This week we had our very first Smart Council meeting. At Galley Hill we believe that every child should have their voice heard. We have a weekly question that we will discuss in class after our Value assembly every monday. The children will then discuss and vote in groups in class what they would like to do/choose, then the school council will meet later in the day to discuss the results and put plans together for enabling the whole school voice.
This week we posed this question: Almost 1 million Ukrainians have left their country in the last week, hoping to find safety. What can we do to help in our setting?
The options were;
1)Discuss how people have used a demonstration to ‘Stop the war’ - do similar
2)Give resources and food to a charity who will send it to Ukraine
3)Raise money for Ukraine refugees
4)Nothing, it is not our business
We also shared the story 'My Name is not Refugee' on Monday. A young boy discusses the journey he is about to make with his mother. They will leave their town, she explains, and it will be sad but also a little bit exciting. They will have to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, and that will be difficult. They will have to walk and walk and walk, and although they will see many new and interesting things, it will be difficult at times too. We discussed that, as a result of events happening in Ukraine, there are many people who are having to make a similar journey.
School life
Nursery had a fantastic trip to the Library this week. They went by public transport, all getting aboard the bus. They all had a fantastic journey and wonderful time at the library.
This week Reception have been walking round the local area. We have been talking about buildings that are near school and what they are used for, we also talked about bus stops, lamp posts, litter bins and the post box. The children all posted their family pictures to their home address and we talked about what addresses are for.
The children have also been making and tasting porridge as we are learning the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Next week is British Science Week and the theme is growth. We are going to be talking about how the children have changed since they were babies. Miss Sleightholme has very kindly agreed to bring baby Aoife in and talk to the children about looking after a baby. We would be very grateful if everyone in Reception could upload a baby photo onto Tapestry so that the children can share these with the rest of the class. If anyone is having difficulty getting on Tapestry please let us know and we will sort it out.
Arts council
Welcome to our new Arts Council. The arts are really important for us at Galley Hill and we wanted to make sure that we had more pupil voice in our decisions with how we develop it further within school and the connections that we try and make outside of school. Mrs Kelly has a new group of Arts Council ambassadors who you will see a little more of over the next few weeks.
British Science week
The children will be taking part in British Science Week in the week starting Monday 14th of March. This year the theme is growth.
If any of the children would like to take part in the British Science Week poster competition please follow this link. The closing date for entries is the 15th of April.
https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/poster-competition/
Parent Information session
Our next Parent forum is March 14th at 5pm - I look forward to seeing you then. This will be via zoom and you can sign up here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctdeGqrzkuG9ZncHFUqMDgIDRRJTWmKiZa
Accelerated reader
Miss Bell has been busy setting up Accelerated Reader in school this week ready for children to start quizzing and taking books from next week. We're looking forward to continuing to support children on their reading journey as they transition from phonic readers to fully decodable books.
Since they are reading books at their own reading and interest levels, most children are likely to be successful and enjoy the books and quizzes. Best of all they learn and grow at their own pace.
This will be for children Year 2 upwards. Below Year 2 children will continue with their Phonics and additional book.
STar/mathematician/writer/ Reader of the week
creative writing
Here is this week's stimulus:
Cinderella
You might want to use this story starter:
“You shall go to the ball!” proclaimed the fairy godmother. With a click of her fingers and a swish of her wand, the magic happened and Cinderella disappeared off into the night on the adventure of a lifetime…
Continue the story.
Entries Due by Wednesday 16th March
parent helpers
Now restrictions have started to be removed, we are looking forward to welcoming you back into school. We are looking for people to help with Reading in school. If you are available and would like to hear readers in school, it would be great to have you in.
Please complete the Volunteer Application form here and we can complete all relevant safeguarding checks and welcome you into school.
Details can be found here:
vacancies
Click here for more information and an application form https://www.galleyhillprimary.co.uk/our-school/vacancies/
School Dinners
COmic relief
Comic Relief day is on next week on Friday 18th March. We are inviting the children to come to school dressed as someone they perceive to be a hero. We are trying to think outside of the box for this and would like the children to avoid comic book superheroes.
Their hero could, for example, be a doctor, nurse, firefighter, a family member, a friend, a sports person etc. We will discuss with the children some ideas before the event.
Donations will be collected on the day.
Support on discussions around the Ukraine
If you would like some advice on how to answer any questions that they may have over the coming days and weeks, there is some useful information here:
https://www.childnet.com/blog/supporting-your-child-with-upsetting-content/
opal
We are looking for drain pipes as we start to get ready for a new area. If you have any drain pipe, or know of anyone with any, we will gladly receive it. Thank you!
golden welly awards
If you have any old toy figures that are sat around at home not being used any more and you don't know what to do with them, we will take them off your hands. We are looking to expand our Small World area - so anything like toy car garages, cars, figures would be greatly appreciated.
What's coming up in the school calendar
E-safety and local news
Finally
I look forward to seeing many of you on Monday for the Parent forum. It will be the last one on Zoom, the next one will be in school.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Mr Anthony McGeeney