Week Beginning 7.1.13
Hello all and welcome to the first entry of the newly created HT blog for Lyndon Green Junior School. In this blog I hope to share with you some of the fabulous things that we do at Lyndon Green Junior School. This blog is in addition to the school website, our twitter site @Lyndongreen1, newsletter and groupcall messaging system. We are very fortunate to work at this remarkable school (yes my words, and I believe them) and love coming to school every day to see. It is brilliant to open a classroom door, because like Mr. Benn you never know what you will find the teachers dressed as or what activity is going on to support our brilliant curriculum.
It is our intention that every child should leave this school with a bank of memories, therefore our ultimate aim is to 'Create memories.'
So down to work and here we go..........
Hello all and welcome to the first entry of the newly created HT blog for Lyndon Green Junior School. In this blog I hope to share with you some of the fabulous things that we do at Lyndon Green Junior School. This blog is in addition to the school website, our twitter site @Lyndongreen1, newsletter and groupcall messaging system. We are very fortunate to work at this remarkable school (yes my words, and I believe them) and love coming to school every day to see. It is brilliant to open a classroom door, because like Mr. Benn you never know what you will find the teachers dressed as or what activity is going on to support our brilliant curriculum.
It is our intention that every child should leave this school with a bank of memories, therefore our ultimate aim is to 'Create memories.'
So down to work and here we go..........
Monday 7.1.13 and Tuesday 8.1.13
On Monday 7.1.13 the staff of Lyndon Green Juniors were very fortunate to work with Tim Rylands and Sarah Neild. The purpose of these sessions was to look at how we can make ICT integral to everything that we do in school. We already feel that our use of ICT in school is fabulous but as always we want to make it better. We investigated how ICT can be used to enhance writing and support the whole process. We were also very fortunate to share these sessions with colleagues from other local schools: Acocks Green Primary School, Lakey Lane Primary School, Stanville Primary School, Gilbertstone Primary and Twickenham Primary School. Have a look at what we go up to by following this link.
www.timrylands.com
On Monday 7.1.13 the staff of Lyndon Green Juniors were very fortunate to work with Tim Rylands and Sarah Neild. The purpose of these sessions was to look at how we can make ICT integral to everything that we do in school. We already feel that our use of ICT in school is fabulous but as always we want to make it better. We investigated how ICT can be used to enhance writing and support the whole process. We were also very fortunate to share these sessions with colleagues from other local schools: Acocks Green Primary School, Lakey Lane Primary School, Stanville Primary School, Gilbertstone Primary and Twickenham Primary School. Have a look at what we go up to by following this link.
www.timrylands.com
Thursday 10.1.13
So if your asked how are things going and the reply is, well it is manic but it is great fun. That is what I would reply at the moment. When showing a visitor around today, I have a whole Year 6 with a visiting artist Spencer Jenkins (see his work here it is amazing http://www.spencerjenkins.co.uk) A whole Year 5 taking part in Indian dance workshops with another visitor, Year 4 completing Wake and Shake at full volume before moving on to their Blood, bones and gory bits topic, Year 3 fully engaged in their Sensoria topic and finally 10M completely astounding their teachers with the words that they are creating. What more can a HT ask for? Not a lot really, very happy to see all of our children experiencing such a wealth of creativity. Wonder what tomorrow will bring? More calm???? Not a chance and I don't want it too either.
So if your asked how are things going and the reply is, well it is manic but it is great fun. That is what I would reply at the moment. When showing a visitor around today, I have a whole Year 6 with a visiting artist Spencer Jenkins (see his work here it is amazing http://www.spencerjenkins.co.uk) A whole Year 5 taking part in Indian dance workshops with another visitor, Year 4 completing Wake and Shake at full volume before moving on to their Blood, bones and gory bits topic, Year 3 fully engaged in their Sensoria topic and finally 10M completely astounding their teachers with the words that they are creating. What more can a HT ask for? Not a lot really, very happy to see all of our children experiencing such a wealth of creativity. Wonder what tomorrow will bring? More calm???? Not a chance and I don't want it too either.
Friday 11.1.13
Friday is always an interesting day in school, we find that it is usually our quietest day, but today is different. Whilst there was no Achievement Certificates today (too short a week) we still held a long assembly to learn some new songs and to show certificates that the children had achieved outside of school. Year 4 are visiting the Think tank in the city centre to support their new topic and Year 6 have a very familiar art expert in school going through so many different periods of art.
