Dear RFA families ,

Headteacher’s hello,

Thursday 13th February 2020 -Issue 136

Coming up next term at RFA * FEBRUARY 2020

14th Last day of term

24th First day of term

25th—28th Balanceability cycle training—EYFS

27th Year 2 & 3 Home Learning Celebration

MARCH 2020

3rd Kew Gardens Trip— Year 2

4th WE Day

5th World Book Day

5th WE Day campaign events

9th—13th STEM Week

11th Dress Like a Scientist Day

12th Year 1 & 4 Home Learning Celebration

16th—20th Shakespeare Week

17th Globe Theatre trip—Year 5

25th & 26th Parent Teacher meetings

APRIL 2020

3rd Last day of term

* Please note that all activities and dates are subject to change

LETTER LOG

Check the ‘Letters’ section of our website for digital copies of all our letters home.

What an amazingly busy half term we have had! Our

pupils have had some great experiences, both inside and

outside the classroom; From seeing a T-Rex roaming the

green hall to sleeping under the stars at the National

Space Centre! Read more inside this issue.

I am delighted that we now have our very own

allotment. This will mean that our 11B411 Reception

promise, ‘Seeds to Supper’ will be fulfilled as well as

allowing many of our older pupils to benefit from

becoming ‘Allotment Ambassadors’.

We are coming to the end of another very successful

careers week where YR6 have had an insight into some

very exciting jobs. A huge thank you to everyone who

gave up their time this week to come and inspire our

pupils.

As well as lighter days and warmer weather, we are

looking forward to some of our favourite events in the

school calendar next half term including World Book Day,

Shakespeare Week and WE Day campaign events. Much

more detail on this coming up.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the

wonderful staff and pupils for their incredible hard work

this half-term and for your continued support of the

school. Have a wonderful half-term holiday and I look

forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 24th

February.

WORLD BOOK DAY Nationally reading for pleasure is on the decline, so here at RFA we want to boost it up!

All the research shows that reading promotes achievement in all subjects, not just English. . Just ten minutes focussed reading each day can make a real difference.

This year’s World Book Day theme is ‘Sharing Stories’. We invite children to dress up as their favourite character from a book they know and love.

We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Year 5 - National Space station trip by Miss Smith

Last weekend , Year 5 travelled to Leicester to fulfil their 11before 11 promise “Sleeping under the stars” the children slept over at the National Space Station. The children took part in a range of activities. They watched two planetarium shows, where they learn about different constellations and what it is like to be an astronaut in space. They also completed a Gravitrax workshop, in which they had to create a obstacle course for a marble, the children showed great communication and cooperation skills and successfully completed the task.

Finally, the children had time to explore the space station itself, and roam the galleries, finding out information about space and taking part in interactive actives such as creating their own weather report. After all the activities and fun the children slept overnight in two of the galleries, “Into space” and “Orbiting Earth”.

MORNING MORNING

PLAYGROUND PLAYGROUND

ARRANGEMENTSARRANGEMENTS

There have been a number of recent incidents

where our morning playground arrangements

have not been followed. Please ensure these

are followed to ensure the health and safety of

our pupils.

No children in the playground before 8.30am

All children must be supervised by an adult unless they are in Year 5 or Year 6 and have permission to walk to school alone (these children must not be left to supervise younger siblings)

Parents and children should not enter the school through the Breakfast Club entrance before 8.30am unless they are booked into Breakfast Club

Children must switch off their mobile phones as soon as they enter the playground.

No bikes or scooters ridden in the playground

No ball games before school except in the MUGA

8:30am MUGA opens—Mr Whitehouse will supervise

8:45am—go to class

Year 6 – Ben Kinsella Trust trip by Mr Robinson

Towards the end of January, our Year 6 classes

travelled to Finsbury Library to participate in the

‘Knife Choices and Consequences’ exhibition, an

interactive experience run by the Ben Kinsella Trust.

