The Courier

Dear Parents

 

It has been a busy, busy last week of the half term, with lots going on in school to send us off on our week’s break with a real buzz of excitement. We finished things off in style today with our Relay Challenge, with all of the children getting involved and learning how to operate a wheelchair. We will, of course bring you news of our final fundraising total when we have it but it is safe to say that we have all had our own personal awareness raised thanks to being involved on the day and hearing all about it in our assembly last week.

All through the week it has been great to see so many parents on site supporting our maths lessons, as well as dropping into the early sessions in the ICT suite. A few parents were concerned their arithmetic skills might have been a bit rusty going into the session but hopefully everyone involved gained useful insights into how maths is taught here at Crescent. This sharing process, in turn, enables parents to support their children more effectively at home.

Similarly, it was useful for us to share the accelerated reading quizzes with parents and give you an insight into the level of understanding that they require. As a number of you noted, they aren’t easy; unless the child genuinely understands the text in question, and at the same time is being challenged, they won’t be able to score well in the quiz. By keeping a close track on how the children score, staff are able to make sure that all the children are reading books at the right level, not simply for show but to enhance enjoyment and ensure genuine progress. Comprehension exercises of different styles of course form an increasingly important component of secondary school entrance exams, so the training they receive here will come in very handy indeed.

I was delighted to see so many children taking part in their LAMDA exams this week as well. We are very fortunate to have such an inspiring drama teacher in Ms Thompson, and the fact that this programme is run for all pupils from Year 3 to 6 during normal lesson time is a real bonus for our children. I look forward to recognising their achievements in a Good News assembly next half term.

On a personal note, I am planning to get away this half term with my family for a few days R and R in a cottage on Dartmoor. My son James is even coming down for the weekend from his university. I have told the children that phones and e-devices will be left in the car and that everyone has to bring a couple of books to read. I don’t know how easy it will prove to enforce the rule but at least the principle is there. The weather forecast isn’t great, so it will be waterproofs all round, walking boots on and off to explore the moors and tors with the aid of map and compass.

 

Yes, sunny Tenerife might have it’s attractions but not so much of the romance, at least in my imagination. I know I have some work to do to persuade my daughter of this notion but the important thing is to spend real quality family time together and enjoy a complete change of focus.

I wish you all a relaxing break, if you are able to get one.