For myself, a Friday usually brings a wide variety of things. After teaching my maths group (starts next week) i then move on to a lot of digital work from creating the newsletter to updating the website, uploading the newsletter to both the website and twitter and then finishing off anything that I have not managed to complete. Everyday I write a list of things to complete but with the nature of schools, by the end of the day I am lucky if I have completed number 1 on the list. Being with the children, seeing what they are doing, talking and listening to them is far more rewarding.
Friday is always an interesting day in school, we find that it is usually our quietest day, but today is different. Whilst there was no Achievement Certificates today (too short a week) we still held a long assembly to learn some new songs and to show certificates that the children had achieved outside of school. Year 4 are visiting the Think tank in the city centre to support their new topic and Year 6 have a very familiar art expert in school going through so many different periods of art.
For myself, a Friday usually brings a wide variety of things. After teaching my maths group (starts next week) i then move on to a lot of digital work from creating the newsletter to updating the website, uploading the newsletter to both the website and twitter and then finishing off anything that I have not managed to complete. Everyday I write a list of things to complete but with the nature of schools, by the end of the day I am lucky if I have completed number 1 on the list. Being with the children, seeing what they are doing, talking and listening to them is far more rewarding.
A series of images from our school this week, covering a large variety of events and activities.
This weeks newsletter from Lyndon Green Junior School.
So we are coming to the end of another week at LGJS, been an amazing week of events, fun and engagement. I never cease to be amazed at the dynamism of what we can create together. When we often tweet (which we do) we use the hashtag inspireageneration. Weeks like this really do feel as though we do. Have a fabulous weekend. Shall we do it all again next week? Such fun!
So we are coming to the end of another week at LGJS, been an amazing week of events, fun and engagement. I never cease to be amazed at the dynamism of what we can create together. When we often tweet (which we do) we use the hashtag inspireageneration. Weeks like this really do feel as though we do. Have a fabulous weekend. Shall we do it all again next week? Such fun!
Monday 14.1.13 Who ordered the white stuff?
What a lovely surprise it was to wake up to a blanket of snow across the road, whilst my own two children were jumping for joy at ridiculous o'clock, my thoughts turned to the day ahead and questions, questions. Firstly was their a blanket closure? Don't be silly I thought, the LA got their fingers burnt a few years ago on that one. Will our heating be ok? Of course its like the jungle continuously in our school. Will staff be able to make it? If I can I'm sure they can and I think by now they know that I will always try and keep the school open no matter how much snow there is. Not always liked, but hey if we can keep our service going for parents then open it will be. School opened earlier and we had to practically drag our Lyndon Greeners through the doors as they were having so much fun, but most were happy to come in and feel the warmth. normal conversation were held about good weekends etc. as well as my usual ribbing of the local villa fans. I must stop that, but i do have so much fun.
So what did the day bring that was impacted by the snow? Nothing. Forest School continued, and so it should, who as a child wouldn't want to spend time outside in the snow? I'm in. The rest of the school was a buzz with productivity.
Today also saw the return of my Numeracy group, with trepidation I attempted to review the learning that has taken place before. Wonders of wonder they were more than happy to take on the challenge and like the phoenix from the flames the Numeracy group was reborn.
So what will happen tomorrow if the snow come again? I think we all know the answer to this question. Nothing will change. So place your orders of the white stuff, however much you like because whatever is thrown at us we will take on the chin and continue as normal.
Don't forget to check out todays events on our twitter feed @Lyndongreen1
What a lovely surprise it was to wake up to a blanket of snow across the road, whilst my own two children were jumping for joy at ridiculous o'clock, my thoughts turned to the day ahead and questions, questions. Firstly was their a blanket closure? Don't be silly I thought, the LA got their fingers burnt a few years ago on that one. Will our heating be ok? Of course its like the jungle continuously in our school. Will staff be able to make it? If I can I'm sure they can and I think by now they know that I will always try and keep the school open no matter how much snow there is. Not always liked, but hey if we can keep our service going for parents then open it will be. School opened earlier and we had to practically drag our Lyndon Greeners through the doors as they were having so much fun, but most were happy to come in and feel the warmth. normal conversation were held about good weekends etc. as well as my usual ribbing of the local villa fans. I must stop that, but i do have so much fun.
So what did the day bring that was impacted by the snow? Nothing. Forest School continued, and so it should, who as a child wouldn't want to spend time outside in the snow? I'm in. The rest of the school was a buzz with productivity.
