Well, the time is here... Mr Laws has been busy preparing for today, and thank goodness that it looks like we have bright weather so the event can go ahead!
Planning sports day is a logistical nightmare. Years 1 to 6 - 14 classes, all taking part in a range of activities. Water stations, check. Non-competitive and competitive activities, check. Leaders for each activitiy, check. PTA doing refreshments, check! All classes know where they are going, what time they are starting, and what time they need to be back in to school for. Well done Mr Laws for organising the morning so efficiently.
See you all there, I hope!
GR
Thursday 28 June 2012
Wednesday 27 June 2012
Pray for sun!
Tomorrow is sports day and Friday is the PTA Summer Fair. Let's hope the weather stays fine...
I am just compiling the finalised versions of class lists for next year. Soon, all children will know which classes they are going in to. It is a busy, yet exciting time of the year!
I just wanted to say something about parent support of the school. We have a range of supporters in the school, all of which are incredibly valuable. We have a number of parent governors who attend regular governor meetings and help to form the strategic direction of the school. We have a brilliant and dedicated selection of parents who support and run the PTA. Without these parents, we would not have such fantastic events, and raise much needed funds for the school.
Probably most importantly though are the HUNDREDS of parents that support the school by supporting their children. Each and every day, there are parents sitting at home hearing their children read, helping with homework or just asking how their day was. This is what helps our children the most - and this is why our children have made more progress this year than ever - thank you!
GR
I am just compiling the finalised versions of class lists for next year. Soon, all children will know which classes they are going in to. It is a busy, yet exciting time of the year!
I just wanted to say something about parent support of the school. We have a range of supporters in the school, all of which are incredibly valuable. We have a number of parent governors who attend regular governor meetings and help to form the strategic direction of the school. We have a brilliant and dedicated selection of parents who support and run the PTA. Without these parents, we would not have such fantastic events, and raise much needed funds for the school.
Probably most importantly though are the HUNDREDS of parents that support the school by supporting their children. Each and every day, there are parents sitting at home hearing their children read, helping with homework or just asking how their day was. This is what helps our children the most - and this is why our children have made more progress this year than ever - thank you!
GR
Saturday 23 June 2012
I'm really going to miss the Year 6.
We had a trip yesterday. It wasn't of huge educational value - but it did value the huge efforts that our current year six have made in the development of the school.
It is likely that our children in Y6 will be the highest achieving drop since the school opened in 2008. We will have to wait until the SATs results are published in July, to know for sure - however, I know that they have been given the best chances to succeed.
We left school on Friday morning and travelled to Chessington World of Adventures, and despite some teachers' best efforts to get the children interested in the small zoo, and the sea life centre - it ended up being a day of thrill-seeking - seeing who could go on the highest, fastest ride.
Miss Kaur, Mr David (one of our new teachers for September) and a few children began with a ride where it there them upside down, round and round before thoroughly drenching them. No one minded - it was going to rain anyway.
I even went on a few rides myself. I wasn't keen, but when I eventually got on the Cobra - and persuaded a few cautious children t join me, we had a great time!
Some days, when I am getting complaints about certain decisions, or take-up for a certain meeting isn't high, it takes its toll on morale. But days like Friday really restore my belief that the work I am trying to do is worth it. We have wonderful children at Oakfield. These children are achieving the best they have ever achieved - and this year we are certainly going to exceed national averages in Maths - and probably in English too.
Next year and the year after, we plan on building on our success and ensuring that each and every child leaves the school ready to begin the next stage of their career. With only four weeks to go until the end of term, I'd like to thank ALL parents that support the school - and thank too those parents that don't always agree with what I do, but always support and encourage - and always come up with perhaps better ways of doing things.
But most of all, I would like to thank the staff and children of Oakfield, who make it such a great place to learn and work.
GR
It is likely that our children in Y6 will be the highest achieving drop since the school opened in 2008. We will have to wait until the SATs results are published in July, to know for sure - however, I know that they have been given the best chances to succeed.
We left school on Friday morning and travelled to Chessington World of Adventures, and despite some teachers' best efforts to get the children interested in the small zoo, and the sea life centre - it ended up being a day of thrill-seeking - seeing who could go on the highest, fastest ride.
Miss Kaur, Mr David (one of our new teachers for September) and a few children began with a ride where it there them upside down, round and round before thoroughly drenching them. No one minded - it was going to rain anyway.
