PGL - June 2015

Last week, Years 5 & 6 visited Dorset for their week long residential trip. 

We had a brilliant week, taking part in a great range of activities.  As is always the case, the behaviour of our children was second to none.

Exceptional Writing

Over the last 18 months, the quality of writing produced by our children has gone from strength to strength.  There is an increased confidence and maturity about the writing produced and I have been really impressed with the standard of writing across the school.

Last week, Oscar and Callum in Year 6 emailed me some examples of the narrative writing they have been producing.  Please read extracts of their work below:

A NEWFOUND FRIEND

Ellie stood behind me, trembling and pleading me to leave the deserted horror we were blindly facing. I felt my hand also shuddering with the rising fear, burning my insides but then I turned the corner after moments of life-threatening hesitation. Finally, I too felt we had to go home to mother; she’d be worried sick by now. As I left, the fear trickled out of me as a wave of relief entered and took over my mind…

When we reached the broken down cottage that we called home, Ellie and I were both panting. I followed the cobbled path as it swayed around the elegant beech trees, glistening leaves gliding swiftly to the floor around my very feet.

Seeing the door slamming itself on the wall in the wind was a horrifying surprise. We decided to go and check if mother was ok. Slowly and cautiously, we entered the wreck. Floorboards creaked. The moon sparkled. Worry filled my body. Ellie was now clenching my hand with her tightest grip; although I couldn’t feel my hand, I knew she was there, I could hear her teeth chattering.

 

Callum Oliver

WHEN FROST FREEZES

A man in a black tuxedo slowly walked down his stairs. He was cold-hearted. His face was scarce of emotion. This man, was Thierry Zidane. Thierry starred in many films and had earned billions of euros in the process. However, Thierry Zidane was no ordinary actor as they were about to find out.

A bald headed man was awaiting him at the bottom of the never ending stairs holding out a glass of shandy. A black Land Rover pulled up in the pebble stone drive “He’s ready to do business sir” the bald headed man murmured.

Oscar Frost

Looking forward to reading more from both of you!  

Well done boys.

Remarkable Role Models

This week I received a lovely letter from a prospective parent who commented really positively on a tour she was given by Neive and Callum last week:


'Also an extra thank you to two very positive pupils, Callum and Neive.  Both were very informative about their school, did a great job of showing me round and were quite clearly proud to be a part of their school.  That to me says a lot about the school's environment.  Please do pass on my thanks.'


We could not ask for better ambassadors for our school - well done to both of you!

Sports Premium Funding

This academic year, the school has decided to spend some of our sports premium funding on providing 'WOW P.E. Workshops' for each class for one half-term.

Years 3 and 4 are visiting Sapphire Gymnastics in Hemel Hempstead this term, where they have the opportunity to use a range of gymnastic equipment including:  beams, bars, rings and trampoline.

The facilities available are really terrific and we have been pleased to see how much children in Years 3 & 4 have enjoyed the workshops after just one visit. 

A special mention to Meadow who demonstrated excellent flexibility.

Spring Poetry in Year One

This morning, Ollie and Trystan came to see me with some fantastic Spring-themed poetry.  The improvements in the quality of the writing and their presentation is phenomenal.

Well done boys!

Ancient Greeks

This term, children in Years 5 & 6 have been learning about the Ancient Greeks.  As part of this unit of work, children have created their own Ancient Greek board games to demonstrate their learning of the era.  The results are excellent!

Excellent Mental Maths

This academic year, in my role as Maths leader, I am keeping track of the progress children make with their mental maths, in particular their rapid recall of times tables.  Children in Years 3 - 6 (and those in Year 2, who are ready) complete a weekly times table grid in 4 minutes.  Their score is recorded and we celebrate the following mile-stones:

2x, 5x and 10x tables completed within 4 minutes
50% of the grid completed within 4 minutes
75% of the grid completed within 4 minutes
100% of the grid completed withing 4 minutes

It has been fantastic to see children applying and challenging themselves to beat their last score. 

Max and Willow are now able to complete the grid within 4 minutes, so have a new 'time challenge': they now  have to complete the grid in the fastest time possible.  (Miss Williams and I are joining them for this part of the challenge!)

Well done to both Max and Willow for their continued application with their mental maths.