Class 2 completed their recorder workshops with Joanna Thompson and received high marks in their final assessments. (The greatest of apologies for misnaming Joanna in our last contribution.) Miss Natasha Angetter equally completed her teaching experience and was finally judged to be ‘excellent’ in her moderated assessment, a judgement we had all arrived at independently! We had a lovely goodbye assembly and the school presented her with a ‘new teacher’s survival kit’ as well as a lovely scarf.
African ‘week’ finally ended with a concert of world music for parents led by Mrs Nicola Rose. We have thoroughly enjoyed her weekly visits to lead musical activities and help staff plan the future curriculum. We again thank MKAA for their generous grant that allowed us as a small school to put on these ambitious events.
‘Red Nose Day’ was celebrated in style with our usual blue uniform being supplanted anything and everything red from noses to wigs and lunches to a red book of children’s work.
Term ended with our Easter Bonnet Parade and egg-rolling, which was won this year by Francesca Boulton.
February
Such was the richness of activities on offer that the African Week turned into a fortnight and some are further planned for next half-term. Among the highlights were;
Music from specialist Nicola Rose
Weaving from Mrs Alana Jolly
Food from Mrs Cartwright and Mrs Rogers
A visit from Agnes Abraham of the Golden Tree Restaurant (Newport Pagnell)
Dance workshops and performance to parents led by Melanie Beeston
A whole-day arts carousel of pottery, design and story compositions
Literacy and stories from Africa led by School's Librarian Liz Brand to continue over six weeks
We thank MKAA for their generous grant that allowed us as a small school to put on these ambitious events.
January
Our trip to the Panto in Northampton was a welcome start back to school with just the lingering memory of Christmas to keep us going.
Class 2 resumed their recorder workshops with Joanna Thompson and they seemed to have lost little of their skills in the holidays. Miss Natasha Angetter is gradually taking responsibility of the class now that her major teaching experience has begun.
Class 1 have celebrated Chinese New Year by making ‘pet’ dragons for our Vet’s corner as well as more seriously looking at some of the things we have gained form China.
African week will continue the recently outward looking nature of the curriculum. With a generous grant from Milton Keynes Arts Association we have a full programme of creative activities planned to add enjoyment to the ongoing excellence that the children and staff aspire to. More news and pictures about this next month.
In conjunction with the Parish Council the school will be helping to add facilities for younger children in the Recreation Ground at Perry Lane. Michaela Thompson and Peter Burton have been our links in this venture and we look forward to this extension of our links with the community not least because it will generously add to our facilities for outdoor education.