Today also saw the return of my Numeracy group, with trepidation I attempted to review the learning that has taken place before. Wonders of wonder they were more than happy to take on the challenge and like the phoenix from the flames the Numeracy group was reborn.
So what will happen tomorrow if the snow come again? I think we all know the answer to this question. Nothing will change. So place your orders of the white stuff, however much you like because whatever is thrown at us we will take on the chin and continue as normal.
Don't forget to check out todays events on our twitter feed @Lyndongreen1
I never cease to be amazed
Wednesday 16.1.13
I often read other blogs on the internet and wonder what they always have to write about every night, but then working at Lyndon Green, it isn't difficult to find something. Our twitter timeline is always full of exciting images and information and generally we have good coverage across the school of tweeters, if every class tweeted then i think we would break twitter. So what to tell you about Tuesday!!! As usual we have performed brilliantly at football again (see the images below this post). I am always proud of anyone that represents the school at an event .(last year 180 pupils out of 370 represented us in someway, from sporting to academic activities to singing) Once again I will have to hide when I attend meetings with other schools. I can categorically state that we do not feed the children additional supplements or overtrain them. Our children are naturally gifted and that is what never ceases to amaze me. Bravo.
So onto today, I have only been in school this morning for a maximum of an hour, enough to welcome the children into school and to answer a few emails. My day was filled with interviewing at Newman College for the future of my beloved profession. Mrs. Pitt and I gave up our time to help choose candidates we feel were suited to the profession. Always interesting to see the standard and a good opportunity to identify talent early. Today, I was asked by a candidate, What do you want your teachers of the future to be like? Easy question, I want them to engage children, to talk to them, to find out their interests. The reason I chose this is simple, because I believe that if you have made that connection then the teaching part is easy. You have a child, that you can Inspire, Motivate and mould into a learner for life. Yes teaching isn't easy, (contrary to popular belief, we don't finish at 3.30 and then do nothing, if you believe that then I'm more than happy to have a discussion with anybody or I would direct you to the comedian Rod Gilbert and his TV prog he did recently, where he has said that he could give up comedy to become a teacher). You have got to want to teach, to inspire and the rewards are amazing, just think six weeks off (I jest).... the look and the rewards you get when you see children lost in learning and you can stand back and say....I DID THAT.
If you also saw a tweet I posted the other night about the SMT (management team) that were holding a pre meeting, meeting at 10 pm from our own houses using an app called linoit, then believe me it happened and was actually quite exciting. "SAD" I hear you cry, you know what I agree, but I can hold my hand to my chest and proclaim out loud I GERRARD ROTHWELL AM SAD,GEEKY BUT THIS IS MY PROFESSION AND I LOVE IT.
You never know if anyone is reading these blogs, partially because I haven't added a comments box, but if you do read give us a tweet on twitter @Lyndongreen1 I will give you a retweet, and you know what? It'll make my sad, geeky day.
Below are some images from our twitter site.
I often read other blogs on the internet and wonder what they always have to write about every night, but then working at Lyndon Green, it isn't difficult to find something. Our twitter timeline is always full of exciting images and information and generally we have good coverage across the school of tweeters, if every class tweeted then i think we would break twitter. So what to tell you about Tuesday!!! As usual we have performed brilliantly at football again (see the images below this post). I am always proud of anyone that represents the school at an event .(last year 180 pupils out of 370 represented us in someway, from sporting to academic activities to singing) Once again I will have to hide when I attend meetings with other schools. I can categorically state that we do not feed the children additional supplements or overtrain them. Our children are naturally gifted and that is what never ceases to amaze me. Bravo.
So onto today, I have only been in school this morning for a maximum of an hour, enough to welcome the children into school and to answer a few emails. My day was filled with interviewing at Newman College for the future of my beloved profession. Mrs. Pitt and I gave up our time to help choose candidates we feel were suited to the profession. Always interesting to see the standard and a good opportunity to identify talent early. Today, I was asked by a candidate, What do you want your teachers of the future to be like? Easy question, I want them to engage children, to talk to them, to find out their interests. The reason I chose this is simple, because I believe that if you have made that connection then the teaching part is easy. You have a child, that you can Inspire, Motivate and mould into a learner for life. Yes teaching isn't easy, (contrary to popular belief, we don't finish at 3.30 and then do nothing, if you believe that then I'm more than happy to have a discussion with anybody or I would direct you to the comedian Rod Gilbert and his TV prog he did recently, where he has said that he could give up comedy to become a teacher). You have got to want to teach, to inspire and the rewards are amazing, just think six weeks off (I jest).... the look and the rewards you get when you see children lost in learning and you can stand back and say....I DID THAT.
