Microsoft Word - Newsletter 7 - Wednesday 15th November …



53168559525000Ysgol Gynradd yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Tref-y-Clawdd right952500Knighton Church in Wales Primary School Tel: 01547 528691 Caru Duw, Caru Pawb, Caru Dysgu. Love of God, Love of Others, Love of Learning.Newsletter 16: Friday 8th May 2020 (commemorating VE Day) News : our school working with families across the community during COVID-19 .Dear children, parents/carers, governors and members of our community,During this strange time Knighton staff would like to share some of the wonderful things that our parents/carers and children are doing at home and posting on the school website, HWB and Facebook. Vicki and Sally are still busy in the Pre School setting in Presteigne.Presteigne Hub: as well as planning work, supporting distance learning and managing our school, Mrs Strong and Mrs Rimmer are also working in the Presteigne HUB. Many Knighton TAs are working in the Presteigne HUB too. Mrs George’s cleaning team and Knighton Primary canteen staff are regularly working in the HUB to help keep us all safe.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SarahThank you to everyone who continues to recycle their ink cartridges.? We've received another ?23.50.? Don't forget to spread the word to family, friends and neighbours.A massive thank you to everyone who sent in their stickers from Aldi for the "Kits for Schools". We recently received two sets of kit... let's hope it's not too long before we can use it.This week 89 learning packs were given out.? Thanks to our delivery ‘girls’: Mrs Woz, Mrs Bywater, Mrs Wood & Mrs Shaw.? The next set of learning packs will be given out (to those who asked for them last week) on Monday. Please contact me ASAP if you no longer require a new pack.? Mrs ShawThe school rabbits, Flashy Dash and Lily Bobtail are doing well. Mr Shaw built a new run for Flashy Dash and Lily. Mrs Shaw posts pictures each week on the FB page for the children, parents and staff.?She is part of the delivery team on a Monday and she takes packs up to Lloney and Knucklas and also to some areas in town. The parents she saw were extremely grateful.?Mrs Shaw is still posting daily quizzes for children and parents including a special quiz for VE day! She gets some great feedback from parents who are enjoying doing these with family members. Mrs Clarke also sends Mrs Shaw questions each week to post.? Mrs Shaw is helping Mrs Rimmer and Mrs Watts with planning and she’s in contact with the children, through Teams, to comment on work and photos that the children have completed.?School staff are using the lockdown to work on their Welsh using the brilliant FREE language app ‘Duolingo’. Mrs Shaw is really enjoying Duolingo. She said, ‘I’m still on level 1 at the moment, but I'm confident I'll be moving on later!’Miss Evans also has this update to share on the free Welsh Duolingo app (we hope that lots of children and parents/carers will join us on this app): ‘I’m quite liking it, actually I find it quite addictive… managing to cope with the first few levels, even earning myself a few jewels!’Mrs Bywater is really enjoy following? all of the children’s work on the Foundation Phase Facebook page and commenting on how hard the children are working. She’s impressed by how many of our parents are working to encouraging the children to complete their work. Mrs Bywater said,‘It makes me feel very proud of all our wonderful children! I enjoyed delivering the (learning) packs on Monday.I’m enjoying the Duolingo. I’ve started to recognise a few Welsh words and have nearly complete level 1. I have just started an online open university course of basic Welsh … every bit helps.’Mrs Wozencraft ‘Last Monday?I?helped?Sarah?with?the?delivery?of?the?packs?and?I?am?looking?forward?to?working?in?the?Hub?on?Thursday.’ Mrs Wozencraft has also enjoyed commenting on the children’s work on Facebook.Miss DaviesI have been?astounded?by the effort of the children and parents alike with the work completed. They have been very busy making superb habitats for?their chosen?rainforest?animal, some even?including natural resources. I have thoroughly enjoyed receiving images of their 'fruit and vegetable'?creatures?from our topic story; 'We're Roaming in the Rainforest.' We have some very imaginative and talented children (and parents). Also a massive “Bendigedig” to all of you who are trying really hard with the Welsh activities; you are all brilliant. A special 'shout out' to: Lexi, Dylan and Erin.I was very pleased to receive a lovely email from one of my parents;'Thank you for your kind email, it has made me feel much better and more relaxed. Thank you for the resources and your help!' Mrs Fielding and Mrs BlowerIt has been lovely to see all of the children working so hard this week completing tasks relating to our topic on 'Jungles'. We have been overwhelmed with the wonderful examples of work relating to 3d shapes. Children have enjoyed going on a 3d shape scavenger hunt around their homes and gardens and? they've played matching games relating to a variety of 3d shapes