Message from the headteacher
I hope you welcome the new style newsletter. Please do provide feedback as we continually strive to improve all aspects of our school including communication. Last week, I explained that staff have been working hard on strengthening our curriculum and its delivery. We know that a carefully designed curriculum delivered with precision is going to help our children learn well and put them on the path to a happy and successful life. This is why we appointed Miss Martin as our Deputy Headteacher in September 2018 with the role of reviewing our curriculum offer to ensure it meets the new and high expectations we set for our pupils. We are very fortunate to have Miss Martin on the team, she joined us from a pioneering school and serves on two DfE (Department for Education) advisory boards on education policy which shape what curriculum children in England will be exposed to in the future.
Last week, I also shared information about how we had improved our phonics approach by endorsing the Read Write Inc approach . This week, I wanted to share some information on our mathematics approach. We now use the Mathematics Mastery programme to deliver our mathematics teaching in Rec - Y5. I was fortunate to be part of the working party which established the Mathematics Mastery Programme. Back in 2011, we visited Singapore to learn about why pupils in Singapore consistently outperform their peers. The findings from our visit shaped the principles of the Mathematics Mastery programme which we have now introduced at Roxbourne. The mission behind this programme is to transform mathematics education in the UK by working in partnership to empower and equip schools to deliver world-class mathematics teaching.
To find out more, please visit: https://www.mathematicsmastery.org/
In future newsletters, I will share information about other exciting developments in our curriculum offer, including joining a Department for Education pilot from January 2019. We really are at the forefront of education research and development and this is because we want to give our children the very best education!
Wed 28th Nov - Band Festival
On the 28th November some of our pupils who learn to play instruments through the Harrow Music Service took part in the Annual Band Festival at the Harrow Arts Centre. The children spent the day rehearsing with other schools and then performed at a concert in the evening for parents. The concert was fantastic and the quality of music was outstanding. Some of the pieces played included The Dambusters March, New York New York and the Greatest Showman. I would like to thank the children who took part and the parents for supporting them. They were a credit to the Roxbourne.
Fri 30th Nov - Y2 Trip to the Golden Hinde
Last Friday, Year 2 went on an incredible trip to the Golden Hinde – the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe between 1577- 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake. Children had the opportunity to explore the ship and gain a valuable insight of what life would have been like as a child on board! We explored the ship from the poop deck to the hold, children learnt how to climb the ladders like a sailor and were tested on the ship directions. Year 2 are definitely ready to captain their own ships now!
Wed 5th Dec – National Young Mathematicians Competition
After a very strong performance in the first round, On Wednesday, four Year 6 pupils had the opportunity to take part in the second round of the Young Mathematician Award, a national competition designed by the NRICH department at Cambridge University. I am told our pupils did very well, working together to solve to very challenging mathematics. We are all very proud of you! The final will be held at Cambridge University! We look forward to finding out if we have qualified!
Mon 3rd Dec - A paramedic visits Reception
As part of our topic about People who help us we invited a Paramedic who visited our Reception classes on Monday. Children were very confident at asking lots of questions about her important job. They thoroughly enjoyed being a paramedic by trying on her uniform and exploring a range of equipment that a paramedic uses. Our roleplay area was turned into a surgery where children acted out as doctors, nurses and paramedics. This experience supported all the areas of learning, especially their vocabulary and language development.
Thurs 6th Dec - Y4 trip to the Science Museum
Year 4 went to the Wonderlab as part of their trip to the Science Museum. Children had the opportunity to explore science interactively across several themed zones. They were able to actively take part in numerous experiences, including exploring how light creates reflections, touching clouds and understanding how they are formed. To coincide with their current topic of States of Matter, children had the opportunity to observe water freeze before their eyes and create magnetic liquid. The remaining part of the day was spent exploring the various themed areas of the museum, including how everyday contraptions from washing machines, music players and even burglar alarms have developed over time due to the advances made in science. Overall the best part of the day was the friction slides, where children predicted which of the three slides would allow them to reach the ground the fastest before testing it out themselves. Thank you to all parents who volunteered and helped make the day enjoyable and successful.
