I hope you all had a peaceful (if somewhat wet) Christmas holiday – can I
wish you all a very happy new year.
When we get back to school I find that the holidays are soon forgotten as we
get back into our routines. We had a staff training day on Monday 6th, part
of which was devoted to how we can develop the curriculum at Eastcote. One thing we are all
committed to is making learning as enjoyable and exciting as possible and so we have been planning
topics which should really absorb the children.
I have also reminded the children about our core values:
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Aspire – we will all aim high and try to do the best we can whatever we do.
Learn – all kinds of learning including academic, emotional, creative.
Laugh – we will enjoy our school experiences together as a community.
The House System
We will be getting this underway this term – just some finishing touches to our preparations. Soon we
will tell children the houses to which they have been assigned and we will talk about our first inter-house
competitions.
Chess
This term, year 6 have begun their curriculum chess. For those who can already play the game I have
shown how going through the learning programme, even though it might cover things they already know,
will help them be better players.
But more importantly, we have looked at how developing the kinds of thinking we use in chess can
transfer over to other areas of learning – which is the main reason we are all learning chess in KS2. For
example, to play chess needs the learning skills of imagination, planning and revising. Strengthened and
applied, these learning skills will enhance, amongst other things, maths – solving maths problems
successfully requires these very skills.
Years 3 and 4 have already had a half term of chess. In the first week of the new term I have had lessons
with both classes and I was delighted with their enthusiasm to play the game and by just how much they
had remembered.
I will be continuing with classes 3, 4 and 6 this half term whilst class 5 will begin after half term.
Football and Netball
This term we are entered into two knockout football tournaments and a 5-a-side competition. We will
be playing the first game when evenings get a bit lighter – probably early February. Meanwhile I am
pleased to report that we have now had sockets for our new goalposts cemented in and the goals
themselves erected. If you see them and you think they look a bit small, remember they are for primary
7-a-side play and conform to the regulation size.
A netball club has started Monday lunchtimes and I will be looking into the
possibility of arranging games against other schools in the future.
Philosophy
Class 5 are having another half term of philosophy whilst our year 1 and reception classes will also be
starting half-hour philosophy sessions – yes, even at their young ages, there are real benefits for them in
this, the sooner we can stretch and develop children’s thinking powers, the better for their longer term
learning
Dinner Money
We have been asked if the costs for dinner money could be put on the newsletter at the start of term.
The half term from 7/1/14 to 14/2/14 is £65.25 and to the end of term, 4/4/14, £132.75. The cost
remains at £2.25 a day and £11.25 should be paid in to office in the red box, each Monday morning.
Spring Bulb Competition - London Children's Flower Society
In-school judging across the London Boroughs for the spring bulb competition
will commence between 27th February and March 14th. We will find out within
the next week or so, the exact day a judge will be visiting our school and will
inform you of the day and arrangements for children to return their daffodil or
hyacinth to school. The plants will form part of a fragrant and beautiful display in
the school library before being judged and returned home with a certificate of
achievement.
Miss Buck, who is co-ordinating this, recommends ensuring bulbs are now in daylight on a
windowsill or outside in a sheltered position to allow maximum growth. Don't forget to take a
photo if your plant flowers before judging day and bring it in with your plant. Don't forget to
love and water your plant!! Good luck!
Applications for Nursery places
These start from Thursday 16th January. You can collect forms from the school office or apply online,
whichever is more convenient. The closing date for applications is 4th April 2014.
Thank you
Can I thank you for all the cards and generous gifts I received before the holiday – Thor was also
delighted with the presents some of the children brought in for him. Here he is unwrapping one of them.
School term and holiday dates for 2013 - 2014
Term
Spring
term
2014
Dates
Monday 6 January - Friday 14 February
Half term 17 February - 21 February
Monday 24 February - Friday 4 April (Good Friday 18 April, Easter
Monday 21 April)
Summer Tuesday 22 April - Friday 23 May (INSET day 2 May and
term
2014
Bank holiday 5 May)
Half term 26 May - 30 May (Bank holiday 26 May)
Monday 2 June – Tuesday 22nd July (INSET day 23 July)
School term and holiday dates for 2014 - 2015
Term
Dates
Autumn
term
Monday 1 September - Friday 24 October
2014
Half term 27 October - 31 October
Monday 3 November - Friday 19 December
Spring
term
2015
Monday 5 January - Friday 13 February
Half term 16 February - 20 February
Monday 23 February - Friday 27 March (Good Friday 3 April, Easter
Monday 6 April)
Summer
term
Monday 13 April - Friday 22 May (Bank holiday 4 May)
2015
Half term 25 May - 29 May (Bank holiday 25 May)
Please note there will be 5 INSET days yet to be allocated to the 2014-15 terms dates