Newsletter 23 February 2018

As usual we have hit the ground running in Pre-Prep. Actually, we have had a great deal to catch up on as the half term holiday saw many events which we like to recognise in school, such as Lent, the start of the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day so many of the classes have been busy learning about these festivals. I have also been busy doing my half termly Read Write Inc assessment. This is when I hear every child in the Pre-Prep read and test them for their knowledge of phonics and I have to say that the children have all done brilliantly. Nearly every single child has gone up at least one level since the beginning of term with nearly every child in Year Two reading at a level three or higher, which is simply splendid. From time to time, children in FSM are assessed by an Educational Psychologist. We are told very often that the children in Pre-Prep have been taught exceptionally well, so well in fact that it can mask learning difficulties such as Dyslexia and this also pleases me greatly. I have always believed that a thorough, consistent approach to the teaching of Literacy is essential and it is so good to see how this is evidenced in the progress which all the children are making. I am at great risk of sounding like a very proud mummy in this Newsletter, but in a way I do think of myself in this role as the Head of the Pre-Prep! I was most delighted when Mrs Kendall returned from the Nursery’s trip to Beaulieu yesterday singing the behaviour of the children and how this had been recognised by all those that met them. All the classes go on regular trips and outings, as you know, and it is a rare occasion when we do not receive some praise from the venue as to the behaviour and good manners of our Pre-Prep children. They are, of course, used to going out and so have more practise than perhaps children from other schools do but even so it has to be said that they are a credit to us and a credit to you. We should all be very proud of our Pre-Prep children!

 

Newsletter 9 February 2018

Can you believe that it is half term today? This term is going so quickly. They do say that time flies when you are busy and we are certainly busy in the Pre-Prep. Since my last Newsletter, Year Two have been on a trip to the Cinema to see the latest production from the stables of Wallace and Grommet – ‘Early Man’. Though it was entirely fictional, the class were able to gain a great deal from it through discussion and comparison and, of course, it was great fun going to the cinema with all your friends. Year Two along with Year One were also fortunate to benefit from another visit from Dr Copley. If you recall, he visited us a couple of weeks ago to talk to our EYFS about Frozen Worlds. He was so brilliant, that we invited him back. We thought that his experiences were relevant to the learning of our older children. For example, going down to the bottom of the inhospitable and unexplored Antarctic seas in a submarine is arguably a little like going in a similarly cramped vehicle into space! In fact, more people have probably been to space. Equally, life on the Tundra now still has much in common with conditions experienced by those living in the Stone Age. (I have to say that though I am completely fascinated by the history of those times I thank my lucky stars that I was born in a time of hot running water and electricity!) Needless to say, Dr Copley was amazing and our children gained such a lot from his visit. I would like to thank him again for taking the time to come and talk to us. Above, you will see a photo of some of our EYFS children on their visit to the Bournemouth Oceanarium. They had a super day and they especially loved seeing the penguins in real life after learning all about them. I was reliably informed that they smell dreadful! Of course a trip to the sea-side with Mrs Kendall would never be complete without playing on the beach and having a paper plate full of hot, salty chips! With such a lot going on in school our children definitely need a rest. I do hope that you all have a great holiday and I look forward to seeing you all again soon and much refreshed.

 

Newsletter 2 February 2018

I wonder if you know what the acronym FOSM means? I had been here for a while before I knew, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t realise that it stood for Friends of Sandle Manor. I think that this harks back to the time prior to when Forres School was combined with Sandle Manor on the present site to make Forres Sandle Manor School. FOSM is our Parents Association and they do a great deal for the school as a whole raising money through various occasions such as the Pimms tent on sports day, FOSM night at Christmas and the upcoming Quiz night on 2 March 2018. Fireworks night is another FOSM event and I know that many of you have attended. Above you can see a bit of the FOSM stall which is always popular with the children! Money raised at these events goes to fund things for the children throughout the school. The climbing frame, table tennis table, chess board and now the new swings will be most evident to Pre-Prep parents as they are on the way to our entrance. FOSM also fund-raise for the Pre-Prep. They provide the money for the presents for the children at Christmas and for the children’s Easter eggs. They are also considering giving us some more funds for additional non-prescriptive playground equipment, which the children love. The current Chairman, Barny Reed would like to extend a warm welcome to Pre-Prep parents to attend FOSM events and to perhaps play a more active part on the FOSM committee itself!

I have also been asked by Judy Cochand who is Head of our Learning Support Department and who teaches photography, as well as taking many of our school photos, if you would like to take part in the ‘Moment in Time’ Interschool Photography competition. It is open to children from the age of seven upwards and to their parents too. It is a good way to raise the profile of our school in the community, especially if one of us wins, so do have a go! Details are in the Pre-Prep foyer and on the plasma information screens.