Updates

Thursday 17th December, 2020

Class 1’s Nativity!

We are delighted to share with you the nativity performance that Class 1 have created!  A big well done to Mrs Fox and her team, and the children, for their hard work!

 

Wednesday 16th December, 2020

Special Visitor!

Today we have had a special visitor!  Santa arrived at Brown Clee – he followed all the Covid Secure procedures and he reassured us that the gifts that he had brought for the children, had all been in a 72 hour quarantine!

Wednesday 16th December, 2020

Christmas Lunch with a twist!

The children enjoyed a christmas dinner with a twist today but everyone enjoyed it and a good time was had by all!  Thank you Pippa and Carla!

Wednesday 16th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Here we are with just 10 days to go until the special day that we are all looking forwards to!  Today, behind the advent calendar window is a tree!  A christmas tree!

Have you ever wondered why we put a tree up inside our houses and decorate it?  If you think about it, it is really rather strange, as trees are natural and grow outdoors – and why do we cover it in baubles and tinsel and place a star on top of the tree??  You can probably work out why the star is there…… but if you want to find out a bit more about the history of the christmas tree, enjoy this video….

And to continue with the theme of the Christmas Tree, here is a well known song you can join along with…especially for Class 4!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you for the celebration of Christmas, the anniversary that marks the birth of Jesus.
Thank you for the fun and joy that we share with families and friends at this special time.
Please be with those who are lonely this Christmas.
Please help us to remember how fortunate we are.
Amen.

 

Tuesday 15th December, 2020

Class 4 D.T. – Miniature Globes

After last week’s mapping, we created an axis (for our globe to spin around) and an arm (for our globe to connect to a wooden base) by bending aluminum wire. The wire was then glued to the inside of a hole drilled into the base.

Check them out below:

Tuesday 15th December, 2020

Spelling Shed – New Record

Zak, in Class 4, is the first person ever to reach our Odin rank on Spelling Shed – scoring over 100,000,000 points in the past seven days.

What an incredible achievement!

Tuesday 15th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

What do you think this is?  It isn’t frankincense!……

Yes – it’s myrrh – but do you know what myrrh is and why the wise men gave it to the baby Jesus? Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. Like frankincense, it can be used as incense, but in the ancient world it also had wider usage as a perfume.  Myrrh was also a key ingredient in the mixture of spices that were used to prepare bodies for burial – what a strange gift for a new born baby! Perhaps the wise men intended this gift as an indication of Jesus’ humanity and the manner in which he would save his people—namely, that he would die for them.

Sometimes we might not always appreciate the value in a gift, and we might have to look a bit deeper to really appreciate gifts – like the gift of myrrh.

Here’s a song depicting the journey of the wise men on their way to offer their gifts…

So as we think of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus, let us think of the greatest gift of all – the gift of Jesus Christ, who was born so that he could save us all by dying on the cross.

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you for this special time of year that we look forward to.
We want to say thank you for the gift of Jesus
and ask that we may find ways to give to others as well.
On Christmas morning and afterwards, help us not to be disappointed with what we have been given.
Help us to remember the shepherds, who delighted in the surprising sight of an ordinary baby sent by God.
Amen.

Monday 14th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

I hope you had a good weekend and lots of sleep as we head into our last week of the Autumn Term!  It has been a term of contrasts – such delight to have all the children back in school but sad that there are so many limitations to how we operate – but there is definitely hope on the horizon that we will be able to return to being the community, team-spirited school that welcomes families, friends and visitors to join us in school!

Today is the 14th day of Advent, and we are also building our hopes up of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on 25th December – just 11 days away! Today we are going to be thinking about the gift of Frankincense – one of the 3 gifts that the wise men brought to the baby Jesus.

It doesn’t look terribly special, does it?  A bit like frosted ginger or golden jelly babies!  But actually Frankincense is a symbol of deity – a divine status, godliness.  Can you remember what the other 2 gifts were that the wise men brought to give to Jesus, Mary and Joseph?

Enjoy this clip sharing some background to the meaning of frankincense, myrrh and gold…

We know that gold is shiny and bright and a precious metal, but who would have known that myrrh and frankincense were so special!?  It reminds us that all gifts are special – be they small or large, shiny or dull – a gift shows that someone cares and wants to show us that we are appreciated.  So as you wake up on Christmas Day – remember our value of this half term – Thankfulness – as there is so very much to be thankful for, whether the gifts come in a stocking hung on the fireplace, or in the companionship of family and friends, or a smile, or the sun rising to start each new day!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
We thank you for all that’s good in our lives.
We thank you especially for what we remember quietly in our hearts now,
Help us always to be thankful, whether we are happy or sad.
Help us to know that you are with us during ordinary days, good days and bad days.
Amen.

