Weekly Roundup

Swainswick is really getting into the festive spirit! On Saturday, Friends of Swainswick school organised and ran the most wonderful Christmas Fair. The atmosphere was so festive, and everyone had a great time. Santa even made an appearance, chatting with some children in his beautiful grotto. Click here to see pictures of Santa’s special grotto. Huge thanks to everyone who helped to organise the fair, supported on the day or attended the event. The children have also been lucky enough to have a delivery of a real Christmas tree in their classrooms this week. Huge thanks to Bea and Edwin’s dad who surprised everyone with these trees. We are in the process of decorating them, and will share pictures of them once they are fully decorated.

On Tuesday, we welcomed our governors to do some monitoring in school (this is a regular part of a governor’s role). It was great to be able to share our learning with them, and they shared lots of positive feedback about things happening in classrooms. Most importantly, they shared that children feel happy and safe in school.

What's been happening in classes:

Hazel:  

Hazel Class has been very busy this week!In DT, we are getting ready to make our real cushions. On Friday we have been honing our sewing skills—threading needles, practising different stitches, trying applique, and sewing on buttons. Today, we began putting all these skills together to start making the final cushions. Click here to see pictures.

In English, we are nearing the end of our story The First Drawing and have been retelling it through a “slow write,” taking extra care with our grammar. On Thursday, the children were incredibly proud to read their work aloud to the class. Click here to see pictures.

In History, the class became archaeologists for the week! After learning about the Cheddar Man and exploring the UNESCO site of Skara Brae, they carried out their own excavation of a piece of “prehistoric rock,” discovering a sabre-toothed tiger tooth and ancient shells. To see our explorers in action, click here.

Well done, Hazel Class—you have worked so hard this week!

Oak: 

This week in Oak Class, we continued investigating how pitch works with the children crafting their own musical instruments. We made pan pipes from straws, elastic band guitars and a glass jar xylophone.  One of the most interesting findings was that the higher the water level in a glass, the higher the pitch it produced!

In history, the class learned about Skara Brae, the remarkable Stone Age settlement uncovered in Scotland. We explored how its discovery offers insights into how Stone Age people were beginning to change their ways of living.  The children put on their journalist hats to write and present their own TV news reports. They tackled the history of Skara Brae with enthusiasm, transforming Oak Class into a bustling newsroom! We recreated the excitement of reporting live from the scene, as the children acted as both news anchors and on-the-ground reporters. Watching them bring history to life with such fun was a highlight of the week.

For pictures of our reporters, please click here.

Apple:

Apple class have fully embraced the start of the Christmas season! This week we have been busy decorating our classroom and have been lucky enough to have a Christmas tree. We have been so excited to decorate it - pictures to follow soon!

We have also been working hard on rehearsals for our Christmas performance. The children have been having lots of fun coming up with their own dances for the songs and practising speaking loudly. They are doing a fantastic job. What wonderful actors and actresses we have!

In other news:

For a holiday singing opportunity for KS2, click here.  

For Hazel class Maths, click here.

Calendar dates:

Wednesday 10^th December. 9.15am: Apple Class Christmas Production ‘Baarmy Bethlehem’ at Swainswick Church – parents and carers welcome

Thursday 11^th December. 2.15pm: Apple Class Christmas Production ‘Baarmy Bethlehem’ at Swainswick Church – parents and carers welcome

Monday 15^th December 2pm: Swainswick Christmas whole school service at Swainswick Church – parents and carers welcome

Thursday 19^th December: Christmas dinner and Christmas jumper day at Swainswick – please see separate email for information about how to book your Christmas dinner on Arbor.

Tuesday 6^th- Friday 9^th January: Swimming at Bath Leisure Centre for Hazel class.

Monday 12^th- Friday 16^th January: Swimming at Bath Leisure Centre for Oak class.

Wednesday 8^th – Friday 10^th July 2026 – PGL Liddington for years 5 and 6

Have a brilliant weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone next week for more festive fun!

Best wishes,

Mrs Simmons