The children were guided through a number of

thought-provoking scenarios in themed rooms, giving

them the opportunity to learn about the dangers of

knife crime and the emotions associated with living

the experience, all in a safe space where they could

share their ideas with their classmates and the tutors.

They responded with thoughtfulness and maturity

and, as always, did the RFA proud. Special mention

should go to the children and staff whose conduct on

the journey led to a fellow passenger sending an

email with the following message:

“I just want to say that they were wonderful young

people who were well behaved, polite and courteous.

Their addition to the train made me smile. Please also

pass on my praise to the staff that were with them;

they were positive, caring and had high expectations

of the young people in their care.”

Reception – The Discover Children’s Story Centre trip by Miss Purslow

Last week, Reception safely travelled to Stratford using lots of different modes of transport to visit The Discover Children’s

Story Centre to enthuse us all about our topic ‘Will you read me a story?’

We all shared our favourite fairy tales and stories and met a mysterious alien

called ‘Hooter’. Reception had a great time exploring the wonderful story world

which brought our imaginations alive. We used our fantastic imaginations to

create our own story for Hooter to take back to his planet to read to his alien

friends. We cooperated to create a brilliant story all about a dragon princess with

a cunning plan to take over the world! Since our visit to The Discover Children’s

Story Centre, we have become mini authors by creating our own stories and have

collaborated to act them out to our friends.

We are one of the very few primary schools in the country that posts on Instagram. Thanks to our #instafamily we have now reached 300 followers. Don’t follow us yet? Our name on Instagram is @robert_fitzroy_academy

Instagram is growing

SPORTS REPORT

On Wednesday 29th January RFA competed in the Croydon Schools Swimming Gala at South Norwood Leisure Centre. It was a packed out morning with lots of support from spectators. We competed in all events such as Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, and even Butterfly. Well done to all those selected, and well done to the Year 6 boys who finished second in their relay and fingers crossed for Anna in Year 4 who won her heat for breaststroke, we are waiting on the qualifying times for the final at Trinity. RFA swimming team: Reon, Jazel, Jayden, Ali, Kanyese, Ashley, Stefano, Teagan Rae, Sarina, Anisa, Anna

On Thursday 23rd January RFA hosted two Year 6 friendly basketball fixtures against Heavers farm. Both games were very intense and the children all got the opportunity to showcase their talents, showing off some fantastic skills. Eventually resulting in one game a piece. Well done to all those selected: Armarni, Denny, La'vanah, Jaminda, Kami, Cassius, Breaze, Keisley, Mateo, Preston, Jayden, Jordaine

BASKETBALL by Mr Whitehouse

SWIMMING GALA by Mr Whitehouse

Year 1 – London Transport Museum trip by Miss Martin

As part of our new topic ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ Year 1 visited the London Transport Museum.

During the visit we discovered a range of different types of transport from horse and carriages to

steam trains. We enjoyed sitting in the luxury carriages and even getting into the drivers seat!

Our workshop ‘Victorian Life’ allowed us to discover what types of transport the Victorians

would have used and how these have developed over time. During the afternoon, we took part

in a ‘transport trail’ around the museum that led us on a hunt to collect as many stamps as

possible. We even found a map of our very own Croydon tram system, that many of us use

regularly. We really enjoyed this enriching experience and were able to use our enquiry skills

throughout the day, just like true historians!

PSHE WE Campaigns 2020

The WE movement is an organisation that encourages and empowers children to be ambassadors of change.

We have enjoyed workshops from WE facilitators to help us understand local issues and plan our campaigns to make a

difference in our community. This year, our children have once again amazed us with their compassion, commitment and

drive to help others. Here are a few things they have planned that you may be able to help them with…

YEAR 3

To encourage our community to spend more time outdoors, we are

raising funds to invest in an outdoor learning space!

