I felt very proud writing the newsletter last week when recapping all the fantastic events and activities our teachers are organising for our children. There is a lot of work behind the scenes when organising trips, including travel arrangements and risk assessments and again, these are often done in the teacher's own time. This week is no different as our children have once again enjoyed so many creative activities to support their learning as part of our Poverest Curriculum.
The week started with the second training session for all our midday lunchtime staff in running games and activities at lunchtimes. Many of our children are great at running their own games and we love to see them use their creativity. However, some need more guidance and the training will help the adults lead activities for those who need that support. The trips to Bromley Cinema have started this week with those year groups going next week if they haven't been already. Our long-awaited Stem Days also started, Sam from MEBP - who has run sessions here for many years, led years 1,2,4 and 5 in their workshops and some teachers have shared their experiences below. We originally aimed to run all the workshops on the same day but MEBP rely on volunteers and couldn't get the numbers necessary for one particular day which is why we have had to go over different days.
Some of the governors have visited the school this week to look at phonics and early reading. I am delighted to report how fabulous the learning from the children was in all the sessions. Research and data show us that reading is the most important part of a child's academic potential. Reading regularly with our children (always aim for at least 4 times a week for at least 5 minutes) really does help them to achieve at school and ultimately will improve their life chances. Early on (reception and KS1) it is fine for you to read parts of the story as well and later on (years 5 and 6) it is so important to keep spending time listening to children read. Many can decode really well at this stage but need help comprehending what they have read. My children often read to me whilst I was cooking dinner in their final few years at primary school.
I also met with the parent forum this week with our vice chair of governors Michael Parker. The minutes of which are on our school website. I see the parent forum as a crucial part of communication between home and school. Parents often have brilliant ideas or suggestions which can improve the experiences of all of us in school, and it is also an opportunity for me to explain why we do things in certain ways at Poverest which may be different to parents' expectations.
Finally, I visited year 6 at the PGL site at Marchants Hill in Surrey on Wednesday. It really is a fantastic residential venue with superb staff, events and food! In my opinion the best company around. I will finish by saying a huge thank you to all the staff who volunteered to support the children this week, they have missed their families - especially the staff with very young children themselves and a staff member was even away for her son's birthday. Please do give them a thank you when you see them!
Mr Haylock
