Here we are in the very last week of the Spring term-time is just flying past. Then after two weeks back at school it's the Year 6 SATs tests all over again. During the holidays, teachers have kindly volunteered to run extra sessions for Year 6 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of both holiday weeks between 9.00am and 12.00pm. You do not have to book ahead or attend all, but, if children feel they want extra tuition all are welcome. I would like to thank my staff for all the extra hours they are working to help and support our current Year 6-they are certainly going above and beyond to give the children the best possible chance of success.
CHALLENGING READERS
Thank you to all our families who have supported their children in listening to them read each evening. When I have time to listen to children, I can hear a huge difference in children's confidence and fluency.
During the past few weeks I have been working with Mr. Howe to create a library of challenge books. These will be for those children who reach certain stages in the Oxford Reading Tree scheme as they move through the school. The challenge collections are divided into categories e.g historical fiction, significant authors, fantasy and so on. Children will select a book from each of the challenge collections before moving back onto the ORT so they experience new authors and genres, adding width to their reading experience. The collections for Years 5 and 6 are now ready for children to read them.
MEETING AN IDOL
During their P.E lesson last Thursday Year 6 certainly had a treat. Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford were filming for Football Focus when they visited the trainees at the bottom of the school field. Afterwards Jermain came across to say "hi" to the children on his way back to his very smart Austin Martin so we had a very excited class and staff.
EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD
On Thursday we welcome Frankie Garnon Williams to our school. Frankie is a Speaker and Facilitator for the WE movement https://www.we.org/gb/ and will be leading citizenship workshops for selected children in Years 4, 5 & 6 to develop the life skills for success and make a positive impact on the world. Key Stage 2 will attend an assembly then a series of 3 workshops for the selected children begins. It'll be a day of becoming aware of global and local issues, discussion and action planning.
SWIMMING COACH VISIT
North East swimmer, Jonny Carlisle will spend the afternoon in school on Wednesday to talk to children about the effect of sugar on performance and health and also resilience in the face of difficulties. We look forward to meeting such a dedicated athlete.
Also this week-Year 4 have their pretzels and butterflies ready for when their teams take part in a Skipping Festival, and Yrs 5& 6 take part in a rugby tournament. The Easter Coffee afternoon is on Thursday from 3.30pm with lots of chocolate to win and eat.