This week in Class 3 has been packed with exciting learning activities and achievements!

In English, we’ve been diving into biographies, learning how to write about inspiring individuals. The children have been researching Queen Victoria, creating fantastic drafts full of fascinating facts and great detail about her incredible life and achievements.

In Maths, we’ve focused on improving our multiplication and division skills, including multipliying and dividing by 10/100. Everyone has worked hard on solving problems and expanding their maths knowledge.

Science this week was a real highlight. We coded a micro:bit volume meter and used it to measure noise levels around the school. The children loved using their coding skills for a real-world investigation and discovered that the field was the noisiest place at the time!

A special shoutout goes to the Class 3 football team, who lost their first game on Tuesday but came back strong to win their second match 5-1—great resilience and effort!

On Thursday, the class took part in a multiskills tournament. The whole class showed fantastic teamwork and enthusiasm throughout and by all accounts it was a brilliant afternoon.

Lastly, a reminder that our school trip to the Immersive Dome in Devonport is next Tuesday. If you have any questions about this trip, please get in touch with Mr. Watts.

It’s been a brilliant week in Class 3. Bring on next week’s adventures!

Here are the spellings for Mr Watts's spellings group for this week.  It is the re prefix.  
reappear, rearrange, rebuilding, reconnect, recycle, redecorate, redo, refresh, reheat, renew, replace, replay, rewrite

This week we have been performing our Tyger, Tyger inspired poems in assembly.  We have been learning about improper fractions and converting between improper factions and mixed numbers.  You can find more about this here at the BBC website. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zyxsf82

The spellings for next week for my group are words ending with -cious.  Here is the list that we will be looking at in class: 

atrocious, delicious, conscious, precious,  ferocious, malicious,  spacious, suspicious, vicious

We will also be looking at recapping the 6x tables.  You can practise these here: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button or by logging on to TT Rockstars. 

For those who would like more of a challenge:
a) think about how many number in the 6x table are before or after a prime number.  For example, 18 is one more than 17.  Can you think of any others?
b) do you notice anything if you add the digits of any number in the 6x table together?  
 

Wider Curriculum

In Science we continue investigating different materials around us, while in Art we tried our hand at making dry rubbings of a variety of objects and textures. We had oodles of fun (mixed with some real frustrations and amazing learning) in ICT when we had a go at using our I-pads to create and print a list. 

Happy New Year and welcome back after the festive period; it already feels like it happened months ago! This weekly blog post will replace the newsletters, sharing information about all the wonderful learning experienced by the children and highlighting future events.
In addition to my weekly blog, teachers will complete a blog relating to their classes. They will also use these to share relevant class information. Please try to check these blogs once a week but, to begin with, we will email you a notification and link to new posts.

At the end of last term I had hoped to share this image of the Cotehele flower garland but ran out of time. Last year, we worked with Cotehele gardener Hannah Milburn to plant flowers at Harrowbarrow, which were then dried and used by some of our Year 6 pupils to make the amazing garland you see on the left. This was hung in the restaurant at Cotehele over the holiday period.

It was lovely to welcome the children back last week and I have been really impressed by the way they settled seamlessly back into their lessons; perhaps, like me, they needed some order and routine after the festive period. We have a very busy term ahead with some things having already started. This week a Year 3/4 football team played two matches as part of a five week tournament against other schools at Callington College. Despite clawing two goals back to draw level with Bishop Cornish, the team eventually lost the first game 5-2. By the second game, against Copper Valley, they really started to find their feet and managed an excellent 2-2 draw. Well done to Jack, Archie, Spencer, Abigail, Max, Sophia, Seth V and Jacob.

Securing funding for resources that enhance teaching and inspire young people has become increasingly challenging in recent years. However, I am delighted to share some exciting news on successful grant applications that are going to enhance our curriculum offer. Sam Watts, as science and computing lead, has secured funding through the Enthuse Partnership at Cornwall Spaceport for science equipment to support investigations and also funding from our local Community Chest to purchase a class set of programmable Bee-Bots (below) and a Sphero Indi. In addition, Abi Flashman secured support through Tesco's community fund to resurrect the polytunnel after Storm Unis flattened it. There will also be a new forest school storage space and covered area to support our outdoor learning provision.  

