions over the past few years. We would like all children's attendance to be above 96%. We also will very rarely authorise holidays during term time but please still fill in absent request forms. attendance for KS1 is: 89% for KS2 it is: 92.8% and for the whole school it is: 91.7%. Early days but lets get it pushing above 96% ASAP.

Awards:
Head Awards: Amy, Alex, Cadan
Star of the week Awards: Lilly, John

Have a great weekend. 

Another week has vanished in a blink of an eye. The children have been extremely busy with their learning and have achieved so much in just a few weeks. Children have show their 'Remember it Rhino' skills and have been able to recall much of what they have learnt so far this term and have used knowledge from last year brilliantly - it's wonderful to see and hear. KS1 have been absorbed in their Maths (using numicon expertly) and RE (showing great curiosity and respect). KS2 this week have shown their computational thinking skills when debugging algorithms in their computing lessons (really great to hear their logical thinking this week).

Arbor and SeeSaw urgent reminder:
Please do log in to Arbor Parent Portal as soon as possible so that you can complete consents and agreements. It will also be a way for us to communicate with you along side emails. Also this by the end of the day on Monday, we want to share logins and access to SeeSaw where we can share examples of your children's learning. If you have declined use of photos in school or of SeeSaw use (or just not yet signed on Arbor) we will be unable to place your child's work on this platform for you to see. 

Homework and Home learning:
As a well-know supermarket says, 'Every little helps' and helping your child with homework can give them that little extra boast with their learning. In KS1 we ask that you hear your child read at least 3-times-a-week (little and often is the key). Children also have access to numbots (a mental maths game), login details will be stuck into reading diaries. Another useful Maths app for recalling number fact is 0ne-minute Maths from White rose maths: https://whiterosemaths.com/1-minute-maths#download

Free Maths resources for all age groups can also be downloaded from: https://whiterosemaths.com/parent-resources

In KS2 we ask for 3 main things from the children with your support: Read at least 3-times-a-week (please note down/sign their reading record so they can earn rewards); practice times timestables and number facts (TT Rockstars can help here - logins are stuck inside their reading records, and KIRF sheets which were sent home can help too; if your child hasn't brought their KIRF sheet home, please let us know) and spellings (spellings rules for the term have been sent home and weekly spellings learnt will be placed on the class blog; your child's spelling group will be found on the inside of their reading record) 

After school clubs:
After schools clubs (surfing and multi-skills) are well and truly up and running, and the children are loving them. There are still spaces in both clubs, please email Mrs Pengelly if you would like you child to attend these clubs which are Free thanks to sports premium
Garden Competition:
A big well done to the children who entered a gardening show competition. The children made some excellent gardens and we did very well with gaining 1st (Amy), 2nd (Megan) and 3rd (Zenna) places. More examples of the excellent art and creative learning at Blisland. 

Please keep a look out for updates on events which are added to regularly: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary

Head Awards: Nyle, Freya, Roxanne, Thomas and Eloise
Star of the week Awards: JJ, Roxanne, Emma and Imogen

Have a great weekend.

It has been a wonderful week of learning. The children have jumped straight into their work with wonderful enthusiasm. I have seen KS1 discuss religious themes with curiosity and use knowledge from last year to guide themselves. In KS2, children have been writing poems about spitfires and considering how shape effects strength in DT. 

Roald Dahl Day:
On Tuesday we took part in celebrating the life of children's author, Roald Dahl. The costumes were fantastic and we were very close to having the full set of Charlie and the Chocolate factory characters (if only I had bought the Oompa Loompa suit). Well done everybody.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II:
We still remain saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth and when closed on Monday for the funeral, will reflect on her life serving our country. Mrs Pearce has helped children produce art work to remember her and show gratitude to her service and this will be on show at the church. 

After School Clubs:
After school clubs this term are multi-skills on a Tuesday - Multi-skills is open to children from Reception to Y3; and Surfing on a Wednesday - open to children in KS2. There are still places available for both clubs. Please contact Mrs Pengelly if you would like your child to take part in the clubs mentioned. 

Arbor:
Please do log in to Arbor parent portal as soon as possible so that you can complete consents and agreements. It will also be a way for us to communicate with you along side emails.

PTA AGM:
Apologies for the double rescheduling; but we we do want as many people to attend as possible and support our efforts to fundraise for the children. The new time for the AGM is Friday 23rd September at 2pm (in the Cabin). I hope to see as many of you there as possible next week.