and making models using 3d shapes. We have been reading some wonderful diaries, written by the children in our classes. They have explained why we are at home, how they felt about this and what they have been doing. Mrs Blower has loved finding out about all the fun things the children have been doing, such as baking, gardening and learning to ride bikes without stabilisers as well as all the fantastic work that has been going on!?Well done to all children, but a special 'shout out' to Fletcher, Freddie, Esme, Emily, Archie and Grace.Mrs Fielding and Mrs Blower would like to say a big ‘well done’ to all the Foundation Phase teaching assistants?who are looking at all the pupils' work on Facebook and leaving comments for them.?They are very pleased to have received so many positive comments from our parents and carers, such as:TF: "All staff of the foundation phase have been absolutely amazing, supportive?not just to the children but to parents too. The work set is great not too, much just right and the Facebook page is great for those wanting to post on it and great that the parents can also support each other in this uncertain time. I am more than happy with it all thank you to everyone!!ED: "All staff have been amazing at this difficult time for everyone. We have massive support from all the teachers & the timetable has helped us to know what we need to do & how. Facebook page is great to see what others are doing & if you need inspiration! Team chat for the older children in year 5/6 seems to be helpful with the kids talking to teachers themselves & again teachers very supportive. Big, big thank you to all the staff xx ?LH: "I have found it to be extremely helpful having the staff at our fingertips to answer any and all concerns and questions. Having the Facebook page has been great as it's lovely to get support off everyone, so even when you think you're failing as a parent, or having a really bad day and your child might not have wanted to learn, you have the constant support and encouragement from everyone.? We get the planners on a Friday so we can then schedule out the next week as many of us have to work from home or have other children to help educate at home.? Plus it gives you time to look over the work and again ask questions if needed.? My one concern is the schools being phased back in, I feel that the way our school is doing it is working so amazingly well - all children are being taught at the same level each day, if phased we would end up with one group in one week, the next the following etc... and would soon fall behind.? I think that until this is totally safe that the government should not be looking at this option - not only for the safety of our children but for that of our staff too.? ?The fact the children have the ability to e-mail with their teachers, listen to stories, do activities together is just wonderful.? I think we all need a huge pat on the back for getting through this as best we can - and should all be very proud :)"TB: "For myself, I’m struggling with home-schooling and making kids work but with the packs and emails to the teachers I feel like we are not failing too much. Teams is great for my eldest but as our family computer has decided not to work my eldest cannot get on and he is struggling with bits but once he’s spoke to teachers he sort of get on with it but by God it’s a nightmare. Not sure how you all do this teaching but thank you for supporting me and the boys x plus we love Facebook for the stories and ideas from other parents. It’s good to see how/ what others use to complete tasks x thank you thank you x"GA: "We have found all staff to be amazing either with support when we are unsure or just positive feedback on the work submitted by the children. Every issue or query we've had have been answered and helped. Having the Facebook pages is helpful to both parent and child, I can see different ideas and ways others are being taught to help change things around in our home and the children can see their friends doing the same work as them and know that they aren’t alone. Seeing the teachers’ faces at story or assembly time is uplifting for them also. Team chat for the older years is helpful for them to keep in contact with their teacher and friends.?I feel all of this has been handled really well, there is no pressure to produce the work which makes it very achievable all round and again the support has been amazing.TB: "We’ve found the timetable helpful. There is enough work to keep busy for some of the day, but not too much to be overwhelming. The tasks are varied to keep them interested, and it’s nice to be able to challenge them with different levels of difficulty. I also like that my 4 year old and 6 year old, are doing broadly the same work. Having the timetable on a Friday allows me to print and plan the work ahead so it isn’t too stressful each morning.The Facebook page has been brilliant for seeing other people’s ideas and keeping motivated. The girls love that their teachers can see their work, and are excited to read the comments they get back.The stories and assemblies over