Message from the Principal
Although it has been a short half term, my goodness we have packed a lot in.
I am exceptionally proud of Year Two pupils who were confident and keen to show just how much they have learnt over the last three years, despite COVID! They showed respect, determination, resilience, and commitment to their learning; all great attributes that will help them as they grow towards adulthood.
Next term sees Year 1 Phonics Screening Tests, Transition and meet your new teacher as well as our first Sports day where families will be able to attend (and maybe even take part)!
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable half term holiday and see you all again on Monday 6th June.
Medical Students
For a second year we have had Medical Students from Birmingham University come and spend a week’s placement with us to better understand how children learn. One of the students based in Year Two, was already intending to become a paediatric doctor and gained much from her time with us. Here she outlines what she did across the week.
“Hello! I’m Padmi and I am a Third Year Medical Student at the University of Birmingham. I was placed in Mr Parkes’ Year 2 class this half term! I have been here to learn about how children learn and develop. I listened to children read and read to them as part of their Story Escape. I played with the children at breaktime and sat and chatted to them while they were eating their lunch.
During my week at Shireland, I delivered a presentation to both Year 2 Classes about Healthy Living; we talked about different types of exercise and the importance of exercise, as well as what constitutes a healthy diet. My talk complemented the Year 2’s ‘Brilliant Bodies’ topic! Mr Parkes also handed out some leaflets to children, so that they could continue to learn about healthy living with their families at home.
I also spoke with Year 2 about First Aid. We talked through the contents of the First Aid box and when we might need to use them. We also discussed what things a doctor does at work, what it’s like being in a hospital and how to train to become one. The children shared with me what they wanted to be when they grew up, some of them even said they wanted to be doctors too! I hope I may have inspired some to think that they could become a doctor.
I have had an amazing week with the children at Shireland; it is a very special school! Thank you so much for having me!"
We wish all the Medical students the very best in their future studies and careers.
Family Forum
The final Family Forum for this academic year took place on Wednesday 18th May. Twenty- two families joined us at STP for an overview of the last term. Jitesh Nair – Chair of the SPC and Samreena Cameron, from the SPC also attended the Forum to be able to feedback to the rest of the Governors.
Parents were reminded of the stamps needed for Passport to Success to allow for a free trip to Weston Super Mare.
Sir Mark Grundy provided an update on the new day care nursery building that is due to be built in the Summer this year allowing for a closer working relationship with STP.
Families were given an opportunity to feedback on areas they thought were going well and where there was room for improvement. Look out for the ‘You said; We did’ update that details YOUR feedback.
Pupil Forum Actions
Our most recent Pupil Forum meeting took place in May. The Forum used it as an opportunity to reflect on successes so far and to suggest further actions for the future. This discussion mainly focused on being more environmentally friendly and the upcoming sports day plans. Check out the actions agreed with the school Senior Leadership Team.
They Said: We want less single use and disposable items in school.
We Did: As well as the plastic bottles banned in the Autumn term, we will now be seeking alternatives to plastic cups, drinks cartons and polystyrene trays. We encourage families sending water bottles and packed lunches to join us in sourcing sustainable alternatives.
They Said: We want to recycle more.
We Did: We have already put dry mixed recycling bins into classrooms and the dining hall so all recyclable items can be recycled, not just paper and cardboard!
They Said: We use too much electricity in school.
We Did: We will be having a school campaign to save energy by switching off lights and screens when unattended. Signage will be placed around school to support this.
The Pupil Forum continues to provide feedback and influence the decisions we make to move the school forwards and their passion on the issues discussed is clear. We’re also looking forward to linking with the Friends of STP in the final summer term.
Year Two SATs
Over the last few weeks, children in Year Two have been busy completing their end of Key Stage One SATs assessments in Reading and Mathematics. It is the first time these assessments have gone ahead nationally since 2019 due to COVID-19 and therefore the first time we’ve completed them here at Shireland Technology Primary.
We are immensely proud of all the efforts of our children and to the staff who encouraged and enabled them to shine. They have worked extremely hard in revision sessions and demonstrated a wonderful attitude to learning during this period. From what we have seen so far, their results show this. They’ve exceeded national expectation in areas and many of our pupils are working at a greater depth. This is an excellent achievement! Thank you to all families who supported from home; every hour you spent with them has made a difference.
Now we keep driving forwards with learning to prepare our children for the move into Key Stage Two and Year Three. Well done to you all!
Sow and Grow
Being outside and learning how to care for plants and develop a love of nature and gardening was the aim of our successful Sow and Grow sessions. A small group of Reception families have been working with a community group helping to make our Reception outside area a wonderful green paradise. Parents and grandparents have been able to come in every week, sow seeds with their children and marvel at how they grow with water, sun and tender loving care.
Move over Monty Don! Our STP green fingered horticulturists are learning new skills for a green future.
A reminder to qualify for a FREE family trip for 3 to visit Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday, 2 July 2022, parents need to receive 12 stamps in their Passport to Success booklet by 28th June and for your child to have an attendance rate of no lower than 95%.
Next half-term there will be more opportunities to collect stamps:
Parent Workshops from 2:15-3:15pm (Location: STP unless otherwise stated)
- Tuesday 24th May - Budgeting advice and support
- Tuesday 7th June - Basic First Aid – Introductory session
- Tuesday 14th June – E-safety and how we use Technology
- Tuesday 21st June - Aspirations - building awareness
- Thursday 23rd June - Yoga - Exploring the mind and body (location to be confirmed)
- Tuesday 28th June - Community Partners – exploring your community
Earn a School Engagement stamp by attending the KS1 to KS2 transition event on Tuesday 14th June. A letter will be sent out with further details of this event.
Earn a New Experiences stamp by completing 10 'My Cultural Journey' activities and evidencing them in the portfolio.
Next Term
Phonics Screening – w/c 6th June
Year 1 will take their Phonics Screening Check week beginning the 6th June. This is an assessment to check children’s knowledge of the sounds that make up a word and their ability to read real and nonsense words.
Year 1 have been working hard in their phonics sessions to learn new sounds, to segment and blend unfamiliar words, spell words, and to read texts with fluency.
Please can we remind families to make sure that children arrive to school on time during that week so that they can start their revision for the Phonics Screening Checks during registration.
Good luck Year 1!
Warmer weather; uniform & keeping sun-safe
With the promised warmer weather next half term, can we remind families that children will fare better wearing school dresses, short sleeved shirts, cardigans, black shoes rather than boot-like shoes and socks rather than tights. If sun is predicted, we also ask that sun hats and water be brought in and sun-cream applied to face, arms and legs before school.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 6th June 2022 - Return to school
Week Commencing: 6th June - Year 1 Phonics screening administration
Tuesday 14th June – KS1 to KS2 transition event (see letter)
Wednesday 22nd June - New Reception families evening
Thursday 23rd June – Year 1 trip to Safari Park
Thursday 7th July 2022 - Sports Day (afternoon)
Friday 8th July - Reports sent home
Wednesday 13th July - Parents' Evening
Wednesday 13th July – Year 2 trip to the Sealife Centre
Thursday 14th July - Reception trip to Dudley Zoo and Castle
Friday 22nd July 2022 – Last day of term; Break-up for Summer Holiday
Academic year 2022/23
Monday 5th September 2022 - Training Day (school closed for pupils)
Tuesday 6th September - Back to School for pupils
Monday 24th October to Friday 28th October 2022 - October Half-term holiday
Friday 4th November 2022 - Training Day (school closed for pupils)
Friday 16th December 2022 - Break-up for Christmas
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