Friday 18th October 2019

Dear Children and Parents, Another Saturday morning sees another two of our Year 13 CAS students take to the streets of Acilia in a bid to support the Retake Roma crew, representing our school once again. Emma Crugnola and Beatrice Pistola took it upon themselves to add yet another worthwhile and vital experience to their CAS portfolio by giving up their time this Saturday to support this wonderful group. We look forward to them talking with her fellow classmates this Wednesday as this great partnership keeps on growing and frowning. Brava Emma and Beatrice!

Year 3 Archaeology Last Friday in Year 3, we were given the exciting task of unearthing some artefacts that had been discovered in the Southlands sandpit! We found an ancient statue, a turquoise necklace, a sandal, and other mysterious objects. The students used their knowledge of Ancient Egypt (and a little bit of imagination) to work out what the artefacts might have been used for. It was super exciting! Then on Monday, we wrote about our experience in the style of a diary entry... just like the famous archaeologist, Howard Carter. Our diary entries are now on display near the Year 3 stairs. Ms Jennifer Wells and Ms Laurel Speirs

The Principal’s Weekly Newsletter

Mr Deryck M. Wilson

CAS Activities - Mixed Sports has some visitors! This week saw two of our Year 12 students add to their CAS portfolios by giving up their time, after school on Monday, to help support and share their skills with the students who are currently participating in Mixed Sports. This half term has seen the Mixed Sports Club already showcase two new sports; Cricket and Basketball, so it was great to have both Julia Testa and Salih Alezabi join in and support the students. After the activity, Salih and Julia reflected on what they had just done and this is what they said:

Salih: 'I didn't think that I would like this but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought they would not want to listen to me but the students really enjoyed it and so did I. I will definitely do this again' Julia: 'I was surprised at how much the students wanted to learn from me - they asked me a lot of questions, which I had the answers for and I felt like I could really make a difference' We look forward to welcoming the guys back again next week and are always happy for more and more students to come join the Mixed Sports Club on Mondays as we will be looking to include even more Sports throughout the year. Richard Hough

Designing and Making a Dry-suit for Scuba Steve In Jaguars, we have been working scientifically during our unit on materials, questioning, analysing and communicating our thinking. This week, students went further in their understanding by investigating which materials are waterproof. In our science experiment, children were asked to see which materials would be best at keeping Scuba Steve dry who unfortunately has discovered a hole in his old dry suit, which keeps him dry while he is diving in the ocean. During the experiment, the children placed different materials over Scuba Steve and placed 2-3 drops of water on the material. They recorded their observations on a sorting sheet and reflected on why some materials are waterproof and others are not. Students did a fantastic job making predictions, testing and making interesting observations. Ms Gemma Jordan

Year 6 Study for Tevere Boat Trip Year 6 have been studying rivers and we cannot wait for our trip down the Tevere on Friday! Check out the 3-D models students made in class using DAS clay, paint, and real pine and leaves. Great Work! Ms Cahall and Mr Hough

Power of Poetry

This week the Primary School students have joined in celebrating the Power of Poetry with a focus on the theme of Dreams. Children from Nursery up to Year 2 have created paintings, sculptures and artworks in response to poems about dreams that they read together in class. Why not pass by the display where you can find some examples of the beautiful expressive art made by our little artists! Mrs Pierfederici, EYFS & KS1 Literacy Co-ordinator.

Art in Year 2P The Penguin class had a great time weaving wool circles inspired by Kandinsky, which reinforced their learning about Materials and their properties from their Science lessons. They were challenged to think about the colours that they were choosing and the influence of the colours next to it. They enjoyed listening to music as they created, just as Kandinsky did. If you pop by to see them, you are sure to also be impressed by the symmetrical portraits they have created! Mrs Pierfederici

4A Takes Their Learning Outside! Over the past two weeks, 4A have found that their learning does not just take place in the classroom. We can also learn outside! We began with Maths: we spent a lesson outdoors in the gardens practising our measuring skills by working in teams and measuring some things around school. The children had a lot of fun learning how to use metre sticks and tape measures accurately: it was a challenge to measure some of the items that were taller than the children themselves were! Then, the children were able to convert their measurements from metres into centimetres! I was so proud of all the students for tackling a tricky piece of maths so successfully! This week, the children took to the outdoors once more. We have spent some time learning about the upcoming festival of Diwali (October 27) and how many Hindus celebrate this by making Rangoli patterns out of petals or coloured rice to welcome the goddess Lakshmi to their homes. We have tried our best to replicate these wonderful, symmetrical patterns using chalk. We had a fantastic time designing them and even more fun getting messy! You may have seen some of them brightening up the pink court after school! Happy Diwali! Miss Armitage

