Elms Life Issue 4

ELMS LIFE Issue 4, April 2018

Head’s letter

W E LCO M E

I

t’s hard to believe that we are already two thirds through the year. Our pupils have achieved so much since Christmas.

ELMS NEWS YEAR 1 TAKE PART WITH PARTAKE!

We’re always proud to welcome parents for class assemblies. This term children as young as Pre-School have sung, danced and acted in many assemblies from New Year Resolutions and Forest Schools to St Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Year 1 pupils became immersed in 17th century history on Monday 12th March during their time at Partake Theatre Company’s interactive Great Fire of London workshop! As well as dressing up, they enjoyed getting involved with some acting and dancing.

Thank you everyone who attended our first Academic Challenge Parent Workshop.

The response was positive and you can find more in this newsletter. Thanks also for taking part in our parent survey.

I look forward to sharing the results.

Pupils have shown great resilience, skill and progress in sports fixtures across netball, football and hockey and congratulations to the U11 boys’ football team who finished runners-up at the regional ISFA tournament.

Support for our fundraising days have made a valuable contribution to Nottingham Children’s Hospital’s ‘The Big Appeal’ and The Vatsalya Foundation, Mumbai. Meanwhile, it was also a pleasure to host an area heat of the National KS2 General Knowledge Quiz, run by Quiz Club.

Our two teams were a credit to the school.

Mr Keith Morrow, Head Master

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A Classic Performance....

‘Spring Strings’ saw a truly marvellous performance from our musicians in Years 4, 5 & 6. Special congratulations to the Year 6 pupils who had the privilege of performing the first EVER performance of Peter Hamilton’s “The Little Tin Soldier” in front of the composer himself.

Despite the daunting task at hand, the children played beautifully.

Elms news

Year 6 Careers Visit During a recent visit to the Trent College Careers and Higher Education Centre pupils conducted research into Maths-based careers and learned all about the skills needed to excel in them.

Our aim is that by encouraging our pupils to consider future opportunities from an early age, we create a positive, aspirational environment where children can look to their futures with anticipation rather than fear.

‘SAVE THE DATES’ ‘Rock on The Terrace’ Friday 25th May

‘Family Day’

Saturday 9th June 11am – 3pm.

Pirates & Mermaids!

The cast of the Year 3 & 4 play delivered a spectacular performance to their parents and we are very proud of all of the children for the effort they contributed to the show.

AN OFFICIAL PRESENTATION The Mayor of Erewash Borough Council visited The Elms to present our newly elected School Council representatives with their badges of office. All pupils from Reception to Year 6 enjoyed voting.

Catch up on life at The Elms by following us on Twitter @ElmsSchool and Facebook/TheElmsNottingham

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Time to flourish

STOPTHECLOCK Do children know how to take a short ‘timeout’ in stressful moments to better cope with what’s happening? This is one of the things Year 6 learnt this term in a unique course with University of Nottingham’s, Dr Edward Sellman.

A glance at the App store tells you everything about how we’re now seeking ways to mentally and physically reset away from the stresses of everyday life - meditation, sleep, relaxation and fitness apps are more popular than ever.

But adults aren’t the only ones with 21st century pressures. As children grow up in an inter-connected and rapidly-changing world, switching off is getting harder and life moves so quickly it’s easy to miss what’s happening here and now.

Step forward Dr Edward Sellman, former primary school teacher, Assistant Professor and a member of the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Research in Human Flourishing. Dr

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Sellman developed a six-week course to help pupils recognise and employ ‘mindful moments’ and this term Year 6 enjoyed the unique chance to develop these skills.

“I think it’s been really helpful,” says Year 6 teacher, Mr Ed Jolly. “For example, sometimes children come back to the classroom after lunch excitable or unable to let something go, so we do a short breathing exercise to calm down and bring everyone back to a place where they can focus and concentrate again.”

In the 45-minute sessions with Dr Sellman, pupils learnt about how the brain makes you react in certain ways in different situations, while exploring gratitude, mindful eating, mindful »

Dr Edward Sellman, Nottingham University’s Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences

Time to flourish

“As children grow up in an inter-connected, rapidly-changing world, switching off is getting harder and life moves so quickly it’s easy to miss what’s happening here and now.”

breathing, awareness of sounds, thoughts and body scan exercises.

In-class activities, such as listening to how long the sound of a chime takes to disappear (over 30 seconds!) and pupils thinking about how many people do things for them without them realising, connects them to different senses and emotions.

The children also completed two short weekly entries, either written or colouring, in a diary to reflect on how they felt in such moments. For example, when they chose to concentrate, had nothing to do, were kind to someone or grateful for something, noticed a clock ticking, felt the wind on their face or experienced a disappointment.

Assistant Head ( Juniors), Mrs Liz Barclay, says the need for children to be equipped with the ability to filter out unwelcome ‘noise’, causing anxiety and stress, has increased during her years as a teacher.

