Columba and Aquila - Reflect and Review

We had another productive week in school, and we all thoroughly enjoyed coming together for our Christmas dinner on Wednesday—it was a lovely occasion and a highlight of our week.

Columba completed their end-of-term assessments in Maths (arithmetic and reasoning) and reading, showing great focus and determination throughout.

As writers, Aquila began exploring language in documentaries, specifically looking at David Attenborough for inspiration. Columba focused on developing complex sentences, using main and subordinate clauses to add depth and detail to their writing.

As mathematicians, we compared and ordered fractions and practised adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator, applying these skills to fluency and reasoning challenges.

As geographers, we started exploring the USA this week. We learned about its major physical features and took a closer look at the Grand Canyon — its formation, the erosion processes that shaped it, and its significance as one of the world’s most remarkable landscapes.

Next Week

Next week in English, Columba will be focusing on writing seasonal poetry. The children will develop their use of vivid imagery, descriptive language, and sound devices to create atmosphere and mood in their poems.

In Maths, both classes will continue their work on fractions. We will be adding and subtracting mixed numbers and applying these skills to a range of fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving tasks.

In Geography, we will explore rainfall patterns across the USA and consider how water presents challenges such as floods and droughts, as well as opportunities for farming and food production. We will also begin learning about New York City and how it has changed and developed over time.

Columba - For those children going to University College, children will remain in school and have a snack before leaving - please send your child with an extra snack on Thursday. The concert will begin at 5.30pm at University College and end at 6.30pm. If you are not the person collecting your child please ensure you have sent alternate arrangements before the end of the day on Wednesday.

Home Learning

Maths Practice Journals should be returned on Monday as usual.

Please continue regular reading at home and remember to record this in your child’s Reading Record.

Children should continue practising spellings from the statutory word lists and revisiting words in their personal spelling logbooks.

Columba Arete Information

Please click here for Arete Information. The link to the parent meeting this Tuesday is below.

Key Dates

• 9th December - Columba Arete Parents Meeting (New, Click for Link!)
• 11th December – Columba University College Visit (after school)
• 12th December – Christmas Service at St Peter and St Paul’s (Years 2–6) Children in Columba and Aquila can come dressed as wise men for the Christmas Service if they would like to. Please don’t buy anything for it specifically, each phase will be a different part of the nativity, but think low-key, cardboard crowns and capes would be perfectly sufficient – Be excited for the staff’s important dressing up role too! Starts at 10am, please be at school for 9.15am if you wish to walk with us.
• 12th December – HSA Christmas Bazaar (after school, details to follow)
• 15th December – Reading Passports returned to school
• 18th December – BFG - Children will be leaving during the school day and are expected back between 6 and 7pm. They will have lunch as normal before they leave. They should come in normal school uniform, with a coat and a water bottle.
• 19th December – End of Term (1:00pm finish)
• 15th January - Aquila France Gathering, 9am
• 29th January - Columba Arete Gathering, 9am

Spirit Week

We are excited to announce that our Christmas Spirit Week is coming up from 15 th – 19th December. Throughout the week, students are invited to join in the festive fun by dressing up according to each day’s theme and helping us celebrate the holiday season. Participation is completely optional. If your child chooses not to take part in the themed dress-up days, they should come to school in their regular uniform as usual. We look forward to a joyful and spirited week together!

Monday – All Aboard the Polar Express! Start the week by jumping on the festive train! Come dressed for a magical ride: PJs, conductor vibes, or any look that screams “hot chocolate at 3 AM.”

Tuesday – Sparkle and shine.Time to sleigh the runway! Wear your most shimmering, glimmering, twinkling outfits.

Wednesday – Head-to-Toe Christmas.Bring out your merry headgear and Christmas shoes and socks. If your toes are dashing and your head is dancing… you’re on the right track.

Thursday – Christmas Jumper Day 2.0 You snow the drill: pull out those festive jumpers for round two! The bolder, the brighter, the better.

Friday – Freestyle Christmas It’s time to express your elf! Anything Christmasy goes: reindeer glam, gingerbread chic, full Santa realness...