Tuesday 30 June 2015

BMX Stunt Day

Pupils at Broadford Primary earned themselves a very exciting treat with a visit from a bike stunt team last week! Following the recent Cycle to School week, pupils had managed to cycle a cumulative total of 743 miles to and from school. This helps to:

  • improve physical fitness
  • reduce traffic congestion
  • develop cycle skills
In addition to this the pupils had exceeded the targets from last year's Big Pedal and more pupils than ever before have completed their Bikeability Level 2.

"We are so pleased with the way that all of our pupils have embraced the cycling programme that we have put in place. From Learning to Ride, Ditch the Stabilisers and then Bikeability we have seen pupils of all ages and abilities growing in confidence with their bikes."
Mrs Lois Nicholls - Deputy Headteacher

While the workshop was on, the team also told the pupils how they had to use the 4Rs to help improve their skills:

Reflectiveness
We have to look at video of what we have done and see how we could get more height in our jumps or why we fell off the equipment. We also give each other tips and ideas on how to improve.

Resilience
Some of the stunts we do have taken hundreds of hours of practice. Even if we fall off we get back on the bike and give it another go. It doesn't matter if you keep failing, just as long as you fail better each time.

Afterwards Year 5&6 pupils got to experience a workshop with the 360 team and develop their balance and control skills

"I didn't realise how hard going slowly on your bike was. I thought it would be about speed, but the hardest bit was trying to balance the bike when it wasn't moving. I need to practice much more."
Drew Burkett - Year 5

With all these budding cyclists there is little doubt the pupils will meet their targets for next year for another amazing display!









Long Service Award: 25 years not out!

Incredibly Brenda Clements - who works in our school office - has now completed 25 years with Havering Council! In all that time she has worked for Broadford Primary: sticking plasters on grazed knees; doing the dinner registers; sorting out uniform; dealing with poorly children... and many other tasks so numerous we can't even remember them all!

Without a doubt she is the heart and soul of our school and one of the key reasons why so many people who visit us remark on the warm friendly welcome they receive the minute they walk through the door.

The pupils were amazed to think that she has worked at Broadford for three times long as they have been alive!

We would say 'here's to 25 more!' but then that would mean Brenda would be about 95! We'll just make the most of her while she's here and we'd like another chance to say
THANK YOU MRS CLEMENTS - YOU'RE A STAR!








Star Readers & Writers

Star Writers:
Nathan Ehihon, Natalie Towner, Timi Adelowo, Oliver Hall, Evan Andrews & Daniel Kalusha: these children have all produced pieces of outstanding writing this week. Look out for examples of their work on the blog!

Star Reading Awards:
Rashid Sillah & Oliver Stay have all managed to complete 25 books and earn their bookmark. John Olatunji, Max Holmyard, Paige McGeoghan, Charlie Simpson, Nina Joshi & Leo Reynolds have collected their £5 voucher and Silver certificate. Well done to Terrika Wright who has earned her Platinum Reader trophy.









Fact Hunters: Dolphins, gondolas and wrinkly skin

Joshua Ore
Dolphins and other cetaceans (the group of marine mammals that includes whales, orcas and porpoises) undergo an unusual form of sleep called "unihemispheric slow-wave sleep."

Holly Clark
There have been gondoliers on the Venice canals for 900 years, but the first female gondolier only joined in 2010.

Samuel Hatwell
The largest army in the world is China’s who have over 2million troops!

Oliver Hatwell
Did you know that the fastest animal in the air is the peregrine falcon? It can fly at speeds of up to 200mph!

Yemi Adedipe
Strangely your skin contains an oil that helps to make it waterproof. This oil isn’t found in your fingers or toes which is why they go wrinkly in the bath.







EYFS Stay & Play Picnic

We were delighted to welcome so many parents, carers and relatives of our EYFS children for the annual family picnic. In class the pupils have been learning about healthy foods and making tasty nutritious snacks. It was great to see so many packed lunches full of fruit, yoghurts and vegetables!







