It has been another good week albeit with some unpredictable weather and now just two weeks until half-term. We have now had eight un-interrupted weeks back at school which will benefit conversations next week for Parents’ Evenings – the link to Zoom Meetings are included at the end of this letter. Staff have been working hard to get children back to where we would expect them after a disrupted twelve months and the children are on track to get there. Thank you all for your support, patience and understanding as we work together on this. 

Restorative Practice – Building Relationships, Improving Behaviour and Creating Stronger Communities

Staff continue to read and share the book by Mark Finnis. Early in the book the phrase ‘how adults behave…’ is one we talk about in school. We often discuss ourselves as role models for the children, smiling, being positive and having a good go at things, even when hard. We have worked hard over the years on attitudes – we are role-models and positive ones. We do make mistakes as does everyone but most certainly, we are building and managing relationships.

Barrier to the Shared Drive

The barrier for the shared drive between Krishna Avanti Primary School and St. Paul’s is almost ready. From Monday 24th May it will be active.

Assessments 

Again this year there are no Year 1 Phonics Checks, Key Stage One or Key Stage Two SATs. We do however continually assess children when we teach, in an informal manner that gives us, as professionals, a clear picture of where children currently are. 

Children may have mentioned some past papers being used in class. We are very aware that these papers are available widely and, for example, where children attend tutoring, the tutors may well use these papers and both teach children how to answer the questions and by using the specific papers, look at the correct answers for them. As such their reliability when used in school is severely compromised which is why Teacher Assessment is always key. Because of this, no member of staff will be sharing scores from papers this year. Where the paper has been seen and practised, children should pretty much get full marks as they are just retelling an answer. 

Calendar Dates

Teachers are looking forward to next week’s Parents’ Evenings. Books should be back in school now, ready for Monday and I hope being able to look through them was useful. The Termly report will be sent home by lunchtime on Monday if you have not already received it. Please be patient as the admin staff need to send over 400 out individually so some will get them before others. A reminder for those that want a meeting, it will be via Zoom or telephone.  Due to Parents’ evening, the following clubs will not take place:

Monday Tuesday

  • Butterflies with Miss Keshvala Parrots with Mrs Patel
  • Bees with Miss Solanki Peacocks with Miss Lacman
  • Moon with Miss Lorgat Vrindavan with Miss Ali
  • Planets with Mrs Bridgmohun STEM with Mrs Chauhan
  • Comets with Mr Wheat

Another reminder that children are not at school next Friday due to a Trust-wide Staff Training day.  

The day before, on Thursday, 20 May 2021, we will be celebrating International Cultural Day. Each class will be concentrating on a particular country. To help get into the spirit of the day without creating additional tasks; we are inviting children to come to school dressed in the colours of their focus country, where possible. There will be various work through the day related to the country and a celebration of differences across the world. 

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

On Friday, 21 May 2021, it is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.  This is a reminder of the world’s cultural richness and of the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.

We will be celebrating this on Thursday 20th May due to the staff training day on the 21st. Children will be learning what cultural diversity means and it would be wonderful for all to come to school dressed in clothes in colours of the country’s flag that their year group will be focusing on, as follows:

Year Group Country

Flag (children to dress in…)
Foundation Two Italy Green, White & Red
Year 1 Brazil Green, Yellow & Blue
Year 2 Kenya Black, Red, Green & White
Year 3 France Red, White & Blue
Year 4 South Africa Red, Green, Black, White, Blue & Yellow
Year 5 Spain Red & Yellow
Year 6 Argentina Blue & White

Thank you for your support. We are sure this will be an enjoyable day for all.

All dates are on the website calendar which you can see by clicking here.

Focus on…

The 28th Focus on… Kahoot is complete. Well done to all that made it to the podium. Niya has reclaimed top spot.  View the animated podium by clicking here. 

Thank you very much for your continued support. 

Yours sincerely   

Mr Kite

Principal