We have lots of exciting opportunities to look forward to in the term ahead:

- Class 4 have a Viking day planned with a visiting historian.
- Class 3 are visiting the Immersive Dome in Plymouth.
- Members of the choir will be participating in Songfest.
- Bikeability road safety lessons will be held for older junior children.
- Class 3 are competing in a multi-skills sporting event at Callington College.
- Cross country league races continue for junior children.
- Class 4 and then, after half term, Class 1 will be having gymnastics lessons at Copper Valley Junior School.
- The Lego club will be competing at the First Lego League county final at RNAS Culdrose.
- Class 3 are participating in a Farm & Country day at Cornwall County Showground.

There will be other activities shared as plans are finalised but it will, as always, be a busy and exciting term.

Finally, I would like to share an exciting accolade secured by Rachel Lane, our music lead. Harrowbarrow Primary Academy has secured a Music Mark accreditation. This recognises all the high quality music education at Harrowbarrow, including weekly lessons, singing and instrument clubs, peripatetic music lessons and performance opportunities. Well done to Rachel. 

Welcome to Class 4.  

Here you can find information about the class, weekly homework and the latest on what we have been covering.  PE this term is on a Thursday afternoon and we are going to Copper Valley Juniors for gymnastics. 

This term we are looking at the Vikings.  We are looking forward to a visit from "Blast from the Past" on Thursday 6th February to make Vikings shields and talk to us about all things Viking.  

Here is some information that might help you but feel free to get in contact either by catching me at the start or end of the day or by emailing me.  My email address is mpinfield@harrowbarrowprimary.co.uk

Key Links
Accelerated Reader: https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/2234772
TT rockstars: https://ttrockstars.com/

Looking for a good book to read?  Try here for some recommendations https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/year-5/

Here is the curriculum map for the term.  We are starting the term by looking at the Vikings before moving on to think about the oceans after half term.  

Class 3 is a mixed Year 3 and Year 4 group with 24 children. The class is taught by Sam Watts and teaching assistant Lesley Connell.

Key Email Addresses

swatts@harrowbarrowprimary.co.uk
lconnell@harrowbarrowprimary.co.uk

Key Dates


Important Information

Monday and Tuesday are our PE days. 







Accelerated Reader: https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/studentportal/ 


TTRockstar: https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student/71179

Around the World Challenge

Please see below the order for the Around the World Challenge:

Edinburgh - Adding up to 10. 
Belfast - Subtractions less than 10.
Cardiff - Additions and subtractions up to 20.
London - Additions and subtractions up to 20. 

United Kingdom - 2x and 10x table
France - 2x and 5x table
Spain - 3x and 5x table
Italy - 3x and 4x table
Egypt - 3x, 4x and 6x table
Kenya - 4x, 6x and 8x table
South Africa - 6x, 8x and 9x table
India - 7x, 8x and 9x table
Australia - 7x, 9x, 12x table and square numbers
China - Division for 3s, 4s, 6s, and 8s
Canada - Division for 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s
USA - Division for 7s, 9s, 12s and square roots
Mexico - Random multiplication facts
Brazil - Random division facts

Please see attached our curriculum overview for the Summer Term 2025.

Welcome to my weekly headteacher blog. This replaces the fortnightly newsletter and is an opportunity for me to celebrate and share some of the wonderful learning experiences enjoyed by children at Harrowbarrow Primary Academy. I will also share information about future events for us all to look forward to.

Please also look at the class blogs, which teachers will add to weekly to share information directly relating to their own classes.

If parents/carers need to contact me about their child or anything related to the school, this can be done through the school office on 01579 350576 or via email: head@harrowbarrowprimary.co.uk

Andrew Hunt
Headteacher

Class 2 is a mixed Year 1 and Year 2 group with 28 children. The class is taught by Mrs Ati Charlesworth. Mr Andrew Hunt teaches the class on Friday afternoons. They are supported by teaching assistants Miss Jo Walker and Mrs Jo Cocking. Miss Jo Walker will also be covering for Mrs Charlesworth’s PPA on a Thursday afternoon.

If you ever need to get in touch, please do not hesitate to contact ati.charlesworth@harrowbarrow.cornwall.sch.uk or ask to speak to Mrs Charlesworth via the school reception on 01579 350576.

Class 4 is a mixed year 5 and year 6 group. They are currently taught by Melissa Pinfield, the Deputy Headteacher. Mr Hunt works with the class on Monday afternoons teaching Art and PHSE. They are supported by teaching assistant Heather Thomson. Rachel Lane takes the class for French and Music on a Tuesday afternoon.