Monday 29 June 2015

E for Excellence Winners:

These wonderful children have demonstrated excellence this week.

Conner Holloway – Mulberry

Megan Lewis – Pine

Sonia Lewis – Cedar

Callie Rose Barnett – Cherry

Martin Wicher – Ash

Rokas Zaikauskas – Rowan

Pieyce Egan – Birch

Elizabeth Byamligish – Willow

Holly Clark – Elm

Olamide Otegbola – Maple

Bailey Westfall – Coconut

Emma Groom – Palm

Lewis Davis – Apple

Bonnie Martin – Aspen












Tracker Awards:

Ronnie Mersh has earned enough merits to collect his Bronze certificate. Kulsoom Hasnain has collected her Silver Pencil, while Kiera Parmenter & Sarah Wall have picked up their Silver certificate. Lillie Jo Guidotti, Sam Doidge & Tahani Lowe Enu have collected their Gold certificate. Grace Moody, Roseanne Weaver & Lucy Lockhart have collected their pencil and pen set. Bradley Joy is finishing his Platinum and moving on to Diamond.

Terrika Wright & Jacob Owsley have collected their Diamond prize. Jacob & Terrika Wright have also managed to stick the last stickers on their Diamond tracker.









Fact Hunters: Planets, telescopes and Queens

Emily Johnson
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II is now the oldest monarch in the world. The Queen, who turned 89 this year, gained the title after King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, died in January.

Adam Abubakr
Amazingly we can survive for weeks without food, but only for a short time without water. We lose water through sweat, urine, feces and even breathing. This water needs to be replaced in order for our organs to continue to work properly.

Jayden Hearn
Did you know that the rings around Saturn shimmer as they have lots of ice crystals. These reflect the light from the Sun.

Charlie Matthams
Incredibly it would take several human lifetimes to walk to the Sun. 93 million miles at 4 mph = 23,250,000 hours = 969,750 days = 2,654 years

Jacob Owsley
Did you know that Sir William Herschel was a German-born British astronomer and composer, who is widely credited as the founder of sidereal astronomy for observing the heavenly bodies? He built his own very powerful telescope & found the planet Uranus!

Leo Mbata
Some scientists claim that the human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons. Multiply each of these 100 billion neurons by the approximately 1,000 connections it can make, and you get 100 trillion data points, or about 100 terabytes of information.


Smoothie Bike

Last week our pupils had a chance to use the smoothie bike and put their pedal power to good use.

"First we put the fruit into the blemder. Then we took turns pedalling the bike to make it blend together. It was hard work! Luckily we had the teachers to help us. It made me realise how much electricity the blenders must use because my legs really ached!"
Joe Bowden - Year 6

"Normally I might have a Coke or lemonade if I was thirsty. However the smoothies were really tasty. I could make one of these at home!"
Dylan Howell - Year 6

What would you put in your fruit smoothie?




Learning Challenge Awards:

Nina Joshi, Isabelle Curtis Rich & Amandeep Ubhi have all extended their learning at home and completed elements of the learning challenge. Creating paintings, drawing portraits and learning poems: these are just some of the activities they have completed.





Friday 26 June 2015

Attendance:

KS1& EYFS: Mulberry & Aspen 98%
KS2: Ash 98.7%
Overall: 95.6%

This week we are delighted to announce that we have far exceeded our target of 95% this week – so well done to everyone for getting job #1 done (turn up every day on time). Don’t forget we are very close to the Bouncy Castle fun day… if you are less than 95% you will miss out on the extra session!






