Another week, another blog. This week I promised a focus on the secondary department and to start us off here is an introduction to Mrs Millard’s class:

The Year 7 group consists of 7 boys, many of whom are hoping that next year’s intake will include a number of girls coming into Key Stage 3! The boys have been working very hard across the curriculum and the focus for the first few weeks has been on revisiting and assessing concepts in core curriculum areas. These pictures from Mrs Millard’s class illustrate how group work, practical sessions, research and explorative approaches are all strategies used in the classroom to engage pupils in their learning as well as encouraging them to interact and co-operate with each other….

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”9″ gal_title=”Mrs Millards class work”]

 

Mrs Millard’s class have also started to use the food technology room and have been considering the importance of a healthy diet. Here they are creating (and tasting) fruit cocktails….

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Another favourite lesson is art, where the Key Stage 3 pupils have been introduced to ‘zentangles’. I had to Google this myself to discover that zentangles are “miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract, black and white art created through a very specific method from an ensemble of simple, structured patterns called tangles”. These zentangles are still works in progress but again demonstrate a great focus and attention to detail, and the atmosphere in the art room whilst the students are working on such intricate designs is one of calm concentration. I am looking forward to seeing the final display of work….

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Moving into Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) again, the students have been working on zentangles in their art lessons. We currently have only 3 students in Key Stage 4 who will soon be working towards GCSE qualifications. Grace and Alex have produced some amazing artwork already and show potential for extremely high grades. Their zentangles are so sophisticated and carefully produced, I would be proud to have them hanging on my walls….

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”11″ gal_title=”KS4 zentangles”]

 

Also in Key Stage 4, we do have some students who have come to us from mainstream schools with quite low self-esteem and expectations around what they feel they can achieve. Harry tells us that he never really felt confident about creative writing. However, his descriptive language here shows him to be an engaging storyteller – it certainly leaves me wondering what is going to happen next….

I’m very pleased to report that the secondary department have been using the sports hall for PE lessons and lunchtime activities. The sports hall is a resource shared with New Bridge School and this is giving us lots of opportunities for partnership working and making new friends. Here are some pictures of pupils from both schools trying out the new facilities….

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As a final picture this week I would like to leave you with an image I should have inserted last week when I was talking about swimming. Here is Ellie in the pool…

She was quite nervous about getting in (and even a little tearful initially) so it was lovely to see her smile and begin to let go of Miss Peak, gaining confidence in the water. Well done, Ellie!

Before I go, here are a few dates for your diaries:

• The photographer will be in school on Friday 23rd October taking both individual and class photographs. These will be available to purchase if you wish and full details will be sent home with proofs on the day. We will also use the pictures on our school systems.
• Parents’ evening will be held after school on Tuesday 10th November until 6:30pm.

We will also be holding two more open events during this Autumn term:

• Monday 19th October 3pm-5pm for professionals working in primary schools
• Wednesday 25th November 4pm-7pm for parents of primary or pre-school aged children interested in applying for a primary place in September 2016

Have a great weekend all, let’s hope this lovely weather continues.

Sarah

• Graham has updated his blog too, you can find it here.