The Riverside Reporter

ISSUE 5 – 15th October 2015www.riversideprimaryschool.org.uk

THIS TERM’S SCHOOL VALUES ARE TO SPOT OUR CHILDREN WHO ARE:

Images from Team Riverside’s successful Parents Evenings this week

FACING NEW CHALLENGES

This week:

From the Head’s Chair

It has been a brilliant week at Riverside this week. We began the week with our two parent consultation evenings (Tuesday and Wednesday), held after school and providing parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss their progress, ask questions, find out what can be done to support the learning and celebrate their successes. The evening had a new format this year, with the appointments taking place in the school hall. Parents had the opportunity to visit their child’s class and see their work and environment and we even had a crèche available to keep the little ones occupied whilst the important meetings

took place. The thing that struck me most was how positive feedback was about the evenings. The teachers appreciated the numbers of parents who came to their appointments and the positive feedback from mums and dads about their children’s learning. I really enjoyed chatting to many parents and overheard lots of happy comments about how proud you were of your children. There was a real ‘buzz’ about the evening and it is certainly something we will aim to do again in the future. Thank-you to the teachers for planning and delivering the evenings so professionally and also to the parents for attending. If you were unable to attend your appointment for whatever reason, your child’s teacher will contact you to make an alternative appointment at a convenient time.Last Friday welcomed our first PTA committee meeting which saw 20+ adults joining us in the hall to support Riverside and plan a festive winter / Christmas event for the children, the school and the community. We discussed lots of exciting ideas and will start planning these in detail after half term. We want activities for the children, a food fair style area with foods from different cultures and opportunities for children and parents alike to enjoy getting to know one another and the school in a different way. I would like to thank those who attended on Friday for an excellent start – I look forward to working with you after half term to help bring these plans to fruition.

This week:

POLITE NOTICE: I have had several parents approach me on the playground to share their concerns about safety in the immediate vicinity of the school. If you are dropping off your child or picking them up in the afternoon, please park a little way from school and walk them in safely. Please don’t obstruct any path or driveways and please be very aware of the movements of small children and families around you. I have already spoken to a couple of drivers in and around the children’s centre and look forward to your support in this matter.The thing that has amazed me so much this week is the learning I have seen happening. Yesterday I spent a part of my day in the classrooms with the children and they were amazing. I spent time with Year 6 learning about how to calculate the

perimeter of regular and irregular shapes. Some of the challenges were really difficult and they needed to use their knowledge of algebra to solve the challenges. I spent part of my day with children in Reception as they eagerly decorated a huge bus collage for the classroom (I have glue on my trousers now!) and played in Maple’s marvellously constructed pirate ship. During part of the morning, a group of children from Y4 and Y6 assisted Mr Floyd and Mr Weeks as they filled up the new Key Stage 1 playground area with bark. They demonstrated leadership and problem solving skills and were determined to finish the task – even working through their play time. It was great to watch and listen to and I will certainly be asking those children again the next time we need some help!Speaking of the barked area outside Key Stage 1, we are looking forward to renovating this area during the half term break to ensure that the children can make the most of the fantastic area right next door to their classrooms. Please enjoy this space at drop off and pick up times as it evolves and improves, but please ensure your children help us by looking after it and using the equipment safely. Many thanks for your support.

Have a nice weekend!

Nick StevensInterim Executive HeadteacherTel: 01628 621741 Email: riverside@rbwm.org.uk

Please note that all after school activities are back on as usual next week and will finish at 4.15pm with the exception of Football club on Monday which will finish at 4.30pm.

Please ensure you bring in any outstanding lunch money in a named envelope and give to your class teacher.

If you change either your home address or telephone number can you please inform the school office so we can update our records. It is important that we have an accurate emergency contact name and telephone number for each child.

Trouble reading the newsletter? We will upload each edition to our school website so you can translate the electronic copy into any language.

2015 DATES FOR YOUR DIARYDATE OCCASION WHO?

Monday 19th October Oak class visit to the Heritage Centre Oak Parents

Tuesday 20th October Maths Puzzle Day ALL

Friday 23rd October Last day of term, finish normal time ALLMonday 26th-30th October HALF TERM ALL

Monday 2nd November Term 2 starts at 8.45am ALL

TALKING HOMEWORK

Spoken language lies at the heart of communication and without it there would be no books and no writing.  One of the best ways for children to improve their work at school is for them to become confident and articulate speakers.We believe that your involvement in your child’s learning is crucial and that you can make a real difference to the progress your child makes.  With this in mind I am introducing a new simple form of Talk Homework.  Each week in the newsletter I will send home a simple discussion task; it will be same for all children in school so families can do it together. The aim is to get children sharing ideas with their families and developing their vocabulary and imagination.

Please help your child to discuss the question they have been given and particularly focus on why they think that.  It is vital for children to try to talk in full sentences and to use words such as 'because'. Please discuss the question at home and let the children know your opinions. Here are some simple guidelines for how to do it:

Set aside some time for ‘Talk Homework’; Encourage as many family members as possible to be home on Talk

Homework evening and consider discussing the question while having a meal together.

Don't just give your opinion, use the 'because' word to explain why you think that.

Give the possible opinions of two contrasting family members who are not present for the talk, and use the 'because' word to explain why they may be different.

Ask others around the table to give their opinions and to use the 'because' word.

Ask your child his/her opinion and ask them to use the 'because' word. You could link the topic back to something you remember from when

you were a child and say why things may be different now. We do hope you will enjoy joining in with this learning.

This Week’s Challenge:What have you done to help someone else this week (people you know and people you have never met)? What else could you do?