This week, the children have worked incredibly hard as we completed our assessment week. We are very proud of how the children approached these tasks with perseverance, focus, and a positive attitude. They showed great determination, trying their best and demonstrating all of the knowledge and skills they have been developing over the term. Assessment week is an important opportunity for adults in school to understand where the children are in their learning and to plan the next steps that will best support each child moving forward.

Our World Book Day 2026 was a fantastic celebration of reading. The children thoroughly enjoyed sharing their favourite stories with one another and talking about the characters and books that inspire them. Throughout the day, they had opportunities to listen to stories, explore different books in the classroom, and celebrate the joy that reading can bring. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm for books, with children recommending stories to their friends and discussing the books they love to read at home. Days like this remind us just how important reading is in helping children develop their imagination, language, and love for learning.

We were also incredibly impressed with the children’s engagement during our Didgeridoo Workshop. The children were fully immersed in the experience, learning about the history and cultural importance of the didgeridoo and how it connects to our topic of Aboriginal Australians. They had the opportunity to try playing their own didgeridoo, learning different techniques and experimenting with the unique sounds the instrument can create. The children also listened to and took part in traditional Aboriginal storytelling, which was a wonderful way to deepen their understanding of Australian culture and heritage. It was a joyful and memorable experience for everyone involved. If you have not already done so, please contribute towards this workshop if you are able, as a letter was sent out about this last term.

Next week, our learning will move towards exploring the Monarchy and the Commonwealth, thinking about how this links to our topic of Australia and its historical connections with the United Kingdom.

Have a lovely weekend,

Islands Team

Key Notices:

The Maths Institute have asked us to share details of the Oxford Maths Festival, a free event for children aged 4-13 which they describe as “an extravaganza of all the wonderful curiosities mathematics holds. Over two days you can immerse yourself in a wide range of events, with something for everyone, no matter your age or prior mathematical experience”. The festival will be taking place  on Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th May with some events taking place in the Institute in North Oxford (which is right next door to Somerville College) and others happening at Cowley Templar’s Square.