17 July 2007

• At this stage of the year everyday is precious and full of activity as a busy term comes to fruition and completion.
• We once again shared our summer trip with our sister school St Andrew’s from Great Linford. A fine day at Emberton Park covered many curriculum areas and was notable for the personal and social aspects as the two cohorts freely mixed and made or renewed friendships. We are very grateful to the PTFA of St Andrew’s for a lovely lunch.

• Sports evening was a friendly and suitably competitive event. The ‘RED’ team won by a small margin overall but the ‘BLUE’ and ‘YELLOW’ teams were not second by any measure of sportsmanship. Many thanks again to the PTFA for refreshments and organisational fervour.
• Leaver’s assembly was a quiet affair with two of our three Y2 pupils present in the flesh and the third making a recorded appearance on video. But it is the nature of a dynamic institution that as we say a fond farewell to Megan, Grace and Mason at the end of their career with us we then, at the same time, welcome Red, Connor, Harry, Kele, Natasha, Charlotte and Sophie at the beginning of theirs.
• And (almost) finally...one of our younger pupils handed me a scrap of paper one morning and was asked to illustrate his caption. He did so and it expresses what we want every one of our pupils to feel...School is best!
• But the last word will go to Headteacher Mrs Arlene Bourne; “The school year 2006-2007 has come to an end and it is good to reflect on another happy, busy and very successful year. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed to the life of the school over the year. After all the good will, enthusiasm, support and energy offered we wish you a peaceful and relaxing holiday and we look forward to seeing you all when school reopens on Tuesday 4th September.”

  2007-2008 Prospectus

• The new 2007-2008 Prospectus is now available for download. It is in Microsoft Word format (855KB).

  Jubilee Fun Day Photos

• Sherington Historical Society recorded the many activities and participants at the School's Jubilee Fun Day on 30 June 2007 and around 100 photos of the event, plus 4 short video clips, are now available on the SHS web site.

  4 July 2007

• Our healthy school focus received a boost through winning first prize in the regional E2BN (our broadband supplier) for a healthy recipe; pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup (preparation time 9 months! - first grow your pumpkin).
• Our 50th Birthday was celebrated in fine fashion at our Jubilee Fun Day when in spite of the weather we had a wonderful time remembering how lucky we are through the past and present life of the school. Mrs Doris Stephens presented a lovely new playground seat to the school in memory of her late husband Charles who was Headmaster at the opening of the new school until his retirement in 1975.
• The organising committee from the PTFA, including Donna our Community Relations Governor representative, attended a special Golden Smart Assembly at which the children presented them with golden award stickers.

  23 June 2007

• This term has seen the flowering of a number of initiatives seeded earlier in the year.
• Our new trim trail in the front playground was installed very efficiently over half-term to the delight of all year groups upon their return to school.
• The recorder club is embedded in the weekly life of the school under Lydia’s expert tutelage. With the children taking their weekly home practice seriously they are on the verge of new musical expertise. Similarly Mrs Fielding’s French Club brings a touch of Gallic ambience to Thursday lunchtimes.
• The school hosted a ‘Learning Visit’ from Headteachers of small schools researching school improvement following our Ofsted and leading toward our responses to the same. Similarly we also hosted a learning walk for Year 2 pupils from Greenleys School as part of our ‘Pupil Voice’ project and continuing the link to provide our small Year 2 cohort with a wider peer-group.
• Throughout the year our Key Stage 1 children have been keeping Learning Journals in which they reflect upon their learning experiences;
      I like the quiet moment (in assembly) because I can think about the prayer. - Grace
      This moth took a long time to hatch. I have found that we need to be patient. - Charlotte
      Reverend Mandy comes on Thursday. She does prayers to think about Jesus and God. - Olivia
      Be careful with baby animals. They are so small and fast and silly. - Gabriel

• A visit by a string quartet from the School Music Service gave us all a treat and exposure to live music of a high standard and different genre.
• Year 2 children received a liaison visit from their new teachers at Tickford Park School and spoke with confidence about their time with us and what they will look forward to.
• Sherington Pre-School have made their several liaison visits this term and these have led naturally to the induction programme for the new Reception cohort that will join us in September.
• To the many people within and without the school who have helped and supported us throughout this busy and demanding year of transition and inspection we extend our thanks and best wishes for a good summer break of whatever description. You have all played a part in helping us to achieve the highest of accolades
• “The school through its distinctive Christian character is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners...This is because of the school’s very good knowledge of the background, strengths and needs of each child and its effective commitment to providing pupils with a foundation for life...Pupils are reflective and confident because of the school’s focus on skills for self-evaluation and communication.”

  28 May 2007

• Once again our pupils rose to the challenge of an inspection this time by the Diocesan Inspector. With similar findings to our recent Ofsted exercise except that the management of a church school was upgraded to ‘outstanding’. Pupil confidence, attainments and attitude were praised after an unscripted walk around the school. As a result the whole school was rewarded with a visit to Prego in Newport Pagnell to make delicious DIY pizza. The visit sparked a session writing Pizza poems on our return to school with no shortage of first-hand experience to stimulate the creative taste buds. We thank both Prego and Mr Bob King for a most enjoyable and educational trip.
• Our broadband internet supplier was impressed by our school recipe for pumpkin pie, particularly the length of time needed for preparing the ingredients (nine months as we have to grow the pumpkin first!). We await the result of the competition for healthy food and cooking that it was entered for.
• The Ptfa in the guise of Marie and Sally provided a lovely lunch of fish-fingers (brain food) or veggie-bakes, potato wedges (energy food) and peas or sweet-corn (one of our 5-a-day quota). Lisa, on a separate day, made a unique crumble, from our school grown rhubarb, with the custard baked under the topping. These were delicious and welcomed by adults and children alike.
• Sherington Pre-School made the first of several liaison visits to share the school’s facilities. These enjoyable activities will lead into our induction visits specifically for the new cohort of children starting in September. We aim to achieve a seamless transition to school from pre-school settings as well as sharing our excellent facilities.

  7 May 2007

• The drizzle didn't stop the children from Sherington School dancing around the Maypole at 11am on 7 May on The Knoll. Philip Smith was again Master of Ceremonies.
• More photos