KS1 Weekly Maths Challenge

Friday 28 November 2014


Do you like a puzzle or challenge? Can you think creatively? If the answer is 'yes', our weekly Maths Challenge is perfect for you. Each week there will be a fresh challenge to give your grey matter a work out. Most of the activities are open ended - it is about having creative ideas to apply to your maths.

Simply post your ideas on the Math Challenge board on a Post It note and each week a winner will be selected and announced in Celebration Assembly.

Remember...you have to be in it to win it!

Good luck! 


This weeks maths challenge can be found here...

Mathematicians' Award

Thursday 27 November 2014

On Wednesday afternoon our team of excellent Mathematicians returned to Explore Learning for the second round of the national competition.  This time the team's work will be judged against all schools nationwide.  We are excited to find out if we will make it to the grand final at Cambridge University!



Year 3 - eTwinning

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Year 3 are taking part in an eTwinning project with a school in Austria.  We recently received a parcel from them containing a photo of the children we will be working with, and some information about them - plus some Austrian biscuits!  Year 3 are looking forward to making their own package to send back.  The project is called "Little Reporters" and is designed to help the Austrian children improve their English.  We also hope to learn some German in return, as well as finding out about school life in Austria.


Year 4 - Maths Day

Maths day in year 4 was a great success!

We spent the morning measuring each other, timing how long it takes to make play-doh elephants, designing pizzas to order, following each other's instructions to build shapes and shopping for our pet dinosaurs! We worked in groups to complete the challenges and then worked out the winner!

It was a very tight contest and our teachers were very impressed with our team work!

In the afternoon we completed problem solving exercises with a helper from the, 'Happy Puzzle Company!'

It was a day full of challenges and fun!


Children in Need update!

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Having finally counted all the coins, we are very proud to announce that we raised the grand total of £489 in aid of Children in Need. Thank you to parents and pupils for your support...you are all superheroes!


Year 1 - Maths Day

On Thursday 20th November we all enjoyed a puzzle themed Maths Day.  The day began with excited parents and carers joining the children to complete a range of puzzles and problems, some of which were very tricky!  Throughout the rest of the day we completed a maths trail around the Infant building, created our own pictures from tangram puzzles and even had a drama lesson with a maths twist!  However, the highlight of the day was our session with the Happy Puzzle Workshop.  We worked in groups to complete a range of activities and developed our team work skills as well as our mathematical knowledge.  What a fantastic day!


Infant Maths Challenge Winner!

Monday 24 November 2014

"Can you think of any real life objects that are shaped like a cuboid?"


Congratulations to our first Reception winner who stated that "the tissue box is a cuboid."  This was the most popular challenge so far in the infants with a record number of entries! Well done to everyone who took part this week.


Hilldene Weekly Golden Book Winners

Every week, teachers identify 2 outstanding pupils in their class who have had a fantastic week either academically or socially or both! These pupils are entered into the Golden Book and are announced during our Friday morning celebration assembly. Our fabulous winners in the infants receive a certificate in assembly and parents of the 'golden' children in the juniors receive a letter home, informing parents of their child's fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to last week's winners:

Reception -Tommy, Burak, Aiden, Cyra, Isabel, Dylan

Y1 - Skye-Autumn, Huzaifa, Jordan, Amber, Sophie, Archie

Y2 - Riley, Ateja, Kohana, Oliver, Daisy, Luis

Y3 - Tia, Teddy, Zaid, May, Alistair, Oliver

Y4 - Matthew, Charlotte, Jake, Grace, Demi, Keira

Y5 - Megan, Michael, Shay, Mya, Dejana, Damani

Y6 - Molly, Charlie, Abigail, Taya, Adam, Abby

LSG - Keegan



Keep up the great work!


Year 5/6 - Muddy Morning!

Friday 21 November 2014

Twelve children from Year 5 and 6 Cross-Country Club represented Hilldene at their first race of the year at Stubbers Activity and Adventure Centre. With over 20 Havering schools competing, there was fierce competition!


Despite the water-logged conditions, the children completed the race with sprint finishes at the end! Well done to all of the children who took part, we're now scraping the mud off of our shoes ready for the next race!





Year 4 Zoo Hats

Wednesday 19 November 2014

In preparation for our exciting zoo trip we designed and created zoo themed hats that could be worn on the trip for us to be visible and easily identified.  Unfortunately inclement weather conditions meant we were unable to parade our creative head wear on the day... however, we are rather proud of them!



Year 6 - Bright Sparks!

Tuesday 18 November 2014

This half term Year 6 are learning all about electricity. So far they have made a variety of circuits involving a whole range of components, including bulbs, buzzers and motors. Switches were cleverly made using paper clips, split pins and card. Some children have even decided that they would like to become electricians!






Maths Marvels!

National Young Mathematician's Award Update

On Friday afternoon we received the exciting news that our team has progressed to the second round of the National Young Mathematician’s Award.  The team received good marks for their solutions to the problems and for their team work, as a result they were placed in the top four schools of those that took part in the first round.


The second round will take place on Wednesday 26th November 2014 and we wish good luck to everyone taking part!


Hilldene Weekly Golden Book Winners

Every week, teachers identify 2 outstanding pupils in their class who have had a fantastic week either academically or socially or both! These pupils are entered into the Golden Book and are announced during our Friday morning celebration assembly. Our fabulous winners in the infants receive a certificate in assembly and parents of the 'golden' children in the juniors receive a letter home, informing parents of their child's fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to last week's winners:

Reception - Karys,Arianna,Ty-Carrinton, Bianca, Richard, Lilly-Mai

Y1 - Charlie, Esther, Franchesca, Sophie, Talha, Lily

Y2 - Alexander, Lily, Reece, Holly, Amy, Ollie

Y3 - Rachel, Aaron, Simba, Willow, Owen, Ruby

Y4 - Charlie, Emma, Laverda, Doru, Morgan, Rui

Y5 - Adam, Levi, Abi, Jemima, Jasabella, Owen

Y6 - Arlinda, Orchun, Jay, Durnall, Miriam, Joseph

LSG - Charlie



Keep up the great work!


Children in Need

Monday 17 November 2014

To celebrate and support Children in Need, Superheroes from around the world flew into Hilldene Primary School on Friday. The children and staff had an exciting day in their costumes and recognised the importance of the support we can provide as a community.  Assembly gave everybody the chance to join in and see the variety of costumes and characters that were on display. Thank you to all the children, staff and parents for their support in such a worthwhile event.

As soon as the contributions are counted, the total raised will be posted!





Sports Person of the Week

Each week outstanding performance, effort and achievement in P.E and sporting activities is identified by our qualified Sports Coaches and class teachers. Pupils who shine in lessons, clubs and activities outside of school are recognised and celebrated each week in our Friday celebration assembly.


Well done to all the children for their fantastic sporting efforts last week!





KS1 Maths Challenge Winner

"Ben has 5 coins in his pocket, how much money might he have?"


Congratulations to our winner in Year 2 who carefully added different coins to find many solutions.  Well done to all of the infant children who took part this week.


Year 1 - Superheroes

On Friday 14th November a band of superheroes descended on Year 1 ready to save the day and raise lots of money for Children In Need. The children wore a variety of outfits from doctors (a real life superhero) to Batman and Batgirl. An enjoyable day was had by all and we thank everyone for supporting this worthy cause.





Pudsey Visits Hilldene

On Thursday 13th November Pudsey visited our school in preparation for Children in Need.  He spent time in assembly and awarded prizes to the winners of our colouring competition in KS1 and Reception. The children were incredibly excited to see him and it provided an excellent reminder for the superhero fun planned for the Friday.