This half term we have started our School Days topic which is all about what school was like in Victorian times. Oaks have done lots of roleplay as part of this topic to experience first hand how the schools are different from modern day schools. 

They’ve been very interested in the unique names Victorian children had as well as some of the unusual punishments they may have experienced. 

Oaks have investigated different Victorian school artefacts and created dioramas of what Victorian classrooms might have looked like. We were very lucky to have been able to share these with our adults on the last day of half term. 

Our art project has been Street View where Oaks have learnt about James Rizzi and his colourful urban collages. Oaks have learnt the features of James Rizzi’s art, such as bold colours and graphic lines, and how to create Rizzi inspired 3D elements using box springs. 

Year 2 were invited into a cricket event and travelled to Bletchley College to take part in a range of activities with sports leaders from the college. All of Year 2 were very excited to get to go on the train and had lots of fun honing their cricket skills.

We have had a fantastic start to our new Coastline topic, exploring the geography and history of a town called Whitby. Oaks have become experts at reading simple maps and their keys. Identifying both human and physical features from the maps. They’ve discovered what Whitby was like in the past, learning a little bit about whaling and the famous Whitby jet gemstone. 

In Art, Oaks have been exploring the natural shape, form and textures of flowers. They explored how different materials form different shapes and which materials make better natural shapes. Then looking at texture, Oaks created soft and wrinkly textures by using tissue paper and PVA glue. Oaks also created patterns in string and carefully laid then flattened tin foil over the top to create smooth and shiny textures. 

This half term we introduced our key text of the Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson. Oaks have done amazingly in their new VIPERS lessons and are developing a great understanding of the story. They have created wanted posters for sneaky sharks and written post cards from far off lands in our Curious Quests lessons with Professor Klunk.

A massive well done to Oaks for their fantastic performance in The Nativity. All the children worked and performed so brilliantly on both days. Even despite the collapse of the innkeeper's door!

Our Movers and Shakers topic has come to an end and the children marked this by hosting a History Fair in our classroom. Oaks invited some children from Cedars and Maples alongside Mrs McBurnie and Mrs Wiemer to come view their projects. 

Oaks had worked in pairs to create detailed poster presentations about one of our significant people. During the fair, the children were able to discuss and answer questions from the 

visiting children or adults about their significant person.   

Each pair worked very hard on their final presentation and were proud of the work they had produced. 

Also as part of our Movers and Shakers topic, Oaks went on their own protest around school to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Rosa Parks’ arrest. Together, we chose a cause and a message we all agreed with, created placards and marched around the school grounds. Oaks finished their protest by holding a sit-in in Mrs McBurnie’s office where we read a Rosa Parks story. 

Well done to Oaks for their fantastic first term and we look forward to seeing them back ready for our new topic in Spring.