 

Friday 11th December, 2020

Class 4 – D.T. – Miniature globes – Stage 1

For our D.T. project this half term, Class 4 have started to make their own miniature globes. Stage 1 has involved drawing the line of latitude (tropics, equator and polar circles) and the prime meridian and then mapping out the land masses using these as a guide.

Here are a few of the globes so far:

 

Once we have finished the surface design of our globes, we will begin creating and connecting our base, arm and axis to form our completed product.

Thursday 10th December, 2020

HELP NEEDED! Little Explorers Pre-School Need Everyone’s Help!

Since opening in 2014 the demand for places at Little Explorers Pre-School has increased year on year, resulting in them being unable to accommodate all the children requiring places. This has been very upsetting for Wende and her team who are passionate about being able to provide quality child care for families in this rural community.

It is so important that early education and child-care facilities can be provided for all the children in our local community. Therefore Pre-School have no other option than to extend their current building, so that they can achieve the benefits of dividing the space for their increasing numbers of toddlers and older children.

Pre-school urgently need to raise approximately £50,000 to achieve their aim to extend the current facilities. They have applied for grants and pursued a range of funding sources but to no avail. 

As a school we hugely value the importance of Little Explorers Pre-School, and over the years our links have gone from strength to strength.  All children benefit from a seamlessly smooth transition due to the close links.  We fully support Wende and her team in the need to provide a separate space which will allow staff to support the increasing numbers across a range of ages – the older children will be able to benefit from quieter adult-led activities in preparation for school, and children will be able to receive 1:1 support in an appropriate environment.

Wende and the Pre-School Committee were hoping to start construction in Easter, and planning permission has already been approved, but the funding isn’t on target – so they desperately need everyone’s help!  Every donation will help, and if any local companies would consider sponsorship of the project, that would be fantastic!

Let’s see if we can really pull together as a community and help support Little Explorers so that they can support the children and families within our area.

Donations can be made by cheque, payable to Little Explorers Pre-school or by BACS to:

( ref: Ext fund)
Little Explorers Pre-school
Acc: no: 70230723
Sort code: 20-53-22

Thursday 10th December, 2020

Parking and Morning Drop Off

Can we kindly remind parents to park considerately around the properties on Station Rd, particularly with regards to not parking on the grass area at the junction with the school entrance.

Also, please do not leave children unattended at the Top Gate in the morning, as we cannot be responsible for them until 8.45am when the gate opens. Thank you.

Wednesday 9th December, 2020

Coronavirus: Symptoms and Covid Tests in Christmas Holiday

Coronavirus: Symptoms and Covid Tests in Christmas Holiday

Schools have been asked to assist with Track and Trace during the beginning of the Christmas holiday.  To do this we need to do the following:-

  • Ask parents to contact school if your child/children develops symptoms (temperature/new, persistent cough/loss or change in sense of taste and/or smell) over the weekend of 19 – 20th
  • Ask parents to contact school if your child/children tests positive for coronavirus between 18th to 24th
  • If you need to inform the school of a possible, or confirmed coronavirus case, please email using admin@brownclee.shropshire.sch.uk
  • If we are notified of a positive case during the beginning of the Christmas holiday then we may be asked by PHE to pass on advice regarding isolation procedures and we will be doing this via email.
  • If you are contacted during the Christmas holidays by school and advised to isolate, and have any questions, then the advice is to contact Shropshire Public Health on 0344 225 3560 (option 2), or 01384 679 031 (out of hours)
Wednesday 9th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Yesterday we thought about how amazing it would have been to have been a shepherd on the hills surrounding Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born.  Amazing – but also quite possibly very scary!  Today you can see this part of the Nativity story brought to life in a video clip….watch and think how it must have been that cold and starry night.

Have you ever seen or heard anything that has truly amazed you?  That was so out of this world you couldn’t believe it! Imagine being one of these shepherds and thinking how fortunate that you were picked to have the good news shared with you – wouldn’t it make you feel special?  Now think how lucky we all are, that we have all had this good news shared with us through the stories in the Bible, through the story of the Nativity – God believes that we are all special, and we are all capable of great things if we truly believe.

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
We thank you for all the different skills and talents that you have given to us.
Help us always to make the best use of our skills
and to be determined to think that we too can do good things.

Please help us as we move through this year and through the rest of our lives.
Help us to dream big dreams and never to give up hope.
Amen.

 

Tuesday 8th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!  Today is the 8th December and in our advent calendar we are thinking about the shepherds in Bethlehem, who were tending their sheep on the hills.

Near Bethlehem there were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an angel appeared to them and dazzled them with the Glory of God. 

“Don’t be afraid!  I’ve come with a message of great joy for you and everyone else. Tonight a baby has been born in Bethlehem and he is to be your Saviour, Christ the Lord!”