If you also saw a tweet I posted the other night about the SMT (management team) that were holding a pre meeting, meeting at 10 pm from our own houses using an app called linoit, then believe me it happened and was actually quite exciting. "SAD" I hear you cry, you know what I agree, but I can hold my hand to my chest and proclaim out loud I GERRARD ROTHWELL AM SAD,GEEKY BUT THIS IS MY PROFESSION AND I LOVE IT.
You never know if anyone is reading these blogs, partially because I haven't added a comments box, but if you do read give us a tweet on twitter @Lyndongreen1 I will give you a retweet, and you know what? It'll make my sad, geeky day.
Below are some images from our twitter site.
Going to Defcon 1.
Thursday 17.1.13
I love schools and how the panic sets in when the white stuff appears from the sky. I sometimes wonder what happens in countries where they have long winter days, where the sun never shines throughout the day and where a couple of snowflakes is like Summer. No Im not describing Scotland (sorry Mrs. P, actually I'm not) but those countries in the far extremes of the Northern hemisphere, do they close, do they panic. I don't think they do.
Sadly, due to the impending Biblical deluge of snow we are expecting I have had to postpone a trip for our Year 3's because of the Health and Safety risk of them being so far away from school and not due to the fact that they are going to Dudley.
So my day started with a blast, a fabulous hour with my Maths group. Can they add when confronted with decimals? It's only a decimal point, but my goodness does it send them into raptures. The angst and bewilderment seen in their faces by something so small as a decimal point. Now I'm not putting them down, because I am so proud of what they can do and they can add to the nth degree, but wowzers. Did we get there? Course we did! Ye of little faith. Well done James, he managed the hardest of the hardest concoction of a pair of numbers that i could think of, where the numbers were of different lengths, addition went over ten, and out of eight children, the only one to manage it. We decorated him in seven shiny foiled Lyndon Green stickers. Such a grin on his face, and mine!
So the rest of the day was spent following the weather, planning for next week, mulling over swimming dilemmas and following the weather again. I'm the type of person that will wait and see what it brings. I'm sure we all remember the infamous footage of Micheal Fish saying that gales weren't expected, but lo and behold (did i really type that) the next day the strongest winds ever recorded hit parts of the country. So i will wake up tomorrow see what is happening and then panic. (really???????? No)
The children were still engaged in their topics, we had a huge variety of activities going on and the slideshow below demonstrates quite a number of our lessons that were taking place over the day. Our twitter feed shows even more events from today. Think that maybe enough of me for one day. I have investigated the retweet of the link on twitter but because we protect our twitter site and so we should it cannot be done. I will mess with this page and hopefully incorporate a comments box somehow. Have a great evening everyone and I hope I will see you all tomorrow. Now to hide from anyone with roots in Scotland and Dudley!
Sadly, due to the impending Biblical deluge of snow we are expecting I have had to postpone a trip for our Year 3's because of the Health and Safety risk of them being so far away from school and not due to the fact that they are going to Dudley.
So my day started with a blast, a fabulous hour with my Maths group. Can they add when confronted with decimals? It's only a decimal point, but my goodness does it send them into raptures. The angst and bewilderment seen in their faces by something so small as a decimal point. Now I'm not putting them down, because I am so proud of what they can do and they can add to the nth degree, but wowzers. Did we get there? Course we did! Ye of little faith. Well done James, he managed the hardest of the hardest concoction of a pair of numbers that i could think of, where the numbers were of different lengths, addition went over ten, and out of eight children, the only one to manage it. We decorated him in seven shiny foiled Lyndon Green stickers. Such a grin on his face, and mine!
So the rest of the day was spent following the weather, planning for next week, mulling over swimming dilemmas and following the weather again. I'm the type of person that will wait and see what it brings. I'm sure we all remember the infamous footage of Micheal Fish saying that gales weren't expected, but lo and behold (did i really type that) the next day the strongest winds ever recorded hit parts of the country. So i will wake up tomorrow see what is happening and then panic. (really???????? No)
The children were still engaged in their topics, we had a huge variety of activities going on and the slideshow below demonstrates quite a number of our lessons that were taking place over the day. Our twitter feed shows even more events from today. Think that maybe enough of me for one day. I have investigated the retweet of the link on twitter but because we protect our twitter site and so we should it cannot be done. I will mess with this page and hopefully incorporate a comments box somehow. Have a great evening everyone and I hope I will see you all tomorrow. Now to hide from anyone with roots in Scotland and Dudley!