She adds: “Even in Year 2 pupils do fun activities like ‘Think like a frog, move like a frog’ where in that moment children are focused on nothing else but being a frog. Having the skills and awareness to just be in the present and deal with situations only if and when they arise are invaluable in positive wellbeing and mental health. Pupils have the option to apply what they have learned now if they wish, while also having new skills to prepare for life beyond The Elms and into adulthood.”

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Academic Challenge

young minds Mrs Hayley Dilger, Deputy Head (Academic)

All pupils have the same chance to be stretched and challenged academically at The Elms. But how? Deputy Head (Academic), Mrs Hayley Dilger, explains all.

Academic challenge. What does it mean?

In January, I delivered a well-attended parent workshop on this subject and it was clear academic challenge can mean different things to different people.

At The Elms, academic challenge isn’t about children getting everything right all the time or being the best at something, it’s about how they apply their knowledge to solve problems and find solutions in whatever activity they are approaching. It’s a move away from simply rewarding a child for getting 20 out of 20 in a spelling test or repeating times tables, to instead recognise the progress each child is making.

There will always be the need to learn and practice the principles, methods and facts underpinning each subject. But the academic challenge 06 ELMS LIFE

carpet? How much does the carpet comes in a child taking what they cost per square metre? How much know about sentence construction would it cost to buy a carpet within or multiplication or World War II, for your budget? It’s still practicing maths, example, to work things out, make but through applying what they know reasoned judgments, form opinions, and using relevant principles hypothesize and draw and independent research conclusions themselves. to solve a problem.

It’s a skills-based “Using thinking approach to Getting to know you assessing progress. skills to solve a problem Every child can When I chat to in any subject can be be challenged parents about adapted and applied academically in supporting learning across all areas of every subject. In at home, I’ll the curriculum a class of 20 there sometimes suggest and life.” will be a wide range ideas such as instead of abilities. What of answering 50 maths academic challenge each questions from a textbook, child needs comes down to tell your child you need a new teachers knowing the pupils and carpet and get them to work out what planning accordingly. you need to buy one.

What activities suit children who How big is the room? What’s your grasp things quickly in a particular » budget? Where can they look for

Academic challenge

Pupils enjoy learning in the interesting surroundings of the Biology lab

Having specialist teachers in Modern Foreign Languages, Design Technology, Science, Art, Drama, Music, Computing and Sport also enables precise, targeted academic challenge from subject experts.

subject? How can we support those who may need additional help in a certain area? What activities provide the higher order thinking and questioning skills for more able and talented children who show greater or exceptional ability in different areas?

Some activities will be practical, others textbook-based, but all will be right for each child.

Pupils make more progress when actively involved in their learning and assessment so are encouraged to edit and, where appropriate, mark their own work. Peer assessment and shared and paired marking enhance academic challenge too.

Having specialist teachers in Modern Foreign Languages, Design Technology, Science, Art, Drama, Music, Computing and Sport also enables precise, targeted academic challenge from subject experts. Yet the principles are the same. For example, we want children to leave Year 6 with the confidence and skills to learn a language, not specifically how to speak French, Spanish or German.

It’s a subtle but important difference.

Using thinking skills to solve a problem in any subject can be adapted and applied across all areas of the curriculum and life. They are the bedrock of the school’s ethos to develop the whole child to adopt a growth mindset and view failure as the first attempt in learning in whatever they do. They are the foundation of a child’s future.

This is academic challenge at The Elms.

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Positive Health

Run with it

The ‘parkrun’ and open-to-all festivals have made running popular again.

This term, Elms pupils have been pulling on their trainers and discovering why running is such a fun way to be healthy and fit.

M

r Tim Caldwell has lead the way when it comes to getting Elms youngsters running.

With 20 youngsters regularly attending after-school running club and pupils taking part in more cross-country fixtures than ever, it seems many are excited to follow.

School cross-country has been burdened by negative historical stereotypes. But with the boom in people of all abilities taking part in mass participation events, children are seeing their parents enjoy running and many do junior fun

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runs themselves too.

Running is one of the cheapest and easiest activities to do as a family and we are enjoying seeing pupils embrace the running revolution.

“I love the look of surprise and sense of accomplishment on pupils’ faces when they cross the line to achieve something they didn’t think they were capable of,” he says.

“Some children may never have had to run for more than a few minutes, while in team sports, you can stop running if it starts hurting.

In cross-country pupils realise they can push past that point and find

they are more capable than they think.

It rewards perseverance and builds resilience; they learn that if you try something over and over you get better, which reflects our school

The support the children offer each other is fantastic. approach to developing a growth mindset in pupils. The support the children offer each other is fantastic to see.” »

Positive Health

You don’t have to be the fastest; everyone can enjoy the feeling of being active and personal achievement.

