Birches class enjoy daily mindfulness and fine motor sessions. The children will choose an item to sit with while we listen to a mindfulness/meditation video. These really help the children feel calm and regulated for the afternoon. When asked the children said they feel calm, happy and good when doing mindfulness.
We have been focusing on teambuilding in Birches class. The children have had time to work on social and communication needs and how to resolve conflict when a problem arises.
The children played a variety of games with one another and focused on working as a team and encouraging each other. 
Birches class have been learning through building this week. They have used their maths and science skills to create models and experiment with magnets.
The boys were able to follow instructions to create different lego models. They experimented with magnets to see how they attract. They also built some interesting models using the marble run.
Birches had their first surfing lesson last week. The children were really excited about their first lesson.
The children learnt about water safety and were given help to use the surf boards. Over the next 5 weeks the children will be learning about how to stay safe in the water and how best to use the surf boards in the water.
The children had lots of fun in the water playing in the waves. This is a great opportunity for the children to gain water confidence.
Some children from Oaks, Sycamores and Birches were extremely excited to take part in the first Mini Fun Run! We enjoyed the atmosphere at the starting line and began by warming up our bodies for the run ahead.
We got to meet running legend Sir Mo Farah before the race and he gave us some expert advice about the run ahead: Enjoy the moment.
The children were terrific and ran the entire 1.44km from the starting line, down towards the seafront, along the coast and finally back up to Gypsie’s Green.
We collected out medals, posed for photos with Sir Mo and Taylor even got to ask him a question.
We cooled down by taking part in a dance-a-thon with all of the other schools before heading back.
It was a great experience and something we all will not forget!
Birches class have settled in really well the first week back at school. The children have enjoyed social time with each other, working on communication skills. They have been working together to build Lego models and to build the marble run.
The children enjoyed the start of out new topic – ‘Amazing Africa’. They learnt lots of new facts and are excited to learn more. 
Birches have been learning about the different kinds of mechanisms in DT. The children created their own design plan to create their own moving picture. The children chose to create a picture using a sliding mechanism. The children referred back to their plan to create their designs.
Birches class have been learning about significant monarchs and their roles and responsibilities. The children have enjoyed learning lots of facts and being able to create their own portraits of significant monarchs.
Birches class listened to Ed Vere, an author and illustrator. We discussed his book ‘The artist’. The children were able to discuss the story, answer questions and make predictions. We also discussed the characters thoughts and feelings and how we can relate. Birches also looked at and discussed the illustrations in the story and even had a go at doing their own pictures.