Here is the PowerPoint from the Meet the Teacher session

Here is the PowerPoint on Reading at KS2

Class 3 is a mixed Year 3 and Year 4 group with 25 children. The class is taught by Sam Watts and teaching assistants Lesley Connell and Jane Carne. Mrs Lane will also be covering for Mr Watts’ PPA on a Thursday afternoon.

If you ever need to get in touch, please do not hesitate to contact swatts@harrowbarrow.cornwall.sch.uk , head@harrowbarrow.cornwall.sch.uk or ask to speak to Mr Watts via the school reception on 01579 350576.

INFORMATION

• MONDAY: Library afternoon
  Can you please ensure that your child bring their book bags in daily. Your children will be sent home with a book from the library to enjoy with you at home. These will be changed every Monday. Your child might also bring home books from our Accelerated Reader or Read Write Inc programs.
• WEDNESDAY:  Outdoor Learning
  Could you please make sure that your child has a set of outdoor gear every Wednesday – this might include a pair of wellies or waterproof shoes, light waterproof coat or overalls and a change of clothes.
• THURSDAY: PE
  We ask that all children come into school in their PE kit.
• FRIDAY: Share a Book 
  Children can bring in one of their favourite books to share with their friends on Friday afternoon. They can also bring along a cuddly teddy or pillow to snuggle with. We ask that you sent the book and pillow/teddy/blanket in a separate bag so that we can store them safely until the afternoon.

Songs

In Class 2, we love to sing. We sing to learn Maths, we sing in Science lessons, we sing in History lessons,… we sing every time we get the chance. The children have asked that I share some of the songs we love in class here so that they can share them with you. So, here are links to a few of our favourites at the moment.

The Doodling Song: https://app.sparkyard.com/shared/song/1471/abce65bc-0454-4d33-9b62-a1426b0153d9

One, Two, Three Little Acorns: https://app.sparkyard.com/shared/song/1187/8012332e-a0ff-4ade-b517-e8d83111a385

Double Trouble: https://app.sparkyard.com/shared/song/1159/b2c9d1d7-d072-482d-a5e7-6e7c7d20df90

One Add Nine, Nine Add One: https://app.sparkyard.com/shared/song/1162/5277b51d-f319-4d00-84ed-53db2b2b2c11

HOMEWORK

Spelling

Spellings are assessed during our Literacy lessons and a week is given to learn them. There are no spellings to for the week beginning Monday 17th June 2024.

Maths

This week, why not have a go at some of the activities suggested in your KIRFs for the half term (if you haven’t already!).

By the end of this half term, Year 1 should be able to recognise groups of 10 and combine them by counting in tens, while year 2 should be able to recall multiplication and division facts for the 5 x table. 

Reading

In Class 2, we love our books! We ensure that we choose and share a variety of books every day in class. Further, every child is encouraged to access a selection of books related to our topic. To encourage this love of reading further at home, you could read and talk about the books they bring back home in their book bag. We change these books every Monday afternoon.

For the Year 2s who have access to Accelerated Reader levelled reading books, it is expected that your child is to read for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour per day. Accelerated reader quizzes can be accessed at home. Please click on the link below and then enter in your user name and password.

https://ukhosted106.renlearn.co.uk/2234772/default.aspx

If your child has forgotten login details: The username is the 1st letter of your child’s first name and the first 4 letters of their second name. Regarding their password, if they have forgotten that, please do email me so that I can confirm.

Here is class 2, we have been writing our own stories about books, but also having at go at illustrating them. Here are 2 of the many amazing examples of what we have produced so far and here are some images from our recent trip to the Eden Project.

Class 1 is a Reception only group this year. The class teacher is Mrs Abi Flashman, who is supported by teaching assistants Hilary Walker (Tuesday-Friday) and Angela Bushell (Monday) . Mrs Flashman can be contacted directly at drop off and pick up time or by email: abi.flashman@harrowbarrow.cornwall.sch.uk

Families in Class 1 have access to their child’s Tapestry account where up to date photos and observations can be viewed 24/7. Parents with an account and A rough (and ever changing) copy of our class timetable can be viewed here.

Staying safe online

Do you know how to keep yourself safe online? Do you know what to do if you feel unsafe? To find out more, click here.