There has been lots of science learning taking place in Y4. A few weeks ago, the children were treated to a science workshop - lots of fun was had by all. Check out the pictures below.
Mon 10th Dec – School Choir Perform on Rayners Lane
Please join the school and wider community during this special event. Our school choir will be switching on the Christmas lights alongside some key local people including local councillor and the local MP on Mon 10th December at 17:00 – it would be great to see you all there! Head towards the triangle opposite Costa!
Wed 12th Dec – Public Speaking Parent Workshop
Why is public speaking so scary?
- Do you freeze at the thought of speaking in front of people or a crowd?
- Does the idea of an interview by strangers make you uncomfortable?
- Do you panic at the idea of presenting anything or public speaking?
Then you do not want to miss the coffee morning (details below).
Confidence is key to be a successful public speaker.
This is “a not-to-be-missed” presentation offered by a life skills coach who teaches children to be confident public speakers through the art of storytelling.
Research shows that what we practice when we are young stays with us through-out our lives, and building self-confidence is effective in combating bullying, dispelling insecurities, and promoting overall positive mental health in children. Confident children are often happier, relaxed, with a positive mental attitude which translates into high achieving and able individuals.
On Wednesday 12th December I will be holding assemblies at Roxbourne Primary school for the children, before this I will also be presenting at the Parent Workshop from 08:50 - 09:20 where I will be sharing more information with you.
Thurs 13th Dec - Rec - Y6 Christmas Carol Service at St Andrew's Church, Malvern Avenue
It is great that some parents have asked whether it would be possible to join the school community during our Christmas Carol Service and Y6 Nativity Narration on Thursday 13th December between 13:50 and 14:50. This is absolutely fine - if you are able to help the children walk down to the church from school, this would be really helpful. We will start to leave school at 13:00 so please head to the main entrance on Torbay Road if you are able to help.
Fri 14th Dec - Christmas Jumper and Christmas Lunch Day
Please remember that we will be having a Christmas Jumper Day / mufti day on Friday 14th Dec. If you'd like your child to enjoy a special Christmas lunch too, please remember to return the slip which was sent to parents recently.
Picking up children late from school
If you are going to be late picking your child/ren, please remember to notify the office by calling 020 8422 9207 by 3pm at the latest. This ensures that the message will reach the teacher before dismissal.
Primary School Admissions 2019/2020
If you have a child born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015, you will need to apply for a Reception place. If your child is in Roxbourne Nursery, you will still need to apply as you will not automatically get a school place. Applications must be completed online at: http://www.eadmissions.org.uk.
Please note the closing date for applications is Tuesday 15th January 2019. If you live in another borough, you must apply through your local council (Hillingdon, Ealing etc).
NB: If applications are submitted after the closing date, your child will miss the first round of offers and your preferred school may be full when they are offered a place in the second round. The national offer day is Tuesday 16th April 2019.
School Nursery Places for September 2019/20
If you have a child born between 1st September 2015 and 31st August 2016 and would like a place in our Nursery, please collect an application form from the school office. Please note the closing date is 25th February 2019.
Holidays During Term Time
Please remember to book holidays when school is closed to pupils. Last year, our attendance figures were disappointing, and this was mainly due to parents taking their children abroad when they should be in school. We will be implementing a more robust approach to poor attendance this year – following Harrow guidance. Please note, information regarding the new approach including the issuing of Penal Notices has been shared with parents. Do remember that there are a large number of days during the next two school closures if you are interested in going away:
• 17 Days during the Christmas break
Data Collection Sheets
Thank you to those parents who have completed and returned their data collection sheets. If you have not done so already, please could you check the details and return with your child or to the school office.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend,
Mr R Benserghin
Headteacher