Key Stage 1

Last Friday, our Year 2 students had the incredible opportunity to step back in time and experience the grandeur of Hampton Court Palace. This historical adventure was perfectly aligned with their current History unit, offering an engaging and immersive look into the fascinating world of Kings and Queens. 👸🤴

The day was filled with excitement as the children explored the splendour of the Tudor court, imagining what life might have been like during those remarkable times. Amongst the highlights was an interactive session led by a real-life Tudor! This hands-on experience brought history to life, sparking curiosity and providing an unforgettable learning moment for all.

We were particularly impressed by the impeccable behaviour and enthusiasm of our Year 2 scholars. Their curiosity and respect shone brightly throughout the visit, making us incredibly proud to see them represent our school with such distinction.

A heartfelt thanks go out to the amazing staff at Hampton Court Palace for creating such a memorable experience. Their engaging activities and expertise turned a field trip into a vibrant exploration of history.

This week, Aragon has been ‘choosing respect’ in celebration of Anti-bullying Week. The children have taken part in a variety of engaging activities, all centred around promoting kindness, understanding, and respect. From making friendship bracelets to singing Aretha Franklin’s iconic R-E-S-P-E-C-T, it has been a week full of meaningful moments. Each afternoon, the class listened to a special story about respect, helping to reinforce the important messages we’ve been learning.

Learning About Bullying and Respect

Aragon’s famous Page Boyz (Mr Lillie, Mr Kennedy and Mr Hicks) also made daily appearances through virtual assemblies, demonstrating that bullying is both repetitive and intentional. These performances sparked important discussions during circle times, where students explored the damaging effects that bullying can have on others.

As a school, we’ve spent time discussing the different types of respect and reflecting on how we can show respect to others in our daily lives. “Respect is about treating everyone equally and kindly, no matter what,” said one of our Year 6 children, summarising the week’s learning.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to continue fostering a culture of respect throughout the year. This week has been a great reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and we look forward to putting these values into action as the year continues.

Last month, our school celebrated Humanities Week from Monday, 21st October, to Friday, 25th October. Centered on the theme, "Our Local Area: Exploring the Wonders of Merton," the week offered children an exciting opportunity to delve into the history, geography, and culture of our community. With a strong focus on oracy, the week was designed to help children develop speaking and debating skills through engaging activities and hands-on learning.

Highlights of Humanities Week

The week began with a lively assembly on Monday morning, featuring a debate, modelled by staff, on “Is Merton a great place to grow up in?” This stimulating session set the tone for the following days, encouraging children to think critically and express their ideas with confidence.

In Geography, children explored the concept of "wonder," learning about the location and key features of the Seven Wonders of the World and comparing them to the Seven Wonders of Merton. This exercise helped them appreciate the unique geographical characteristics of our local area.

In RE & Worldviews, discussions focused on what makes something wonderful. Children reflected on the wonders in their own lives, exploring their significance and creating presentations and posters to showcase their ideas.

In History, children learned about the historical significance of Merton’s wonders. Younger pupils (EYFS and KS1) created timelines to understand chronology, while older pupils (KS2) took part in debates to determine which of Merton’s Seven Wonders is most important.

The week concluded on Friday afternoon with a spirited class debate, where children passionately defended their chosen “best” Wonder of Merton.

Developing Oracy Skills

Oracy was a core focus throughout the week. Through debates, discussions, and presentations, children refined their ability to communicate clearly and confidently. These activities not only strengthened their communication skills but also boosted their critical thinking and understanding across subjects.

Humanities Week was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic about exploring the wonders of Merton. Thank you to Miss Barnes, Mrs Roach and Mrs Murphy who contributed to making this deep dive into our local area a memorable experience for our school community!

Last Friday was an absolute blast at Aragon Primary School as we finally hosted our much-anticipated "Tough Mudder" event after its postponement during Healthy Me Week! The children had a fantastic time, especially on the fan-favourite *slip and slide*—water, laughter, and big smiles all around!

At Aragon, we’re all about keeping fit, staying healthy, and making lifelong memories along the way. It's events like these that make school life even more engaging and exciting, and we couldn't be prouder of our pupils for giving it their all!

