Staff Bulletin
ISSUE 17
4th - 8th February 2020
Embedded Files
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
- RUTH MISKIN'S READ, WRITE INC. PHONICS The infant classes are going to start dipping into the RWI resources over the next few weeks. If you'd like some info on the scheme, this is what is being shared with parents: https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/ It has lots of videos which explain the scheme for those who aren't experts!
- VISITS TO OTHER SCHOOLS A number of staff have visited different schools over the past couple of weeks. We're currently in the middle of sending out lots of staff to watch Phonics lessons of Read, Write Inc. at Bowlee and Hollin. The initial visits have proven incredibly interesting and we've seen a few things that are easy to implement to improve our own practice at Parkfield. These include:
- Placing a small copy of the RWI sound mat on pupils tables (Y1 &2)
- Placing a small copy of handwriting expectations on tables (Y1&2)
- Having a photo of your author of the half term on your reading display. Every child may know that Julia Donaldson is a famous author but do they know what she looks like? (All year groups)
- Get children to write the date rather than include it on a sticker. Include the LI on the sticker but leave space above for children to write the date.
- Consistent timeline on display in each class (Simon is on this!)
- ONLINE TRAINING I'm trialing some online training for all staff. Instead of using INSET time, sending staff out of school or paying for someone to come into school I'm trying this as an alternative. All staff will be sent a link to access 'prevent' training. The training includes watching some videos, reading a little text and then answering some related questions. This will prove that our staff understand the 'prevent' agenda and keep us in line with our statutory duties. The training can be completed at any time by logging in and will take just over 20 minutes. You can pause the training at anytime and come back to it. Please work with colleagues to find time during the working day (e.g. assemblies, covering each other) to complete the training within the next month. Please let MK know if you have any issues.
- TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA1) PUPIL SUPPORT CHANGES Visits to other schools (including Newlands) and many conversations with SEND professionals in the LA have reaffirmed my belief and vision at Parkfield that our pupils with complex needs need to be supported by a number of adults throughout the week. Although there are some disadvantages, Gemma and I believe that the advantages - including promoting independence and upskilling staff will make Parkfield an even better environment for our pupils with an EHCP.
- SECRET READER We've had some interest from our friends and families. Details are being passed to teachers to organise for a secret reader to come into their class. Please place any Secret Readers onto the calendar so that the office know. Mrs Slatford can support with the arrangements if you liaise with her.
- READING DISPLAY If you haven't done so already, please put up your reading display so that children can begin to move through bronze, silver and gold. Alongside this, could you also please check that your classrooms are tidy. There are some windowsills around school collecting piles of 'stuff' and this is not acceptable.
- ADVANCE NOTICE This year's Summer Fair is going to be taking place on a Saturday. The PTA have big plans and would love the support from our staff. We would like you to make yourself available on Saturday 4th July between 12.30 - 3.30pm as we would love you to attend.
- KNOWLEDGE ORGANISERS Please get children to stick them in their books so that you can refer back to them throughout their learning.
- VALENTINES DISCO please come along on Thursday and Friday after school our lovely children would love to see you!
- THANK YOU for Friday Forum - it was very useful.
- THOUGHT OF THE WEEK Never let anyone treat you like a yellow Starburst. You are a pink Starburst.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
TEACHING AND LEARNING
- STAFF DEVELOPMENT There is a shortcut on staff desktops so you can easily review the minutes of staff meetings.
- PICTURE NEWS A reminder that I will be downloading these every Friday and put them into O:\Curriculum - Picture News (Weekly).
- CURRICULUM SITE Can be updated when you feel neccessary. https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
REMINDERS
REMINDERS
- READING REMINDERS Please start sending the free reading books home each week. A display for each class has been made. Please cut out the leaves and get laminating so that they can start to progress through the bronze/silver/gold stages. Remember to hand out the reading certificates when a stage is completed. They're saved in Reading Bookmarks folder for people to print when they want. O:\Subject - English\Reading bookmark
- MAPP is a new IEP resource that encourages independence and fluency from the children and collaborative working between staff. Please start to complete the sheets. They act as an assessment tool if they are completed at the beginning and end of a target.