It's snow joke really - 18.1.13
My blog today goes like this.
It snowed
We opened (hear mixed reactions)
We closed. (hear mixed reactions)
That's it really.
Actually it is not. We had a fabulous attendance today. When I woke up this morning the snow was nowhere near the biblical standards that had been predicted, it was a little pathetic. So we opened and the reasons:
1. It was not a risk
2. We want to help support those parents that work (most of our parents do)
3. We love educating the children
The decision to close was then made because the knock on of one school closing is huge.
Contrary to popular belief, it is schools like ours that endeavour to open that are hit by attendance. Decisions to open are not because of attendance it is because they want to. Our attendance figures for today are included whereas those that are closed are not counted.
So i appreciate everyones patience today, but I am sure that i heard a saying once, 'You cannot please everyone all of the time.' Or something like that. Simply put, I tried. Lots of things still happened today, we saw some amazing role models throughout our attendance certificates and lessons where my heart was being eaten. I know the children wanted to play in the snow but lots wanted to stay to carry on with their learning.
So I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, take a break, enjoy the snow and I hope we can do it all again on Monday.
Thankyou to those people who read the previous posts and commented. Whilst you cannot see the comments I can, I appreciate the feedback. It helps to continue to create our 'sic' school as one tweeter tweeted. If you would like to leave a comment again please feel free. only a couple of pics tonight.
It snowed
We opened (hear mixed reactions)
We closed. (hear mixed reactions)
That's it really.
Actually it is not. We had a fabulous attendance today. When I woke up this morning the snow was nowhere near the biblical standards that had been predicted, it was a little pathetic. So we opened and the reasons:
1. It was not a risk
2. We want to help support those parents that work (most of our parents do)
3. We love educating the children
The decision to close was then made because the knock on of one school closing is huge.
Contrary to popular belief, it is schools like ours that endeavour to open that are hit by attendance. Decisions to open are not because of attendance it is because they want to. Our attendance figures for today are included whereas those that are closed are not counted.
So i appreciate everyones patience today, but I am sure that i heard a saying once, 'You cannot please everyone all of the time.' Or something like that. Simply put, I tried. Lots of things still happened today, we saw some amazing role models throughout our attendance certificates and lessons where my heart was being eaten. I know the children wanted to play in the snow but lots wanted to stay to carry on with their learning.
So I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, take a break, enjoy the snow and I hope we can do it all again on Monday.
Thankyou to those people who read the previous posts and commented. Whilst you cannot see the comments I can, I appreciate the feedback. It helps to continue to create our 'sic' school as one tweeter tweeted. If you would like to leave a comment again please feel free. only a couple of pics tonight.
Who needs the Gym? (Be careful!!!) 22.1.13
So we are back in again, brilliant. Nothing worse than a school without children. It is like a football stadium without supporters. (Villa and Blues fans will know about that)
I found closing the school one of the hardest decisions to make. It goes against everything I stand for, as my main focus is to educate. The safety of the children is paramount to the decision. Yesterday was an impossible task, the main roads and side roads were not as accessible as today, and whilst seeing a gritter on these side roads is about as common as seeing flying pigs, that is the reason I closed. I couldn't risk it. We also have to account for the fact that we are two separate schools and the knock on of one school being open and one closed would be far too much.
So here we are, morning workout complete, shifting snow with Mrs. Harris is always great fun but if it enables the children to get in, then so be it. Forget paying for expensive Gym fees grab a broom and shift some snow and ice. Rumours of Mr. Sheehan getting stuck down the hill are true, but some people will drive cars not designed for the snow. Thankyou to the parents that helped carry his boxes from the car all the way up the hill.
So back to the learning, loads happening as usual and our twitter timeline is full of the learning that has taken place today.
Sadly, no Maths group for me today as I had to leave school at 9:30 to get to Edgbaston for a HT meeting. Back in school again for 12.30, quick catch up with Mrs. Pitt and then full catch up for myself.
Our Twitter site over the weekend proved invaluable, as it enabled us to keep you all up to date as well as trying to answer as many questions that you have. Apologies if I didn't reply to a question that you sent but I get told off for being glued to my phone which brings twitter and email updates immediately. Mrs. R gets frustrated, but I love it so keep going.
