24th May 2007 - A series of ‘Come and Listen’ sessions took place in the music room yesterday morning, enabling parents to come in and watch a selection of musical activities in which pupils took part with Mrs Cumming. Reception Class worked with repeated ostinato patterns, exploring them using voice and percussion. 1KS focussed upon contrasts in music, shown in pitch, tempo and texture. They played The Signal Game, whose aim was to exercise their ability to determine high, low, fast, slow, smooth and jumpy music. In a similar game, they listened to some extracts from Saint Saen’s Carnival of the Animals. The notion of music conveying pictures or atmospheres was then taken further in a class composition of ‘Storm Music’. Finally, 2GM’s lesson concentrated upon rhythmic patterns and their notation, after which they demonstrated their ocarina playing. The lesson concluded with a class song, to which pupils also provided a musical accompaniment. Even as a musician I find it staggering to note how much it is possible to achieve with pupils in a 30 minute music lesson.
- Still with music, parents of pupils in Key Stage Two have today been sent a letter conveying arrangements for the Summer Concerts due to take place on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th June.
- Today’s School assembly was led by pupils in 1KS. Through rhyme, song and movement, the children explored the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Well done to the boys and girls in this class! The next class assembly will take place on Thursday 7th June and parents of pupils in Reception Class are invited to attend. Upon arrival please wait in the School Office from where we will go up to the Hall together when the pupils are ready for us.
- Pupils in 6PP have been working on a multi-media project in their ICT lessons during this half of term. They are looking forward to sharing their work with pupils in Reception Class. Our older boys and girls have taken some well loved fairy tales, and used PowerPoint to present them in an exciting way.
- Our annual Readathon event was launched after today’s school assembly. Readathon is essentially a ‘sponsored read’ with collected proceeds being donated to CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children and the Roald Dahl Foundation. These organisations spend their funds caring for children and young people in the U.K. suffering from cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, leukaemia, epilepsy, blood disorders or head injury. Pupils will bring their forms home at the end of the week, so that they can use half term to gather sponsors and list the books they intend to read. Pupils have been reminded to only approach family and friends when seeking sponsors. Some parents also like to take the sponsor card to work on behalf of their child.
- Remember that Readathon starts AFTER half term, but of course, this doesn’t mean that reading is not allowed during the holiday! Please however, do not start on books chosen for Readathon until the return to School after the break, when pupils will have two weeks of homework time to use for Readathon reading. Remember: it is not the number of books read that counts. Reading for understanding is vital: this is not an exercise in speed reading! Half term homework for everyone is then to choose your Readathon books and encourage grownups to find you some sponsors.
- Class teachers have sent out confirmation of your appointment time for the Parent-Consultations which take place after half term.
- The PTAFA trip to Lille took place last weekend with families being rewarded for the early start that was needed, by way of a champagne breakfast organised by Mrs Oxley! The day spent in this typical French town with its cobbled streets and pavement cafes proved to be most enjoyable.
- Tickets for the PTAFA Barn Dance are available from the School Office.
- There will be a PTAFA Cake Stall in Sunnylands Hall after School tomorrow.
Proceeds will be donated to Help The Aged. Please help out by baking and/or buying. Thank you.
- A letter will shortly be distributed by the PTAFA detailing arrangements for an art competition. This looks to be a fantastic opportunity for pupils of all ages to get involved.
- Students who have attended tennis lessons with Mr Lock each Monday of this half term should note that after the half term break it will be the turn of the new group to work with Mr Lock. Parents of pupils in the ‘after half term’ group were contacted by letter at the end of Lent Term.
- The Swimming Gala for Key Stage Two takes place tomorrow, so a final call goes out to remind pupils to come to School in blue polo shirt and shorts or tracksuit as usual. A costume, two towels, house swimming hat and house t-shirt should be brought to School in the usual swimming bag. Please ensure that the house t-shirt is NOT worn to school. Please note that as outlined in last week’s bulletin, there will be no swimming tomorrow for pupils in 2GM.
- It has been once again refreshing to observe that our pupils’ energies for learning and for after school activities have not decreased despite the busy School year. After half term, in addition to events already referred to in this week’s bulletin, we also look forward to Sports Day, Year 5 and 6’s residential in Norfolk, summer outings for all, as well as the Teddy Bear’s picnic for Nursery pupils. Most importantly however, lies the opportunity for pupils to finish their year on an academic high point! To that end, pupils are reminded that the half term is a break of one week, and then it is back to ‘work as usual’ on Monday 4th June, when we return…with maybe the ceasing of homework a little further along the way…………………….
- The next bulletin will be issued on 14th June 2007.
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