Friends of Broadford Fete: Saturday 27th June 12-4pm

We are looking forward to the Summer Fete which will be held tomorrow. If you are able to volunteer to help run a stall or set up/tidy away then please contact the FoB using their email account, or leave your details at the main office. Likewise, if you would like a stall for the event, please contact them in the same way:

fobroadford@gmail.com





Diary Dates:

We start the week with a performance of Oliver Twist for all the children. On Tuesday Year 5 have got a visit to Brittons school. On Wednesday the Romford Recorder are in to photograph the pupils’ work about the Queen in preparation for her becoming the longest serving monarch. Thursday is the day for our termly trip to the Redbridge Cycling Centre where our pupils can develop their skills in a more testing environment. After school we have the full Governing Body meeting. At the end of the week our top mathematicians in Year 6 are off to Hall Mead to compete in the maths quiz. Our Spinebreakers are off to Waterstones to select some new books for the library and it is the last day for clubs!

Last Day of Term: Friday 17th July
Because we still have the possibility of building works taking place during the holiday we have had to change the end of term date to Friday 17th July. School will not be open to pupils on Monday 20th – Wednesday 22nd July. The first day back of the Autumn term 2015 is Thursday September 3rd

Sports Days 2015:
Please be advised of the dates for the Sports Days this year. It would be great if you are able to attend and cheer your children on!
13th July Nursery (am & pm) 14th July KS1 & Reception @ 9.15am 16th July KS2 @ 9.15am

Last Day of Clubs: Friday 3rd July
There won’t be any clubs running for w/c 6th & 13th July so all children will have to be picked up at 3.15pm. After school clubs will start again in September.



Wednesday 24 June 2015

Callum's Award

To win this award, Callum had to perform a wide range of boxing and fitness skills:

  • upper cuts
  • punch outs
  • press ups
  • sit ups
In addition to this Calum played 'Bulldogs'. This is a game where people have to get you. If you are caught then you join forces and try to catch those who are left.

Calum goes to his boxing club (Five Star) every Sunday.

'My favourite part is when we are allowed to get in the ring. When we spar with other boxers in the ring it feels like a real boxing match!'

Well done Calum for working so hard in a club that will help you stay very fit and strong!


Maths Challenge

Don't forget to have a go at the maths challenge outside the hall. This week you need to be resourceful with your use of the number 4 and be able to draw using only certain shapes. Are you up to the task?




Monday 22 June 2015

Year 6 Stubbers Meeting: 2.30pm

Apologies for any confusion. The time for the final Stubbers meeting is 2.30pm on Tuesday 23rd June.
 

Friday 19 June 2015

TES Awards Result

So close to award but beaten by West Rise Jun - congratulations to them. So proud of Broadford staff... couldn't have achieved the results without a team effort.


TES Awards

Very excited for the awards tonight. Great recognition for the pupils, families, staff of Harold Hill.

We're In The Paper: Road Safety & Jack

Make sure you pick up a copy of the Romford Recorder today as our pupils are featured twice! Jack has been named Star of the Week for the way he has worked hard to achieve out a pupil values:
1. Turn up every day, on time
2. Do your best in every lesson
3. Be kind and polite to everyone you meet

Well done Jack!

In addition to this there is a story about our recent Giant Walk to highlight the need to reduce driving speeds in built up areas. 




Thursday 18 June 2015

Sports Days 2015:

Please be advised of the dates for the Sports Days this year. It would be great if you are able to attend and cheer your children on!

13th July Nursery (am & pm)
14th July KS1 & Reception @ 9.15am
16th July KS2 @ 9.15am



Fact Hunters: Fish & rivers

Jude Gore
The River Nile is about 6,670 km (4,160 miles) in length and is the longest river in Africa… and in the world! Although it is generally associated with Egypt, only 22% of the Nile's course runs through Egypt.

Mason Camden
The anglerfish gets its name because of its method of predation (hunting). It has a long, modified dorsal fin spine sprouting from the middle of its head that ends in a fleshy growth that can move and wiggle to resemble another animal, tempting its prey in.

Yemi Adedipe
Did you know that the world's smallest fish is Paedocypris progenetica from Indonesia?  Mature females measuring 7.9 mm (0.31 in). This fish has a translucent body and a head unprotected by a skeleton.




