whether it was in response to a learner’s poor choice, or an exceptional approach to learning by a youngster, or by providing advice for colleagues that were managing difficult situations or whilst I was communicating with a parent. For all learners, an exercise I encourage you all to complete next week is to reflect on the choices you intend to make as the week progresses. Understanding what has influenced you leading up to those decisions will help you to identify what you believe the purpose of school is and how your choices can impact on your individual happiness and success. You may want to open this conversation up with your parents or carers. Do you agree with each other about the purpose of school, and therefore the choices you have made? For those of you who are parents or carers, how often do you engage in this debate with the youngsters? What opportunities have you taken to help them generate a positive belief of the purpose of school so they make good choices? If any learners feel unsure about the purpose of school or education, or feel that you may benefit from having a stronger sense of what happiness or success could look like for you personally, or if you have further thoughts about our vision, please contact me via e-mail. We can then arrange a suitable time to meet and discuss your thoughts.
workshop and only one out of twenty wanted to attend the dance workshop? In one group a similar scenario occurred and the learners were required to compromise their own feelings for the common goal of the group. Volunteers demonstrated that they understood the dynamic of the group and could see some were more anxious about compromising their first choice so they sacrificed their own first choice instead. A very mature response, I thought, with some very strong empathy being demonstrated. During the second session the youngsters were in their groups working on either Drama, Art, Dance or Music. It is fantastic to see them working with youngsters from different schools and challenging themselves with new skills. In Art, they were designing their own marketing materials for their band - t-shirts, key rings and posters. In Drama, they were trying out different characters using the “School of Rock” for inspiration. In Dance the groups were working on a performance piece for their band and in Music, the youngsters were learning new instruments and developing a unique sound for their band. The overall challenge was to eventually put on a showcase at the end of the day, to parent/ carers demonstrating the expressive arts skills, knowledge and understanding they had developed as well as collaborating effectively to put on a group performance.
Primary Learning days
Staffing update
We were delighted to welcome Year 5 learners from Chappel, Colne Engaine, Copford, Feering, Great Tey, Lyons Hall, Rivenhall, Soaring High, Stisted, St Andrew’s, St Margaret’s and St Peter’s Primary Schools to take part in our Expressive Arts Primary Learning Day. During the day, they were offered the opportunity to take part in workshops in Drama, Dance, Art and Music. One of the features in the primary learning days we facilitated this week was the notion of being collaborative.
Tracey Groves will be leaving Honywood to take up a Second in Maths role at Maltings Academy. 9TGr will be in need of a replacement learning group leader and we are pleased to announce that when we return after Easter, Sharon Palmer will take on that role and the group will become 9SPl.
Collaborative Ready to work with others purposefully to achieve a common goal • • •
Be tolerant of others Understand the dynamics of groups and teams Give something back
One decision the C5 learners had to make was what subject workshop session they would choose to attend. Groups were made up of approximately 20 learners and the workshops would need to have an evening distributed attendance. What would happen if ten out of the twenty wanted to attend the drama
Hannah Barry will be commencing maternity leave after the Easter break so we will have a similar need for 11HBy/to be supported by another colleague. Sarah Woolley will join Vicky Sparrow as a joint LGL. The group will be renamed 11SWo/VSp. Learner Thanks To the following C10 learners for supporting the two Primary Learning days this week; Skye Dickins (10HTr), George Gullick (10OCi), Olivia Hodgetts (10MWo), Abigail Lee (10KHo), Sarah Moore (10KHo), Michael Wilkinson (10ATo), Lily Vickers (10MWo), Ben Carter (10MWo), Maryann Cooke (10NPo), Ian Morley (10MGr), Tori Ramsey (10HBr), Lara Stevens (10MRa), Ava Coughlan (10NPo), Lizzie Grinter (10MRa), Emma Jordan (10MWo), Felicity Kendall (10HTr), Emily Reeve (10KHo), James Smith