There may be a couple of weeks left to go, but at this time of year, I address the Board of Directors with representatives from the Parents’ Network and give a summary of the academic year. Here is a précis of the meeting for you to read. It has been another wonderful year at Rosemary Works School. From major improvements to the outside space to the recent successful inspection, we are certainly going from strength to strength. When we return in September, the school will, again, transform with the major refurbishments planned for the majority of the school and the designs look amazing. I shall share a snippet of their work with you very soon. Children have been on an unprecedented amount of school trips this year making the most of the weather and facilities on our doorstep, and the blog is bursting with photos and videos from them. From the X Factor rehearsals to London Zoo and a lot of outdoorsy activities, the children have had a very enriching experience this year and this will continue and further develop next year. In next year’s first term, the Enrichment topic will be N1. That is every aspect of our immediate local area. If you work or have a relevant experience of N1 or know local businesses or services that would like us rocking up to their doors, please let me know!

This year ended with 74 children on roll. Next year’s figures look at around 99 pupils which is a pleasing improvement. Congratulations to the children leaving in Year 2 who were accepted into Northbridge House, Highgate, Forest and two excellent independent schools out of London. For the 13 remaining Year 2 children, they will be moving into our Upper School next year and reigniting the trail for the full up-to-Year-6 Primary School.

New Staff Ross Stewart (Year 3/4 Class Teacher) Ross is joining us as a Year 3/4 teacher in September. He is an experienced, outstanding teacher with a strong track record and excellent references. He taught a very good lesson and interviewed well. He also is bringing his two daughters (Agatha and Eleanor) into the school – Reception & Year 1.

Alice Penman (Year 1 + Year 3/4 Italian Teacher) Alice is an experienced teacher who taught a lesson in Italian to our Year 2/3 children and showed excellent promise. She will be teaching the Year 1 children with a 30 minute weekly slot when she will teach Italian to the Year 3/4 children. Cassie Kosky (Reception Class TA) Cassie joins us from an agency. She has spent two days on supply for us in Reception Class. She will also be a member of staff in the after school club each evening. She is a good practitioner with experience of the EYFS. Alana Duncan (Year 3/4 Class TA & Librarian) Alana is currently completing her degree at Birmingham University. She is a bright, motivated individual who is thrilled to start with us in September. She will work in Year 3/4 each morning; in the afternoons she will split her time between other class needs (including Nursery Class), the library and cover as requested. Rachel Alcraft Rachel is a parent who ran the very successful Code Club this term. She will be teaching coding to the Year 3/4 children for an hour each week.

Staff Leavers Sheryl Eggman (née Callaghan) took maternity leave. Her last day was 20th June and she has not yet confirmed whether she intends to return September 2015. Understandably she will see how her young family develop and make her decision nearer the time. Best wishes to her, Nick and baby. Lizzie Duparq has secured a place on a PGCE course starting September 2014. Alex Kearley-Shiers has also secured a place on a PGCE course.

Existing Staff Kerry, Shirley, Pam, Jackie, Vicky, David and Paul are continuing with us and working within the same capacity as this year. Paul will run Media Studies which will encompass art, movie making, ICT and music. Therefore the structure next year is: Nursery Class – Kerry, Mica, Shirley and TBA Reception Class – Pam, Cassie Year 1 – Alice, Jackie Year 2 – David, Vicky Year 3/4 – Ross, Alana

Assessment (Key Stage 1 & 2)

Levelling is fast becoming a thing of the past under the Government’s plans to change aspects of the primary curriculum. We, on the other hand, prefer to have a benchmark from which we can see how our children are progressing, both in terms of attainment and achievement. It is important to not only see that children are exceeding National expectation, but are making good progress within their own personal development. The levels start at 1c then progress to 1b, 1a, 2c, 2b, 2a, etc. Children have indicative benchmarks at the end of each school Year. The key benchmarks are that children should have achieved a level 2b in the core subjects by the end of Year 2 and a level 4b by the time they finish primary school in Year 6. Within this context, our children are doing fantastically well. Year 2 undertook their SATs in June and the results are outstanding. National expectation is for Year 2 children to achieve at least a level 2b in these areas.

Maths: Writing: Reading:

5% achieved level 4 17% achieved level 4

83% achieved level 3 44% achieved level 3 67% achieved level 3

12% achieved level 2a 56% achieved level 2 16% achieved level 2

It is a truly remarkable achievement to have children working comfortably within level 3 and some at level 4 in Year 2 bearing in mind the National expectation for children at the end of Year 6 is level 4b. Year 1 results are similarly pleasing. National expectation is for Year 1 children to achieve a level 1a in these areas.

Maths: Writing: Reading:

56% achieved level 3c

31% achieved level 2b 19% achieved level 2b

57% achieved level 2c 44% achieved level 2c 6% achieved level 2c

43% achieved level 1a 25% achieved level 1a 19% achieved level 1a

Please note: this doesn’t show the progress since the Autumn Term. I compile tracking data from the teachers each term and use this information to see the progress, according to levels (1, 2, 3, etc.) and sublevels (a, b, c) that have changed since the last assessment. I plan to personally work with small groups of children next year to

maximise excellent progress (as identified in the ISI inspection report) with Maths and Literacy activities.

