28 Mar 2008 - Newsletter 2008/10
March 28th
Dear Parents
Newsletter 2008/10
Easter Week
It was a wonderful opportunity to visit the church on Thursday and again, on Tuesday. The children were able to remark on the differences between their visits. The church was stripped bare before Easter and full of flowers and colour when we returned on Tuesday for assembly. Hopefully, this enabled a more meaningful experience that they were able to understand and that they could begin to appreciate why we all have Easter Eggs. Hopefully, you will be able to see the pictures in the Stroud News and Journal to celebrate the occasion. If not, please see the attached photographs, kindly supplied by the Stroud News & Journal.
Cross Country Club
A reminder that today is the last meeting. Thank you to Lee Errington, Jane Windle-Hartshorn, Rachel Riddle and Nicola Strang for ensuring the club went ahead- in all weathers! It has been really appreciated, not least by Will Goodwin who has announced every Friday that it is the highlight of his week.
Good Home Needed for Wardrobe
There is a wardrobe that is surplus to requirements. If you would like it, it is on display in the courtyard. I cannot promise that it leads the way to Narnia but it will definitely make good storage for somebody.
Class 2N
As you are aware, the Spring Term holiday is fast approaching. When the children in 2N return to school they will be taught by Mrs Bugg on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This will enable her to return to Leighterton School to honour the two days she is contracted to work there (If you remember, we only borrowed her!) Fortunately, to ensure as much continuity for these children as is possible, Mrs Winkle will teach the children on the remaining two days- Monday and Friday. Both teachers are familiar with all the children and will work together to offer the class all the security and support they need.
Lost Property
We have had our regular sort through lost property and given back any named items. Please could you ensure you check for any lost items that, have forgotten to be labelled.
Relief Cleaner wanted
Mr Phillips is always ensuring our school is as clean and tidy as the children deserve. There are times when owing to sickness and holidays, we are short of a cleaner. If you are interested and available between 3.30pm and 5.30pm please contact Mrs Mitchell in the office.
Projects we have been working on as a school.
Making Good Progress
You have already been informed about our school’s participation in the Making Good Progress Pilot Project. Single Level Tests are part of this wider pilot to trial ways to improve pupil’s progress throughout Key Stage 2 and 3 (ages 7-11 and 11-14)
Single Level Tests are available in English reading, English writing and Mathematics. Each test is intended for pupils working securely at the level of the test. They are available from Level 3 and are meant to confirm the progress of pupils. As we are involved in the pilot we have the opportunity to enter pupils for the tests twice a year, with the next testing window in June. Instead of waiting until the end of a Key Stage to test pupils’ progress, single level tests give us the flexibility to enter pupils for a test when they are considered to be working securely at a particular level. The tests are short-50 minutes and are marked by external markers. Hopefully, they will recognise and celebrate the progress of individual pupils. We shall assume that all children in Key Stage 2 can be entered for these tests when the teacher considers them ready. As it is a pilot, you do have a right to express that your child is not selected. If this is the case, please contact me by Friday 4th April. Please be assured, that we as a school, do not want our children overtested and that only pupils that are ready will be entered. I will keep you informed as to how successful the tests are in really confirming our knowledge of the children.
Trading Places
Miss Ayres has spent this week teaching the children at Christchurch School in Chalford. We, in return, have hosted Zoe Manderville to teach our year 2 class. The experience has been invaluable for both teachers to share expertise and good practice. Miss Ayres is certainly very appreciative of our beautiful surroundings and the ample space there is to park the car. It is easy to take these things for granted! Hopefully, she will also be able to share a few ideas with us for how we can further improve our practice.
Su Broadhurst
Photographs kindly supplied by the Stroud News & Journal.