Class Identities...?

The school is trying something a little different for next year's class names. Having the conundrum of what to call our two new reception classes has allowed us to think of providing each class with a little bit of an identity. After much deliberation and consultation with the staff and children we've arrived at the following ideas:

Reception: Puffins & Kingfishers

Year 1: Robins & Finches

Year 2: Swifts & Swallows

Year 3: Nightingales & Skylarks 

Year 4: Rooks & Jackdaws

Year 5: Owls & Woodpeckers

Year 6: Kestrels & Merlins

This will be both a celebration of the natural world, a link to our school badge and give each class a symbol or mascot to represent them. We would also like to source a mascot for each of the birds - so if anyone has any ideas...?

Illustrations in search of a story...

Thought this was a very good link: The Book Trust's annual Children's Book Week is running from 6th to 12th July with the simple aim of celebrating reading and sharing the joy of books. The Book Trust are also offering you the chance to download some Illustrations in search of a story from the new children's laureate Chris Riddell.

Our Marking Code

We have been trying to ensure consistency across the school in the symbols and codes we use in children's books and even getting the children to use them themselves! When you look at a pupil's book, their work will be in a dark pen or pencil while Teachers use a green pen to give feedback. Pupils will then, in turn, use a pink to respond.

The Planning Process

Our development of the new curriculum continues this term with some key areas for us to focus on. Over the last term, we have realised that our new curriculum may be at risk of becoming too content driven rather than skills based. We need to ensure that exciting learning opportunities are matched to the skills and expectations, and that these also feature in our medium term plans. To that end, we have tried to visualise the planning process, starting with English, to ensure that these expectations are met and that these in turn impact on the day to day learning. We are also reviewing our use of learning intentions and success criteria and making these much more focussed - separating the skill from the context.

Kathakali

Kathakali are a Southampton based classical Indian dance company we have had a long association with and who visit us regularly. They provide workshops involving storytelling and theatre bringing the Kathakali and culture of South India to children in schools. We have put a link below if you'd like to learn more.

"KATHAKALI is the male classical dance drama of Kerala, originated in the temples in the 17th century to bring the Hindu epic stories to the local people through storytelling. A company of world-class artists from south India, actors, drummers, singers and make-up artists, will highlight the rich heritage created and nurtured by the remarkable people of Kerala. The artists are world famous, equivalent to the Royal Ballet Company, and speak a south Indian language called Malayalam. Several of the artists do not speak English. The greeting in Malayalam is hands together and the word Namaskaram [Na – ma – skar – ram]"