Newsletters

BTF/Collett Newsletter 13th May 2022

13th May 2022

Welcome to the newsletter.

We were delighted to welcome some of you to our assemblies today followed by our coffee morning/afternoon. It hardly seems possible that it's been a two year break since we were able to invite you to join us.

Our assemblies are a chance to celebrate our children's achievements and to come together as a whole school community. It's so wonderful to be able to do this again. Please feel free to join us whenever you can!

Have a great weekend.

BEES CLASS ART GALLERY

Bee’s class at St Luke's have been creating some wonderful pieces of art. They have been learning about different artist’s portraits. They studied the work of Frida Kahlo and then drew her portrait. The results were amazing. Louis also created a fantastic still life drawing of some fruit. Well done Bees!

THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON

Staying with the artistic theme, Dahl class at The Collett have worked hard this week to recreate a picture of the Great Fire of London. They thought carefully about which colours to use, and decided whether they wanted to use pens, pencils, pastels or crayons for their picture.

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Could you make some cakes for our Jubilee Street Party? If you're the queen of fairy cakes, the king of chocolate brownies or reign supreme with your sponge cakes, then we would love as many donations as possible. Please send all donations in on the day.

SCIENCE

Bees class at St Luke's have had a fun week doing lots of science experiments.

Firstly they made bouncy eggs by placing them in distilled vinegar with some highlighter ink. After 3 days, the vinegar reacted with the calcium carbonate eggshell and created carbon dioxide gas. The result was an egg with a soft bouncy shell!

The children also made Oobleck which is a type of slime made from cornflour and water, created balloon powered cars and sculptures using spaghetti and marshmallows.

Many thanks to Miss McBride who helped the children all week with their experiments.

FIREFIGHTER VISIT

On Monday, the children in Lower School at The Collett had a visit from a London Firefighter. Firefighter Lulham went into each class to talk about his job and ways in which the fire brigade can help people. He brought along his uniform and showed the children all the different pieces of equipment and why they are important e.g. helmet, heavy boots, jacket, torch, gloves. The children enjoyed looking at the photos and asking him questions, but their favourite part was being allowed to try on the helmet and uniform and using his torch!

ST LUKE'S PGL TRIP

On Sunday a group of students from St Luke's set off on their PGL trip. The children enjoyed many activities including the giant swing, zip wiring, raft building, Jacobs ladder, capture the flag and many more. The children were exhausted when they returned - as were the staff!

THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

The Blue Tangerine Federation is exhibiting their ‘plant magic’ garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in just over 2 weeks time and preparations are well underway!

If you don't get the chance to come and see us at the show we will be transporting the garden overnight to the Herts Show for display on Sunday 29th May.

The Horsebox wil be there to grab a fantastic cup of coffee, so please come and join us if you can.

If you would like to make a donation to our project you can do so by clicking on this link. Thank you.

https://localgiving.org/.../bluetangerineandchelseaflowe.../

SPEED STACKING

Floella class at The Collett have been speed stacking this week as well as making their own speed stacking designs. Speed stacking not only promotes physical fitness, but also academic learning. It requires you to use both sides of your brain.

GOING PLACES

This week, Ver class at St Luke's have been working on their exam - going places. The students checked in their luggage, checked all paperwork and passports, and then had refreshments in the departure lounge. After a smooth flight, they rushed to the beach and did some fishing. After paying for their lunch, they wrote a letter home, sunbathed and then went dancing. The flight home went smoothly, and Mrs Hall was a fantastic steward on the plane.

NINJA WARRIOR

Burnett class from The Collett went to Ninja Warrior UK in Watford this week and had a fantastic time. The pupils were exceptionally well behaved and laughed the entire time. It was wonderful seeing the pupils engage with each other and laugh together.

AMBASSADOR VISIT by Maya - Heatwood Class

On Tuesday 10th May 2022 I went up to London to visit the American Ambassador. I went with my mum to his residence in Regent’s Park, Winfield House. The house was amazing. It was really big like a mansion and looked very posh inside. There was a picture of George Washington who was the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

We had an event to celebrate the passing of the National Down Syndrome Act. I met the American Ambassador Philip T Reeker. He paid me a compliment and said “I wish I could have a leather jacket like yours”. He is very funny and friendly and was very serious about his work. The Down Syndrome Act completed its journey through the Houses of Parliament earlier last month and has now received Royal Assent. He gave a speech about well-being and why we were there.

I met lots of new people including Tom Jessop from the television series Line of Duty. He gave a speech about how he became a famous actor and how people like him with Down Syndrome can be on television too!

By Maya - Heartwood class.

ART NOMINATION

Jayden from Burnett class at The Collett was nominated 'Best in School' in the Dacorum Young Artist Competition. The theme was what the world will look like in 2050. Jayden created this amazing picture using oil pastels. His work will now be exhibited, and he has the chance of winning 1st, 2^nd or 3^rd prize. We are all very proud of him.