- EMAILING IN NON-SCHOOL HOURS To improve a work-life balance I would like to propose that emails sent in the evenings don't have to be replied too. I am well aware that a number of staff do email in the evenings but lets agree that these don't need to be answered immediately. Unfortunately, our email system doesn't allow us to 'send later' but agreeing this means staff aren't pressured into replying to an email.
- SENSORY SNACK is an obstacle course that will take place in the hall every morning from 8.45-9.10. It is a chance for our children with sensory difficulties/hyperactivity etc to access the movement that they need in order to be best prepared for their learning. It will be led by our fabulous TA1 team. If you would like to add any children who will benefit then please speak to Mrs Whalen.
- LUNCHTIME GAMES Are taking place every lunchtime on KS1 playground in the coned off area. They will also be taking place in the KS1 shared area, where 8 children can access Lego/construction/colouring each day.
- PARKFIELD PLAY CHALLENGE! Can all staff please play a game with children when outside on the yard and tick off on the sheets when they have done so. Let's see if we can play them all!
- QUARTER TO CREW is at quarter to three each day at KS1 doors. They will be doing large movements and exercise on the KS1 playground, then listening to calming music in the Blue Room at 3.00pm.
- LOVE OF READING BOOKMARKS will be disseminated to all children soon. Let's encourage a love of reading and use our new sparkly pens to tick them off!
- THURSDAY ASSEMBLIES We'd like to change Thursday assemblies to a 'Picture News' Assembly using the materials sent earlier on in the week. We're going to change Wednesday assemblies to that week's theme. There will no longer be a hymn practice. However, there should be a song in every assembly and we'll increase the number of songs at Harvest/Christmas/Easter...etc. Any questions please speak to GW.
- INSET CONFIRMATION LGBT+ Awareness training has been booked for Tuesday 3rd March from 3.30 - 5.30pm. The training will be delivered by the 'Proud Trust'. I would like all staff to attend this training. The usual rule will apply for those members of staff with 5 or more years service being paid. If there are any issues, please let MK know.
Inclusion
- New IEPs are due out this week!
Health and Safety
- LADDERS Putting up a display? Please make sure you’re using ladders and not chairs and tables.
- Seen anything of a CONCERN? Please fill in the appropriate form in the staff room and hand in to the office as soon as possible.
Safeguarding
- Use CPOMS to record anything that is of a concern. However, if you feel it's significant and needs to be dealt with asap, please speak to Jane or Gemma.
- If you see someone in school that you don't know - without a pass - please challenge them and ask them who they are!
- Make sure you're always wearing a pass!
- Remind children that staff have a blue pass and visitors have a yellow pass.
Pupil Voice
- TURTLE COMPETITION The eco council will continue monitoring the class bins for recycling. A class each will be announced as a winner with the class in the lead at the end of the each half term will get a whole class reward.
Keep completing these online forms to feedback on courses, trips, visits and drop ins. This includes visits to other schools, collaborative groups…etc. It helps us keep an impact on any CPD that takes place.
Complete this online form to request time to for subject leadership. Marc or Gemma will respond to any requests.
- Mrs Whalen (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
- Miss Steele (Deputy DSL)
- If they're not available please see Mr Kemp.
✅ Acknowledge all work
✅ Review, review and review learning throughout a lesson. Keep referring back to LI and SC and how well they’re doing.
✅ Can’t think of something to write when feeding back?? Remember: QUESTION-ACTION-CHALLENGE
✅ Library days: Mon – 5/6, Tues – 3/4, Weds – 1/2, Thurs – R.
✅ Now Try…Explain why…are two great sentence starters (particularly for Maths) when feeding back.
✅ Plan time for pupils to respond to feedback – make sure you demonstrate this .
✅ Spellings should be: differentiated, linked to the writing genre if possible and taught using meaningful / fun activities.
✅ Please keep on top of marking - especially cross curricular which should also follow the marking policy.
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