Yesterday saw all the Junior classes participating in the Entry Point for their final IMYC Units of the year. The unit for Year 9 is centred on Leadership, with the Big Idea’ being ‘For better or worse, one or more people can use influence so that others aid and support them’. Year 8 will be looking at Communication, with their Big Idea being ‘When information is shared accurately and clearly, the end result is more effective’. Collaboration will be the guiding theme for Year 7, examining the concept that ‘When people work together, they can achieve a common goal’.

Making the most of the fact that spring has arrived, the entry point for all the year groups took place outside of the classroom. We all travelled to Montreux and the day was spent undertaking a series of tasks involving inquiry and observation, based on the guiding theme for each class. All three groups took part in a quiz and a photo challenge. Year 9 students were required to show their own leadership and organisational skills, finding their own way to Montreux using public transport before beginning their tasks. Though they were shadowed by two teachers, the responsibility for their journey was very much their own. They came through the challenge well and it was obvious that they enjoyed the personal accountability involved in such tasks. Once in Montreux, their main task centred on how this beautiful town has established its leadership in the tourist industry, establishing a worldwide reputation. They were examining what the town’s leaders and entrepreneurs have done to ensure the continuing success of Montreux, making the most of its natural advantages?

Years 7 and 8 were required to search for and record evidence of Collaboration and Communication in a real world, ‘live’ setting. The Entry Point is designed to get the students thinking about their Big Idea. Providing them with the opportunity to do this by way of their own observation and inquiry outside the confines of the classroom gives the whole learning experience much more impact. Not only did a lot of learning take place but at the same time the whole group had a very enjoyable day!

WELCOME BACK - we hope that everyone had a lovely Easter break!

Thinking of others! Our students demonstrate thoughtful actions everyday but we were especially proud of Eliza who decided to cut off 21 cm of her beautiful hair during the holidays to donate to The Little Princess Trust. The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young adults who have sadly lost their own hair due to cancer treatment and other illnesses. Eliza explained she wanted to do it to help others, and she felt great knowing her actions would have a positive impact on someone else. Well done Eliza, we are proud of you!

The IMYC units for Term 3  

We are now moving towards the end of the current IMYC units and preparation is under way for the entry points for the final units next term. We are planning a whole-day activity to launch the three new ‘Big Ideas’. If we look at these themes and relate them to what is going on in today’s world, it is clear to see their relevance in our everyday lives. The Big Ideas for the summer term are as follows:

Year 7: Collaboration

‘When people work together, they can achieve a common goal’.

Year 8: Communication

‘When information is shared accurately and clearly, the end result is more effective’

Year 9: Leadership

‘For better or worse, one or more people can use influence so that others aid and support them’.

Cubs and Minis will be experiencing some fantastic new units in Term 3

Reception will be doing a unit called Sand and Water where they will finding out where water comes from and what creatures live in the water. They will also be doing a unit called Treasure, all about pirates and precious stones.

Year 1 and 2 will be learning all about the circus including what the circus was like in the past and how they have changed.

Year 3 and 4 will be learning all about chocolate including where and how it is grown and how it is changed into an edible treat!

Year 5 will be learning about refugees and the history of migration in their unit called Moving People.

Year 6 will be doing a new unit called Climate Control, where they will be looking at how the planet is affected by climate change and how we use and make energy.

Please support your child`s learning over the holidays by talking to them about these topics so they will be ready for their units when they return!

All of the Cubs and Minis were asked to write a story in response to listening to a piece of adventure music. They had to complete this piece of writing independently and each child`s wiring was marked using the Ros Wilson criteria during a moderation meeting.

Reception

Year 6

As the term draws to a close, we have been finalising the individual totals for the epraise points for the winter term. In the Junior classes, only two students did not reach the 20 points required for a Bronze Award. We are hoping that all the Junior students will be awarded at least the Bronze certificate next term. Sixteen Juniors reached the Silver milestone and Yaroslav, with 59 points, was only one point away from the Gold Award! We know what he is aiming for next term!

Congratulations to our top epraise winners in the Cubs and Minis, we have had many children receive a Gold Award this term. The epraise points are linked to the IPC & IMYC Personal Goals – Enquiry, Thoughtfulness, Cooperation, Respect, Morality, Resilience, Communication and Adaptability. The children can also receive or lose points for homework, general behaviour, organisation and presentation.

The points will go back to zero for the start of the summer term, but the running totals are kept in hand and used to calculate the overall academic prizes at the end of the school year. These are presented at the Parents’ Day Ceremony in June.