The Echo Christmas 2019

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THEECHO ECHO ECHO

Christmas 2019 Edition

The Hidden Curriculum Curriculum is a school’s academic plan that lays out the totality of pupil experiences each child is exposed to during the educational process. It must take into consideration outcomes, content and challenge. Challenge in learning ensures that our pupils engage in a healthy struggle and as a result think deeply. If the challenge in learning is correctly pitched, provoking high-level thinking, then inevitably our pupils learn effectively. Challenge can be a scary prospect, so how do we ensure that the pupils at St Margaret’s successfully respond? Often forgotten, the ‘hidden curriculum’, is just as vital in the process of preparing children for their next step. This is the part of the curriculum that can’t be written, or explicitly taught, but where important life skills and key values are grown and explored throughout the pupils’ time at St Margaret’s. Developing skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and creativity help to mould the way our pupils approach learning tasks. Encouraging the adoption of values such as courage, kindness and integrity set the tone for learning in the classroom. When the ‘hidden curriculum’ works in harmony with the academic plan, exploration is fostered, and pupil’s interests are ignited.

“Imagination is the source of all human achievement.” Ken Robinson What does a lesson look like when specific skills and values are expertly blended into the fabric of the learning? How does this differ from a lesson that is just content driven? The short answer is simple – the purpose of learning is redefined and the child becomes more engaged in the process. A lesson driven by content, skill development and value acquisition is multifaceted and offers greater involvement for our pupils. This type of learning can be messy and loud but if we can accept and embrace that, we can foster a much deeper level of learning, creativity and fulfilment in pupils. Throughout this term’s Echo you will hear stories of learning from across the school that capture the essence of both the explicit and hidden aspects of our wonderful curriculum here at St Margaret’s. The pupils and teachers have enjoyed engaging with the many opportunities presented to them as a result of our curriculum. We look to the rest of the academic year which will be filled with exciting learning where the children will be challenged, stimulated and focussed on an exciting range of themes.

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of The Echo We have come to the end of a long and exciting term and I am sure the whole school community is looking forward to a well-earned rest. As the term closes, we have the opportunity to reflect and celebrate so much - from concerts, trips and visitors, to sporting and performance achievements. Ultimately though I feel it is the hard work of all the pupils and our staff taking place daily in the classrooms which should be most celebrated – well done and thank you to everyone for a wonderful term. The prospect of the holiday season is causing much excitement and there is a lovely festive buzz around the school. This will be the first Christmas my family has spent in the UK for six years and for me to be at

St Margaret’s this year and to be able to share in the Christmas festivities here has been extra special. The fabulous Pre-Prep Nativity shows and our wonderfully festive Prep Carol Service have put us all in the Christmas spirit and their organisation at the end of a long term is no mean feat. Thank you to everyone involved. As the term draws to a close, I would like to wish everyone a peaceful and happy holiday season. Thank you for your support, engagement and the part that you all play in this fantastic community. Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings to everyone!


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