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

Marvelous Meadows

What a beautiful end to a fantastic week. The children have been extremely busy as we start our run-in over the next 6-weeks towards the summer holidays; This week I have enjoyed reading their writing, seeing how they tackle Maths problems and their curiosity for the wider curriculum when understanding about plants in science or biomes which make up the Earth. 

Meadow song
Thank you to all the parents for visiting us to celebrate the children's learning about meadows. They were thrilled to share with you their science, poems, letters, watercolour art, glass paintings and, of course, to sing to you. It was a fabulous topic to learn about why meadows are so important and develop many skills and new bits of knowledge along the way. It was wonderful to have so many enjoy the morning, and thank you for supporting the children's meadow plant sale where we made over £70. If you would like to have a walk in a nearby meadow, Cardinham airfield would be more than happy for visitors to pop in and have a wonder around. 

Swimming:
This week the children have started their swimming block and now they are half-way through, it is great to see how much they have remembered and moved on from last year. The swimming instructors have been very complementary about the children's attitude to swimming, behaviour and how well they are doing. Great Job everyone!

Up and coming Dates:
The summer term can often be the busiest in the school year and I am sure that the remaining weeks will fly by with all the scheduled activities, and all the ones which may suddenly appear from nowhere. Below are dates for the events due over the next 5-weeks:

• 20th June (all week): Swimming at the Dragon Centre (Pick up at 3pm from the leisure Centre)
• Friday 24th June: Nursery and Reception visit to Newquay Zoo
• Week beginning 27th June: School photos (This will happen on the sunniest/driest day of this week)
• Tuesday 28th June: KS1 and KS2 Beach Day at Daymer Bay (Pick up from the green)
• Wednesday 6th July: KS1 and KS2 Moor adventure day (Minions)
• Friday 8th July: Sports day, Summer fair and Duck race (Thursday 14th Back up sports day)
• Friday 15th July: Eden Project workshop for KS1 and KS2 (Coach/bus dependent)

Meadow Song, Sea-side visit and SATs

This week has been a very busy week and seems to have vanished in a blink. The children have been working hard and we have seen some lovely poetry work, investigations in science - planting flowers for a meadow and some wonderful watercolour paintings.

Meadow Song Project:
Both classes are currently undertaking a learning project around meadows: 'How important for the environment they are and what we can do to help'. The children are creating some amazing pieces of art, poems, scientific investigations and song performances all about meadows. We would like to present their work to you parents after half term on the morning of Friday 17th June, just after drop-off at around 9.30am if you can hang around. 

Looe Lifeboat station:
Our Receptions and Nursery were lucky enough to go on a visit to Looe lifeboat station. They had some fantastic weather for their visit and had a fabulous time looking around the lifeboat station: seeing the rescue boats, equipment and understanding how they do their job. 

Y6 End of KS2 Assessments (AKA SATs):
Our Year 6 children this week were involved in end of key stage assessments (SATs). They are the first group for 3-years to do so and did a sterling job. They showed good perseverance, empathy with one-another and did us all proud. They certainly earned their end of week treat to the 'Snail's Pace' Café. A big thank you to our PTA for funding their treat and to the Café for making a big fuss of them and giving the children a delicious ice cream for their walk home on the Camel Trail. 

Blisland Summer Fair:
Blisland will be holding a summer fair (Saturday 25th August) this year after putting it on hold due to Covid-19. The school will aim to run 3 stalls at the fair (Mostly over the morning); if you and or your children can help, that would be great (Please let us know if you can). Also, if you or if you know of anybody who would like to have your own stall at the fair, please let school know so we can put you in contact with the organisers.

Fowey Festival:
On Saturday 14th May, children from our school who finished 1st and second in the Fowey Festival writing competition will go to receive their awards. We are really proud of them and look forward to hearing all about the prizes and day. Furthermore, the festival organisers have kindly opened their festival invitation to our whole school, allowing children and a parent free entry (Ticket normally £12). Details on how to get free entry will be emailed to you.

Awards:
Stars of the week: Lerryn, Byron, Erin, Emily and Brianna
Head Teacher awards: Alex H-P, Ottillie S, Zenna P, Lola W, Amy I and Emily S

Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather.

What a start to the Summer!

It has been a fantastic week at Blisland after returning from the Easter Break. It is always so nice to see happy children walking up our steps to school. They have been amazing as ever, and are producing super work right from the word go. 

Blisland Summer Fete: 
Blisland community will be holding a summer fete in August Bank Holiday. The school will be hosting a few events at the fete and it sounds like it's going to be a fantastic day all round. If you would like your own stall or would be able to help on the day, please do get in touch with us at school so that we can let the event organisers know. 

Kernow King:
On Wednesday the children took part in a fabulous workshop and performance with the amazing Kernow King. They learnt a lot and had such fun along the way. 

Fowey Festival Writing Competition:
A few children within the school entered a writing competition for the 'Fowey Festival'. We are very pleased and proud of the children and are very excited to announce that we had some super success within the competition.  Lerryn C won 2nd place for Non-fiction writing and Megan I won 1st place for Non-fiction writing; in KS2, Erin M was given a special commendation for a poem, Emily S came 2nd for a poem and Byron H came first for his poem. Well done! The 2nd and 1st place winners have been invited to the Festival on Saturday 14th May to receive the prizes from Lauren Child, the author of 'Charlie and Lola'.

Awards:
Stars of the week: Thomas H and Mason W
Head Teacher awards: Roxanne C, Ottillie S, Byron H

This weekend is a bank holiday; fingers crossed the sun stays out. We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 3rd May.

This week has been a fab week. The children have learnt a lot and have been able to get back to celebrating the key March events of World Book Day and St Piran's Day.

