A beautiful Monday morning! I hope everyone had a good weekend. Please remember that your child should wear sun screen to school, as it can get very warm outside during the day. I am making sure that all children also have access to sun screen in school, but if your child has allergies, you should ensure they have their own. There will be a letter about this coming out very soon. Watch this space!
Today we welcome 12 children from Bilfen School, Istanbul, and their teachers to our school. The children are very exclited, and we look forward to learning lots about their school. The children are with us for the whole of Heritage Week.
GR
Monday, 28 May 2012
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Technology can be a curse...
For those of you who know me, you will realise that I love a good bit of technology! I sit there in front of Corrie with my i-pad, my i-phone is rarely out of sight, and I get very excited when a new computer is released for me to try out in the Apple shop at Bluewater.
I also believe that it is essential that I give this passion to our children. Technology is going to play a major part in their lives - even greater than it does in ours today.
I promote the use of technology, which is why we have a school website, which is why I write this blog, and which is why I am trying very hard to get all parents to sign up to ParentMail. Convincing some parents can be an uphill struggle, but we are getting there...
But then, there are days when I wish the Internet had never been born. Particularly on days when I learn that parents have been posting videos and photographs on Facebook. As a school, we make it very clear that we are happy for parents to take photos and videos of their children in school performances. We trust our parents to be sensible about their usage. I would never have dreamt that parents would think it acceptable to put images of school children - not even their own children on line.
We can't allow this to happen in our school.
Unless this stops, we will have to stop parents taking photos. The actions of the minority could have a significant effect on the majority.
Please pass the word. - facebooking school photos is not on.
GR
I also believe that it is essential that I give this passion to our children. Technology is going to play a major part in their lives - even greater than it does in ours today.
I promote the use of technology, which is why we have a school website, which is why I write this blog, and which is why I am trying very hard to get all parents to sign up to ParentMail. Convincing some parents can be an uphill struggle, but we are getting there...
But then, there are days when I wish the Internet had never been born. Particularly on days when I learn that parents have been posting videos and photographs on Facebook. As a school, we make it very clear that we are happy for parents to take photos and videos of their children in school performances. We trust our parents to be sensible about their usage. I would never have dreamt that parents would think it acceptable to put images of school children - not even their own children on line.
We can't allow this to happen in our school.
Unless this stops, we will have to stop parents taking photos. The actions of the minority could have a significant effect on the majority.
Please pass the word. - facebooking school photos is not on.
GR
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Heritage week and plans for next year.
I have been incredibly busy today, planning some of the activities for Heritage Week. At the end of next week, we will be having a massive balloon release. This is a way of raising funds for the school, as well as celebrating the diamond jubilee. Parents should have received a balloon ticket home with their children, and extra tickets can be requested from the school office. There is a prize of £100 for the family whose balloon travels the furthest. Members of the public are asked to send back the tickets attached to the balloon once they are found. I have done this before, and balloons travel for miles! It's great to see how far they go.
We are having a lovely activity of plate painting next week. Again, to commemorate the jubilee, each child will be given a ceramic plate, with the special jubilee logo - and children will have a chance to decorate their own plate. This activity is run by the same people who did the Christmas baubles last year. I can't wait to see how creative our children can be!
The first benefit of our collaboration with Temple Hill was felt today. I have been able to book our workshops for next year, including African drumming, African mask painting, dance and drama workshops and a science forensic workshop too. As I booked workshops for both Oakfield and Temple Hill, I was able to gain a sizeable discount - therefore the money belonging to Oakfield children has gone a little further this year - with us being able to book extra workshops for the same price as last year. This won't be the only benefit of working with Temple Hill - there will certainly be more benefits to come!
Remember to add your comments to this blog so that I can get some feedback from parents! Thanks.
GR
We are having a lovely activity of plate painting next week. Again, to commemorate the jubilee, each child will be given a ceramic plate, with the special jubilee logo - and children will have a chance to decorate their own plate. This activity is run by the same people who did the Christmas baubles last year. I can't wait to see how creative our children can be!
The first benefit of our collaboration with Temple Hill was felt today. I have been able to book our workshops for next year, including African drumming, African mask painting, dance and drama workshops and a science forensic workshop too. As I booked workshops for both Oakfield and Temple Hill, I was able to gain a sizeable discount - therefore the money belonging to Oakfield children has gone a little further this year - with us being able to book extra workshops for the same price as last year. This won't be the only benefit of working with Temple Hill - there will certainly be more benefits to come!
Remember to add your comments to this blog so that I can get some feedback from parents! Thanks.
