Week Ending 15^th November 2019

This week, the following children have received a Head Teacher’s Award:

Hubert – Violet 1 – for making an OUTSTANDING model of a court room as part of his ‘Crime and Punishment’ topic and the big concept question for year 6, ‘Should the punishment fit the crime? The whole model was made out of paper and was a true representation. It includes the witness stand, security box, legal files, desks and telephones, the jury box and both sides of the courtroom. My favourite part was the judges hammer – the ‘Gavel’.

A trip for the year 6s to the Galleries of Justice this week showed them just that. They had a fabulous time and they too enjoyed the drama opportunities and finding out about crime and punishment long ago in a real courtroom.

Holly and Izzie – Orange 1 – For fantastic work finding out about Judaism. Both girls were able to label some Jewish artefacts.

Brook – Indigo 2 – For completing some brilliant work in maths, involving timetables, and being able to add 25 minutes and 10 minutes to bus journeys

This week, the following children have received positive praise from myself:

Harry – Blue 1 – for having the confidence to laugh at me as the Head Teacher when I was dressed as Pudsey Bear. Another child then said I looked more like Winnie the Pooh and this made Harry laugh even more. It was lovely to see Harry laughing and smiling and being out of his comfort zone. We are all humans and seeing children laugh with us, and be happy in school, is just GREAT!

Current attendance results are as follows:

1^st place goes to Blue 1 and Orange 1 for 100% attendance.

2^nd place goes to Yellow 1 for 99.3% attendance.

The school week started off with Remembrance day. We gave our respects to the soldiers, who gave their lives many years ago in the wars. At 11am, the whole school gave two minutes silence to mark this important event and the assembly covered the key aspects surrounding Armistice Day 2019. Our year one children, and children who attend nurture provision, had made their own poppies and wore them pride. In other classes, poppies, poems and work about this memorable day were shared and displayed.

This week has also been Inter Faith Week 2019. We have learnt a lot this week about other faiths and we have had many visitors into school.

ABOUT THE WEEK

Inter Faith Week 2019 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

WHEN? 

Inter Faith Week 2019 took place from Sunday 10 - Sunday 17 November.

Each year, Inter Faith Week begins on Remembrance Sunday, and runs until the following Sunday. It is hoped that the additional Sunday will provide the opportunity for other weekend events to take place as well as those linked to Remembrance Sunday.

WHAT?

Inter Faith Week:

• Highlights the good work done by local faith, inter faith and faith-based groups and organisations
• Draws new people into inter faith learning and cooperation
• Enables greater interaction between people of different backgrounds
• Helps develop integrated and neighbourly communities
• Celebrates diversity and commonality
• Opens new possibilities for partnership

WHY?

Building good relationships and working partnerships between people of different faiths and beliefs is part of the year-round work of many people and organisations across the UK.

Having a special Week provides a focal point, helping to open inter faith activity up to a wider audience so that more and more people are made aware of the importance of this vital work and are able to participate in it.

THE THREE AIMS OF THE WEEK ARE:

• Strengthening good inter faith relations at all levels
• Increasing awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
• Increasing understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs

HOW? 

Anyone can take part in Inter Faith Week and hold Inter Faith Week events.

WHO? 

Inter Faith Week is for everyone.

On Wednesday, we also had ‘No Pens Wednesday’. The day encourages schools and settings to put down their pens to run a day of speaking and listening activities. Around school, there many activities that took place: sharing stories, drama, singing, debates and conversations…and much more. During the day, I was also lucky enough to be part of the year 4 parental event, where they too put down their pens and showed their parents their wonderful historic dancing. They performed a fantastic routine and were all in time, sequenced and fierce. I loved it!  

The week then ended with a different feel to the way in which it started, with Children in Need. However, once again the children were showing their respect and support to other people in need and remembering the hardships that some people face. The children looked fabulous in their sporty clothing and watching the whole school do physical workouts, with live streams from Joe Wicks, was just brilliant! Thanks for all your donations, I will update you as soon as I have the final count.

It’s been a wet and windy week in school, with many playtimes lost due to the weather. Enjoy the dry spells and fresh air this weekend.

Warm regards,

Michelle Bates

Head Teacher