Thankyou for the comments about this blog, I try to keep it as human as possible and it is a different angle into the life of the school and one which I hope you enjoy reading. I don't really get the chance normally to do things like this and I believe that if I ask the children to do a task like this then I should be prepared to give it a whirl myself.
So please feel free to leave me some comments, it is lovely to read them and long may the good work continue. I have included a number of different pictures from around school today taken off the twitter site, these include some great Art work, excellent Science work and beautiful images of the school in the snow.
I found closing the school one of the hardest decisions to make. It goes against everything I stand for, as my main focus is to educate. The safety of the children is paramount to the decision. Yesterday was an impossible task, the main roads and side roads were not as accessible as today, and whilst seeing a gritter on these side roads is about as common as seeing flying pigs, that is the reason I closed. I couldn't risk it. We also have to account for the fact that we are two separate schools and the knock on of one school being open and one closed would be far too much.
So here we are, morning workout complete, shifting snow with Mrs. Harris is always great fun but if it enables the children to get in, then so be it. Forget paying for expensive Gym fees grab a broom and shift some snow and ice. Rumours of Mr. Sheehan getting stuck down the hill are true, but some people will drive cars not designed for the snow. Thankyou to the parents that helped carry his boxes from the car all the way up the hill.
So back to the learning, loads happening as usual and our twitter timeline is full of the learning that has taken place today.
Sadly, no Maths group for me today as I had to leave school at 9:30 to get to Edgbaston for a HT meeting. Back in school again for 12.30, quick catch up with Mrs. Pitt and then full catch up for myself.
Our Twitter site over the weekend proved invaluable, as it enabled us to keep you all up to date as well as trying to answer as many questions that you have. Apologies if I didn't reply to a question that you sent but I get told off for being glued to my phone which brings twitter and email updates immediately. Mrs. R gets frustrated, but I love it so keep going.
Thankyou for the comments about this blog, I try to keep it as human as possible and it is a different angle into the life of the school and one which I hope you enjoy reading. I don't really get the chance normally to do things like this and I believe that if I ask the children to do a task like this then I should be prepared to give it a whirl myself.
So please feel free to leave me some comments, it is lovely to read them and long may the good work continue. I have included a number of different pictures from around school today taken off the twitter site, these include some great Art work, excellent Science work and beautiful images of the school in the snow.
Sense and Sensibility! 23.1.13
So after more snow fall over night and waking up early. Another day dawns and we await to see what Wednesday brings. I've mentioned before that I write a list of things to complete during the day and hope to achieve them, but with 370 children, over 30 staff, a building, boilers, parents, emails, tweets and snow, I find that I am lucky to get to number one. Today feels like one of those days that I really do not like. It is a day where everything that you do takes you away from our original role of teaching. Paperwork, phone calls, enquiries and Oh yes trying to see children. I make it my main goal of the day to spend as much time with the children as I can and that is why when my Numeracy group achieve what they achieve, it is definitely worth a Hallelujah and thank god for children. (Paperwork can wait) One of the biggest decisions that I have ever had to make was to leave the classroom and move into management. I really miss the classroom and building relationships with children, that is why i still like to be with the children as much as possible. Anyway I ramble.......
Mrs Pitt and I saw the twinkle of the snow on the playground as we opened the doors to be welcomed by the usual rush of children. It does makes the school feel right and wanted as we see them eager to come in. There are rumours that I was seen throwing snowballs at the aforementioned Mrs. Pitt, but as any manager would do, I had to test the quality of the snow and whether as I move into old age, my aim was still true. I can confirm that the snow was of good quality and I've still got it. You don't lose it really. I believe that to work in schools you have to be on the level of the children, sorry this morning I was being childish, the twinkle was still there.
Right back to being an adult. Numeracy, hurrah! They got it, they joined the dots and fulfilled everything. I will not despair again and I will have complete faith in the children that they can achieve anything, well at least until we hit the next new concept. They do not always find things easy, we take small steps, laugh at ourselves when we make mistakes and celebrate all our successes even if they are little. Yes it is me that usually makes the mistakes and me the children laugh at. What does it matter as long as they are learning, having fun and making progress. In our little group we don't mind if we make mistakes, what is more important is realising it and understanding it and then correcting it. That empowerment to have confidence to try knowing that mistakes are ok is the key to learning. How many of us have never ever made a mistake?
