Caring Curious Courageous

Enabling all children to learn and grow

Dear families,

I hope you had a lovely break and were able to enjoy lots of family time. Hoping the celebrations have gone well for those who celebrated Eid or Easter during the break. With this, we continue to think about those families who are affected by the conflicts that are happening in the world today.

It has been a wonderful start to the summer term. The children are all back raring to go; the children started their learning with great enthusiasm and excitement from day one. In year 1, children have been using manipulatives (numicon, plastic ducks, beads, counters) in maths. These physical objects help children understand new concepts by allowing them to actually touch them and manipulate them in their hands. This heightens engagement and gives them another opportunity to prove/disprove their findings.

Year 6 got stuck into their design and technology project and made burgers. They had to think about the ingredients, allergens and nutritional value of their burgers. The children said they were delicious! Year 3 visited Hampton Court to support their learning about the Tudors last term and had many stories to share on their return.

I am sure you have noticed our banner advertising the fact that we have some spaces available for Reception in September 2024. In many boroughs in London, there has been a falling birth rate and a higher family migration out of London, which has resulted in a decrease in demand for school places and a reduction in total applications this year. In Richmond, applications are down by 2.2%, which means many schools have places available. 

Lastly, I have the delightful news to share that Miss McArdle has given birth to healthy twins! Both mum and babies are doing very well. I am sure you all join me in sending Miss McArdle and her family huge congratulations.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Frances Bracegirdle

Headteacher - headteacher@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk

Teaching and Learning at The Vineyard

Next week, 90 ambitious children across Years 5 and 6 will be taking part in the Junior Maths Challenge. Thank you to all who signed up; we look forward to giving these Vineyard children a chance to put their mathematical problem-solving skills to the test. I would like to wish them all good luck - not that they will need it!

The First Maths Challenge, for Years 2, 3, and 4, will take place in June. We may have a few spare challenges, so please get in touch if you missed the deadline and would like your child to take part. Contact tandl@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk FAO Mr Jackson.

Mr. Jackson

Maths Lead

Ms Reilly and Mrs Dempster 

Assistant Headteachers for Teaching & Learning

Earth Day 2024

On Monday, our Green Team will deliver an assembly to the children about Earth Day and how we are going to focus on this year's theme - 'Planet Vs Plastics'. 

Our Plastic Challenge

To help the children understand how much plastic we use in our day-to-day lives, we are asking the children to collect their used plastic and bring it to school next week. The cleaned (nut free) plastic should be bought to school and stored in the classrooms. On Friday, the children will have time in the afternoon to reuse and upcycle the plastic into something new and functional! 

Earth Day Poster Competition

In assembly this week, the children were told about the competition to design a poster to encourage people to use less plastic. The deadline is Monday 29th April. The winners will be chosen by the Green Team and announced in the following newsletter. Their posters will be displayed around the school for all to see! 

Dress Up Day 

On Friday 26th April, children can come to school dressed in blue and green clothes to show their support for Earth Day. 

Daisy Dempster 

Assistant Headteacher for Teaching & Learning

Headlice 

Please see the following advice from the NHS if there is a case of headlice in your child's class: 

There is no need for a child to be off school for headlice but every child in the class must have their heads checked at home. To reduce the risk of headlice spreading, ALL children with long hair (shoulder-length or longer) MUST have their hair tied up during the school day. 

PTA News