Head of Primary Message Week 8

Michael Everett
Oct 10, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Oct 25, 2024

Student Voices 🎙️

Take a break from reading and tune in. This week, we're handing the mic over to Feza to bring you the latest news straight from the Head of Primary. Sit back, listen in, and catch all the latest updates from the past week, delivered in style.

Feza from Yr6

0:00

It's hard to believe that the first half term has flown by so quickly. It has been a fantastic start to the academic year, filled with wonderful learning experiences and moments of growth for all our students.

In Early Years, our youngest learners have been busy exploring the world around them. From mastering the art of sharing and cooperation in group activities to developing early literacy skills, their enthusiasm has been infectious. Whether it’s the joy of discovering new sounds during phonics or expressing themselves creatively through art and sensory play, they’ve made incredible strides in their journey.

Meanwhile, our older students have delved into exciting topics across the curriculum. They’ve been investigating scientific concepts, engaging in collaborative problem-solving during Maths lessons, and developing their reading comprehension through guided reading activities. Their curiosity and determination have really shone, whether it’s been learning about the wonders of the natural world or expanding their understanding of global and historical events.

We are so proud of the progress all the students have made, and we look forward to even more exciting learning opportunities in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support in making this a successful start to the school year. 👏

Weekly Spotlight 🔦

This week, I would like to highlight the work of Ms Arissa, Mr Hadee, Ms Vicky, Ms Nur, Ms Wendy and Ms Angie, the masters of play. We are incredibly proud of the amazing work our Pre Kindy staff do with our youngest learners, beginning at just two years old. Their dedication, knowledge, and passion create the perfect environment where our children's educational journey takes root. Every day, they nurture growth in these early stages, laying the critical foundations that enable all future learning to flourish.

Everything we do as a school builds upon the solid groundwork they provide. Without their expertise and care, there would be no firm base for the rest of our learners to grow and develop. Our entire school community owes so much to their tireless efforts in ensuring that your children have the best possible start.

But it's 'just' playing! 🤣

The importance of play in human development and social interaction cannot be overstated. Play is vital not only for Early Years but for children of all ages, as it encourages exploration, creativity, and social bonding. We can view play as a powerful opportunity for individuals to learn social rules, develop empathy, and practice negotiating boundaries.

Play is also crucial in fostering healthy relationships, as it promotes mutual understanding, cooperation, and emotional connection. It provides a space for children to test ideas, express themselves, and explore new possibilities without fear of failure or judgment. Without play, rigidity can take hold, potentially leading to conflict.

Play nurtures flexibility and adaptability, traits essential for navigating life’s challenges. We can even link play to the broader concept of 'exploring the unknown' in a safe and manageable way, which is key to growth and finding meaning.

So, is it just play, or is it something truly special and fundamental to achievement at all levels? I know of at least one team who already knows the answer to that question.

As we approach mid-October, it’s the perfect time to reintroduce our annual Maths challenges: Barvember! Throughout November, we’ll be presenting a series of Maths problems inspired by Bar Modelling, a strategy that helps children solve problems visually.

Each day during the month, a new set of challenges (with answers) will be posted on Seesaw. The questions will increase in difficulty, and we encourage you to work with your child to find the appropriate level for them. There’s no expectation for all students to complete every question.

Question 1 is designed for our youngest learners, while Question 4 is suited for students in Year 5 and Year 6. This optional home learning is a fantastic opportunity for children to show parents how they tackle Maths problems in school.

To warm up, you can access all the questions and answers from Barvember 2023. Feel free to revisit last year’s challenges as a fun way to prepare for Barvember 2024!

Barvember Maths Callenges

It's been a busy week 🤩

This week students have been voting for the new Head Girl and Head Boy, Year 6 have been combining music with art, Year 5 have been coding using scratch, Year 4 have been preparing for the Olympics, Year 3 have been creating jewellery, Year 2 have been deciding between healthy and unhealthy, Year 1 have been creating number lines, Reception have been writing words linked to pictures, Kindy have been balancing and racing, and Pre Kindy have been hunting for creepy crawlies. 🐜, 🐛 🐝 🐞 🦋

A sincere thank you to the teachers who dedicated extra time this week to facilitate Parent Teacher Consultations. Your commitment to our students and their families truly makes a difference.

If you have any questions about any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to message in Seesaw. Enjoy the mid term break with family.

Mr Michael Everett | Head of Primary

(and Feza in Yr6)