Sadly the children have to leave and return to their classes and that is when the dreaded paperwork kicks in and the answering of emails, I know it is important but...........
Its is amazing the impact of our new curriculum, the engagement and enquiry of the pupils has been immense. I am sorry if you are eating this evening but I am so glad that I managed to miss out on the pooh lesson, as you will see in the pictures below, but I think it is important and the knowledge that has come from these lessons has been undeniably memorable. We say we want to create memories that live long in the memory, how many will forget the pooh lessons in Year 4. (I guess not many will forget it looking at their faces) The afternoons are always paperwork, meetings and enquiries, suppose the things that no one wants to really do. Checking on finances, liaising with Mrs. Pitt and then preparing for after school meetings are all part of the day to day existence.
Oh in true social media style. I had a turkey baguette for lunch that had been basted to perfection. I know the boring side of social media! So my dilemma at the moment is, whether to separate myself from the school twitter account, it will allow me to comment more easily on the school twitter account as well as promote the different blogs from around the school. Some fab work on twitter today, I love to see children being inspired by technology and Class 4D are taking up the mantle of new bloggers. The Shakespeare book from Class 6C should be seen by the world, it is that good. So onwards and upwards, finishing this blog for tonight at around 8:45 then onto work preparing and researching. All in a day for me!
So just a couple of plugs then
http://lgjsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/shakespeare.html
http://lgjs4d.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/welcome-to-class-4d.html
Mrs Pitt and I saw the twinkle of the snow on the playground as we opened the doors to be welcomed by the usual rush of children. It does makes the school feel right and wanted as we see them eager to come in. There are rumours that I was seen throwing snowballs at the aforementioned Mrs. Pitt, but as any manager would do, I had to test the quality of the snow and whether as I move into old age, my aim was still true. I can confirm that the snow was of good quality and I've still got it. You don't lose it really. I believe that to work in schools you have to be on the level of the children, sorry this morning I was being childish, the twinkle was still there.
Right back to being an adult. Numeracy, hurrah! They got it, they joined the dots and fulfilled everything. I will not despair again and I will have complete faith in the children that they can achieve anything, well at least until we hit the next new concept. They do not always find things easy, we take small steps, laugh at ourselves when we make mistakes and celebrate all our successes even if they are little. Yes it is me that usually makes the mistakes and me the children laugh at. What does it matter as long as they are learning, having fun and making progress. In our little group we don't mind if we make mistakes, what is more important is realising it and understanding it and then correcting it. That empowerment to have confidence to try knowing that mistakes are ok is the key to learning. How many of us have never ever made a mistake?
Sadly the children have to leave and return to their classes and that is when the dreaded paperwork kicks in and the answering of emails, I know it is important but...........
Its is amazing the impact of our new curriculum, the engagement and enquiry of the pupils has been immense. I am sorry if you are eating this evening but I am so glad that I managed to miss out on the pooh lesson, as you will see in the pictures below, but I think it is important and the knowledge that has come from these lessons has been undeniably memorable. We say we want to create memories that live long in the memory, how many will forget the pooh lessons in Year 4. (I guess not many will forget it looking at their faces) The afternoons are always paperwork, meetings and enquiries, suppose the things that no one wants to really do. Checking on finances, liaising with Mrs. Pitt and then preparing for after school meetings are all part of the day to day existence.
Oh in true social media style. I had a turkey baguette for lunch that had been basted to perfection. I know the boring side of social media! So my dilemma at the moment is, whether to separate myself from the school twitter account, it will allow me to comment more easily on the school twitter account as well as promote the different blogs from around the school. Some fab work on twitter today, I love to see children being inspired by technology and Class 4D are taking up the mantle of new bloggers. The Shakespeare book from Class 6C should be seen by the world, it is that good. So onwards and upwards, finishing this blog for tonight at around 8:45 then onto work preparing and researching. All in a day for me!
So just a couple of plugs then
http://lgjsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/shakespeare.html
http://lgjs4d.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/welcome-to-class-4d.html
Is it wrong to eat pooh? 24.1.13
The answer is YES! Before you all panic and complain, it was not real and I do not encourage it.
What a depressing morning, I wasn't in school, I was at a Local Consortium HT meeting. I usually enjoy these meetings as it is a great support network and usually informative. The downside is that we all know the state the Local Authority is in and support from it is minimal due to budget restraints.