GR
Friday, 18 May 2012
Oakfield and Temple Hill
Friday is here again. I'm really not sure where the week has gone.
Today all parents are receiving a letter from our Chair or Governors to say that from September, I will be Executive Head of Oakfield and Temple Hill.
Some parents may find this a difficult decision, as their view will be that headteachers should be for one school. In an ideal situation, I may agree - but times are changing within education - and certainly within the UK, there are just not enough headteachers to go around. Did you know that in the last two years, there have been schools in Dartford that have advertised for a headteacher 5, 6 or 7 times....? On top of that, I would love to be leading two schools - it is a fantastic opportunity for me personally, a great career move, and a decision that could see me staying in Dartford for a good few more years.
Working with Temple Hill will be a very positive move for us at Oakfield. We can learn lots from them, and they can learn lots from us too.
My excellent Leadership Team will continue to lead the school well, and I will still be overall in charge. Nothing will really change, apart from perhaps that I will have less input in to day to day decisions. My first priority though will still be your children, and how we can improve their outcomes in learning.
There will be a meeting for parents advertised next week. I look forward to seeing you there!
GR
Today all parents are receiving a letter from our Chair or Governors to say that from September, I will be Executive Head of Oakfield and Temple Hill.
Some parents may find this a difficult decision, as their view will be that headteachers should be for one school. In an ideal situation, I may agree - but times are changing within education - and certainly within the UK, there are just not enough headteachers to go around. Did you know that in the last two years, there have been schools in Dartford that have advertised for a headteacher 5, 6 or 7 times....? On top of that, I would love to be leading two schools - it is a fantastic opportunity for me personally, a great career move, and a decision that could see me staying in Dartford for a good few more years.
Working with Temple Hill will be a very positive move for us at Oakfield. We can learn lots from them, and they can learn lots from us too.
My excellent Leadership Team will continue to lead the school well, and I will still be overall in charge. Nothing will really change, apart from perhaps that I will have less input in to day to day decisions. My first priority though will still be your children, and how we can improve their outcomes in learning.
There will be a meeting for parents advertised next week. I look forward to seeing you there!
GR
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Heritage Week is coming...!
Going through my emails and diary this evening, I got quite a shock at how soon the end of term is! Before the end of term though, we have Heritage Week...
Heritage Week is our fifth special themed week of the year - the last one before our Olympics Fortnight next term.
During Heritage week, Y1-Y6 have some music activities for two days, and then children from Reception to Y6 will have a jubilee plate painting activity as well. Mrs Key, our Assistant Head who "retired" last year has been planning some brilliant activities for all year groups.
We also have twelve students from a school in Turkey visiting for the whole of Heritage Week. I can't wait for our children to meet them, and to learn something about their heritage. There is a plan for us to take some Oakfield children over to see their school in Turkey, and to do some sight-seeing next year. Any child currently in Y5 is eligible to come to Turkey. The trip will be funded - all that parents will need to pay is the cost of the flight, and spending money.
Tomorrow (Monday) we begin SATs testing for Y6. Our lovely Y2 children are coming to their end of their tests and tasks, and they have all done incredibly well. Our Y6 children will have tests in reading and maths this week, and writing tests next week. I am confident that our children will set record levels this year - they are a very bright lot!
GR
Heritage Week is our fifth special themed week of the year - the last one before our Olympics Fortnight next term.
During Heritage week, Y1-Y6 have some music activities for two days, and then children from Reception to Y6 will have a jubilee plate painting activity as well. Mrs Key, our Assistant Head who "retired" last year has been planning some brilliant activities for all year groups.
We also have twelve students from a school in Turkey visiting for the whole of Heritage Week. I can't wait for our children to meet them, and to learn something about their heritage. There is a plan for us to take some Oakfield children over to see their school in Turkey, and to do some sight-seeing next year. Any child currently in Y5 is eligible to come to Turkey. The trip will be funded - all that parents will need to pay is the cost of the flight, and spending money.
Tomorrow (Monday) we begin SATs testing for Y6. Our lovely Y2 children are coming to their end of their tests and tasks, and they have all done incredibly well. Our Y6 children will have tests in reading and maths this week, and writing tests next week. I am confident that our children will set record levels this year - they are a very bright lot!
GR
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Need a holiday?
I hope everyone had a good long weekend. We did the normal family stuff including a big family meal on Sunday, where we cooked for 14 of us. Our eldest boy really enjoyed playing with the children in our family - but was a bit fed up when he realised that he didn't have school on Monday!