Diary Dates:

Our Year 5 pupils are off to the Junior Citizen event on Tuesday morning. In the afternoon of the 23rd we have the Year 6 final Stubbers meeting. Year 5 then have their Shakespeare workshop on Wednesday (they are studying Macbeth) and the school nurse is doing her last drop in session of the year. Also that morning we have the whole school Spelling Bee followed by a Magna Carta workshop for Year 4.

On Thursday 25th we have the BMX Stunt Show in the morning and Thames Chase are in to work on the play house. Finally we end the week with the Reception & Nursery Stay & Play Picnic. There are more details on the EYFS blog. Friday also sees the return of Phil for the cycling club.

School Nurse Drop In: Wednesday 24th June 8.30-9.30am
Our school nurse will be in for the last drop in session of the year on Wednesday. Please come to the main office.

Last Day of Term: Friday 17th July
Because we still have the possibility of building works taking place during the holiday we have had to change the end of term date to Friday 17th July. School will not be open to pupils on Monday 20th – Wednesday 22nd July. The first day back of the Autumn term 2015 is Thursday September 3rd

Last Day of Clubs: Friday 3rd July
There won’t be any clubs running for w/c 6th & 13th July so all children will have to be picked up at 3.15pm. After school clubs will start again in September.




School Nurse Drop In: Wednesday 24th June 8.30-9.30am

Our school nurse will be in for the last drop in session of the year on Wednesday. Please come to the main office.


Year 6 Final Stubbers Meeting: Tuesday 23rd @ 2pm

We have the final information session for parents about the Y6 Stubbers residential trip on Tuesday afternoon.



TES Awards: No clubs on Friday afternoon!

We end the week with the TES Awards which are taking place in London. Broadford Primary has been shortlisted in a group of just seven other schools for the title of Primary School of the Year!

As a consequence there will not be any clubs running on Friday afternoon. All children will need to be picked up by 3.15pm.

Hopefully we will be able to bring the trophy back on Monday morning! Fingers crossed.


Wednesday 17 June 2015

We're In The Paper: Harold Hill Maths Competition

Some more great press coverage, this time of our Harold Hill maths competition! 




Sharing Assembly - Reception

This morning we had a delightful assembly presented by our Reception children. Aspen & Apple class collaborated to tell us all about their learning. Phonics, songs, maths, art and stories: it was a packed presentation and a lot of fun!

Have a look at the video below to catch up on the highlights!







Morgan's Artwork

Morgan has really enjoyed learning about the work of David Hockney. Inspired by his landscapes, she has had a go at doing some of her own at home.

"I loved all of the colours he uses. I wanted my pictures to be bright and cheerful"
Morgan - Year 1




Parent Gym Success!

Congratulations to our first parent cohort who have completed their Parent Gym course. At the beginning of the course there were 14 parents signed up and 13 completed. At the end of the course the following comments were made regarding the course:

'Taken our parenting skills to another level'

'Helpful tips, I can't believe it's over'

'It was a great help to me and my son'

'Made new friends and new skills'

'We have only known each other a few weeks, but we all now a firm friendship group'

'Helped me to be a better mum'


Why do we use Parent Gym?
We believe in supporting our parents and families to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge to be effective parents. We believe that thriving parents and homes produce children who are ready to learn. We believe that our parents should feel that they are part of the school community and able to seek advice and help when required to support their children - our pupils.

How does it work?
The programme is aimed at parents and run in primary schools across London. It is a a six week face-to face programme which is completely free!

What does Parent Gym actually do?
Parent Gym increases the chances for children's success by changing how their parents think and behave. Parents bring their children along in the morning, talk with a tutor they trust, stay for a couple of hours and end up chatting with the parents of their children’s friends, who often become friends of theirs as a result.

