1 May 2008 - LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EXCITEMENT OF SUMMER IN SCHOOL
We are all looking forward to a particularly good summer term at
Meanwhile, the older children in Key Stage Two are focusing on Moving and Growing – thinking about their own growth in particular. A central part of this topic is thinking about keeping fit –and to this end the children will be increasing their activity levels even further by trialling Newton St Cyres Tennis Club every week under the tuition of Phil Lamb. As a school, we are really pleased to be able to take advantage of the club’s new and improved facilities and we are hoping that these “taster” sessions might encourage even more of our children to join their after school clubs.
The second week of May sees our Year Six children taking their end of key stage tests. Once again, they are really look forward to proving just how much they know and it is rewarding that historically our children have always done so well. Also taking their end of key stage tests at this time are the children in Year Two. This is the first time that they are required to do formal tests of this kind and we pride ourselves on making the experience a positive as we can for them.
During the week, the children in Years Three, Four and Five also sit end of year Literacy and Maths papers. These are optional national tests which are marked internally, providing us with standardised information about the children’s progress during the year. This information is used together with teacher assessments to inform parents about the progress that each individual child is making. Parents welcome this level of information, which provides an indication of whether or not a child is making the amount of progress expected year on year.
As well as all this, the older children in Key Stage Two will have the opportunity to learn yet another style of music throughout the summer term. To support our music curriculum, the school has hired a full Samba Kit, consisting of thirty instruments for whole class lessons. We will be buying in some expert tuition and forming our own Samba Band that will play for parents towards the end of term.
The idea of having whole class instrumental tuition is part of the wider opportunities programme, which is aimed at making sure that all children have the chance to discover their musical potential. Performance has always been one of our strengths, but this kind of opportunity adds a new dimension for all children. It follows on from the successful Steel Pan project that we took part in last summer - the experience was one to remember - and we hope to match it this year with our Latin American percussion extravaganza!
HEATHER M PERRY
HEADTEACHER