Week 27

Dear Parent/ Carer,

A brilliant week at Haseltine began with Ms Brumby conducting prospective new parents on a Parent Tour.  Haseltine is continuing to expand in pupil numbers as the word spreads about our fantastic school.  We have agreed again to take an extra ‘bulge’ class for Lewisham this year to help meet the local demand for Primary School places.  The parents who took the tour were very positive, one parent even called back later in the day to say that she had never seen such enthusiasm from teachers and that some of the learning she had seen hadn't even been taught at her Secondary School!  It was wonderful that this parent recognised that high expectations, expert teaching and a culture of celebration are key to the successes were are achieving at Haseltine. 

Once again teachers across the partnership met to look at how we develop our pedagogical knowledge and skill. This is having a huge impact at Haseltine.  Ms Incoom will soon be sharing the results of their research to the rest of the learning community.  The quality of teaching can clearly be seen in classrooms where there is a high level of reciprocal learning… children leading the learning with their peers in order to deepen everyone’s understanding.

All the staff at Haseltine developed their scientific understanding of the impact of being positive with children to improve learning behaviours through training this week - this training was led by the wonderful Mrs Bernard.

We spent two days interviewing for new teachers for our growing school.  We made some exceptional and exciting appointments that include Music and PE specialist teachers.

Finally 2B did the most fabulous performance for their Class Assembly. The Hall was full of proud parents as the children sang, danced, acted and shared the most amazing writing I have ever seen from Year 2 pupils.

At Fairlawn, our week began by waving off our Year 3 children who went on their school journey to Rippledown House in Kent.  The children who were unable to go on the trip instead had an exciting time this week on their Home School Journey, visiting Howletts Zoo, The London Aquarium, picnicking in Peckham Rye Park and finishing the week off with a movie and popcorn.

We had a visit from The London Fire Brigade, who gave Year 5 and Year 2 a Fire Safety talk.  They watched slides and stories on how to stay safe and avoid the dangers of fires. Fairlawn's week ended with 1N's fantastic Assembly on Hansel and Gretel.  The Year 1 children did us proud with their exceptional acting and performing. 

Our new and improved lunchtime experience launch was a huge success.  Some children even commented that lunch in the School Lunch Hall was even better than being in a restaurant.  That is what we want to achieve and what we feel our children deserve.  We will continue to work to enhance the experience even further.

We made some fantastic staff appointments this week… appointing Ms Hania Ryans as Head of School and Mrs Kim Clark as Deputy Head Teacher.  I am very excited about the energy and dynamism that this new leadership team will bring to Fairlawn.

At Kilmorie this week, the Assembly theme this week was Love.  On Monday the children listened attentively to  'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein – a very thought provoking story.  Pete Bulley and Clare Tooth were invited to Assembly to thank them for all their hard work and commitment to the school in their roles as Chair and Treasurer of The Friends of Kilmorie. They are stepping down after several years but will continue to be involved in events. The events that they have organised over the years have provided funds for resources and equipment across the school and have also provided wonderful social occasions. Jessica Ormerod and Jane Toussaint will be taking over their roles in The Friends of Kilmorie.

On Monday afternoon all the children with 100% attendance since September were invited by Liz and Emma to a Tea Party to celebrate their achievement. It was a fun event and the children really enjoyed it. The children who attended are all really determined to achieve 100% for the whole school year… a very creditable aim.  We discussed future ideas to reward and encourage fantastic attendance.

On Wednesday Marina's Year 3 Class Assembly shared in a most entertaining way all that they had learnt about the Egyptians.  All children contributed enthusiastically and a highlight was the sketch that gave practical advice about the process of mummification!

In the Key Stage Two Assembly on Thursday the children learned about the history of Kilmorie.  This was inspired by a collection of photos from 1989 when the Primary School first opened.  On Friday, Year 4 enjoyed a talk from a grandparent about the Second World War.

In Friday's Celebration Assembly the children and staff said goodbye to Roz Amat, Children's Centre leader. 

Have a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend,
Mark Wilson
Executive Head teacher