1 May 2005 - KEEPING BUSY AT SCHOOL
Things are looking very rosy at Newton St Cyres Primary School this term! The children in Key Stage One are spending their time thinking about 'Growing Things', with a very close study of plants and flowers. The role play area in Class One has been transformed into a Garden Centre and the whole key stage will be making a trip to Rosemoor Gardens to find out more about how plants grow later this term.
Meanwhile, the older children in Key Stage Two will be focusing on Transport. Their independent research topic this term is to plan a cruise - a very popular homework task! Then, in school, they will be making their own pneumatic vehicles, an integrated task that will challenge their Design and Technology skills as well as their scientific understanding of Forces!
The second week of May sees our Year Six children taking their end of key stage tests. Once again, they have such a lovely attitude towards these papers that they 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 this week 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.
This year, as a result of the early Easter, we have found ourselves with a rare opportunity to take our Key Stage Two children for a visit to the Devon County Show. Normally this prestigious event conflicts with our week of testing but this year we are able to take advantage of the change in calendar. We are looking forward to enjoying the event, which we recognise as being so important in our farming community. What a treat! See you there!
HEATHER M PERRY
HEADTEACHER
Meanwhile, the older children in Key Stage Two will be focusing on Transport. Their independent research topic this term is to plan a cruise - a very popular homework task! Then, in school, they will be making their own pneumatic vehicles, an integrated task that will challenge their Design and Technology skills as well as their scientific understanding of Forces!
The second week of May sees our Year Six children taking their end of key stage tests. Once again, they have such a lovely attitude towards these papers that they 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 this week 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.
This year, as a result of the early Easter, we have found ourselves with a rare opportunity to take our Key Stage Two children for a visit to the Devon County Show. Normally this prestigious event conflicts with our week of testing but this year we are able to take advantage of the change in calendar. We are looking forward to enjoying the event, which we recognise as being so important in our farming community. What a treat! See you there!
HEATHER M PERRY
HEADTEACHER