Running has been incorporated into PE as fun games, such as 1-2-3 (a hide-and-seek and race to a post game) and High-Intensity Interval Training activities, where they run for short bursts, recover and repeat.

In December and January, all Elms pupils from Years 3-6 took part in their House cross-country event. With everyone gaining points for their House, regardless of finishing position, the focus was on getting round and contributing to the team.

Children’s physical and mental health is often in the news and Mr Caldwell hopes inspiring a passion for running early will give pupils something to enjoy for life.

He added: “Running is something everyone can do. There’s a different perception of running now and that is filtering down to children.

You don’t have to be the fastest; everyone can enjoy the feeling of being active and a sense of personal achievement. If we can help encourage pupils to establish good habits early they will go away with a positive attitude towards physical activity.”

THE ELMS RUNNING TEAM FIXTURES THIS SEASON Nottingham High School meeting at Wollaton Park Lichfield Cathedral School Worksop College Prep School National Cross-Country Championships at Malvern College

Y5 & 6 Elms runners competing in a cross country fixture

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Tot’s time Nursery & Pre-School Manager and EYFS Teacher Mrs Joanne Ramshall introduces…

…A week at The Elms Pre-School Monday The week begins with outdoor play. Children then go into their key groups for EYFS Next Steps activities across maths, literacy, PSE, physical, understanding the world, communication and language or expressive arts and design. Through this structured indoor or outdoor play, development milestones are noted and new challenges are set. Key group and next steps activities take place each morning and afternoon. Monday is Music and Library day, when children have their first specialist lessons of the week.

Tuesday Children enjoy Dance & Drama with Mr Mundy before Dough Disco (fun squashing, poking and rolling dough) which develops fine motor skills. Tuesday sees the first of the week’s four Forest School sessions; all children partake weekly with woodland activities like building campfires and exploring trim trails, developing their independence and enquiry skills.

Thursday C’est Jeudi, so it’s French with Madame Bratton! As with Music, Dance and Drama and Library classes, children have these lessons in The Elms upper school.

With lunch also in the Obolensky Dining Room, it’s all part of creating familiarity and smoothing the transition from Pre-School to Reception. Children also have yoga, while school Chaplain, Father Bernard, visits to teach about values, kindness and friendship.

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Wednesday Music is a key theme as, accompanied by a ukulele, children sing and dance during morning carpet-time before their daily afternoon singing and storytelling session. The annual assembly, this year with children reflecting on their Forest Schools experience through speaking, singing and pictures, was on this day in Lent Term.

Friday A structured play day, complete with Sticky Kids music and movement.

The Pre-School week rounds off with outdoor play for children who leave at 3.30pm, while those who stay until 5pm enjoy tea, adult-led games and story time.

See you all again on Monday!

Spotlight on...

SP TLIGHT ON

... After-School Activities

From sports clubs to baking, coding to Lego, magazine production to Mandala drawing, choosing which after-school activities to do is sometimes the hardest part! Assistant Head (Juniors), Mrs Liz Barclay, gives us the lowdown.

SOMETHING F O R E V E RYO N E Juniors and Infants have different activities to choose from. Specialists come into school to run most of the Infant activities, such as Little Wickets, Jumping Clay and Rainbows or Beavers, while Junior activities are all run by Elms staff. The activities change each term so there’s always something new to enjoy.

TAKE YOUR PICK Multiple activities are run each week for both Infants and Juniors, with two activities each week included in the fees for Juniors. Those run by external leaders incur a small charge. Through an online survey pupils select six options in order of preference. Siblings are encouraged to look at activities on the same days to make it easier for Mum and Dad! Activities are then allocated.

HAVE A GO These inclusive enrichment activities aren’t about being the ‘best’, but trying new things with no pressure, personal improvement and doing something simply for enjoyment’s sake. Children are encouraged to stick with an activity for half a term if it’s not initially what they thought. This nurtures values of perseverance.

TAKING THE PRESSURE OFF PARENTS With activities running until 5pm, they provide largely free or low cost,

after-school care. The breadth of activities offered means each individual child is catered for and they can enjoy spending time with friends doing things they might not otherwise have tried. It’s peace of mind for parents knowing children are having fun in a safe environment.

REINFORCING LEARNING Some clubs have an unconscious academic element. For example, Mandala drawing uses maths principles such as using a protractor and angles to make patterns the same size.

Creative activities like T-shirt design, ‘Trash to Treasure’ and song writing build on classroom learning and coding club provides skills progression.

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@ElmsSchool

TheElmsNottingham

The Elms, Nursery & Junior School to Trent College, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4AD t: 0115 849 4942 e: elmsschool@trentcollege.net w: www.elmsschool.net For Admissions please contact t: 0115 849 4940 e: elmsadmissions@trentcollege.net