Facebook have really helped. It’s nice to see and hear the teachers they are familiar with, and keep a little bit of ‘school’ even though we are at home.?Most importantly, I feel the teachers have been supportive of our individual circumstances, and they have been encouraging everyone without being ‘pushy’. "SL: "The timetable has helped greatly on what to do each day. I think it helps because it's come from teachers so it still feels like school work and not a bossy mum. The Facebook page is handy for quick responses and also for the children to see that their friends are doing the same. It’s also nice to see the teachers on there, telling stories or providing other videos. The emailing system works brilliantly and quickly and (my child) likes to receive a message back. Overall I think the teachers are providing great support to us and are so encouraging and helpful."SR: "It has been so helpful to have the time table and work set out for the children.?It’s not just helped (my son),?it’s helped myself as a parent too. There have been some really fun things to do along with learning work.? I love seeing all the comments from (my son’s) work that I post and he loves hearing about his feedback. Having a school pack posted through my door was so nice and I am very thankful. It’s been a great system. ?"KH: "We are finding parts of the timetable hard but we will keep trying. (My child) was a lot happier when we were doing our own thing if I am 100% honest. The teachers and staff have been fantastic and couldn't ask for anything else. We have a VE day party in the garden planned for Friday so we are having a day off. Xx"AC: "I have found the timetable a huge help and getting it on a Friday to plan for the week ahead is so helpful. It's good how they have different stages on there for the maths, I can choose from yr 2 or yr 3 work sheets. It's been a struggle to get (my child) to do some of the work. When I show what friends have done and have put on the Facebook page it helps to get (my child) motivated and see it's not just (my child) having to do school work. All the teachers and teacher assistants have been amazing, so helpful and everyday leave a comment on the children's work. (My child) loves seeing what they have all commented on it (not just the teacher, all teachers from Foundation Phase). I cannot thank them enough for making is as easy as they can for us as parents and for the children.KB: "Thank you to everyone you have all been a massive help we do struggle at times but we try our best we are all looking forward to our VE party on Frida. The (children) have been busy making things for it xx"JH: "I think the school pack that we had Monday was very helpful and has taken out a lot of stress this week. Thank youThe time table is achievable whilst we’re?not working.?I can’t fault the teachers support or guidance; that’s been spot on, well done.The Facebook page is useful but on our bad days, seeing others work has been making me feel?pressured to do more.Now 7 weeks home… we’ve learnt this week to take each day as it comes, work or no work.? ?ER: "We have found the timetables really helpful. The variety of work helps as I would end up asking mine to do similar things.? We don’t stick to the timetable 100% as some days we are busy with other things but I know we can catch up on different days and if we don’t it doesn’t matter. We do some on the weekend if missed days in the week and if they are in the right mood.? Its lovely seeing the work on Facebook, I've learnt not to get worried about what others are doing and how much. The communication with the teachers has been great. Always there to answer any concern. I think we’ve been lucky with how our school have come together through this. Xx"CB: "Timetable has been super useful. Sometimes mine don’t want to do the work and that can be stressful with doing own work too but once I've shown them others work they have a go… and that's the main thing.?The arty bits are more my kids sort of things but asking the teachers to help with certain bits has been easy and I feel I can have a proper chat with them which is good.PC: "?The school pack has been very useful and all the staff have been amazing at this difficult time. The weekly timetable has been useful too, so a huge thank-you to all the teachers ?"AC: "The timetables and work have given (my child) some desperately needed structure and focus. We have received some brilliant support from Mrs Blower. The differentiation has been fantastic... especially now that I've learnt not to tell (my child) which year group's work he is doing! I can only imagine how challenging all this must be for the teachers. That they are able to create accessible, differentiated work that we can all follow is truly amazing.?Home-schooling is incredibly challenging, especially when it is not your choice and the circumstances are difficult. Without the support of the staff of Knighton Primary School, we would not be coping as well as we are.