A huge THANK YOU to parent governor, Gemma, who helped to design the course and run the event!

In the first week of July, Aragon Primary School was buzzing with excitement as we celebrated our annual ‘Healthy Me Week 2024’ with the theme 'Path to Paris', in anticipation of the upcoming Olympics. It was a week filled with fun, learning, and plenty of physical activity!

Miss Ballantine, our PE lead, reflected on the week: "Healthy Me Week was a fantastic opportunity for our students to embrace the importance of physical activity and well-being. Seeing them participate with such enthusiasm was truly rewarding."

Highlights of Healthy Me Week:

1. Sports Clothing Days:
Throughout the week, children came dressed in their favourite sports clothing, showcasing their enthusiasm for physical activity. From football kits to dance outfits, everyone looked ready to get active!

2. Virtual 'Race to Paris':
In the spirit of the Olympics, each class embarked on a virtual journey to 'race to Paris'. Families logged their physical activities outside of school online, contributing to their class's progress. Mr. Gilbert, Deputy Head for curriculum, commented, "It was amazing to see the community come together to support their classes in reaching Paris. The competition really motivated everyone to stay active!"

3. Show and Tell Assemblies:
Year groups held special assemblies where children shared sports they participate in outside of school. "It was great to hear about my friends' hobbies and see their medals," said Nylah, a Year 3 student.

4. Morning Zumba and HIIT Sessions:
Before school started, teachers led energetic Zumba and HIIT sessions. Students and parents joined in, starting the day on a positive and active note.

5. Other Activities:
The week was packed with engaging workshops, yoga sessions, water safety education, and even our own Tough Mudder challenge. "I loved trying yoga for the first time. It made me feel calm and strong," shared James from Year 4.

Healthy Me Week Results:

In line with the theme, classes raced to see who could reach Paris first. Congratulations to 6EB for completing the 'Path to Paris' first! Here are the top 5 classes:

1st Place: 6EB
2nd Place: 6F
3rd Place: 3M
4th Place: RA
5th Place: 5E

Sports Day 2024 Highlights:

Sports Day was a culmination of our week, filled with tremendous efforts and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all participants and winners! Here are the results:

**KS1 AND KS2 Overall Placings:**
1st Place: Unicorn (162 points)
2nd Place: Phoenix (138 points)
3rd Place: Dragon (136 points)
4th Place: Griffin (126 points)
Sportsmanship Award: Griffin

**Reception Winners:**
Dragon House

A huge thank you to all staff and families for making Healthy Me Week 2024 a resounding success. Your support and enthusiasm made it a memorable experience for our students. Here’s to staying active and healthy throughout the year! 🌟

This term, our school had the fantastic opportunity to welcome the London Broncos Rugby League team! They came to share the importance of staying hydrated and delivered engaging assemblies to the whole school. The children were thrilled to learn from professional athletes and were delighted to receive their very own water bottles to help them stay hydrated.

During the assemblies, the London Broncos emphasised how vital it is to drink plenty of water, especially when participating in physical activities. Their message was clear: staying hydrated helps keep our bodies and minds healthy and strong.

After the informative sessions, the excitement continued as the London Broncos invited us all to their upcoming match in September against the Leeds Rhinos. This special invitation has everyone eagerly anticipating a fun and thrilling day out.

Miss Ballantine, our PE lead, was particularly enthusiastic about the visit. "Having the London Broncos here was a fantastic experience for our students. It’s not every day that you get to learn from professional athletes about the importance of hydration and healthy habits. The children were inspired and motivated, and we’re all looking forward to the match in September!"

Our children were equally thrilled. Here’s what some of them had to say:

- "I didn't know how important it is to drink water all the time, not just when you're thirsty," said Sam. 
- "Getting to meet the London Broncos was so cool, and now I can’t wait to see them play," added Lily. 
- "I’m going to make sure I drink more water every day, especially during PE," shared James.

We are so grateful to the London Broncos for their visit and for teaching us such an important lesson about hydration. The new water bottles are a great reminder to keep drinking water throughout the day. 

We can’t wait to support the Broncos at their match in September and cheer them on against the Leeds Rhinos! A big thank you to the London Broncos for an unforgettable experience!