Neighbourhood News Magazine

19 www.sandridge-pc.gov.uk Summer 2024 Education news A s we move into the Summer term, we are delighted that new sail shades have been installed in our Reception Playground, providing much needed relief from the sun. These have been funded by our fantastic parent association FOWINS, who organise both fundraising and social events for our school community. They are an amazing team who raised over £20,000 in the Autumn term alone. Our children spend lots of time learning outside and we have two Forest School areas used weekly by the children. One is in our Early Years Playground, the other in our Key Stage 1 Playground for children in Year 1 and Year 2. The children take part in activities such as orienteering, looking at mini beasts, building dens, climbing trees, weaving, creating mud and clay art. The emphasis is on the children being resourceful and solving problems. This then relates back into classroom activities. They also have the opportunity to be taught safely how to use tools like knives or hacksaws. They learn how to be safe around campfires whilst learning about healthy eating, developing survival skills and how to manage risk. Sessions are risk-aware, not risk-averse, with an emphasis on learning through play where children have the freedom to try things out. The benefits are huge and can increase a child’s confidence and self-esteem through exploration, problem solving and being encouraged to learn how to assess and take appropriate risks. They also have lots of fun, and love coming into school dressed in their waterproofs and wellies on their Forest School days! Wheatfields Junior School W ith the impressive growth of women’s football, interest in the game has never been higher. At heatfields Junior School we continuously strive to harness and encourage our girls to participate in high level sporting opportunities. This year, we were proud to have 13 of our girls take part in various football events. Through their passion, resilience and enthusiasm, our Year 6 team have gone from strength to strength and have achieved winning the St. Albans Year 6 Division A League undefeated. They were also ESFA (English Schools Football Association) County Champions and have won the Wix Shield and the Girls St. Albans City Cup. The girls have been proud yet humble in their success and have been excellent role models for younger children across the school in inspiring engagement and ambition to represent the school. Wheatfields Infants and Nursery