I even went on a few rides myself. I wasn't keen, but when I eventually got on the Cobra - and persuaded a few cautious children t join me, we had a great time!
Some days, when I am getting complaints about certain decisions, or take-up for a certain meeting isn't high, it takes its toll on morale. But days like Friday really restore my belief that the work I am trying to do is worth it. We have wonderful children at Oakfield. These children are achieving the best they have ever achieved - and this year we are certainly going to exceed national averages in Maths - and probably in English too.
Next year and the year after, we plan on building on our success and ensuring that each and every child leaves the school ready to begin the next stage of their career. With only four weeks to go until the end of term, I'd like to thank ALL parents that support the school - and thank too those parents that don't always agree with what I do, but always support and encourage - and always come up with perhaps better ways of doing things.
But most of all, I would like to thank the staff and children of Oakfield, who make it such a great place to learn and work.
GR
Tuesday 19 June 2012
New logo, old issues...
Yesterday, a letter was sent to parents informing them of changes to the uniform from September. The change was that a new logo was going to be used on the uniform, instead of the old one.
The new logo is bright, modern and really portrays a sense of moving forward at the school. This logo will eventually replace the old logo in all our school branding.
The letter sent home about the uniform was badly worded and therefore badly handled, and it just goes to show that even with the best intentions, sometimes things go wrong...
Out of the (two) complaints that I have received - and I am sure there are more parents out there who are not happy with the change, but who just haven't written to me - has come a really positive message. Our parents and carers now really like and EXPECT to be consulted. When the new school opened in 2008, and I took over as headteacher, one of the messages from parents was that communication was poor and that they wanted to be consulted.
Over the last four years, I have consulted with parents on a range of topics. Sometimes, when something had gone wrong, I would consult with parents in a focus group. I have also held Parent Advisory Groups (which have stopped for a while, since the last one only had one parent attend!) which have looked at operational issues and how they affect the school.
Sadly, with the logo, there has been no consultation with parents - although some consultation has been carried out with the children - mostly by our Young Evaluator Group. Responses to the new logo have been mixed - but most of the comments made relate to positive aspects of the intention of the new logo. Children asked to comment have said "the logo represents the school better," "it's more modern," and "it's more grown up."
Just to be clear - the old logo on uniform is still perfectly acceptable, and there is no pressure on any parent to buy new uniform until the old uniform is worn out. The last thing I would want is for parents to be put under financial pressure that was unneccesary.
Perhaps in this case, more consultation with parents would have been helpful. I don't believe the logo is bad - I just think the way the situation has been dealt with is bad. But we all learn from our mistakes, hopefully...
GR
The new logo is bright, modern and really portrays a sense of moving forward at the school. This logo will eventually replace the old logo in all our school branding.
The letter sent home about the uniform was badly worded and therefore badly handled, and it just goes to show that even with the best intentions, sometimes things go wrong...
Out of the (two) complaints that I have received - and I am sure there are more parents out there who are not happy with the change, but who just haven't written to me - has come a really positive message. Our parents and carers now really like and EXPECT to be consulted. When the new school opened in 2008, and I took over as headteacher, one of the messages from parents was that communication was poor and that they wanted to be consulted.
Over the last four years, I have consulted with parents on a range of topics. Sometimes, when something had gone wrong, I would consult with parents in a focus group. I have also held Parent Advisory Groups (which have stopped for a while, since the last one only had one parent attend!) which have looked at operational issues and how they affect the school.
Sadly, with the logo, there has been no consultation with parents - although some consultation has been carried out with the children - mostly by our Young Evaluator Group. Responses to the new logo have been mixed - but most of the comments made relate to positive aspects of the intention of the new logo. Children asked to comment have said "the logo represents the school better," "it's more modern," and "it's more grown up."
Just to be clear - the old logo on uniform is still perfectly acceptable, and there is no pressure on any parent to buy new uniform until the old uniform is worn out. The last thing I would want is for parents to be put under financial pressure that was unneccesary.
Perhaps in this case, more consultation with parents would have been helpful. I don't believe the logo is bad - I just think the way the situation has been dealt with is bad. But we all learn from our mistakes, hopefully...
Sunday 17 June 2012
Father's Day Fun
It was a pleasure to see so many dads, granddads and uncles at school on Friday evening, for what was an evening of Father's Day Fun!
