The cross country season has begun with Mapplewells cross country team entering their first event at the Ashfield District Qualifiers last week. We're absolutely delighted to share that the team enjoyed a truly brilliant set of results. 

In a tough contest involving 13 schools from across the district, our amazing team bagged two medals, for a first place finish from Arlo and a third place finish for Maddie, and an excellent 5 top ten finishes that each qualify for the District finals next month.

A huge well done and congratulations to the whole team for such a fantastic set of results, and here's wishing the you all good luck in the District finals in February. 

Last week F2 received a letter from the King as he had heard we were learning about our country and were going to be learning more about London. He told us that the Queen used to love having afternoon tea and he thought it would be a good idea for us to have our very own afternoon tea in the hall. We wrote a letter to Mr Whittle to see if we were allowed and luckily Mr Whittle said YES! Hooray! Therefore, on Monday we all had afternoon tea in the hall, we had sandwiches, crisps and scones, it was delicious! This week we have been busy writing a letter to King Charles to tell him all about it.

We are really excited about the new curriculum enquiries the children will be studying during the spring term. Our curriculum driver for this term is Geography, meaning all of our enquiries have this as a focus. All of the enquiries have been carefully planned and thought out by the school staff based on our curriculum principles of Memory, Opportunity, Vocabulary, Equality & Equity (MOVE).

Children will take part in a 'hook' event to introduce them to their new enquiry, have access to experts, read a range of informative and key texts and have a range of experiences to support their learning before presenting their new knowledge in their authentic outcome at the end of the enquiry.

Each of the enquiries is supported by a Knowledge mat. This contains all the new vocabulary, sticky knowledge and key facts the children will need to know for their enquiry journey. These can be found on the class pages1 along with details of the autumn enquiries.

This terms enquiry questions are:

EYFS: What makes Britain Great?

KS1: What makes the UK unique?

Yr 3/ 4: How can our planet show us anger?

Yr 5/ 6: Is human need greater than others

As part of our authentic outcome from our Autumn enquiry, the children presented their book of double page spreads to the wonderful staff at the ATTFE hub in Idlewells Shopping Centre. The book showcases the children's knowledge of WW1 and also answers the enquiry question, 'Is Conflict Necessary?' The book was presented to Linda and Laura from ATTFE by our Head Boy and Girl, Joshua and Jessica, and the book will be displayed in the hub window so if you're passing by, please take a moment to read the fantastic work the children have produced

F2 loved their visit to the post box this week. The children have been busy putting together some special post for the Jolly post man to deliver! Keep your eyes peeled grown ups!

This week F2 have performed their nativity to their family and friends. The children were so brave saying their lines and singing the songs we have been learning over the past few weeks. The adults in school are extremely proud of the children for their effort! Well done F2!