Without a doubt, discovering that your neighbours have very similar challenges helps people open up. Building their own local networks not only keeps parents coming to Parent Gym, but also means they have people to help out with child cover, organise treasure hunts and share a worry.

Look out for the next sessions starting in September 2015! Please contact the office if you are interested in taking part.



Tuesday 16 June 2015

We’re In The Paper: Reception & Year 6 Photos

If you have children in either Year 6 or Reception then make sure you get your copy of the Romford Recorder today. Both cohorts of pupils are featured as well as a story about our maths competition with the rest of Harold Hill.







Friends of Broadford Fete: Saturday 27th June 12-4pm

We are looking forward to the Summer Fete which will be held at the end of the month. If you are able to volunteer to help run a stall or set up/tidy away then please contact the FoB using their email account, or leave your details at the main office. Likewise, if you would like a stall for the event, please contact them in the same way:

fobroadford@gmail.com



E for Excellence Winners:

These wonderful children have demonstrated excellence this week.

Oliver Hall – Mulberry

Esther Fadele – Pine

Finley Livingstone – Cedar

Henry Cruz Kokenchev – Cherry

William Ilott – Ash

Rhianna Morton – Rowan

Nathaniel Ramus – Birch

Giulia Vargas – Willow

Aiden Paterson – Elm

Tianna Oshu – Maple

Dylan Vidal – Coconut

Charlie Birdsey – Palm

Sophia Houlston – Apple

Polina Backane – Aspen












Brake - Big Walk on Wednesday10th June, 2015

Pupils from Broadford Primary School joined over 100,000 children across the UK taking to the streets on 10 June 2015 as part of Brake's Giant Walk, the road safety charity’s initiative sponsored by Brantano to get children walking and highlight the importance of road safety to children leading active, healthy lives.

Over 100,000 children taking part in the event are walking a combined total of over 60,000 miles, learning about road safety and calling on drivers to ‘GO 20’ in communities to make streets safer for kids to walk and cycle.

Almost half (46%) of UK primary school children are driven to school [1], impacting on children’s health and contributing to congestion and traffic danger. This lack of physical activity is a factor in rising childhood obesity, with three in 10 children in England aged two to 15 now overweight or obese [2]. The World Health Organisation recently warned of a looming obesity epidemic if lifestyles do not change, with three-quarters of men and two-thirds of women in the UK projected to be overweight in 15 years’ time [3].

British kids have expressed their wish to get out and about more on foot and bike, with three quarters (76%) of participants in last year’s Giant Walk saying they want to walk and cycle more, to get to school, go to the park, or to see friends. However, more than half (56%) said they are scared of being run over by traffic when walking or cycling on roads [4].

Brake is campaigning for drivers and government to take action to make streets safer for kids and help them enjoy a healthy, active, happy childhood, by backing Brake's GO 20 campaign. For drivers, this means slowing down to 20mph or less wherever there may be people on foot or bike, and always keeping a look out for vulnerable road users. For government, this means implementing widespread 20mph speed limits in towns, cities and villages – one of the most effective measures identified by the World Health Organisation to reduce pedestrian casualties [5]. 

Mrs Stanley Assistant Head Teacher at Broadford, said “We’re delighted to be taking part in Brake’s Giant Walk. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to make their voices heard and promote road safety to children, parents and local drivers. Our pupils will be marching and shouting out loud about the importance of drivers slowing down in our community, so families can enjoy a healthy, fun, active lifestyle without being endangered.”

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “Recent reports have provided a stark warning about the potential consequences of the UK slipping further into a spiral of physical inactivity. The impacts will be felt hardest by our children, who could face a lifetime of poor health and pick up the bill for rising healthcare costs. This crisis can be averted, but we need urgent action.

“As is clear from the thousands taking part in Brake’s Giant Walk today, including pupils from Broadford, kids love to get out and about on foot and bike, and parents want to be able to let them. It is a national scandal that danger from fast traffic often prevents children from having the fun, active, healthy childhoods they deserve. We need drivers to stick to 20mph or less in communities to protect kids. We also continue to campaign for government to make 20mph the national urban default and provided sustained funding for safe walking and cycling infrastructure. Safe active travel should be the norm for all our kids, not a luxury.”

