Living and Learning: Staying Safe Week
This week is a themed week all about staying safe in lots of different areas of life. We’ve had learning based around safety at home and visitors in talking about safety around water and the road.
Have a look at what we’ve been up to in Year 3:
Monday
D:Side came in to talk to us about smoking and vaping. We learnt about the laws and history of smoking and vaping and how we can protect ourselves from the harmful chemicals inside these things. We practised not giving in to peer pressure by thinking of an excuse as to why we shouldn’t smoke.
Road Safety – Road safety is essential whether you are walking, cycling or in a moving vehicle! There are many things we can do to keep us and others around us safe.
- Wear a helmet when cycling or scootering.
- Wear a seatbelt if there is one available.
- Stay seated if on the bus.
- Don’t distract someone who is driving.
Travelling somewhere by being active is a great option. Not only is it better for us, mentally and physically but it’s better for the environment too!
The children recapped how they can be safe around the road. The Green Cross Code:
THINK
STOP
LOOK
LISTEN
Tuesday
We had visitors in to talk to us about different bacteria (the good and the bad). We saw how bacteria transfers from one thing to another and how to wash our hands thoroughly. Help at home: Sing happy birthday twice while washing your hands!
Keeping our personal hygiene up is really important to stop spreading bacteria and virus’ to each other. We saw how soap helps to stop this spread. Black pepper acted as our germs…
Wednesday
Safety at Home – Home should be a safe and comfortable place to be but there are things that can be risky or unsafe. We identified things that could be unsafe and how we can make good choices around them! For example: a kitchen has things that can be hot (ovens, kettles) or sharp (knives) but when we’re with a trusted adult, they can help us stay safe when we’re helping cook.
We had a visit from BMMA – British Military Martial Arts. Many of the children have been to this club before so they were experts. BMMA could be used as self defence if we felt unsafe. However, BMMA will not be necessary in most situations.
Thursday
Water Safety – Rivers and Canals Trust spoke to us about safety around different types of water. We must if we or someone else is in trouble:
- Call for help
- Do not climb in the water
- Stay calm
- Float like a starfish
Germ Warfare – Visitors came into show us exactly what it looks like when we clean our hands.
Offline and Online Safety – Our digital footprints are something we need to think about as these could affect us years later. Not everything that we see online is or true fact so we must be critical users and tell a trusted adult if you’re unsure or you feel unsafe!
Staying safe: Personal hygiene
As part of our safety week, we welcomed visitors from Catering Leeds who came to talk to us about germs and the importance of hand washing. The children were fascinated to see how many germs were on their hands under the special lamp!
Staying safe: Water safety
This morning, we welcomed a visitor from Canal & River Trust. They spoke to us about the importance of water safety. We practised a special song to help us remember to stay away from the water’s edge. We had so much fun!
Staying safe: Sun safety
One of the challenges this week was to create a sun safety poster. We talked about the key things we need to remember to stay safe in the sun.
You must wear a hat to protect your head.
I always put sun cream on.
When it’s hot, you need to drink more water.
I play in the shade when I get too hot.
Help at Home: With the weather looking very sunny next week, talk to your child about how they can stay safe in the sun.
Staying Safe Week
This week, Year 6 were very busy learning how to stay safe in a range of different scenarios and situations.
On Monday, we kicked off the week with a road safety assembly.
In this, the children recapped how to stay safe in each type of travel (car, bike/scooter, bus, train and walking).
- A seatbelt must be worn every journey – whether that be a long or short drive.
- You must not distract the driver.
- If there is a seat available on a bus or train you must sit down.
- Travel with an adult.
- Green Cross Code: Think, Stop, Look and Listen.
We also had a lesson about peer pressure. Help at home: Have a go at discussing this slide. Which are examples of peer pressure?
We then had D:Side Dave in to talk to the children about drug education. Year 6 classified different drugs into medical, illegal and illegal.
In the afternoon, we had a lesson about water safety. The children practised how to get the attention of and help someone who is drowning.
On Tuesday, we had a session about promoting good health. The children learnt about how they can keep themselves healthy and happy.
Year 6 also had a lesson about friendships and boundaries within them. Here are some examples of someone’s boundaries. Help at home: Discuss some of your boundaries that you have to make you feel safe within a friendship.
To end the day, we had a session about first aid. Year 6 learnt more about CPR and when to use it.
On Wednesday, we had a session with British Military Martial Arts. The children learnt how to jab, cross and front kick.
To finish the day, we had a lesson about rail safety. Year 6 first found out some cool facts about trains and then discussed how to cross at a level crossing.
Help at home: How many different ways can your child suggest to stay safe?
PE Uniform Reminder
Today, we had a look at our school uniform policy, with a particular focus on what is appropriate to wear for PE. This served as a gentle reminder for the children, helping them to understand the expectations around PE kit.
We had some thoughtful discussions about why we have a uniform policy and why it is important to follow it. The children shared some lovely ideas, including how it helps to keep things fair as everyone is dressed in similar clothing.
As we approach the end of Year 2, we also talked about looking ahead to Year 3. If you are considering replacing any PE items (such as trainers), it would be helpful to check that new items meet the school’s uniform expectations.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a consistent and positive approach to school uniform.
PE – throwing and catching!
In PE lessons this half-term, we’ve been developing our throwing and catching skills. We’ve played games where we throw a ball back and forth with a partner, taking a step back after each pair of successful passes. We’ve also practised accurate throwing by creating towers out of cones which we then try to knock down by throwing the ball at them.
Staying safe: Road safety
Yesterday, we were joined by the Leeds City Council Road Safety team for a special assembly focused on keeping ourselves safe. We learned how to stay safe when walking to and from school, travelling in cars, and crossing roads. We also explored the Green Cross Code (Think, Stop, Look, Listen) and met their travel mascot, Arlo!
After the assembly, one of the team stayed to speak with us in more detail about how to stay safe near roads.
Poetry basket: A little shell
This week’s poem is called A little shell.
We’ve been focussing on the words crept (to move slowly and carefully to avoid been heard or noticed) and upon (more formal term for on).
Forest School!
Year 5 have thoroughly enjoyed their second stint in Forest School this half term – particularly as the weather has got (a bit) warmer! They have been exploring the whole of the Green and having lots of fun. They have been making dens, lighting fires, cooking food and sawing wood!
The children are learning key skills around cooperation, assessing risks, resilience and healthy living. They are always so full of enthusiasm when they come back after a morning in the Forest School.
Just a reminder that the children still have one more Forest School session left on the first Friday back after half term (5th June) due to the INSET day next Friday.
Help at home by discussing the children’s favourite part of Forest School.