Some poor dads though, thought they were turning up to make a card, or a photo frame. Sadly they were wrong...
Instead, the night consisted of four activities - sports out on the field, speed stacking in a classroom, magnet-making in a classroom and ZUMBA in the hall! The evening was concluded with hot dogs and drinks.
It's fair to say, I think that most families had a really good time. It was wonderful to see so many dads having fun with their children.
Thanks so much to Clare Kent for organising the event, and to the staff members who stayed behind on a Friday night to help. Thanks to our volunteers from the PTA too, who ran refreshments.
So, Father's Day Fun was a success... Has anyone got any good ideas of what we should do for Mother's Day next year...?
GR
Some poor dads though, thought they were turning up to make a card, or a photo frame. Sadly they were wrong...
Instead, the night consisted of four activities - sports out on the field, speed stacking in a classroom, magnet-making in a classroom and ZUMBA in the hall! The evening was concluded with hot dogs and drinks.
It's fair to say, I think that most families had a really good time. It was wonderful to see so many dads having fun with their children.
Thanks so much to Clare Kent for organising the event, and to the staff members who stayed behind on a Friday night to help. Thanks to our volunteers from the PTA too, who ran refreshments.
So, Father's Day Fun was a success... Has anyone got any good ideas of what we should do for Mother's Day next year...?
GR
Thursday 14 June 2012
Who is out there...?
According to the stats page, 21 people have read the "26 sleeps" post, so far... Who are you? Please leave a message so that I know which parents are reading this BLOG. Your name and the year group your children are in would be very helpful.
Thanks!
GR
Thanks!
GR
26 more sleeps!
Morning all,
I have been reliably informed that there are only 26 more sleeps (school nights only!) until the end of this term, and therefore the end of the academic year. There are also so many things happening this term, that time is likely to fly by.
We have become paperless (or as paperless as possible!) from this term... Can you spread the word between friends and other parents that they all need to be registered with Parent Mail in order to receive newsletters and other letters which directly affect their child. It is quite amazing really... We have sent out original letters, reminders, personal reminder letters and follow up reminders. My office team have also phoned each parent who has not registered, and there are still far too many who have NOT registered. I am registered as a parent with my little boy's school, and I find the service invaluable, so, as I say, please spread the word.
The Olympics is obviously going to dominate much of the work we do this term. Last night, I had dinner with Chris Cook, our Team GB friend, who swam for Team GB in the last Olympics. He was told yesterday that he was going to be a torch bearer in a couple of weeks, so hopefully, by the time he visits school, he will have the torch with him, so our children will get to have a look.
Finally, watch out for a letter going out about a possible residential trip to Turkey in October. We will be inviting children from next year's Year 6 and Year 5 to participate in what is sure to be an amazing experience.
Please come along to my HT Presentation this Friday at 6pm. I will be repeating the presentation I did a couple of weeks ago, which talks about Ofsted and our future federation with Temple Hill Primary School.
That's it for now. Time to go and grab a coffee before the business of the day begins!
GR
I have been reliably informed that there are only 26 more sleeps (school nights only!) until the end of this term, and therefore the end of the academic year. There are also so many things happening this term, that time is likely to fly by.
We have become paperless (or as paperless as possible!) from this term... Can you spread the word between friends and other parents that they all need to be registered with Parent Mail in order to receive newsletters and other letters which directly affect their child. It is quite amazing really... We have sent out original letters, reminders, personal reminder letters and follow up reminders. My office team have also phoned each parent who has not registered, and there are still far too many who have NOT registered. I am registered as a parent with my little boy's school, and I find the service invaluable, so, as I say, please spread the word.
The Olympics is obviously going to dominate much of the work we do this term. Last night, I had dinner with Chris Cook, our Team GB friend, who swam for Team GB in the last Olympics. He was told yesterday that he was going to be a torch bearer in a couple of weeks, so hopefully, by the time he visits school, he will have the torch with him, so our children will get to have a look.
Finally, watch out for a letter going out about a possible residential trip to Turkey in October. We will be inviting children from next year's Year 6 and Year 5 to participate in what is sure to be an amazing experience.
Please come along to my HT Presentation this Friday at 6pm. I will be repeating the presentation I did a couple of weeks ago, which talks about Ofsted and our future federation with Temple Hill Primary School.
That's it for now. Time to go and grab a coffee before the business of the day begins!
GR
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