by Head Teacher on September 4, 2009
Hello,
Welcome back to the start of this new academic year. I hope that you are as excited as I am at the prospect of developing this successful school towards its potential.
New initiatives this year include a greater focus and emphasis on reading and the tracking of progress within reading, this will include a partnership approach with all parents to ensure that pupils read on a regular basis and that the material they read is suitable for their age and ability. We are also developing further our use of ICT as a tool for learning. We will be doing this through the use of Kaleidos, our on-line learning platform, and by integrating the use of mini laptops within lessons to enable pupils to use the technology as and when it is appropriate. This certainly does not mean that your children will be using computers all of the time, but it does recognise the fact that computers play an important part in the learning process. We have also deliberately not purchased enough computers for one per pupil. This is to ensure that pupils work collaboratively to complete tasks.
I look forward to working with you over the coming months and maybe meeting you at the next parents’ forum.
Your Head teacher
Chris Hirst
by Head Teacher on April 27, 2009
One Planet ~ Our Planet..
The launch of the project, I hope, has given the us all a renewed sense of purpose in making our school an even better school ~ if that were at all possible. The project has certainly given us all the opportunity to reflect on what we would like our school to look like and how we would like it to feel. The first part of the project, a bit like life really, is about growing. We are all growing sun-flower seeds in school which will then be taken home at the end of term 5 and then nurtured. The owner of the tallest sun-flower will be given a prize as an incentive to see the project through. It will of course be interesting to see which seeds grow to their full potential and which are left un-attended. The hope is that all are cared for and are allowed to grow and reach great heights, the pupils, will then hopefully see that with a little care and attention they are capable of seeing a project through to the end. The pupils will also hopefully see that they are capable of growing something of great beauty which is also useful, and they will then be proud of their achievements.
Happy growing…
Your Headteacher ~ Chris Hirst
by Head Teacher on March 27, 2009
I am grateful to the pupils, parents and staff who have so far contributed towards the new vision for our school grounds. The blank canvas, our school environment, presents a host of opportunities for turning the whole school into one learning environment. Needless to say the ideas are being gathered at this stage and will be shared with all in due course.
If you are aware of any funding sources that can turn dreams into reality please contact me. I would love the hear from you!
Don’t forget to turn your lights off 8.30pm on Saturday ~ WWF Earthwatch!
Your Headteacher ~ Chris Hirst
by Head Teacher on March 20, 2009
I have been here a few months now and yet it feels like a lifetime ~ in a really good way.
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts, either through the questionaire or by way of e-mail to me, of how we should move the school forwards and into the future.
I thought we should start with the grounds. It is my belief that all of the school environment should be used for learning. This is inside and outside of the classroom. It is often in the outdoor environment where children are self motivated towards ‘finding out’. So within our school grounds. What would you like to see? Where would you like to see it? Try to see the world through the eyes of a child ~ do you remember that time? Start off with the principle ~ If money were no object…… and then a few ideas based in reality.
Hear from you soon!
Your Headteacher ~ Chris Hirst