YEAR 1 SCIENCE In Science, Year 1’s topic has been ‘Ourselves’. Now the children can name various parts of the body and face in English. They learned about The Senses, created faces using playdough and made self-portraits. Mrs Wilson and Mr Gray

Nursery Music with Ms Easby The Nursery children love their music lessons with Miss Easby

The lessons provide an opportunity for them to move to music, sing songs and use percussion instruments and other materials to express themselves.

The children are already learning about tempo and pitch!

You may have noticed the new information board outside nursery.

On it, you will find the menu, the newsletter and lots more important information.

Ms Shirley and Mrs Luisa Jane Franceschini

Southlands Orchestra "I am delighted that over the last couple of weeks our orchestra has more or less resumed its normal size. The students have been learning how to play open strings on the violins and the ukuleles and they have also been very enthusiastic about recorders and piano. This is wonderful! I hope all parents will encourage the children to explore Music, which touches the senses. Being able to appreciate Music is one thing, but being able to grasp its working is another. 'Piano, piano' to use an Italian phrase, in the solitude of focused concentration, repetition and practice allows for foundations of Music to be laid in young minds. From these foundations, students may progress to enjoy with great relish the joys of improvisation and performance. Mr Andrew Snape, Head of Music

Message from the Administration Office

Dear Parents,

All school medications must be brought in by an adult. A doctor's order

is required for medication administration by the school nurse.

For the safety of our students, Please do not send medications in your

child's backpack but pass by the nurse’s office with your prescription

and instructions.

If your child has a new medical diagnosis, please update us.

Cough drops are considered a medication and must be dispensed through the school nurse's office with

parental consent.

Nurse Diana & Nurse Lanny

Parent/Teachers Conferences – Primary & Years 8-13 We are pleased to inform you that there will be opportunities to discuss your child’s progress on the dates

below, unless otherwise indicated. For children in all classes from Nursery to Year 6, meetings will take place

in your child’s classroom. To book your appointment please visit www.schoolbookings.net and use the

codes indicated below. Kindly note that Year 7 Parent/Teachers meetings will take place in December.

Primary School Event Code: wqgap.

Friday, 25th October 09:00 – 15:00

Senior School (Years 8-13) Event Code: v384v Friday, 25th October 09:00 – 15:00 Specialist teachers Primary & Secondary Event Code: sa5wc. Should you feel you require an interpreter (English-Italian), please contact the Office

Listening Centre

Driving Safely

Let’s all think about the environment and about other parents that wait for their

children by the gate at 3.25pm by switching off our engines. Getting into the

habit of turning your car engine off is good for bystanders and your engine

components too.

To ensure the well-being of children and adults alike, we stress the

importance of not parking cars and dropping off children in the area

adjacent to the pedestrian gate.

Driving safely in the school car park is essential for the well-being of children, parents and teachers alike.

However, we still see reckless driving that could have dangerous consequences. May we remind you to:

drive under 20 km/h avoid using mobile phones

park in the designated bays

take extra care when reversing

if you hit/damage a car, be courteous enough to leave your telephone number and name on the damaged car's windscreen.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Guitar Club – Mr Fiorella Every Friday from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

(Years 2-6)

If you have not yet booked your child’s trial lesson please do so via the

school office.

Kumon Mathematics – Mrs Parise (Years 1-6) Every Friday from

3.45pm to 4.45pm. If you have not yet booked your child’s trial

lesson please do so via the school office.

Football Club – Mr Hough (Years 2-6) Every Tuesday from 15.45 to 16.45.

Mixed Sports Club – Mr Hough (Years 2-6) Every Monday from 15.45 to 16.45.

Piano Lessons – Mr Manenti (Years 1-6) Every Wednesday. Southlands joined (Absrm) International

Programme. At the end of the year,

children will have an exam

More activities will be offered in November.

Dates for your Diary

Half Term Holiday The school will be on half term holiday from 25th October – 4th November inclusive (re-starting on Tuesday, 5th November). The Office will stay open all week from 8am to 4pm.

However, please note the school will remain open on Friday, 25th October for Parent/Teachers Conferences.

Do have an enjoyable weekend.