Head's Blog

Week 3 News

Working around lessons this week, I have been impressed by the level of effort from the children. This is only the third week back, but already we are seeing a high level of learning and some strong outcomes. As ever, it is great to be able to share some of this with our school community.

Art
Class 4 have been using a map as a background to sketch work. The focus has been on using soft B pencils to draw strong lines that dominate the page, distracting the viewer from the background. I think these dragon images certainly draw attention away from the maps behind.

Class 3 continue to use charcoal this week. After studying ancient cave paintings, the children created their own through different types of hand prints.

Writing
Both junior classes have been doing some paired writing this week. In Class 4, partners Jack and Anoud wrote this paragraph in the form of a non-chronological report about an outlaw:

In the heart of Sherwood Forest, lived Robin Hood, a selfless outlaw during the 1600. For years, his generosity to the poor was immaculate; he could steal from the noble for the unwanted. Since Robin was a kind hearted man, he was hated by the heartless sheriff of the state. He was often chased by the guards; he outran them by a fair distance. He will always be honoured in lots of books today.

Clubs
It is great we have so many children wanting to join our after school clubs this term. Many of the clubs have been oversubscribed and children placed on waiting lists. We will try to ensure fairness by prioritising these children for clubs in the future. This term we are offering:

- First Lego League Lego Robotics Competition Team (Years 5 & 6)
- Musical Theatre (Years 3 - 6)
- Forest School (Years 3 - 6)
- Cross Country (Years 3 - 6)
- Multi Skills with Pro 20 Sports (Years 1 & 2)

In addition, our peripatetic music teachers are offering the following individual and group lessons:
-Rocksteady Band
-Brass
-Guitar
-Piano

If your child is interested in learning an instrument, please contact Amy Souch in the school office for contact details.

Snacks
In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, the government provide free fruit and vegetables to ensure a daily healthy snack. Children have a range of healthy options to choose from, including bananas, apples, pears, oranges, tomatoes, mini cucumbers and carrots. This isn't provided for children in Years 3- 6. However, children are welcome to bring the same fruit or vegetable snack for their morning break. We ask that children don't bring crisps, chocolate bars, biscuits etc as we want to maintain the healthy eating culture established in the infants. For children attending after school childcare club, please feel free to send them with an equally healthy snack.

Security Fencing
Bridge MAT managed to secure Department for Education funding to replace our perimeter fencing, which was starting to fail in places. New fencing is currently being installed around the school field and will also be extended to the front of the school in the coming weeks. At the moment, the new fencing has made some wooded areas of our field inaccessible but these will be accessible through gates that have yet to be installed as the contractors are still awaiting their delivery. In addition, Sarah Marley has secured 135 native tree saplings through the Woodland Trust. These will be planted by the children in November, inside the boundary of the new fence.

I look forward to sharing more of the children's learning next week.

Week 2 News

Art
I teach Class 3 on Thursday afternoons and this week they were learning to use charcoal as a medium in art lessons. We explored the idea of Chiaroscuro (light and dark) in art. Using different charcoals and techniques the class observed rocks and made these sketches: Isla (left) Oliver (right). The darkness and light created with different techniques has contributed to the overall effect.

Friendship Bench
Thank you to Sarah Marley, who successfully secured this free bench for our playground. Donated by the Lazy Susan Furniture Company, this has been introduced to the the children as a friendship bench. If they are looking for someone to play with at breaktime, they can sit on the bench and other children will see they need a buddy and invite them to play.

Meet The Teacher
Thank you to the parents and carers of all our new reception children who joined Abi Flashman and Tom Otterwell-Taylor for an information session this week. We hope you found it useful.

Staff Update
I am delighted to share the exciting news that through their outstanding practice, Tom Otterwell-Taylor and Abi Flashman have been appointed as early years subjects leaders across the 15 schools of Bridge MAT. Tom has also taken on the leadership of art across the Trust. In addition to this, Sam Watts is leading on Showbie, the app used across Trust schools to support children's learning. These appointments reflect the excellent work and level of expertise of these teachers.

Welcome Back

Welcome to all our new families

A warm welcome to everyone at the start of this new school year. A special welcome to all our new families whose children started school at Harrowbarrow on Monday for the first time. It has been lovely to see the children arriving with big smiles and excited to meet up with those they had missed over the summer break. I have been very impressed by the way our new Class 1 children have settled in; it already feels like they have been in school for two weeks and not two days!

Over the summer, we had some work scheduled on site. New flooring in Class 2 and redecoration by sites team member Mark Cocking has given the classroom a lovely refresh. A new covered area for Class 1 extends the outdoor learning opportunities for our youngest children, whatever the weather. A huge thank you to parents Ross Flashman and Tom Brittan, who voluntary built this for us. Thank you also to Abi Flashman, who secured funding for the materials through the Tesco community scheme. Finally, we have taken delivery of new security fencing, which will extend around the entire perimeter of the school site. Unfortunately, due to supply issues, this has yet to be installed but will be done over the coming weeks.

Car Parking
We appreciate that parking in the village hall car park can be challenging but vehicles must not park on the pavement or double yellow lines to the front of the school as this compromises pedestrian safety. Thank you in anticipation of your support with this.

Parent and carer consent forms
I look forward to sharing with you all the exciting learning at Harrowbarrow in my weekly blogs. Please remember to complete all parent carer consent forms on Arbor so we know which children's photographs can be used in our weekly blogs. This can be completed alongside consent for other activities such as school trips as detailed in the recent letter from the Trust.

For those new to Harrowbarrow, we use these blogs to share the rich variety of learning from across the school. We will also share information about future events and opportunities for your children to engage in activities both at Harrowbarrow and outside of school. Blogs will be shared weekly by myself and each class teacher. We will also continue with our open classroom sessions this year, inviting parents and carers to join with their children for maths mornings, exhibitions of children's work such art and DT and other opportunities we identify that will allow you to track your child's learning and celebrate their successes. We look forward to sharing your child's learning journey in the year ahead.