August 2022

16 Buckden Roundabout August 2022 School & Pre - School What a busy time we ’ ve had as the term draws to a close! We made the most of the weather with a bubbly water and boat activity, helping the children learn about floating and sinking. They also enjoyed relaxing in our new outdoor reading area, with comfy cushions and a bookcase. The new vehicle area with a colourful new car garage and mechanical parts was a hit, as were our new quoits game, jumbo skittles and basket- ball hoop. The children love throwing activities and these new games will encourage teamwork, turn - taking and dexterity. Our dentistry activity was a huge success and provided a valua- ble linked to healthy lifestyles, which we extended into a healthy foods activity. The children also enjoyed a sensory ac- tivity with different fruit teas to mark National Tea Day, Yoga sessions in recognition of Yoga Day and themed colouring and American style pancakes in honour of Independence Day in the US. With holidays not far away, we supplied sand to build sandcas- tles and some sea mammal figurines to encourage imaginative play and expand the children ’ s knowledge of the world around them. We extended this into a buried treasure activity with tiny animals and shells to discover. With big school looming for our leavers, we were delighted to welcome Mrs Heal and Mrs Woodward into Preschool to meet them and talk about starting school. We had primary school uniform items and book bags for the children to explore and become familiar with too. As always, Buckden ’ s librarian, Sally was very helpful, supplying us with useful books about our themes and about starting school. At the time of writing, our graduation ceremony is still to come, but we ’ re sure the ceremony and our leavers ’ final days with us will be wonderful but tinged with sadness! We hope all our children and their families are enjoying the summer, and we look forward to welcoming our new starters and our re- turning children in September. Contacting Preschool during the summer holidays During the holidays, the Preschool phone line will not be manned. However, staff members will be intermittently check- ing the buckdenpreschool@yahoo.co.uk mailbox, and you can contact our Acting Chair, Helen Lumb, and our Treasurer, Debra Beachus - Wells, at buckdenpreschoolcom- mittee@gmail.com . Our New Committee Facebook Page Visit our new page, www.facebook.com/ buckdenpreschoolcommittee , for vacancies, committee activi- ties and opportunities to support Preschool activities. BUCKDEN CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY ACADEMY July 2022 At the time of writing we only have one full week and a couple of days to go until the children break up for the summer holidays and I can say that both students, staff and parents are looking forward to the summer break. Despite another uncertain year due to Covid we are glad to say that we have managed to get through a full academic year with in - school learning. During the last week of June, the whole school took part in Science Week, which was very exciting for the children, lots of activities were planned inside and outside the classroom. We were very lucky to have a Science Dome for the day, which is a portable pop up planetarium, the children found it very ex- citing and learnt a great deal and were very grateful that the PTA had funded this for them. We would also like to thank parents who came into school for an amazing assembly where they shared all about their STEM professions and the skills they use. We have been very lucky with the warm weather for most of the summer term with a some very hot days in between. We have tried to keep the school/classrooms as cool as possible with doors open to let a breeze in, switching the lights off and lessons where possible outside in the shade. With Sports Day looming at the end of next week, and with the weather predicted to be very hot, in the interest of keeping the children safe we have had to change the arrangements. Parents are only being invited to spectate in the morning and children will be limited to a maximum of three track events in order to reduce the amount of vigorous activity in the heat. It will be lovely to once again welcome parents back to watch their children compete and the children have been practising and are excited for the day. This week was Transition week for the children whereby our Year 6’ s went off to experience their first taste of secondary school and in contrast we welcomed our new parents and new Reception children for September with morning taster ses- sions. The rest of the school all relocated to their new class- rooms and it was great to meet a handful of new teachers who will be joining us in September. With the Year 6’ s preparing to leave Primary school very soon they have been very busy this term from raising money through Enterprise week, rehearsing and performing their Year 6 production ‘ Aladdin Trouble ’ to the whole school and will be lucky enough to perform it in front of parents and carers over two evenings outside in the lovely warm weather at the end of term. The PTA have spent a lot of time planning a leavers par- ty for the Year 6’ s, all taking place outside with music, games, photo booth, mocktails and much much more, which the chil- dren are all looking forward to. Finally, as with previous years ’ leavers the majority of Year 6’ s bought a Leavers Hoody with all the current Year 6 children ’ s name on as a keepsake of their final year at Buckden Primary. So expect to see quite a lot of children around the village over the next few weeks wearing their much prized hoodie! (Continued on page 17)