Please support us by attending the following events:

Koala Class Talent Show: Thursday 5th March 2.15pm (all welcome)

Kookaburra Class Family Fun: Thursday 5th March 3pm (all welcome) Wallaby Class Staff Sponge Splat: Thursday 5th March lunchtime

(children only)

YEAR 6

We are planning an awareness campaign as well as a food stall in

Croydon town centre to support the homeless in our community. This

will take place in the Summer term. We will keep you posted!

YEAR 5

We understand the importance of making others feel good and raising

their self-esteem. After an inspiring assembly from the Charity

Shooting Stars Hospice, we have decided to support them by:

Niagara: Creating positive affirmation bookmarks and keyrings

Yukon: Sponsored Square Challenges Tahoe: Making Feel Good bags for the children

YEAR 1

We have been learning about how to help our environment. We have

designed our own re-usable bags which we are very excited to bring

home after half term! We will be asking for a small donation in return to raise money to

adopt a Year 1 turtle that is at risk of extinction. We hope you can help!

SPECIAL MENTIONS THIS HALF TERM

Aiden—Caspian Manuel—Wallaby Sara—Kookaburra Faith—Niagara Falls Annabel—Rock Hopper Samiah—Aztec Blayke-Lee—Inca Sitara—Mandarin Prisha—Zulu Hasan—Caspian Alex—Koala Jake—Aztec Alessia—Carib Kaloyan—Yoruba Khalid—Kookaburra Delia—Da Vinci

Khumo—Yoruba David—Inca Riley—Yukon River Nivaeh—Hepworth Reon—Van Gogh Deijah—Everest Shola—Wallaby Odhran—Adelie Muskan—Emperor Yoshua—Rock Hopper Aiden—Caspian Lia—Hepworth Kacper—Da Vinci Victoria—Koala Marcella—Aztec Tia—Inca Keyley—Yukon River Sienna—Lake Tahoe La’Vanah—Picasso Hadiyah—Rock Hopper Nye—Caspian Alisha—Wallaby Indiya—Inca

Joshua—Da Vinci Joshua—Lake Tahoe Soraya—Niagara Falls Hamza—Picasso Jace—Adelie Dylan—Rock Hopper Kalarna—Niagara Falls Mahima—Da Vinci Benjamin—Everest Miran—Adelie Ja’Rayna—Aztec

Hasan—Caspian Taye—Carib Daryan—Mandarin Taye—Carib Keisley—Da Vinci Maliyah—Aztec Jaanshere—Inca Caleb—Enquiry Esme—Adlie Anthony—Rock Hopper Alejandra—Mandarin Walko—Niagara Falls Noam—Everest Charlie—Mayan Elizabeth—Picasso Ini—Van Gogh

Azariah—Mayan Kairo—Ashanti Sianna—Koala Kavahn—Kookaburra Denny—Hepworth Cassius—Kookaburra Chai—Lake Tahoe Gabriela—Everest Zaki—Wallaby Teyah—Carib Amelia—Emperor Erslaan—Wallaby Zaria—Hepworth Harley—Ashanti Jesse—Mandarin

Zina—Adelie La’Meila—Rock Hopper Diren—Everest Joshua—Lake Tahoe Kyron—Niagara Falls Ollie—Picasso Amyah—Van Gogh Kiyarn—Everest Charlie—Emperor Alma—Yoruba Ellaha—Picasso Matheo—Van Gogh Ronnie—Zulu Casey—Lake Tahoe

Rachel—Yukon River Darsh—Yoruba Kadidjatou—Ashanti Remee—Kookaburra Charlie—Yukon River Mishca—Hepworth Chenaye—Hepworth Tia—Hepworth Amelia—Niagara Falls Charlie—Yukon River

Alexandra—Ashanti Saad—Zulu Wisdom—Mandarin Dimpho—Aztec Saphire—Picasso Aadhya—Adelie Eloise—Yoruba Reyaansh—Koala Antonia—Yukon River Jayden—Van Gogh Junior—Caspian Zac—Mandarin Ailyn—Kookaburra Cyaan—Inca Kami—Da Vinci Ellie—Van Gogh Tamsin—Koala