These children did a great job with the preparations for our rather ambitious

Summer Show next week – they were patient when rehearsing and they

delivered the songs and their lines well. Next week the focus is for children to be

good friends and be extra kind and empathetic to the children in the school.

Easy!

The Artist of the Week went to Alfie in Year 1. His close observational drawing of

his shoe shows great skill, attention to detail and ability to use shading and

proportion to good effect. Well done Alfie!

Nursery Class .......... Joseph

Reception Class ...... Ellie-Mae Year 1 ........................ Freya

Year 2/3 ................... Matilda

Nursery Class Bella for being so kind towards her friends this week, particularly if they were feeling sad. Also for always being so polite and remembering to use her manners at all times throughout the day and trying hard with our song for the summer show. Well done Bella! Erik for being so thoughtful towards his friends and always making them feel included, this was very noticeable when playing pass the parcel this week and Erik is always thinking of others. A big well done Erik! Reception Class Evan for doing so much fantastic independent writing about the different stages of a frog's life cycle. He's a bit of an expert! Well done Evan! Year 1 Marika, you are 'Star of the Week'! Your behaviour is impeccable every day and you are a fantastic role model for the other children in the school. Your listening in class is always excellent and you follow instructions accurately, consistently producing a high level of work. Your contribution during the summer show practice recently has been commendable. Well done Marika! Year 2/3 Our star of the week is Lily. She has been absolutely fantastic in our Summer Show rehearsals. Lily has learnt her lines and knows all the words to the songs. She has shown a wonderful enthusiasm for taking part and has acted out her role as the Caterpillar brilliantly. Well done Lily!

Week 3 Dish of the Day Alternative

Option Vegetables/Sides

Salad Selection

Dessert Tea

Monday Five bean chilli & brown

rice Sandwich selection

Nachos & sweetcorn

Mixed salad

Fresh fruit Carrot & coriander

soup & seasonal cake

Tuesday Salmon and broccoli pasta Cheesy pasta

Plain pasta Green beans

Mixed salad

Fresh fruit Beans on toast &

seasonal cake

Wednesday Sausages & mash Sandwich selection

Peas Mixed salad

Yoghurt Feta cheese &

couscous salad & fruit

Thursday Hidden Veg tomato pasta Sandwich selection

Garlic bread Mixed salad

seasonal cake

Cheese, avocado,

salsa & sour cream

quesadillas & flapjack

Friday Jacket Potato with choice of: cheese, beans, Tuna,

cauliflower cheese or chilli

Sandwich selection

Coleslaw Mixed salad

Stewed fruit

compote & yoghurt

Soya yoghurt

Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels

& Fresh Fruit

Our Summer Show – Alice in Wonderland – NEXT WEEK!

We’ll be performing our Summer Show Alice in Wonderland next week and we have added an extra date! Please, please email Alannah to let her know what day you plan to attend and how many of you are coming. We have a maximum capacity of 40 per show (unless we repeat aspects of the performance twice for space issues), so select Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and let her know ASAP. Remember, we plan to start at 3pm sharp! You do not need a ticket.

ISI Inspection Report

Hopefully you would have received the ISI inspection. It is fantastic and we’re delighted to be able to share it with you. It is also on the blog – press here to access it and spread the good word!

Revised Menu

Attached to the Newsletter email is the new 3 week cycle menu for the school. In addition to the main meal and alternative options, we cater for gluten free diets and vegetarians. Teachers tell their children what is on the menu each morning and children select what meal they would like. This continues to mean less waste and fuller children. Do encourage your children to try any new dishes. I’m sure they’ll all be delicious! Also, there are far fewer soups at tea time and we have opted, in this heat, for lighter tea options.

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For Your Diary…

Mapping out the rest of the academic year so you can book time off to not miss a thing!

8th July ................................................................................................ Summer Show 3pm

9th July ................................................................................................ Summer Show 3pm

10th July .............................................................................................. Summer Show 3pm (EXTRA DATE!)

12th July .............................................................................................. Summer Fete

17th July .............................................................................................. Last Day of Term (Picnic in the Park)

18th July .............................................................................................. Teacher INSET + Play Scheme + Nursery OPEN

Picnic in the Park – 17th July at Noon

Last year we celebrated the end of the school year by heading off to Rosemary Gardens for a 12pm picnic. You are all welcome to come along. If you wish for your child to have a school packed lunch, please let Alannah know, but you are equally welcome to bring along a picnic and relax in the park with us. There’ll be music, games and a celebration of the staff that are leaving. All children are welcome, so if you have other children or cousins, bring them along!

Summer Fete

The fete is soon upon us. Saturday week is the date not to be forgotten. The fete was legendary last year and promises to be even better this year. Thank you to all of you for donating so far. It’s never too late… and please come along. Your support on the day will be most appreciated.