News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Good Sports

  Wed 30 Jan 2013
  Congratulations to 18 of our Year 6 pupils who volunteered and were selected to take part in a Sportshall Athletics competition on Wednesday 30th January. Eight other primary schools took part and our children participated with enthusiasm and vigour in all of the events. I know that Mr Hann felt extremely proud of you all throughout the event. We may not have won but we certainly enjoyed ourselves and tried our hardest.

• Arts Week Day 1

  Wed 30 Jan 2013

  What a tremendous start to our Multi-cultural arts extravaganza! Each child took part in a fabulous Chinese Dance Workshop with Sin Man Yao from the 'Primary Workshops' company, learning the 'Peacock' hand position and using ribbons to create 'snakes' in the air. As the children left the hall they responded to my question about whether they had enjoyed it, with answers like, "It was awesome"; "It was totally brilliant"; "WOW! That was fun!"; "I loved it so much!" I think it may have been a success.

  A huge thank you to Jamie and Paris who joined us for the morning to talk to the children about life in China. Jamie is the son of Mrs Lawman (one of our reading helpers) and is a teacher in China. Paris is his Chinese wife. They were kind enough to spend their time with the children of The Dassett, despite only being in England for 2 weeks and Paris never having been out of China before. Children learnt how to count in ten in Mandarin and about Chinese writing. They also found out about the culture and lifestyle of this distant country. I know that everyone who listened to their presentation was hugely impressed and keen to learn more! Absolutely fabulous!

  Mrs Evans and Miss Purnell from the Art Department at Kineton High School joined Year 5 and 6 for the morning to create gargoyles based on African masks from clay. They have taken the work to be fired in the kiln and will return with it next week and were very impressed with the hard work and superb attitudes and enthusiasm of our children. The gargoyles were looking excellent when I saw them.

  Mrs Askew was working on using tones and tints with Year 3 and 4 pupils, to produce work based on a piece of artwork by an Australian artist of Uluru at sunset. The trick was that the children should try to only use one colour creating different shades.

  Mrs Irons was working on Indian art with Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children, using the paisley design from a Shalwar Kameeze as inspiration.

  There was lots of wondeful work taking place in the classrooms involving aboriginal paintings, african patterns, jewellery and totem poles!

  A totally fabulous day! Well done to you all.

• Mad about Science

  Tue 29 Jan 2013
  On Tuesday morning we were joined by a Mad Scientist, Bionic Bob, for our assembly. He showed us how magical the subject of science can be and managed to change water into a jelly that could hold 100 times its weight in water, made empty pots'  lids explode off with a loud 'pop' and created an amazing candle for a birthday cake! It was great fun, very educational and, thankfully for Mrs Hine, a dry experience! We are hoping to add 'Mad Science' to our list of after school clubs, and this would take place for different aged pupils in different terms. More information to follow very soon.

  

• Big School Birdwatch

  Mon 28 Jan 2013
  The Schools’ Big Birdwatch took place at The Dassett on Thursday and we were very fortunate to have an expert with us from the Coventry branch of the RSPB, Mr Ron Speddings.
  He talked to the whole school in assembly and then spent an hour with 4 children from each class who did half an hour in pairs spotting birds from our temporary hide.
  They all had an absolutely fabulous time and spotted a huge variety of birds including a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Grey Heron
  Our thanks go, again, to the RSPB and especially to Mr Speddings for giving up his time and for making our Birdwatch event so special. Our results have been entered onto the RSPB website.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

• Pimple Lane Closed

  Thu 24 Jan 2013
  Police have issued a warning about cars using Pimple Lane in Gaydon. They have agreed that Pimple Lane in Gaydon should not be used by cars in this weather.  The lane is a one-track lane and there is no room for cars to pass on the road and they are getting stuck in the snow.  It is also very icy and they are skidding and getting stuck in hedges. Please follow this advice, as we do not want anyone to have difficulties. Many thanks.

• School Disco Cancelled

  Wed 23 Jan 2013
  Due to the weather conditions and the late finish time we have made the decision to cancel the disco this Friday. We have now rearranged it to Friday 15th March and will let you know further details nearer the time.

• Termly Reports

  Fri 18 Jan 2013
  Termly reports are with you and there is a new section which tells you your child's National Curriculum Level.  
  
  A document explaining the National Curriculum levels is attached below.
  
  The reports also indicate whether children have just achieved a sub-level (low), are well within a sub-level (secure) or are almost at the next sub-level (high). 
  
  Please note, the words low, secure and high are not a reflection of where your child is academically but are merely an illustration of where they are working within a sub-level.
   
  The section on the right hand side of the report explains whether your child is working Below, In Line, or Above Age Related Expectations.
  
  The expected levels for the end of each year are:
  
  Year 1   1a/2c
  Year 2   2b
  Year 3   2a/3c
  Year 4   3b
  Year 5   3a/4c 
  Year 6   4b
  
  If you look in the curriculum sections for literacy and numeracy on our website, you will also find the specific targets which correlate to each National Curriculum sub-level. These are the targets your children  are working towards in class so that you can clearly see what it is that your children are doing and looking to achieve on a day to day basis.

• Clerk to the Governors VACANCY

  Thu 17 Jan 2013

  We currently have a vacancy for a clerk to governors to start as soon as possible. The clerk is responsible to the Governing Body for the provision of clerical/administrative support to enable the GB to act efficiently, effectively and legally, giving advice to the Chair and Governors as necessary.

  If you are interested in this position please contact Mrs Hine via the school office or Ms Deborah Lea, Chair of Governors.

• New Bollard Lighting

  Mon 14 Jan 2013
  Over the next few days we are having bollard lighting installed along the front path to allow for better visability on the darker days and for before and after school for the children attending Care Club or after school clubs. This does mean that there will be a small amount of disruption at the front of the school but there is still access to the main entrance of the school. Access to the rear is still possible via the side path and side gate access is also still available.
  This will make a huge improvement to the safety and visability at the front of the school and so we appreciate your patience whilst this major improvement is made.

• New Roof for the Reception Outdoor Classroom

  Wed 02 Jan 2013
  Work on a new weather proof roofed area is to be started tomorrow morning and will cover a 6m x 4m area adjoining the Reception classroom which will give them much better all year round access to their existing outdoor play area.
  This will also accompany a redesign of the facilities in the outdoor classroom area, all designed to enhance the children's learning experience. The new roof will be on by the start of term on Tuesday 8th and we will be continuing to enhance the outdoor area throughout the coming term.