2nd March 2006 - The celebration of World Book Day took on many forms in class rooms today, with the main aim being to further promote the joy of reading and to raise awareness of the variety of reading material available from which children can gain pleasure. My thanks to parents for assisting their children in completing the ‘best current read’ survey slip. Pupils have shared their ‘best reads’ with each other, and these were also the focus of our whole School assembly which took place earlier this morning.
- A £1 National Book Token has been distributed to each pupil today. These can be exchanged for a book worth £1.99 or more, or for one of the specially produced for World Book Day £1 books that are listed on the back of each voucher.
- Whilst on the subject of books, Book Week takes place in two weeks, starting on Monday 20th March. I know that pupils await the arrival of the Scholastic Book Fair with some eagerness, so this advance warning may persuade them to save their pocket money for the event!
- Pupils’ energies have gathered further speed this week, with a host of learning objectives covered in all classes. It is not possible to outline all of these in a weekly bulletin, but a selection representing each year group now follows:
- In Foundation Stage, children in the Nursery thoroughly enjoyed Explorer Day on Tuesday, which provided a ‘way in’ to a variety of work, including finding out more about jungle creatures, as well as counting, sorting, music and movement, and art activities linking to the theme. Meanwhile, in Reception Class pupils have been learning to use information books to find out about wild animals.
- Children in 1KS have looked at the styles of architecture and purpose of buildings in the School’s vicinity, going on a walk in the local area to add to their practical understanding of this. A class book of parables is in the process of being written, collated and produced by pupils in 2GM. We all look forward to its release date!
- Year 3 pupils were divided into teams, each giving a presentation to fellow class members following individual and group research into climatic zones. Drake’s circumnavigation of the world during Tudor times was plotted out by pupils in 4AH, whilst 4LD thoroughly enjoyed the experience of trying out a farandole; a very popular dance in Tudor times, accompanied naturally by music from the era. Poetry on the theme of animals, using similes and metaphors has been written by pupils in 5DF, whilst 6PP pupils have been grappling ( and winning!) with percentages in numeracy this week.
- On the sporting front, in Floodlit Football our team played Henry Gotch School yesterday and returned smiling and victorious, with a 2-0 win.
- The match season resumes for our netballers today, with an away match against Broughton being played after school, for which there was a practice after school yesterday. There is hope for a game to take place against St Mary’s next week, but we are currently awaiting confirmation of this.
- Rugby Club had its first training session last Friday and pupils left feeling enthusiastic for more this week. There are still spaces available.
- Please note that Monday’s tennis club will not run next week. Parents of pupils attending this club have received a letter giving further details.
- Mrs Tye’s Gardening Club have certainly busied themselves this term, working on an area situated near the South Lawn. Our new Diamond Jubilee Garden is taking shape, with our site supervisor Mr Holmes adding flagstones and a South facing bench. Club members have worked hard to prepare the soil for planting. I am delighted that this project involves ideas emanating from the Year 5 and 6 pupils who attend Gardening Club.
- Thanks to parents for responding quickly to Mrs Sharp’s telephone calls and collecting new items of ordered uniform from the School Office. If you have not yet made a requested collection, please do so by tomorrow so that we can clear the foyer ready for next week.
- The Uniform Shop will not be open this Monday, 6th March. It will reopen the following week.
- Mrs Gostelow and Mrs Loake, who are the School Governors responsible for uniform, have asked me to remind parents that main items of uniform should be purchased from the Uniform Shop. Some items may be available with other retailers, but the design or shade is not in accordance with St Peter’s School uniform.
- The issue of Tesco vouchers resumes at stores on Monday. In past years we have benefited from parents support of this, with a number of acquisitions to the ICT area of the School. It is hoped that this year will be no exception! Please pass on your vouchers to school, either at the Office or through your child to the class teacher.
- Parents are respectfully reminded to take note of the parking procedures outside the school area on The Crescent. Please avoid parking on the zig zags or pavement for any length of time, as doing so creates a problem for other drivers and pedestrians. I would like to thank parents for appreciating that it is not possible under any circumstances to drive onto the School’s site to collect pupils at the end of the day.
- The morning drop off continues to go well this academic year. However, some cars have been arriving as early as 8.20am in the last week. Please would parents note that it is not possible to staff this facility until 8.25am and that earlier arrival creates a traffic jam on The Crescent.
- £68.05 was raised at last week’s PTAFA Cake Stall, which shows a super effort from bakers and purchasers alike. This money has been donated to the Dolphin and Whale Conservation Society, which was suggested as a charity to support by Miranda Weston in 4LD. Trade at the book stall was equally good, with the sale of 50p books leading to in excess of £30 being raised that the PTAFA will donate towards School projects benefiting our pupils.
- The next bulletin will be issued on Thursday 23rd March, when there will be a report on our pupils’ involvement in Kettering District Eisteddfod. In the meantime, I hope that all competitors representing our School are continuing to put in the extra practice at home! Regardless of final results in the competitions, knowing that one’s best effort has been made is of prime importance. Onwards!
|