Imagine what it must have been like if you were one of those shepherds?  There you were, tired and sleepy, looking after your flock, when suddenly  an angel appeared above you – all shiny and bright!  How do you think they felt?  If it was me I would have been amazed  – I’d probably wonder initially if I was dreaming!  I wonder whether I’d believe what I saw and heard?

The shepherds instantly believed – as in Luke 2:15-16 it reads “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’   So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”  Imagine their awe and wonder on arrival at the stable – to actually meet Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of Man!

Prayer of the Day

Loving God,

Jesus said, ‘Knock and the door will opened’ and ‘Search and you will find’.

Give us curiosity and inquiring minds.

Inspire us to work together

and help us to be open to learn from others.

Amen.

Monday 7th December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

I hope you had a good weekend and stayed warm!  Winter is definitely here!

In today’s advent calendar we are thinking about the animals in that famous stable – what do you think would have been there?

You might recognise this song – enjoy and singalong!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you for Christmas, the time when we celebrate the precious gift of your son, Jesus.
Thank you for the peace he can bring to our hearts.
Please help us to use this season of Advent to prepare ourselves
so that we can enjoy Christmas, knowing that we are at peace with all those around us.
Amen.

Sunday 6th December, 2020

FOBCS CHRISTMAS ADVENT – Day 6

Day 6: Go for a walk and forage in the hedgerow, use what you have collected to make a natural Christmas decoration. For example arrange them in an old jar, make a door wreath or make a Garland for your fireplace or table. Here are a few examples of what I did with Isabelle and Esmae last year.

Saturday 5th December, 2020

FOBCS CHRISTMAS ADVENT – Day 5

Day 5: Make some salt dough and make some Christmas decorations for the tree.

Thursday 3rd December, 2020

Cancelled: Christingle Service in Church

Reverend Terry has asked if we can pass on his apologies and let families know that sadly the annual Christingle Service held in Ditton Priors Church has had to be cancelled due to the current restrictions.

Thursday 3rd December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Today I want us to learn about the meaning behind the Christingle.

The Meaning of the Christingle

Christingle means ‘Christ’s Light’ and it is a symbol of the Christian faith. Lots of churches hold Christingle services around Christmas time. The custom of giving out lighted candles in these services began in Germany in 1747 but it wasn’t introduced to the Anglican Church in England until 1968.

Christingles are made up of different parts, each one being there to remind us of something.

  • The orange represents the world.
  • The candle reminds Christians of Jesus who they believe to be the light of the world.
  • The red ribbon goes all round the ‘world’ and being the colour of blood, reminds Christians that Jesus died.
  • The four cocktail sticks could have either of two meanings; the four seasons or the four corners of the world.
  • The sweets (or sometimes dried fruit) remind Christians of God’s gifts to the world including kindness and love.

As we go through the season of Advent we will be thinking of many of the symbols that we learn about during this special time. As we learnt earlier this week, the word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’, which means ‘coming’. Christians use Advent to get ready to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world. They believe that God sent his son into the world to show people how much he loved them. So as we get ready to celebrate Christmas, may we be patient and pause to ponder the significance and meaning behind each piece of the Christmas story.

Prayer of the Day

Dear God,
Thank you for the time of Advent, a time when we stop to consider the true meaning of Christmas.
Please help us to make this Christmas a time of peace for those around us.
Please help us to focus on the things that really matter.
Thank you for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Thank you for his example and all that we can learn from him.
Amen.

Tuesday 1st December, 2020

Class 4 – Computing

Class 4 are beginning to look at the basics of coding through the use of an app called Swift Playgrounds. Playgrounds uses a text-based coding language (created by Apple – and widely used in the programming of many apps) called “Swift”. More info on Swift Playgrounds can be found here: https://www.apple.com/uk/swift/playgrounds/

 

So far, we have looked at using and sequencing simple commands to create simple algorithms (step-by-step instructions to resolve a given problem), debugging (finding and correcting errors) simple algorithms and creating functions (combining multiple commands) to improve the efficiency in which we are coding.

 

Here is a video showing some of Class 4’s coding in action:

 

 

Tuesday 1st December, 2020

Last Day of Term

Yesterday we posted about the FOBCS “Wear Something Christmassy Day” that we are having on 18th December – the last day of term.  Please note that there will be NO PE or Forest School that day for any of the classes.

Tuesday 1st December, 2020

Reflection Time and Prayer of the Day

Good Morning Brown Clee!

Throughout December we have our school’s Advent Calendar which we will be basing our daily assembly around.  Today’s window displays the following video, teaching us more about the season of Advent.  Enjoy!

Prayer of the Day

Dear God

Christ be in our eyes and in our looking,
Christ be in our ears and in our listening,
Christ be in our hands and in our making,
Christ be in our minds and in our understanding,
Christ be in hearts and in our loving.

Amen