That is it no more negativity for this evenings blog, that is four hours of my life I will not get back. So after receiving an order for McDonalds from staff, I will not name names and I will also add I had nothing, I returned to school. I will now add that what comes next is not for the queazy amongst you. I had a date with destiny. Summoned to class 4S to join in with their Blood, Bones and Gory bits topic. I should have known what was coming because I had a seat reserved and the children were so excited. Statements like, 'he is going to eat it,' could be heard echoing around the classroom. What comes next makes me feel very proud.(not the eating bit) I was treated to an explanation of how the digestive system works. I thought I was in secondary school! The terminology was amazing and the knowledge, outstanding. However, accompanying the explanation text was a demonstration.
Simplified version now
So food enters the body, in this case Weetabix and sweetcorn. It mixes with stomach acid, Coke. It all mixes up as it goes through the intestines to finally being released out of the body. Now at this point I should have exited, but no, another class appears at the door. I now know how the Christians felt being hunted by lions. They knew what was coming next, how could I turn down the taunts.......YES I TASTED IT. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I HEAR YOU CRY, FOOLISH MAN.
So after a hasty retreat to the safety of my office and much rinsing later, I thought I had escaped the digestive system for today.Nope, more children appear from Class 4D to see if i want to see their dance. Yes, Course. Wait for it. The digestive system dance. NOW BOYS DO NOT USUALLY DO THIS. They do now, it was brilliant, so enthusiastic and so thoroughly brilliant.
So much fun. Down to more work, doing the weekly diary for staff with Mrs P and Mis O'Connor. Then seeing some amazing Art work from children in Year 6 from their Art Gallery topic. Nicole and Jarrod produced the best Art I have ever seen.
So that was my day over.....Nope still time to answer queries from the Learning Platform and Twitter whilst taking my own children swimming. I didn't miss my youngest do a spectacular jump into the swimming pool.
So to end, I don't think i will ever have an experience like today ever again. I will remember it forever and like learning that is our goal to create memories and I cannot ever see the children forgetting the day their HT ate pooh.
Lots of pictures from today around school, enjoy as tomorrow is a new day.
What a depressing morning, I wasn't in school, I was at a Local Consortium HT meeting. I usually enjoy these meetings as it is a great support network and usually informative. The downside is that we all know the state the Local Authority is in and support from it is minimal due to budget restraints.
That is it no more negativity for this evenings blog, that is four hours of my life I will not get back. So after receiving an order for McDonalds from staff, I will not name names and I will also add I had nothing, I returned to school. I will now add that what comes next is not for the queazy amongst you. I had a date with destiny. Summoned to class 4S to join in with their Blood, Bones and Gory bits topic. I should have known what was coming because I had a seat reserved and the children were so excited. Statements like, 'he is going to eat it,' could be heard echoing around the classroom. What comes next makes me feel very proud.(not the eating bit) I was treated to an explanation of how the digestive system works. I thought I was in secondary school! The terminology was amazing and the knowledge, outstanding. However, accompanying the explanation text was a demonstration.
Simplified version now
So food enters the body, in this case Weetabix and sweetcorn. It mixes with stomach acid, Coke. It all mixes up as it goes through the intestines to finally being released out of the body. Now at this point I should have exited, but no, another class appears at the door. I now know how the Christians felt being hunted by lions. They knew what was coming next, how could I turn down the taunts.......YES I TASTED IT. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I HEAR YOU CRY, FOOLISH MAN.
So after a hasty retreat to the safety of my office and much rinsing later, I thought I had escaped the digestive system for today.Nope, more children appear from Class 4D to see if i want to see their dance. Yes, Course. Wait for it. The digestive system dance. NOW BOYS DO NOT USUALLY DO THIS. They do now, it was brilliant, so enthusiastic and so thoroughly brilliant.
So much fun. Down to more work, doing the weekly diary for staff with Mrs P and Mis O'Connor. Then seeing some amazing Art work from children in Year 6 from their Art Gallery topic. Nicole and Jarrod produced the best Art I have ever seen.
So that was my day over.....Nope still time to answer queries from the Learning Platform and Twitter whilst taking my own children swimming. I didn't miss my youngest do a spectacular jump into the swimming pool.
So to end, I don't think i will ever have an experience like today ever again. I will remember it forever and like learning that is our goal to create memories and I cannot ever see the children forgetting the day their HT ate pooh.
Lots of pictures from today around school, enjoy as tomorrow is a new day.