What was our 8 year old missing...? Being with his friends, PE on Mondays and doing lots of maths. It's great to hear how much he loves school, and I also love hearing from Oakfield parents how some children get upset if they are ill, as they don't want to ruin their 100% attendance record by not attending school, even just for one day.
The government agenda is really hotting up on attendance and we will be continuing with our policy of referring families who take holidays during school term time. Our attendance as of today stands at 93.5%, and it should be, according to government guidelines, over 95%.
My request is clear - unless absolutely necessary, please take family holidays in holiday time. If this is not possible, please be prepared to pay the fine - currently £50 per child, per parent (which goes to the local authority - NOT to the school!). It is never my intention to penalise parents for wanting a holiday with their family, but I must ensure all parents are aware that children learn best when they are in school.
The school day is nearly over - but after school we have a staff meeting, where all teachers will be getting together to discuss further ways of improving behaviour in class. Then I have another governor meeting this evening at 6pm. Who said teachers finish a 3:30...?
GR
What was our 8 year old missing...? Being with his friends, PE on Mondays and doing lots of maths. It's great to hear how much he loves school, and I also love hearing from Oakfield parents how some children get upset if they are ill, as they don't want to ruin their 100% attendance record by not attending school, even just for one day.
The government agenda is really hotting up on attendance and we will be continuing with our policy of referring families who take holidays during school term time. Our attendance as of today stands at 93.5%, and it should be, according to government guidelines, over 95%.
My request is clear - unless absolutely necessary, please take family holidays in holiday time. If this is not possible, please be prepared to pay the fine - currently £50 per child, per parent (which goes to the local authority - NOT to the school!). It is never my intention to penalise parents for wanting a holiday with their family, but I must ensure all parents are aware that children learn best when they are in school.
The school day is nearly over - but after school we have a staff meeting, where all teachers will be getting together to discuss further ways of improving behaviour in class. Then I have another governor meeting this evening at 6pm. Who said teachers finish a 3:30...?
GR
Friday, 4 May 2012
Governors and Visitors - and now a long weekend!
Over 240 people have viewed the first blog entry, and thanks to Mr Cresswell for leaving the blog's first comment!
Last night was our termly full governing body meeting. The meetings begin at 7:00p.m. and last night, we were walking out the door at around 9:25p.m. The meetings are always long - but often very productive. Last night's meeting was certainly no different. We talked about developing our sex and relationships policy within school, and we also looked at plans for our new building which will be going to planning very shortly.
We also looked at the predictions for our children's results from the SATS tests, which are due to take place for our Y6 children, week beginning May 14th. Things are looking increibly positive, with us making year on year progress. Well done to all of our Y6 children for working so hard!!!!!
This morning, Dawn Funge, my Deputy Head has just left to go and collect Tim Prendergast from the train station. Tim, as I have said previously, is a Paralympian, and we are incredibly lucky for him to be visiting the school.
Remember, it is the long weekend, so I'll see everyone back at school on Tuesday.
GR
Last night was our termly full governing body meeting. The meetings begin at 7:00p.m. and last night, we were walking out the door at around 9:25p.m. The meetings are always long - but often very productive. Last night's meeting was certainly no different. We talked about developing our sex and relationships policy within school, and we also looked at plans for our new building which will be going to planning very shortly.
We also looked at the predictions for our children's results from the SATS tests, which are due to take place for our Y6 children, week beginning May 14th. Things are looking increibly positive, with us making year on year progress. Well done to all of our Y6 children for working so hard!!!!!
This morning, Dawn Funge, my Deputy Head has just left to go and collect Tim Prendergast from the train station. Tim, as I have said previously, is a Paralympian, and we are incredibly lucky for him to be visiting the school.
Remember, it is the long weekend, so I'll see everyone back at school on Tuesday.
GR
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Let's give this a try...
Happy Wednesday to everyone.
I wanted to find a way to easily communicate with parents, carers and children on a more regular basis. Writing a newsletter takes quite a bit of time, writing a blog entry can be done any time, any where - and doesn't have to be photocopied for all to see!
I consulted with some headteacher colleagues, and one or two suggested that a blog may be the way foward. So, let's give this a try!
Today, Wednesday 2nd May, I have just finished e-mailing Tim Prendergast who will be visiting the school on Friday of this week. Tim is a Paralympian, and will be representing New Zealand in the London 2012 Paralypmics. I am incredibly excited that Tim will be visiting the school. As a middle-distance runner, I am hoping to hear how he deals with the challenges that a disability may bring.
Click this link to read more about Tim Prendergast
Have a good day.
GR
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