Top tip - Are you aware that on June 29th 2026 the DFE have banned mobile phones in schools for all pupils?

A gentle reminder that pupils should not bring mobile phones into school.  Following updated Department for Education guidance, mobile phones are not permitted for pupils during the school day. At Abberley, no pupil should have a mobile phone in their personal belongings while at school. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe, focused and distraction-free learning environment for all children.

More information for parents: School mobile phone ban in England – what parents need to know - BBC Bitesize

Thankfully the weather has been a little cooler this week and the Wrens have been making the most of it by getting out and about.  On Tuesday we enjoyed a lovely morning down at the church as part of our School Church Partnership Biodiversity project.  The children studied the plants in the churchyard, thought of ways we could make the churchyard more environmentally friendly and did lots of minibeast hunting!  With the help of Miss Williams and her impressive art skills we made a map of the churchyard and documented what we found there.

On Thursday we welcomed our new cohort of Reception children for another transition morning.  As previously, the children were fantastic role models and made the new children feel very welcome.   Next week we are all looking forward to our final transition event on Thursday.  I know the Wrens have been enjoying Monday transition afternoons getting to know Miss Rixon and settling into Skylarks class.

On Thursday afternoon we were invited to watch the dress rehearsal of Key Stage 2's performance of "Superstan".  The children were really excited to see siblings and friends performing and we all thoroughly enjoyed the play.

We are now coming to the end of our Reception Phonics Programme.  The children have worked incredibly hard at both their reading and writing this year and should be very proud of what they have achieved.  We will be conducting our final assessments of the year over the next few weeks so please take the time to look back through your child's orange phonics homework book and review what they have learnt.  Thank you.

This week in Skylarks, it has been assessment week. The children have completed their summer assessments in maths (reasoning and arithmetic) and reading. The summer assessment week is always the most enjoyable (as enjoyable as an assessment week can be) as it gives the children a chance to show off the progress they have made this year. They have all done well and I am proud of the hard work and effort they have put into their assessments.

In art this week, the children enjoyed beginning to make their fish sculptures using carrier bags. They carefully shaped their carrier bags to resemble the fish they wanted to create before using Modroc to add layers and strengthen their structures.

In science, the children carried out a fun investigation. They worked together to create a fair test, make predictions and compare which mixing apparatus would create the biggest bubble tower.  They tested a range of equipment, including a spoon, straw, fork and whisk, before comparing their results. The children enjoyed the competitive nature of the activity and were excited to see if they could make their bubble tower taller than the other groups.

Timetable

Wednesday: Outdoor learning - please ensure your child brings appropriate clothing on this day

Wednesday: Swimming kits

Thursday: PE kits - please can those with longer hair have their hair tied up ready

This week, the children have been completing their end-of-term assessments in reading and maths, providing an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate all that they have learned throughout the term. I have been extremely impressed by their positive attitude, resilience and the effort they have put into each assessment.

On Tuesday, the children enjoyed an exciting afternoon at the church, where they investigated the biodiversity of the graveyard, measured the heights of trees and examined gravestones closely. The activities involved plenty of practical maths, and the children were enthusiastic, engaged and eager to learn.

On Thursday, we held the dress rehearsal for our summer production, which went very well. The children performed brilliantly and are looking forward to sharing their hard work with you when they take to the stage in less than two weeks' time.

Please note that swimming has now finished, so Y3 will need their outdoor PE kits on Wednesday instead.

This week, the children have been completing a range of assessments to help us track the excellent progress they have made throughout the year.

In maths, we have continued our learning about angles. The children have explored the properties of opposite angles, discovering that they are equal and have also learnt that angles on a straight line add up to 180°. They have enjoyed applying these facts to solve a variety of problems.

In English, we have been analysing our model text, identifying both its text structure and the language features that make it effective. This has helped the children to prepare for writing their own versions in the coming weeks.

In art, we have been closely observing the intricate patterns and details revealed when fruit is cut into cross-sections. The children have carefully studied these natural forms and have begun recreating them in their sketchbooks, paying close attention to shape, texture and detail.

A real highlight of the week was our dress rehearsal for our production of Superstan. The children performed fantastically and demonstrated so much confidence, enthusiasm and teamwork. If the final performance is anything like the rehearsal, it is sure to be brilliant! We are incredibly proud of how hard they have worked to prepare and can’t wait to share the finished production with you.

Please note that on Monday the children will take part in an outdoor learning afternoon so will need their outdoor clothes. They can wear these to school or bring them in to change into if they wish.  

Please see below information within the community but independent of the school