Learn Together, Grow Together, Succeed Together

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November 2023

Issue 9

Welcome back to the 2nd half of the Autumn Term. With the very wet weather and the clocks going back, it certainly feels like Autumn has arrived! The half-term break was jam-packed with services to the boiler and new installations for the fire system and electrical lighting. In addition to that Neilcott finished the repair work needed to our new building and a new canteen floor was laid  — a big thank you to Mr Watling and Mr Parker for organising all of the different trades and ensuring the work was all complete before the children returned.

Our Girls' football team played very well in a tournament at Bromley High this week and we used the St Barnabus Church mini-bus for the first time. We have an agreement now with the church to borrow their mini-bus which will enable us to take part in more events and trips. The year 5 teachers managed to get a fantastic deal for their trip to Westminster Abbey which was a great trip that benefitted all the children in year 5. Both events are reported later on by the children. Years 5 and 6 also took part in an immersive Greek day hosted by Freshwater Theatre company who we have worked with a lot over the years. All the children had a great time and the experience will help the children with their knowledge and understanding of life in Ancient Greece. 

The children also had their individual photographs taken on Wednesday and the slips for ordering these have been sent home, so if you haven't got one have a search in the bottom of your child's bag! Finally, a huge thank you to the Friends of Poverest for organising the Halloween Discos for the children this week. It does take them a lot of time to organise, including purchasing the food and drink and ensuring they have enough DBS helpers to run the event for the number of children attending. We will have to set deadlines for payment so please do respond to events ASAP to make this a smooth process and ensure no child misses out on an event they wish to attend.

Next week we have the start of our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Days. These will now all be on different days due to staffing but all the children will still get the same experience albeit on different days. We also have cinema trips and the year 6 trip to PGL at Marchants Hill! Our children are definitely receiving an engaging and creative curriculum here at Poverest, with so many different things happening to help engage and inspire the children with their learning.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy any fireworks displays you may be attending, but do keep safe if you do.

Focus week - Provision

Do you know why sports stars take the knee before a match? 

Maple and Ash have been learning all about inspirational sports stars as part of Black History Month and realised just how determined Pele was to become a famous footballer and how he used to practice with a paper ball. In the words of our older pupils, ‘taking the knee is to ‘stamp out racism!’ 

Maple and Ash have also been working experiencing Diwali first hand with their henna mehndi designs (thank you, Mrs Vora) and the Ash children had great fun making and painting their diva lamps out of clay.

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Westminster Abbey

Year 5 

On Wednesday 1st November, Year 5 visited Westminster Abbey as part of their Remembrance learning.  Our visit was filled with incredible facts about Coronations, really old doors (in fact the oldest door in Britain), Kings and Queens (lives and burials) as well as a fantastic stained glass window designed by David Hockney to celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  We visited Poets’ Corner and saw where Stephen Hawking was commemorated.  We learned that 17 monarchs are buried at the Abbey, the last one being Henry VII as there wasn’t any room for any more!  Monarchs are now buried in Windsor.

The children were shown the graffiti on the Coronation Chair that was done by some very naughty Westminster schoolboys in the 18th century and were able to light a candle in the main part of the Abbey.  After the candle had been lit, we spent a moment in silent reflection and then circled the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, learning about the story behind the grave.  This unknown person fought and died for Britain in the First World War and absolutely no-one is allowed to stand on the Tomb.  The visit really brought to life the importance of Remembrance and gratitude and was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the children.

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Girls Football

On Tuesday we went to Bromley High School and played seven different schools. We came 5th out of all the schools and all of us really enjoyed it. 

Eve - year 5

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Friends of Poverest

Thank you to everyone who attended our Halloween Disco and made it a big success.

Also, a huge thank you to the parents and staff volunteers! We could not have run this event without you. 

We have raised £1,029 for our school! 

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Attendance

Class Attendance 
Walnut  97.33%
Willow 100.0%
Hazel  96.0%
Holly 93.06%
Cedar  87.59%
Chestnut 96.67%
Beech 90.0%
Birch  93.1%
Fig 93.55%
Fir 86.0%
Elm  89.0%
Elder 96.0%
Oak  94.0%
Olive  91.38%
Ash 91.82%
Maple 89.09%
Whole School 93.02%
FoP Halloween Disco Year 1 & 2 2.30pm-3.15pm Year 3 & 4 3.20pm-4.20pm
2:00pm – 4:00pm
03
November