The children are having a wonderful time in Wales. Today's highlights have included river walking and caving. We're still having real trouble with the internet connection in Wales. However, we've been taking lots of photos and when we return we'll publish them on the website so the stories your children have to tell come to life! 

We're having lots of difficulties with getting pictures this year from the residential Centre in Wales. The centre are experiencing some connectivity issues and 4G coverage is very patchy. Rest assured we are in touch each day with the the team. Today's tasks included canoeing and mountain walking. Emily also joined the team this morning. 

I've just returned from Stansted Mountfitchet. The children are having a glorious time. We had an excellent day yesterday and enjoyed 3 different activities- gardening, archery and shelter building. In the evening the children had the opportunity to explore the grounds and play in the different activity areas. We settled down inside with board games when it got dark and enjoyed a hot chocolate before bed time. 

Everyone slept fairly well- two rooms we're excellent and we had very few tears indeed about missing home. 

This morning everyone woke up bright and early and after a short period of free time we had a breakfast of croissants, toast, cereals and porridge. Ms McCarthy inspected rooms at 8.45am and then children enjoyed a play on the adventure playground. 

There is a full day of activities on Tuesday including mountain biking, campfire building and art. It's roast chicken for lunch followed by Jacket potatoes for the evening meal. 

And, just one more sleep before the children get home on Wednesday. There will be more photos on the website and twitter later on today. Don't worry if you don't see a picture of your child - some children don't like having their picture taken and we don't have a very reliable internet connection at any of the Centres we visit! I can assure you, everyone is having a great time!

​We have arranged for Year 3 to go on their first school journey - this term !!
 
We will be staying for 2 nights at a Residential Centre called Gorsefield which is owned and run by Tower Hamlets Local Authority. Gorsefield is situated in Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex which is about an hour train/ drive away. It is a large house set in its own grounds with lots to do. There are staff who look after the centre and a fully qualified teacher who will assist with the activities during our stay there.
 
The trip will be from Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd March 2017.
 
It will be great fun and I know the children will have a fantastic time. This centre has been chosen as I have many years’ experience of leading journeys there and know it is a perfect setting for a first residential school trip!
 
This is a trip - which I hope all Yr 3 children will take part in - will form the basis of work when they return to school.
 
A parents meeting is to be held on Tuesday 24th January at 9am and 5pm where you can find out more about this exciting week.
 
As this is the first Residential School journey for these children the costs will be reduced. This I can do through grants and donations from the PTA, therefore the actual cost will be only £50.   

We’ve had a packed agenda this term of trips out and special visitors in school. The youngest children in Explorers, Discoverers and Investigators have been making good use of our minibus and have been out and about all over London. The children have particularly enjoyed visits to parks and playgrounds around London. Not only do these trips make an excellent contribution to their physical development they also help enormously with children’s language skills.
 
Reception enjoyed a trip to Victoria Park to learn all about autumn. They played in the leaves and collected some conkers which they have used back in class on their investigation tables.
 
Class 1 and 2 have been taking part in an art project in relation to the Great Fire of London. An artist has been working with the classes over the last few weeks creating an amazing animation which will be shown early in the new year. Next week, the whole key stage is off to the Peacock theatre to see a production of ‘The Snowman’.
 
Class 3 enjoyed a trip to the Natural History Museum. The children engaged in lots of activities relating to their science learning on rocks and fossils. 
 
Class 4 visited All Hallows By The Tower last week to learn about the Romans in Britain.  The children took part in an interactive workshop and had a great time finding out about this significant period in UK history.
 
Class 5 have been working with an artist from the City Centre.  They’ve been studying sculpture on a project related to Religious Education (Buddhism) and the work of the famous artist, Anthony Gormley. They’re looking forward to the grand unveiling of their work next week—you’ll see it in school very shortly afterwards!
 
Class 6 are due to visit the British Museum next week as part of their learning about Ancient Egypt. They’ll be investigating the Egyptian galleries and rounding off their term of learning in History.
 

Year 6 had a super trip to Wales. Here are some of the highlights

Class 6 had a super time in Wales a couple of weeks ago. This film was produced as part of Class 6's assembly on the topic. Our thanks to Sir John Cass's Foundation who generously support this visit each year.

Class 5 have arrived safely at Paddington Station and are on the train to Cardiff. We'll keep you updated on this blog and on Twitter throughout the week.

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Class 3 had a great time at the National History Museum on their recent trip.