Term 4 Week 1

I cannot quite believe it is already Term 4. Time is flying and it feels as though half term was only yesterday.

We could not have asked for a better way to begin the new term. Our first week back started with the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi and what a joyful occasion it was for our whole school community.

The day began with energy and excitement as the children took part in Bollywood dancing workshops during the morning. They learnt traditional dance steps, practised routines and fully immersed themselves in the music and culture. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow even within a short space of time. There was laughter, determination and so much enthusiasm in the hall.

After lunch, the celebrations continued outdoors as we came together for the Holi festival itself. Parents were invited to join us and it was incredibly special to see families, staff and children celebrating side by side. Before heading outside, the children proudly performed the dances they had learnt that morning. Watching them perform with such confidence in front of their families was a real highlight of the day.

The playground was soon filled with colour, music and joy. The powder paint, the dancing and the shared laughter created a vibrant atmosphere that brought everyone together. It was one of those moments where you pause and realise how powerful community can be.

Holi is a festival that celebrates love, new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil. Our celebration reflected all of that and more. It promoted cultural understanding, inclusion and togetherness in a way that felt natural and meaningful.

What stood out most was the genuine happiness on the children’s faces. They embraced every part of the day wholeheartedly. It was not just an event. It was an experience shared with friends, family and staff.

What a fantastic start to the term.

This term, we have also begun our new topic in Religious Education, where we are learning about Islam.

In our very first lesson, the children were asked to create a mind map to record what they already knew about Islam. This gave them the opportunity to share prior knowledge, ask questions and reflect on their understanding before we begin exploring the topic in greater depth.

I was genuinely impressed by the range of information recorded. The children noted key vocabulary such as mosque, Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad, and shared ideas about prayer, fasting and the importance of faith. It was encouraging to see how much they had already retained from previous learning, as well as the thoughtful questions they raised about what they would like to find out next.

Starting with a mind map allowed every child to contribute and gave us a clear starting point for our learning journey. Over the coming weeks, we will build on this foundation as we explore beliefs, practices and the significance of Islam in the lives of Muslims around the world.

It has been wonderful to see the children approach this topic with curiosity and respect.

And we are only just getting started. There is so much more exciting learning and special events coming up next week.

Watch this space!