A Friday Night Round Up from Mr Schumm
Good afternoon,
A rather damp Friday to end the week but what a busy week! It was great to show parents from Year 1 and Reception around the school, as they had missed out previously due to COVID. The Reception parents got to see their children in action with their Year 6 buddies who were spending break time with them and then into the classrooms to read together.
Today was Stars of the Week assembly and the stars, citizens and housepoints are all on the website https://www.ststephensce.lbhf.sch.uk/our-school/stars-of-the-week/ and we love a like on Twitter @StStephensLBHF
On Monday, our advisor, Mark Newton from the London Diocesan Board for Schools, visited our school to meet with the teachers and discuss their curriculum areas. Mark was impressed with the teacher’s knowledge and understanding of their curriculum areas and the goals we are trying achieve in making our curriculum a rich and a diverse experience for our children. As you may be aware, ‘Outstanding’ schools are to be inspected under the new Ofsted framework. We will obviously do all that is humanly possible to retain our current grading but I think it is worth mentioning that under the new framework only 1% of schools will retain their outstanding grade. But can they Tik Tok during a pandemic? – https://youtube.com/shorts/67YfmCQs3N4?feature=share
New Parent Governor
A very warm welcome to Rain our new parent governor. We were extremely lucky to have 6 amazing candidates and it was a very close call but Rain won the ballot. I would like to thank all of our candidates who put themselves forward for the role (what superb credentials) – it takes courage to stick your head above the parapet! But you did it!
A Gane Extravaganza
Mr Gane’s Year 6 class delighted us with our first class assembly for a very long time. They were superb as they took us on a roller coaster ride to learn all about the Greek gods and goddesses. Singing, dancing and perfect acting were the order of the day! Superb!
Nut and Seed Free School
Please note we are a ‘nut and seed free’ school. It is essential that any snacks or food in a packed lunch or in snacks brought for the end of day pick up do not contain any nuts or seeds as we have a number of children with severe allergies.
Black Voices Week
This year, in our celebration of Black Voices week, we are focusing on scientists, engineers and inventors from around the world. Every class will be focusing on an inspirational figure and many will be able to interact with their person via zoom to ask questions and hear about their life’s work. Some of the inspirational figures include Donald Palmer (renowned immunologist who has been working tirelessly on the Covid Crisis!), Mae Jemison (astronaught), Zara Hadid (architect) and Sanjeev Gupta (Geologist). All the classes will share their learning in a short film and an assembly to celebrate the work of these amazing people. Look out on our website to view what the children have been up to. Look out also next week for a letter from Mrs Wordsworth and Miss Kelly with more information on the week beginning 18th October.
Some parents and carers may wonder why we are not following a more traditional Black History Month curriculum. The reason we do not is that we firmly believe that the history of all peoples should be learnt throughout the year rather than tokenistically in October. Part of the central learning in every history topic at St Stephen’s is about the perspective, experience and achievements of non-white individuals and/or cultures. These are explicitly given on every knowledge page that is used to start the unit. Our Art curriculum was recently re-planned to ensure that non-white artists and their work are studied regularly throughout the year and we are in the process of linking inspirational figures in the sciences and their work to all our Science topics. In addition to the studies in History, RHE lessons and assemblies also cover the struggles and achievements of those who have valiantly fought for civil rights and equality both today and in the past.
Watch out for a sports update from Clare and Alastair – we’ve been winning again!
Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Schumm