Phonics Parents meeting:
For our families of our new reception children, we are pleased to confirm that on Tuesday 20th September at 2.30, Mrs Harrison will be hosting a meeting to discuss how reading and phonics is taught. If you're a parent of a child in KS1 and would like an update, please feel free to attend

We have really enjoyed our beginning to the new term and remain focused and committed to ensuring the best for every child in our lovely school. Thank you for continued and greatly valued support. This as always makes such a positive difference to the children.

See you all on Tuesday.

Hello everybody, and a 'Big Welcome Back!' It has been great to see you all the past few mornings and watch how well the children have come back to school. A big well done to our new reception starters who have begun their school career with wonderful enthusiasm and confidence - it was so lovely to see. 

Class Learning:
This term both classes will have a History focused enquiry question with KS1 delving into toys old and new and after 1/2 term, life for children in the Victorian era, while in KS2, children will be looking at WW2 and how the Blitz and the Battle of Britain became significant events which impacted on the course of History. Look on class pages on the website next week for more details about key themes and threads. 

SeeSaw:
Next week, you will receive a QR code with login information for an app called 'SeeSaw'. This app is an online learning journey where children will be able to share their learning and activities with you at home regularly.

Arbor:
Please login in to Arbor Parent Portal as soon as you can as this is where you will be able to give consent for things such as SeeSaw and photographs; it will also be a way to book in for future consultation evenings and receiving school communications.

After School Clubs:
After school sports clubs this term are KS1 and Reception multi-skills on Tuesdays with Caja Parkes 3pm - 4pm; and KS2 Surf club with Surf's Up company on Wednesdays (4pm - 5.30pm at Polzeath beach) We currently have 4 spaces remaining for this club. Please contact Mrs Pengelly if you would like your child to attend any of these clubs. 

Roald Dahl Day:
On Tuesday 13th September children are invited to take part in celebrated the life of Roald Dahl, who was such an important figure in children's literature. On this Day children may dress in Roald Dahl themed clothing as we take part in some Roald Dahl-based learning and activities.

Finally and Sadly, we express our deep sorrow and sadness after the news of the Queen's (Elizabeth II) death. Children have taken time already to reflect on her passing and have remembered her for the amazing monarch and person she was, and the long-lived service she gave to our country over her 70-year reign. We remembered how excited we were to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee and will continue to remember her fondly. Over this period of national mourning we will reduce activity on social media and with sending out non-urgent communications.

Have a good weekend.

Look out for up and coming events on the events page of the website: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary

Super Sunny Sports Day

How lucky we have been with the weather this week. It really did at to some wonderful events.

Moor Day:
On Wednesday we visited Minions and the hurlers. The children were guided by a mountain leader and learnt how to map read and navigate. They had a brilliant day out and walked an amazing 5 miles. We were all super impressed as the yomped across the moors. 

Sports day:
What a wonderful afternoon of competition and fun we had on Friday! The children competed so well, with great determination and team spirit. Congratulations to all the children; to the Green Team who won the team work award, and to the Red team who were the sports day winners.

Summer Fair and Duck Race:
Thank you all for supporting our raffle, tombola and duck race (especially our river volunteers). Also a big thank you to our PTA for all of their support. We have raised nearly £500 with all of your support.

Have a wonderful weekend in the sun everyone.

Beach, Baking and the Big Toddle!

Another week has gone and now we have entered July and only 3 weeks left. 

Big Toddle:
Well done to our nursery who raised money for charity by going on a sponsored walk and hosting a bake sale. The walked a long way, looked fantastic in their costumes and raised over £350!

Cultural Cooking:
This week, KS2 completed their DT project where they were designing, cooking and evaluating food from Brazil. They made Brigadeiros (Brazilian truffles), Quindim and acai smoothie cereal. All of their recipes worked out brilliantly and they evaluated their products well using good understanding of their senses. 

Beach Day at Daymer Bay:
Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 had a fantastic day (despite the rain) at Daymer Bay beach where they had a day of beach sports and fun. They took part in some super team games (some of which our sports council have added to our playground rota) and had great fun solving orienteering puzzles. We came back soaking wet but full of excitement about our day. 

Sports Day and Summer fair:
Next Friday (Friday 8th July) is sports day and our summer fair. we aim to start at 1.30pm. Following the afternoon of races and athletic events, please stay around for our raffle, tombola's and duck race. 

Have a great weekend and keep your fingers crossed for sunshine next week