Karen Stanton from Brantano said: "It’s brilliant to see so many schools, parents and children getting involved in this year’s Giant Walk and to have our stores joining in today is a fantastic opportunity. The collaboration with Brake allows us to not only raise awareness of the importance of correctly fitting shoes for children’s foot health but also to reinforce messages about the dangers of roads and the importance of safe road use to both children and parents, as well as promoting the health and environmental benefits of walking and cycling to school."

About Brake’s Giant Walk

Brake’s Giant Walk is an annual event in primary schools where children learn about traffic pollution and danger, and transport choices. Schools taking part get their pupils to walk (in a crocodile of supervised kids, holding hands on safe pavements, or around the school’s grounds) which gives children a voice, helping them tell drivers to slow down and look out for people on foot. Children can be sponsored to take part and schools can run fundraising events, helping fund Brake's campaigns and services for families bereaved and injured by road crashes.

About Brake’s GO 20 campaign

Brake is part of a coalition of organisations calling for more local authorities to adopt widespread 20mph limits, and for the government to make 20mph the national urban default, through its GO 20 campaignTweet us: @Brakecharity, hashtag #GO20.

Why GO 20?

  • Fewer casualties: at 20, drivers have far more time to react in an emergency. Studies show when 20 limits replace 30, there are fewer casualties among pedestrians and cyclists [6].
  • More walking and cycling: danger from traffic is a major barrier in enabling more people to walk and cycle. Town and city-wide 20 limits have resulted in more people walking and cycling [7].
  • Healthier, happier people: More walking and cycling means healthier people, and more enjoyable outdoors activity for kids and adults. It helps communities interact and be communities.
  • Less pollution: GOing 20 means lower emissions from vehicle journeys [8]. Plus if more people can switch their commute or school run to foot or bike, it means less polluting traffic.
  • Lower costs: Poor health from inactivity costs society dearly [9]. Road casualties cost even more, due to the suffering and burden on health and emergency services [10]. Preventing casualties and improving health means GOing 20 pays for itself many times over [11]. It also helps people save money by choosing the cheapest ways to get about: foot and bike.

Advice for parents

Deciding at what age to let children walk or cycle to school unsupervised is a difficult decision for most parents, who are faced with weighing up the benefits of their child living an active lifestyle with the threat of their child being hurt by traffic. Research shows that many are put off letting their child get out and about by traffic danger [12]. Making roads safer helps more parents choose to let children walk or cycle.

Parents who are worried that their child’s route to school isn’t safe enough have a number of options. If it’s possible, they could walk with their child to school, helping to keep them safe, or set up a walking bus with the help of other parents. They could also work with the school to set up a local campaign for safer roads, calling for measures such as 20mph limits, crossings, pavements and paths. They can also check if their child’s school runs practical pedestrian and cyclist training, and encourage them to contact the local authority to provide this if they don’t.

See www.brake.org.uk/families for more advice for parents.

Brake

Brake is a national road safety charity that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies. We do this through national campaignscommunity education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Brake was founded in the UK in 1995, and now has domestic operations in the UK and New Zealand, and works globally to promote action on road safety.

Follow Brake on Twitter or Facebook


Brantano


Brantano has stores nationwide and offer an extensive range of shoes and brands to suit all budgets. Offering convenient out of town shopping with most of its stores located on retail parks, the shopping experience is unlike many other traditional footwear shops, as the shoes are displayed in pairs that can be easily selected and tried on immediately. The stores all offer a free fitting service, with staff trained by top brands such as Clarks, Start Rite and Hush Puppies. The team are put through rigorous training followed by at least 25 supervised fits before being given the title of ‘expert fitter’. For more information visit www.brantano.co.uk.