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mrs DrakefordEven though Mrs Drakeford speaks Welsh, she is enjoying the Duolingo app and is currently in the silver league with 51 crowns! (Psssst, don’t tell Mrs Drakeford, but Mrs Strong is in the gold league at the moment!) Any children who join in on the free Duolingo app might like to try and beat them both!Year 3 pupils have been:* Making their own funny poems?* Using multiplication, including colour by numbers and grid method?* Looking at the artist Andy Warhol and producing art in his style?* Looking at different clothes in Welsh and labelling them?* Looking at plants and finding out what they need to grow. The children are planting their own plants and changing one variables to see what happen in a ‘fair test’.?* Completing reading comprehensions on the Titanic, learning lots of facts?* Performing poems using expression?* Looking into the pros and cons of the Battle of Britain and expressing opinions?about it* Creating a ‘Sprite’ that moves and makes sounds in Scratch?* Completing daily challenges such as: toilet roll craft, puzzles, audio books, rainbows, board games and obstacle courses.?Miss Edwards‘I have to say I am very proud of everyone in Cnoc y Coed. They have all been working so hard. Drew produced a brilliant project based on the water cycle which can be seen on the school's?Facebook?page. Everyone has tempted me to go on holidays to various countries with their persuasive brochures/leaflets in Iaith: Stan has me going to Ireland, Bude has me dreaming about Hawaii and Sid has made me want to sail to France! They have all been spectacular. Also Seth is now a lot more confident with fractions after many games of fraction snap! As well as this, Betsy created a fantastic collage based on Picasso. Ardderchog pawb!Mrs Watts‘Last week the children in year 5 and 6 worked very hard to produce informative 'Top Trump' style cards about sea life: it has been wonderful to see their work. They also designed fantastic obstacle courses in maths, which they then made and had a go at. This week the children have created presentations about their dream jobs, many of which are Powerpoint presentations. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these and finding out about their hopes and dreams for the future!? They are now working on writing a report, like a marine biologist would about sea creatures, habitats or evolution, which include Alan Peat sentences and formal language.?Shout outs to: Evelyn, Immie, Mari and Tristan.?Mrs RimmerI thought I'd let you know what the children in Y5 and Y6 have been up to this week.In Maths they have been tackling multiplying and dividing fractions- BBC Bitesize was very useful in refreshing memories on how to do this!? They have also been completing N-rich problem solving activities, and were asked to?design and create an obstacle course for the garden (or an indoor space). They needed to calculate the area of space that was required for their course (metres squared) and also to calculate the perimeter of the course. All family members were encouraged to participate and the children were asked to record times and round them to the nearest second.In Iaith the children were asked to research and find facts about different ocean creatures and their habitats. At the end of the week they put together all their research and created a 'Top Trumps' style game for them and their family to play.Can I please have 'shout outs' for Mai, Ivy, Grace and Maisie this week?for all their hard work ?I've received work from Niamh tonight and I'm blown away- she's put so much effort into it and has really worked her socks off, I'm so proud of her!? I told her that I would be forwarding it on to you as an example of outstanding distance learning!? It's the Math Mantle Challenge- arranging an expedition to the Amazon with Steve Backshall!Mrs Rimmer has also been doing her best to make sure that we don't miss out on anything sporty next year!? Hopefully, as we have such good support from parents, it will be possible to attend everything!Mrs Warner and Miss LoweMrs Warner is enjoying the ‘Learn Welsh Cymru’ online lessons and Miss Lowe is enjoying Duolingo!?‘We have been very impressed with the wonderful work the children have been producing. In Iaith, we have been looking at ‘George and his Marvellous Medicine’. The children have been making potions to give Grandma. One of our children tried their potion out on their brother! They have been writing instructions using ‘bossy’ verbs. Mrs Mortimer enjoyed trying to guess who their descriptions of people were. In Maths, the children have been making clocks and investigating time. You would be amazed at what the children can achieve in 1 minute! Foundation Phase pupils continue to amaze us with their high frequency words, letter formation and writing. They have been hunting for objects in their houses, counting them and practising their number bonds. We enjoyed looking at their self-portraits. Keep up the good work everyone!And finally……If any parent/carer or pupil would like to contact me, with any thoughts, worries or concerns, my e-mail is: head@knighton.powys.sch.uk ................
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