World Book Day.
What a wonderful day this was. The children looked amazing in their costumes and really showed how much they enjoy books. They took part in some great world book day activities, quizzes (Kahoot) and shared a story with each other while eating biscuits and drinking hot chocolate. 

St Piran's Day:
On Friday 4th March, we celebrated St Piran's day. The children wore their black and white colours proudly and took part in some Cornish activities. KS2 led the procession through Bodmin to the Folly where they danced and sang with much gusto. In St Petroc's church, the children performed their 'Tin Stamp' dance to the audience and won much praise and accolades from the organisers. 

Comic Relief:
On Friday the 18th March it is Comic Relief. The school Council has decided to have a non school uniform, with crazy hair day. They would also like each child to bring in a joke for assembly with a prize for the funniest jokes.

Safer internet day

This week (on Tuesday 8th February) the children took part in safer internet day. They delved into how they can be safe when playing and having fun online. Unsurprisingly, the children were all very astute and knowledgeable about how to be safe online and understand that online safety and behaviour is just as important as safety in the physical world. The children discussed topics thoughtfully and produce some lovely recipes and posters for having fun and being safe online. Below are some websites you may like to look at with more advice and support for parents and children:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/safer-internet-day-resources/z6bbhbk
https://www.childnet.com/resources
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

KS2 Music:
KS2 continue to impress with their musical progress; this week they learnt a new French song. It was great to see how quickly they are transferring their skills to learn new songs, read notes and write musical notations too. New videos of their music are coming soon! 

KS1 History:
KS1 this week have been learning how to be a fossil hunter like Mary Anning. They made detailed observations about different fossils and ammonites, and questioned each other and themselves about how these primary sources help them better understand history and Mary Anning. 

Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Sanctuary.
Some children in KS2 have been busy developing their advanced writing techniques with Trust English Lead 'Mrs. Towe' they have been writing fantastic poems, finding information about endangered creatures and written brilliant persuasive letters about supporting hedgehogs, which are surprising, very endangered. On Thursday they, after their hard work on this topic,  were able to have a virtual visit and discussion with the hedgehog sanctuary.

World Book Day:
Thursday 3rd March, on the 2nd week back after 1/2 term, it is 'World Book Day'. We will be taking part in this day as books mean a lot to us at Blisland. We will dress up as our favourite characters and take part in story-themed activities. The school council too have some ideas that they would like to have happen on the day and we'll let you know about these next week after our school council meeting. This week, children will come home with a book token that can be used for a free world book day book (found in most supermarkets and book shops), or to receive money off another book.

Awards:
Head Teacher awards: Jack C (Music), Lilly H (Writing), Zenna P (Music), Freya G (Writing and reading), John D (Writing), Todd H(Writing), Harry W (History)
Star of the week: Ava M (Maths) and Roxanne C
School Council Awards: Roxanne C, Freya G, Megan I, Jack S

Have a fantastic weekend and I look forward to seeing you all next week, for our final week before half term

It has been a busy couple of weeks and we have weathered our little Covid Storm. The children have been brilliant and have worked as hard as ever and continued to produce amazing work. It was great to see online lessons for those at home and to have work sent in. Fingers cross we can now have a clear run, with no interruptions right through to the summer.

Museum visit and Geography Fieldtrip:
Two weeks ago, the school children visited Truro Museum to explore fossils and historical artefacts in KS1; and for KS2 to get a better understanding of how Britain changed over the Stone Age. The children learnt a lot and also had a wonderful amount of knowledge to share  (the museum staff were impressed). Following the museum visit, we ventured into Truro city where the children were able to conduct some fieldwork linked to last term's Geography. The children in KS1 were able to better understand and identify physical and human landmarks. KS2 were able to identify types of building use in the city center, how it has changed and what changes the community would like to see happen in Truro city in future. They created some good maps and pie charts detailing their findings.

D.T:
KS2 have concluded their D.T work - designing, creating and evaluating a Neolithic shelter. All shelters were able to withstand the elements test and we were all impressed by the designs, and how realistic some looked.

Safer Internet day:
Next week we will be involved in the annual “Internet Safety Day” on Tuesday 8th February. This year the theme is ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. The whole school will be involved through a variety of age-related activities. I will in next week's blog let you know how the day went and put on some useful findings and links about safe online use.

Royal Cornwall Art competition:
Children in KS1 and KS2 have been able to send in pieces of art work for a competition with the theme: 'Love is...'. The children have produced some fabulous drawings and poems to show what love is to them. We are keeping our fingers crossed for some winners.

Advance notice: Blisland Fete.
The Blisland community had been busy organizing a return of a community fete to be held on the green two years ago and of course, Covid-19 threw a spanner in the works. I am pleased to say that it is looking very likely to be held this year (Saturday 27th August 2022). There will be stalls, food, drink and games. The school will be involved in games, a fun run and hopefully stalls. If you would like to help in anyway or know of anybody who would like a stall at the fete, please let us know.

World Book Day:
Thursday 3rd March, on the 2nd week back after 1/2 term, it is 'World Book Day'. We will be taking part in this day as books mean a lot to us at Blisland. We will dress up as our favourite characters and take part in story-themed activities. The school council too have some ideas that they would like to have happen on the day and we'll let you know about these next week after our school council meeting. Next week, children will come home with a book token that can be used for a free world book day book (found in most supermarkets and book shops), or to receive money off another book.

Awards:
Head Teacher Awards: Todd H, Byron H, Emily S, Brianna W, William R, Ottillie W, Jenson R, Jack C, Lola W and Jack G
Star of the week: Byron H

We have reached over the halfway point of the 1/2 term and the work the children are producing is ace. Thank you again as parents for supporting the children and for supporting us over the last couple of weeks as we managed the cluster of Covid Cases. Have a lovely weekend.