“One kind word can change the world!” is what could be heard throughout the entirety of North Leeds last week! Throughout school we explored anti-bullying last Thursday, designed our posters and took to the playground in solidarity! It is always a powerful message and a goosebump moment when all of the phase are out together chanting for what they believe in.

What a wonderful time we had throughout our ACE Designers journey this half term. We explored the purpose and audience needed for shields; reflected on the colour choices and materials that we would require; considered how best to physically make the shields and then finally created them! Feast your eyes on the fabulous designs. I am so proud of how the children persevered through each element of the journey and we learnt so many skills on the way.

Last week, as part of our careers initiative, we invited Martin in. He is a Doctor, specialising in medicine. His purpose in visiting was to inspire the children and provide insight into how they can use everyday Maths in their future careers. Many children left the session feeling excited about so many career dreams and ways they can use what they are learning to support themselves. Thank you Martin!

This last week some of our strongest Mathematicians across Years 4-6 have been having a go at the first round of the Primary Maths Challenge. It’s been fantastic to see them really testing themselves in the face of tricky reasoning. Mrs Bentley has been kindly facilitating this.

We have loved exploring the art skill of large, gestural drawings this half term.

The main techniques in this are: moving the whole arm and not the wrist, exploring energy in the drawing, powerful swooping lines and shapes and simplistic shapes to capture movement. We chose Roman soldiers after learning about them in depth. It enabled us to consider the power in a soldiers’ movement which complements the gestural drawing well.

Wow! What a fantastic workshop we’ve had today with Matthew Bellwood. We learnt about the Saturnalia, different roles and hobbies Romans may have undertaken and finished off with some gladiator fights!

In a week full of literacy inspiration Year 4 joined a virtual workshop with new author Aisling fowler. For lovers of Harry Potter and Philip Pullman these books are certain to appeal to the action/fantasy lover! We had a go at making our own character, monster and setting under the keen guidance of Aisling Fowler.

Today we were lucky enough to have the poet Tony Peek in for a workshop with Year 4.

I am absolutely blown away by Riley’s contribution to our Everyday Maths Journal. Take a look for yourself to see his fantastic Maths working out. What a superstar.

Can you remember Keep Off The Tracks at home? Use the story map to help you.